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Technical information: (202) 691-6569

 http://www.bls.gov/oes/

Media contact: 691-5902

USDL 07-0712

For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT

Thursday, May 17, 2007

OCCUPATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES, 2006

The highest paying occupations in the U.S. in 2006 included physician specialists, chief executives,

dentists, airline pilots, lawyers, air traffic controllers, and engineering managers, according to the Bureau

of Labor Statistics (BLS) of the U.S. Department of Labor. The lowest paying occupations included

combined food preparation and serving workers, fast food cooks, and dishwashers. Occupations with the

highest employment included retail salespersons, cashiers, general office clerks, combined food preparation

and serving workers, and registered nurses. Employment and wage information for all occupations is shown

in table 1.

These data are from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, which provides employment and wage estimates for wage and salary workers in 22 major occupational groups and 801 detailed

occupations. OES produces data by occupation for the nation, states, and metropolitan areas, and by occupation and industry for the nation. Data are available from the OES homepage at http://www.bls.gov/oes/.

OES data can be used to compare wages and employment for different occupations, or to compare

wages and employment for a given occupation across industries. For instance, national mean hourly wages

ranged from $44.20 for management occupations to $8.86 for food preparation and serving related occupations. (See table 2.) Mean hourly wages for food preparation and serving related occupations ranged

from $13.02 for workers employed in the mining industry to $7.85 for workers employed in the information

industry. However, these industries employed relatively few food preparation and serving related workers:

46,110 in the information industry and 140 in mining. By contrast, the accommodation and food services

industry employed nearly 8.8 million food preparation and serving workers, representing 79 percent of total

industry employment. (See table 3.)

OES data also can be used to make comparisons across geographical areas. For instance, retail salespersons earned a mean hourly wage of $14.78 in Carson City, Nev., as compared to $8.41 in Laredo,

Texas. Employment of retail salespersons was higher in Laredo (3,550) than in Carson City (570). (See

table 7.)

Major Occupational Group Employment and Wages by Industry Sector

Management was the highest paying occupational group, with a mean hourly wage of $44.20, followed

by legal occupations at $41.04. Food preparation and serving related occupations; farming, fishing, and

forestry occupations; and building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations were among the lowest paying occupational groups. (See table 2.)
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As shown in the table, mining; utilities; manufacturing; finance and insurance; and professional, scientific,

and technical services were among the highest paying industries for several occupational groups. Other industries were high paying for occupations directly related to their output. For example, the healthcare and

social assistance industry paid high wages to healthcare practitioner and technical workers, but not to most

other occupational groups.

Some occupational groups were widely distributed across industries. For example, office and administrative support workers not only had the highest total employment of any occupational group, but were found

in large numbers in many industries. Other occupations were concentrated in specific industries, where they

made up a high proportion of industry employment. Of the 7.6 million workers employed in the construction

sector, 67 percent were employed in construction and extraction occupations. (See table 3.) Manufacturing

employed nearly 14.2 million workers with 53 percent employed in production occupations. Of the 12.3 million workers in the education sector, 59 percent were in education, training, and library occupations. Finally,

the healthcare sector employed nearly 15.6 million workers with 33 percent employed in the healthcare practitioner and technical occupations and 19 percent in healthcare support occupations.

Detailed Occupational Employment and Wages by Detailed Industry

In addition to the occupational group and industry sector data previously discussed, OES data also are

available for detailed occupations and industries. For example, registered nurses, with total employment of

over 2.4 million workers, was one of the largest occupations in the workforce as a whole. In addition, with

a mean hourly wage of $28.71, this was among the highest paying large occupations. Nearly 57 percent of

registered nurses worked in general medical and surgical hospitals, where their wages averaged $29.31 per

hour. (See table 4.) Offices of physicians, nursing care facilities, home health care services, and employment services (including temporary help services) were among the other major employers of registered nurses.

The highest paying of these industries was employment services with a mean hourly wage of $31.36.

Not only were general medical and surgical hospitals the largest employer of registered nurses, registered

nurses was also the largest occupation in this industry, representing 28 percent of industry employment. (See

table 5.) Other large occupations in this industry included nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants; licensed

practical and licensed vocational nurses; maids and housekeeping cleaners; and radiologic technologists and

technicians.

Occupational Wages by State and Area

OES data also permit comparison of occupational employment and wages across states and metropolitan areas. Tables 6 and 7 show the highest- and lowest-paying states, metropolitan areas, and divisions for

selected large detailed occupations. For example, state mean hourly wages for registered nurses ranged from

$36.12 in California to $22.61 in Iowa, while wages for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks ranged

from $19.11 in the District of Columbia to $11.64 in South Dakota.

 In these selected occupations, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Washington

were frequently among the higher paying states, although this varies by occupation. Alaska and Hawaii, although significantly smaller in terms of employment than the states listed above, were also among the highest paying states for several of the occupations. Lower paying states for several of the selected occupations

include the Dakotas, Kentucky, Montana, West Virginia, Wyoming, and several southern states.

At the metropolitan area level, mean hourly wages for the selected occupations were about twice as

much in the highest paying areas as in the lowest paying areas. (See table 7.) For example, the areas with

the highest mean hourly pay for registered nurses were in California: the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
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metropolitan area ($44.42) and the Oakland-Fremont-Hayward metropolitan division ($43.18). Among the

areas with the lowest wages paid to registered nurses were Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, Va.

($19.70) and Morristown, Tenn. ($20.16).

Additional Information

The Occupational Employment Statistics program produces occupational employment and wage estimates nationwide and for all states and 409 metropolitan areas, and national industry-specific occupational

employment and wage estimates for sectors and 3-, 4-, and selected 5-digit North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) industries. Wage data include mean hourly and annual wages and 10th, 25th,

50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile wages. Percentile wages can be used to show the distribution of

wages within an occupation or industry. OES data are produced by a cooperative effort between BLS and

State Workforce Agencies, and are based on a sample of 1.2 million business establishments, collected in 6

semiannual panels over a 3-year period. Complete May 2006 Occupational Employment Statistics data are

available from the OES Web site at http://www.bls.gov/oes/.
Technical Note

Scope of the survey

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is a

semiannual mail survey measuring occupational employment

and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm

establishments in the United States. Guam, Puerto Rico, and

the Virgin Islands also are surveyed, but their data are not

included in this release. OES estimates are constructed from

a sample of about 1.2 million establishments. Forms are mailed

to approximately 200,000 establishments in May and November

of each year for a 3-year period. The nationwide response rate

for the May 2006 survey was 78.1 percent based on

establishments and 73.4 percent based on employment. The

survey included establishments sampled in the May 2006,

November 2005, May 2005, November 2004, May 2004, and

November 2003 semiannual panels.

The occupational coding system

The OES survey uses the Office of Management and

Budget’s (OMB) occupational classification system, the

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The SOC

system is the first OMB-required occupational classification system for federal agencies. The OES survey categorizes workers in 1 of 801 detailed occupations. Together,

these detailed occupations comprise 23 major occupational

groups, one of which—military specific occupations—is not

included in the OES survey. The major groups are as follows:

For more information about the SOC system, please see the

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Web site at http://

www.bls.gov/soc/.

The industry coding system

The OES survey uses the North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS). For more information about

NAICS, see the BLS Web site at http://www.bls.gov/bls/

naics.htm.

The OES survey includes establishments in NAICS sectors

11 (logging and agricultural support activities only), 21, 22, 23,

31-33, 42, 44-45, 48-49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 61, 62, 71, 72, 81

(except private households), state government, and local

government. The U.S. Postal Service and the executive branch

of the federal government also are included. 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 OES survey covers all full- and part-time wage and

salary workers in nonfarm industries. The survey does not

include the self-employed owners and partners in

unincorporated firms, household workers, or unpaid family

workers.

Survey sample

BLS funds the survey and provides the procedures and

technical support, while the State Workforce Agencies

(SWAs) collect most of the data. BLS produces cross-industry

and industry-specific estimates for the nation, states, and

metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Industry-specific

estimates are produced at the NAICS sector, 3-digit, 4-digit,

and selected 5-digit industry levels. BLS releases all crossindustry and national estimates; the SWAs release industryspecific estimates at the state and MSA levels.

State Unemployment Insurance (UI) files provide the

universe from which the OES survey draws its sample.

Employment benchmarks are obtained from reports submitted

by employers to the UI program. Supplemental sources are

used for rail transportation (NAICS 4821) and Guam because

they do not report to the UI program. The OES survey sample

is stratified by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas and

industry. Samples selected in panels prior to May 2005 were

stratified using MSA definitions based on the 1990

Metropolitan Statistical Area standards. Beginning with the

May 2005 panel, the sample was stratified using new MSA

definitions based on the 2000 Metropolitan Statistical Area

standards.

A census of the executive branch of the federal government

and the U.S. Postal Service is taken every panel. A census of

state government and Hawaii’s local government is taken every

November panel. In order to provide the most occupational

coverage, larger employers are more likely to be selected than

smaller employers. The unweighted employment of sampled

establishments make up approximately 65 percent of total

national employment.

Concepts

Occupational employment is the estimate of total wage and

salary employment in an occupation across the industries

surveyed. The OES survey defines employment as the number

of workers who can be classified as full- or part-time

employees, including workers on paid vacations or other

 Management occupations

Business and financial operations occupations

Computer and mathematical science occupations

Architecture and engineering occupations

Life, physical, and social science occupations

Community and social services occupations

Legal occupations

Education, training, and library occupations

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations

Healthcare support occupations

Protective service occupations

Food preparation and serving related occupations

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

Personal care and service occupations

Sales and related occupations

Office and administrative support occupations

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations

Construction and extraction occupations

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

Production occupations

Transportation and material moving occupations

Military specific occupations (not surveyed in OES)
types of paid 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 OES survey form sent to establishments with more than

10 workers contains between 50 and 225 SOC occupations

selected on the basis of the sampled establishment’s industry

classification. To reduce paperwork and respondent burden,

no survey form contains every SOC occupation. Thus, data for

specific occupations are collected primarily from establishments

in industries that are the predominant employers of workers in

those occupations. Each survey form is structured, however, to

allow a respondent to provide detailed occupational information

for each worker at the establishment; that is, unlisted

occupations can be added to the survey form. Employers with

10 or fewer workers are sent a form with no occupations listed,

and are instructed to fill in the occupations for their workers.

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, tips, and on-call pay are

included. Excluded are back pay, jury duty pay, overtime pay,

severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses,

employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition

reimbursements.

The OES survey collects wage data in 12 intervals.

Employers report the number of employees in an occupation

Mean hourly wage. The mean hourly wage rate for an

occupation is the total wages that all workers in the occupation

earn in an hour divided by the total employment of the

occupation. To calculate the mean hourly wage of each

occupation, total weighted hourly wages are summed across all

intervals and divided by the occupation’s weighted survey

employment. The mean wage for each interval is based on

occupational wage data collected by the BLS Office of

Compensation and Working Conditions for the National

Compensation Survey (NCS).

Interval Hourly

Wages

Annual

Range A Under $7.50 Under $15,600

Range B $7.50 to $9.49 $15,600 to $19,759

Range C $9.50 to $11.99 $19,760 to $24,959

Range D $12.00 to $15.24 $24,960 to $31,719

Range E $15.25 to $19.24 $31,720 to $40,039

Range F $19.25 to $24.49 $40,040 to $50,959

Range G $24.50 to $30.99 $50,960 to $64,479

Range H $31.00 to $39.24 $64,480 to $81,639

Range I $39.25to $49.74 $81,640 to $103,479

Range J $49.75 to $63.24 $103,480 to $131,559

Range K $63.25 to $79.99 $131,560 to $166,399

Range L $80.00 and over $166,400 and over

May 2006 and November 2005 panels

Interval Hourly

Wages

Annual

Range A Under $6.75 Under $14,040

Range B $6.75 to $8.49 $14,040 to $17,679

Range C $8.50 to $10.74 $17,680 to $22,359

Range D $10.75 to $13.49 $22,360 to $28,079

Range E $13.50 to $16.99 $28,080 to $35,359

Range F $17.00 to $21.49 $35,360 to $44,719

Range G $21.50 to $27.24 $44,720 to $56,679

Range H $27.25 to $34.49 $56,680 to $71,759

Range I $34.50 to $43.74 $71,760 to $90,999

Range J $43.75 to $55.49 $91,000 to $115,439

Range K $55.50 to $69.99 $115,440 to $145,599

Range L $70.00 and over $145,600 and over

Beginning with the November 2005 panel, the lower

boundary of the highest wage interval was increased from

$70.00 to $80.00. The mean hourly wage value for the highest

wage interval was computed separately for NCS data from 2005

for $80.00 and over, and from 2004 and 2003 for $70.00 and over.

