ii

Occupational Employment

and Wages, May 2004

U.S. Department of Labor

Elaine L. Chao, Secretary

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Kathleen P. Utgoff, Commissioner

September 2005

Bulletin 2575
iii

Preface

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey

is a mail survey measuring occupational employment

and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments by industry and area. The OES program

produces occupational employment and wage estimates by

industry at the national level, as well as national, State, and

metropolitan area cross-industry estimates.

The OES program is a Federal-State cooperative effort

between State workforce agencies (SWAs) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS provides technical assistance and the statistical procedures for the survey; the SWAs

collect the data. For many years, the OES survey has been a

major source of detailed occupational employment data by

industry for the Nation, for States, and for metropolitan areas. This survey provides information for many data users,

including individuals and organizations engaged in planning vocational education programs, higher education, and

employment and training programs. OES data also are used

to prepare information for career counseling, for job placement activities performed at SWAs, and for personnel planning and market research conducted by private enterprises.

This bulletin was prepared in the BLS Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Division of Occupational Employment Statistics, under the direction of

Laurie Salmon, with articles by Benjamin Cover, Fatemeh

Hajiha, Patrick Kilcoyne, Laurie Salmon, and Audrey Watson.

Benjamin Cover, John Ichiro Jones, Michael Soloy, Zachary

Warren, and Ric Wise prepared the maps, charts, and tables.

For additional information, call (202) 691-6569 or e-mail

oesinfo@bls.gov.

Information in this bulletin will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals on request. Voice telephone: (202)

691-5200; Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339. This material is in the public domain and, with appropriate credit, may

be reproduced without permission.
iv
v

Page

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................................... 1

A. Employment and Wages by Major Occupational Group and Industry

 Fatemeh Hajiha ........................................................................................................................................... 2

B. Occupations in the Temporary Help Services Industry ................................................................................ 6

 Patrick Kilcoyne

C. Occupational Structure and Urban Growth ................................................................................................... 10

 Audrey Watson

D. A Comparison of Occupational Employment and Wages in Metropolitan Areas and

 Nonmetropolitan Areas................................................................................................................................. 21

 Benjamin Cover

E. Employment Composition: Variation Across States and Metropolitan Areas............................................... 25

 Fatemeh Hajiha and Laurie Salmon

Exhibits:

1. Employment concentrations of management occupations (SOC 11-0000) by State, May 2004 ............. 28

2. Employment concentrations of business and financial operations occupations (SOC 13-0000)

 State, May 2004 ..................................................................................................................................... 29

3. Employment concentrations of computer and mathematical occupations (SOC 15-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 30

4. Employment concentrations of architecture and engineering occupations (SOC 17-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 31

5. Employment concentrations of life, physical, and social science occupations (SOC 19-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 32

6. Employment concentrations of community and social services occupations (SOC 21-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 33

7. Employment concentrations of legal occupations (SOC 23-0000) by State, May 2004 .......................... 34

8. Employment concentrations of education, training, and library occupations (SOC 25-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 35

9. Employment concentrations of arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations

 (SOC 27-0000) by State, May 2004 ........................................................................................................ 36

10. Employment concentrations of healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (SOC 29-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 37

11. Employment concentrations of healthcare support occupations (SOC 31-0000) by State, May 2004 ... 38

12. Employment concentrations of protective service occupations (SOC 33-0000) by State, May 2004 ..... 39

13. Employment concentrations of food preparation and serving related occupations (SOC 35-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 40

14. Employment concentrations of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations

 (SOC 37-0000) by State, May 2004 ........................................................................................................ 41

15. Employment concentrations of personal care and service occupations (SOC 39-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 42

16. Employment concentrations of sales and related occupations (SOC 41-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 43

17. Employment concentrations of office and administrative support occupations (SOC 43-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 44

18. Employment concentrations of farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (SOC 45-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 45

Contents
vi

19. Employment concentrations of construction and extraction occupations (SOC 47-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 46

20. Employment concentrations of installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (SOC 49-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 47

21. Employment concentrations of production occupations (SOC 51-0000) by State, May 2004 ................ 48

22. Employment concentrations of transportation and material-moving occupations (SOC 53-0000)

 by State, May 2004 ................................................................................................................................ 49

23. Employment concentrations of financial managers (SOC 11-3031) by MSA, May 2004 ........................ 51

24. Employment concentrations of accountants and auditors (SOC 13-2011) by MSA, May 2004 ............. 52

25. Employment concentrations of computer programmers (SOC 15-1021) by MSA, May 2004 ................. 53

26. Employment concentrations of lawyers (SOC 23-1011) by MSA, May 2004 .......................................... 54

27. Employment concentrations of registered nurses (SOC 29-1111) by MSA, May 2004 .......................... 55

28. Employment concentrations of restaurant cooks (SOC 35-2014) by MSA, May 2004 ........................... 56

29. Employment concentrations of retail salespersons (SOC 41-2031) by MSA, May 2004 ........................ 57

30. Employment concentrations of secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive (SOC 43-6014),

 by MSA, May 2004 ............................................................................................................................... 58

31. Employment concentrations of truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer (SOC 53-3032),

 by MSA, May 2004 ............................................................................................................................... 59

Tables and charts:

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics

 survey by occupation, May 2004 ............................................................................................... 60

Chart 1. Percent distribution of employment in the mining sector (NAICS 21) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 72

Chart 2. Percent distribution of employment in the utilities sector (NAICS 22) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 73

Chart 3. Percent distribution of employment in the construction sector (NAICS 23) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 74

Chart 4. Percent distribution of employment in the manufacturing sector (NAICS 31-33) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 75

Chart 5. Percent distribution of employment in the wholesale trade sector (NAICS 42) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 76

Chart 6. Percent distribution of employment in the retail trade sector (NAICS 44-45) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 77

Chart 7. Percent distribution of employment in the transportation and warehousing sector

 (NAICS 48-49) by major occupational group, May 2004 ............................................................ 78

Chart 8. Percent distribution of employment in the information sector (NAICS 51) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 79

Chart 9. Percent distribution of employment in the finance and insurance sector (NAICS 52)

 by major occupational group, May 2004 .................................................................................... 80

Chart 10. Percent distribution of employment in the real estate and rental and leasing sector

 (NAICS 53) by major occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................ 81

Chart 11. Percent distribution of employment in the professional, scientific, and technical

 services sector (NAICS 54) by major occupational group, May 2004 ....................................... 82

Chart 12. Percent distribution of employment in the management of companies and enterprises

 sector (NAICS 55) by major occupational group, May 2004 ..................................................... 83

Chart 13. Percent distribution of employment in the administrative and support and waste

 management and remediation services sector (NAICS 56) by major occupational

 group, May 2004......................................................................................................................... 84

Contents—Continued

 Page

Exhibits—Continued
vii

Chart 14. Percent distribution of employment in the educational services sector (NAICS 61)

 by major occupational group, May 2004 .................................................................................... 85

Chart 15. Percent distribution of employment in the healthcare and social assistance sector

 (NAICS 62) by major occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................ 86

Chart 16. Percent distribution of employment in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector

 (NAICS 71) by major occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................ 87

Chart 17. Percent distribution of employment in the accommodation and food services sector

 (NAICS 72) by major occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................ 88

Chart 18. Percent distribution of employment in the other services sector (NAICS 81) by major

 occupational group, May 2004 ................................................................................................... 89

Chart 19. Percent distribution of employment in the public administration sector (NAICS 92)

 by major occupational group, May 2004 .................................................................................... 90

 Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry

 from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, May 2004 .............................................. 91

 Table 3. Industry, State, and MSA data for selected occupations, May 2004........................................... 141

Appendixes:

A. The Standard Occupational Classification System ............................................................................... 256

B. Survey Methods and Reliability Statement of the May 2004 Occupational Employment

Statistics Survey .................................................................................................................................... 258

C. Availability of Historical Occupational Employment Statistics Survey

Data Nationally and from State Agencies .............................................................................................. 267

Contents—Continued

Tables and charts—Continued

 Page
Cooperating State Agencies

Occupational Employment and Statistics (OES) Program

ALABAMA Department of Industrial Relations, Room 427,

Industrial Relations Bldg., Montgomery 36131-2280

ALASKA Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Research and Analysis Section

P.O. Box 25501

Juneau 99802-5501

ARIZONA Department of Economic Security

Research Administration

1789 West Jefferson St.

Phoenix 85007

ARKANSAS Employment Security Department, Labor Market

Information, P.O. Box 2981, Little Rock 72203-2981

CALIFORNIA Employment Development Department, Labor

Market Information Division, 7000 Franklin Blvd.,

Suite 1100, Sacramento 95823

COLORADO Department of Labor and Employment

633 17th St., Suite 600

Denver 80203-2237

CONNECTICUT Department of Labor, Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook

Blvd., Wethersfield 06109

DELAWARE Department of Labor, Office of Occupational

and Labor Market Information, P.O. Box 9965

Wilmington 19809

DISTRICT OF Department of Employment Services

COLUMBIA Office of Labor Market Research & Information

64 New York Ave., NE., Room 3035

Washington, DC 20002

FLORIDA MSC G-020

107 East Madison St.

Tallahassee 32399-4111

GUAM Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

P.O. Box 9970, Tamuning 96931-9970

GEORGIA Department of Labor, Workforce Information and Analysis

Occupational Employment Statistics

148 Andrew Young International Blvd., NE.

Atlanta 30303-1751

HAWAII Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

Research and Statistics Office, Room 304

830 Punchbowl St., Honolulu 96813

IDAHO Department of Commerce & Labor

317 West Main St.

Boise 83735

ILLINOIS Department of Employment Security

33 South State St., 9th Floor

Chicago 60603-2802

INDIANA Department of Workforce Development, Strategic Research

and Development Division, Research & Analysis

10 North Senate Ave., Indianapolis 46204

IOWA Iowa Workforce Development

1000 East Grand Ave.

Des Moines 50319

KANSAS Department of Human Resources, Labor Market

Information Services, 401 Southwest Topeka Ave.

Topeka 66603

KENTUCKY Office of Employment and Training

Department for Workforce Investment

Research and Statistics Branch (OES Unit)

275 East Maine St., 2 W, Frankfort 40621

LOUISIANA Department of Labor, Research and Statistics

Division, P.O. Box 94094, Baton Rouge 70804-9094

MAINE Department of Labor, Division of Labor Market

Information Services, 20 Union St., Augusta 04330

MARYLAND Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

Office of Labor Market Analysis and Information

Room 316, 1100 North Eutaw St., Baltimore 21201

MASSACHUSETTS Division of Unemployment Assistance

Economic Research Department

Charles F. Hurley Bldg., Staniford St., Boston 02114

MICHIGAN Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Labor

Market Information & Strategic Initiatives, Cadillac Place,

3032 West Grand Blvd., Suite 9-100, Detroit 48202

MINNESOTA Department of Employment and Economic Development

Labor Market Information Office-OES

1st National Bank Bldg ., Suite E200

332 Minnesota St., St. Paul 55101

MISSISSIPPI Mississippi Department of Employment Security

Labor Market Information Division

P.O. Box 1699

Jackson 39215-1699

MISSOURI Department of Economic Development,

Economic Research & Information Center

P.O. Box 3150, Jefferson City 65102-3150

MONTANA Department of Labor and Industry, Research

and Analysis, P.O. Box 1728, Helena 59624

NEBRASKA Department of Labor, Labor Market Information

P.O. Box 94600, Lincoln 68509-4600

NEVADA Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation

Information Development & Processing Division

Research & Analysis Bureau

500 East 3rd St., Carson City 89713

NEW HAMPSHIRE Department of Employment Security

Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau

32 South Main St., Concord 03301

NEW JERSEY Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Division of Labor Market and Demographic Research

P.O. Box 388

Trenton 08625-0388

NEW MEXICO Department of Labor, Economic Research

and Analysis Bureau, P.O. Box 1928

Albuquerque 87103

NEW YORK Department of Labor, Division of Research

and Statistics, State Campus, Room 400,

Bldg. 12, Albany 12240-0020

NORTH CAROLINA Employment Security Commission, Labor

Market Information Division, P.O. Box 25903

Raleigh 27611

NORTH DAKOTA Job Service North Dakota

Labor Market Information Center

1000 East Divide

Bismarck 58501

OHIO Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

Bureau of Labor Market Information

4300 Kimberly Parkway

Columbus 43232

OKLAHOMA Employment Security Commission

Will Rogers Memorial Office Bldg.

240 North Lincoln Blvd., Room 310

Oklahoma City 73152-2003

OREGON Employment Department, 875 Union St., NE.,

Room 207, Salem 97311

PENNSYLVANIA Department of Labor and Industry, Center for

Workforce Information and Analysis, Labor

and Industry Bldg., Room 220, 7th and

Forster Sts., Harrisburg 17121-0001

PUERTO RICO Department of Labor and Human Resources

Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17th Floor

505 Munoz Rivera Ave., San Juan 00918

RHODE ISLAND Department of Labor and Training, Labor Market

Information, 1511 Pontiac Ave., Cranston 02920

SOUTH CAROLINA South Carolina Employment Security Commission

Labor Market Information Division

P.O. Box 995, Columbia 29202

SOUTH DAKOTA Department of Labor, Labor Market Information Center

P.O. Box 4730, Aberdeen 57402-4730

TENNESSEE Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Research and Statistics Division

500 James Robertson Parkway, 11th Floor

Nashville 37245-1000

TEXAS Labor Market Information, Texas Workforce

Commission, 9001 IH 35 Suite 103A.3, Austin 78753

UTAH Department of Workforce Services

Workforce Information, P.O. Box 45249

Salt Lake City 84114

VERMONT Vermont Department of Labor

Labor Market Information

P.O. Box 488, Montpelier 05601-0488

VIRGINIA Employment Commission

Economic Information Services Division

P.O. Box 1358, Richmond 23218-1358

VIRGIN ISLANDS Department of Labor, BLS

53-A, 54-A&B Kronprindsens Gade

St. Thomas 00801-3359

WASHINGTON Employment Security Department, Labor

Market and Economic Analysis Branch

P.O. Box 9046, Olympia 98507-9046

WEST VIRGINIA Bureau of Employment Programs

Research, Information and Analysis Division

112 California Ave., Charleston 25305

WISCONSIN Department of Workforce Development

Bureau of Workforce Information

201 East Washington Ave., Room G200

Madison 53707

WYOMING Department of Employment, Research and Planning

P.O. Box 2760, Casper 82602
1

Introduction

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey

provides estimates of occupational employment and

wages for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments by industry and area. This is the second bulletin

in which data are provided for industries defined according

to the North American Industry Classification System

(NAICS). Also, in 2002 the employment reference period

was changed to the 2-month average in order to capture

seasonal fluctuations in occupational employment. The

OES survey used to have a fourth-quarter reference period,

but the data are now collected twice a year for the reference

months of May and November.

The tables in this bulletin present national, State, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), and industry employment

and wage data for detailed occupations. The occupational

data are identified based on the Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC). Under the SOC, workers are classified into 22 major occupational groups and 801 detailed occupations. For each major occupational group and detailed

occupation, table 1 shows cross-industry national estimates

of employment, hourly mean wage, annual mean wage, and

percentile wages.

Table 2 shows the 10 largest occupations in each 4-digit

NAICS industry. Table 3 presents a sample of the data available from the OES survey, including national industry-specific and State and MSA cross-industry employment and

wage data for the five largest occupations in each SOC major

group. The industry data are national industry-specific data

for both the five industries with the greatest employment

and the five industries with the highest wages for a given

occupation. These differ from the national estimates in table

1, which are based on data from all industries. In addition,

table 3 presents State and MSA employment and wage estimates for the five areas with the highest employment concentration in the occupation and the five areasin which workers in the given occupation earn the highest wages.

In 2004, all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto

Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands participated in the survey.

Data for the territories are not included in the national estimates. Industry-specific occupational employment and wage

estimates for each participating State and territory are available from the State workforce agencies (SWAs) listed on the

inside back cover of this bulletin.

The estimates are based on data collected during the 2001-

2004 surveys and are adjusted to reflect total industry employment for the reference period. The reference period for

wage data is May 2004. The reference period for employment is the average of May 2004 and November 2003 employment, based on information from the Bureau of Labor

Statistics Covered Employment and Wages program.

Mean wage is the estimated total wages for an occupation divided by the occupation’s weighted survey employment. Occupations or industries with fewer than 50 workers

are not released. Employment estimates with a relative error

greater than 50 percent are not shown. Wage estimates with

a relative error greater than 30 percent are not shown. Appendix B provides more complete definitions of terms and

statistical concepts.

National, State, and MSA data across surveyed industries are available on the OES Web site at www.bls.gov/oes/.

National occupational employment data for all occupations

by industry sector and at the three-digit, four-digit, and

selected five-digit NAICS levels also are available on the

Web site. Additional information about the structure of the

OES classification system is provided in appendix A of this

bulletin. Definitions for all occupations are available on the

Standard Occupational Classification Web site at www.bls.gov/

soc/.
2

A. Employment and Wages

by Major Occupational Group

and Industry

Fatemeh Hajiha

Fatemeh Hajiha is an economist in the Division of Occupational

Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey

is a semiannual mail survey measuring occupational

employment and wage rates of workers in all U.S. industries. The survey is based on a sample of 1.2 million business establishments. The data are collected in six semiannual panels over a 3-year period. This survey design permits

estimation and analysis of wage distributions by occupation

across all industries, as well as within individual industries

and by detailed geographic areas. More information about

the survey is found in the Technical Note to this document.

The following analysis examines employment and wages

by major occupational group across all industries, as well as

wages for detailed occupations in selected industries.

Employment and wages by major occupational

group

The OES survey uses the Office of Management and Budget’s

(OMB’s) occupational classification system, the Standard

Occupational Classification system (SOC). SOC is the first

OMB-required occupational classification system for Federal agencies. The OES survey categorizes workers into 801

detailed occupations and categorizes these detailed occupations into 22 of the 23 SOC major occupational groups. Military-specific occupations are not included in the OES survey. Chart A1 displays total employment in millions of

workers, the percentage of total employment, and the mean

wage for each group. The chart is arrayed by employment,

with the largest occupational group on the top and the smallest group on the bottom.

 A.

Chart A1. Mean hourly wage and percent of total employment by major occupational group, 

 May 2004

Employment level, in millions

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Occupational group (mean hourly wage in parentheses)

Office and administrative support ($13.95) 17.7%

Sales and related ($15.49) 10.5%

Food preparation and serving related ($8.43) 8.2%

Production ($14.08) 7.9%

Transportation and material moving ($13.41) 7.5%

Education, training, and library ($20.23) 6.2%

Healthcare practitioner and technical ($27.55) 5.0%

Management ($41.12) 4.8%

Construction and extraction ($18.04) 4.8%

Installation, maintenance, and repair ($17.89) 4.1%

Business and financial operations ($27.10) 4.0%

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ($10.33) 3.4%

Healthcare support ($11.17) 2.6%

Personal care and service ($10.48) 2.4%

Protective service ($16.75) 2.3%

Computer and mathematical ($31.50) 2.3%

Architecture and engineering ($29.69) 1.9%

Community and social services ($17.52) 1.3%

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media ($21.01) 1.2%

Life, physical, and social science ($26.89) 0.9%

Legal ($38.42) 0.7%

Farming, fishing, and forestry ($9.76) 0.4%
3

In terms of employment, the 22 occupational groups can

be placed into three broad categories. The first consists of

five groups with the largest employment. They are office

and administrative support; sales and related; food preparation and serving related; production; and transportation and

material moving. These groups together account for more

than half of total employment, or more than 66 million workers. Of the 5, the office and administrative support group,

with more than 22.6 million workers, is the largest, and the

transportation and material-moving group, with about 9.6

million workers, is the smallest. The mean wage in each of

these five major groups is less than the mean wage for all

workers across occupational groups ($17.80). The food preparation and serving related group has a mean wage of $8.43

per hour, the lowest among all occupational groups.

The second category consists of five occupational groups

with midsize employment. Accounting for about one-quarter

of total employment, or about 32 million workers, these

groups are education, training, and library; healthcare practitioner and technical; management; construction and extraction; and installation, maintenance, and repair. The mean

wage estimates in these groups range from more than twice

the mean wage for all workers to wages that are about the

same as the mean for all workers. The management group,

with about 6.2 million workers, has the third-largest employment among the midsize occupational groups and the highest mean wage among occupational groups. The installation,

maintenance, and repair group, with 5.2 million workers, has

the smallest employment and the lowest mean wage among

midsize occupational groups.

The remaining 12 occupational groups account for 23.3

percent of total employment, or 29.9 million workers. Among

these, the business and financial operations group, with

around 5.1 million workers, has the largest employment, and

farming, fishing, and forestry, with fewer than 0.5 million

workers, the smallest. Three of the 12 smallest occupational

groups—legal; computer and mathematical; and architecture and engineering—have the second-, third-, and fourthhighest mean wage, respectively, among occupational

groups. Another three—farming, fishing, and forestry; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; and personal

care and service—have the second-, third-, and fourth-lowest mean wage, respectively, among occupational groups.

Percentile wages by occupational group

In addition to total employment and mean wage by major

occupational group, table A1 displays the 10th-, 25th-, 50th-,

75th-, and 90th-percentile wages for each of the 22 major

occupational groups. A percentile wage shows the percentage of workers in an occupation who earn less than a given

wage and the percentage who earn more. For example, the

50th-percentile wage, or median wage, is the pay level at

which 50 percent of workers earn more and 50 percent earn

less. Likewise, 10 percent of workers earn less than the 10thpercentile wage, and 90 percent of workers earn less than

the 90th-percentile wage. The middle 80 percent of workers

in an occupational group earn wages between these two

endpoints.

Table A1: Percentile wages by major occupational group, May 2004

 Total ........................................... 128,127,360 $7.16 $9.28 $13.83 $21.66 $32.94 $17.80

Management. .................................................................... 6,200,940 17.19 24.47 35.77 51.87 (1) 41.12

Legal .................................................................................. 958,520 14.12 19.01 29.24 51.29 (1) 38.42

Computer and mathematical ............................................ 2,915,300 16.24 22.03 30.11 39.68 49.49 31.50

Architecture and engineering ........................................... 2,372,770 15.43 20.74 27.94 37.24 46.14 29.69

Healthcare practitioner and technical ............................. 6,359,380 11.95 16.60 22.71 31.24 45.78 27.55

Business and financial operations .................................. 5,131,840 13.94 18.09 24.21 32.77 43.32 27.10

Life, physical, and social science ................................... 1,131,390 12.63 17.01 23.88 33.73 45.27 26.89

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media ............. 1,595,710 7.98 11.47 17.39 25.88 37.24 21.01

Education, training, and library ........................................ 7,891,810 8.33 12.36 18.57 25.74 33.90 20.23

Construction and extraction ............................................ 6,170,410 9.31 11.93 16.38 22.74 29.78 18.04

Installation, maintenance, and repair .............................. 5,215,390 9.36 12.37 16.91 22.34 27.72 17.89

Community and social services ...................................... 1,673,740 9.36 12.08 16.09 21.56 27.79 17.52

Protective service ............................................................ 3,006,100 7.64 9.91 14.57 21.96 29.51 16.75

Sales and related .............................................................. 13,507,840 6.51 7.77 10.51 17.97 30.29 15.49

Production ......................................................................... 10,128,200 7.67 9.51 12.65 17.15 23.00 14.08

Office and administrative support ................................... 22,649,080 7.88 9.89 12.84 16.92 21.52 13.95

Transportation and material moving ................................ 9,581,320 6.89 8.47 11.48 16.24 21.61 13.41

Healthcare support ........................................................... 3,271,350 7.29 8.66 10.45 13.07 16.28 11.17

Personal care and service ............................................... 3,099,550 6.06 7.08 8.68 11.55 17.00 10.48

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance ........... 4,300,440 6.39 7.52 9.28 12.17 16.13 10.33

Farming, fishing, and forestry .......................................... 458,850 6.38 7.17 8.23 10.88 15.63 9.76

Food preparation and serving related ............................. 10,507,390 5.75 6.41 7.58 9.51 12.51 8.43

Employment 10th

percentile

25th

percentile

50th

percentile

75th

percentile

90th

percentile

Mean

wage

 1 Represents a wage above $70 per hour.

Hourly earnings

Major occupational group
4

As indicated earlier, the lowest paid occupational group

is the one for food preparation and serving related occupations. This is clearly indicated by the fact that, for each

percentile wage shown in the table, the food preparation

and serving related group wage is lower than that for any of

the other groups. In addition to being the lowest paid, the

food preparation and serving related group has the narrowest distribution of wages of all occupational groups. Ten

percent of the workers in this group, approximately 1 million, earn less than $5.75 per hour, while 90 percent of the

workers earn less than $12.51 per hour, a difference of only

$6.76 per hour.

In addition to having the highest mean wage, management occupations have the highest wages in all percentile

wage categories. Also, the group has the second-widest

distribution of wages between the 10th- and the 90th-percentile wage: 10 percent of workers in this group earn less

than $17.19 per hour, while at least 10 percent earn more

than $70.00 per hour, a difference of at least $52.81 per hour.

The widest distribution of wages is among legal occupations, with a difference of at least $55.88 between the 10thand 90th-percentile wages.

