Internet address: http://stats.bls.gov/newsrels.htm Technical information: (202) 691-6569 USDL 99-364 Media contact: 691-5902 For release: 10:00 A.M. EST Wednesday, December 22, 1999 OCCUPATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES, 1998 The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor announces the release of national employment and wage estimates for a comprehensive set of over 770 occupations from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey. The OES survey is a Federal-State cooperative program between BLS and State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs). The 1998 OES data for States will be available on the BLS website in mid-January, with data for metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) available some time thereafter. The OES survey data presented in this release have a fourth-quarter 1998 reference period and are based on information from the 1996, 1997, and 1998 surveys. The 3 years of survey responses for employment and wage data have been combined to produce this year's results. The 1996 and 1997 wage data have both been adjusted to the 1998 reference period by using the over-the- year wage changes in the most applicable national Employment Cost Index series. The employment estimates from 1996, 1997, and 1998 have been adjusted to the full universe counts for the 1998 survey reference period based on the Covered Employment and Wages program. (Estimates for New Jersey were adjusted to second-quarter 1998, since data for fourth-quarter 1998 were unavailable.) For further details, see Technical Note beginning on page 4. The OES survey provides estimates of employment, average (mean) and median hourly wages, and mean annual wages for over 770 detailed occupations. (See table A-1.) Overall, almost one-half of the occupations had mean wages in the mid-range intervals; this result, however, was variable across the major occupational divisions. The OES classification system has seven major occupational divisions, as shown below. Table A displays the number and percentage of occupations within each division, as well as the distribution of employment by occupational division. The managerial, sales, and agricultural divisions include the fewest number of occupations and the smallest employment coverage. The professional and production divisions include the largest number of occupations, while also accounting for the largest share of employment. The majority of occupations in the managerial and professional divisions have average (mean) wage rates in the upper wage ranges, while the majority of occupations in the clerical, service, and agricultural divisions have average hourly wages in the lower wage ranges. Table B shows the distribu- tion of the mean wage of the occupations within each occupational division. For example, 75 percent of managerial occupations have a mean occupational wage above $19.24 per hour, while more than 55 percent of service occupations have a mean occupational wage below $10.00 per hour. Occupations in the production division are paid hourly wages dispersed across the middle wage ranges. Table A. Distribution of occupations and employment by occupational division, 1998 --------------------------------------------------------------------- | Occupation | Employment |----------------------|-------------------------- Occupational | | Percent | | Percent division | Number | of | Number | of | | total | | total -------------------|----------|-----------|---------------|----------- Total...........| 777 | 100.0 | 124,704,630 | 100.0 | | | | Managerial........ | 20 | 2.6 | 8,320,910 | 6.7 Professional...... | 214 | 27.5 | 26,427,600 | 21.2 Sales............. | 22 | 2.8 | 14,814,380 | 11.9 Clerical.......... | 77 | 9.9 | 21,665,320 | 17.4 Service........... | 64 | 8.2 | 19,942,840 | 16.0 Agricultural...... | 20 | 2.6 | 1,566,630 | 1.3 Production........ | 360 | 46.3 | 31,966,950 | 25.6 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Table B. Wage ranges of average (mean) wages by occupation, 1998 (Percentage distribution) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | Wage range |-------------------------------------------------------------- Occupational | |$8.50 |$10.00|$11.25|$13.25|$15.75|$19.25|$24.25|$43.25 division | Under| to | to | to | to | to | to | to | to | $8.50|$9.99 |$11.24|$13.24|$15.74|$19.24|$24.24|$43.24|$60.00 ---------------|------|----- |------|------|------|------|------|------|------ Managerial.....| | | | | 20.0 | 5.0 | 15.0 | 60.0 | Professional...| 0.5 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 10.3 | 18.7 | 31.3 | 26.6 | 0.9 Sale...........| 13.6 | 13.6 | 4.5 | 13.6 | | 18.2 | 18.2 | 18.2 | Clerical.......| 5.2 | 19.5 | 15.6 | 44.2 | 7.8 | 5.2 | 2.6 | | Service........| 43.8 | 12.5 | 10.9 | 9.4 | 7.8 | 4.7 | 9.4 | 1.6 | Agricultural...| 30.0 | 5.0 | 15.0 | 40.0 | 10.0 | | | | Production.....| 4.7 | 8.9 | 15.0 | 23.3 | 23.6 | 16.9 | 6.9 | 0.6 | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technical Note Scope of the survey The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is an annual mail survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments, by industry. The OES survey samples and contacts approximately 400,000 establishments each year and, over 3 years, contacts approximately 1.2 million establishments. The reference period for each year's survey is the fourth quarter of that year. While estimates can be made from a single year of data, the OES survey has been designed to produce estimates using the full 3 years of sample. (See Estimation methodology section.) The full sample allows the production of estimates at fine levels of geography, industry, and occupational detail. BLS and the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) provide the funding for the survey. BLS provides the procedures and technical support, while the State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) collect the data. The SESAs produce industry-specific estimates for states and local areas. BLS produces industry estimates for the nation, and cross-industry estimates for the nation, states, and metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). The OES survey defines employment as the number of workers who can be classified as full-time or part-time employees, including workers on paid vacations or other types of leave; workers on unpaid short-term absences; salaried officers, executives, and staff members of incorporated firms; employees temporarily assigned to other units; and employees for whom the reporting unit is their permanent duty station regardless of whether that unit prepares their paycheck. The survey excludes the self-employed, owners/partners of unincorporated firms, and unpaid family workers. Employees are reported in the occupation in which they are working, not necessarily for which they were trained. The OES survey currently uses the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system to classify all establishments. An establishment is defined as an economic unit that processes goods or provides services, such as a factory, mine, or store. The establishment is generally at a single physical location and is engaged primarily in one type of economic activity. The scope of the survey includes establishments in SIC codes 07, 10, 12 to 17, 20 to 42, 44 to 65, 67, 70, 72, 73, 75, 76, 78 to 84, 86, 87, and 89. This scope covers agricultural services; mining; construction; manufacturing; transportation and public utilities; wholesale and retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and services. Data for the postal service (SIC code 43) and federal government are universe counts obtained from the Office of Personnel Management. States' Unemployment Insurance (UI) files provide the universe from which the OES survey draws its sample. The employment benchmarks are obtained from reports submitted by employers to the UI program. In some nonmanufacturing industries, supplemental sources are used for establishments not reporting to the UI program. The OES survey sample is stratified by area, industry, and size class. Size classes are defined as follows: Size class Number of employees --------------------------------- 1 1 to 4 2 5 to 9 3 10 to 19 4 20 to 49 5 50 to 99 6 100 to 249 7 250 to 499 8 500 to 999 9 1,000 or more --------------------------------- - 2 - UI reporting units with 250 or more employees are sampled with certainty across a 3-year period; however, during any one survey year, only one-third of the certainty units are in the sample. In 1996 and 1997, establishments in size classes 2 to 6 were selected based on a probability sample. The sampling weights in size class 2 were adjusted to account for the employment in size class 1. In 1998, the OES Survey began sampling establishments in size class 1; thus, establishments in all size classes are now represented in the probability sample. The OES classification system uses seven occupational divisions to categorize workers in one of over 770 detailed occupations. The seven divisions are as follows: 1. Managerial and administrative occupations 2. Professional, paraprofessional, and technical occupations 3. Sales and related occupations 4. Clerical and administrative support occupations 5. Service occupations 6. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and related occupations 7. Production, construction, operating, maintenance, and material handling occupations. Concepts Employment represents the estimate of total wage and salary employment in an occupation across the industries in which it was reported. The OES survey form sent to an establishment contains between 50 and 225 OES occupations selected on the basis of the industry classification and size class of the sampled establishments. To reduce paperwork and respondent burden, no survey form contains every OES occupation. Thus, data for specific occupations are collected primarily from establishments within industries that are the predominant employers of labor in those occupations. Wages for the OES survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate, cost-of-living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay including commissions and production bonuses, and on-call pay are included. Excluded are back pay, jury duty pay, overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, and tuition reimbursements. The OES survey collects wage data in 11 intervals. Employers report the number of employees in an occupation per each wage range. The wage intervals used for the 1998 survey are as follows: -------------------------------------------------- | Wages |--------------------------------------- | | Interval | Hourly | Annual ----------|----------------- |-------------------- Range A | Under $6.75 | Under $14,040 Range B | $6.75 to $8.49 | $14,040 to $17,659 Range C | $8.50 to $9.99 | $17,660 to $20,779 Range D | $10.00 to $11.24 | $20,780 to $23,399 Range E | $11.25 to $13.24 | $23,400 to $27,559 Range F | $13.25 to $15.74 | $27,560 to $32,759 Range G | $15.75 to $19.24 | $32,760 to $40,039 Range H | $19.25 to $24.24 | $40,040 to $50,439 Range I | $24.25 to $43.24 | $50,440 to $89,959 Range J | $43.25 to $60.00 | $89,960 to $124,820 Range K | $60.01 and over | $124,821 and over -------------------------------------------------- - 3 - Mean wage is the estimated total wages for an occupation divided by its weighted survey employment. With the exception of the upper open-ended wage interval, interval K ($60.01 and over), a mean wage value is calculated for each wage interval based on occupational wage data collected by the Office of Compensation and Working Conditions. The mean wage value for the upper open-ended wage interval is its lower bound (Winsorized mean). These interval mean wage values are then attributed to all workers reported in the interval. For each occupation, total weighted wages in each interval are summed across all intervals and divided by the occupation's weighted survey employment. Annual wage: Many employees are paid at an hourly rate by their employers and may work less than or more than 40 hours per week. The annual wage estimates in this release are calculated by multiplying the mean hourly wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours per year (52 weeks by 40 hours). Thus, the annual wage estimates may not represent the actual annual pay received by the employee if they work fewer than 2,080 hours per year. There are a small number of occupations in this release where only an annual wage figure is provided; the workers in these occupations are generally paid on an annual basis, and their annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data. Hourly versus annual wage reporting: For each occupation, respondents are asked to report the number of employees paid within specific wage intervals. The intervals are defined both as hourly rates and the corresponding annual rates, where the annual rates are constructed by multiplying the hourly wage rate for the interval by the typical work year of 2,080 hours. In reporting, the respondent can reference either the hourly or the annual rate, but is instructed to report the hourly rate for part-time workers. There are workers in some occupations who are paid based on an annual amount, but generally work less than the usual 2,080 hours per year. Since the survey does not collect the actual hours worked, the hourly rate cannot be calculated with a reasonable degree of confidence from the annual wages. For this reason, only the annual salary is reported for these occupations. Occupations that typically have a work-year of less than 2,080 hours include musical and entertainment occupations, pilots and flight attendants, and teachers. Estimation methodology The OES survey samples approximately 400,000 establishments each year and, over a 3-year period, contacts approximately 1.2 million establishments. Each single-year sample represents a one-third sample of both the certainty and non-certainty strata for the full 3-year sample plan. While estimates can be made from a single year of data, the OES survey has been designed to produce estimates using the full 3 years of data. The full 3-year sample allows the production of estimates at fine levels of geography, industry, and occupational detail, while estimates using any one year of data would be subject to a higher sampling error (due to the smaller sample size) and the limitations associated with having only 1/3 of the units from the certainty strata. Producing estimates using the 3 years of sample data provides significant sampling error reductions (particularly for small geographic areas and occupations); however, it also has some quality limitations in that it requires the adjustment of earlier years' data to the current reference period--a procedure referred to as "wage updating." - 4 - 1996 OES survey estimates: The 1996 OES survey estimates, which were published in December 1997, were from the first year of the new OES wage survey and were developed using only a single year (that is, 400,000 sample units) of data. The initial estimation methodology used a weighting-class adjustment procedure for nonrespondents and an employment benchmark at the state/industry level. Since 1996 estimates were based on only one year of data, the estimation procedure did not involve "wage updating." 1997 OES survey estimates: The 1997 OES survey estimates, published in December 1998, represented the second year of OES estimates and were developed using both 1996 and 1997 survey data that, when combined, cover approximately 800,000 sample units. The 1997 estimates also represented the first year of using a wage-updating methodology in developing the OES survey estimates. For the 1997 estimates, the OES program used the over- the-year fourth-quarter wage changes from the Bureau's Employment Cost Index to adjust the 1996 survey data before combining it with the fourth- quarter 1997 data. In addition to the wage-updating procedure, the 1997 estimates used an improved estimation methodology, which uses a "nearest neighbor" imputation approach for nonrespondents and applies employment benchmarks at a detailed MSA by 3-digit industry and broad size class level. Note: Because of the difference in estimation methods for these first 2 years of OES estimates, the data from 1997 are not strictly comparable with those published from 1996. 