The mean wage rate from 2005 was used for the $80.00 and over

interval for the May 2006 and November 2005 panels. The

average of the 2004 and 2003 mean wage rates was used for the

$70.00 and over interval for the May 2005, November 2004, May

2004, and November 2003 panels.

Percentile wage. The p-th percentile wage rate for an

occupation is the wage where p percent of all workers earn that

amount or less and where (100-p) percent of all workers earn

that amount or more. This statistic is calculated by uniformly

distributing the workers inside each wage interval, ranking the

workers from lowest paid to highest paid, and calculating the

product of the total employment for the occupation and the

desired percentile to determine the worker that earns the p-th

percentile wage rate.

Annual wage. Many employees are paid at an hourly rate

by their employers and may work more than or less than 40

hours per week. Annual wage estimates for most occupations

in this release are calculated by multiplying the mean hourly

wage by a “year-round, full-time” figure of 2,080 hours (52

weeks by 40 hours). Thus, annual wage estimates may not

represent the actual annual pay received by the employee if

they work more or less than 2,080 hours per year. Some workers

typically work less than full time, year round. For these

occupations, the OES survey collects and reports either the

annual salary or the hourly wage rate, depending on how the

occupation is typically paid, but not both. For example,

teachers, flight attendants, and pilots may be paid an annual

salary, but do not work the usual 2,080 hours per year. In this

case, an annual salary is reported. Other workers, such as

entertainment workers, are paid hourly rates, but generally do

not work full time, year round. For these workers, only an

hourly wage is reported.

Hourly versus annual wage reporting. For each

occupation, respondents are asked to report the number of

 May 2005, November 2004, May 2004, and

 November 2003 panels
employees paid within specific wage intervals. The intervals

are defined both as hourly rates and the corresponding annual

rates, where the annual rate for an occupation is calculated by

multiplying the hourly wage rate by a typical work year of 2,080

hours. The responding establishment can reference either the

hourly or the annual rate for full-time workers, but they are

instructed to report the hourly rate for part-time workers.

Estimation methodology

Each OES panel includes approximately 200,000

establishments. The OES survey is designed to produce

estimates using six panels (3 years) of data. The full six-panel

sample of 1.2 million establishments allows the production of

estimates at detailed levels of geography, industry, and

occupation.

Wage updating. Significant reductions in sampling errors

are obtained by combining six panels of data, particularly for

small geographic areas and occupations. Wages for the current

panel need no adjustment. However, wages in the five

previous panels need to be updated to the current panel’s

reference period.

The OES program uses the BLS Employment Cost Index

(ECI) to adjust survey data from prior panels before combining

them with the current panel’s data. The wage updating

procedure adjusts each detailed occupation’s wage rate, as

measured in the earlier panel, according to the average

movement of its broader occupational division. The procedure

assumes that there are no major differences by geography,

industry, or detailed occupation within the occupational

division. The wage rates for the highest wage interval are not

updated.

Imputation. About 20 percent of establishments do not

respond for a given panel. A “nearest neighbor” hot deck

imputation procedure is used to impute missing occupational

employment totals. A variant of mean imputation is used to

impute missing wage distributions. The variant of mean

imputation for wage distributions also is applied to

establishments that provide reports with occupational totals

but partial or missing wage data.

Weighting and benchmarking. The sample establishments

in each panel are weighted to represent all establishments that

were part of the in-scope frame from which the panel was

selected. Based on the sampled establishments, sampling

weights are adjusted when six panels are combined. Sampling

weights are further adjusted by the ratio of employment totals

(the average of November 2005 and May 2006 employment)

from the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages to

employment totals from the OES survey.

May 2006 OES survey estimates. The May 2006 OES survey

estimates are based on all data collected from establishments

in the May 2006, November 2005, May 2005, November 2004,

May 2004, and November 2003 semiannual samples.

Reliability of the estimates. Estimates calculated from a

sample survey are subject to two types of error: sampling and

nonsampling. Sampling error occurs when estimates are

calculated from a subset (that is, a sample) of the population

instead of the full population. When a sample of the population

is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample estimate of the

characteristic of interest may differ from the population value

of that characteristic. Differences between the sample estimate

and the population value will vary depending on the sample

selected. This variability can be estimated by calculating the

standard error (SE) of the sample estimate. If we were to repeat

the sampling and estimation process countless times using the

same survey design, approximately 90 percent of the intervals

created by adding and subtracting 1.645 SEs from the sample

estimate would include the population value. These intervals

are called 90-percent confidence intervals. The OES survey,

however, usually uses the relative standard error (RSE) of a

sample estimate instead of its SE to measure sampling error.

RSE is defined as the SE of a sample estimate divided by the

sample estimate itself. This statistic provides the user with a

measure of the relative precision of the sample estimate. RSEs

are calculated for both occupational employment and mean

wage rate estimates. Occupational employment RSEs are

calculated using a subsample, random group replication

technique called the jackknife. Mean wage rate RSEs are

calculated using a variance components model that accounts

for both the observed and unobserved components of the wage

data. The variances of the unobserved components are

estimated using wage data from the BLS National

Compensation Survey. In general, estimates based on many

establishments have lower RSEs than estimates based on few

establishments. If the distributional assumptions of the models

are violated, the resulting confidence intervals may not reflect

the prescribed level of confidence.

Nonsampling error occurs for a variety of reasons, none of

which are directly connected to sampling. Examples of

nonsampling error include: nonresponse, data incorrectly

reported by the respondent, mistakes made in entering

collected data into the database, and mistakes made in editing

and processing the collected data.
Hourly Annual 1

Management occupations 5,892,900 $44.20 $91,930 $38.93

Chief executives................................................................................................................ 299,520 69.52 144,600 (3)

General and operations managers................................................................................... 1,663,280 47.73 99,280 40.97

Legislators......................................................................................................................... 62,020 (2) 32,730 (2)

Advertising and promotions managers............................................................................. 38,130 40.93 85,140 35.12

Marketing managers......................................................................................................... 159,950 51.74 107,610 47.46

Sales managers................................................................................................................ 307,960 49.39 102,730 44.02

Public relations managers................................................................................................ 44,010 44.35 92,250 39.51

Administrative services managers.................................................................................... 232,410 35.02 72,840 32.54

Computer and information systems managers................................................................ 251,210 51.56 107,250 48.84

Financial managers........................................................................................................... 468,270 48.77 101,450 43.74

Compensation and benefits managers............................................................................. 46,640 39.43 82,010 35.94

Training and development managers............................................................................... 27,450 41.67 86,670 38.58

Human resources managers, all other............................................................................. 55,280 45.63 94,910 42.55

Industrial production managers........................................................................................ 153,410 40.37 83,970 37.34

Purchasing managers....................................................................................................... 66,490 41.35 86,020 39.22

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers......................................................... 89,010 37.77 78,560 35.14

Farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers................................................................. 3,300 28.15 58,550 25.03

Farmers and ranchers....................................................................................................... 300 20.92 43,520 17.85

Construction managers..................................................................................................... 207,630 39.79 82,760 35.43

Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program.............................. 46,890 20.88 43,430 18.15

Education administrators, elementary and secondary school......................................... 215,630 (2) 79,200 (2)

Education administrators, postsecondary......................................................................... 103,330 39.82 82,820 35.57

Education administrators, all other................................................................................... 26,570 34.38 71,520 32.03

Engineering managers...................................................................................................... 183,960 52.90 110,030 50.69

Food service managers.................................................................................................... 189,050 22.49 46,780 20.68

Funeral directors............................................................................................................... 22,810 27.53 57,250 23.86

Gaming managers............................................................................................................. 3,330 32.38 67,340 30.20

Lodging managers............................................................................................................ 31,300 23.83 49,560 20.35

Medical and health services managers............................................................................ 232,920 39.02 81,160 35.26

Natural sciences managers.............................................................................................. 38,660 51.91 107,970 48.11

Postmasters and mail superintendents............................................................................ 26,580 26.74 55,630 26.82

Property, real estate, and community association managers.......................................... 156,880 25.14 52,290 20.71

Social and community service managers......................................................................... 112,360 26.97 56,090 25.03

Managers, all other............................................................................................................ 326,390 41.95 87,250 39.66

Business and financial operations occupations 5,826,140 28.85 60,000 25.81

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes............................... 11,130 40.42 84,070 31.01

Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products................................................................. 13,110 25.83 53,730 22.49

Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products......................................................... 137,310 24.52 51,010 21.46

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products..................................... 275,910 26.04 54,160 24.39

Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators............................................................... 279,240 25.36 52,750 24.36

Insurance appraisers, auto damage................................................................................. 12,630 24.03 49,980 23.65

Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and 

 transportation.......................................................................................... 222,080 24.47 50,890 22.62

Cost estimators................................................................................................................. 216,900 27.32 56,820 25.45

Emergency management specialists................................................................................ 11,330 24.26 50,450 22.79

Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists...................................................... 186,620 24.07 50,070 20.40

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists...................................................... 103,870 25.72 53,500 24.15

Training and development specialists.............................................................................. 197,050 24.57 51,100 22.99

Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other.............................. 204,290 26.30 54,700 25.13

Logisticians........................................................................................................................ 79,570 31.56 65,640 30.49

Management analysts....................................................................................................... 476,070 37.15 77,270 32.72

Meeting and convention planners..................................................................................... 42,510 21.92 45,580 20.28

Business operations specialists, all other......................................................................... 983,340 28.96 60,240 26.76

Accountants and auditors................................................................................................. 1,092,960 29.17 60,670 26.26

Appraisers and assessors of real estate.......................................................................... 66,420 24.57 51,110 21.38

Budget analysts................................................................................................................. 58,100 30.73 63,920 29.53

Credit analysts................................................................................................................... 66,690 28.94 60,190 25.17

Financial analysts.............................................................................................................. 196,960 37.16 77,280 32.02

Personal financial advisors............................................................................................... 119,690 41.70 86,730 31.79

Insurance underwriters...................................................................................................... 99,430 27.86 57,960 25.17

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2006

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Business and financial operations occupations—Continued

Financial examiners.......................................................................................................... 24,430 $34.25 $71,240 $31.43

Loan counselors................................................................................................................ 30,430 20.12 41,840 17.21

Loan officers...................................................................................................................... 359,260 29.77 61,930 24.89

Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents............................................................... 75,160 23.89 49,690 21.93

Tax preparers.................................................................................................................... 62,860 15.94 33,160 13.15

Financial specialists, all other........................................................................................... 120,790 28.65 59,600 25.81

Computer and mathematical science occupations 3,076,200 33.29 69,240 31.80

Computer and information scientists, research................................................................ 27,650 46.36 96,440 45.17

Computer programmers.................................................................................................... 396,020 33.42 69,500 31.50

Computer software engineers, applications..................................................................... 472,520 39.42 82,000 38.36

Computer software engineers, systems software............................................................ 329,060 41.95 87,250 41.04

Computer support specialists........................................................................................... 514,460 21.32 44,350 19.94

Computer systems analysts.............................................................................................. 446,460 34.73 72,230 33.54

Database administrators................................................................................................... 109,840 32.43 67,460 31.09

Network and computer systems administrators............................................................... 289,520 31.37 65,260 29.87

Network systems and data communications analysts...................................................... 203,710 32.43 67,460 31.06

Computer specialists, all other.......................................................................................... 180,270 33.35 69,370 32.97

Actuaries............................................................................................................................ 16,620 44.14 91,810 39.81

Mathematicians................................................................................................................. 2,840 41.72 86,780 41.79

Operations research analysts........................................................................................... 56,170 33.22 69,100 31.08

Statisticians....................................................................................................................... 19,660 33.21 69,080 31.60

Mathematical technicians.................................................................................................. 1,210 22.12 46,010 18.21

Mathematical scientists, all other...................................................................................... 10,190 31.21 64,920 30.56

Architecture and engineering occupations 2,430,250 31.82 66,190 30.00

Architects, except landscape and naval........................................................................... 101,010 33.54 69,760 30.84

Landscape architects........................................................................................................ 22,130 29.08 60,480 26.51