As shown in table A1, the mean wage in every occupational group is higher than the 50th-percentile, or median,

wage for that group, suggesting that workers in the top half

have a wider wage distribution than those in the lower half.

In other words, the distribution of wages in each occupational

group is skewed toward the higher end of the wage range.

Chart A2 uses the percentile wages from table A1 to depict the wage distribution for each major occupational group.

Combined, the portions of the bars represent the middle 80

percent of the distribution for each group. The left endpoint

of the bar indicates the 10th-percentile wage, and the right

endpoint of the bar indicates the 90th-percentile wage. Similarly, the inner bar segment between the 25th and 75th percentiles shows the middle 50 percent of the distribution for

each of the occupational groups.

As can be seen from chart A2, the width of the wage

distribution for both the middle 80 percent and the middle 50

percent of workers in an occupational group declines with

the mean wage of that group. Wages for the middle 50 percent of workers are skewed to varying degrees toward the

lower end of the pay distribution for all occupational groups.

Most noticeable in this regard are the farming, fishing, and

forestry; personal care and service; and sales and related

groups, with only 79 cents, $1.02, and $1.26, respectively,

separating the 10th-percentile wage from the 25th-percentile

wage; the amounts separating the 75th-percentile wage from

the 90th-percentile wage in those three occupational groups

are, respectively, $4.75, $5.45, and $12.32—at least five times

the amounts separating the 10th-percentile wage from the

25th-percentile wage. By contrast, wages for the middle 50

percent of workers in the computer and mathematical; architecture and engineering; education, training, and library; and

installation, maintenance, and repair groups are comparatively less skewed toward the lower end of the pay distribution. In these occupational groups, the amounts separating

the 75th- percentile wage from the 90th-percentile wage are

at most twice the amounts separating the 10th-percentile

wage from the 25th-percentile wage.

Chart A2. Wage distribution by occupational group, May 2004

Occupational group

Management

Legal

Computer and mathematical

Architecture and engineering

Business and financial operations

Healthcare practitioners and technical

Life, physical, and social science

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media

Education, training, and library

Construction and extraction

Installation, maintenance, and repair

Community and social services

Protective service

Sales and related

Production

Office and administrative support

Transportation and material moving

Healthcare support

Personal care and service

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

Farming, fishing, and forestry

Food preparation and serving related

$0 $10 $20 $30 $40 $50 $60 $70 $80 $90 $100

Hourly wage

$17.19

$14.12

$16.24

$15.43

$13.94

$11.95

$12.63

$7.98

$8.33

$9.31

$9.36

$9.36

$7.64

$6.51

$7.67

$6.89

$7.88

$7.29

$6.06

$6.39

$6.38

$5.75

$46.14

$49.49

$45.27

$37.24

$33.90

$29.78

$27.72

$29.51

$27.79

$23.00

$30.29

$21.52

$21.61

$16.28

$16.13

$17.00

$15.63

$12.51

$43.32

$45.78

(1)

(1)

 Represents a wage above $70.00 per hour 1

10th 

percentile

25th 

percentile

75th 

percentile

90th 

percentile
5

In addition to cross-industry estimates for the 22 major

occupational groups, the OES program produces detailed

occupational wages across all industries. These estimates

show that wages for detailed occupations can vary substantially within major occupational groups. This is because

major occupational groups incorporate data from as many

as 75 specific occupations in their mean hourly wages. For

example, the legal occupations group includes occupations

such as lawyers and legal secretaries. The wages and employment levels for both are included in the overall wage

and employment estimates for legal occupations, even

though the mean hourly wage of lawyers is almost three

times the wage of legal secretaries. The shares of employment accounted for by these occupations affect the wages

for the entire legal occupations group. Because of these variations, comparative wages for detailed occupations in different major occupational groups might not follow the

overall pattern of wage difference noted between their respective major groups. Table 1 of this publication shows

these variations.

Occupational wages by three-digit NAICS industry

The OES program also produces detailed occupational wages

by industry sector and at the three-digit, four-digit, and selected five-digit industry level within the North American

Industry Classification System (NAICS). Table A2 shows

the mean wage for eight selected OES occupations in eight

selected three-digit industries. Wages for detailed occupations vary according to industry, as illustrated in the table.

For example, while chief executives have high overall wages

compared with those in other occupations, the mean wage

for chief executives itself varies depending on the industry

in which they are employed.

In fact, among the occupations for which data are given

in table A2, chief executives show the largest variation in

wages, with $36.65 separating the highest paying industry

from the lowest. The mean wage for chief executives ranges

from $47.73 per hour in the social assistance industry to

$84.38 per hour in the petroleum and coal products manufacturing industry. Another large difference between industries, $16.07, occurs for the occupation of wholesale and

manufacturing sales representatives, except technical and

scientific products workers. The hourly mean wage for these

workers ranges from $16.36 per hour in the social assistance

industry to $32.43 per hour in the utilities industry. The

occupation of receptionists and information clerks exhibits a

smaller variation among the selected industries, with $4.34

separating the lowest wage from the highest. The mean

wage of this occupation across the eight selected industries

ranges from $8.69 per hour in personal and laundry services

to $13.03 per hour in utilities.

Similarly, mean wages vary across occupations in an industry. The utilities industry has the highest wages among

industries shown for all occupations other than chief executives and secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive,

for which it has the second-highest wage. Because table A2

shows only a sample of industries and occupations, it may

not reflect the overall wage pattern for a given industry.

Detailed information about occupational employment and

wage estimates at the sector, three-digit, and four-digit industry levels, as well as for States and metropolitan areas, is

available on the OES Web site at www.bls.gov/oes/.

Table A2. Mean wages for selected OES occupations and three-digit NAICS industries, May 2004

Chief executive ........................................................... $57.51 $75.84 $84.38 $55.80 $69.76 $47.73 $47.97 $58.54

Computer support specialists .................................... 19.57 25.50 24.95 15.90 21.31 17.00 19.11 18.42

Accountants and auditors .......................................... 27.60 28.95 28.63 22.26 25.51 21.57 21.58 25.22

Sales representatives, wholesale and

 manufacturing, except technical and scientific

 products .................................................................... 23.33 32.43 30.51 22.02 27.27 16.36 20.49 19.78

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and

 executive ................................................................... 10.71 15.13 15.24 11.04 13.81 11.58 11.17 11.12

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and

 housekeeping cleaners ............................................ 8.57 12.93 11.59 8.95 9.12 8.57 8.47 8.45

Security guards .......................................................... 9.39 17.84 15.53 13.68 14.03 10.28 10.18 14.76

Receptionists and information clerks ........................ 10.01 13.03 11.50 9.92 10.88 9.81 10.49 8.69

Occupation

Industry

Support

activities

for

agriculture and

forestry

Utilities

Petroleum and

coal

products

manufacturing

Credit

intermediation

and

related

activities

Social

assistance

Personal

and

laundry

services

Food

services

and

drinking

places

Food

and

beverage

stores
6

B. Occupations in the

Temporary Help Services

Industry

Patrick Kilcoyne

Patrick Kilcoyne is an economist in the Division of Occupational

Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The employment services industry, which includes temporary help services, has grown dramatically over thepast few years. The number of employees nationwide in employment services grew 6.3 percent from 3,254,700

in May 2003 to 3,461,200 in May 2004, and employment in

temporary help services grew 9.2 percent from 2,184,100 to

2,385,000.1

 These growth rates were faster than the overall

employment growth of 1.2 percent over the same period, and

the 200,900 new jobs in the temporary help industry constituted 13.0 percent of all job growth during those 12 months.

This article investigates the types of jobs and wage rates

found in these industries as compared with the national

economy.

Industry staffing

The temporary help services industry, which accounts for

roughly 70 percent of the workers in employment services,

comprises establishments primarily engaged in supplying

workers to client businesses for limited periods of time to

supplement the client workforce. For the purpose of providing paychecks, unemployment tax coverage, and any benefits to the temporary service workers, these workers are

considered employees of the temporary help services establishment, as are the permanent administrative workers of the

agency. Direct supervision of the workers often is provided

by the client business. Table B1, based on data from the

Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, shows

the distribution of employment by occupation for this industry, in order of the largest temporary help occupations.2

 Not

surprisingly, lesser skilled or lower wage workers preponderate in this industry. For example, just three occupations—

laborers and hand material movers, general office clerks, and

hand packers and packagers—accounted for almost 30 percent of the temporary help workers in May 2004, although

they made up less than 5 percent of the national employment

total. Because the skills needed in these occupations are not

specialized, workers qualified for them can work in a variety

of companies and industries. What might surprise some is

the presence of higher skilled occupations, such as registered nurses and computer programmers. These are occupations in which knowledge and abilities, though considerable, are also transferable.

Chart B1 demonstrates the predominance of certain occupational groups in the temporary help services industry.

Office and administrative support, production, and transportation and material-moving workers appear in the temporary help industry in far greater proportions than they do in

the Nation as a whole. These groups of occupations generally require less training and specific knowledge and, consequently, are not typically high paying. Other occupations

that require minimal on-the-job training are less concentrated

in temporary help than in the United States as a whole. They

include sales and related workers and food service workers.

Workers in these occupations have a great deal of contact

with customers and are trained to act as representatives of

the employer instead of simply performing assigned duties.

Occupational groups such as management and legal occupations, which require more focused training and experience

than do other occupations, are employed in very low numbers in the temporary help services industry. Other occupational groups with a low employment share in the temporary

services industry, such as education or maintenance workers, may be subject to union agreements or regulations that

do not permit the employment of temporaries.

Wage differentials

Overall, wages in the employment services industry are lower

than in other industries. While the hourly median and mean

wage rates for the United States as a whole are $13.83 and

$17.80 respectively, the median and mean wage rates in employment services are $10.02 and $12.99. This is partly because of the predominance of low-paying occupations in

this industry, and partly because workers—even in better

paying occupations in this industry—earn less than their

1

 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics program, seasonally adjusted data. 2

 BLS does not publish estimates for the temporary help services

industry on a regular basis because the OES survey was not designed to

produce estimates at this level of detail. However, the sample size is

sufficiently large that estimates produced at the national level for this

industry provide valuable employment and wage information.

 B.
7

Table B1. Predominant occupations in the temporary help services industry, May 2004

All occupations ........................................................... 2,375,330 100.0 $12.53 –$5.27

Laborers and freight, stock, and material

 movers, hand ............................................................ 439,390 18.5 8.69 –1.84

Office clerks, general ................................................. 127,420 5.4 10.53 –1.09

Packers and packagers, hand ................................... 107,850 4.5 8.09 –.88

Team assemblers ........................................................ 103,470 4.4 9.68 –2.68

Production workers, all other ..................................... 77,660 3.3 9.66 –3.81

Helpers—production workers ................................... 72,020 3.0 8.41 –1.94

Customer service representatives ............................ 62,760 2.6 11.72 –2.29

Construction laborers ................................................. 53,970 2.3 9.27 –4.59

Packaging and filling machine operators and

 tenders ..................................................................... 51,640 2.2 8.96 –2.63

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive ... 47,730 2.0 12.39 –.67

Executive secretaries and administrative

 assistants .................................................................. 47,370 2.0 15.57 –2.12

Data entry keyers ....................................................... 45,010 1.9 10.80 –.92

Registered nurses ...................................................... 44,820 1.9 30.99 +4.93

Receptionists and information clerks ........................ 40,320 1.7 10.67 –.24

Assemblers and fabricators, all other....................... 38,380 1.6 9.48 –4.66

Office and administrative support workers,

 all other ...................................................................... 37,790 1.6 11.13 –2.03

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants .................. 36,130 1.5 11.64 +1.25

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and

 housekeeping cleaners ............................................ 30,750 1.3 8.40 –1.51

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses . 30,210 1.3 20.63 +3.88

Employment, recruitment, and placement

 specialists ................................................................. 28,750 1.2 21.80 –.96

Stock clerks and order fillers ..................................... 28,690 1.2 9.74 –.78

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers,

 and weighers ............................................................ 26,470 1.1 11.48 –3.52

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks .......... 25,850 1.1 13.28 –1.06

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks ....................... 25,360 1.1 10.63 –1.80

All other information and record clerks ..................... 22,510 .9 13.13 –5.21

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery,

 and greenhouse ....................................................... 21,150 .9 7.77 –.30

Industrial truck and tractor operators ........................ 20,450 .9 10.94 –2.63

Word processors and typists .................................... 18,890 .8 13.57 –.60

File clerks .................................................................... 18,550 .8 10.43 –.29

Business operations specialists, all other ................ 16,690 .7 20.93 –6.79

First-line supervisors/managers of office

 and administrative support workers ....................... 16,690 .7 17.95 –3.20

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer ..................... 14,250 .6 14.73 –1.90

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters,

 operators, and tenders, metal and plastic .............. 14,130 .6 9.80 –3.24

General and operations managers ............................ 12,240 .5 39.83 –4.41

Refuse and recyclable material collectors ................ 12,170 .5 8.10 –5.27

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers ............. 11,940 .5 9.37 –1.25

Home health aides ...................................................... 11,840 .5 9.73 +.60

Carpenters .................................................................. 11,710 .5 14.98 –3.28

Telemarketers .............................................................. 11,230 .5 9.78 –1.51

Machinists ................................................................... 11,230 .5 12.50 –4.23

Computer support specialists .................................... 10,740 .5 19.33 –1.64

Maintenance and repair workers, general ................ 10,620 .4 12.90 –2.51

Mail clerks and mail machine operators,

 except postal service ............................................... 10,230 .4 9.81 –1.46

Construction and related workers, all other ............. 9,960 .4 8.15 –4.56

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services ..................... 9,120 .4 10.43 –2.45

Computer programmers .............................................. 8,890 .4 39.54 +7.85

Accountants and auditors ......................................... 8,240 .3 25.44 –1.91

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers ....... 8,100 .3 10.38 –2.25

Difference from

national average

wage

Temp services

employment

Percent of temp

services

employment

Average

hourly wage Occupation
8

counterparts in other industries. The predominance of lowpaying occupations is probably a function of at least two

factors. First, lower paid occupations generally require less

training, facilitating short-term assignments and allowing

temporary agencies to place these workers easily. A second

factor is that employers wanting workers with higher skills or

more company-specific knowledge are likely to invest in hiring and training them on a permanent basis, instead of using

temporary workers.

In addition to hiring more workers in low-paying occupations, employers in this industry generally pay lower wages

to workers within each occupation, as shown in the wage

difference column of table B1. (National cross-industry wage

rates are shown separately in this publication.) The lower

wages may be due to the employers' reluctance to invest in

specific training for temporary workers, the reduced need to

pay a premium for these workers to reduce turnover, or the

fact that temporary workers do not typically gain any considerable seniority or experience at their jobs.

Nevertheless, in a few occupations workers earn considerably higher wages in the temporary services industry than

in the Nation as a whole. These occupations have different

characteristics than most in this industry. They are more

highly skilled, require more training, and have more customer

contact, in addition to having higher wages. The similarities

between them and other workers in this industry include the

portability of their skills, which tend not to be specific to a

particular company. For instance, registered nurses, who

make up 1.9 percent of all temporary workers, earn an average temporary wage that is $4.93 more per hour than the

national average for this occupation. Likewise, licensed practical nurses who work as temporaries earn $3.88 more per

hour than the national average. Because there is great demand for nurses in many areas of the country, temporary

workers who can be hired for a short time and yet possess

the essential qualifications of licensed nursing staff members earn a wage premium over their permanently employed

counterparts. Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants and

home health aides also earn higher wages in temporary help

than do their counterparts in other industries. On average,

computer programmers earn a full $7.85 per hour higher in

the temporary help services industry than nationwide, possibly due to the flexibility of temporary programmers to complete computer projects for a client under a time constraint,

while not requiring the company to hire full-time workers

with salary and benefits.

A leading indicator?

There is some evidence that changes in employment in the

temporary help services industry are a bellwether of employment changes in the U.S. economy. Data published by the

Current Employment Statistics program demonstrate that

seasonally adjusted monthly payroll employment in the

United States steadily decreased from approximately 132.2

million in May 2001 to approximately 129.8 million in May

2003 and then began to increase gradually. Employment in

temporary help services showed a similar cycle, but preceded

the national trend by several months. Temporary help ser0 5 10 15 20 25 30

United States

Temporary help services

Management

Business and financial operations

Computer and mathematical

Architecture and engineering

Life, physical, and social science

Community and social services

Legal

Education, training, and library

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media

Healthcare practitioners and technical

Healthcare support

Protective service

Food preparation and serving related

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

Personal care and service

Sales and related

Office and administrative support

Farming, fishing, and forestry

Construction and extraction

Installation, maintenance, and repair

Production

Transportation and material moving

Major occupational group

Percent of employment

Chart B1. Employment distribution in the United States and in the temporary help services industry, 

 by major occupational group, May 2004
9

vices employment began to drop in November 2000 and continued until March 2003; then, employment in this industry

increased by 140,000 workers between April and November

2003. Some economists have suggested that, during a recession, temporary workers are the first to be laid off because

the separation costs of these workers are lower and that, in

the beginning stages of an economic recovery, these workers are the first to be hired because the fixed labor costs for

them, such as benefits and training, are less.

Recent changes in employment within the temporary help

services industry support the theory that this industry tends

to lead aggregate employment trends in the Nation. There

are many reasons for this, including corporate restructuring

and macroeconomic changes, but it is clear that employment

cycles in the temporary industry are much more volatile and

employment changes more dramatic. Still, jobs in this industry have increased at a much faster rate than overall employment over the past decade. From January 1995 to December

2004, total private employment in the United States increased

from 97.0 million to 110.8 million, an increase of 14.2 percent,

whereas total employment in temporary help services increased from 1.7 million to 2.5 million during the same period,

an increase of 42.9 percent. Therefore, as a growth industry,

temporary help services employment trends may “lead” as

well as outpace usual cyclical hiring spurts in the economy.

 Chart B2 displays the total employment for all private

industries, as well as the total temporary help services employment, from 1995 to 2004. These totals are based on the

same seasonally adjusted statistics previously cited. The

chart demonstrates that changes in temporary help services

employment almost always precede, or are concurrent with,

changes in total private industry employment. Further, because persons who are temporarily assigned in other industries are not included as part of the total employment within

those industries, it is likely that the temporary help services

industry is siphoning off some of the employment growth

generated by other industries. Over time, many of these

workers will become permanently employed in the client’s

industry, making temporary services a reasonable predictor

of occupational shifts in the economy. More research could

demonstrate whether occupational employment changes that

take place in the temporary help services industry are eventually reflected across other industries, and the extent of

these dynamics.

Chart B2. Temporary help services and total private employment, 1995—2004

94

96

98

100

102

104

106

108

110

112

114

1.7

1.8

1.9

2.0

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

2.7

Private employment Temporary help services

December 

1995

December 

1996

December 

1997

December 

1998

December 

1999

December 

2000

December 

2001

December 

2002

December 

2003

Total private 

employment 

in millions

Temporary 

help 

services 

employment 

in millions
10

C. Occupational Structure

and Urban Growth

Audrey Watson

Audrey Watson is an economist in the Division of Occupational

Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Urban areas have exhibited widely divergent growth

in recent years. Between 1990 and 2003, the estimated U.S. population growth rate was 16.9 percent.1

Over the same period, Las Vegas, Nevada, the most rapidly

growing Metropolitan Area (MA), grew by 109.1 percent,

while the most rapidly declining area, the Steubenville–

Weirton, OH–WV MA, shrank by nearly 10 percent. Previous literature has identified a number of factors correlated

with population growth at the city and MA level. While

some of these, such as climate, have no obvious implications for occupational structure, others, such as a negative

correlation between growth and employment in manufacturing, suggest ways in which occupational structure may differ between fast- and slow-growing urban areas. This article

uses Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) data to look

for relationships between occupational composition and MA

population growth rates. Following a brief literature review,

the article outlines some predictions for specific occupational groups and then describes the methodology used to

compare occupational structure across groups of fast-, slowand moderately growing MAs. After summarizing the results for selected occupational groups and comparing them

with the earlier predictions, the article concludes with some

general remarks and issues lending themselves to future research.

Some facts about recent urban growth

This section summarizes findings from previous literature on

urban growth between the 1990 and 2000 censuses. Although

much of the discussion focuses on cities rather than MAs,

differences between growth relationships at the city and MA

levels are mentioned where relevant. Except as noted, the

primary sources are Edward Glaeser and Jesse Shapiro, “Is

There a New Urbanism? The Growth of U.S. Cities in the

1990s,” NBER Working Paper 8357, 2001; and, by the same

authors, “City Growth and the 2000 Census: Which Places

Grew, and Why?” Brookings Institution, May 2001. Among

the interesting findings to come out of these sources are the

following:

• Growth rates of cities showed a high degree of persistence: the correlation between growth rates in the 1990s

and the 1980s was greater than 75 percent. Thus, one

of the primary predictors of an area’s growth between

1990 and 2000 was its growth in the recent past.

• Western and Southern cities grew the most rapidly,

with average growth rates of 19.5 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Cities in the Midwest grew by an

average of 3.4 percent, an improvement over their negative growth rate in the 1980s. Cities in the Northeast

shrank by an average of 1 percent.

• Hot, dry cities gained population at the expense of

cool, wet cities. With regions controlled for, higher

temperatures and lower rainfall were significant predictors of city growth.

• There was no significant correlation between initial

population and later growth. However, the average

growth rate of large cities (those with more than 1 million inhabitants) relative to that of smaller cities did

appear to increase somewhat in the 1990s.

• Cities with younger residents and higher per capita

incomes grew more rapidly. However, these relationships do not always remain statistically significant after controlling for other variables; for example, age

becomes insignificant at both the city and MA level

after college education is taken into account, presumably because college education is more prevalent among

younger people.

1

 Population growth rates are calculated from the U. S. Census

Bureau’s 1990 Census population data and 2003 population estimates, the latest data available for all components of OES metropolitan areas.

 C.
11

• High-density cities built around public transportation

and pedestrians declined in population, while low-density cities in which driving represents the primary mode

of transportation grew. This correlation is interpreted,

not as a causal effect of public transportation, but as

evidence of a movement away from older cities built

around earlier forms of transportation. Although the

relationship between the percentage driving to work

and population growth is not significant at the MA

level, where driving is more universal than at the city

level, other variables representing MA age and density are still significant predictors of population growth.

• Cities with larger immigrant populations grew more rapidly in general, but only up to a certain level: cities with

the highest concentrations of immigrants (more than

15 percent foreign born) grew less rapidly than those

with immigrant populations of 8 percent to 15 percent.

• Cities with high human capital grew more rapidly. The

percentage of the population 25 years and older with a

college degree or higher is a significant predictor of

growth at both the city and MA level. The percentage

of the population 25 years and older with a high school

degree or higher is positively correlated with growth

at the city level, but not at the MA level. Other research shows that areas with high numbers of colleges per capita before World War II tended to have

both high levels of college-educated residents several

decades later and higher population growth rates over

the 1970–2000 period (Glaeser and Saiz, 2003).2 However, this research also suggests that the human capital and skill effects matter more in “potentially declining cities,” but are less important in warm cities with

large immigrant communities, two factors that tend to

be highly correlated with rapid growth.

• Cities with high levels of poverty and unemployment

grew less rapidly. The civilian unemployment rate is a

significant negative predictor of growth at both the

city and MA level. The percentage of the population

living below the poverty level is a significant negative

predictor of growth at the city level, but insignificant

at the MA level, where average per capita income appears to be more important. The percentage of the

population that is black is significantly negatively correlated with growth at both the city and MA level,

even after controlling for average income and percentage living below the poverty level.

• Manufacturing cities had low population growth rates.

The percentage of civilian employment in manufacturing is significantly negatively correlated with both city

and MA growth. Employment in public administration

and employment in health services also are negatively

correlated with growth. According to the authors, the

latter does not reflect differences between the demographic structures of growing and declining cities: although older populations are positively correlated with

employment in healthcare, the correlation between age

and growth of the population is relatively weak. The

authors speculate that this phenomenon may occur

instead because healthcare and public administration

are among the last industries to leave a declining area.

• Cities with larger governments grow more slowly. Per

capita city government expenditures are a significant

negative factor in growth. Controlling for the overall

size of the government budget, expenditures on education, and expenditures on police are significantly

negatively correlated with growth. This relationship

was tested only at the city level, because cities, not

MAs, represent a more natural political unit.

• Other than the strong negative impact of crime, variables representing lifestyle amenities, such as eating

and drinking establishments and museums, are generally not strong predictors of growth rates (Glaeser and

Saiz, 2003).3

Possible implications for occupational structure

The preceding literature summary suggests a number of ways

in which occupational structures might differ between fastand slow-growing urban areas:

• The negative correlation between growth and manufacturing employment suggests that the employment

share in production occupations should be higher in

slow-growing areas. This group of occupations contains many that typically are associated with manufacturing activities, such as welders, cutters, solderers, and

brazers; sewing machine operators; and engine and

other machine assemblers.

• Because employment in the healthcare industry was

higher in slow-growing areas, population growth

should be negatively correlated with occupations concentrated in this industry.