1998 OES survey estimates: The 1998 OES survey estimates are developed from the full three years of the OES sample. The combined 1996, 1997, and 1998 data cover approximately 1.2 million sample units. The 1998 estimates use the wage-updating methodology introduced in 1997, which uses the over- the-year fourth-quarter wage changes from the Bureau's Employment Cost Index to adjust prior years' data before combining them with data from the current year. In addition, the 1998 estimates use the estimation methodology introduced in 1997, which uses a "nearest neighbor" imputation approach for nonrespondents and applies employment benchmarks at a detailed MSA by 3-digit industry and broad size class level. Combining multiple years of data: As noted above, combining multiple years of data has both statistical advantages and limitations. Significant reductions in sampling error can be achieved by taking advantage of 3 years of data, which covers over 70 percent of the employment in the United States. This feature is particularly important in improving the reliability of estimates for small domains in the population (that is, wage and employment estimates for detailed occupations in small areas). Combining multiple years of data also has been necessary to obtain full coverage of the certainty strata (that is, large employers with 250+ employment); the current OES collection cycle samples these units only once every 3 years. - 5 - While there are significant advantages, there are also limitations associated with this estimation procedure in that it requires "wage updating" for the earlier years of data. For "wage updating" purposes, the Bureau has used the national over-the-year wage changes from the fourth quarter of 1996 to the fourth quarter of 1997 and from the fourth quarter of 1997 to the fourth quarter of 1998 for the nine occupational divisions for which ECI estimates are available. These factors are applied to both the 1996 and 1997 survey data to update them to the fourth-quarter 1998 level before combining them with the 1998 survey data. Such a procedure assumes that each occupation's wage, as measured in the earlier years, moves according to the average movement of its occupational division and that there are no major geographic or detailed occupational differences-- and this may not be the case. As noted below, the Bureau will be conducting research over the next several years on the accuracy of this approach and also on other modeling approaches that may produce more accurate results. Future research: The expanded OES survey is a relatively new program, and BLS has a number of research efforts underway. Some areas of future research are given below. Sample design research--BLS is evaluating the feasibility of collecting all certainty units (that is, large employers of 250+) every year so that more accurate independent estimates from a single year of sample data can be produced. These estimates will not contain possible effects from the wage-updating procedure and can provide an independent measure of the accuracy of the updating procedure along with the ability to use these data directly for more aggregate levels of publication. Collection methodology research--This includes research on alternative electronic collection reporting procedures for respondents. Estimation methodology research--An important research effort over the next several years will be the evaluation of the current wage-updating methodology along with the identification of alternative modeling approaches that may produce improved overall accuracy. Additional information The 1998 OES national data by occupation, comparable to data in table A-1, will be available soon on the Internet (http://stats.bls.gov/oeshome.htm), along with additional technical information. Users also may access each occupation's definition and percentile wages. The 1998 OES data for States will be available on the BLS website in mid-January, with data for metro- politan statistical areas (MSAs) available some time thereafter. In addition to the data provided on the Internet, industry staffing patterns at the 2- and 3-digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) levels will be available electronically beginning in January 2000. These data will include industry-specific occupational employment and wage data. BLS also plans to release a bulletin displaying 1998 occupational employment and wage data for selected industries in the spring of 2000. For additional information, contact the Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, Room 4840, 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, DC, 20212; telephone 202-691-6569 (e-mail: oesinfo@bls.gov). Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-606-5886; TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339. Table A-1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 1998 Occupation Employment Mean Wages Median Wages Hourly Annual /1 Managerial and administrative occupations Financial managers 674,040 $28.56 $59,400 $26.48 Personnel, training, and labor relations managers 228,250 25.10 52,210 23.56 Purchasing managers 164,830 22.39 46,560 20.11 Marketing, advertising, and public relations managers 477,540 28.85 60,020 27.55 Administrative services managers 357,720 23.70 49,290 21.33 Engineering, mathematical, and natural sciences managers 345,790 34.54 71,850 36.22 Postmasters and mail superintendents 27,230 22.28 46,350 21.51 Education administrators 369,100 27.77 57,770 29.04 Medicine and health services managers 213,040 25.17 52,340 23.49 Property and real estate managers and administrators 147,340 17.32 36,020 14.39 Industrial production managers 210,730 27.79 57,800 27.08 Construction managers 238,780 24.97 51,930 22.89 Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas well drilling managers 8,770 30.30 63,020 30.50 Communications, transportation, and utilities operations managers 195,580 26.11 54,310 25.39 Food service and lodging managers 355,880 14.12 29,370 12.84 Nursery and greenhouse managers 2,510 14.49 30,140 12.19 Lawn service managers 17,770 13.56 28,210 12.22 Public administration chief executives, legislators, and general administrators 78,140 15.54 32,320 9.20 General managers and top executives 3,261,680 30.08 62,570 26.87 Professional, paraprofessional, and technical occupations Insurance underwriters 90,750 20.42 42,480 18.61 Credit analysts 41,230 19.19 39,920 17.11 Loan officers and counselors 235,360 20.05 41,700 16.99 Tax preparers 55,400 15.55 32,350 13.44 Accountants and auditors 878,920 20.13 41,880 18.20 Budget analysts 59,600 22.94 47,710 21.61 Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products 100,460 17.31 36,010 15.17 Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products 24,160 17.54 36,490 15.42 Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products 215,600 19.87 41,320 18.29 Claims takers, unemployment benefits 10,500 15.57 32,390 14.96 Special agents, insurance 26,220 21.43 44,570 17.69 Employment interviewers, private or public employment service 68,350 17.63 36,660 14.33 Personnel, training, and labor relations specialists 371,900 19.47 40,500 18.13 Cost estimators 150,600 21.11 43,910 19.52 Management analysts 146,830 25.95 53,970 23.78 Construction and building inspectors 64,340 18.69 38,870 18.05 Compliance officers and enforcement inspectors, except construction 173,680 19.18 39,880 17.70 Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents 58,320 19.92 41,440 19.01 Assessors 22,020 15.43 32,090 14.34 Claims examiners, property and casualty insurance 47,940 20.79 43,240 19.28 Aeronautical and astronautical engineers 54,670 30.26 62,950 32.19 Metallurgists and metallurgical, ceramic, and materials engineers 15,850 27.40 57,000 27.87 Mining engineers, including mine safety 3,240 26.43 54,970 26.97 Petroleum engineers 10,230 33.70 70,090 35.70 Chemical engineers 41,420 29.44 61,240 31.13 Nuclear engineers 10,260 32.70 68,020 34.28 Civil engineers, including traffic 171,580 26.28 54,660 25.70 Agricultural engineers 3,190 25.82 53,710 25.25 Electrical and electronic engineers 328,410 28.69 59,670 29.93 Computer engineers 300,830 $28.77 $59,850 $29.77 Industrial engineers, except safety 