Cartographers and photogrammetrists............................................................................. 11,430 25.29 52,600 23.19

Surveyors.......................................................................................................................... 56,820 24.71 51,390 23.22

Aerospace engineers........................................................................................................ 86,720 42.92 89,260 42.12

Agricultural engineers....................................................................................................... 3,050 32.60 67,810 31.75

Biomedical engineers........................................................................................................ 14,030 37.51 78,030 35.54

Chemical engineers.......................................................................................................... 29,060 39.23 81,600 37.91

Civil engineers................................................................................................................... 236,690 34.67 72,120 32.98

Computer hardware engineers......................................................................................... 74,480 43.88 91,280 42.54

Electrical engineers........................................................................................................... 147,670 37.93 78,900 36.50

Electronics engineers, except computer........................................................................... 131,880 39.82 82,820 38.97

Environmental engineers.................................................................................................. 51,370 34.90 72,590 33.63

Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors................ 24,620 32.89 68,400 31.87

Industrial engineers........................................................................................................... 198,340 33.96 70,630 32.99

Marine engineers and naval architects............................................................................. 7,810 36.25 75,400 35.09

Materials engineers........................................................................................................... 21,230 36.52 75,960 35.57

Mechanical engineers....................................................................................................... 217,500 34.89 72,580 33.58

Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers.............................. 6,810 37.32 77,620 34.69

Nuclear engineers............................................................................................................. 14,870 44.25 92,040 43.38

Petroleum engineers......................................................................................................... 15,060 48.86 101,620 47.30

Engineers, all other........................................................................................................... 155,620 39.30 81,750 39.26

Architectural and civil drafters........................................................................................... 107,110 21.11 43,900 20.17

Electrical and electronics drafters..................................................................................... 32,440 23.85 49,610 22.51

Mechanical drafters........................................................................................................... 72,950 22.10 45,960 21.01

Drafters, all other............................................................................................................... 22,800 21.87 45,480 20.70

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians........................................................ 8,280 26.19 54,480 25.62

Civil engineering technicians............................................................................................ 86,730 20.37 42,380 19.50

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians............................................................ 166,340 24.44 50,840 24.35

Electro-mechanical technicians........................................................................................ 15,310 22.37 46,540 21.50

Environmental engineering technicians............................................................................ 20,600 20.72 43,100 19.50

Industrial engineering technicians.................................................................................... 73,640 24.48 50,920 22.51

Mechanical engineering technicians................................................................................. 46,660 22.94 47,710 22.04

Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other.......................................................... 78,260 25.89 53,850 26.08

Surveying and mapping technicians................................................................................. 70,940 16.63 34,590 15.55

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Life, physical, and social science occupations 1,231,070 $28.68 $59,660 $25.49

Animal scientists............................................................................................................... 3,930 25.59 53,230 22.98

Food scientists and technologists..................................................................................... 8,770 28.49 59,260 25.87

Soil and plant scientists.................................................................................................... 10,720 28.52 59,330 26.96

Biochemists and biophysicists.......................................................................................... 18,680 38.90 80,900 36.69

Microbiologists................................................................................................................... 15,730 31.35 65,200 27.87

Zoologists and wildlife biologists...................................................................................... 18,000 26.98 56,120 25.63

Biological scientists, all other............................................................................................ 25,220 30.56 63,560 29.30

Conservation scientists..................................................................................................... 16,000 26.64 55,410 26.43

Foresters........................................................................................................................... 10,760 25.22 52,450 24.61

Epidemiologists................................................................................................................. 4,120 28.99 60,290 27.25

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists....................................................................... 78,210 33.82 70,350 29.66

Life scientists, all other...................................................................................................... 12,830 31.00 64,480 27.39

Astronomers...................................................................................................................... 1,430 45.67 95,000 46.03

Physicists........................................................................................................................... 15,420 45.95 95,580 45.31

Atmospheric and space scientists.................................................................................... 8,250 37.41 77,810 37.09

Chemists............................................................................................................................ 80,500 31.75 66,040 28.78

Materials scientists............................................................................................................ 9,390 37.02 77,010 35.87

Environmental scientists and specialists, including health.............................................. 77,720 29.38 61,120 26.97

Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers....................................................... 28,980 38.41 79,890 34.93

Hydrologists....................................................................................................................... 7,740 32.80 68,230 31.86

Physical scientists, all other.............................................................................................. 21,380 41.01 85,310 40.12

Economists........................................................................................................................ 12,970 40.14 83,500 37.03

Market research analysts.................................................................................................. 213,590 31.70 65,930 28.28

Survey researchers........................................................................................................... 24,140 19.08 39,680 16.04

Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists................................................................ 97,330 31.78 66,110 28.58

Industrial-organizational psychologists............................................................................. 1,140 43.23 89,920 41.55

Psychologists, all other..................................................................................................... 7,960 38.63 80,360 36.69

Sociologists....................................................................................................................... 3,440 32.83 68,300 28.99

Urban and regional planners............................................................................................ 32,640 28.33 58,940 27.22

Anthropologists and archeologists.................................................................................... 4,960 25.43 52,900 24.00

Geographers..................................................................................................................... 960 30.64 63,720 30.28

Historians........................................................................................................................... 3,090 25.36 52,750 23.33

Political scientists.............................................................................................................. 3,970 41.52 86,370 43.34

Social scientists and related workers, all other................................................................ 31,110 32.56 67,720 31.21

Agricultural and food science technicians........................................................................ 19,220 16.20 33,700 15.26

Biological technicians........................................................................................................ 71,590 18.38 38,240 17.17

Chemical technicians........................................................................................................ 59,900 19.70 40,970 18.87

Geological and petroleum technicians............................................................................. 11,280 24.76 51,490 22.19

Nuclear technicians........................................................................................................... 6,400 31.14 64,760 31.49

Social science research assistants................................................................................... 15,840 17.23 35,840 16.28

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health.............................. 34,790 19.36 40,260 18.31

Forensic science technicians............................................................................................ 12,310 23.14 48,130 21.79

Forest and conservation technicians................................................................................ 30,580 16.24 33,780 14.84

Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other................................................... 58,080 19.65 40,870 18.23

Community and social services occupations 1,749,210 18.75 39,000 17.21

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.................................................... 75,940 17.28 35,950 16.36

Educational, vocational, and school counselors.............................................................. 226,720 23.92 49,760 22.85

Marriage and family therapists.......................................................................................... 21,330 21.49 44,700 20.78

Mental health counselors.................................................................................................. 91,830 18.19 37,840 16.53

Rehabilitation counselors.................................................................................................. 121,380 15.80 32,870 14.04

Counselors, all other......................................................................................................... 24,260 19.37 40,280 18.37

Child, family, and school social workers........................................................................... 262,830 19.54 40,640 18.02

Medical and public health social workers......................................................................... 116,750 21.48 44,690 20.69

Mental health and substance abuse social workers......................................................... 114,820 18.26 37,980 17.02

Social workers, all other.................................................................................................... 61,270 21.61 44,950 20.95

Health educators............................................................................................................... 57,900 21.81 45,370 19.87

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists................................................ 89,650 22.18 46,130 20.43

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Community and social services occupations—Continued

Social and human service assistants............................................................................... 318,620 $13.08 $27,200 $12.30

Community and social service specialists, all other......................................................... 107,380 17.99 37,410 16.93

Clergy................................................................................................................................ 37,820 20.70 43,060 19.07

Directors, religious activities and education..................................................................... 14,750 18.06 37,570 16.47

Religious workers, all other............................................................................................... 5,990 14.11 29,350 11.70

Legal occupations 976,740 41.04 85,360 32.56

Lawyers............................................................................................................................. 547,710 54.65 113,660 49.26

Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers......................................... 14,470 37.37 77,730 34.90

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators............................................................................ 8,110 28.27 58,790 23.80

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates.................................................................... 25,870 45.98 95,640 48.89

Paralegals and legal assistants........................................................................................ 229,430 21.86 45,460 20.69

Court reporters.................................................................................................................. 16,940 23.25 48,370 21.93

Law clerks.......................................................................................................................... 31,890 18.85 39,210 17.48

Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers.................................................................... 63,410 19.55 40,660 17.32

Legal support workers, all other........................................................................................ 38,910 24.29 50,520 21.70

Education, training, and library occupations 8,206,440 21.79 45,320 19.76

Business teachers, postsecondary................................................................................... 67,390 (2) 70,220 (2)

Computer science teachers, postsecondary.................................................................... 36,630 (2) 65,000 (2)

Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary............................................................... 44,570 (2) 62,790 (2)

Architecture teachers, postsecondary.............................................................................. 5,820 (2) 67,390 (2)

Engineering teachers, postsecondary.............................................................................. 31,950 (2) 82,080 (2)

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary................................................................ 10,120 (2) 77,190 (2)

Biological science teachers, postsecondary..................................................................... 51,950 (2) 82,110 (2)

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary.......................................... 2,630 (2) 66,970 (2)

Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary................... 8,670 (2) 74,880 (2)

Chemistry teachers, postsecondary................................................................................. 19,560 (2) 70,100 (2)

Environmental science teachers, postsecondary............................................................. 4,310 (2) 71,980 (2)

Physics teachers, postsecondary..................................................................................... 12,340 (2) 74,650 (2)

Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary.................................................. 5,040 (2) 68,240 (2)

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary............................................. 7,350 (2) 63,710 (2)

Economics teachers, postsecondary................................................................................ 12,330 (2) 79,370 (2)

Geography teachers, postsecondary................................................................................ 4,070 (2) 62,850 (2)

Political science teachers, postsecondary........................................................................ 13,850 (2) 69,040 (2)

Psychology teachers, postsecondary............................................................................... 29,690 (2) 64,580 (2)

Sociology teachers, postsecondary.................................................................................. 16,110 (2) 63,160 (2)

Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other......................................................... 5,750 (2) 69,640 (2)

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary..................................................................... 116,370 (2) 91,260 (2)

Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary............................................................ 39,350 (2) 58,690 (2)

Education teachers, postsecondary.................................................................................. 53,470 (2) 57,410 (2)

Library science teachers, postsecondary......................................................................... 3,830 (2) 57,550 (2)

Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary...................................... 10,430 (2) 55,310 (2)

Law teachers, postsecondary........................................................................................... 11,870 (2) 94,290 (2)

Social work teachers, postsecondary............................................................................... 7,860 (2) 57,990 (2)

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary.............................................................. 72,100 (2) 58,250 (2)

Communications teachers, postsecondary...................................................................... 23,560 (2) 56,600 (2)

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary............................................... 59,320 (2) 57,320 (2)

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary............................................... 24,680 (2) 60,050 (2)

History teachers, postsecondary....................................................................................... 20,980 (2) 63,200 (2)

Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary............................................................ 17,840 (2) 60,180 (2)

Graduate teaching assistants........................................................................................... 112,830 (2) 30,190 (2)

Home economics teachers, postsecondary..................................................................... 4,330 (2) 60,630 (2)

Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary................................................. 17,110 (2) 54,020 (2)

Vocational education teachers, postsecondary................................................................ 109,360 22.65 47,110 21.11

Postsecondary teachers, all other.................................................................................... 272,410 (2) 72,310 (2)

Preschool teachers, except special education................................................................. 361,600 12.45 25,900 10.91

Kindergarten teachers, except special education............................................................ 165,780 (2) 47,040 (2)

Elementary school teachers, except special education................................................... 1,509,180 (2) 48,700 (2)

Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education.................................. 652,700 (2) 49,470 (2)

Vocational education teachers, middle school................................................................. 15,740 (2) 46,650 (2)

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Education, training, and library occupations—Continued

Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education............................ 1,030,780 (2) $51,150 (2)

Vocational education teachers, secondary school........................................................... 95,040 (2) 51,050 (2)

Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school............... 216,930 (2) 49,710 (2)

Special education teachers, middle school...................................................................... 101,420 (2) 52,550 (2)

Special education teachers, secondary school................................................................ 136,870 (2) 52,520 (2)

Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors........................... 71,740 $22.45 46,690 $21.11

Self-enrichment education teachers................................................................................. 149,700 18.50 38,470 16.08

Teachers and instructors, all other................................................................................... 576,840 (2) 35,370 (2)

Archivists........................................................................................................................... 5,460 21.35 44,400 19.58

Curators............................................................................................................................. 9,520 24.03 49,980 22.26

Museum technicians and conservators............................................................................ 9,810 18.30 38,060 16.51