• The lack of evidence that lifestyle amenities such as

restaurants, movie theaters, and museums are associated with urban growth suggests that there should be

no clear correlation between MA growth and employment in occupations associated with providing various consumption amenities. Occupations that might

2

 Glaeser, Edward L., and Saiz, Albert, The Rise of the Skilled City,

NBER Working Paper (Cambridge, MA, National Bureau of Economic Research, 2003). 3

 Glaeser and Saiz, The Rise of the Skilled City.
12

be associated with lifestyle amenities include food

preparation and serving related occupations; arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations,

such as actors, athletes and sports competitors, musicians and singers, and fine artists; personal care and

service occupations, such as barbers, fitness trainers

and aerobics instructors, and manicurists; and salesrelated occupations that might indicate a consumption

amenity in the form of a vibrant retail sector.

• High levels of crime are associated with slower population growth. To the extent that high-crime areas combat this problem by employing more law enforcement

personnel, we might expect to see higher concentrations of protective service workers in slow-growing

areas. In addition, because law enforcement workers

are public employees, the negative correlation between

growth and share of employment in public administration tends to reinforce this prediction.

• If poverty and large local government employment

are correlated with higher levels of social services, we

might expect to see higher concentrations of community and social services occupations, such as social

workers and counselors, in slow-growing areas.

• Because previous literature has found a positive correlation between population growth and educational

attainment, slow-growing areas, particularly in the

Northeast and Midwest, might be expected to have

smaller concentrations of occupations requiring higher

levels of education or skill. Occupations that may be

associated with higher educational attainment include

management occupations; business and financial operations occupations, such as management analysts

and accountants and auditors; computer and mathematical science occupations; architecture and engineering occupations; life, physical, and social science

occupations; legal occupations; and education, training, and library occupations. Because the number of

colleges was found to be associated with higher population growth, one might in particular expect high concentrations of postsecondary teachers in fast-growing areas.

• In addition to these predictions based on the literature, because rapid population growth is likely to spur

demand for new housing, fast-growing areas might

also be expected to have higher employment shares in

construction and extraction occupations.

Data and methodology

In order to test the preceding implications, MAs were first

assigned to growth classes on the basis of their population

growth rates. For each growth class, employment data from

the May 2004 OES survey were used to calculate the percentage of total employment in each major occupational

group, as defined by the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC).4

 These employment shares were then

compared across MA growth classes. To better isolate effects of geography or the size of the area, metropolitan areas

were further subdivided by initial population size and by

region.

On the basis of their 1990 to 2003 population growth rates,

the 331 MAs were divided into three growth classes: 72 fastgrowing MAs, with 1990–2003 growth rates greater than 25

percent; 145 moderately growing MAs, with growth rates of

10 percent to 25 percent; and 114 slow-growing MAs, with

growth rates less than 10 percent. These intervals were chosen to be of similar orders of magnitude in terms of number of

MAs, to offer intuitive endpoints, and to include the 1990–

2003 U.S. population growth rate (16.9 percent) and median

MA growth rate (15.5 percent, Lawrence, MA–NH MA)

within the center interval.

The MAs also were grouped by region—Northeast, Midwest, South, or West—and into one of three possible size

classes, based on their initial (1990) population. “Small”

MAs had an initial population of less than 250,000; “medium-sized” MAs had an initial population of 250,000 to 1

million; and “large” MAs had an initial population of more

than 1 million.

For each set of MAs, May 2004 OES employment figures

were used to calculate the percentage of total employment in

each SOC major group. Three sets of comparisons were then

performed, checking for significant differences in employment shares for each occupational group across MA growth

classes. In all comparisons, fast- or slow-growing MAs were

compared with their moderately growing counterparts, rather

than directly with one another. Because not all subgroups

contained MAs in each growth class, making all comparisons relative to moderately growing MAs allowed the analysis to be performed consistently across all three sets of comparisons.

The initial inquiry involved comparing employment distributions across growth classes for the full data set. Because geographical area is one of the major determinants of

urban growth, and these strong regional effects may obscure the effects of other growth factors on occupational

structure, the second stage of the inquiry involved comparing MAs within the same region across growth classes wherever possible. Because the fast-growing MA group contained only two Midwestern MAs and no Northeastern ones,

comparisons for those regions were possible only between

slow- and moderately growing MAs. Similarly, only five

MAs in the West met the definition of “slow growing.” Comparisons were performed between these MAs and moderately growing Western MAs, but the results should be interpreted with caution, given the small size of the slow-growing

group. Finally, although previous literature found no signifi4

 For more information on the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification, see Appendix A at the end of this publication.
13

cant correlation between initial size and subsequent growth,

it is possible that correlations between growth rate and occupational structure differ by size of MA. Therefore, the

third stage of the inquiry involved comparing MAs of similar size across growth classes. Findings for selected occupational groups are presented in the next section.

Summary of results

The data appear to support the prediction of a negative

correlation between growth and the share of employment in

production occupations. This relationship generally holds

across regions and size groups. In the full data set, the

employment share in the production occupational group was

1.16 percentage points lower in fast-growing MAs than in

moderately growing ones, while the employment share in

slow-growing MAs was 0.62 percentage point above that in

moderately growing ones. (See table C1.) When the data are

broken down by region, fast-growing MAs in the South and

the West have significantly lower shares in production occupations than do moderately growing MAs in the same

regions. In 3 out of the 4 regions, slow-growing MAs have

significantly higher shares of production occupations than

do moderately growing MAs. The exception is the West, for

which slow-growing MAs contain a significantly lower share

of production employment; however, this result may reflect

the small number of slow-growing MAs in the West and the

unusually low percentage of production workers in that region (3.84 percent, compared with an average of 7.2 percent

across all MAs).

The size-class data show lower shares of production occupations in fast-growing small and medium-sized MAs, relative to moderately growing MAs in the same size class, while

the share difference was not significant for fast-growing

large MAs. In 2 out of 3 size classes, slow-growing MAs

had higher shares of production occupations than did their

moderately growing counterparts. Although this result did

not hold for slow-growing medium MAs, the difference in

share was relatively small in absolute value.

In a number of these comparisons, the differences in share

between growth classes are relatively large in magnitude,

frequently exceeding 1 percentage point in absolute value.

For example, in small and medium-sized MAs, the shares of

production occupations in fast-growing MAs are respectively 2.16 percentage points and 3.30 percentage points below those in moderately growing MAs. Similarly, slow-growing MAs in the Northeast have a 1.45-percentage-point higher

share in production occupations than do moderately growing MAs in the same region, while the corresponding difference in share for the Midwest is 1.24 percentage points. Both

the direction and magnitude of the share differentials support the finding that manufacturing, and hence employment

in production occupations, is negatively correlated with urban growth.

The occupational data also are largely consistent with

previous findings of a negative correlation between growth

and employment in the healthcare industry. Relative to moderately growing MAs, both healthcare practitioner and technical occupations and healthcare support occupations have

lower employment shares in fast-growing MAs, and higher

shares in slow-growing MAs, in the full data set. (See tables

C2 and C3.) In the regional data, all statistically significant

differences in share have the anticipated sign. Fast-growing

Southern MAs have lower shares of both healthcare groups

than do moderately growing Southern MAs. Slow-growing

MAs have higher shares of both healthcare groups in the

South and Midwest and of the first group—healthcare practitioner and technical occupations—in the Northeast. Share

differences are not statistically significant for both groups in

the West and for healthcare support in slow-growing Northeast MAs. Similarly, the size-class comparisons all show the

expected sign when the differences are statistically significant. Fast-growing MAs in all three size classes have lower

shares of both healthcare groups, with the exception of

healthcare support in medium-sized areas, for which the difference has the anticipated sign, but is not statistically sigEmployment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C1. Production occupations

Full data set 6.12 7.29 7.90 1

–1.16 1 0.62

By region:

Midwest — 8.90 10.14 — 11.24

Northeast — 5.33 6.78 — 11.45

South 6.24 7.02 7.72 1–.78 1.70

West 5.91 7.18 3.84 1–1.27 1–3.34

By size class:

Small 6.48 8.64 9.90 1–2.16 11.26

Medium 5.55 8.85 8.57 1–3.30 1–.28

Large 6.37 6.33 7.20 .04 1.87

1 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Table C2. Healthcare practitioner and technical

occupations

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Full data set 4.50 4.97 5.54 1–0.47 10.57

By region:

Midwest — 5.11 5.52 — 1.41

Northeast — 5.23 5.62 — 1.39

South 4.60 5.31 6.10 1–.70 1.80

West 4.29 4.14 4.00 .15 –.14

By size class:

Small 4.86 5.61 5.97 1–.75 1.36

Medium 4.85 5.40 5.57 1–.54 1.17

Large 4.26 4.66 5.44 1–.41 1.78

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.
14

nificant. Slow-growing areas have higher shares of both

healthcare groups across all size classes.

The data also appear to support the prediction of a positive correlation between growth and employment in construction and extraction occupations, at least for fast-growing MAs. In the full data set, both comparisons have the

expected sign and are statistically significant: the share of

employment in construction and extraction occupations is

1.20 percentage points higher in fast-growing MAs than in

moderately growing MAs, while the difference in share between slow- and moderately growing MAs is –0.32 percentage point. (See table C4.) Fast-growing MAs in both the

South and the West have higher shares of construction and

extraction occupations than do moderately growing MAs;

in addition, the share differential in the West is quite large in

absolute value: nearly two percentage points. However, the

regional data for slow-growing MAs show a more mixed pattern. While the share differentials have the expected sign for

both the Midwest and the West, the latter difference is not

statistically significant. Furthermore, in both the South and

the Northeast, slow-growing MAs have a significantly higher

share of construction and extraction occupations in comparison to moderately growing MAs.

The size-class comparisons exhibit a pattern similar to

that found in the regional data. Relative to moderately growing MAs, fast-growing MAs in all three size classes have

significantly higher shares of construction and extraction

occupations; in addition, the share differentials all exceed 1

percentage point in absolute value. However, the pattern is

less pronounced in the comparisons between slow- and moderately growing MAs. In 2 out of 3 size classes, the differences in share have the expected sign, but are relatively

small in absolute value, while the difference is not statistically significant for small MAs.

Across the board, the data exhibit a pattern of higher

shares in construction and extraction occupations in fastgrowing MAs, consistent with the presence of booming construction markets in those areas. However, this pattern appears to hold mainly in comparisons between fast- and

moderately growing MAs; in slow-growing areas, the relationship between these occupations and growth is less pronounced.

Previous research has found no evidence of a correlation

between growth and various measures of consumption amenities, such as number of eating and drinking establishments

or motion picture establishments per capita. This finding

suggests that no relationship should exist between growth

and employment shares in occupational groups associated

with consumption amenities, such as food service, personal

care, and arts and entertainment. However, that prediction is

not fully supported by the data. Instead, employment in

food preparation and serving related occupations appears

to follow a bimodal peak, with the share of this occupational

group higher in both fast-growing areas and slow-growing

areas relative to moderately growing ones. In the full data

set, the employment share of these occupations is 0.8 percentage point higher in fast-growing MAs than in moderately growing MAs, while the employment share in slowgrowing MAs is 0.31 percentage point higher than in

moderately growing MAs. (See table C5.) The same pattern

can be observed in the regional data: both fast-growing and

slow-growing MAs have higher shares of this occupational

group than do moderately growing MAs, with all differences

statistically significant. The size-class data also show evidence of the same bimodal peak, with the exception of small

fast-growing MAs, for which the difference in share is positive, but not statistically significant.

One possible explanation for this result is that different

factors are at work in fast- and slow-growing MAs with respect to this occupational group. Restaurants and other

eating and drinking places produce a service that is not easily traded across geographical areas and thus must locate

near their potential customers. Therefore, in slow-growing

cities, these occupations may represent a “residual” source

Table C3. Healthcare support occupations

Full data set 2.19 2.39 2.89 1–0.20 10.49

By region:

Midwest — 2.28 2.82 — 1.54

Northeast — 3.04 2.99 — –.05

South 2.19 2.34 3.06 1–.15 1.72

West 2.18 2.18 2.09 .00 –.09

By size class:

Small 2.41 2.77 3.17 1–.36 1.40

Medium 2.50 2.57 2.93 –.07 1.36

Large 2.00 2.24 2.81 1–.25 1.56

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C4. Construction and extraction occupations

Full data set 5.69 4.49 4.17 1

1.20 1–0.32

By region:

Midwest — 4.40 4.25 — 1–.15

Northeast — 3.64 3.83 — 1.19

South 5.12 4.89 5.46 1.23 1.57

West 6.52 4.55 4.43 11.97 –.12

By size class:

Small 5.85 4.75 4.80 11.10 .05

Medium 5.92 4.83 4.31 11.09 1–.52

Large 5.54 4.29 3.99 11.25 1–.31

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class
15

of employment when the production of more highly tradable

goods and services has relocated elsewhere. In fast-growing MAs, however, a relatively high share of employment in

this occupational group may reflect a thriving food service

industry that represents a lifestyle amenity to the area’s growing population. To the extent that the latter explanation is

correct, these data fail to support earlier findings that consumption amenities, such as eating and drinking establishments, are not strongly correlated with growth.

Personal care and service occupations represent another

occupational group that may be associated with consumption amenities. Like food preparation and serving related

occupations, personal care and service occupations show

evidence of a bimodal distribution, although the pattern is

less pronounced. Both slow- and fast-growing MAs in the

full data set have higher shares of this group than do moderately growing MAs; the differences in share, though slight,

are statistically significant. (See table C6.) In the regional

data, both fast- and slow-growing MAs have higher shares

of this occupational group in all comparisons except for

slow-growing Northeastern MAs, for which the share of

personal care and service occupations is 0.88 percentage

point lower than in moderately growing Northeastern MAs.

The size-class data show higher shares for both fast- and

slow-growing MAs in all comparisons where the differences

are statistically significant, although the differences are not

statistically different from zero for fast-growing large MAs

and slow-growing small ones. Like food service employees,

personal care and service workers generally must locate near

their customers. Thus, the explanation offered for the bimodal peak in food preparation and serving occupations may

be advanced for this group as well.

Employment in arts, design, entertainment, sports, and

media occupations appears to display the opposite pattern,

with shares of this group generally higher in moderately growing MAs than in either slow- or fast-growing ones. In the

full data set, the employment share is 0.44 percentage point

lower in fast-growing MAs, and 0.36 percentage point lower

in slow-growing MAs, relatively to moderately growing ones.

(See table C7.) The regional data show a similar pattern, with

moderately growing MAs exhibiting higher employment

shares in this group than either fast- or slow-growing MAs,

with the exception of the small group of slow-growing Western MAs, for which the difference in share is negative, but

not significant. The size-class data exhibit this pattern less

strongly, however. Although moderately growing MAs have

higher shares of arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media workers in 3 out of 6 comparisons, the difference in share

between moderate and fast-growing small MAs is not statistically significant. Furthermore, medium-sized MAs deviate

from the pattern, with the share of these occupations significantly higher in both slow- and fast-growing medium-sized

MAs compared with moderately growing ones. Overall, the

data for this group provide some evidence that slow-growing MAs may have particularly low shares of employment in

arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations,

but little evidence that the presence of these workers constitutes a consumption amenity in fast-growing areas.

The data suggest some evidence of a positive correlation

between growth and employment in sales and related occupations. Shares of this group in the full data set are 0.59

percentage point higher in fast-growing MAs, and 0.10 percentage point lower in slow-growing MAs relative to moderately growing ones. (See table C8.) In both regions for

which the comparison is possible, fast-growing MAs have a

higher share of sales and related occupations than moderately growing MAs have. However, the regional comparisons between slow- and moderately growing MAs are generally not statistically significant; only the Northeast shows

a significantly lower share of this group in slow-growing

MAs. Fast-growing MAs have a higher share of sales and

related workers in 2 out of 3 size classes, but no significant

Table C5. Food preparation and serving related

occupations

Full data set 8.59 7.78 8.09 10.80 10.31

By region:

Midwest — 7.78 8.53 — 1.75

Northeast — 6.89 7.36 — 1.47

South 8.46 8.17 9.24 1.29 11.07

West 8.74 7.80 9.67 1.94 11.87

By size class:

Small 9.77 8.89 9.01 1.88 .12

Medium 9.00 8.35 8.48 1.65 1.13

Large 8.20 7.33 7.74 1.87 1.41

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C6. Personal care and service occupations

Full data set 2.56 2.37 2.51 1

0.19 10.14

By region:

Midwest — 2.26 2.46 — 1.20

Northeast — 3.40 2.52 — 1–.88

South 2.54 2.10 2.64 1.44 1.53

West 2.59 2.22 2.59 1.37 1.36

By size class:

Small 2.53 2.34 2.37 1

.19 .03

Medium 2.83 2.21 2.49 1.62 1.28

Large 2.42 2.45 2.55 –.03 1.11

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class
16

difference for small MAs. Similarly, 2 out of 3 size classes

show a lower share of sales and related workers in slowgrowing MAs, with the difference in share insignificant for

large MAs. In general, where the difference is significant,

the data support a positive correlation between employment

shares of sales and related workers and MA growth. However, several of the comparisons are not statistically different from zero, and overall the evidence of a positive correlation is not strong. In addition, while at least two-thirds of the

employment in this group is retail sales related, it also contains nonretail salesworkers such as telemarketers, real estate sales agents and brokers, and wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives.

Although previous research has failed to find a correlation between growth and consumption amenities such as

eating and drinking establishments, high levels of crime, as

proxied by the murder rate, appear to be “a very salient

disamenity” from the point of view of population growth

(Glaeser and Saiz, 2003).5 Assuming that high-crime areas

respond to their situation by devoting a larger share of local

resources to law enforcement, we might expect to see a higher

employment share for protective service occupations in slowgrowing areas. In addition, because law enforcement personnel are public employees, the correlation between large

government and slow growth provides a further reason to

expect a negative correlation between the share of these

workers and population growth. However, the data do not

appear to support this prediction. In the full data set, both

fast- and slow-growing MAs employ a smaller proportion of

protective service workers than do moderately growing MAs.

(See table C9.) Fast-growing MAs in the South employ a

lower share of protective service workers than do their moderately growing counterparts, but for fast-growing areas in

the West, the reverse is true. Relative to moderately growing

MAs in the same region, slow-growing Western MAs employ a higher share of protective service workers, slow-growing Northeastern MAs employ a lower share, and the differences in share for the other two regions are not statistically

significant. The size-class comparisons show a similarly mixed

pattern. These data suggest that, although high crime may

be correlated with low population growth, it is not necessarily correct to assume that high-crime areas respond by devoting a higher share of resources to the employment of

police and other protective service workers.

Similarly, previous findings have indicated negative correlations between poverty and growth, as well as between

the size of local government and growth. These findings

suggest that slow-growing areas might have relatively higher

concentrations of community and social service occupations,

both because government tends to be a large employer in

Table C8. Sales and related occupations

Full data set 11.18 10.59 10.49 10.59 1–0.10

By region:

Midwest — 10.55 10.38 — –.17

Northeast — 10.74 10.52 — 1–.22

South 11.44 10.59 10.63 1.85 .04

West 10.77 10.54 10.71 1.23 .17

By size class:

 Small 10.73 10.73 10.55 .00 1–.18

Medium 10.78 10.61 10.32 1.17 1–.29

Large 11.45 10.56 10.55 1.89 –.01

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Table C7. Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media

occupations

Full data set 1.10 1.54 1.19 1–0.44 1–0.36

By region:

 Midwest — 1.26 1.17 — 1–.08

 Northeast — 2.03 1.17 — 1–.85

 South 1.09 1.15 .86 1–.06 1–.29

 West 1.11 2.11 1.94 1–.99 –.17

By size class:

 Small 1.08 1.09 .92 –.01 1–.17

 Medium 1.14 1.03 1.12 1.11 1.09

 Large 1.09 1.85 1.27 1–.77 1–.58

1 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C9. Protective service occupations

Full data set 2.32 2.38 2.27 1

–0.06 1–0.10

By region:

Midwest — 2.02 2.02 — .00

Northeast — 2.99 2.37 — 1–.62

South 2.31 2.48 2.47 1–.17 –.01

West 2.34 2.22 2.70 1.12 1.48

By size class:

Small 2.13 1.96 2.22 1.16 1.26

Medium 2.41 2.15 2.25 1.26 1.11

Large 2.29 2.56 2.29 1–.27 1–.27

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

5

 Glaeser and Saiz, The Rise of the Skilled City.
17

faster growing areas should have heavier concentrations of

employment in occupational groups characterized by higher

levels of skill, such as management occupations; business

and financial operations occupations; computer and mathematical science occupations; architecture and engineering

occupations; life, physical, and social science occupations;

legal occupations; and education, training, and library occupations. Interestingly, the data largely fail to bear out this

prediction, with many comparisons showing a lower concentration of these “high-skill” occupations in fast-growing

areas.

In the full data set, fast-growing MAs have lower employment shares than moderately growing MAs in all of the

foregoing groups except architecture and engineering occupations. (See tables C11–C17.) The comparisons between

slow- and moderately growing MAs are more consistent with

the predicted pattern. Of the aforementioned seven occupational groups, only one—education, training, and library occupations—has a higher share in slow-growing areas, although the difference in share for architecture and engineering

occupations is statistically insignificant.

The regional data reveal that the West appears to be characterized by a negative correlation between growth and employment shares in skilled occupations. Relative to moderately growing Western MAs, fast-growing Western MAs

exhibit lower concentrations of all of the “high-skill” groups,

with the exception of education, training, and library occupations, for which the difference is statistically insignificant.

Similarly, the small group of slow-growing Western MAs

has a higher share of all of these groups except architecture

and engineering occupations and education, training, and

library occupations, with the latter share differential again

statistically insignificant. In the South, only architecture

and engineering occupations have a higher share in fastgrowing areas than in moderately growing ones; of the remaining six groups, four have lower shares in fast-growing

areas and two show no significant difference in shares. SlowTable C10. Community and social services occupations

Full data set 1.08 1.29 1.45 1–0.21 10.16

By region:

Midwest — 1.15 1.13 — –.02

Northeast — 1.71 1.70 — –.01

South .90 1.26 1.31 1–.36 .05

West 1.33 1.21 1.46 1.12 1.25

By size class:

Small 1.19 1.38 1.60 1–.19 1.22

Medium 1.25 1.24 1.47 .01 1.23

Large .97 1.29 1.41 1–.32 1.11

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C11. Management occupations

Full data set 4.84 5.13 4.84 1

–0.29 1–0.29

By region:

Midwest — 5.01 4.28 — 1–.74

Northeast — 5.14 5.16 — .02

South 5.06 5.14 4.51 1–.08 1–.63

West 4.57 5.23 6.20 1–.66 1.97

By size class:

Small 4.22 4.43 4.23 1–.20 1–.20

Medium 4.40 4.79 4.49 1–.40 1–.30

Large 5.16 5.41 5.11 1–.25 1–.30

1 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

this occupational group and because high levels of poverty

might be reflected in high levels of some social services.

Where differences are statistically significant, this predicted

pattern appears to hold. For example, in the full data set, the

employment share for the community and social services

occupational group is 0.21 percentage point lower in fastgrowing MAs than in moderately growing ones, while the

share in slow-growing MAs is 0.16 percentage point higher

than in moderately growing areas. (See table C10.) Three out

of 6 regional comparisons are statistically insignificant; of

the remainder, only 2 have the expected sign, with fast-growing MAs in the West having a higher, rather than lower, share

of these occupations. As regards the size-class data, for all

three size classes, slow-growing MAs had a higher share of

community and social service occupations than did moderately growing MAs, while fast-growing MAs had a lower

share of these occupations in two size classes, with the difference in share for medium-sized MAs not statistically significant.

The statistical insignificance of several comparisons, as

well as the generally small magnitude of the share differences

in the remaining comparisons, suggests that employment in

community and social service occupations is only weakly

correlated with slow growth. Previous research had found a

negative correlation between poverty and growth at the city

level only, while the correlation was not significant at the MA

level. In addition, only city-level data were examined for

correlations between size of government and growth, because the city, and not the MA, was perceived as the basic

political unit. Thus, the use of MA rather than city data in

this article may weaken any potential connections among

slow growth, poverty, and large government. In addition, to

the extent that slow growth is associated with poverty even

at the MA level, it is not necessarily the case that poorer

areas devote more resources to the provision of social services.

Finally, previous research found that local skill levels, as

measured by educational attainment, were a strong predictor

of population growth rates. This observation suggests that
18

growing areas in the South, however, largely display the

expected pattern. Shares of all the “high-skill” occupational

groups, with the exception of education, training, and library

occupations, are lower in slow-growing Southern MAs relative to moderately growing MAs. In some cases, the share

differentials also are quite substantial. For example, the

share of computer and mathematical occupations is 1.69 percentage points lower in slow-growing Southern MAs, while

the share of business and financial occupations is 1.47 percentage points lower. Slow-growing Midwestern MAs exhibit shares that also are largely consistent with the predicted pattern: all of the groups except architecture and

engineering occupations have lower shares in slow-growing

areas, although the difference in share for education, training, and library occupations is not significant. Finally, the

results for slow-growing MAs in the Northeast are somewhat mixed, with business and financial operations occupations; legal occupations; and education, training, and library

occupations having lower shares in slow-growing areas, architecture and engineering occupations having a higher

share, and the remaining three groups showing no significant differences.