113,480 26.18 54,450 25.30 Safety engineers, except mining 21,940 25.56 53,170 24.52 Mechanical engineers 216,100 26.23 54,550 25.62 Marine engineers 3,890 25.40 52,830 23.10 Architects, except landscape and marine 72,480 24.85 51,680 22.94 Marine architects 1,230 29.89 62,170 32.27 Landscape architects 14,150 20.37 42,370 18.23 Surveyors and mapping scientists 38,850 19.77 41,120 18.10 Civil engineering technicians and technologists 72,480 17.34 36,060 16.55 Electrical and electronic engineering technicians and technologists 299,020 18.32 38,110 17.30 Industrial engineering technicians and technologists 31,260 19.84 41,270 18.42 Mechanical engineering technicians and technologists 87,450 19.84 41,280 18.83 Drafters 263,770 16.60 34,540 15.47 Estimators and drafters, utilities 5,270 22.76 47,340 22.12 Surveying and mapping technicians 59,550 13.68 28,450 12.47 Physicists and astronomers 8,380 33.23 69,120 35.21 Chemists, except biochemists 80,420 23.80 49,510 22.22 Atmospheric and space scientists 6,460 25.71 53,480 26.17 Geologists, geophysicists, and oceanographers 32,890 27.50 57,210 25.91 Foresters and conservation scientists 24,780 21.21 44,110 20.56 Agricultural and food scientists 9,410 21.53 44,780 20.36 Biological scientists 72,960 24.04 49,990 22.18 Medical scientists 16,760 27.44 57,060 24.23 Biological, agricultural, and food technicians and technologists, except health 40,480 14.51 30,190 13.19 Chemical technicians and technologists, except health 76,210 15.85 32,980 15.12 Nuclear technicians and technologists 3,550 23.21 48,280 22.10 Petroleum technicians and technologists 8,020 20.13 41,860 19.29 Systems analysts, electronic data processing 552,530 26.02 54,110 25.09 Data base administrators 89,680 24.28 50,490 23.07 Computer support specialists 455,950 19.52 40,590 17.85 Computer programmers 573,850 25.67 53,400 23.83 Computer programmer aides 65,620 15.35 31,930 14.20 Programmers, numerical tool and process control 8,980 20.66 42,970 19.47 Operations and systems researchers and analysts, except computer 76,820 24.93 51,860 23.59 Mathematical scientists 7,270 20.12 41,840 17.58 Statisticians 15,750 24.62 51,210 23.34 Actuaries 12,470 31.86 66,270 31.52 Financial analysts, statistical 44,720 26.07 54,230 22.45 Mathematical technicians 2,530 17.12 35,620 14.64 Economists, including market research analysts 54,590 25.58 53,200 23.24 Urban and regional planners 32,730 21.68 45,100 20.61 Psychologists 84,380 24.81 51,610 23.10 Social workers, medical and psychiatric 218,170 16.39 34,090 15.20 Social workers, except medical and psychiatric 365,600 15.52 32,280 14.41 Residential counselors 175,310 9.86 20,510 9.06 Human services workers 270,380 $10.93 $22,740 $10.27 Recreation workers 235,170 9.15 19,030 7.93 Clergy 29,250 15.04 31,280 13.89 Directors, religious activities and education 10,850 12.99 27,020 12.04 Judges and magistrates 24,850 29.85 62,080 32.16 Adjudicators, hearings officers, and judicial reviewers 57,990 17.43 36,260 16.29 Lawyers 428,340 36.49 75,890 37.58 Law clerks 43,770 13.88 28,880 13.19 Paralegal personnel 128,810 16.79 34,920 15.75 Title searchers 11,000 12.49 25,980 11.51 Title examiners and abstractors 16,820 15.31 31,850 13.99 Lecturers 14,340 14.31 29,760 11.46 Nursing instructors, postsecondary 38,660 /2 46,810 /2 Graduate assistants, teaching 106,410 /2 21,180 /2 Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary 10,900 /2 58,430 /2 Life sciences teachers, postsecondary 36,580 /2 53,550 /2 Chemistry teachers, postsecondary 14,890 /2 50,290 /2 Physics teachers, postsecondary 9,580 /2 54,960 /2 Health diagnostics teachers, postsecondary 36,990 /2 72,320 /2 Health assessment and treatment teachers, postsecondary 21,460 /2 52,990 /2 Communications teachers, postsecondary 14,470 /2 43,610 /2 English language and literature teachers, postsecondary 52,440 /2 44,990 /2 Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary 19,360 /2 44,780 /2 Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary 48,430 /2 45,000 /2 Engineering teachers, postsecondary 25,230 /2 61,560 /2 Architecture teachers, postsecondary 5,060 /2 52,980 /2 Mathematical sciences teachers, postsecondary 39,820 /2 46,750 /2 Computer science teachers, postsecondary 24,470 /2 46,880 /2 Anthropology and sociology teachers, postsecondary 13,350 /2 49,300 /2 Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary 3,830 /2 49,990 /2 Economics teachers, postsecondary 10,310 /2 55,740 /2 Geography teachers, postsecondary 3,460 /2 51,860 /2 History teachers, postsecondary 16,070 /2 48,660 /2 Political science teachers, postsecondary 10,270 /2 51,020 /2 Psychology teachers, postsecondary 22,400 /2 49,800 /2 Business teachers, postsecondary 51,840 /2 50,530 /2 Law teachers, postsecondary 8,860 /2 66,670 /2 Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary 7,660 /2 42,860 /2 Social work teachers, postsecondary 4,790 /2 43,420 /2 Education teachers, postsecondary 34,380 /2 43,430 /2 Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary 13,720 /2 46,090 /2 Library science teachers, postsecondary 2,980 /2 46,420 /2 Parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies teachers postsecondary 7,900 /2 44,040 /2 Home economics teachers, postsecondary 3,440 /2 45,740 /2 Teachers, preschool 289,290 9.39 19,530 8.32 Teachers, kindergarten 156,110 /2 35,450 /2 Teachers, elementary school 1,577,030 /2 38,600 /2 Teachers, secondary school 1,326,580 /2 40,350 /2 Teachers, special education 390,250 /2 40,580 /2 Teachers and instructors, vocational education and training 312,520 $17.62 $36,660 $16.55 Instructors, nonvocational education 123,970 13.60 28,280 11.92 Instructors and coaches, sports and physical training 301,710 12.68 26,360 10.69 Farm and home management advisors 11,100 19.01 39,540 17.88 Librarians, professional 143,270 19.24 40,020 18.49 Technical assistants, library 70,030 10.91 22,680 10.45 Audio-visual specialists 14,010 16.81 34,970 15.85 Curators, archivists, museum technicians, and conservators 12,150 16.80 34,950 15.26 Vocational and educational counselors 171,780 19.51 40,580 18.58 Instructional coordinators 87,730 19.86 41,300 18.69 Teacher aides, paraprofessional 655,030 8.21 17,080 7.83 Physicians and surgeons 497,470 49.05 102,020 /3 Dentists 81,510 44.40 92,350 52.96 Optometrists 23,500 31.48 65,490 32.93 Podiatrists 7,510 36.15 75,200 38.23 Chiropractors 17,630 32.41 67,420 30.74 Veterinarians and veterinary inspectors 37,150 27.47 57,140 24.50 Respiratory therapists 84,730 17.14 35,660 16.75 Occupational therapists 64,730 24.65 51,260 23.19 Physical therapists 111,480 27.49 57,190 27.21 Corrective and manual arts therapists 2,240 16.66 34,660 16.63 Speech-language pathologists and audiologists 88,390 22.12 46,010 20.71 Recreational therapists 23,300 13.98 29,080 13.35 Registered nurses 2,027,830 20.71 43,070 19.56 Licensed practical nurses 673,790 13.48 28,040 12.95 Emergency medical technicians 145,520 10.75 22,360 9.75 Physician assistants 62,000 22.48 46,760 22.64 Opticians, dispensing and measuring 63,720 11.78 24,510 10.79 Pharmacists 178,110 28.89 60,090 31.84 Pharmacy technicians and aides 174,970 9.12 18,970 8.65 Dietitians and nutritionists 44,840 17.37 36,120 16.85 Dietetic technicians 23,950 10.18 21,180 9.39 Medical and clinical laboratory technologists 151,100 18.36 38,190 17.92 Medical and clinical laboratory technicians 133,810 13.38 27,840 12.64 Dental hygienists 140,750 22.39 46,570 22.06 Medical records technicians 89,570 10.57 21,990 9.90 Radiation therapists 12,610 19.88 41,360 19.06 Nuclear medicine technologists 13,360 19.81 41,210 19.05 Radiologic technologists 157,480 16.51 34,340 15.81 Electroneurodiagnostic technologists 6,390 16.02 33,310 15.42 Cardiology technologists 19,630 17.44 36,270 17.20 Electrocardiograph technicians 13,480 12.67 26,350 11.71 Surgical technologists and technicians 53,230 12.76 26,540 12.39 Psychiatric technicians 65,120 10.81 22,490 10.04 Veterinary technicians and technologists 33,600 9.87 20,520 9.56 Writers and editors 133,260 18.91 39,340 16.62 Technical writers and editors 49,180 21.24 44,190 19.75 Public relations specialists and publicity writers 98,240 18.65 38,790 16.61 Reporters and correspondents 