Librarians........................................................................................................................... 148,610 24.45 50,860 23.59

Library technicians............................................................................................................ 113,940 13.42 27,910 12.77

Audio-visual collections specialists.................................................................................. 6,520 20.23 42,090 19.49

Farm and home management advisors............................................................................ 12,390 22.59 46,990 20.06

Instructional coordinators.................................................................................................. 117,630 26.72 55,570 25.38

Teacher assistants............................................................................................................ 1,246,030 (2) 21,860 (2)

Education, training, and library workers, all other............................................................ 84,390 17.14 35,640 15.46

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations 1,727,380 22.17 46,110 18.44

Art directors....................................................................................................................... 31,030 37.70 78,420 32.74

Craft artists........................................................................................................................ 4,870 13.75 28,610 11.58

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators................................................ 11,260 22.65 47,100 20.18

Multi-media artists and animators..................................................................................... 26,260 27.90 58,030 24.69

Artists and related workers, all other................................................................................ 7,870 23.51 48,890 20.19

Commercial and industrial designers............................................................................... 33,540 28.53 59,340 26.23

Fashion designers............................................................................................................. 15,670 33.30 69,270 30.10

Floral designers................................................................................................................. 61,320 11.08 23,040 10.43

Graphic designers............................................................................................................. 190,880 21.07 43,830 19.18

Interior designers............................................................................................................... 52,440 23.08 48,000 20.32

Merchandise displayers and window trimmers................................................................. 62,580 12.77 26,550 11.45

Set and exhibit designers.................................................................................................. 8,320 21.93 45,620 20.11

Designers, all other........................................................................................................... 11,390 23.50 48,890 21.09

Actors................................................................................................................................. 51,880 21.84 (2) 11.61

Producers and directors.................................................................................................... 63,840 34.72 72,210 27.07

Athletes and sports competitors....................................................................................... 12,500 (2) 74,440 (2)

Coaches and scouts.......................................................................................................... 154,350 (2) 33,290 (2)

Umpires, referees, and other sports officials.................................................................... 13,790 (2) 27,450 (2)

Dancers............................................................................................................................. 16,010 13.86 (2) 9.55

Choreographers................................................................................................................ 16,340 18.42 38,320 16.67

Music directors and composers........................................................................................ 9,470 25.63 53,320 19.11

Musicians and singers....................................................................................................... 46,600 27.51 (2) 19.73

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other................................. 59,450 16.84 (2) 15.11

Radio and television announcers..................................................................................... 40,020 17.36 36,120 11.69

Public address system and other announcers................................................................. 8,300 16.33 33,970 12.02

Broadcast news analysts.................................................................................................. 6,770 32.17 66,910 22.46

Reporters and correspondents......................................................................................... 53,060 20.14 41,900 16.09

Public relations specialists................................................................................................ 209,560 25.85 53,760 22.76

Editors............................................................................................................................... 100,170 25.59 53,220 22.59

Technical writers............................................................................................................... 45,330 29.25 60,850 27.91

Writers and authors........................................................................................................... 43,260 27.93 58,080 23.38

Interpreters and translators............................................................................................... 30,910 19.11 39,750 17.10

Media and communication workers, all other................................................................... 22,970 22.26 46,310 20.47

Audio and video equipment technicians........................................................................... 40,360 18.61 38,710 16.75

Broadcast technicians....................................................................................................... 32,070 17.09 35,540 14.75

Radio operators................................................................................................................. 1,220 18.69 38,870 18.22

Sound engineering technicians........................................................................................ 14,080 24.16 50,260 20.68

Photographers................................................................................................................... 60,300 15.30 31,830 12.58

Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture................................................. 22,230 22.19 46,150 19.26

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations—Continued

Film and video editors....................................................................................................... 17,380 $27.93 $58,100 $22.44

Media and communication equipment workers, all other................................................. 17,740 25.59 53,230 25.03

Healthcare practitioner and technical occupations 6,713,780 29.82 62,030 24.99

Chiropractors..................................................................................................................... 25,470 38.97 81,070 31.36

Dentists, general............................................................................................................... 86,110 67.76 140,950 63.53

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons....................................................................................... 5,320 79.21 164,760 (3)

Orthodontists..................................................................................................................... 5,200 85.05 176,900 (3)

Prosthodontists.................................................................................................................. 480 76.42 158,940 (3)

Dentists, all other specialists............................................................................................ 4,560 52.09 108,340 43.85

Dietitians and nutritionists................................................................................................. 51,230 23.02 47,890 22.59

Optometrists...................................................................................................................... 24,220 47.38 98,550 43.77

Pharmacists....................................................................................................................... 239,920 44.95 93,500 45.44

Anesthesiologists.............................................................................................................. 29,890 88.63 184,340 (3)

Family and general practitioners....................................................................................... 109,400 72.04 149,850 (3)

Internists, general.............................................................................................................. 48,700 77.34 160,860 (3)

Obstetricians and gynecologists....................................................................................... 22,520 85.60 178,040 (3)

Pediatricians, general....................................................................................................... 28,930 68.00 141,440 66.41

Psychiatrists...................................................................................................................... 24,730 72.11 149,990 (3)

Surgeons........................................................................................................................... 51,900 88.53 184,150 (3)

Physicians and surgeons, all other................................................................................... 208,960 68.38 142,220 (3)

Physician assistants.......................................................................................................... 62,960 35.71 74,270 36.05

Podiatrists.......................................................................................................................... 9,020 56.97 118,500 52.03

Registered nurses............................................................................................................. 2,417,150 28.71 59,730 27.54

Audiologists....................................................................................................................... 10,910 29.38 61,110 27.46

Occupational therapists.................................................................................................... 88,570 30.05 62,510 29.07

Physical therapists............................................................................................................ 156,100 32.72 68,050 31.83

Radiation therapists.......................................................................................................... 14,290 32.49 67,580 31.81

Recreational therapists..................................................................................................... 24,130 17.55 36,510 16.82

Respiratory therapists....................................................................................................... 99,330 23.37 48,610 22.80

Speech-language pathologists......................................................................................... 98,690 29.25 60,840 27.74

Therapists, all other........................................................................................................... 11,660 21.67 45,070 20.31

Veterinarians..................................................................................................................... 49,750 39.18 81,490 34.61

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other..................................................... 53,270 39.96 83,110 29.60

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists................................................................... 160,760 24.30 50,550 23.90

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians...................................................................... 144,710 16.65 34,620 15.79

Dental hygienists............................................................................................................... 166,380 30.01 62,430 30.19

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians................................................................. 43,870 21.15 43,990 20.34

Diagnostic medical sonographers.................................................................................... 44,340 27.94 58,110 27.48

Nuclear medicine technologists........................................................................................ 19,270 30.29 63,000 29.95

Radiologic technologists and technicians........................................................................ 190,180 23.71 49,320 23.16

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics............................................................ 196,190 14.13 29,390 13.01

Dietetic technicians........................................................................................................... 24,450 12.55 26,090 11.56

Pharmacy technicians....................................................................................................... 282,450 12.75 26,510 12.32

Psychiatric technicians...................................................................................................... 58,940 14.64 30,450 13.36

Respiratory therapy technicians........................................................................................ 18,710 19.17 39,860 18.81

Surgical technologists....................................................................................................... 84,330 17.97 37,370 17.35

Veterinary technologists and technicians......................................................................... 69,700 13.34 27,750 12.88

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses.......................................................... 720,380 18.05 37,530 17.57

Medical records and health information technicians........................................................ 164,700 14.49 30,140 13.48

Opticians, dispensing........................................................................................................ 65,190 15.49 32,220 14.57

Orthotists and prosthetists................................................................................................ 5,290 29.86 62,110 28.36

Health technologists and technicians, all other................................................................ 72,180 18.39 38,260 16.89

Occupational health and safety specialists...................................................................... 42,220 28.50 59,270 27.90

Occupational health and safety technicians..................................................................... 10,020 21.32 44,340 20.27

Athletic trainers.................................................................................................................. 15,440 (2) 38,860 (2)

Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other................................................ 50,690 21.68 45,090 17.89

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Healthcare support occupations 3,483,270 $11.83 $24,610 $11.00

Home health aides............................................................................................................ 751,480 9.66 20,100 9.34

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants.......................................................................... 1,376,660 11.04 22,960 10.67

Psychiatric aides............................................................................................................... 57,000 12.01 24,990 11.49

Occupational therapist assistants..................................................................................... 23,700 20.25 42,110 20.22

Occupational therapist aides............................................................................................ 7,780 13.35 27,760 12.03

Physical therapist assistants............................................................................................. 59,350 19.91 41,410 19.88

Physical therapist aides.................................................................................................... 45,520 11.20 23,290 10.61

Massage therapists........................................................................................................... 41,920 18.93 39,380 16.06

Dental assistants............................................................................................................... 277,040 14.83 30,850 14.53

Medical assistants............................................................................................................. 409,570 13.07 27,190 12.64

Medical equipment preparers........................................................................................... 42,740 12.97 26,980 12.47

Medical transcriptionists.................................................................................................... 86,790 14.74 30,660 14.40

Pharmacy aides................................................................................................................. 47,810 10.07 20,950 9.35

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers.................................................. 70,310 10.13 21,060 9.60

Healthcare support workers, all other............................................................................... 185,580 13.55 28,170 12.98

Protective service occupations 3,024,840 17.81 37,040 15.42

First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers.................................................. 37,400 26.27 54,630 25.28

First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives................................................ 89,170 33.76 70,230 33.32

First-line supervisors/managers of fire fighting and prevention workers......................... 50,810 31.27 65,030 30.24

First-line supervisors/managers, protective service workers, all other............................ 45,170 22.28 46,350 19.99

Fire fighters....................................................................................................................... 283,630 20.37 42,370 19.80

Fire inspectors and investigators...................................................................................... 13,360 24.02 49,950 23.10

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists............................................................. 1,710 17.21 35,810 15.84

Bailiffs................................................................................................................................ 17,890 17.43 36,260 16.45

Correctional officers and jailers........................................................................................ 417,810 18.42 38,310 17.19

Detectives and criminal investigators............................................................................... 100,110 29.03 60,390 28.01

Fish and game wardens.................................................................................................... 7,520 21.25 44,200 21.01

Parking enforcement workers........................................................................................... 10,090 15.03 31,260 14.50

Police and sheriff's patrol officers..................................................................................... 624,380 23.27 48,410 22.82

Transit and railroad police................................................................................................. 5,320 23.86 49,620 22.63

Animal control workers...................................................................................................... 14,600 14.12 29,370 13.42

Private detectives and investigators................................................................................. 35,980 18.41 38,290 16.23

Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators................................................... 8,470 14.65 30,470 13.04

Security guards................................................................................................................. 1,004,130 11.35 23,620 10.35

Crossing guards................................................................................................................ 67,750 10.71 22,270 10.13

Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers........................ 108,870 8.85 18,410 8.25

Protective service workers, all other................................................................................. 80,680 14.63 30,420 12.94

Food preparation and serving related occupations 11,029,280 8.86 18,430 7.90

Chefs and head cooks...................................................................................................... 104,080 18.21 37,880 16.52

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers...................... 769,320 13.88 28,870 12.97

Cooks, fast food................................................................................................................ 612,020 7.67 15,960 7.41

Cooks, institution and cafeteria......................................................................................... 375,210 10.25 21,320 9.81

Cooks, private household................................................................................................. 900 13.64 28,370 11.00

Cooks, restaurant.............................................................................................................. 825,840 10.11 21,020 9.78

Cooks, short order............................................................................................................. 189,610 8.99 18,710 8.59

Cooks, all other................................................................................................................. 12,940 11.34 23,590 10.39

Food preparation workers................................................................................................. 871,470 8.88 18,480 8.37

Bartenders......................................................................................................................... 485,120 8.91 18,540 7.86

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food............................. 2,461,890 7.66 15,930 7.24

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop................................... 524,410 8.15 16,950 7.76

Waiters and waitresses..................................................................................................... 2,312,930 8.27 17,190 7.14

Food servers, nonrestaurant............................................................................................. 183,700 9.48 19,710 8.70

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers.......................................... 401,790 7.84 16,320 7.36

Dishwashers...................................................................................................................... 502,770 7.78 16,190 7.57

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop............................................. 340,390 8.10 16,860 7.78

Food preparation and serving related workers, all other.................................................. 54,900 9.31 19,360 8.55