In the size-class data for fast-growing MAs, only life,

physical, and social science occupations had a higher share

in small MAs, with the remaining groups not following the

predicted pattern. In medium-sized MAs, 3 out of the 7 occupational groups had higher shares in fast-growing areas, 1

group had a lower share, and the remaining differences were

statistically insignificant. Fast-growing large MAs deviated

strongly from the predicted pattern, with lower shares of all

the “high-skill” occupational groups except architecture and

engineering occupations. The size-class comparisons between slow- and moderately growing MAs, however, appear

to be more consistent with the predicted pattern. Slow-growing small MAs have lower shares of all seven groups except

Table C12. Business and financial operations

occupations

Full data set 4.13 4.52 4.19 1–0.39 1–0.33

By region:

Midwest — 4.85 4.28 — 1–.57

Northeast — 4.57 4.30 — 1–.26

South 4.17 4.26 2.80 1–.10 1–1.47

West 4.09 4.51 5.11 1–.42 1.60

By size class:

Small 3.35 3.59 2.83 1–.24 1–.76

Medium 3.72 3.78 3.81 –.06 .03

Large 4.46 5.03 4.64 1–.57 1–.39

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

education, training, and library occupations, for which the

difference in share has the expected sign, but is not statistically significant. Medium-sized slow-growing MAs have

lower shares for 4 of the 7 groups, with education, training,

and library occupations showing a higher share and the remaining two differences insignificant. Finally, slow-growing

large MAs have lower shares of five of the seven groups,

with architecture and engineering and education, training,

and library occupations the exceptions.

Overall, the data fail to show a positive correlation between growth and employment concentrations in “high-skill”

occupational groups. This negative result is particularly

noticeable in the comparisons between fast- and moderately

growing MAs, in which the correlation between skill and

growth frequently appears to run the other way. Note that

earlier research found the correlation between skill and

growth to be important only for areas that might otherwise

tend to be declining—that is, cities that are not located in

warm, dry areas with significant immigrant communities.

Thus, we would expect positive correlations between skill

and growth to be less likely in the West and South and more

likely in the Midwest and Northeast. Data for the West bear

out this assumption; in fact, the region shows clear evidence

of a negative correlation between growth and employment in

skilled occupations. Thus, the importance of the West among

the fast-growing cities, and the lack of Northeastern and

Midwestern cities in this category, may help explain some of

the unusual results. The South, however, displays a more

complex pattern, with fast-growing Southern MAs appearing similar to fast-growing Western ones, while slow-growing Southern MAs display a positive correlation between

skilled occupations and growth. One possible explanation is

that, in the South, different growth factors may be relevant

to slow- and fast-growing MAs. Specifically, fast-growing

Southern MAs may have higher rates of immigration, thus

falling into the category of MAs for which skill is not strongly

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C13. Computer and mathematical occupations

Full data set 2.51 2.74 2.28 1–0.23 1–0.46

By region:

Midwest — 2.60 2.02 — 1–.58

Northeast — 2.51 2.57 — .07

South 2.76 2.72 1.03 .04 1–1.69

West 2.18 3.07 3.55 1–.90 1.48

By size class:

Small 1.59 1.87 1.12 1

–.28 1–.75

Medium 2.29 1.95 1.86 1.35 1–.08

Large 2.75 3.26 2.70 1–.51 1–.56

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class
19

Table C14. Architecture and engineering occupations

Full data set 2.06 1.95 1.94 10.10 –0.02

By region:

Midwest — 1.88 2.30 — 1.42

Northeast — 1.40 1.80 — 1.41

South 2.02 1.85 1.35 1.17 1–.50

West 2.13 2.56 1.86 1–.43 1–.70

By size class:

Small 1.80 1.75 1.39 .05 1–.37

Medium 1.90 1.93 1.74 –.03 1–.19

Large 2.18 2.00 2.14 1.17 1.13

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

predictive of growth. Slower growing Southern MAs, by

contrast, may be less likely to contain significant immigrant

communities and may therefore rely more on skill to generate

growth. Indeed, a check of the data reveals that most of the

fast-growing Southern MAs (24 out of 35) are in Florida or

Texas; the corresponding figures for moderately and slowgrowing Southern MAs are 15 out of 60 and 7 out of 33,

respectively. Census data show that these two states have

higher estimated annual rates of net international migration

than the United States as a whole and than most of the other

Southern states, the majority of which are below the national

average in this regard.6 In sum, it is possible that the general

population shift to warm, dry areas and the importance of

immigration as a source of population growth dominate

among fast-growing MAs, leading to negative correlations

or none at all between skill and population growth in these

areas. In the comparisons between slow and moderately

growing MAs, where these two factors are less important,

share differentials for high-skill occupational groups follow

the predicted pattern more closely.

 On a note of caution, although all of these groups contain occupations generally associated with higher levels of

education and skill, there is some variance in the skill levels

associated with specific occupations in each group, as well

as in the skill levels of individual practitioners of these occupations. Thus, compared with measuring the population’s

educational attainment, employment in these groups represents a less direct measure of local skill levels. In addition,

although education, training, and library occupations are

associated with high levels of skill, the demand for primary

and secondary school teachers, a major component of this

group, is also likely to be highly dependent on a community’s

demographics, a feature that may tend to weaken the results

for this occupational group as a whole.

Conclusion

Occupational Employment Statistics data reveal a number of

ways in which occupational structures at the metropolitanarea level appear to vary with population growth rates. These

comparisons are not intended to imply any causal relationship between occupational structure and growth. In particular, because May 2004 OES data are used in conjunction with

population growth rates for 1990–2003, it cannot be concluded that differences in occupational structure contributed to subsequent differences in population growth rates.

Rather, the comparisons presented here suggest ways in

which MAs with a recent history of rapid population growth

may differ in terms of their current occupational structures

from those with a less remarkable growth history.

Some of the observed differences appear to be consistent

with predictions based on earlier findings. For example, em6

 Table 6: Estimates of Average Annual Rates of the Components

of Population Change for the United States and States: April 1, 2000

to July 1, 2004 (NST-EST2004-06), Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, January 28, 2004.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C15. Life, physical, and social science occupations

Full data set 0.86 0.97 0.87 1–0.12 1–0.11

By region:

Midwest — .91 .68 — 1–.23

Northeast — .95 1.00 — .04

South .83 .92 .60 1–.09 1–.32

West .90 1.13 1.34 1–.23 1.21

By size class:

Small 1.44 .94 .61 1.50 1–.33

Medium .89 .84 .76 1.05 1–.07

Large .76 1.04 .96 1–.28 1–.08

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class

Table C16. Legal occupations

Full data set 0.75 0.89 0.78 1

–0.14 1–0.11

By region:

Midwest — .72 .64 — 1–.08

Northeast — 1.11 .86 — 1–.25

South .81 .99 .66 1–.18 1–.33

West .67 .77 1.17 1–.10 1.40

By size class:

Small .56 .55 .46 .01 1

–.09

Medium .74 .66 .65 1.08 –.01

Large .77 1.05 .90 1–.27 1–.15

1

 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.
20

ployment in production occupations appears to be negatively associated with growth; for this occupational group,

differences in share frequently exceeded 1 percentage point

in absolute value, suggesting that these differences were

both statistically and economically significant. As predicted,

employment in both healthcare occupational groups also

appeared to be higher in slow-growing areas. In other cases,

relationships between occupational distributions and growth

appeared to diverge from those predicted. For instance, rather

than finding no relationship between growth and occupational groups that might be associated with lifestyle amenities, the data suggest that food preparation and serving occupations and, to a lesser extent, personal care and service

occupations may have a bimodal peak, displaying higher

concentrations in both fast- and slow-growing MAs relative to moderately growing ones. One possible explanation

of this observation is that fast-growing areas may indeed

provide higher levels of amenities to their residents, while in

slow-growing areas higher concentrations of employment

in these occupations may merely reflect the lack of employment opportunity in other occupational groups. Finally, in

comparisons between fast- and moderately growing MAs,

the data showed no evidence of correlation between growth

and employment in more highly skilled educational groups;

in fact, fast-growing areas frequently appeared to have lower

concentrations of highly skilled occupations. However, comparisons between slow- and moderately growing MAs conform more closely to the predicted pattern, displaying at

least some evidence of a positive correlation between skill

and growth. Because the fast-growing group was composed

almost entirely of MAs in the South and West, this finding

was not inconsistent with previous evidence that skill was

not a significant growth factor in warm, dry areas with large

immigrant communities, but mattered more elsewhere. Examining in more detail the relationships among immigration,

population growth, skill, and occupational composition remains a subject for future research.

Table C17. Education, training, and library occupations

Full data set 5.80 5.95 6.21 1–0.15 10.26

By region:

Midwest — 5.72 5.53 — –.19

Northeast — 6.99 6.82 — 1–.17

South 5.79 5.65 5.89 .14 1.24

West 5.85 5.96 5.75 –.11 –.21

By size class:

Small 6.83 6.61 6.50 .21 –.11

Medium 5.83 5.80 6.38 .03 1.59

Large 5.63 5.89 6.08 1–.26 1.18

1 Share differential is statistically significant.

NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.

Employment share

(percent)

Share differential

(percentage point)

Fast

growing

Moderately

growing

Slow

growing

Between

fast and

moderate

Between

slow and

moderate

Region

and

size class
21

D. A Comparison of Occupational

Employment and Wages

in Metropolitan Areas

and Nonmetropolitan Areas

Benjamin Cover

Less than 20 percent of all people work in nonmetropolitan areas in the United States, and theiraverage hourly wage is over $3 less than that of people

in metropolitan areas. However, by occupation, the concentration of workers and their wages in nonmetropolitan areas

vary considerably from the national averages. Overall average salaries are higher in metropolitan areas than in

nonmetropolitan areas, but there are some exceptions. While

most jobs are more likely to be located in metropolitan areas,

some jobs are more likely to be found in nonmetropolitan

areas. This article explores the difference in occupational

wages and employment in metropolitan areas and

nonmetropolitan areas.

Wages

Occupations in metropolitan areas commonly have a higher

mean wage. In fact, the mean wage across all occupations in

metropolitan areas is $18.38, whereas the mean wage across

occupations in nonmetropolitan areas is $14.30. Out of the

801 detailed occupations in the OES survey, 658 had a higher

wage in metropolitan areas, 17 a higher wage in nonmetropolitan areas. The remaining 126 were not significantly different. Of the 658 detailed occupations with a higher wage in

metropolitan areas, the difference ranged from $0.14 to $34.70.

In four occupational groups, every single detailed occupation had a higher mean wage in metropolitan areas: legal

occupations, healthcare support occupations, food preparation and serving related occupations, and building and

grounds maintenance occupations. Table D1 shows the detailed occupations with the highest percentage of wage premium for workers in metropolitan areas.

Twelve of the 17 detailed occupations with a higher mean

wage in nonmetropolitan areas were found in 4 occupational

groups: four of the 12 were healthcare practitioner and technical occupations, 4 were production occupations, 2 were

transportation and material moving occupations, and 2 were

construction and extraction occupations. Of the 17 detailed

occupations with a higher wage in nonmetropolitan areas,

the difference ranged from $0.53 to $11.12. These occupations are shown in table D2.

Employment

The nationwide concentration of workers in metropolitan

areas can be found throughout most types of occupations.

Each one of the 22 major occupational groups had more employment in metropolitan areas than rural areas, ranging from

a low of 68.5 percent of farming and fishing workers to a high

of 95 percentage of computer and mathematical workers being located in metropolitan areas. At the detailed occupational level, 770 of the 801 occupations had a higher percent

of employment in metropolitan areas. The occupations with

the highest concentration of workers in metropolitan areas

are shown in table D3.

Although most of the detailed occupations follow the

trend of higher employment in metropolitan areas, there are

still some exceptions. For example, 82 percent of mining roof

bolters were found in nonmetropolitan areas, while only 18

percent were found in metropolitan areas. The 20 occupations with more employment in nonmetropolitan areas are

shown in chart D1, along with their shares of employment in

both metropolitan areas and nonmetropolitan areas.

Another way to compare employment in metropolitan and

nonmetropolitan areas is to compare the distribution of employment among the occupational groups. For example, office and administrative support occupations make up 18.2

percent of all metropolitan employment, but only 15.2 percent of nonmetropolitan employment. Conversely, 12 percent of nonmetropolitan area workers are production workers, while only 7.2 percent of metropolitan area workers are in

this group. Chart D2 shows the proportion of workers in

each occupational group in metropolitan areas and nonmetropolitan areas.

Relationship between wages and employment

concentration

Production occupations and transportation and material

moving occupations were two of the three occupational

Ben Cover is an economist in the Division of Occupational Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 D.
22

groups with the largest difference in employment shares

among those with a higher concentration in nonmetropolitan

areas. Interestingly enough, those two occupational groups

also contain more than one-third of the detailed occupations

with a higher mean wage in nonmetropolitan areas. The

detailed occupations show the same relationship between

wage premium and employment. For example, 5 of the 10

occupations with the highest wage premiums in

nonmetropolitan areas (bridge and lock tenders; continuous

mining machine operators; gas compressor and gas pumping station operators; tire builders; and mining machine operators, all other) have a concentration of employment higher

than the national average of 16 percent. The same can be

seen in occupations concentrated in metropolitan areas. The

occupation titled airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers

has the highest wage premium, 122 percent, and has a 98-

percent concentration of metropolitan employment. In fact,

8 of the 10 occupations with the highest wage premiums in

metropolitan areas have a concentration of employment

higher than the national average of 84 percent.

Chart D3 shows the correlation between the percentage

of metropolitan employment and the percentage of metropolitan wage premium, which have an overall positive correlation of 0.3.

The positive slope in the trend line shows that a higher

percentage of metropolitan employment generally corresponds to a higher percentage of wage premium, and the

Table D2. Occupations with higher wages in nonmetropolitan areas, May 2004

Orthotists and prosthetists ...................................................................................... $37.75 $26.63 $11.12 29

Dancers .................................................................................................................... 15.57 11.88 3.69 24

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other ........................................... 55.31 43.40 11.91 22

Bridge and lock tenders ........................................................................................... 19.2 15.94 3.26 17

Physicians and surgeons, all other ......................................................................... 75.41 65.28 10.13 13

Continuous mining machine operators ................................................................... 18.28 16.23 2.05 11

Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators ........................................... 23.07 20.53 2.54 11

Tire builders .............................................................................................................. 18.72 16.62 2.10 11

Mathematicians ......................................................................................................... 42.94 38.90 4.04 9

First-line supervisors/managers, protective service workers, all other .............. 21.56 19.59 1.97 9

Mining machine operators, all other ........................................................................ 18.18 16.62 1.56 9

First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers ......... 19.19 18.00 1.19 6

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders ........................................ 15.69 14.74 0.95 6

Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders ....... 14.21 13.42 0.79 6

Family and general practitioners .............................................................................. 68.98 65.77 3.21 5

Shoe and leather workers and repairers ................................................................ 9.94 9.49 0.45 5

Postal service clerks ................................................................................................ 20.24 19.71 0.53 3

Nonmetropolitan mean

wage

Metropolitan

mean wage Difference

Percent Occupation difference

Table D3. Occupations with the largest concentration of

employment in metropolitan areas, May 2004

Entertainers and performers, sports and

 related workers, all other .............................. 99.0

Mathematical scientists, all other ................... 99.0

Political scientists ............................................. 98.9

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers .... 97.9

Computer software engineers,

 systems software .......................................... 97.8

Computer hardware engineers ....................... 97.6

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists ... 97.4

Actuaries .......................................................... 97.4

Multimedia artists and animators .................... 97.3

Prosthodontists ............................................... 97.3

Percent

metropolitan

employment

Occupation

Table D1. Occupations with the largest percent wage premiums in metropolitan areas, May 2004

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers .......................................................... $131,270 $59,090 $72,180 122

Broadcast news analysts ..................................................................................... 29.04 13.78 15.26 111

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance ....................................................... 15.91 7.96 7.95 100

Prosthodontists ..................................................................................................... 70.83 37.32 33.51 90

Political scientists ................................................................................................... 41.45 22.40 19.05 85

Producers and directors ....................................................................................... 35.49 19.37 16.12 83

Actors ..................................................................................................................... 22.83 13.36 9.47 71

Radio and television announcers ......................................................................... 16.74 9.81 6.93 71

Astronomers .......................................................................................................... 48.13 28.66 19.47 68

Fashion designers ................................................................................................. 31.38 18.90 12.48 66

Nonmetropolitan mean

wage

Metropolitan

mean wage Difference

Percent Occupation difference
23

Chart D1. Occupations concentrated in nonmetropolitan areas, May 2004

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Metropolitan areas 

Nonmetropolitan areas 

Wellhead pumpers

Roof bolters, mining

Logging equipment operators

Shuttle car operators

Fallers

Log graders and scalers

Continuous mining machine operators

Logging workers, all other

Forest and conservation technicians

 Slaughterers and meatpackers

Loading machine operators, underground mining

Farm equipment mechanics

Postmasters and mail superintendents

Foresters

Animal breeders

Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining

Fish and game wardens

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood

Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

Mine cutting and channeling machine operators

Percent of employment

Occupation

Chart D2. Distribution of employment in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, May 2004

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20

 Metropolitan areas 

 Nonmetropolitan areas 

Percent of employment

Occupational group

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

Management

Business and financial operations 

Computer and mathematical

Architecture and engineering

Life, physical, and social science 

Community and social services 

Legal 

Education, training, and library

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media

Healthcare practitioners and technical

Personal care and service

Healthcare support

Food preparation and serving related

Sales and related

Office and administrative support

Farming, fishing, and forestry

Construction and extraction

Installation, maintenance, and repair

Protective service

Production

Transportation and material moving
24

higher the concentration in nonmetropolitan areas, the

higher are the relative wages in nonmetropolitan areas.

However, there are exceptions to this general correspondence: the points in the top-left hand corner of the graph

have the opposite relationship of a higher percentage of

metropolitan employment together with a wage premium for

workers in nonmetropolitan areas. These occupations include ortho-tists and prosthetists, all other health diagnosing and treating practitioners, and dancers. There are no

data points in the lower right-hand corner of the graph,

indicating that it is rare to have a high percentage of wage

premium together with a low percentage of metropolitan

employment.

Conclusion

In general, average wages in metropolitan areas are higher

than in rural areas for workers in the same occupation. There

also are more jobs in metropolitan areas. There appears to be

a slight correlation between the concentration of workers in

metropolitan areas and their wages relative to the workers in

the same occupation in nonmetropolitan areas. Similarly, the

occupations that are more plentiful in nonmetropolitan areas

have relatively higher mean wages in those areas. There are

exceptions to this generalization, but it does give a sense of

the variability of an occupation’s mean wage between a metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area and the types of occupations that are concentrated in these areas.

Chart D3. Correlation between percent metropolitan employment and percent wage premium, 

 May 2004

-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Percent 

metropolitan 

employment

Percent wage premium
25

E. Employment Composition:

Variation Across States

and Metropolitan Areas

Fatemeh Hajiha and Laurie Salmon

Fatemeh Hajiha is an economist in the Division of Occupational

Employment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Laurie Salmon

is a supervisory economist in the same division.

The distribution of employment by occupation in a geographic area reflects the history and industrial andeconomic composition of the area. As a result, certain occupations may be more concentrated in particular

States or metropolitan areas. This article examines areas with

different staffing patterns to demonstrate the variability in

occupational composition among states. It also uses maps

to show how the concentration of occupations and occupational groups varies by area. The maps show the relative

importance of occupations in each area.

The national distribution of employment by occupation

was presented in chart A1, in the first article of this publication. Occupational composition of State and metropolitan

area workforces, though, can look quite different. For example, the Nation’s capital, the District of Columbia, has an

economic structure that does not resemble that of any State.

Chart E1 displays the District’s occupational employment

distribution, along with that of Arkansas. As in the Nation

as a whole, the largest occupational group in both the District of Columbia and Arkansas is office and administrative

support occupations; among the smallest in both is farming,

fishing, and forestry. However, the similarity of the distributions ends at their extreme points. The concentrations of the

District’s employment in 7 of the 22 occupational groups are

higher than those of any State in the Nation. They are legal;

business and financial operations; management; life, physical, and social science; arts, design, entertainment, sports,

and media; computer and mathematical; and protective service occupations. At the other extreme, the concentrations

of employment in eight major occupational groups are lower

 E.

Major occupational group

 Chart E1. Employment distribution in the District of Columbia and in Arkansas, by major occupational

 group, May 2004

0 5 10 15 20 25

District of Columbia

Arkansas

Management 

Business and financial operations 

Computer and mathematical 

Architecture and engineering 

Life, physical, and social science 

Community and social services 

Legal 

Education, training, and library 

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media 

Healthcare practitioners and technical 

Healthcare support 

Protective service 

Food preparation and serving related 

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance 

Personal care and service 

Sales and related 

Office and administrative support 

Farming, fishing, and forestry 

Construction and extraction 

Installation, maintenance, and repair 

Production 

Transportation and material moving 

Percent of employment
26

than those of any State. They are sales and related; production; transportation and material moving; healthcare practitioners and technical; construction and extraction; installation, maintenance, and repair; food preparation and serving

related; and farming, fishing, and forestry occupations.

While the District of Columbia is unique, in part due to its

small size, urban nature, and government-dominated economic sector, divergence from the national occupational composition also can be seen for States. For example, chart E1

also shows the employment distribution for Arkansas. Arkansas has a much higher than average share of its employment in transportation and material-moving occupations and

production occupations, and among the lowest shares of

employment in architecture and engineering occupations and

personal care and service occupations.

Chart E2 depicts the variation in occupational employment concentrations among the 50 States. For each occupational group, there is a shaded band. The left edge of that

band represents the minimum concentration of State employment in the occupational group, while the right edge of the

band shows the maximum employment concentration in that

occupational group. The dividing line inside each band shows

the mean State concentration.

For instance, the left edge of the band for office and administrative support occupations indicates that employment

in this group accounts for 14 percent of employment in the

State with the lowest concentration of this occupational

group (in this case, Wyoming). The right edge of the band

shows that, in the State with the highest employment concentration of office and administrative support occupations

(Delaware, in this case), 21 percent of the workforce is found

in this group.

The bands in chart E2 encapsulate the variation in occupational concentrations among the 50 States. The chart

shows that office and administrative support occupations

account for the highest concentration of employment in all

50 States: the left edge of the band representing office and

administrative support occupations is to the right of the right

edge of any other bar. Not discernable in chart E2 is the fact

that, in 45 of the 50 States, farming, fishing, and forestry

occupations account for the lowest concentration of employment, and that legal occupations account for the second-lowest concentration of employment.

Chart E2 shows interstate variations in employment concentrations. Dividing the range for each group (maximum

minus minimum) by the average reveals that the interstate

variations in occupational concentration are lowest in office

and administrative support occupations, followed by sales

and related; installation, maintenance, and repair; healthcare

practitioners and technical; transportation and material-moving; and food preparation and serving related occupations.

At the other extreme, the interstate variations in occupational concentration are highest in the farming, fishing, and

forestry occupational group, even though it is the smallest

or second-smallest group in all 50 States. Employment concentrations also are highly variable in life, physical, and social science occupations; personal care and service occupations; computer and mathematical occupations; production

occupations; community and social services occupations;

and construction and extraction occupations.

The differences in occupational composition by State are

best seen graphically. The maps on the following pages

display the relative shares of each State’s workforce in various occupational groups. For example, because of its size,

Chart E2. Minimum, average, and maximum employment concentrations among States by 

 major occupational group, May 2004

Percent of employment

Major occupational group

0 10 20 30

Minimum Average Maximum

Life, physical, and social science

Management

Computer and mathematical 

Architecture and engineering

Business and financial operations

Healthcare practitioners and technical

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media

Education, training, and library

Construction and extraction

Installation, maintenance, and repair

Community and social services

Protective service

Sales and related

Production

Office and administrative support

Transportation and material moving

Healthcare support

Personal care and service

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance

Farming, fishing, and forestry

Food preparation and serving related

Legal
27

California has one of the highest employment levels for

healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, but it

has one of the lowest concentrations of its workers in these

occupations. As this article has demonstrated, there are

some significant variations among States within certain

groups. The maps show that some of the differences are

regional. The States with the largest shares of production

occupations, for instance, are primarily located in the North

Central and Southeast regions of the country. Although the

industries present in these States may vary, they employ

similar numbers of production workers. In contrast, the share

of workers in management occupations is highest in Virginia

and Maryland. These differences by State affect each State’s

overall income level, at the same time that they reflect the

State’s history and economic structure.