52,380 15.59 32,430 12.52 Broadcast news analysts 6,130 $21.53 $44,790 $15.19 Announcers, radio and television 49,130 11.77 24,470 8.63 Announcers, except radio and television 1,410 10.57 21,990 8.22 Photographers 62,990 12.25 25,480 10.07 Camera operators, television and motion picture 11,650 13.36 27,790 10.35 Broadcast technicians 37,240 15.29 31,790 12.15 Film editors 10,240 21.26 44,220 18.64 Artists and related workers 136,620 17.21 35,790 15.24 Designers, except interior designers 196,400 16.24 33,790 14.04 Interior designers 34,050 17.34 36,070 15.27 Merchandise displayers and window trimmers 35,310 9.61 19,990 8.74 Music directors, singers, composers, and related workers 13,530 /2 30,610 /2 Musicians, instrumental 43,980 /2 41,800 /2 Dancers and choreographers 18,630 12.17 25,320 10.30 Producers, directors, actors, and other entertainers 108,800 /2 36,660 /2 Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers 28,100 /2 35,700 /2 Airplane dispatchers and air traffic controllers 28,600 28.51 59,290 31.19 Traffic technicians 6,790 17.54 36,480 16.48 Radio operators 6,260 11.05 22,980 10.27 Funeral directors and morticians 26,780 19.26 40,070 16.85 Embalmers 5,840 14.76 30,700 13.55 Sales and related occupations First-line supervisors and managers/supervisors 1,708,700 17.30 35,990 14.22 Sales agents and placers, insurance 254,870 20.61 42,880 16.53 Brokers, real estate 27,900 26.06 54,210 21.94 Sales agents, real estate 79,970 17.91 37,260 13.47 Appraisers, real estate 32,440 21.32 44,340 19.37 Sales agents, securities, commodities, and financial services 237,430 29.70 61,780 23.12 Sales agents, selected business services 285,510 19.35 40,250 16.78 Travel agents 120,850 11.53 23,990 11.07 Sales agents, advertising 128,360 18.85 39,200 15.31 Sales engineers 80,530 27.51 57,210 26.25 Sales representatives, scientific and related products and services, except retail 441,570 24.28 50,500 21.49 Sales representatives, except retail and scientific and related products and services 1,137,880 20.23 42,080 17.57 Salespersons, retail 3,923,110 9.12 18,970 7.61 Salespersons, parts 291,320 12.14 25,240 10.93 Counter and rental clerks 458,910 7.76 16,140 6.97 Stock clerks, sales floor 1,297,270 8.00 16,640 7.31 Cashiers 3,156,260 7.31 15,210 6.58 Telemarketers, door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and other related workers 450,430 9.39 19,540 8.21 Demonstrators and promoters 80,430 9.34 19,420 8.14 Models 1,290 11.01 22,900 8.32 Clerical and administrative support occupations First-line supervisors and managers/supervisors 1,514,200 16.34 33,990 14.95 Tellers 565,440 8.49 17,650 8.27 New accounts clerks 108,520 10.46 21,750 10.26 Transit clerks 12,640 9.03 18,790 8.48 Loan interviewers 16,380 11.98 24,920 11.15 Credit authorizers 14,730 12.23 25,430 11.05 Credit checkers 38,460 $11.29 $23,480 $10.36 Loan and credit clerks 189,300 11.45 23,810 10.86 Adjustment clerks 536,610 11.17 23,240 10.59 Statement clerks 16,180 9.37 19,490 8.96 Brokerage clerks 76,900 14.45 30,050 13.42 Insurance adjusters, examiners, and investigators 156,950 19.54 40,640 18.41 Insurance appraisers, auto damage 10,570 19.85 41,280 19.23 Insurance examining clerks 11,440 12.08 25,130 11.42 Insurance claims clerks 155,510 11.95 24,860 11.54 Insurance policy processing clerks 156,580 12.02 25,010 11.52 Welfare eligibility workers and interviewers 82,270 16.83 35,010 15.91 Investigators, clerical 14,100 12.23 25,440 11.17 Bill and account collectors 288,190 11.32 23,550 10.84 Court clerks 45,130 11.67 24,280 11.04 Municipal clerks 24,810 12.15 25,270 10.97 License clerks 23,020 11.39 23,690 11.01 Travel clerks 18,360 9.51 19,780 8.70 Reservation and transportation ticket agents 202,930 12.26 25,490 10.95 Hotel desk clerks 163,590 7.53 15,660 7.29 Library assistants and bookmobile drivers 126,730 8.81 18,320 8.17 Teacher aides and educational assistants, clerical 471,340 7.80 16,220 7.36 Advertising clerks 14,700 10.36 21,550 9.88 Proofreaders and copy markers 33,830 10.12 21,060 8.95 Real estate clerks 28,290 9.57 19,900 9.07 Legal secretaries 298,930 14.90 30,990 14.45 Medical secretaries 224,240 11.26 23,430 10.77 Secretaries, except legal and medical 2,440,280 11.86 24,670 11.32 Stenographers and/or court reporters 79,450 13.10 27,240 12.22 Receptionists and information clerks 1,251,450 9.26 19,260 8.95 Typists, including word processing 381,040 11.23 23,350 10.86 Personnel clerks, except payroll and timekeeping 141,180 12.25 25,480 11.71 Correspondence clerks 24,590 11.16 23,210 10.71 File clerks 259,300 8.63 17,950 8.09 Order clerks, materials, merchandise, and service 365,990 10.99 22,850 10.36 Procurement clerks 59,880 11.52 23,970 10.88 Statistical clerks 55,040 12.02 24,990 11.24 Interviewing clerks, except personnel and social welfare 137,610 9.37 19,490 8.91 Customer service representatives, utilities 201,350 14.16 29,450 13.48 Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks 1,740,470 11.71 24,350 11.15 Payroll and timekeeping clerks 165,650 12.31 25,610 11.81 Billing, cost, and rate clerks 333,970 11.36 23,620 10.90 General office clerks 2,956,920 10.06 20,920 9.41 Billing, posting, and calculating machine operators 88,600 10.22 21,260 9.88 Duplicating machine operators 53,510 9.77 20,320 9.39 Mail machine operators, preparation and handling 57,450 9.10 18,930 8.30 Computer operators, except peripheral equipment 198,920 12.92 26,860 12.03 Peripheral EDP equipment operators 25,130 11.89 24,730 10.99 Data entry keyers, except composing 399,000 9.64 20,040 9.22 Data keyers, composing 17,520 10.21 21,250 9.39 Switchboard operators 203,110 $9.19 $19,110 $8.76 Directory assistance operators 26,170 13.63 28,350 14.68 Central office operators 19,960 12.60 26,210 12.61 Telegraph and teletype operators 5,270 12.18 25,330 12.63 Mail clerks, except mail machine operators and postal service 117,210 9.02 18,760 8.49 Postal mail carriers 351,760 16.39 34,090 16.75 Postal service clerks 78,350 16.22 33,740 16.88 Messengers 95,000 8.59 17,860 8.02 Dispatchers, police, fire, and ambulance 81,940 11.97 24,900 11.38 Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance 166,220 13.79 28,690 12.68 Production, planning, and expediting clerks 257,640 14.78 30,740 14.07 Transportation agents 26,980 12.39 25,770 11.08 Meter readers, utilities 51,260 12.96 26,950 12.20 Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping 44,820 12.03 25,020 10.72 Marking clerks 24,530 8.22 17,100 7.90 Stock clerks - stockroom, warehouse or storage yard 812,730 10.03 20,860 9.19 Order fillers, wholesale and retail sales 239,700 9.73 20,240 9.15 Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks 994,290 11.65 24,230 10.82 Service occupations Fire fighting and prevention supervisors 54,590 21.94 45,630 21.55 Police and detective supervisors 109,330 24.08 50,080 23.41 Housekeeping supervisors 87,440 10.20 21,220 9.42 Fire inspectors 8,980 20.56 42,770 19.76 Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists 3,190 17.87 37,160 18.00 Fire fighters 226,290 15.63 32,500 14.99 Police detectives 53,360 21.20 44,100 20.82 Police patrol officers 425,870 18.78 39,060 18.13 Correction officers and jailers 387,930 14.69 30,550 13.72 Parking enforcement officers 10,100 12.19 25,350 11.95 Bailiffs 8,870 12.38 25,750 11.17 Criminal investigators, public service 21,330 26.48 55,080 28.78 Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs 87,170 14.64 30,460 13.59 Detectives and investigators, except public 45,450 12.16 25,300 10.11 Railroad and transit police and special agents 5,140 19.49 40,540 19.40 Fish and game wardens 7,080 17.28 35,940 16.85 Crossing guards 55,070 8.20 17,050 7.18 Guards and watch guards 942,140 8.60 17,890 7.81 Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, or coffee shop 256,650 6.88 14,310 6.45 Bartenders 436,820 6.82 14,190 6.25 Waiters and waitresses 1,992,130 6.11 12,700 5.85 Food servers, outside 63,170 7.50 15,600 6.88 Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers 387,970 6.44 13,390 6.03 Counter attendants - lunchroom, coffee shop, or cafeteria 346,040 6.57 13,670 6.15 Bakers, bread and pastry 161,840 8.84 18,380 8.17 Butchers and meat cutters 142,730 11.48 