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations 4,396,250 $10.86 $22,580 $9.75

First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers........................ 182,690 16.16 33,610 15.04

First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping

 workers............................................................................................................................ 111,100 19.35 40,240 17.93

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners.................................. 2,124,860 10.45 21,730 9.58

Maids and housekeeping cleaners................................................................................... 900,040 8.99 18,700 8.45

Building cleaning workers, all other.................................................................................. 14,390 13.78 28,670 12.06

Pest control workers.......................................................................................................... 62,710 14.11 29,350 13.41

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers...................................................................... 924,330 11.06 23,010 10.22

Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation............................................... 25,880 13.73 28,560 12.84

Tree trimmers and pruners............................................................................................... 28,300 14.38 29,910 13.58

Grounds maintenance workers, all other.......................................................................... 21,930 11.77 24,490 9.82

Personal care and service occupations 3,249,760 11.02 22,920 9.17

Gaming supervisors.......................................................................................................... 23,860 20.38 42,390 19.79

Slot key persons................................................................................................................ 13,450 12.16 25,300 10.92

First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers.......................................... 125,430 17.35 36,090 15.77

Animal trainers.................................................................................................................. 10,020 14.39 29,920 12.65

Nonfarm animal caretakers............................................................................................... 108,130 9.73 20,230 8.72

Gaming dealers................................................................................................................. 82,960 8.18 17,010 7.08

Gaming and sports book writers and runners.................................................................. 17,780 10.02 20,850 9.04

Gaming service workers, all other.................................................................................... (4) 11.59 24,110 10.52

Motion picture projectionists............................................................................................. 10,620 9.70 20,180 8.39

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers...................................................................... 101,530 8.41 17,500 7.64

Amusement and recreation attendants............................................................................. 235,670 8.43 17,530 7.83

Costume attendants.......................................................................................................... 4,150 14.20 29,540 12.37

Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants.................................................. 18,770 9.50 19,760 8.95

Embalmers........................................................................................................................ 8,860 19.43 40,410 18.19

Funeral attendants............................................................................................................ 32,250 10.56 21,970 9.78

Barbers.............................................................................................................................. 11,500 12.76 26,540 11.13

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists................................................................. 344,900 11.80 24,550 10.25

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance..................................................................... 1,250 17.66 36,730 15.30

Manicurists and pedicurists............................................................................................... 47,450 10.23 21,280 9.23

Shampooers...................................................................................................................... 15,580 8.20 17,050 7.78

Skin care specialists.......................................................................................................... 22,620 14.21 29,550 12.58

Baggage porters and bellhops.......................................................................................... 48,450 10.37 21,580 8.83

Concierges........................................................................................................................ 19,150 12.50 26,000 11.83

Tour guides and escorts................................................................................................... 30,390 10.73 22,310 9.82

Travel guides..................................................................................................................... 3,220 14.83 30,840 13.68

Flight attendants................................................................................................................ 96,760 (2) 56,150 (2)

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters...................... 20,790 10.17 21,140 9.65

Child care workers............................................................................................................. 572,950 9.05 18,820 8.48

Personal and home care aides......................................................................................... 578,290 8.74 18,180 8.54

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors.......................................................................... 205,970 15.24 31,710 12.46

Recreation workers........................................................................................................... 273,280 11.03 22,950 9.84

Residential advisors.......................................................................................................... 48,470 11.79 24,520 10.90

Personal care and service workers, all other................................................................... 58,440 10.40 21,640 9.12

Sales and related occupations 14,114,860 16.52 34,350 11.14

First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers................................................... 1,111,740 18.67 38,830 16.33

First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers............................................ 285,690 36.94 76,840 31.49

Cashiers............................................................................................................................ 3,479,390 8.62 17,930 8.08

Gaming change persons and booth cashiers................................................................... 26,700 10.32 21,470 9.94

Counter and rental clerks.................................................................................................. 468,900 11.22 23,340 9.41

Parts salespersons............................................................................................................ 234,770 14.43 30,010 13.19

Retail salespersons........................................................................................................... 4,374,230 11.51 23,940 9.50

Advertising sales agents................................................................................................... 159,640 24.70 51,370 20.55

Insurance sales agents..................................................................................................... 311,380 28.10 58,450 21.09

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents......................................... 260,360 43.45 90,380 32.93

Travel agents..................................................................................................................... 87,600 15.12 31,460 14.05

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Sales and related occupations—Continued

Sales representatives, services, all other......................................................................... 501,850 $27.13 $56,420 $23.12

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific

products................................................................................................... 390,280 34.95 72,700 30.98

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific

products................................................................................................... 1,488,990 28.14 58,540 23.85

Demonstrators and product promoters............................................................................. 82,830 12.39 25,770 10.65

Models............................................................................................................................... 1,470 13.45 27,980 11.22

Real estate brokers........................................................................................................... 46,950 38.57 80,230 29.23

Real estate sales agents................................................................................................... 168,400 26.13 54,350 19.12

Sales engineers................................................................................................................ 75,150 39.94 83,080 37.37

Telemarketers................................................................................................................... 385,700 11.63 24,190 10.09

Door-to-door sales workers, news and street vendors, and related workers................... 11,140 12.92 26,880 9.71

Sales and related workers, all other................................................................................. 161,700 19.63 40,820 16.47

Office and administrative support occupations 23,077,190 14.60 30,370 13.50

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers................ 1,351,180 22.37 46,530 20.92

Switchboard operators, including answering service....................................................... 172,060 11.37 23,640 10.88

Telephone operators......................................................................................................... 26,350 15.73 32,710 16.41

Communications equipment operators, all other............................................................. 4,220 15.93 33,130 15.23

Bill and account collectors................................................................................................ 423,090 14.73 30,640 13.97

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators............................................................ 517,750 14.39 29,930 13.87

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks................................................................. 1,856,890 15.28 31,780 14.69

Gaming cage workers....................................................................................................... 17,970 11.62 24,170 11.13

Payroll and timekeeping clerks......................................................................................... 205,970 15.93 33,140 15.58

Procurement clerks........................................................................................................... 74,370 16.13 33,540 15.91

Tellers................................................................................................................................ 603,150 10.97 22,810 10.64

Brokerage clerks............................................................................................................... 72,400 18.89 39,280 17.50

Correspondence clerks..................................................................................................... 16,260 14.35 29,850 13.80

Court, municipal, and license clerks................................................................................. 107,100 15.66 32,580 14.89

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks.......................................................................... 67,400 15.25 31,710 14.41

Customer service representatives.................................................................................... 2,147,770 14.61 30,400 13.62

Eligibility interviewers, government programs.................................................................. 106,210 18.16 37,770 18.05

File clerks.......................................................................................................................... 223,090 11.32 23,540 10.62

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks................................................................................. 214,110 9.37 19,480 8.88

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan............................................................................ 211,500 13.07 27,190 12.64

Library assistants, clerical................................................................................................. 109,090 11.03 22,940 10.40

Loan interviewers and clerks............................................................................................ 248,050 15.71 32,680 14.89

New accounts clerks......................................................................................................... 80,770 14.19 29,510 13.65

Order clerks....................................................................................................................... 264,520 13.52 28,130 12.66

Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping........................................ 159,750 16.70 34,740 16.23

Receptionists and information clerks................................................................................ 1,112,350 11.45 23,810 11.01

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks....................................... 157,650 14.48 30,120 13.72

All other information and record clerks............................................................................. 230,990 15.82 32,900 14.98

Cargo and freight agents.................................................................................................. 84,340 18.54 38,560 17.84

Couriers and messengers................................................................................................. 105,070 11.14 23,170 10.36

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers........................................................................... 94,710 15.67 32,590 15.13

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.............................................................. 185,410 16.56 34,450 15.48

Meter readers, utilities....................................................................................................... 45,770 15.41 32,040 14.58

Postal service clerks......................................................................................................... 81,670 21.13 43,950 21.54

Postal service mail carriers............................................................................................... 346,990 21.03 43,750 21.32

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators................. 203,110 19.75 41,070 21.10

Production, planning, and expediting clerks..................................................................... 286,160 19.23 40,000 18.57

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks............................................................................... 763,350 13.21 27,480 12.53

Stock clerks and order fillers............................................................................................. 1,705,450 10.79 22,440 9.83

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping..................................... 77,520 13.14 27,330 12.20

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Office and administrative support occupations—Continued

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants........................................................ 1,487,310 $18.83 $39,160 $17.90

Legal secretaries............................................................................................................... 268,170 19.07 39,670 18.36

Medical secretaries........................................................................................................... 394,330 14.05 29,220 13.51

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive........................................................... 1,750,600 13.68 28,460 13.20

Computer operators.......................................................................................................... 123,750 16.83 35,010 16.13

Data entry keyers.............................................................................................................. 295,650 12.33 25,640 11.87

Word processors and typists............................................................................................ 153,530 14.68 30,540 14.15

Desktop publishers............................................................................................................ 30,440 17.36 36,120 16.41

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks................................................................ 238,210 15.74 32,740 14.96

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service....................................... 141,170 12.05 25,060 11.45

Office clerks, general........................................................................................................ 3,026,710 12.12 25,200 11.40

Office machine operators, except computer..................................................................... 91,810 12.51 26,010 11.80

Proofreaders and copy markers....................................................................................... 16,960 14.12 29,380 13.20

Statistical assistants.......................................................................................................... 19,680 15.84 32,950 15.02

Office and administrative support workers, all other........................................................ 277,310 14.07 29,260 13.08

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations 450,040 10.49 21,810 8.63

First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers...................... 19,670 19.33 40,210 18.15

Farm labor contractors...................................................................................................... 2,060 13.87 28,850 11.32

Agricultural inspectors....................................................................................................... 14,790 18.67 38,820 18.32

Animal breeders................................................................................................................ 2,060 15.37 31,970 13.02

Graders and sorters, agricultural products....................................................................... 45,890 8.95 18,610 8.27

Agricultural equipment operators...................................................................................... 21,140 10.55 21,950 9.72

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse............................................ 230,780 8.48 17,630 7.95

Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals............................................................................. 47,870 9.92 20,630 9.17

Agricultural workers, all other............................................................................................ 8,550 12.05 25,070 10.80

Fishers and related fishing workers.................................................................................. 880 13.71 28,510 13.10

Forest and conservation workers...................................................................................... 8,530 11.97 24,890 10.01

Fallers................................................................................................................................ 8,790 15.84 32,960 13.80

Logging equipment operators........................................................................................... 28,300 14.85 30,880 14.28

Log graders and scalers................................................................................................... 4,810 14.90 30,980 14.06

Logging workers, all other................................................................................................. 5,880 15.25 31,720 15.32

Construction and extraction occupations 6,680,710 18.89 39,290 17.04

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.............. 574,870 27.64 57,500 25.89

Boilermakers..................................................................................................................... 17,240 23.37 48,600 22.58

Brickmasons and blockmasons........................................................................................ 118,080 21.33 44,370 20.66

Stonemasons.................................................................................................................... 18,210 18.29 38,040 17.29

Carpenters......................................................................................................................... 985,990 19.20 39,930 17.57

Carpet installers................................................................................................................ 36,840 18.40 38,280 16.62

Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles............................................................. 14,910 18.81 39,120 16.44

Floor sanders and finishers.............................................................................................. 7,480 15.29 31,810 13.89

Tile and marble setters..................................................................................................... 51,330 18.92 39,360 17.59

Cement masons and concrete finishers........................................................................... 218,170 17.13 35,630 15.70

Terrazzo workers and finishers......................................................................................... 6,550 16.78 34,900 15.21

Construction laborers........................................................................................................ 1,016,530 14.39 29,930 12.66

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators...................................................... 63,090 16.45 34,210 15.05

Pile-driver operators.......................................................................................................... 5,280 24.02 49,950 22.20

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators................................. 393,090 19.50 40,560 17.74

Drywall and ceiling tile installers....................................................................................... 140,630 18.66 38,810 17.38

Tapers............................................................................................................................... 40,090 20.48 42,590 19.85

Electricians........................................................................................................................ 617,370 22.41 46,620 20.97

Glaziers............................................................................................................................. 51,990 18.30 38,060 16.64

Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall........................................................................ 31,450 16.48 34,280 14.67

Insulation workers, mechanical......................................................................................... 27,900 20.07 41,740 17.74

Painters, construction and maintenance.......................................................................... 263,390 16.45 34,220 15.00