The metropolitan area maps that follow the State maps

provide similar information. They show concentrations of

workers in specific occupations by metropolitan area rather

than by State. For some of the most common detailed occupations, such as retail salespersons and registered nurses,

the highest concentration of these workers appears in smaller

metropolitan areas with less diverse staffing patterns than

bigger cities. In contrast, some industry-specific occupations are largely found in the metropolitan areas in which

those industries are concentrated. For example, the map of

lawyers identifies several Eastern metropolitan areas, particularly the District of Columbia, as having the heaviest

concentrations of lawyers. Similarly, restaurant cooks are

found in greater numbers in metropolitan areas that are major

tourist destinations. In many cases, the cities that have the

largest employment in a given occupation are not among

those with a high share of employment in that occupation,

simply because there are many workers in a greater range of

occupations in large cities.
2 8

Management occupations as a percent of State employment

2.81 3.463.46 4.384.38 5.125.12 6.066.06 10.14

Exhibit 1. Employment concentrations of mangement occupations (SOC 11-0000) by States, May 2004
2 9

Business and financial operations occupations as a percent of State employment

2.18 2.812.81 3.403.40 4.314.31 5.335.34 10.07

Exhibit 2. Employment concentrations of business and financial operations occupations (SOC 13-0000) by State, Ma
3 0

Computer and mathematical occupations as a percent of State employment

0.72 1.231.23 1.881.88 2.692.70 3.613.62 4.94

Exhibit 3. Employment concentrations of computer and mathematical occupations (SOC 15-0000) by State, May 200
3 1

Architecture and engineering occupations as a percent of State employment

1.03 1.281.28 1.551.56 1.851.86 2.442.44 3.12

Exhibit 4. Employment concentrations of architecture and engineering occupations (SOC 17-0000) by State, May 20
3 2

Life, physical, and social science occupations as a percent of State employment

0.51 0.630.64 0.870.87 1.291.29 2.282.28 3.40

Exhibit 5. Employment concentrations of life, physical, and social science occupations (SOC 19-0000) by State, May 
3 3

Community and social services occupations as a percent of State employment

0.64 0.910.91 1.171.18 1.531.54 1.941.95 2.42

Exhibit 6. Employment concentrations of community and social services occupations (SOC 21-0000) by State, May 2
3 4

Legal occupations as a percent of State employment

0.41 0.510.51 0.680.69 0.870.87 1.171.17 6.01

Exhibit 7. Employment concentrations of legal occupations (SOC 23-0000) by State, May 2004
3 5

Education, training, and library occupations as a percent of State employment

3.73 4.434.43 5.675.67 6.216.21 6.886.89 8.78

Exhibit 8. Employment concentrations of education, training, and library occupations (SOC 25-0000) by State, May 2
3 6

Exhibit 9. Employment concentrations of arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations (SOC 27-0000) 

Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations as a percent of State employment

0.73 0.910.92 1.131.13 1.541.55 2.082.09 3.35
3 7

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations as a percent of State employment

3.40 4.014.01 4.614.62 5.135.14 5.665.66 6.45

Exhibit 10. Employment concentrations of healthcare practitioners and technical occupations (SOC 29-0000) by Sta
3 8

Healthcare support occupations as a percent of State employment

1.19 1.501.51 2.262.27 2.622.63 3.023.03 3.42

Exhibit 11. Employment concentrations of healthcare support occupations (SOC 31-0000) by State, May 2004
3 9

Protective service occupations as a percent of State employment

1.35 1.631.63 2.022.03 2.292.29 2.692.69 3.74

Exhibit 12. Employment concentrations of protective service occupations (SOC 33-0000) by State, May 2004
4 0

Food preparation and serving related occupations as a percent of State employment

6.21 7.367.36 8.338.33 9.129.12 10.3810.38 12.30

Exhibit 13. Employment concentrations of food preparation and serving related occupations (SOC 35-0000) by State
4 1

Exhibit 14. Employment concentrations of building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations (SOC 37-0

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations as a percent of State employment

2.85 3.163.17 3.433.43 3.673.68 4.194.20 5.93
4 2

Personal care and service occupations as a percent of State employment

1.30 1.871.87 2.282.28 2.712.72 3.433.44 6.18

Exhibit 15. Employment concentrations of personal care and service occupations (SOC 39-0000) by State, May 2004
4 3

Sales and related occupations as a percent of State employment

5.275.28 9.649.65 10.4010.40 11.0311.03 12.92

Exhibit 16. Employment concentrations of sales and related occupations (SOC 41-0000) by State, May 2004
4 4

Office and administrative support occupations as a percent of State employment

14.23 15.3315.33 16.6916.69 17.4917.49 18.5518.55 20.85

Exhibit 17. Employment concentrations of office and administrative support occupations (SOC 43-0000) by State
4 5

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations as a percent of State employment

Not available0.00 0.170.18 0.270.28 0.480.49 0.700.71 1.19

Exhibit 18. Employment concentrations of farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (SOC 45-0000) by State, May 
4 6

Construction and extraction occupations as a percent of State employment

1.911.92 4.594.59 5.655.66 7.257.26 9.80

Exhibit 19. Employment concentrations of construction and extraction occupations (SOC 47-0000) by State, May 20
4 7

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations as a percent of State employment

1.341.35 3.643.64 4.334.34 4.754.76 5.68

Exhibit 20. Employment concentrations of installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (SOC 49-0000) by Stat
4 8

Production occupations as a percent of State employment

1.40 4.234.23 5.895.90 7.237.23 9.359.36 13.87

Exhibit 21. Employment concentrations of production occupations (SOC 51-0000) by State, May 2004
4 9

Transportation and materialm oving occupations as a percent of State employment

2.51 5.905.90 6.926.93 7.897.90 8.888.88 10.37

Exhibit 22. Employment concentrations of transportation and material-moving occupations (SOC 53-0000) by State, 
50

Tare common in most metropolitan areas. Employment

politan area employment for nine occupations that

he following maps show the concentration of metroputer programmers (less than 0.2 percent), while Olympia,

Beach has a below-average share of its employment in com1.4 percent of all workers there are restaurant cooks. Myrtle

employed in Myrtle Beach, SC, are retail salespersons, and

ployed in the occupation. For example, 6 percent of all people

concentration is the percent of all workers in the area em-

occupation is above or below average in importance.

occupation. The maps can be used to see where a particular

programmers, has one of the highest concentrations of this

WA, with 1.3 percent of its workforce employed as computer

Note: The percentages represented in the maps are

for an MSA if the estimate did not meet publication criteria.

rounded to one decimal place. A wage estimate is not shown
51

Exhibit 23. Employment concentrations of financial managers (SOC 11-3031) by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of financial managers are Stamford-N(1.1 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $69.77; New York, NY (0.8 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $67.1NH (0.7 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $49.12; Des Moines, IA (0.7 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $MA-NH (0.7 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $43.46; and Jersey City, NJ (0.7 percent), with a mean hourly w$49.97. The national employment concentration is 0.4 percent, with a mean hourly wage of $44.04.
52

Pe

Exhibit 24. Employment concentrations of accountants and auditors (SOC 13-2011) by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of accountants and auditors are StamCT (2.2 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $34.85; Tallahassee, FL (2.0 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $

Olympia, WA (1.6 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $23.73; Austin-San Marcos, TX (1.4 percent), with a meaof $23.07; New York, NY (1.4 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $34.68; and Cheyenne, WY (1.4 percent), with hourly wage of $17.94. The national employment concentration is 0.8 percent, with a mean hourly wage of $27.3
53

Exhibit 25. Employment concentrations of computer programmers (SOC 15-1021) by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of computer programmers are Olymppercent), with a mean hourly wage of $28.17; Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ (1.0 percent), with a mean hou$36.08; Trenton, NJ (0.9 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $29.92; Bloomington, IN (0.9 percent), with a mean of $22.30; Stamford-Norwalk, CT (0.8 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $38.66; and Jersey City, NJ (0.8 percmean hourly wage of $35.47. The national employment concentration is 0.3 percent, with a mean hourly wage of 
54

Exhibit 26. Employment concentrations of lawyers (SOC 23-1011) by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of lawyers are Washington, DC-MD-Vpercent), with a mean hourly wage of $58.59; Tallahassee, FL (1.2 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $42.31; N(1.1 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $61.77; San Francisco, CA (0.9 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $

NJ (0.9 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $52.43; and Newark, NJ (0.8 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $national employment concentration is 0.4 percent, with a mean hourly wage of $52.30.
55

Exhibit 27. Employment concentrations of registered nurses (SOC 29-1111) by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of registered nurses are Rochester, percent), with a mean hourly wage of $28.80; Iowa City, IA (4.5 percent); Cumberland, MD (4.1 percent), with a mwage of $22.39; Alexandria, LA (4.0 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $22.21; Jackson, TN (3.9 percent), withourly wage of $20.37; and Greenville, NC (3.7 percent). The national employment concentration is 1.8 percent, 

hourly wage of $26.06.
56

Exhibit 28. Employment concentrations of restaurant cooks (SOC 35-2014) by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of restaurant cooks are Naples, FL (with a mean hourly wage of $11.31; Myrtle Beach, SC (1.4 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $9.79; Punta Gpercent), with a mean hourly wage of $9.23; Hamilton-Middletown, OH (1.3 percent), with a mean hourly wage of Walton Beach, FL (1.2 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $10.22; and Columbia, MO (1.2 percent), with a meaof $8.21. The national employment concentration is 0.6 percent, with a mean hourly wage of $9.73.
57

Exhibit 29. Employment concentrations of retail salespersons (SOC 41-2031) by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of retail salespersons are BarnstableMA (7.4 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $11.62; Myrtle Beach, SC (6.0 percent), with a mean hourly wage oPittsfield, MA (5.9 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $10.94; Punta Gorda, FL (5.6 percent), with a mean hou$11.57; Jacksonville, NC (5.5 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $9.86; and Danbury, CT (5.5 percent), with a wage of $12.78. The national employment concentration is 3.2 percent, with a mean hourly wage of $11.03.
58

Exhibit 30. Employment concentrations of secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive (SOC 43-6014), by MSA, M

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of secretaries are Lafayette, IN (2.7 a mean hourly wage of $12.75; Albuquerque, NM (2.7 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $12.05; San Angelo, 

percent), with a mean hourly wage of $10.56; Florence, AL (2.5 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $9.93; Tren

percent), with a mean hourly wage of $17.65; and Houma, LA (2.5 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $9.68. Temployment concentration is 1.4 percent, with a mean hourly wage of $13.06.
59

Exhibit 31. Employment concentrations of truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer (SOC 53-3032), by MSA, May 2004

The areas in the United States with the highest employment concentrations of heavy truck or tractor-trailer driveFayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR (6.1 percent); Joplin, MO (5.6 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $16.19; CTN-GA (5.1 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $16.12; Cedar Rapids, IA (4.0 percent), with a mean hourly wagGreen Bay, WI (3.7 percent), with a mean hourly wage of $19.87; and Omaha, NE-IA (3.6 percent). The national concentration is 1.2 percent, with a mean hourly wage of $16.63.
6 0

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Management occupations 6,200,940 $41.12 $85,530 $17.19 $24.47 $35.77 $51.87 (2)

Chief executives............................................................................................................. 67.27 346,590 139,920 27.76 43.14 67.47 (2) (2)

General and operations managers................................................................................. 44.24 1,752,910 92,010 18.15 25.20 37.22 56.88 (2)

Legislators...................................................................................................................... 63,440 (3) 30,750 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Advertising and promotions managers........................................................................... 36.76 57,100 76,460 15.79 21.06 30.58 46.12 $68.39

Marketing managers....................................................................................................... 46.48 177,550 96,680 21.82 29.78 42.13 58.56 (2)

Sales managers.............................................................................................................. 45.68 320,240 95,010 19.53 27.26 40.49 58.38 (2)

Public relations managers.............................................................................................. 38.26 50,670 79,580 17.97 24.17 33.65 47.02 65.81 

Administrative services managers.................................................................................. 31.98 66,530 254,610 14.96 20.52 28.99 40.15 53.01 

Computer and information systems managers............................................................... 47.24 98,260 267,390 25.65 34.45 44.51 56.89 (2)

Financial managers........................................................................................................ 44.04 91,610 493,360 21.38 28.60 39.37 54.00 (2)

Compensation and benefits managers........................................................................... 35.59 74,020 55,040 18.87 24.03 31.99 42.95 57.15 

Training and development managers............................................................................. 35.45 73,730 35,510 17.51 23.59 32.43 43.76 57.49 

Human resources managers, all other........................................................................... 42.11 87,580 58,770 23.11 29.84 39.33 51.18 65.67 

Industrial production managers...................................................................................... 38.06 79,170 155,980 20.99 26.78 35.09 45.60 59.14 

Purchasing managers..................................................................................................... 37.51 78,020 73,480 19.86 26.04 34.83 45.66 58.46 

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers....................................................... 34.87 72,530 88,100 18.76 24.37 32.02 42.13 54.60 

Farm, ranch, and other agricultural managers............................................................... 26.51 4,810 55,140 14.66 18.38 24.38 31.52 41.52 

Farmers and ranchers.................................................................................................... 20.78 540 43,230 9.56 13.43 19.44 24.26 35.58 

Construction managers.................................................................................................. 37.83 185,580 20.25 78,690 25.69 33.59 44.40 60.74 

Education administrators, preschool and childcare center/program.............................. 19.74 50,590 41,060 10.39 13.18 17.18 23.51 32.98 

Education administrators, elementary and secondary school........................................ 209,630 (3) 75,640 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Education administrators, postsecondary....................................................................... 36.44 101,530 75,800 18.46 23.99 32.86 44.57 59.45 

Education administrators, all other................................................................................. 32.01 22,570 66,580 16.35 21.72 28.96 39.54 51.60 

Engineering managers.................................................................................................... 49.33 186,380 102,600 30.65 37.90 46.94 58.22 (2)

Food service managers.................................................................................................. 21.13 206,340 43,940 11.78 14.91 19.04 24.74 33.11 

Funeral directors............................................................................................................. 25.82 23,140 53,710 12.72 17.25 22.10 29.26 41.31 

Gaming managers.......................................................................................................... 31.77 3,520 66,090 16.88 22.14 28.17 38.09 51.98 

Lodging managers.......................................................................................................... 21.18 30,860 44,060 10.90 13.77 18.11 24.54 34.69 

Medical and health services managers.......................................................................... 36.12 224,070 75,140 19.93 25.26 32.42 42.41 56.72 

Natural sciences managers............................................................................................ 46.06 40,240 95,800 23.03 31.03 42.63 56.83 (2)

Postmasters and mail superintendents.......................................................................... 24.43 26,430 50,820 17.02 20.74 24.32 27.99 33.12 

Property, real estate, and community association managers......................................... 23.44 159,980 48,760 13.07 19.22 8.90 28.54 43.19 

Social and community service managers....................................................................... 24.39 119,280 50,740 13.20 17.02 22.50 29.41 38.57 

Managers, all other......................................................................................................... 39.28 354,730 81,700 19.69 26.85 37.19 49.09 62.13 

Business and financial operations occupations 5,131,840 56,380 27.10 13.94 18.09 24.21 32.77 43.32 

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes............................. 33.42 10,860 69,520 12.32 16.77 26.48 40.53 (2)

Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products............................................................... 24.03 14,300 49,980 12.15 15.91 21.02 28.57 39.58 

Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products....................................................... 23.29 136,930 48,450 11.72 15.17 20.30 27.41 38.14 

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products................................... 24.60 257,070 51,180 14.25 17.67 22.92 30.10 38.32 

Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators............................................................. 22.74 234,950 47,310 13.09 16.30 21.26 27.60 34.92 

Insurance appraisers, auto damage............................................................................... 22.01 12,520 45,780 14.21 17.89 21.79 26.10 30.39 

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

 and transportation........................................................................................................ 24.64 167,650 51,260 14.11 17.67 22.78 30.04 38.33 

Cost estimators............................................................................................................... 25.90 191,080 53,870 14.54 18.47 24.01 31.55 40.80 

Emergency management specialists.............................................................................. 23.73 10,070 49,350 11.52 15.88 21.82 29.97 39.10 

Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists.................................................... 22.76 169,750 47,330 12.35 15.30 19.80 26.70 36.65 

Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists..................................................... 24.10 92,940 50,130 14.44 17.81 22.83 28.78 35.89 

Training and development specialists............................................................................. 22.97 200,440 47,780 12.41 16.12 21.43 28.25 35.89 

Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other............................. 23.67 158,930 49,240 6.95 16.28 22.85 30.30 39.76 

Logisticians..................................................................................................................... 28.99 52,470 60,310 15.91 21.17 27.46 35.53 44.31 

Management analysts..................................................................................................... 34.97 416,340 72,730 18.12 23.24 30.51 41.66 57.80 

Meeting and convention planners................................................................................... 20.43 34,640 42,490 11.86 14.99 19.05 24.42 31.28 

Business operations specialists, all other....................................................................... 27.72 847,170 57,660 13.75 18.70 25.70 34.25 43.80 

Accountants and auditors............................................................................................... 27.35 995,910 56,880 15.54 19.18 24.41 32.16 42.60 

Appraisers and assessors of real estate........................................................................ 23.73 62,270 49,350 10.72 14.82 20.86 28.90 39.06 

Budget analysts.............................................................................................................. 28.41 53,300 59,100 17.72 21.72 26.94 33.91 42.01 

Credit analysts................................................................................................................ 26.57 67,100 55,280 13.92 17.26 22.72 31.52 43.90 

Financial analysts........................................................................................................... 33.89 177,780 70,500 18.07 22.79 29.76 39.77 54.56 

Personal financial advisors............................................................................................. 39.70 94,490 82,570 14.95 20.12 30.14 52.06 (2)

Insurance underwriters................................................................................................... 26.08 96,110 54,240 14.62 18.02 23.34 31.46 41.40 

Financial examiners........................................................................................................ 31.47 23,400 65,450 16.54 21.14 29.00 39.73 51.27 

Loan counselors............................................................................................................. 18.61 31,160 38,710 11.61 13.31 16.33 21.24 28.96 

Loan officers................................................................................................................... 27.98 278,830 58,200 13.26 17.00 23.48 33.25 47.25 

Tax examiners, collectors, and revenue agents............................................................. 23.18 71,610 48,210 12.08 15.64 20.91 30.08 39.06 

Tax preparers................................................................................................................. 16.50 51,950 34,330 7.54 9.45 13.33 20.11 29.13 

Financial specialists, all other......................................................................................... 26.64 119,840 55,420 14.13 17.94 23.82 32.43 42.56 

Employment

Mean wages

Occupation

Percentiles

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

Computer and mathematical operations occupations 2,915,300 31.50 65,510 16.24 22.03 30.11 39.68 49.49 

Computer and information scientists, research.............................................................. 42.32 88,020 23.52 24,720 31.18 40.96 52.13 63.80 

Computer programmers................................................................................................. 31.69 412,090 65,910 17.53 22.88 30.24 39.08 47.89 

Computer software engineers, applications................................................................... 37.18 425,890 77,330 22.37 28.43 36.05 44.29 54.73 

Computer software engineers, systems software........................................................... 39.50 318,020 82,160 24.24 30.36 38.34 47.22 56.90 

Computer support specialists......................................................................................... 20.97 488,540 43,620 11.63 14.89 19.44 25.49 33.22 

Computer systems analysts............................................................................................ 32.87 489,130 68,370 20.06 25.19 31.95 39.89 47.68 

Database administrators................................................................................................. 30.51 63,460 16.05 96,960 21.39 29.16 39.01 46.85 

Network and computer systems administrators............................................................. 29.55 259,320 61,470 17.84 22.24 27.98 35.39 43.90 

Network systems and data communications analysts.................................................... 30.49 169,200 63,410 17.43 22.34 29.14 37.53 45.69 

Computer specialists, all other........................................................................................ 30.31 130,420 63,030 13.77 19.79 28.60 39.20 49.82 

See footnotes at end of table. 
6 1

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Computer and mathematical operations occupations - Continued 

Actuaries......................................................................................................................... $42.05 $87,460 $20.86 $26.33 $36.70 $51.76 16,350 (2)

Mathematicians............................................................................................................... 39.18 2,410 81,500 20.75 28.87 39.06 48.73 $58.13

Operations research analysts......................................................................................... 30.49 63,420 55,030 17.39 21.94 28.94 37.70 46.15 

Statisticians..................................................................................................................... 30.42 63,260 17,030 15.80 20.56 28.18 38.79 48.32 

Mathematical technicians............................................................................................... 20.99 1,720 43,650 12.04 14.25 18.49 25.33 33.09 

Mathematical science occupations, all other.................................................................. 29.67 8,500 61,710 17.97 24.37 29.98 35.09 41.38 

Architecture and engineering occupations 2,372,770 29.69 61,750 15.43 20.74 27.94 37.24 46.14 

Architects, except landscape and naval......................................................................... 31.84 66,230 94,280 18.30 22.45 28.99 38.09 47.98 

Landscape architects...................................................................................................... 27.73 57,680 17,960 15.57 19.68 25.54 33.85 43.68 

Cartographers and photogrammetrists........................................................................... 23.48 9,870 48,830 13.56 16.90 22.15 28.76 35.79 

Surveyors........................................................................................................................ 22.15 46,080 52,680 11.85 15.36 20.66 27.49 34.44 

Aerospace engineers...................................................................................................... 38.68 80,460 73,650 25.39 30.95 38.03 45.63 54.58 

Agricultural engineers..................................................................................................... 29.04 3,220 60,400 18.11 20.80 27.17 37.37 43.47 

Biomedical engineers..................................................................................................... 34.04 8,650 70,800 19.84 24.82 32.54 41.54 51.70 

Chemical engineers........................................................................................................ 38.49 80,050 30,320 23.57 29.29 36.91 45.55 55.37 

Civil engineers................................................................................................................ 32.18 66,930 218,220 20.48 24.73 30.88 38.42 45.51 

Computer hardware engineers....................................................................................... 40.39 84,010 74,760 24.28 30.64 39.02 49.09 59.40 

Electrical engineers........................................................................................................ 35.68 74,220 148,310 22.74 27.66 34.43 42.50 51.96 

Electronics engineers, except computer......................................................................... 37.24 77,450 135,560 23.62 28.98 36.43 44.65 53.94 

Environmental engineers................................................................................................ 32.86 68,350 47,690 19.53 24.39 31.96 40.24 48.10 

Health and safety engineers, except mining safety engineers and inspectors............... 31.78 66,110 25,860 19.20 23.99 30.64 38.22 44.65 

Industrial engineers........................................................................................................ 32.05 66,660 174,960 20.41 25.10 31.26 38.38 45.17 

Marine engineers and naval architects........................................................................... 35.44 6,620 73,720 21.05 26.22 34.63 43.22 52.49 

Materials engineers........................................................................................................ 33.36 69,390 21,130 21.22 25.73 32.26 40.30 48.62 

Mechanical engineers..................................................................................................... 32.91 68,460 217,010 21.10 25.52 31.88 39.61 47.04 

Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers............................. 32.77 5,050 68,160 19.09 24.28 31.10 39.93 49.90 

Nuclear engineers........................................................................................................... 42.67 88,760 17,180 29.71 35.26 40.81 48.18 57.15 

Petroleum engineers....................................................................................................... 44.15 91,820 14,690 23.20 31.42 42.55 54.42 67.69 

Engineers, all other......................................................................................................... 36.32 75,540 159,720 21.46 27.83 35.78 43.89 53.65 

Architectural and civil drafters......................................................................................... 19.59 40,750 101,060 12.34 15.12 18.84 22.98 27.73 

Electrical and electronics drafters................................................................................... 22.48 46,760 34,850 13.27 16.31 20.76 26.98 34.64 

Mechanical drafters........................................................................................................ 21.70 45,140 76,610 13.22 16.39 20.67 26.08 32.53 

Drafters, all other............................................................................................................ 21.91 45,560 22,620 11.47 15.21 20.13 26.86 38.30 

Aerospace engineering and operations technicians....................................................... 25.98 9,260 54,040 16.24 20.38 25.24 30.65 36.24 

Civil engineering technicians.......................................................................................... 19.18 39,900 90,000 11.62 14.37 18.50 23.36 27.67 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians........................................................... 22.66 47,130 178,560 13.94 17.45 22.26 26.80 32.65 

Electro-mechanical technicians...................................................................................... 20.74 43,130 18,770 13.41 16.05 19.92 24.80 30.15 

Environmental engineering technicians.......................................................................... 19.55 40,660 19,840 11.42 14.09 18.53 24.12 30.04 

Industrial engineering technicians.................................................................................. 22.64 47,080 68,210 13.72 16.68 20.96 26.97 34.69 

Mechanical engineering technicians............................................................................... 21.66 45,050 46,990 13.73 16.84 20.87 25.97 31.67 

Engineering technicians, except drafters, all other......................................................... 23.86 49,630 88,100 13.82 18.28 23.77 28.88 34.24 

Surveying and mapping technicians............................................................................... 15.76 32,780 60,530 9.20 11.35 14.60 19.28 24.55 

Life, physical, and social science occupations 1,131,390 26.89 55,920 12.63 17.01 23.88 33.73 45.27 

Animal scientists............................................................................................................. 25.87 1,540 53,800 15.23 18.86 24.00 30.73 39.71 

Food scientists and technologists................................................................................... 26.98 7,210 56,110 13.66 17.52 24.44 34.86 43.90 

Soil and plant scientists.................................................................................................. 26.67 9,690 55,470 14.74 18.21 24.62 33.23 42.71 

Biochemists and biophysicists........................................................................................ 34.48 71,730 15,200 18.61 23.76 33.15 42.57 53.20 

Microbiologists................................................................................................................ 29.45 61,250 13,880 15.69 19.71 26.37 35.70 48.90 

Zoologists and wildlife biologists..................................................................................... 25.54 53,120 15,050 15.12 18.82 24.20 30.67 39.04 

Biological scientists, all other.......................................................................................... 29.03 60,370 26,180 14.70 19.68 27.05 35.82 45.22 

Conservation scientists................................................................................................... 25.72 53,500 14,290 14.78 19.07 25.23 31.51 37.73 