23,870 10.95 Cooks, restaurant 749,380 8.30 17,270 7.81 Cooks, institution or cafeteria 375,370 8.22 17,100 7.74 Cooks, fast food 491,660 6.29 13,090 5.99 Cooks, short order 163,580 $7.28 $15,150 $6.92 Food preparation workers 1,238,830 7.09 14,740 6.59 Combined food preparation and service workers 1,620,430 6.39 13,290 6.02 Dental assistants 231,380 11.22 23,330 10.88 Medical assistants 271,540 10.18 21,160 9.94 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants 1,258,130 8.31 17,290 7.99 Home health aides 430,440 8.17 16,990 7.81 Psychiatric aides 78,450 10.94 22,760 10.66 Physical and corrective therapy assistants and aides 76,590 12.02 24,990 10.51 Occupational therapy assistants and aides 20,350 14.28 29,710 13.80 Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians 17,030 9.00 18,730 8.16 Maids and housekeeping cleaners 889,700 7.28 15,140 6.85 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners 1,966,150 8.44 17,570 7.66 Pest controllers and assistants 48,750 11.11 23,100 10.81 Elevator operators 2,740 14.77 30,730 15.52 Barbers 12,450 10.05 20,900 8.88 Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists 329,640 8.55 17,790 7.28 Manicurists 32,080 7.60 15,800 6.49 Shampooers 14,250 6.46 13,440 6.04 Amusement and recreation attendants 317,880 6.84 14,220 6.18 Guides 26,270 8.26 17,180 7.46 Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers 72,780 6.43 13,380 6.00 Baggage porters and bellhops 37,630 7.13 14,820 6.41 Flight attendants 111,170 /2 42,690 /2 Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters 21,110 10.67 22,190 8.47 Wardrobe, and locker and dressing room attendants 7,600 8.36 17,390 7.37 Personal and home care aides 255,960 7.51 15,620 7.17 Child care workers 379,920 7.13 14,820 6.61 Funeral attendants 22,520 7.98 16,600 7.34 Agricultural, forestry, fishing, and related occupations First-line supervisors and managers/supervisors 51,350 14.49 30,150 13.18 Fallers and buckers 11,040 13.85 28,800 11.30 Choke setters 2,600 13.10 27,250 13.01 Log-handling equipment operators 19,770 12.06 25,090 11.38 Logging tractor operators 17,350 11.46 23,830 10.94 Forest and conservation workers 21,650 11.98 24,910 11.13 Log graders and scalers 4,270 11.65 24,230 11.04 Graders and sorters, agricultural products 70,300 7.05 14,660 6.45 Animal breeders 1,450 12.23 25,440 10.79 Animal trainers 4,120 11.25 23,400 10.17 Animal caretakers, except farm 91,580 7.82 16,260 7.12 Farm equipment operators 20,310 8.21 17,070 7.57 Pruners 29,670 11.00 22,890 10.61 Sprayers/applicators 18,180 10.65 22,160 10.41 Laborers, landscaping and groundskeeping 872,860 9.22 19,170 8.24 Veterinary assistants 46,260 8.10 16,850 7.79 Farmworkers, food and fiber crops 178,710 6.27 13,040 6.02 Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals 11,060 7.89 16,410 7.39 First-line supervisors and managers/supervisors: Mechanics, installers, and repairers 431,090 $20.28 $42,190 $19.04 Construction trades and extractive workers 355,180 20.34 42,310 18.98 Production and operating workers 615,170 18.71 38,910 17.46 Transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators 147,510 18.49 38,460 17.66 Helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand 148,990 15.52 32,280 14.58 Precision inspectors, testers, and graders 153,900 14.44 30,040 13.30 Production inspectors, testers, graders, sorters, samplers, and weighers 453,750 11.71 24,360 10.62 Transportation inspectors 19,930 18.74 38,980 19.02 Machinery maintenance mechanics 277,910 15.69 32,630 15.21 Machinery maintenance mechanics, textile machines 28,540 12.13 25,230 11.97 Machinery maintenance mechanics, sewing machines 8,860 11.44 23,800 11.13 Machinery maintenance mechanics, marine equipment 12,110 15.05 31,310 14.19 Underground mine machinery mechanics 5,800 18.44 38,340 18.00 Machinery maintenance mechanics, water or power generation plant 58,920 18.76 39,020 18.57 Millwrights 79,930 17.97 37,390 17.76 Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons 2,040 14.63 30,430 14.23 Machinery maintenance workers 86,590 14.93 31,060 14.54 Maintenance repairers, general utility 1,116,920 12.11 25,200 11.20 Automotive mechanics 631,280 13.97 29,060 13.16 Automotive body and related repairers 184,260 14.34 29,820 13.18 Motorcycle repairers 10,460 11.90 24,760 11.27 Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists 237,140 14.66 30,490 14.11 Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines 100,190 15.71 32,670 15.16 Rail car repairers 13,270 17.47 36,330 17.47 Farm equipment mechanics 34,140 11.31 23,530 10.94 Aircraft mechanics 112,100 18.34 38,150 18.09 Aircraft engine specialists 15,660 19.22 39,980 20.03 Small engine specialists 28,430 10.82 22,500 10.38 Central office and pbx installers and repairers 41,950 20.63 42,910 21.00 Frame wirers, central office 14,500 22.21 46,200 22.17 Telegraph and teletype installers and maintainers 1,030 19.31 40,170 21.43 Signal or track switch maintainers 4,810 19.50 40,550 18.48 Radio mechanics 7,350 15.46 32,150 14.71 Telephone and cable television line installers and repairers 193,850 16.56 34,450 15.75 Data processing equipment repairers 61,680 15.15 31,520 14.11 Electronic home entertainment equipment repairers 27,990 12.18 25,340 11.32 Electric home appliance and power tool repairers 30,220 12.47 25,930 11.62 Electric motor, transformer, and related repairers 17,230 13.94 28,990 13.33 Electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment 66,360 17.21 35,800 17.11 Powerhouse, substation, and relay electricians 9,040 23.17 48,200 22.64 Electrical power-line installers and repairers 97,000 20.46 42,550 20.48 Station installers and repairers, telephone 23,660 18.44 38,360 19.06 Electrical installers and repairers, transportation equipment 21,310 16.20 33,690 16.28 Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics 246,730 14.88 30,960 14.02 Precision instrument repairers 31,050 18.81 39,120 19.03 Electromedical and biomedical equipment repairers 12,540 16.54 34,410 16.44 Electric meter installers and repairers 12,450 $19.22 $39,970 $19.64 Camera and photographic equipment repairers 3,660 14.92 31,030 13.62 Watchmakers 3,090 13.17 27,390 11.82 Musical instrument repairers and tuners 4,760 11.99 24,940 11.06 Locksmiths and safe repairers 13,650 12.81 26,640 11.97 Office machine and cash register servicers 53,710 14.34 29,830 13.38 Mechanical control and valve installers and repairers 20,640 16.92 35,190 17.14 Elevator installers and repairers 21,360 24.00 49,910 23.01 Riggers 12,850 15.75 32,750 15.27 Installers and repairers, manufactured buildings, mobile homes, and travel trailers 37,330 10.81 22,490 10.30 Gas appliance repairers 11,440 15.93 33,130 15.93 Coin and vending machine servicers and repairers 28,600 11.57 24,070 11.18 Bicycle repairers 8,260 7.91 16,460 7.55 Tire repairers and changers 80,700 8.58 17,850 8.08 Menders, garments, linens, and related 8,510 7.99 16,610 7.69 Carpenters 761,920 15.20 31,610 13.82 Ceiling tile installers and acoustical carpenters 16,430 16.92 35,190 15.27 Drywall installers 85,910 15.50 32,240 14.02 Tapers 34,910 16.56 34,440 15.41 Lathers 13,570 16.16 33,600 14.41 Brattice builders 440 15.90 33,070 16.30 Electricians 601,250 18.05 37,530 16.98 Brickmasons 101,840 17.81 37,040 17.10 Stonemasons 15,630 16.44 34,190 15.49 Hard tile setters 17,630 16.93 35,220 16.26 Concrete and terrazzo finishers 141,480 13.82 28,740 12.39 Reinforcing metal workers 21,770 17.36 36,120 15.79 Plasterers and stucco masons 36,910 15.34 31,910 14.13 Painters and paperhangers, construction and maintenance 277,240 13.45 27,980 12.07 Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 362,550 18.00 37,430 16.67 Pipelaying fitters 5,690 16.50 34,310 16.49 Pipelayers 47,650 13.61 28,310 11.96 Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners 10,450 13.36 27,790 12.22 Carpet installers 31,630 14.81 30,800 12.73 Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles 13,310 15.04 31,280 12.93 Floor sanding machine operators 4,200 12.00 24,970 11.23 Air hammer operators 2,260 15.19 31,600 13.41 Pile-driver operators 2,280 20.54 42,720 20.61 Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators 76,140 13.14 27,340 