Paperhangers.................................................................................................................... 6,160 17.42 36,230 16.21

Pipelayers.......................................................................................................................... 58,330 16.21 33,710 14.58

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters............................................................................. 435,960 22.03 45,830 20.56

Plasterers and stucco masons.......................................................................................... 50,700 17.91 37,260 16.68

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers................................................................................... 30,180 20.35 42,330 18.38

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Construction and extraction occupations—Continued

Roofers.............................................................................................................................. 125,030 $16.99 $35,340 $15.51

Sheet metal workers......................................................................................................... 177,540 19.61 40,780 17.96

Structural iron and steel workers...................................................................................... 67,560 21.13 43,950 19.46

Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters.......... 62,290 13.39 27,850 12.19

Helpers--carpenters.......................................................................................................... 104,200 11.63 24,190 11.09

Helpers--electricians......................................................................................................... 100,550 12.05 25,050 11.42

Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons.................................. 23,390 10.87 22,620 10.25

Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters............................................ 81,510 12.22 25,430 11.50

Helpers--roofers................................................................................................................ 21,050 10.93 22,740 10.46

Helpers, construction trades, all other.............................................................................. 35,880 11.93 24,820 10.94

Construction and building inspectors................................................................................ 96,630 23.37 48,620 22.39

Elevator installers and repairers....................................................................................... 21,700 29.78 61,930 30.59

Fence erectors.................................................................................................................. 24,610 13.53 28,130 12.69

Hazardous materials removal workers............................................................................. 38,740 18.43 38,340 17.04

Highway maintenance workers......................................................................................... 138,670 15.56 32,370 15.17

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators................................................. 13,680 19.06 39,640 19.23

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners................................................................ 22,090 15.65 32,560 15.11

Segmental pavers............................................................................................................. 880 13.75 28,600 13.80

Construction and related workers, all other...................................................................... 56,130 15.81 32,880 14.65

Derrick operators, oil and gas........................................................................................... 16,920 18.23 37,930 17.42

Rotary drill operators, oil and gas..................................................................................... 18,010 20.36 42,350 18.49

Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining..................................................................... 25,360 17.37 36,120 15.82

Earth drillers, except oil and gas....................................................................................... 19,070 17.80 37,030 16.59

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters........................................ 5,110 19.83 41,240 19.18

Continuous mining machine operators............................................................................. 9,660 19.38 40,310 19.44

Mine cutting and channeling machine operators.............................................................. 7,700 18.71 38,930 19.23

Mining machine operators, all other................................................................................. 2,880 18.50 38,490 17.97

Rock splitters, quarry......................................................................................................... 3,790 13.91 28,940 13.05

Roof bolters, mining.......................................................................................................... 4,240 20.29 42,200 19.83

Roustabouts, oil and gas.................................................................................................. 41,120 12.93 26,890 12.36

Helpers--extraction workers.............................................................................................. 23,980 14.65 30,460 13.79

Extraction workers, all other.............................................................................................. 8,880 18.49 38,470 17.04

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations 5,352,420 18.78 39,060 17.65

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers........................ 450,710 26.98 56,110 25.91

Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers.............................................. 139,770 18.29 38,050 17.54

Radio mechanics............................................................................................................... 6,250 19.17 39,880 18.12

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers............. 190,130 24.33 50,610 25.21

Avionics technicians.......................................................................................................... 15,360 22.78 47,380 22.57

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers.............................................................. 22,100 16.74 34,810 15.80

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment................. 20,480 20.98 43,650 20.72

Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment.................... 78,570 21.96 45,670 21.72

Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay......................... 22,090 27.34 56,870 27.60

Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles........................................ 19,510 14.99 31,190 13.57

Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers................................ 35,310 15.25 31,710 14.42

Security and fire alarm systems installers........................................................................ 51,740 17.51 36,410 16.73

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians..................................................................... 118,210 23.70 49,300 22.95

Automotive body and related repairers............................................................................. 155,500 18.38 38,230 16.92

Automotive glass installers and repairers......................................................................... 18,650 15.41 32,050 14.77

Automotive service technicians and mechanics.............................................................. 642,360 17.34 36,070 16.24

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists.................................................. 254,850 18.48 38,440 18.11

Farm equipment mechanics............................................................................................. 29,500 14.58 30,320 14.16

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines...................................................... 119,060 19.90 41,390 19.44

Rail car repairers............................................................................................................... 23,810 20.68 43,010 20.82

Motorboat mechanics........................................................................................................ 18,550 16.55 34,430 15.96

Motorcycle mechanics....................................................................................................... 16,700 15.39 32,000 14.45

Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics....................................... 25,560 13.44 27,950 12.94

Bicycle repairers................................................................................................................ 8,350 10.87 22,610 10.48

Recreational vehicle service technicians.......................................................................... 13,560 16.00 33,280 15.15

Tire repairers and changers.............................................................................................. 103,120 10.96 22,790 10.26

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations—Continued

Mechanical door repairers................................................................................................ 15,130 $16.38 $34,060 $15.20

Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door............................... 42,270 21.77 45,290 21.84

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers............................. 250,970 19.09 39,710 18.11

Home appliance repairers................................................................................................. 42,810 16.99 35,350 16.28

Industrial machinery mechanics....................................................................................... 250,810 20.47 42,570 19.74

Maintenance and repair workers, general........................................................................ 1,310,580 16.11 33,510 15.34

Maintenance workers, machinery..................................................................................... 81,580 17.50 36,390 16.61

Millwrights.......................................................................................................................... 53,320 22.99 47,820 21.94

Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons........................................................ 3,340 19.61 40,790 19.61

Electrical power-line installers and repairers.................................................................... 110,520 23.99 49,900 24.41

Telecommunications line installers and repairers............................................................ 156,440 21.99 45,740 22.25

Camera and photographic equipment repairers............................................................... 3,470 17.60 36,600 16.76

Medical equipment repairers............................................................................................ 32,100 20.69 43,040 19.51

Musical instrument repairers and tuners.......................................................................... 5,120 15.31 31,850 14.04

Watch repairers................................................................................................................. 3,050 15.75 32,760 14.86

Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other................................................. 12,980 22.71 47,230 22.23

Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers.................................. 39,440 14.33 29,820 13.80

Commercial divers............................................................................................................ 2,680 21.83 45,410 19.03

Fabric menders, except garment...................................................................................... 1,280 14.55 30,260 13.64

Locksmiths and safe repairers.......................................................................................... 17,870 16.14 33,560 15.39

Manufactured building and mobile home installers.......................................................... 9,520 12.79 26,600 12.06

Riggers.............................................................................................................................. 12,010 19.07 39,670 18.85

Signal and track switch repairers...................................................................................... 5,980 23.98 49,870 24.11

Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers................................................... 159,110 11.64 24,210 10.71

Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other................................................... 130,260 17.10 35,560 15.84

Production occupations 10,268,510 14.65 30,480 13.16

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers............................ 676,640 24.27 50,480 22.74

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers........................................ 27,680 21.09 43,860 21.83

Coil winders, tapers, and finishers.................................................................................... 22,560 12.94 26,910 12.64

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.............................................................. 211,460 13.23 27,510 12.29

Electromechanical equipment assemblers....................................................................... 59,760 13.91 28,930 13.25

Engine and other machine assemblers............................................................................ 45,120 17.02 35,400 15.99

Structural metal fabricators and fitters.............................................................................. 99,680 15.11 31,440 14.56

Fiberglass laminators and fabricators.............................................................................. 32,510 12.96 26,960 12.49

Team assemblers.............................................................................................................. 1,250,120 12.59 26,180 11.63

Timing device assemblers, adjusters, and calibrators..................................................... 2,460 14.68 30,530 13.86

Assemblers and fabricators, all other............................................................................... 288,370 14.90 31,000 12.85

Bakers............................................................................................................................... 139,700 11.40 23,710 10.59

Butchers and meat cutters................................................................................................ 128,350 13.61 28,310 12.95

Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers.................................................................... 139,830 10.22 21,260 9.79

Slaughterers and meat packers........................................................................................ 118,610 10.55 21,940 10.43

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders........... 18,510 12.36 25,710 11.30

Food batchmakers............................................................................................................ 92,590 11.92 24,790 11.11

Food cooking machine operators and tenders................................................................. 44,060 10.94 22,750 10.23

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic..................................... 139,580 15.78 32,820 15.23

Numerical tool and process control programmers........................................................... 17,800 21.54 44,810 20.42

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....... 93,810 14.10 29,330 13.58

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................... 31,050 14.41 29,980 13.94

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic................................ 34,710 15.43 32,080 14.93

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and 

 plastic.............................................................................................................. 269,640 13.33 27,730 12.66

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....... 42,480 15.21 31,640 14.36

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and 

tenders, metal and plastic ............................................................................................ 100,010 14.32 29,780 13.50

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....... 65,840 15.98 33,250 15.46

Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............. 29,040 15.52 32,280 15.18

Machinists.......................................................................................................................... 385,690 17.22 35,810 16.71

Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders.................................................................. 18,430 16.14 33,560 15.69

Pourers and casters, metal............................................................................................... 14,880 14.87 30,930 14.22

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Production occupations—Continued

Model makers, metal and plastic...................................................................................... 8,370 $21.22 $44,130 $20.22

Patternmakers, metal and plastic..................................................................................... 7,070 18.31 38,090 17.01

Foundry mold and coremakers......................................................................................... 14,460 14.40 29,950 13.82

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal

 and plastic........................................................................................... 155,670 13.14 27,330 12.29

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic........................ 96,480 15.45 32,140 14.68

Tool and die makers.......................................................................................................... 96,960 21.95 45,650 21.29

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers.......................................................................... 376,630 15.81 32,880 15.10

Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders..................... 48,770 16.08 33,440 14.90

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic................... 27,050 15.27 31,750 14.83

Lay-out workers, metal and plastic................................................................................... 9,960 16.87 35,080 16.15

Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 41,500 14.08 29,280 13.21

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners................................................................................ 17,620 15.49 32,210 14.73

Metal workers and plastic workers, all other..................................................................... 47,760 18.14 37,730 16.69

Bindery workers................................................................................................................. 63,700 13.16 27,370 12.29

Bookbinders...................................................................................................................... 7,120 15.49 32,210 14.55

Job printers........................................................................................................................ 46,200 16.36 34,020 15.58

Prepress technicians and workers.................................................................................... 70,890 16.70 34,730 16.01

Printing machine operators............................................................................................... 191,610 15.79 32,840 14.90

Laundry and dry-cleaning workers.................................................................................... 217,580 9.08 18,890 8.58

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials............................................................. 75,150 8.88 18,470 8.56

Sewing machine operators............................................................................................... 219,080 9.78 20,340 9.04

Shoe and leather workers and repairers.......................................................................... 7,450 10.41 21,660 9.83

Shoe machine operators and tenders.............................................................................. 4,080 10.92 22,710 10.54

Sewers, hand..................................................................................................................... 9,750 10.43 21,680 9.79

Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers....................................................................... 30,000 11.91 24,770 11.01

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders........................................ 20,070 11.50 23,920 11.20

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders.................................................. 19,140 10.93 22,740 10.39

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders............................ 38,900 11.80 24,530 11.68

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders...... 44,210 11.32 23,550 11.08

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and 17,860 14.38 29,910 13.78

glass fibers.............................................................................................