Foresters......................................................................................................................... 23.91 49,730 10,250 14.31 17.91 23.19 29.08 34.64 

Epidemiologists............................................................................................................... 27.91 4,560 58,060 17.37 21.79 26.35 32.29 39.57 

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists..................................................................... 33.04 68,730 66,450 15.88 21.21 29.48 41.75 54.98 

Life scientists, all other................................................................................................... 30.63 63,710 13,870 14.84 19.11 26.65 37.05 51.13 

Astronomers................................................................................................................... 44.99 93,580 20.87 31.82 46.79 57.86 66.28 680

Physicists........................................................................................................................ 42.83 89,090 14,150 23.77 32.02 42.04 52.61 63.83 

Atmospheric and space scientists.................................................................................. 33.46 7,070 69,590 16.63 23.50 33.70 41.64 50.97 

Chemists......................................................................................................................... 29.43 61,220 79,650 15.94 20.14 26.95 36.58 47.12 

Materials scientists......................................................................................................... 35.77 7,330 74,390 19.25 25.65 34.80 44.39 54.55 

Environmental scientists and specialists, including health............................................. 26.53 55,190 66,850 15.20 18.80 24.56 32.38 41.32 

Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers..................................................... 36.96 76,870 25,100 18.12 23.68 33.04 47.30 62.86 

Hydrologists.................................................................................................................... 30.82 7,290 64,100 18.55 22.64 29.57 37.46 45.41 

Physical scientists, all other............................................................................................ 39.21 81,560 25,260 18.31 27.09 38.53 50.92 59.56 

Employment

Mean wages

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Percentiles

Occupation

Economists..................................................................................................................... 38.35 12,030 79,770 19.73 25.79 34.99 46.27 62.10 

Market research analysts................................................................................................ 30.28 170,200 62,990 14.85 19.48 26.99 38.46 50.90 

Survey researchers......................................................................................................... 15.39 19,480 32,010 8.62 7.37 12.74 19.90 27.28 

Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists............................................................... 29.24 96,540 60,810 15.52 20.12 26.42 34.56 44.35 

Industrial-organizational psychologists........................................................................... 37.88 1,500 78,800 21.93 27.34 34.33 44.81 60.37 

Psychologists, all other................................................................................................... 33.53 6,480 69,740 13.87 23.21 34.57 42.01 51.62 

Sociologists..................................................................................................................... 30.46 3,640 63,350 15.73 20.67 27.82 38.78 50.22 

Urban and regional planners.......................................................................................... 26.75 31,140 55,640 16.27 20.17 25.70 32.47 39.72 

Anthropologists and archeologists.................................................................................. 22.86 4,510 47,550 12.32 15.37 21.10 28.73 35.88 

Geographers................................................................................................................... 28.65 750 59,600 17.02 22.21 28.35 34.42 41.48 

Historians........................................................................................................................ 23.48 2,350 48,850 11.57 15.55 21.39 30.78 39.55 

Political scientists............................................................................................................ 41.24 4,370 85,770 19.84 28.74 41.71 52.69 63.17 

Social scientists and related workers, all other............................................................... 29.09 31,990 60,500 14.61 20.73 28.12 35.69 44.15 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 2

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Life, physical, and social science occupations - Continued

Agricultural and food science technicians....................................................................... $15.37 $31,980 $9.18 $11.44 $14.29 $18.29 $23.13 18,940

Biological technicians..................................................................................................... 17.04 35,450 10.56 59,710 12.73 15.97 20.35 25.65 

Chemical technicians...................................................................................................... 19.04 39,600 11.32 61,700 14.30 18.35 23.03 27.67 

Geological and petroleum technicians............................................................................ 20.85 43,360 10,420 13.75 9.53 19.35 26.21 33.76 

Nuclear technicians........................................................................................................ 28.28 7,210 58,830 14.18 22.82 28.46 34.36 41.40 

Social science research assistants................................................................................. 17.26 35,900 15,710 12.68 9.75 16.52 20.77 25.94 

Environmental science and protection technicians, including health.............................. 17.90 37,230 10.37 29,460 13.21 16.99 21.65 27.02 

Forensic science technicians.......................................................................................... 22.83 9,230 47,490 13.13 16.62 21.16 27.05 34.45 

Forest and conservation technicians.............................................................................. 14.79 30,770 29,910 11.28 9.65 13.14 17.13 21.36 

Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other.................................................. 20.52 42,680 10.39 72,580 13.46 18.19 25.25 33.76 

Community and social service occupations 1,673,740 17.52 36,440 12.08 9.36 16.09 21.56 27.79 

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors................................................... 16.50 34,310 10.13 68,880 12.42 15.45 19.29 23.85 

Educational, vocational, and school counselors............................................................. 22.88 220,690 47,590 12.62 16.60 21.91 28.08 34.80 

Marriage and family therapists........................................................................................ 20.21 42,040 11.28 20,710 14.55 18.74 24.03 31.29 

Mental health counselors................................................................................................ 17.31 36,000 10.04 89,300 12.34 15.85 20.85 26.83 

Rehabilitation counselors................................................................................................ 14.76 115,150 30,710 10.65 8.93 13.40 17.37 23.14 

Counselors, all other....................................................................................................... 18.21 37,880 21,970 12.06 9.20 16.82 22.69 27.92 

Child, family, and school social workers......................................................................... 18.19 250,790 37,830 11.12 13.38 16.74 21.70 27.82 

Medical and public health social workers....................................................................... 19.92 103,180 41,440 12.21 15.20 19.27 24.08 28.24 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers....................................................... 17.34 108,950 36,060 10.38 12.85 16.31 20.88 26.05 

Social workers, all other.................................................................................................. 19.80 41,180 11.58 60,120 14.59 18.96 24.77 30.16 

Health educators............................................................................................................. 20.25 42,120 11.19 46,490 14.18 18.50 25.07 32.38 

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists............................................... 20.53 42,690 12.65 89,170 15.15 19.04 25.05 32.05 

Social and human service assistants............................................................................. 12.45 331,860 25,890 9.24 7.44 11.67 14.86 19.05 

Community and social service specialists, all other........................................................ 16.57 34,470 89,250 11.99 9.28 15.64 20.24 25.65 

Clergy.............................................................................................................................. 19.23 40,000 35,790 12.73 9.27 17.64 23.81 31.53 

Directors, religious activities and education.................................................................... 16.14 33,560 12,620 10.70 7.73 14.76 20.31 26.14 

Religious workers, all other............................................................................................. 11.41 8,810 23,730 6.76 5.91 9.01 14.42 20.62 

Legal occupations 38.42 958,520 79,910 14.12 19.01 29.24 51.29 (2)

Lawyers........................................................................................................................... 52.30 521,130 108,790 31.07 22.55 45.64 69.05 (2)

Administrative law judges, adjudicators, and hearing officers........................................ 35.44 73,710 16.53 14,830 22.63 33.14 45.06 59.17 

Arbitrators, mediators, and conciliators.......................................................................... 29.08 4,940 60,480 13.15 17.08 26.32 36.62 49.53 

Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates.................................................................. 42.96 89,360 14.39 25,500 26.03 44.75 59.81 68.15 

Paralegals and legal assistants...................................................................................... 19.95 210,020 41,490 12.19 14.92 18.81 24.01 29.52 

Court reporters................................................................................................................ 22.63 47,070 11.39 15,520 14.75 20.63 29.21 38.61 

Law clerks....................................................................................................................... 16.92 35,180 43,300 12.50 9.24 16.34 20.52 25.16 

Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers.................................................................. 18.93 39,360 53,700 12.66 9.99 16.77 22.43 29.92 

Legal support workers, all other...................................................................................... 21.79 45,330 13.65 69,590 16.66 20.26 25.31 32.55 

Education, training, and library occupations 7,891,810 20.23 42,080 12.36 8.33 18.57 25.74 33.90 

Business teachers, postsecondary................................................................................. 68,340 (3) 65,430 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Computer science teachers, postsecondary.................................................................. 37,260 (3) 58,140 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary............................................................. 43,760 (3) 57,240 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Architecture teachers, postsecondary............................................................................ 5,700 (3) 65,510 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Engineering teachers, postsecondary............................................................................ 33,520 (3) 77,070 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Agricultural sciences teachers, postsecondary............................................................... 10,230 (3) 67,520 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Biological science teachers, postsecondary................................................................... 60,260 (3) 73,220 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Forestry and conservation science teachers, postsecondary......................................... 2,970 (3) 67,660 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary.................. (3) 70,300 8,660 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Chemistry teachers, postsecondary............................................................................... (3) 63,520 18,720 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Environmental science teachers, postsecondary........................................................... 3,860 (3) 66,790 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Physics teachers, postsecondary................................................................................... 12,590 (3) 69,210 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Anthropology and archeology teachers, postsecondary................................................. 4,990 (3) 66,060 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Area, ethnic, and cultural studies teachers, postsecondary........................................... 7,670 (3) 62,940 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Economics teachers, postsecondary.............................................................................. 12,230 (3) 73,280 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Geography teachers, postsecondary.............................................................................. 4,180 (3) 61,020 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Political science teachers, postsecondary...................................................................... 13,230 (3) 64,950 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Psychology teachers, postsecondary............................................................................. (3) 60,800 29,400 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Sociology teachers, postsecondary................................................................................ 14,220 (3) 59,830 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other........................................................ 6,310 (3) 68,460 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary................................................................... 105,610 (3) 76,720 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary.......................................................... 34,360 (3) 55,770 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Education teachers, postsecondary................................................................................ 47,710 (3) 52,850 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Library science teachers, postsecondary....................................................................... 3,740 (3) 54,590 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Employment

Mean wages

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation

Percentiles

Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary..................................... 9,550 (3) 51,500 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Law teachers, postsecondary......................................................................................... 12,580 (3) 95,300 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Social work teachers, postsecondary............................................................................. 6,670 (3) 56,620 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary............................................................ 63,730 (3) 52,750 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Communications teachers, postsecondary..................................................................... 20,760 (3) 53,130 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary.............................................. (3) 52,560 57,400 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Foreign language and literature teachers, postsecondary.............................................. (3) 51,620 22,460 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

History teachers, postsecondary.................................................................................... 19,190 (3) 58,490 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary........................................................... 17,170 (3) 56,630 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Graduate teaching assistants......................................................................................... 111,730 (3) 27,860 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Home economics teachers, postsecondary.................................................................... 3,870 (3) 50,810 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary............................................... 15,470 (3) 47,360 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Vocational education teachers, postsecondary.............................................................. 21.19 44,060 11.66 112,990 15.04 19.59 25.94 33.82 

Postsecondary teachers, all other.................................................................................. 30.73 63,920 14.73 248,330 20.48 27.93 38.34 51.08 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 3

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Education, training, and library occupations - Continued 

Preschool teachers, except special education............................................................... $11.51 $23,940 $6.93 $8.08 $10.09 $13.15 $17.52 354,800

Kindergarten teachers, except special education........................................................... 164,530 (3) 44,000 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Elementary school teachers, except special education.................................................. (3) 45,670 1,422,840 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education................................. (3) 46,510 623,400 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Vocational education teachers, middle school................................................................ 16,820 (3) 46,250 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education........................... 1,021,180 (3) 48,420 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Vocational education teachers, secondary school.......................................................... 102,210 (3) 48,000 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school............... 205,960 (3) 46,420 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Special education teachers, middle school..................................................................... 98,840 (3) 48,910 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Special education teachers, secondary school............................................................... 138,470 (3) 49,620 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors........................... 20.92 63,200 43,520 10.57 14.07 18.74 25.49 34.94 

Self-enrichment education teachers............................................................................... 16.93 35,210 141,180 7.90 10.39 14.85 20.80 28.85 

Teachers and instructors, all other................................................................................. (3) 33,100 505,570 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Archivists........................................................................................................................ 19.05 5,190 39,630 10.47 13.89 17.54 22.35 29.45 

Curators.......................................................................................................................... 23.04 8,590 47,920 12.19 15.77 20.97 28.02 37.26 

Museum technicians and conservators.......................................................................... 16.96 8,850 35,270 8.75 11.43 15.30 20.68 28.01 

Librarians........................................................................................................................ 22.88 47,590 149,680 13.91 17.78 22.07 27.38 33.75 

Library technicians.......................................................................................................... 12.63 26,260 113,520 7.09 8.96 11.99 15.67 19.58 

Audiovisual collections specialists.................................................................................. 17.13 8,420 35,630 8.66 11.73 15.86 22.24 27.47 

Farm and home management advisors.......................................................................... 21.62 12,620 44,960 9.94 14.54 20.00 26.44 33.96 

Instructional coordinators................................................................................................ 24.74 51,450 106,590 13.12 17.28 23.46 31.27 39.04 

Teacher assistants......................................................................................................... (3) 20,400 1,242,760 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Education, training, and library workers, all other........................................................... 16.29 65,150 33,890 7.16 8.95 14.29 20.68 29.20 

Art, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations 1,595,710 21.01 43,710 7.98 11.47 17.39 25.88 37.24 

Art directors.................................................................................................................... 35.21 26,870 73,240 17.07 23.02 30.69 42.37 59.29 

Craft artists..................................................................................................................... 13.33 3,890 27,720 8.63 7.09 11.31 15.86 21.39 

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators.............................................. 20.98 9,570 43,640 12.50 8.36 18.30 24.87 33.10 

Multimedia artists and animators.................................................................................... 27.65 30,210 57,520 13.96 18.26 24.21 34.01 45.32 

Artists and related workers, all other.............................................................................. 18.02 5,370 37,490 7.04 10.28 14.72 22.27 32.50 

Commercial and industrial designers............................................................................. 26.77 55,670 13.98 33,050 18.81 25.15 33.17 41.47 

Fashion designers.......................................................................................................... 30.84 12,100 64,150 13.45 18.65 26.85 37.30 54.25 

Floral designers.............................................................................................................. 10.51 67,710 21,860 6.90 8.02 9.83 12.31 15.56 

Graphic designers........................................................................................................... 20.25 42,120 159,720 11.16 14.11 18.28 24.44 31.70 

Interior designers............................................................................................................ 21.59 46,360 44,900 11.27 14.85 19.56 25.86 34.24 

Merchandise displayers and window trimmers............................................................... 12.51 62,220 26,020 7.25 8.60 10.89 14.33 20.38 

Set and exhibit designers............................................................................................... 19.23 8,750 40,000 9.71 12.76 17.21 23.87 32.07 

Designers, all other......................................................................................................... 22.27 12,650 46,320 9.57 13.92 20.31 28.33 36.77 

Actors.............................................................................................................................. 22.48 59,000 (4

) 7.75 6.63 11.28 30.76 56.48 

Producers and directors.................................................................................................. 34.84 55,260 72,470 12.66 17.09 25.40 42.30 (2)

Athletes and sports competitors..................................................................................... (3) 86,690 12,250 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Coaches and scouts....................................................................................................... 122,930 (3) 32,780 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Umpires, referees, and other sports officials.................................................................. 11,440 (3) 27,850 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Dancers.......................................................................................................................... 12.15 14,880 (4

) 6.71 5.87 8.54 15.62 21.59 

Choreographers.............................................................................................................. 18.39 38,250 15,360 10.35 7.20 16.19 23.53 32.79 

Music directors and composers...................................................................................... 21.06 8,870 43,810 11.56 7.67 16.62 24.89 36.24 

Musicians and singers.................................................................................................... 24.96 52,000 (4

) 9.68 6.47 17.85 30.75 53.59 

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other............................... 18.82 54,800 (4

) 11.54 8.89 16.73 22.51 32.99 

Radio and television announcers.................................................................................... 15.22 31,650 41,430 7.43 6.16 10.64 16.81 27.61 

Public address system and other announcers................................................................ 14.08 8,180 29,290 7.72 6.33 10.56 16.24 23.90 

Broadcast news analysts................................................................................................ 27.28 6,930 56,740 12.29 9.15 17.78 32.90 59.04 

Reporters and correspondents....................................................................................... 18.58 38,650 52,550 11.01 8.88 15.06 23.01 32.81 

Public relations specialists.............................................................................................. 23.80 166,210 49,510 12.38 15.85 21.07 28.54 39.00 

Editors............................................................................................................................. 23.65 100,790 49,190 12.39 15.93 21.10 28.29 38.47 

Technical writers............................................................................................................. 27.24 56,650 15.62 45,100 19.92 25.71 33.17 41.72 

Writers and authors........................................................................................................ 25.52 53,080 11.22 42,780 15.25 21.32 30.26 43.87 

Interpreters and translators............................................................................................. 17.61 36,630 25,410 12.40 9.67 16.28 21.09 27.45 

Media and communication workers, all other................................................................. 21.66 27,380 45,060 13.51 9.94 19.64 27.31 37.31 

Audio and video equipment technicians......................................................................... 17.62 36,650 40,050 11.62 9.19 15.66 21.29 28.18 

Broadcast technicians..................................................................................................... 16.14 33,560 29,940 9.25 7.19 13.47 20.56 30.22 

Radio operators.............................................................................................................. 17.06 1,670 35,490 11.52 8.64 15.73 21.08 27.61 

Sound engineering technicians....................................................................................... 21.91 45,570 11,650 12.25 9.22 18.32 27.08 38.68 

Photographers................................................................................................................ 15.00 31,200 54,400 8.84 7.21 12.54 17.96 26.05 

Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture............................................... 20.04 41,690 21,600 10.88 7.56 18.08 27.12 36.59 

Film and video editors..................................................................................................... 24.37 50,690 10.44 15,800 14.09 20.96 30.72 45.17 

Media and communication equipment workers, all other............................................... 22.36 46,510 18,570 12.49 8.34 19.77 29.80 39.95 

Mean wages Percentiles

Occupation Employment

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations 6,359,380 27.55 57,310 11.95 16.60 22.71 31.24 45.78 

Chiropractors.................................................................................................................. 42.01 87,390 16.22 21,830 22.46 33.61 56.87 (2)

Dentists, general............................................................................................................. 63.87 132,850 84,240 40.28 28.17 59.16 (2) (2)

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons..................................................................................... 79.69 4,950 165,750 60.99 32.08 (2) (2) (2)

Orthodontists.................................................................................................................. 72.45 6,190 150,700 44.58 16.69 (2) (2) (2)

Prosthodontists............................................................................................................... 70.04 730 145,670 39.41 31.51 (2) (2) (2)

Dentists, all other specialists.......................................................................................... 62.64 2,710 130,300 33.34 22.68 60.64 (2) (2)

Dietitians and nutritionists............................................................................................... 21.46 44,640 13.22 46,530 17.28 20.98 25.66 30.66 

Optometrists................................................................................................................... 46.53 96,780 20.00 22,780 30.69 42.51 56.89 (2)

Pharmacists.................................................................................................................... 40.56 84,370 29.42 222,960 36.40 40.82 45.60 52.81 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 4

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations - Continued 

Anesthesiologists............................................................................................................ $83.77 $174,250 $49.37 (2) (2) (2) (2) 25,130

Family and general practitioners..................................................................................... 66.58 138,490 106,750 47.17 24.28 65.91 (2) (2)

Internists, general........................................................................................................... 76.06 158,200 51,180 58.44 40.70 (2) (2) (2)

Obstetricians and gynecologists..................................................................................... 84.74 176,270 20,850 46.24 (2) (2) (2) (2)

Pediatricians, general..................................................................................................... 68.04 141,520 26,520 49.64 36.06 65.26 (2) (2)

Psychiatrists.................................................................................................................... 72.17 150,110 22,440 35.01 57.04 (2) (2) (2)

Surgeons........................................................................................................................ 87.31 181,610 55,800 57.76 (2) (2) (2) (2)

Physicians and surgeons, all other................................................................................. 66.16 137,610 162,720 20.85 42.43 67.44 (2) (2)

Physician assistants....................................................................................................... 33.07 68,780 59,470 17.94 27.46 33.37 40.17 $45.62

Podiatrists....................................................................................................................... 52.11 7,550 108,400 30.30 20.30 45.38 (2) (2)

Registered nurses........................................................................................................... 26.06 54,210 2,311,970 17.93 20.85 25.16 30.46 35.94 

Audiologists.................................................................................................................... 26.47 9,810 55,050 16.82 20.27 24.74 29.91 36.53 

Occupational therapists.................................................................................................. 27.19 56,550 83,560 18.00 21.96 26.28 32.22 39.23 

Physical therapists.......................................................................................................... 30.00 62,390 142,940 20.20 24.20 28.93 34.50 42.59 

Radiation therapists........................................................................................................ 29.05 60,420 18.53 14,470 22.78 27.74 33.49 40.07 

Recreational therapists................................................................................................... 16.48 34,280 23,050 12.27 9.68 15.82 20.25 24.90 

Respiratory therapists..................................................................................................... 21.24 44,180 91,350 15.49 18.10 20.74 24.45 27.68 

Speech-language pathologists....................................................................................... 26.71 55,550 89,260 16.69 20.24 25.20 31.61 39.62 

Therapists, all other........................................................................................................ 21.45 8,090 44,620 13.34 9.71 19.32 26.02 34.62 

Veterinarians................................................................................................................... 36.07 75,030 46,090 18.76 24.72 32.01 42.34 56.94 

Health diagnosing and treating practitioners, all other.................................................... 44.38 92,300 56,920 13.50 19.26 27.87 (2) (2)

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists.................................................................. 22.41 151,240 46,600 15.50 18.62 21.99 26.11 30.35 

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians..................................................................... 15.44 32,120 141,720 11.97 9.82 14.83 18.16 21.96 

Dental hygienists............................................................................................................. 28.58 59,440 155,810 18.05 22.72 28.05 33.82 40.70 

Cardiovascular technologists and technicians................................................................ 19.09 39,710 43,540 10.48 13.41 18.60 24.10 28.36 

Diagnostic medical sonographers.................................................................................. 25.78 53,620 41,280 18.18 21.50 25.24 29.50 34.72 

Nuclear medicine technologists...................................................................................... 29.43 61,210 17,520 20.10 23.43 27.14 32.43 38.61 

Radiologic technologists and technicians....................................................................... 21.41 44,530 177,220 14.43 17.39 20.84 25.21 28.95 

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics.......................................................... 13.30 27,650 187,900 9.60 7.74 12.17 15.97 20.79 

Dietetic technicians......................................................................................................... 11.89 24,730 24,630 8.49 7.13 11.05 14.46 17.49 

Pharmacy technicians..................................................................................................... 11.87 24,700 255,290 9.40 7.96 11.37 13.85 16.61 

Psychiatric technicians................................................................................................... 13.43 27,940 59,010 9.83 8.33 12.28 16.17 20.84 

Respiratory therapy technicians...................................................................................... 18.00 37,440 24,190 11.85 14.66 17.67 21.07 25.14 

Surgical technologists..................................................................................................... 16.72 34,770 82,280 11.51 13.73 16.35 19.59 22.11 

Veterinary technologists and technicians....................................................................... 12.49 25,990 58,570 9.88 8.51 11.99 14.56 17.12 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses......................................................... 16.75 34,840 702,740 11.77 13.86 16.33 19.55 22.24 

Medical records and health information technicians....................................................... 13.30 27,660 155,030 9.93 8.52 12.30 15.86 20.08 

Opticians, dispensing...................................................................................................... 14.37 29,880 62,350 10.27 8.36 13.44 17.28 21.80 

Orthotists and prosthetists.............................................................................................. 27.47 4,930 57,130 13.74 18.33 24.17 32.69 42.96 

Health technologists and technicians, all other............................................................... 18.10 37,650 72,390 10.00 12.47 16.46 21.28 27.18 

Occupational health and safety specialists..................................................................... 25.54 53,110 36,360 14.71 19.03 24.79 31.43 38.24 

Occupational health and safety technicians................................................................... 21.31 44,320 11,190 10.99 14.37 20.25 27.23 33.87 

Athletic trainers............................................................................................................... 13,100 (3) 36,350 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Healthcare practitioners and technical workers, all other............................................... 18.20 37,860 52,240 11.69 9.06 16.04 22.43 29.68 

Healthcare support occupations 3,271,350 11.17 23,220 8.66 7.29 10.45 13.07 16.28 

Home health aides.......................................................................................................... 596,330 9.13 18,980 7.52 6.52 8.81 10.38 12.32 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants........................................................................ 1,384,120 10.39 21,610 8.59 7.31 10.09 12.09 14.02 

Psychiatric aides............................................................................................................. 11.70 24,340 54,520 9.09 7.63 11.19 14.09 16.74 

Occupational therapist assistants................................................................................... 18.49 38,460 20,880 12.44 15.37 18.48 21.34 25.34 

Occupational therapist aides.......................................................................................... 12.51 5,240 26,030 9.18 7.61 11.13 15.34 19.98 

Physical therapist assistants........................................................................................... 18.14 37,730 57,420 11.59 14.93 18.22 21.18 25.05 

Physical therapist aides.................................................................................................. 11.14 23,160 41,910 8.65 7.39 10.28 12.65 16.13 

Massage therapists......................................................................................................... 17.63 36,670 32,200 9.78 7.16 15.36 23.82 32.21 

Dental assistants............................................................................................................ 13.97 264,820 29,060 11.06 9.11 13.62 16.65 19.97 

Medical assistants.......................................................................................................... 12.21 25,400 380,340 9.93 8.66 11.83 13.91 16.66 

Medical equipment preparers......................................................................................... 12.14 25,240 40,380 9.75 8.33 11.76 13.95 16.75 

Medical transcriptionists................................................................................................. 14.01 29,150 92,740 11.50 9.67 13.64 16.32 19.11 

Pharmacy aides.............................................................................................................. 9.52 47,720 19,810 7.39 6.34 8.86 10.96 13.79 

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers................................................. 9.44 70,200 19,640 7.50 6.40 8.97 10.79 13.21 

Healthcare support workers, all other............................................................................. 12.62 26,250 182,550 9.69 7.96 12.01 14.86 17.73 

Protective service occupations 3,006,100 16.75 34,840 9.91 7.64 14.57 21.96 29.51 

First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers................................................. 22.83 47,490 35,880 13.35 15.90 21.50 29.11 34.13 

First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives............................................... 31.34 65,180 96,080 17.64 23.73 30.97 38.71 46.61 

First-line supervisors/managers of fire-fighting and prevention workers........................ 29.26 60,860 54,170 17.69 22.54 28.33 34.90 43.68 

First-line supervisors/managers, protective service workers, all other........................... 20.05 41,690 47,280 10.73 13.66 17.91 24.86 32.77 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation

Mean wages Percentiles

Employment

Firefighters...................................................................................................................... 19.06 39,640 273,630 13.65 9.71 18.43 24.14 29.21 

Fire inspectors and investigators.................................................................................... 23.03 47,890 12,500 13.66 17.32 22.28 28.01 34.37 

Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists............................................................ 19.98 1,580 41,560 14.10 9.95 18.77 24.62 33.68 

Bailiffs............................................................................................................................. 16.80 34,950 17,270 11.88 8.62 16.28 21.27 26.33 

Correctional officers and jailers...................................................................................... 17.29 35,970 409,580 10.88 12.77 16.15 21.25 26.36 

Detectives and criminal investigators............................................................................. 27.16 56,500 86,880 15.47 19.56 25.96 34.75 41.35 

Fish and game wardens................................................................................................. 23.60 7,050 49,090 13.30 16.32 20.57 25.71 33.91 

Parking enforcement workers......................................................................................... 14.37 9,990 29,890 10.47 8.62 13.64 17.59 21.44 

See footnotes at end of table. 