11.78 Highway maintenance workers 160,140 12.40 25,780 11.77 Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators 15,670 16.82 34,990 16.50 Insulation workers 58,830 13.82 28,750 12.25 Hazardous materials removal workers 35,340 14.60 30,370 13.28 Sheet metal duct installers 48,780 15.63 32,520 13.48 Roofers 105,900 13.63 28,340 12.18 Glaziers 39,240 13.95 29,020 12.70 Structural metal workers 59,060 17.09 35,550 15.81 Fence erectors 18,300 10.33 21,490 9.53 Earth drillers, except oil and gas 16,510 $14.54 $30,240 $13.41 Blasters and explosives workers 4,420 15.40 32,020 14.86 Rock splitters, quarry 2,530 10.87 22,600 10.59 Rotary drill operators, oil and gas extraction 9,160 17.58 36,560 15.36 Derrick operators, oil and gas extraction 13,110 13.81 28,720 12.53 Service unit operators 13,190 11.94 24,840 10.76 Roustabouts 26,310 10.40 21,630 9.51 Roof bolters 3,890 17.90 37,240 17.51 Continuous mining machine operators 5,770 17.10 35,580 16.70 Mine cutting and channeling machine operators 2,680 16.52 34,360 15.83 Tool and die makers 136,420 18.16 37,780 17.91 Precision instrument makers 4,840 14.79 30,760 12.89 Machinists 410,640 14.35 29,860 13.87 Tool grinders, filers, sharpeners, and other precision grinders 36,820 13.45 27,980 12.82 Pattern and model makers, metal 4,160 16.53 34,380 15.19 Precision lay-out workers, metal 13,850 15.40 32,030 14.33 Shipfitters 10,330 13.91 28,930 13.87 Jewelers and silversmiths 24,080 12.90 26,820 11.60 Precision hand workers, jewelry and related products 11,530 10.17 21,150 9.16 Precision etchers and engravers, hand or machine 3,290 11.76 24,460 10.67 Sheet metal workers 182,770 15.22 31,670 13.47 Boilermakers 14,930 18.82 39,150 18.45 Pattern and model makers, wood 9,420 16.25 33,810 14.66 Pattern markers, wood 1,740 10.77 22,400 10.80 Wood machinists 41,010 9.98 20,770 9.61 Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters 101,390 11.49 23,900 10.76 Furniture finishers 27,910 10.03 20,860 9.56 Fabric and apparel patternmakers and lay-out workers 15,750 13.04 27,110 10.38 Custom tailors and sewers 32,010 9.76 20,300 8.96 Upholsterers 42,780 11.09 23,070 10.60 Shoe and leather workers and repairers, precision 17,180 8.41 17,500 7.99 Spotters, dry-cleaning 9,150 8.73 18,160 8.08 Pressers, delicate fabrics 24,580 7.76 16,140 7.43 Precision dyers 4,140 10.37 21,580 9.43 Hand compositors and typesetters 8,570 11.68 24,290 10.85 Job printers 18,040 12.59 26,180 11.58 Paste-up workers 7,360 10.73 22,330 9.53 Electronic pagination system operators 26,140 14.86 30,910 14.00 Photoengravers 3,920 13.38 27,840 13.67 Camera operators 7,380 12.64 26,290 11.72 Scanner operators 6,880 16.75 34,850 16.14 Strippers 21,640 15.83 32,930 15.53 Platemakers 14,430 14.46 30,070 13.75 Bookbinders 7,040 11.29 23,470 9.95 Slaughterers and butchers 65,600 8.94 18,600 9.03 Bakers, manufacturing 40,970 11.11 23,120 10.59 Food batchmakers 31,920 11.64 24,200 11.09 Precision foundry mold and coremakers 11,950 $12.55 $26,110 $11.84 Precision molders, shapers, casters, and carvers, except jewelry and foundry 13,420 11.12 23,130 10.22 Precision patternmakers, model makers, lay-out workers, and cutters 4,100 14.91 31,010 14.40 Precision detail design decorators and painters 4,700 10.25 21,330 9.40 Precision photographic process workers 10,200 11.48 23,880 10.39 Precision optical goods workers 21,940 10.33 21,480 9.39 Precision dental laboratory technicians 34,390 14.04 29,200 12.34 Medical appliance makers 7,130 13.73 28,550 11.18 Gem and diamond workers 1,100 9.87 20,520 9.04 Sawing machine tool setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 21,320 11.81 24,570 11.36 Lathe and turning machine tool setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 73,100 13.99 29,100 13.58 Drilling and boring machine tool setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 40,050 13.21 27,480 12.32 Milling and planing machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 24,400 14.56 30,280 13.90 Grinding, lapping, and buffing machine tool setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 63,380 12.63 26,280 11.89 Machine tool cutting operators and tenders, metal and plastic 106,040 13.10 27,250 11.78 Punching machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 45,810 11.54 24,000 11.19 Press and press-brake machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 71,700 12.02 25,010 11.61 Shear and slitter machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 21,920 12.00 24,960 11.68 Extruding and drawing machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 45,010 11.80 24,530 11.59 Rolling machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 18,770 13.56 28,210 12.98 Forging machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 15,540 16.84 35,040 17.26 Machine forming operators and tenders, metal and plastic 173,920 10.59 22,020 9.70 Numerical control machine tool operators and tenders, metal and plastic 89,340 13.52 28,130 13.04 Combination machine tool setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 53,000 13.45 27,980 12.66 Combination machine tool operators and tenders, metal and plastic 50,620 11.08 23,050 10.45 Welding machine setters and set-up operators 32,060 13.65 28,390 12.73 Welding machine operators and tenders 78,320 12.51 26,020 11.73 Soldering and brazing machine setters and set-up operators 6,920 10.79 22,440 10.35 Soldering and brazing machine operators and tenders 7,720 10.13 21,080 9.85 Metal fabricators, structural metal products 39,910 12.45 25,890 11.57 Plastic molding and casting machine setters and set-up operators 36,170 11.16 23,210 10.54 Plastic molding and casting machine operators and tenders 140,340 8.99 18,690 8.58 Metal molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters and set-up operators 19,420 12.86 26,760 12.13 Metal molding, coremaking, and casting machine operators and tenders 36,390 12.86 26,740 11.85 Foundry mold assembly and shake-out workers 10,200 11.05 22,980 10.54 Electrolytic plating and coating machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 13,770 11.15 23,200 10.36 Electrolytic plating and coating machine operators and tenders, metal and plastic 29,370 10.67 22,200 10.13 Nonelectrolytic plating and coating machine setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 3,330 11.07 23,020 10.24 Nonelectrolytic plating and coating machine operators and tenders, metal and plastic 4,860 10.85 22,570 10.34 Heating equipment setters and set-up operators, metal and plastic 5,100 12.73 26,480 11.70 Heat treating, annealing, and tempering machine operators and tenders, metal and plastic 23,170 12.88 26,790 12.10 Furnace operators and tenders 22,650 13.28 27,620 12.44 Heaters, metal and plastic 3,090 12.37 25,740 11.79 Sawing machine setters and set-up operators 7,210 10.53 21,900 9.73 Head sawyers 6,300 12.22 25,420 11.56 Sawing machine operators and tenders 49,520 9.50 19,750 9.11 Woodworking machine setters and set-up operators, except sawing 21,280 10.07 20,950 9.76 Woodworking machine operators and tenders, except sawing 51,450 9.30 19,350 9.03 Printing press machine setters and set-up operators 12,820 $13.08 $27,210 $12.53 Offset lithographic press setters and set-up operators 57,330 15.56 32,370 14.91 Letterpress setters and set-up operators 11,130 14.63 30,430 13.76 Specialty materials printing machine setters and set-up operators 11,980 12.44 25,880 12.12 Screen printing machine setters and set-up operators 31,040 9.48 19,720 9.08 Bindery machine setters and set-up operators 25,740 12.39 25,760 11.70 Typesetting and composing machine operators and tenders 12,410 12.18 25,330 11.08 Printing press machine operators and tenders 125,910 13.34 27,760 12.51 Photoengraving and lithographing machine operators and tenders 5,910 12.65 26,300 11.52 Bindery machine operators and tenders 65,490 10.22 21,270 9.27 Textile machine setters and set-up operators 26,860 10.61 22,060 10.40 Textile machine operators and tenders, winding, twisting, knitting, weaving, and cutting 174,090 9.38 19,510 9.34 Extruding and forming machine operators and tenders, synthetic or glass fibers 27,690 13.05 27,140 13.43 Textile draw-out machine operators and tenders 8,580 10.06 