Fabric and apparel patternmakers.................................................................................... 8,840 18.45 38,380 15.74

Upholsterers...................................................................................................................... 40,340 13.70 28,500 13.09

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other.......................................................... 22,890 11.91 24,770 11.03

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters.............................................................................. 127,780 13.83 28,760 12.99

Furniture finishers............................................................................................................. 24,890 12.83 26,680 12.02

Model makers, wood......................................................................................................... 1,920 15.86 33,000 13.69

Patternmakers, wood........................................................................................................ 2,270 16.20 33,690 15.15

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood.................................................. 60,230 12.20 25,380 11.67

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing......................... 97,700 12.07 25,110 11.51

Woodworkers, all other..................................................................................................... 11,350 12.03 25,030 10.86

Nuclear power reactor operators...................................................................................... 3,750 34.04 70,800 33.35

Power distributors and dispatchers................................................................................... 8,420 30.12 62,640 30.09

Power plant operators....................................................................................................... 34,200 26.60 55,340 26.44

Stationary engineers and boiler operators........................................................................ 42,730 22.59 46,990 22.13

Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators........................................ 106,550 17.88 37,180 17.34

Chemical plant and system operators.............................................................................. 52,970 23.53 48,930 23.60

Gas plant operators........................................................................................................... 12,120 25.90 53,870 25.80

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.............................. 40,880 25.20 52,410 25.18

Plant and system operators, all other............................................................................... 13,820 22.33 46,450 22.25

Chemical equipment operators and tenders.................................................................... 50,570 19.85 41,300 19.37

Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators,

and tenders.................................................................................................................... 43,660 17.37 36,130 16.81

Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders................... 41,910 14.22 29,570 13.50

Grinding and polishing workers, hand.............................................................................. 43,980 12.24 25,460 11.48

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders........................................ 140,710 14.80 30,790 14.10

Cutters and trimmers, hand.............................................................................................. 28,790 11.72 24,370 10.73

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders........................................... 77,960 14.23 29,610 13.43

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages

Production occupations—Continued

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and

tenders.......................................................................................................................... 81,000 $14.06 $29,230 $13.32

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders............................................ 27,100 15.25 31,720 14.58

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers....................................................... 483,020 15.48 32,190 14.14

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers............................................................. 26,220 16.01 33,300 14.30

Dental laboratory technicians............................................................................................ 45,840 16.79 34,910 15.67

Medical appliance technicians.......................................................................................... 10,610 16.56 34,450 14.99

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians.................................................................................... 29,130 13.35 27,770 12.24

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders..................................................... 384,160 12.02 25,000 11.06

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders...................... 102,210 13.57 28,230 12.90

Painters, transportation equipment................................................................................... 52,170 18.57 38,630 17.15

Painting, coating, and decorating workers........................................................................ 29,950 12.14 25,260 11.04

Photographic process workers.......................................................................................... 24,180 12.84 26,710 11.19

Photographic processing machine operators................................................................... 50,040 10.35 21,540 9.38

Semiconductor processors............................................................................................... 41,520 16.70 34,730 15.80

Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders................................................... 23,540 12.90 26,840 12.10

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders...................... 15,500 12.22 25,420 10.99

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders.................................................. 10,050 12.48 25,970 11.48

Etchers and engravers...................................................................................................... 11,390 13.34 27,750 12.30

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic................................................ 42,610 12.85 26,730 12.03

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders.................................................... 113,930 15.68 32,610 15.14

Tire builders....................................................................................................................... 23,210 18.38 38,220 18.33

Helpers--production workers............................................................................................. 539,350 10.63 22,120 9.97

Production workers, all other............................................................................................ 288,470 13.82 28,740 11.97

Transportation and material moving occupations 9,647,730 14.16 29,460 12.17

Aircraft cargo handling supervisors.................................................................................. 5,620 21.85 45,440 19.16

First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand......... 178,820 20.16 41,940 19.02

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine 220,570 24.51 50,990 23.24

and vehicle operators ..............................................................................

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers...................................................................... 75,810 (2) 140,380 (2)

Commercial pilots.............................................................................................................. 27,120 (2) 66,720 (2)

Air traffic controllers.......................................................................................................... 23,240 53.02 110,270 56.37

Airfield operations specialists........................................................................................... 4,760 19.90 41,400 18.09

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians.................. 21,100 10.54 21,930 9.79

Bus drivers, transit and intercity........................................................................................ 191,120 15.89 33,050 15.43

Bus drivers, school............................................................................................................ 456,570 12.08 25,130 11.93

Driver/sales workers.......................................................................................................... 396,680 11.72 24,380 9.99

Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer............................................................................. 1,673,950 17.46 36,320 16.85

Truck drivers, light or delivery services............................................................................ 941,590 13.23 27,520 12.17

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs............................................................................................... 154,490 10.62 22,080 9.78

Motor vehicle operators, all other..................................................................................... 71,880 12.76 26,550 10.92

Locomotive engineers....................................................................................................... 36,870 29.74 61,850 27.88

Locomotive firers............................................................................................................... 560 21.96 45,680 19.85

Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers........................................................ 5,820 19.24 40,020 18.21

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators................................................................... 22,810 25.05 52,110 23.49

Railroad conductors and yardmasters.............................................................................. 37,110 28.31 58,880 26.70

Subway and streetcar operators....................................................................................... 6,740 22.20 46,180 23.55

Rail transportation workers, all other................................................................................ 6,360 18.43 38,330 18.82

Sailors and marine oilers.................................................................................................. 31,690 15.73 32,710 14.73

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels................................................................... 29,170 27.43 57,060 25.69

Motorboat operators.......................................................................................................... 2,450 16.74 34,810 15.55

Ship engineers.................................................................................................................. 14,190 28.53 59,340 26.36

Bridge and lock tenders.................................................................................................... 3,700 17.27 35,930 18.76

Parking lot attendants....................................................................................................... 131,870 8.87 18,450 8.33

Service station attendants................................................................................................. 94,780 9.21 19,150 8.53

Traffic technicians............................................................................................................. 6,560 18.68 38,840 17.86

Transportation inspectors................................................................................................. 23,790 26.62 55,370 24.22

Transportation workers, all other...................................................................................... 42,130 15.55 32,350 14.51

See footnotes at end of table.
Hourly Annual 1

Transportation and material moving occupations—Continued

Conveyor operators and tenders...................................................................................... 50,080 $13.45 $27,970 $13.09

Crane and tower operators............................................................................................... 45,740 19.93 41,450 18.77

Dredge operators.............................................................................................................. 1,780 17.81 37,050 16.26

Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators................................................ 67,590 17.19 35,740 15.83

Loading machine operators, underground mining........................................................... 2,480 19.37 40,290 17.91

Hoist and winch operators................................................................................................ 2,990 17.56 36,530 16.16

Industrial truck and tractor operators................................................................................ 629,100 13.99 29,090 13.11

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment................................................................................ 334,560 9.68 20,130 8.68

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand.................................................. 2,372,130 11.08 23,050 10.20

Machine feeders and offbearers....................................................................................... 150,600 11.58 24,080 10.88

Packers and packagers, hand.......................................................................................... 827,470 9.30 19,340 8.48

Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators...................................................... 3,900 21.52 44,760 21.83

Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers..................................................................... 10,030 19.55 40,670 19.13

Wellhead pumpers............................................................................................................ 13,280 17.67 36,760 17.38

Refuse and recyclable material collectors........................................................................ 125,770 14.96 31,110 13.93

Shuttle car operators......................................................................................................... 2,860 18.92 39,350 18.78

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders...................................................................................... 15,360 16.44 34,200 15.37

Material moving workers, all other.................................................................................... 52,120 15.87 33,000 14.55

 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 Wages for some occupations that do not generally work year round, full time, are reported either as hourly wages or annual salaries depending on how 

they are typically paid.

 3 Represents a wage above $70.00 per hour.

 4 Estimates not released.

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, 

May 2006—Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Median 

hourly wages
Table 2. Hourly mean wage rates by industry and occupational group 

 All industries .............................. $44.20 $28.85 $33.29 $31.82 $28.68 $18.75 $41.04 $21.79 $

Agriculture, forestry, fishing,

 and hunting..................................... 37.36 26.48 26.60 29.11 21.82 (

1

) (

1

) (

1

)  

Mining................................................ 49.10 30.71 33.08 40.08 35.71 (

1

) 35.88 (

1

)  

Utilities............................................... 49.26 31.97 33.83 33.73 32.30 (

1

) 53.51 29.93  

Construction...................................... 45.18 28.42 28.22 29.55 28.44 18.57 43.27 (

1

)  

Manufacturing................................... 49.47 28.58 36.51 32.66 29.43 23.82 54.67 26.73  

Wholesale trade................................ 52.26 28.70 33.96 32.03 31.99 18.04 52.04 22.90  

Retail trade........................................ 40.30 24.25 26.08 27.66 26.51 16.59 24.80 15.64  

Transportation and warehousing..... 40.02 27.83 30.28 31.28 31.26 14.61 48.95 24.04  

Information........................................ 53.89 31.44 34.57 33.10 34.90 18.46 51.52 18.69  

Finance and insurance..................... 52.97 30.24 33.78 36.21 31.66 20.58 34.04 24.20  

Real estate and rental

 and leasing.................................. 32.47 27.60 28.84 29.40 25.06 17.25 33.32 20.29  

Professional, scientific, and 

 technical services........................... 56.58 32.82 35.36 30.91 29.45 21.27 43.54 27.39  

Management of companies 

 and enterprises............................... 53.20 30.08 32.95 35.34 32.64 17.44 51.33 20.04  

Administrative and support 

 and waste management

 and remediation services................ 44.37 26.81 30.57 29.20 25.73 16.25 30.49 19.78  

Educational services......................... 39.10 24.60 24.54 27.75 23.92 24.44 39.42 22.61  

Health care and social

 assistance....................................... 36.28 24.12 27.24 27.75 31.12 16.51 33.91 12.13  

Arts, entertainment, and 

 recreation........................................ 38.65 29.45 24.96 33.47 21.45 15.23 51.91 18.16  

Accommodation and food

 services........................................... 26.49 21.33 24.93 26.87 23.10 13.00 45.11 14.91  

Other services (except

 public administration)...................... 38.11 23.94 27.27 30.80 26.70 17.19 37.57 14.41  

Federal, state, and local

 government..................................... 36.37 27.63 31.26 32.13 27.68 20.24 36.37 19.25  

 See footnote at end of table.

Management

Business 

and 

financial 

operations 

Industry 

Occupational group

Legal 

Computer and 

mathematical 

science

Architecture 

and 

engineering 

Life, 

physical, 

and social 

science 

Community 

and social 

services 

Education, 

training, and 

library 

Arts, de

entertain

sports, 

med
Table 2. Hourly mean wage rates by industry and occupational group—Continued 

 All industries .............................. $17.81 $8.86 $10.86 $11.02 $16.52 $14.60 $10.49 $18.89 $

Agriculture, forestry, fishing,

 and hunting..................................... 12.35 11.30 11.80 11.66 23.11 12.27 9.71 16.03  

Mining................................................ 12.87 13.02 10.67 14.72 29.14 15.46 10.03 18.41  

Utilities............................................... 19.87 10.65 14.59 21.20 26.88 18.31 12.43 24.04  

Construction...................................... 12.95 8.72 11.64 10.39 27.31 14.85 11.86 19.02  

Manufacturing................................... 15.08 9.30 11.57 12.74 28.04 15.82 11.79 19.42  

Wholesale trade................................ 13.16 8.90 10.63 12.02 28.01 14.64 9.96 18.54  

Retail trade........................................ 12.67 9.52 9.84 9.14 11.63 11.52 9.97 16.65  

Transportation and warehousing..... 16.30 12.22 16.49 21.58 24.35 17.72 13.60 20.21  

Information........................................ 15.32 7.85 10.96 8.71 23.44 16.41 (

1

) 23.40  

Finance and insurance..................... 17.94 11.60 10.48 12.22 32.22 14.99 12.45 18.97  

Real estate and rental

 and leasing.................................. 12.72 9.56 11.01 11.72 18.01 13.93 11.15 18.82  

Professional, scientific, and 

 technical services........................... 18.36 10.49 11.26 9.82 28.41 15.83 10.99 22.03  

Management of companies 

 and enterprises............................... 15.73 11.11 11.56 10.93 26.75 16.41 11.34 23.16  

Administrative and support 

 and waste management

 and remediation services................ 10.98 9.24 10.58 10.50 15.98 13.13 10.72 15.30  

Educational services......................... 14.22 9.87 12.57 10.76 16.35 14.42 13.60 20.64  

Health care and social

 assistance....................................... 13.51 9.89 10.16 9.27 16.80 14.01 10.08 21.83  

Arts, entertainment, and 

 recreation........................................ 10.69 9.61 10.94 11.34 11.29 12.82 10.39 21.10  

Accommodation and food

 services........................................... 11.48 8.64 9.24 10.60 9.24 11.27 11.44 19.57  

Other services (except

 public administration)...................... 10.05 8.93 10.41 11.54 13.64 13.23 12.73 18.56  

Federal, state, and local

 government..................................... 21.79 11.69 13.36 11.65 14.61 15.99 16.56 18.54  

 1

 Data not available.