$

$

$

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 5

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Protective service occupations - Continued

Police and sheriff's patrol officers................................................................................... $22.20 $46,180 $12.94 $16.54 $21.74 $27.10 $33.12 616,340

Transit and railroad police.............................................................................................. 22.77 4,610 47,370 14.51 18.20 21.84 27.42 32.77 

Animal control workers................................................................................................... 13.15 27,360 13,780 9.84 7.50 12.60 16.08 19.85 

Private detectives and investigators............................................................................... 17.47 36,330 31,220 11.58 9.26 15.44 20.80 28.11 

Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators................................................. 13.69 8,560 28,470 9.82 8.51 12.42 16.24 20.39 

Security guards............................................................................................................... 10.61 978,570 22,070 8.00 6.92 9.77 12.26 16.00 

Crossing guards.............................................................................................................. 9.94 70,180 20,670 7.35 6.16 9.28 11.66 14.41 

Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers....................... 108,210 17,530 8.43 6.85 5.94 7.95 9.51 11.27 

Protective service workers, all other............................................................................... 14.54 122,740 30,240 10.98 8.21 13.50 16.61 21.40 

Food preparation and serving related occupations 10,507,390 8.43 17,530 6.41 5.75 7.58 9.51 12.51 

Chefs and head cooks.................................................................................................... 16.42 116,930 34,160 10.71 8.28 14.75 20.28 26.75 

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers..................... 13.21 733,680 27,480 9.57 7.86 12.22 15.90 19.98 

Cooks, fast food.............................................................................................................. 652,500 15,250 7.33 6.20 5.68 7.07 8.22 9.63 

Cooks, institution and cafeteria....................................................................................... 401,110 19,860 9.55 7.20 6.08 9.10 11.22 13.72 

Cooks, private household............................................................................................... 10.83 650 22,530 7.08 6.01 9.42 12.79 16.55 

Cooks, restaurant........................................................................................................... 765,670 20,230 9.73 7.79 6.76 9.39 11.13 13.37 

Cooks, short order.......................................................................................................... 225,740 17,590 8.46 6.90 5.97 8.11 9.92 11.50 

Cooks, all other............................................................................................................... 10.87 22,600 10,780 7.97 6.63 10.09 12.84 16.60 

Food preparation workers............................................................................................... 863,700 17,620 8.47 6.89 5.97 8.03 9.78 11.90 

Bartenders...................................................................................................................... 463,000 17,240 8.29 6.34 5.72 7.42 9.26 12.47 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food............................ 2,140,740 7.40 15,390 6.18 5.65 7.06 8.25 9.85 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop................................. 458,610 16,170 7.78 6.50 5.80 7.53 8.59 10.38 

Waiters and waitresses.................................................................................................. 2,219,850 15,930 7.66 6.04 5.60 6.75 8.34 11.27 

Food servers, nonrestaurant........................................................................................... 186,770 17,840 8.58 6.64 5.86 7.95 9.98 12.53 

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers........................................ 390,980 15,470 7.44 6.24 5.68 7.10 8.25 9.88 

Dishwashers................................................................................................................... 497,650 15,600 7.50 6.41 5.76 7.35 8.37 9.81 

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop............................................ 316,400 16,260 7.82 6.48 5.77 7.52 8.63 10.49 

Food preparation and serving related workers, all other................................................ 8.89 62,620 18,490 6.94 6.01 8.26 10.35 12.74 

Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations 4,300,440 10.33 21,490 7.52 6.39 9.28 12.17 16.13 

First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers....................... 15.32 199,990 31,880 10.92 8.92 14.19 18.65 23.67 

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

 groundskeeping workers............................................................................................. 18.38 102,380 38,230 10.82 13.24 16.99 21.75 27.43 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners................................. 2,103,490 9.91 20,620 7.37 6.25 9.04 11.74 15.28 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners................................................................................. 880,150 17,930 8.62 7.01 6.02 8.13 9.89 12.12 

Building cleaning workers, all other................................................................................ 10.74 22,350 13,580 8.18 6.76 10.17 12.89 15.97 

Pest control workers....................................................................................................... 13.38 27,830 59,080 10.06 8.13 12.61 15.97 20.19 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers.................................................................... 10.62 860,200 22,080 8.04 7.02 9.82 12.36 15.91 

Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation.............................................. 12.74 26,500 24,200 10.04 8.64 12.30 15.13 17.75 

Tree trimmers and pruners............................................................................................. 13.37 27,800 39,600 10.02 8.31 12.57 16.12 20.13 

Grounds maintenance workers, all other........................................................................ 11.18 23,250 17,760 7.59 6.75 9.57 13.19 19.24 

Personal care and service occupations 3,099,550 10.48 21,800 7.08 6.06 8.68 11.55 17.00 

Gaming supervisors........................................................................................................ 19.98 41,570 11.72 25,040 15.27 19.64 24.26 27.94 

Slot key persons............................................................................................................. 12.07 25,110 16,210 9.27 7.97 11.06 14.06 17.33 

First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers........................................ 16.07 121,250 33,430 11.36 9.13 14.59 19.38 25.42 

Animal trainers................................................................................................................ 12.48 8,060 25,950 8.10 7.07 10.60 15.23 20.62 

Nonfarm animal caretakers............................................................................................ 9.24 81,110 19,220 7.16 6.17 8.39 10.50 13.66 

Gaming dealers.............................................................................................................. 7.89 82,560 16,420 6.09 5.63 6.89 8.03 12.08 

Gaming and sports book writers and runners................................................................. 9.76 18,290 20,310 7.36 6.23 8.84 10.84 15.53 

Gaming service workers, all other.................................................................................. 10.85 22,570 14,860 8.25 7.21 10.01 12.46 16.06 

Motion picture projectionists........................................................................................... 9.55 10,290 19,870 6.93 6.02 8.32 11.23 14.22 

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers.................................................................... 110,420 16,780 8.07 6.35 5.74 7.30 8.63 11.37 

Amusement and recreation attendants........................................................................... 8.00 241,110 16,630 6.47 5.77 7.47 8.77 10.85 

Costume attendants........................................................................................................ 13.81 3,460 28,720 9.26 7.18 12.04 16.54 23.28 

Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants................................................. 8.80 24,320 18,310 6.28 7.30 8.44 10.07 11.75 

Entertainment attendants and related workers, all other................................................ 8.57 37,080 17,820 6.13 7.14 8.14 9.61 11.08 

Embalmers..................................................................................................................... 17.93 8,660 37,300 12.61 9.53 17.09 21.26 26.70 

Funeral attendants.......................................................................................................... 10.05 20,900 29,660 7.49 6.31 9.26 11.26 15.35 

Barbers........................................................................................................................... 12.04 25,040 15,830 7.39 6.23 10.19 14.61 20.76 

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists................................................................ 10.95 331,260 22,770 7.44 6.21 9.52 12.79 17.30 

Makeup artists, theatrical and performance................................................................... 15.28 1,060 31,780 8.36 6.45 11.74 18.94 30.60 

Manicurists and pedicurists............................................................................................ 9.65 38,030 20,080 7.33 6.29 8.89 10.83 14.30 

Shampooers................................................................................................................... 7.51 16,180 15,610 6.18 5.67 7.03 8.47 10.33 

Skin care specialists....................................................................................................... 13.20 27,450 19,650 8.19 6.54 11.55 16.12 22.17 

Percentiles

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation

Mean wages

Employment

Baggage porters and bellhops........................................................................................ 10.46 55,910 21,760 5.94 6.83 8.54 12.33 19.85 

Concierges...................................................................................................................... 11.93 17,310 24,820 8.99 7.36 11.23 14.98 17.11 

Tour guides and escorts................................................................................................. 9.92 28,660 20,640 7.51 6.36 9.32 11.48 14.36 

Travel guides.................................................................................................................. 14.30 4,140 29,750 10.17 8.04 13.20 17.40 21.27 

Flight attendants............................................................................................................. 101,980 (3) 51,160 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters..................... 9.99 27,730 20,780 7.36 6.23 9.17 11.48 15.76 

Childcare workers........................................................................................................... 513,110 8.57 17,830 6.75 5.90 8.06 10.01 12.34 

Personal and home care aides....................................................................................... 532,490 8.38 17,430 6.83 5.93 8.12 9.70 10.87 

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors........................................................................ 14.98 31,170 182,280 8.35 6.99 12.25 19.24 26.71 

Recreation workers......................................................................................................... 10.43 21,690 266,520 7.52 6.38 9.29 12.20 16.48 

Residential advisors........................................................................................................ 11.17 49,960 23,240 8.42 7.14 10.30 12.99 16.86 

Personal care and service workers, all other.................................................................. 9.81 65,070 20,410 7.00 6.02 8.63 11.01 14.26 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 6

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Sales and related occupations 13,507,840 $15.49 $32,210 $6.51 $7.77 $10.51 $17.97 $30.29

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.................................................. 18.01 37,470 1,087,830 12.08 9.67 15.73 20.73 28.08 

First-line supervisors/managers of nonretail salesworkers............................................ 34.33 307,610 71,420 14.82 20.84 28.51 42.11 61.47 

Cashiers.......................................................................................................................... 3,438,070 8.29 17,250 6.72 7.81 5.91 9.10 11.30 

Gaming change persons and booth cashiers................................................................. 10.04 28,830 20,890 8.23 9.87 7.07 11.74 13.51 

Counter and rental clerks................................................................................................ 10.47 444,850 21,770 7.21 8.79 6.15 11.99 16.79 

Parts salespersons......................................................................................................... 13.58 236,710 28,240 9.41 12.32 7.63 16.49 21.40 

Retail salespersons........................................................................................................ 4,130,470 11.03 22,930 7.46 8.98 6.38 12.22 17.85 

Advertising sales agents................................................................................................. 23.76 144,690 49,420 13.34 9.72 19.37 28.79 43.14 

Insurance sales agents................................................................................................... 26.77 285,390 55,680 11.14 14.41 20.06 31.81 52.31 

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents........................................ 43.77 240,500 91,040 13.86 19.59 33.27 63.12 (2)

Travel agents.................................................................................................................. 14.25 90,500 29,650 10.38 8.26 13.29 16.86 21.20 

Sales representatives, services, all other....................................................................... 25.93 352,050 53,940 11.45 15.67 22.60 32.28 44.29 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific 

 products...................................................................................................................... 32.37 378,080 67,330 14.55 20.03 28.17 40.62 55.07 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and 

 scientific products........................................................................................................ 1,385,630 25.91 53,900 11.57 15.69 21.83 31.37 44.58 

Demonstrators and product promoters........................................................................... 12.00 93,240 24,960 8.18 9.95 7.25 13.29 20.08 

Models............................................................................................................................ 13.21 1,410 27,480 8.44 10.50 7.16 14.34 17.17 

Real estate brokers......................................................................................................... 37.43 40,050 77,850 10.87 16.10 28.23 47.99 (2)

Real estate sales agents................................................................................................ 23.05 126,470 47,950 11.30 8.46 17.15 27.94 44.60 

Sales engineers.............................................................................................................. 36.42 71,690 75,740 19.92 25.61 33.95 43.99 56.37 

Telemarketers................................................................................................................. 11.29 410,360 23,490 7.99 9.82 6.97 12.85 17.91 

Door-to-door salesworkers, news and street vendors, and related workers.................. 13.36 15,200 27,790 7.63 10.85 6.44 17.59 23.96 

Sales and related workers, all other............................................................................... 18.44 198,230 38,350 10.17 7.62 15.09 22.25 33.13 

Office and administrative support occupations 22,649,080 13.95 29,020 9.89 12.84 7.88 16.92 21.52 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers............... 1,406,240 21.15 43,990 12.11 15.32 19.72 25.54 32.60 

Switchboard operators, including answering service...................................................... 10.81 206,370 22,490 8.69 10.38 7.35 12.64 15.13 

Telephone operators....................................................................................................... 14.53 38,500 30,220 10.28 8.91 13.65 19.32 21.32 

Communications equipment operators, all other............................................................ 15.98 4,040 33,240 10.23 12.27 15.23 18.99 22.70 

Bill and account collectors.............................................................................................. 13.95 445,180 29,010 10.87 9.22 13.20 16.28 20.10 

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators.......................................................... 13.50 496,780 28,070 10.76 9.12 13.00 15.86 18.88 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks............................................................... 1,770,860 14.34 29,830 11.04 8.93 13.74 17.04 20.95 

Gaming cage workers..................................................................................................... 11.09 19,710 23,070 9.24 10.74 7.91 12.85 14.99 

Payroll and timekeeping clerks....................................................................................... 15.02 205,670 31,240 11.75 9.46 14.59 17.76 21.28 

Procurement clerks......................................................................................................... 15.11 71,740 31,420 11.82 9.52 14.85 18.11 21.03 

Tellers............................................................................................................................. 10.30 552,860 21,420 8.81 10.15 7.62 11.49 13.51 

Brokerage clerks............................................................................................................. 18.15 73,910 37,750 11.22 13.52 16.94 21.60 27.11 

Correspondence clerks................................................................................................... 14.19 21,590 29,510 11.19 9.47 13.51 16.72 20.13 

Court, municipal, and license clerks............................................................................... 14.63 103,090 30,420 11.01 9.09 13.67 17.21 21.38 

Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks........................................................................ 15.15 66,010 31,520 11.27 9.29 13.97 17.56 21.90 

Customer service representatives.................................................................................. 2,021,350 14.01 29,130 10.34 8.50 12.99 16.62 21.23 

Eligibility interviewers, government programs................................................................ 16.25 93,250 33,800 11.19 13.04 15.92 19.32 21.83 

File clerks........................................................................................................................ 10.72 242,640 22,310 8.22 10.11 6.97 12.59 15.72 

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks............................................................................... 190,300 18,570 8.93 7.30 8.51 6.27 10.23 12.12 

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan........................................................................... 11.91 193,780 24,770 9.19 11.38 7.57 13.93 16.98 

Library assistants, clerical............................................................................................... 10.57 102,310 21,990 7.77 9.96 6.41 12.89 16.08 

Loan interviewers and clerks.......................................................................................... 14.75 209,320 30,680 11.45 9.48 13.94 17.26 21.20 

New accounts clerks....................................................................................................... 13.55 96,560 28,180 10.81 9.45 12.91 15.59 18.09 

Order clerks.................................................................................................................... 12.85 289,830 26,730 7.75 9.45 12.07 15.53 19.34 

Human resources assistants, except payroll and timekeeping....................................... 15.77 164,940 32,810 10.22 12.40 15.26 18.64 22.01 

Receptionists and information clerks.............................................................................. 10.91 22,690 1,071,230 8.62 10.50 7.21 12.88 15.53 

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks...................................... 14.48 159,910 30,120 10.30 8.52 13.34 18.95 21.68 

Information and record clerks, all other.......................................................................... 18.34 269,070 38,150 11.35 9.02 15.44 21.13 32.87 

Cargo and freight agents................................................................................................ 17.24 35,870 9.95 12.36 16.47 20.79 26.19 70,000

Couriers and messengers.............................................................................................. 10.26 111,700 21,330 7.88 9.71 6.74 11.89 14.67 

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers......................................................................... 14.58 90,930 30,330 11.09 8.99 13.91 17.29 21.40 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance............................................................ 16.01 165,910 33,310 11.29 9.05 14.87 19.73 25.21 

Meter readers, utilities.................................................................................................... 15.03 48,830 31,260 11.06 8.92 14.15 18.70 23.00 

Postal service clerks....................................................................................................... 19.82 76,870 41,230 17.32 18.21 19.69 21.17 24.28 

Postal service mail carriers............................................................................................. 20.85 344,050 43,370 15.38 18.07 21.37 24.32 26.08 

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators................. 18.12 214,400 37,690 11.68 17.43 18.96 20.49 21.41 

Production, planning, and expediting clerks................................................................... 18.10 285,940 37,650 10.43 13.31 17.47 22.06 26.85 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks............................................................................. 12.43 747,270 25,850 9.42 11.73 7.83 14.77 18.08 

Stock clerks and order fillers.......................................................................................... 1,561,530 10.52 21,890 7.81 9.66 6.72 12.46 16.07 

Percentiles

Employment

Mean wages

Occupation

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants...................................................... 17.69 36,790 11.45 1,422,610 13.70 16.81 20.88 25.70 

Legal secretaries............................................................................................................ 18.40 38,280 11.19 264,070 13.97 17.65 22.30 27.21 

Medical secretaries......................................................................................................... 13.42 27,900 360,850 10.57 9.20 12.76 15.72 18.82 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive.......................................................... 1,743,560 13.06 27,160 9.93 7.94 12.55 15.79 19.30 

Computer operators........................................................................................................ 15.79 32,850 140,870 11.63 9.26 14.94 19.18 23.42 

Data entry keyers............................................................................................................ 11.72 24,380 313,590 9.44 7.92 11.18 13.53 16.54 

Word processors and typists.......................................................................................... 14.17 29,480 168,430 10.99 9.12 13.48 16.78 20.76 

Desktop publishers......................................................................................................... 16.40 32,790 34,110 11.85 9.36 15.55 20.23 25.22 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 7

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Office and administrative support occupations - Continued

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks............................................................... $14.70 $30,580 $9.75 $11.67 $14.06 $17.15 $20.94 239,250

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service..................................... 11.27 149,700 23,440 8.88 7.31 10.76 13.27 16.13 

Office clerks, general...................................................................................................... 2,970,660 11.62 24,170 8.70 6.99 10.95 13.92 17.22 

Office machine operators, except computer................................................................... 11.83 97,140 24,610 9.33 7.83 11.16 13.78 16.87 

Proofreaders and copy markers..................................................................................... 12.99 20,530 27,010 9.63 7.61 12.18 15.51 19.71 

Statistical assistants....................................................................................................... 15.19 18,560 31,600 11.24 9.29 14.55 18.10 22.10 

Office and administrative support workers, all other....................................................... 13.16 318,430 27,380 9.38 7.37 12.22 15.99 20.46 

Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations 458,850 20,310 9.76 7.17 6.38 8.23 10.88 15.63 

First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers..................... 18.50 38,480 19,890 9.68 12.59 17.06 22.60 29.27

Farm labor contractors................................................................................................... 10.84 2,770 22,540 7.15 6.47 8.42 12.90 18.66 

Agricultural inspectors.................................................................................................... 16.05 12,300 33,390 11.38 9.62 14.92 20.03 24.84 

Animal breeders.............................................................................................................. 15.74 1,530 32,730 10.42 7.97 13.55 20.18 26.56 

Graders and sorters, agricultural products..................................................................... 8.52 50,110 17,710 6.92 5.99 7.90 9.42 11.84 

Agricultural equipment operators.................................................................................... 9.76 20,960 20,300 7.49 6.49 8.88 11.33 14.15 

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse........................................... 240,000 16,780 8.07 7.05 6.21 7.70 8.52 10.66 

Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals........................................................................... 9.07 43,250 18,870 7.18 6.34 8.31 10.37 13.10 

Agricultural workers, all other......................................................................................... 11.06 9,500 23,010 7.94 6.84 10.15 12.99 16.72 

Fishers and related fishing workers................................................................................ 14.04 940 29,200 8.06 6.58 11.58 18.92 24.77 

Forest and conservation workers................................................................................... 11.34 9,140 23,590 7.76 7.06 9.51 13.70 19.00 

Fallers............................................................................................................................. 15.15 10,180 31,510 10.17 7.76 13.23 18.80 25.46 

Logging equipment operators......................................................................................... 13.75 27,690 28,600 10.50 8.42 13.18 16.45 20.28 

Log graders and scalers................................................................................................. 13.21 4,870 27,480 9.93 8.46 12.29 15.28 19.86 

Logging workers, all other............................................................................................... 14.06 5,680 29,240 11.61 8.68 14.29 16.75 19.36 

Construction and extraction occupations 6,170,410 18.04 37,520 11.93 9.31 16.38 22.74 29.78 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers............. 25.95 542,440 53,980 15.35 19.10 24.25 31.10 39.23 

Boilermakers................................................................................................................... 22.29 18,520 46,360 14.07 17.80 21.68 26.82 32.46 

Brickmasons and blockmasons...................................................................................... 20.42 107,660 42,480 11.68 15.34 20.07 25.20 30.43 

Stonemasons.................................................................................................................. 17.75 16,320 36,920 12.74 9.97 16.82 21.45 27.23 

Carpenters...................................................................................................................... 18.26 882,490 37,970 10.36 12.91 16.78 22.62 28.65 

Carpet installers.............................................................................................................. 17.72 40,170 36,860 11.94 9.16 16.39 22.20 29.27 

Floor layers, except carpet, wood, and hard tiles........................................................... 17.13 15,800 35,640 11.80 8.98 15.68 20.93 28.09 

Floor sanders and finishers............................................................................................ 13.93 6,430 28,980 10.30 8.91 12.88 16.47 21.03 

Tile and marble setters................................................................................................... 18.28 42,930 38,020 12.69 9.85 17.02 22.59 29.35 

Cement masons and concrete finishers......................................................................... 16.36 191,690 34,030 11.76 9.53 15.10 20.11 25.89 

Terrazzo workers and finishers....................................................................................... 15.47 6,700 32,170 10.44 9.07 13.45 19.57 25.72 

Construction laborers...................................................................................................... 13.86 854,840 28,830 9.47 7.71 12.10 16.88 23.61 

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators.................................................... 16.07 61,860 33,430 11.35 9.47 14.42 19.30 26.51 

Pile-driver operators....................................................................................................... 22.46 4,450 46,720 11.78 15.50 21.29 30.23 34.04 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators................................ 18.62 38,730 357,080 10.98 13.19 17.00 23.00 29.34

Drywall and ceiling tile installers..................................................................................... 17.71 113,350 36,830 12.59 16.36 9.98 21.82 28.30 

Tapers............................................................................................................................. 19.25 36,370 40,040 10.66 14.07 18.78 24.43 28.79 

Electricians..................................................................................................................... 21.58 44,900 12.18 15.43 20.33 26.90 33.63 582,920

Glaziers........................................................................................................................... 17.63 43,140 36,680 12.08 9.73 15.70 21.58 30.36 

Insulation workers, floor, ceiling and wall....................................................................... 16.12 37,000 33,530 10.63 8.53 14.57 20.20 27.35 

Insulation workers, mechanical...................................................................................... 17.48 17,110 36,350 12.16 9.82 16.03 21.15 28.85 

Painters, construction and maintenance........................................................................ 15.87 249,560 33,010 11.59 9.47 14.55 19.04 25.11 

Paperhangers................................................................................................................. 16.87 7,660 35,090 12.23 9.57 15.73 20.71 26.58 

Pipelayers....................................................................................................................... 15.40 54,470 32,040 11.05 9.19 13.68 18.69 25.07 

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters........................................................................... 21.21 424,360 44,110 11.62 15.01 19.85 26.67 33.72 

Plasterers and stucco masons....................................................................................... 16.96 54,920 35,270 12.27 9.80 15.60 20.32 26.84 

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers................................................................................ 19.32 32,660 40,190 10.03 12.45 16.90 25.94 32.59 