20,930 9.73 Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders 23,860 9.25 19,240 9.31 Sewing machine operators, garment 326,350 7.42 15,420 7.09 Sewing machine operators, nongarment 131,230 8.53 17,740 8.17 Shoe sewing machine operators and tenders 7,030 8.07 16,790 7.80 Laundry and dry-cleaning machine operators and tenders, except pressing 147,470 7.45 15,490 7.05 Pressing machine operators and tenders, textile, garment, and related materials 65,290 7.51 15,620 7.28 Electronic semiconductor processors 63,110 12.53 26,070 11.93 Motion picture projectionists 8,130 10.27 21,370 7.41 Photographic processing machine operators and tenders 52,120 9.58 19,930 8.56 Tire building machine operators 18,270 16.54 34,410 17.51 Paper goods machine setters and set-up operators 60,550 12.71 26,430 12.50 Cooking machine operators and tenders, food and tobacco 19,690 11.29 23,480 10.26 Roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders, food and tobacco 13,640 10.83 22,520 10.63 Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, or kettle operators and tenders 27,260 13.03 27,100 12.07 Boiler operators and tenders, low pressure 15,840 14.93 31,060 14.57 Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders 6,140 10.31 21,440 9.33 Dairy processing equipment operators, including setters 16,800 12.39 25,780 12.40 Chemical equipment controllers and operators 74,430 15.97 33,210 15.74 Chemical equipment tenders 13,570 14.14 29,400 13.60 Cutting and slicing machine setters and set-up operators 28,090 11.28 23,450 10.75 Cutting and slicing machine operators and tenders 67,700 10.79 22,450 10.30 Painters, transportation equipment 35,210 15.17 31,560 14.00 Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters and set-up operators 38,630 11.46 23,840 10.94 Coating, painting, and spraying machine operators and tenders 81,320 10.74 22,330 10.27 Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders 24,370 10.31 21,450 9.96 Cleaning, washing, and pickling equipment operators and tenders 24,970 10.89 22,660 10.05 Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine operators and tenders 27,280 14.87 30,930 14.23 Crushing, grinding, mixing, and blending machine operators and tenders 137,990 11.92 24,780 11.23 Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters and set-up operators 31,440 12.21 25,400 11.70 Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine operators and tenders 86,090 11.41 23,730 10.94 Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders 389,050 10.43 21,700 9.64 Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers, precision 16,800 $17.83 $37,090 $18.46 Machine builders and other precision machine assemblers 73,630 14.52 30,210 14.06 Fitters, structural metal, precision 20,590 13.41 27,890 12.59 Electromechanical equipment assemblers, precision 55,370 11.66 24,240 11.18 Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers, precision 188,700 11.25 23,400 10.45 Watch, clock, and chronometer assemblers, adjusters, calibraters, precision 2,180 8.87 18,460 8.44 Machine assemblers 67,700 11.36 23,630 10.89 Electrical and electronic assemblers 232,430 9.54 19,850 9.04 Coil winders, tapers, and finishers 21,170 9.80 20,380 8.97 Glaziers, manufacturing 6,140 10.31 21,440 9.86 Welders and cutters 351,190 13.18 27,420 12.41 Solderers and brazers 31,800 9.03 18,770 8.46 Pressers, hand 12,190 7.30 15,180 7.09 Sewers, hand 9,500 8.14 16,920 7.46 Cutters and trimmers, hand 44,250 8.89 18,490 8.23 Portable machine cutters 9,100 9.18 19,100 8.79 Carpet cutters, diagrammers, and seamers 1,260 9.97 20,730 9.25 Cannery workers 47,240 8.03 16,710 7.56 Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers, hand 149,650 7.99 16,610 7.82 Metal pourers and casters, basic shapes 9,100 12.39 25,770 11.71 Molders and casters, hand 20,450 9.84 20,470 9.10 Painting, coating, and decorating workers, hand 32,040 9.84 20,460 9.16 Engraving and printing workers, hand 7,810 8.79 18,270 7.91 Grinding and polishing workers, hand 80,420 10.69 22,240 9.83 Assemblers and fabricators, except machine, electrical, electronic, and precision 1,308,670 10.53 21,910 9.50 Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators 100,000 14.76 30,690 14.26 Gas plant operators 8,240 19.31 40,160 19.79 Chemical plant and system operators 40,670 18.75 39,010 18.77 Petroleum pump system operators 5,100 21.60 44,930 21.51 Petroleum refinery and control panel operators 18,150 20.91 43,490 21.86 Gaugers 6,360 17.40 36,190 18.41 Power-generating plant operators, except auxiliary equipment 22,640 21.18 44,060 21.17 Auxiliary equipment operators, power 8,080 20.75 43,150 20.98 Power reactor operators 3,860 26.38 54,880 25.57 Power distributors and dispatchers 14,420 22.38 46,540 21.97 Stationary engineers 28,350 18.93 39,360 18.40 Truck drivers, heavy or tractor-trailer 1,480,780 14.08 29,290 13.45 Truck drivers, light, include delivery and route workers 1,204,220 10.58 22,010 9.61 Bus drivers 213,120 12.50 26,000 11.72 Bus drivers, school 423,920 9.34 19,420 9.05 Taxi drivers and chauffeurs 88,260 8.29 17,250 7.48 Driver/sales workers 280,990 10.33 21,490 9.29 Railroad conductors and yardmasters 24,510 20.36 42,350 18.51 Locomotive engineers 30,250 20.53 42,690 19.14 Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers 3,110 17.26 35,910 17.17 Locomotive firers 3,700 19.77 41,110 17.93 Subway and streetcar operators 7,380 19.83 41,250 20.83 Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators 16,330 18.16 37,780 17.57 Captains, water vessel 15,240 20.68 43,010 19.91 Mates, ship, boat, and barge 9,720 15.44 32,120 14.09 Pilots, ship 3,160 21.90 45,550 20.03 Motorboat operators 1,220 12.85 26,730 11.90 Able seamen 8,060 13.01 27,050 12.88 Ordinary seamen and marine oilers 12,850 11.29 23,480 10.66 Ship engineers 6,400 20.23 42,090 19.31 Aircraft pilots and flight engineers 96,890 /2 80,700 /2 Bridge, lock, and lighthouse tenders 3,810 13.94 29,000 14.57 Service station attendants 131,190 7.34 15,270 6.90 Parking lot attendants 78,350 7.22 15,030 6.69 Longshore equipment operators 7,210 22.06 45,880 22.03 Tank car and truck loaders 3,980 15.05 31,310 14.99 Oil pumpers, except wellhead 4,920 15.47 32,170 12.85 Wellhead pumpers 7,040 15.81 32,880 16.16 Main-line station engineers 700 21.00 43,690 21.37 Gas pumping station operators 1,340 14.00 29,110 13.06 Gas compressor operators 3,080 17.91 37,250 18.57 Excavating and loading machine operators 99,890 14.44 30,020 13.02 Dragline operators 2,610 14.52 30,190 13.44 Dredge operators 1,740 14.27 29,670 13.14 Loading machine operators, underground mining 3,210 14.59 30,360 14.42 Shuttle car operators 2,880 16.50 34,320 16.87 Grader, bulldozer, and scraper operators 99,490 14.32 29,780 12.94 Hoist and winch operators 12,440 14.28 29,700 13.48 Crane and tower operators 45,700 15.46 32,150 14.67 Industrial truck and tractor operators 438,500 12.08 25,130 11.23 Conveyor operators and tenders 35,320 11.04 22,950 10.48 Pump operators 8,610 15.78 32,820 15.56 Operating engineers 116,230 18.07 37,590 16.95 Helpers, mechanics and repairers 228,570 9.72 20,220 8.76 Helpers, brick and stonemasons and hard tile setters 69,670 11.67 24,280 10.31 Helpers, carpenters and related workers 189,280 10.08 20,960 9.40 Helpers, electricians and power-line transmission installers 84,040 10.09 21,000 9.35 Helpers, painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons 35,920 9.73 20,250 8.78 Helpers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 85,560 10.11 21,020 9.39 Helpers, roofers 29,820 8.53 17,740 8.13 Helpers, extractive workers 13,770 10.45 21,740 9.93 Machine feeders and offbearers 217,550 9.61 19,990 9.04 Stevedores, except equipment operators 26,540 19.15 39,840 19.91 Refuse and recyclable material collectors 90,300 11.28 23,460 10.51 Hand packers and packagers 999,080 7.58 15,770 6.99 Vehicle washers and equipment cleaners 253,220 7.70 16,020 6.99 /1 Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly mean wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data. /2 Hourly wage rates for occupations where workers typically work fewer than 2,080 hours per year are not available. /3 Represents a percentile wage above $60.01 per hour.