Sales and 

related 

Office and 

administrative 

support 

Farming, 

fishing, 

and 

forestry 

Industry Protective 

service 

Food 

preparation 

and serving

Building and 

grounds 

cleaning and 

maintenance 

Construction 

and 

extraction 

Installa

mainten

and re

Occupational group

Personal 

care and 

service 
Table 3. Employment by industry and occupational group 

 All industries ............................ 132,604,980 5,892,900 5,826,140 3,076,200 2,430,250 1,231,070 1,749,210 976,740 8,206,440 

Agriculture, forestry, fishing,

 and hunting................................... 379,690 6,190 1,480 320 100 2,140 (

1

) (

1

) 150 

Mining.............................................. 590,510 32,890 23,300 7,940 25,230 17,320 (

1

) 2,620 (

1

) 

Utilities............................................. 546,400 31,020 35,160 16,360 47,070 9,750 (

1

) 1,240 100 

Construction.................................... 7,633,080 362,950 215,190 7,620 75,220 3,590 (

1

) 1,440 50 

Manufacturing................................. 14,185,770 690,670 430,190 266,930 799,490 149,880 120 5,510 1,460 

Wholesale trade.............................. 5,862,420 320,730 228,870 157,140 63,650 29,260 (

1

) 2,490 1,070 

Retail trade...................................... 15,516,280 362,320 167,930 58,000 4,980 4,970 480 1,350 6,640 

Transportation and warehousing..... 5,203,910 147,330 98,290 23,150 23,290 3,460 120 1,890 1,050 

Information...................................... 3,056,170 186,750 152,630 411,560 66,530 29,820 190 6,320 14,510 

Finance and insurance.................... 5,992,570 445,990 1,300,620 (

1

) 3,880 31,000 3,330 56,530 1,480 

Real estate and rental

 and leasing................................ 2,148,700 193,420 99,450 12,520 4,380 5,040 1,700 8,080 490 

Professional, scientific, and 

 technical services.......................... 7,243,130 504,580 840,540 986,210 881,350 342,000 7,790 594,630 20,430 

Management of companies 

 and enterprises............................. 1,786,440 292,640 299,170 172,560 46,860 33,190 15,950 19,590 6,900 

Administrative and support 

 and waste management

 and remediation services.............. 8,350,180 230,940 277,170 136,680 77,260 26,090 13,290 21,300 30,870 

Educational services....................... 12,291,320 523,940 211,390 176,140 20,350 162,250 256,650 3,150 7,311,310 

Health care and social

 assistance..................................... 15,586,670 526,580 207,120 77,980 6,060 81,100 877,000 5,170 487,370 

Arts, entertainment, and 

 recreation...................................... 1,866,930 63,460 35,130 4,990 1,080 5,160 380 450 31,030 

Accommodation and food

 services......................................... 11,049,000 276,870 38,540 2,320 350 970 510 170 600 

Other services (except

 public administration).................... 3,833,100 174,340 192,410 27,040 6,480 12,410 98,600 7,450 78,120 

Federal, state, and local

 government................................... 9,482,720 519,300 971,570 222,600 276,640 281,680 472,420 237,360 212,800 

 See footnote at end of table.

Occupational group

Industry Total Computer and 

mathematical 

science

Architecture 

and 

engineering 

Education, 

training, and 

library 

Ar

ent

sp

Legal 

Community 

and social 

services 

Management

Business 

and financial 

operations 

Life, 

physical, and 

social 

science 
Table 3. Employment by industry and occupational group—Continued

 All industries ............................ 3,483,270 3,024,840 11,029,280 4,396,250 3,249,760 14,114,860 23,077,190 450,040 6,680,710 

Agriculture, forestry, fishing,

 and hunting................................... (

1

) 380 40 5,020 5,620 2,830 21,320 264,960 750 

Mining.............................................. 350 650 140 1,220 60 8,110 56,920 190 221,780 

Utilities............................................. (

1

) 3,890 40 3,020 40 10,170 115,390 330 32,780 

Construction.................................... 270 5,300 (

1

) 49,890 1,290 152,510 732,340 1,280 5,101,800 

Manufacturing................................. 1,100 17,910 36,990 94,310 1,120 430,490 1,384,540 36,860 265,280 

Wholesale trade.............................. 1,740 5,300 5,180 27,340 1,580 1,540,650 1,390,270 53,100 22,810 

Retail trade...................................... 47,420 71,520 489,240 134,500 86,850 8,405,880 2,574,000 22,430 59,290 

Transportation and 

 warehousing.............................. 270 14,840 9,050 34,050 145,880 91,030 1,540,090 2,460 26,010 

Information...................................... (

1

) 5,370 46,110 11,840 55,390 397,700 710,420 (

1

) 4,110 

Finance and insurance.................... 2,300 12,860 2,140 16,400 1,020 (

1

) 2,994,960 270 1,830 

Real estate and rental

 and leasing................................ 4,940 33,910 22,380 175,080 23,240 529,370 504,080 1,320 30,170 

Professional, scientific, and 

 technical services.......................... 70,160 12,990 2,920 46,530 28,030 325,130 1,836,570 5,700 61,690 

Management of companies 

 and enterprises............................. 8,010 10,270 (

1

) 19,420 10,430 102,890 522,740 2,170 11,770 

Administrative and support 

 and waste management

 and remediation services.............. 102,840 662,920 132,540 1,667,460 64,860 522,100 1,823,130 21,030 287,700 

Educational services....................... 35,910 107,540 456,140 535,220 197,920 34,600 1,316,450 2,960 43,470 

Health care and social

 assistance..................................... 3,027,740 69,640 513,940 440,900 1,022,390 49,760 2,609,770 1,190 19,290 

Arts, entertainment, and 

 recreation...................................... 5,550 75,290 317,090 189,670 504,600 149,700 178,350 5,150 9,590 

Accommodation and food

 services......................................... 6,630 62,190 8,770,580 590,870 138,720 329,810 412,420 450 4,150 

Other services (except

 public administration).................... 25,210 46,250 103,790 110,280 693,980 226,650 589,670 1,130 15,060 

Federal, state, and local

 government................................... 142,510 1,805,820 100,300 243,200 266,720 67,650 1,763,780 27,050 461,380 

 1

 Data not available.

Healthcare 

support

Industry 

Occupational group

Construction 

and 

extraction 

Protective 

service 

Food 

preparation 

and serving

Building and 

grounds 

cleaning and 

maintenance 

Personal 

care and 

service 

Sales and 

related 

Office and 

administrative 

support 

In

ma

a

Farming, 

fishing, 

and 

forestry 
Table 4. Employment and wages for registered nurses by industry

Percent of

occupational

employment Hourly Annual

Total, all industries 1 ................................................................. 2,417,150 100.0 $28.71 $59,730

General medical and surgical hospitals ........................................ 1,373,610 56.8 29.31 60,970

Offices of physicians ..................................................................... 209,260 8.7 28.45 59,170

Home health care services ........................................................... 124,470 5.1 27.31 56,810

Nursing care facilities .................................................................... 122,990 5.1 25.81 53,690

Employment services .................................................................... 95,490 4.0 31.36 65,230

 1 Includes other industries, not shown separately.

Hourly Annual 25th 75th

General medical and surgical hospitals (NAICS 622100):

Registered nurses ......................................................................... 1,373,610 28.1 $29.31 $60,970 $23.80 $34.03

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants ...................................... 382,940 7.8 11.55 24,030 9.47 13.34

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses ...................... 171,470 3.5 17.33 36,050 14.33 19.91

Maids and housekeeping cleaners ............................................... 115,790 2.4 10.15 21,110 8.16 11.61

Radiologic technologists and technicians ..................................... 114,600 2.3 23.87 49,640 19.55 28.01

Office clerks, general .................................................................... 114,250 2.3 12.94 26,910 10.17 15.31

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists ............................... 96,590 2.0 24.34 50,630 20.35 28.04

Medical secretaries ....................................................................... 95,090 1.9 13.67 28,440 11.18 15.79

Medical and health services managers ........................................ 87,620 1.8 40.83 84,930 30.32 47.45

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan ........................................ 80,650 1.7 12.93 26,900 10.66 14.83

 Industry Employment 

Table 5. National employment and wages for the 10 largest occupations in the general medical and surgical hospital industry

Occupation Employment

Mean wages

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles
Table 6. Highest and lowest paying states by selected occupations 

Washington ........................................ $13.46 84,650 South Dakota .................................. $10.41 13,670

Connecticut .......................................... 13.27 53,750 Wyoming ..................................... 9.99 7,570

Alaska ................................................ 12.91 9,760 West Virginia ....................................9.93 22,260

New Jersey ....................................... 12.57 118,670 Kentucky ...................................... 9.83 60,070

Oregon ................................................ 12.44 61,270 Arkansas .................................... 9.74 37,620

California .............................................$36.12 234,260 West Virginia ...................................... $23.78 15,380

Massachusetts ........................................34.09 76,350 Kansas .............................................. 2364 23,590

Hawaii .............................................. 33.02 9,610 Wyoming ..................................... 23.54 4,010

Maryland ............................................. 32.87 47,560 Oklahoma .....................................23.31 24,720

New Jersey .............................................32.02 80,330 Iowa ........................................... 22.61 31,040

District of Columbia .................................$19.11 5,400 Montana ......................................$13.12 9,800

Connecticut .......................................... 18.34 25,270 Wyoming ..................................... 12.93 5,490

Alaska ................................................ 18.08 5,110 North Dakota .................................12.88 5,970

New Jersey .............................................17.63 54,180 West Virginia ......................................12.43 8,620

Massachusetts ........................................17.52 47,280 South Dakota ..................................11.64 8,620

New Jersey .............................................$66.14 39,740 Alaska ........................................$34.99 7,860

Washington ........................................ 58.48 16,890 Wyoming ..................................... 34.16 5,510

New York ......................................... 57.42 92,200 Oklahoma .....................................33.97 27,800

Virginia ................................................ 57.14 30,970 Montana ...................................... 31.60 9,390

Connecticut .......................................... 56.87 22,940 Idaho .......................................... 29.66 14,520

Registered nurses

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

General and operations managers

State

Hourly 

mean 

wage

Employment

Retail salespersons

Highest paying Lowest paying

State

Hourly 

mean 

wage

Employment
Table 7. Highest and lowest paying metropolitan area or division by selected occupations 

Highest paying Lowest paying

Metropolitan area or division

Hourly 

mean 

wage

Employment Metropolitan area or division

Hourly 

mean 

wage

Employment

Retail salespersons

Carson City, NV ..................................... $14.78 570 El Paso, TX ................................. $8.93 10,460

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ......... 14.49 15,110 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX .... 8.86 7,870

Tacoma, WA metropolitan division ........ 14.14 8,660 Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ........... 8.73 4,700

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL .................... 13.98 10,550 Gadsden, AL ............................... 8.53 1,180

Fairbanks, AK ........................................ 13.89 1,350 Laredo, TX ................................... 8.41 3,550

Registered nurses

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ... $44.42 14,930 State College, PA ........................ $20.76 930

Oakland-Fremont-Hayward, CA Jonesboro, AR ............................. 20.68 990

metropolitan division ........................... 43.18 17,430 Lawrence, KS .............................. 20.55 250

Salinas, CA ............................................ 40.83 2,130 Morristown, TN ............................ 20.16 630

San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood Blacksburg-ChristiansburgCity, CA metropolitan division ............. 39.83 15,430 Radford, VA .............................. 19.70 770

Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA .................... 38.84 3,240

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

San Francisco-San Mateo-Redwood Las Cruces, NM ........................... $11.64 910

City, CA metropolitan division ............. $19.62 13,900 Rapid City, SD ............................. 11.59 1,340

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ... 19.60 10,690 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX .... 11.56 2,290

Fairbanks, AK ........................................ 19.57 590 Logan, UT-ID ............................... 11.41 490

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA .................. 19.01 1,620 Brownsville-Harlingen, TX ........... 10.75 1,450

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ......... 18.97 8,840

General and operations managers

Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT.......... $69.01 6,700 Morristown, TN ............................ $30.01 750

Trenton-Ewing, NJ ................................. 68.86 2,050 Idaho Falls, ID ............................. 29.73 1,180

Edison, NJ metropolitan division ........... 67.64 9,670 Missoula, MT................................ 28.69 1,420

New York-White Plains-Wayne, Lawton, OK .................................. 28.27 590

NY-NJ metropolitan division ................ 66.04 57,400 Pocatello, ID ................................ 26.92 980

Newark-Union, NJ-PA metropolitan

division ................................................ 65.01 10,780