Roofers........................................................................................................................... 16.17 119,820 33,630 11.54 9.41 14.83 19.80 25.59 

Sheet metal workers....................................................................................................... 18.63 184,740 38,760 12.49 9.80 17.09 23.89 30.78 

Structural iron and steel workers.................................................................................... 21.30 70,240 44,300 11.25 14.84 20.40 27.21 33.53 

Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters......... 13.40 61,680 27,860 9.80 8.40 12.00 15.58 21.60 

Helpers--carpenters........................................................................................................ 10.94 106,130 22,750 8.70 7.31 10.38 12.67 15.44 

Helpers--electricians....................................................................................................... 11.97 92,820 24,890 9.33 7.80 11.26 14.05 17.10 

Helpers--painters, paperhangers, plasterers, and stucco masons................................. 10.87 26,090 22,610 8.23 7.31 9.87 12.17 15.57 

Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.......................................... 11.50 74,820 23,930 9.00 7.54 10.75 13.31 16.58 

Helpers--roofers.............................................................................................................. 10.58 21,530 22,000 8.41 7.31 9.93 11.85 14.41 

Helpers, construction trades, all other............................................................................ 10.97 38,310 22,820 8.18 7.04 9.91 12.42 16.53 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Construction and building inspectors.............................................................................. 21.86 82,690 45,460 13.34 16.64 21.00 26.43 32.40 

Elevator installers and repairers..................................................................................... 27.98 21,110 58,190 17.36 22.96 28.23 33.68 39.65 

Fence erectors................................................................................................................ 12.27 23,350 25,530 9.26 7.41 11.24 14.54 18.24 

Hazardous materials removal workers........................................................................... 17.54 38,550 36,480 10.48 12.52 16.02 22.27 27.25 

Highway maintenance workers....................................................................................... 14.61 30,390 136,550 11.24 9.05 14.21 17.51 21.14 

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators............................................... 17.96 10,430 37,360 11.66 15.03 18.35 20.98 23.97 

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners.............................................................. 14.73 16,670 30,640 10.96 8.81 13.88 17.71 21.81 

Segmental pavers........................................................................................................... 13.31 840 27,690 9.90 8.90 11.74 15.77 20.95 

Construction and related workers, all other.................................................................... 12.71 81,260 26,440 7.66 6.35 11.40 16.22 21.72 

Derrick operators, oil and gas......................................................................................... 16.74 13,880 34,810 10.61 13.01 16.11 20.03 24.65 

Rotary drill operators, oil and gas................................................................................... 18.68 13,860 38,860 11.67 13.99 17.11 22.12 29.48 

Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining.................................................................... 16.05 16,210 33,380 11.57 9.65 14.75 19.50 24.65 

Earth drillers, except oil and gas..................................................................................... 17.18 19,320 35,740 10.70 13.02 16.07 20.38 25.82 

Explosives workers, ordnance handling experts, and blasters....................................... 17.85 5,290 37,130 12.23 14.38 17.16 20.71 25.04 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 8

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Construction and extraction occupations - Continued

Continuous mining machine operators........................................................................... $17.71 $36,840 $11.78 $14.35 $17.87 $20.96 $24.05 8,060

Mine cutting and channeling machine operators............................................................ 17.95 3,900 37,330 12.01 14.81 17.96 20.92 24.32 

Mining machine operators, all other................................................................................ 17.17 2,710 35,710 11.26 13.40 16.45 21.06 25.04 

Rock splitters, quarry...................................................................................................... 13.43 3,180 27,940 9.84 7.91 12.54 15.67 20.05 

Roof bolters, mining........................................................................................................ 18.54 4,290 38,570 14.63 16.13 18.70 20.83 22.26 

Roustabouts, oil and gas................................................................................................ 12.74 32,280 26,500 9.36 7.59 11.94 15.73 19.80 

Helpers--extraction workers............................................................................................ 13.23 26,430 27,520 10.16 8.52 12.66 16.05 19.50 

Extraction workers, all other........................................................................................... 16.37 10,450 34,050 12.44 9.68 15.66 19.07 24.48 

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations 5,215,390 17.89 37,220 12.37 9.36 16.91 22.34 27.72 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers........................ 25.34 52,700 14.75 459,440 18.71 24.20 30.85 37.92 

Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers............................................ 17.59 36,580 141,350 10.31 13.11 16.90 21.36 26.28 

Radio mechanics............................................................................................................ 18.30 6,340 38,070 10.42 13.59 17.65 21.90 27.62 

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers............. 23.10 48,050 14.65 202,160 19.46 23.96 27.07 30.85 

Avionics technicians....................................................................................................... 21.38 22,310 44,460 14.63 18.12 21.30 25.12 27.85 

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers............................................................ 16.11 21,910 33,520 12.12 9.48 15.54 19.71 23.90 

Electrical and electronics installers and repairers, transportation equipment................. 19.46 17,390 40,470 11.86 15.06 19.25 23.57 27.70 

Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment.................... 20.63 71,300 42,910 12.55 16.04 20.48 25.07 28.68 

Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay........................ 25.51 20,660 53,060 18.01 22.47 25.86 29.73 33.82 

Electronic equipment installers and repairers, motor vehicles....................................... 14.24 15,490 29,610 10.27 8.85 12.79 16.55 22.02 

Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers................................ 14.25 32,210 29,640 10.39 8.17 13.44 17.10 21.36 

Security and fire alarm systems installers...................................................................... 16.78 44,710 34,900 10.17 12.67 16.06 20.34 25.21 

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians.................................................................... 22.69 47,190 13.99 17.82 21.77 27.18 33.84 112,830

Automotive body and related repairers........................................................................... 18.10 37,650 162,820 12.55 9.42 16.68 22.04 28.45 

Automotive glass installers and repairers....................................................................... 13.98 18,150 29,080 10.36 8.53 13.45 17.04 20.63 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics............................................................. 16.61 34,550 668,540 11.31 8.70 15.60 20.75 26.22 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists................................................. 17.66 36,730 11.19 251,430 13.73 17.20 21.13 25.67 

Farm equipment mechanics........................................................................................... 13.74 30,770 28,580 10.77 9.08 13.40 16.34 19.40 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines.................................................... 18.68 38,860 12.11 112,000 14.96 18.34 21.75 26.27 

Railcar repairers............................................................................................................. 19.01 18,140 39,550 12.07 16.12 19.48 21.76 25.52 

Motorboat mechanics..................................................................................................... 15.16 17,680 31,530 9.21 11.46 14.74 18.11 21.90 

Motorcycle mechanics.................................................................................................... 14.61 15,920 30,380 10.58 8.48 13.70 17.53 21.95 

Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics...................................... 12.66 25,170 26,340 9.44 7.53 11.98 15.25 19.19 

Bicycle repairers............................................................................................................. 9.90 7,750 20,580 8.05 6.68 9.71 11.45 13.41 

Recreational vehicle service technicians........................................................................ 14.73 12,340 30,630 11.25 9.30 13.93 17.50 21.40 

Tire repairers and changers........................................................................................... 10.75 87,110 22,350 8.35 7.26 10.01 12.36 15.46 

Mechanical door repairers.............................................................................................. 16.92 10,470 35,190 12.01 9.60 15.38 20.43 27.86 

Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door.............................. 20.83 37,260 43,320 11.34 15.08 21.01 26.09 30.91 

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers............................ 18.30 38,060 10.88 225,630 13.51 17.43 22.21 27.11 

Home appliance repairers............................................................................................... 16.00 40,300 33,280 11.30 8.60 15.47 19.76 23.93 

Industrial machinery mechanics..................................................................................... 19.28 40,090 12.14 15.09 18.78 22.95 27.59 212,770

Maintenance and repair workers, general...................................................................... 1,267,390 15.41 32,060 11.11 8.70 14.77 19.17 23.40 

Maintenance workers, machinery................................................................................... 16.40 84,850 34,120 12.21 9.60 15.79 20.18 24.59 

Millwrights....................................................................................................................... 21.63 57,050 44,990 13.02 16.53 21.02 27.07 32.17 

Refractory materials repairers, except brickmasons...................................................... 18.76 3,570 39,020 12.27 14.98 18.09 21.83 26.89 

Electrical power-line installers and repairers.................................................................. 22.91 47,640 13.31 101,760 18.00 23.61 27.64 32.54 

Telecommunications line installers and repairers........................................................... 19.55 40,660 10.96 144,080 13.98 19.39 25.10 28.56 

Camera and photographic equipment repairers............................................................. 16.29 3,830 33,880 11.52 8.34 15.54 20.04 26.04 

Medical equipment repairers.......................................................................................... 18.72 23,750 38,930 10.59 13.27 17.90 23.23 27.89 

Musical instrument repairers and tuners........................................................................ 14.88 5,290 30,950 10.37 7.94 13.47 18.26 24.04 

Watch repairers.............................................................................................................. 15.23 3,450 31,670 10.44 8.17 13.87 19.09 23.80 

Precision instrument and equipment repairers, all other................................................ 21.64 13,500 45,000 12.22 15.95 21.25 26.71 32.32 

Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers................................. 13.95 37,230 29,020 10.70 8.74 13.47 16.68 20.51 

Commercial divers.......................................................................................................... 18.66 2,230 38,820 11.80 14.11 16.94 21.09 27.41 

Fabric menders, except garment.................................................................................... 15.60 2,150 32,440 10.53 8.44 15.62 20.16 23.90 

Locksmiths and safe repairers........................................................................................ 15.30 15,540 31,830 11.07 8.59 14.60 19.08 23.44 

Manufactured building and mobile home installers........................................................ 11.64 12,150 24,210 8.81 7.18 11.23 13.56 16.53 

Riggers........................................................................................................................... 17.55 12,480 36,500 10.39 13.62 16.98 20.98 25.53 

Signal and track switch repairers.................................................................................... 21.73 7,780 45,210 16.45 19.09 21.43 24.78 27.94 

Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers................................................. 11.18 23,250 157,310 8.17 6.86 10.25 13.26 17.08 

Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other................................................. 17.23 35,830 137,650 11.58 8.97 16.23 22.18 27.19 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation

Mean wages Percentiles

Employment

Production occupations 10,128,200 14.08 29,280 9.51 7.67 12.65 17.15 23.00 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers........................... 22.96 47,760 13.05 696,750 16.63 21.51 27.65 34.94 

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers....................................... 18.02 18,710 37,470 10.37 13.04 17.79 23.00 26.46 

Coil winders, tapers, and finishers.................................................................................. 12.69 27,360 26,400 9.83 8.08 12.24 15.07 18.01 

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers............................................................ 12.63 26,270 217,360 9.54 8.01 11.68 14.84 18.64 

Electromechanical equipment assemblers..................................................................... 13.29 51,370 27,650 10.05 8.23 12.71 16.11 19.76 

Engine and other machine assemblers.......................................................................... 17.29 45,730 35,960 11.89 9.20 16.73 23.37 26.19 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters............................................................................ 14.94 86,240 31,070 11.59 9.49 14.34 17.50 21.35 

Fiberglass laminators and fabricators............................................................................. 12.59 30,250 26,190 9.88 8.33 12.18 14.90 17.38 

Team assemblers........................................................................................................... 1,208,270 12.36 25,720 9.12 7.56 11.42 14.60 18.80 

Timing device assemblers, adjusters, and calibrators.................................................... 14.57 3,150 30,310 10.76 8.41 13.76 17.61 22.16 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other............................................................................. 14.14 29,410 259,830 8.91 7.43 11.90 18.63 25.61 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
6 9

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Production occupations - Continued 

Bakers............................................................................................................................. $10.97 $22,820 $7.06 $8.21 $10.26 $13.08 $16.54 150,900

Butchers and meat cutters.............................................................................................. 13.12 131,490 27,300 9.51 7.65 12.45 16.47 20.18 

Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers.................................................................. 137,370 19,970 9.60 7.81 6.93 9.09 10.75 13.19 

Slaughterers and meat packers...................................................................................... 10.20 134,140 21,220 8.71 7.46 10.03 11.50 13.42 

Food and tobacco roasting, baking, and drying machine operators and tenders........... 12.12 18,110 25,210 8.94 7.21 11.46 14.71 17.79 

Food batchmakers.......................................................................................................... 11.34 85,010 23,590 8.18 6.91 10.62 13.84 17.09 

Food cooking machine operators and tenders............................................................... 10.72 41,810 22,290 8.02 6.70 10.02 12.82 16.24 

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic.................................... 15.22 31,650 9.47 11.65 14.75 18.21 21.67 124,330

Numerical tool and process control programmers.......................................................... 20.27 17,310 42,160 12.89 15.67 19.31 24.00 28.89 

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic...... 13.54 88,980 28,170 10.57 8.73 13.18 16.19 19.23 

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................. 14.05 37,890 29,210 10.57 8.57 13.22 16.73 21.36 

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................... 14.81 37,210 30,810 11.32 9.24 14.33 17.72 21.41 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal 

 and plastic.................................................................................................................... 13.04 248,800 27,120 9.98 8.30 12.45 15.56 18.98 

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic...... 14.72 41,940 30,620 11.06 9.11 13.69 17.61 22.54 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and 

 tenders, metal and plastic............................................................................................ 14.10 98,770 29,330 10.35 8.53 13.19 16.88 21.41 

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....... 15.47 70,230 32,190 11.88 9.58 15.04 18.59 22.43 

Milling and planing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 15.16 30,280 31,530 11.59 9.33 14.91 18.13 21.59 

Machinists....................................................................................................................... 16.73 361,280 34,790 10.08 12.84 16.33 20.33 24.34 

Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders................................................................. 16.13 17,150 33,560 10.50 12.78 15.74 19.34 22.33 

Pourers and casters, metal............................................................................................. 14.68 13,670 30,530 11.50 9.56 13.92 16.99 21.29 

Modelmakers, metal and plastic..................................................................................... 21.57 8,030 44,870 10.98 15.01 21.28 29.05 33.07 

Patternmakers, metal and plastic................................................................................... 18.19 5,930 37,840 12.61 8.74 17.86 22.75 29.52 

Foundry mold and coremakers....................................................................................... 14.29 17,320 29,720 11.08 9.19 13.37 16.47 22.42 

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal 

 and plastic.................................................................................................................... 12.47 156,480 25,940 9.34 7.76 11.63 14.77 18.49 

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....................... 14.88 97,060 30,960 11.15 9.04 14.06 17.65 23.07 

Tool and die makers....................................................................................................... 21.19 99,390 44,070 13.57 16.70 20.55 25.93 31.19 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers........................................................................ 15.41 344,970 32,050 11.90 9.79 14.72 18.05 22.20 

Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders.................... 15.39 47,210 32,020 11.73 9.63 14.32 17.78 23.54 

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................. 14.73 25,690 30,630 11.26 9.11 14.26 17.72 21.43 

Lay-out workers, metal and plastic................................................................................. 16.23 11,240 33,750 10.18 12.74 15.65 19.13 22.57 

Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic........... 13.68 38,620 28,440 10.26 8.50 12.96 16.38 20.53 

Tool grinders, filers, and sharpeners.............................................................................. 15.10 19,750 31,410 11.27 9.16 14.52 18.24 22.30 

Metal workers and plastic workers, all other................................................................... 17.19 53,050 35,750 11.22 8.89 16.15 23.05 26.55 

Bindery workers.............................................................................................................. 12.33 73,240 25,650 8.92 7.38 11.31 15.06 19.30 

Bookbinders.................................................................................................................... 14.58 7,160 30,320 10.22 8.67 13.71 18.14 21.50 

Job printers..................................................................................................................... 16.23 56,770 33,750 12.00 9.57 15.41 20.04 24.05 

Prepress technicians and workers.................................................................................. 16.08 76,190 33,450 11.69 9.06 15.30 20.01 24.82 

Printing machine operators............................................................................................. 15.26 184,230 31,740 10.73 8.54 14.38 18.83 23.06 

Laundry and drycleaning workers................................................................................... 218,610 18,170 8.74 7.12 6.11 8.28 10.04 12.11 

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials........................................................... 8.62 80,520 17,920 7.23 6.25 8.33 9.90 11.23 

Sewing machine operators............................................................................................. 242,500 19,230 9.24 7.41 6.48 8.61 10.63 13.09 

Shoe and leather workers and repairers......................................................................... 9.68 7,840 20,120 7.54 6.42 9.29 11.07 13.59 

Shoe machine operators and tenders............................................................................ 9.85 4,530 20,500 7.86 6.83 9.44 11.60 13.56 

Sewers, hand.................................................................................................................. 10.20 21,210 6.22 7.38 9.13 11.39 16.40 12,430

Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers..................................................................... 11.76 27,180 24,450 8.53 7.01 10.79 14.10 17.83 

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders....................................... 10.96 21,480 22,790 8.94 7.57 10.56 12.74 14.58 

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................. 10.44 25,320 21,700 8.12 7.23 9.80 12.27 14.70 

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders........................... 11.47 45,320 23,850 9.57 8.05 11.48 13.23 15.09 

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders...... 11.41 53,490 23,740 9.55 8.51 10.87 12.83 14.71 

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and 

 glass fibers................................................................................................................... 2 13.71 3,040 28,520 10.99 9.08 13.37 16.20 19.25 

Fabric and apparel patternmakers.................................................................................. 16.23 9,340 33,760 10.44 8.06 13.85 20.29 28.82 

Upholsterers................................................................................................................... 13.05 38,550 27,140 9.69 7.92 12.35 15.88 19.59 

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other........................................................ 10.96 21,920 22,790 8.09 6.87 10.34 13.14 16.14 

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters............................................................................ 12.90 121,380 26,830 9.69 8.00 12.16 15.51 19.28 

Furniture finishers........................................................................................................... 12.11 25,770 25,190 9.14 7.64 11.35 14.09 17.85 

Modelmakers, wood........................................................................................................ 14.82 3,210 30,820 9.02 7.75 12.94 17.75 27.52 

Patternmakers, wood...................................................................................................... 15.74 2,500 32,750 11.11 8.88 14.88 18.97 25.35 

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood ................................................ 11.35 56,500 23,600 8.95 7.46 10.91 13.34 16.20 

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing........................ 11.43 88,870 23,780 8.93 7.55 10.93 13.40 16.33 

Woodworkers, all other................................................................................................... 10.94 12,190 22,760 8.19 7.16 10.16 13.09 16.22 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Nuclear power reactor operators.................................................................................... 30.71 4,300 63,880 23.89 27.35 30.81 34.21 39.53

Power distributors and dispatchers................................................................................. 28.03 8,290 58,300 18.38 23.08 27.56 33.22 39.92 

Power plant operators..................................................................................................... 25.02 33,350 52,030 16.61 20.82 25.26 29.82 33.81 

Stationary engineers and boiler operators...................................................................... 21.66 46,870 45,060 12.99 16.59 21.22 26.66 32.00 

Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators....................................... 17.32 92,120 36,030 10.43 13.07 16.81 21.02 25.74 

Chemical plant and system operators............................................................................ 21.61 59,980 44,940 14.78 18.05 21.55 25.51 28.64 

Gas plant operators........................................................................................................ 24.36 10,670 50,660 18.15 20.66 24.36 28.03 32.56 

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers............................ 23.44 42,300 48,760 14.76 20.34 24.27 27.01 30.43 

Plant and system operators, all other............................................................................. 20.14 14,930 41,900 11.09 15.31 20.10 24.79 29.61 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
7 0

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Production occupations - Continued 

Chemical equipment operators and tenders................................................................... $18.94 $39,390 $11.98 $14.75 $18.69 $23.56 $26.71 48,450

Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, 

 and tenders................................................................................................................. 16.49 38,000 34,290 12.44 9.61 15.98 20.19 24.33 

Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders................... 13.70 42,600 28,490 10.07 8.32 12.96 16.56 20.53 

Grinding and polishing workers, hand............................................................................ 12.03 44,210 25,030 9.23 7.81 11.28 14.08 17.27 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders....................................... 14.06 29,240 119,320 10.58 8.50 13.51 16.96 20.84 

Cutters and trimmers, hand............................................................................................ 11.60 28,780 24,120 8.42 7.35 10.59 13.87 17.27 

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................... 13.46 73,250 27,990 10.17 8.35 12.82 16.20 19.89 

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and 

 tenders........................................................................................................................ 73,970 13.88 28,880 10.55 8.78 13.20 16.52 20.68 

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders.......................................... 15.08 29,750 31,360 11.44 9.31 14.29 18.19 22.48 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers..................................................... 15.00 31,210 495,430 10.43 8.30 13.66 18.23 24.45 

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers............................................................ 14.76 26,360 30,700 9.86 7.71 13.18 17.92 23.57 

Dental laboratory technicians.......................................................................................... 16.21 44,540 33,720 8.86 11.18 14.93 19.71 25.48 

Medical appliance technicians........................................................................................ 15.19 10,080 31,600 10.46 8.21 13.38 18.22 23.66 

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians.................................................................................. 12.32 25,170 25,620 9.33 7.89 11.40 14.67 17.61 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders.................................................... 11.59 24,110 411,660 8.39 7.13 10.67 14.04 17.42 

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders...................... 13.25 96,510 27,550 10.16 8.54 12.64 15.78 19.39 

Painters, transportation equipment................................................................................. 18.17 49,810 37,800 10.17 12.85 16.89 22.74 27.52 

Painting, coating, and decorating workers...................................................................... 12.01 26,990 24,970 8.76 7.44 10.95 13.94 18.23 

Photographic process workers....................................................................................... 11.07 31,610 23,010 7.79 6.68 9.63 12.97 17.99 

Photographic processing machine operators................................................................. 10.26 53,350 21,340 7.78 6.84 9.33 11.88 15.21 

Semiconductor processors............................................................................................. 14.46 44,440 30,070 11.44 9.53 13.85 16.90 20.46 

Cementing and gluing machine operators and tenders.................................................. 12.34 24,630 25,660 9.41 7.91 11.57 14.97 17.64 

Cleaning, washing, and metal pickling equipment operators and tenders..................... 16,860 12.15 25,270 9.11 7.49 11.18 14.58 18.25 

Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders................................................. 12.18 8,790 25,340 8.86 7.31 10.96 15.08 19.32 

Etchers and engravers.................................................................................................... 12.59 8,490 26,180 9.10 7.55 11.33 14.51 19.92 

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic............................................... 12.51 37,930 26,020 8.93 7.35 11.58 15.37 19.45 

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................... 15.01 31,220 109,560 11.74 9.27 14.63 17.58 21.63 

Tire builders.................................................................................................................... 17.38 17,960 36,150 12.60 9.66 17.50 22.08 25.65 

Helpers--production workers.......................................................................................... 10.35 21,530 480,430 7.90 6.87 9.70 12.28 15.38 

Production workers, all other.......................................................................................... 13.47 28,010 299,950 8.45 7.28 11.38 16.93 24.41 

Transportation and material moving occupations 9,581,320 13.41 27,880 8.47 6.89 11.48 16.24 21.61 

Aircraft cargo handling supervisors................................................................................ 18.90 7,460 39,310 10.58 12.55 16.40 23.62 32.15 

First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand......... 19.45 40,460 11.44 169,860 14.33 18.40 23.31 28.91 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine 

 and vehicle operators.................................................................................................. 23.23 48,320 12.91 222,590 16.46 21.54 27.36 34.64 

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers..................................................................... 78,490 (3) 129,620 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Commercial pilots........................................................................................................... (3) 62,290 21,370 (3) (3) (3) (3) (3)

Air traffic controllers........................................................................................................ 47.94 22,260 99,710 27.75 37.58 49.05 60.70 66.93 

Airfield operations specialists......................................................................................... 20.22 4,810 42,050 12.66 9.56 17.64 26.17 35.51 

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians................. 10.17 17,410 21,140 7.68 6.50 9.49 11.66 14.57 

Bus drivers, transit and intercity...................................................................................... 15.09 31,390 183,710 10.74 8.66 14.30 19.31 23.53 

Bus drivers, school......................................................................................................... 11.33 23,560 475,430 8.10 6.23 11.18 13.92 16.81 

Driver/salesworkers........................................................................................................ 11.36 23,620 406,910 6.94 5.96 9.66 14.59 19.81 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer............................................................................ 1,553,370 16.63 34,580 10.18 12.67 16.11 20.09 24.07 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services............................................................................ 12.88 26,790 938,730 8.96 7.20 11.80 16.00 20.83 

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs............................................................................................ 10.34 21,510 132,650 7.61 6.43 9.41 11.94 15.62 

Motor vehicle operators, all other................................................................................... 11.04 85,520 22,960 7.07 6.10 9.45 13.79 18.97 

Locomotive engineers..................................................................................................... 26.29 31,180 54,680 14.97 18.13 24.30 34.74 42.29

Locomotive firers............................................................................................................ 22.23 620 46,230 13.53 18.39 21.56 26.19 29.48 

Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers....................................................... 18.41 6,170 38,280 12.77 15.04 17.70 20.56 22.85 

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators.................................................................. 23.03 16,410 47,900 14.12 17.75 21.46 28.06 34.69 

Railroad conductors and yardmasters............................................................................ 25.28 35,720 52,580 15.41 18.42 22.28 32.50 40.76 

Subway and streetcar operators..................................................................................... 22.67 8,900 47,150 17.96 19.99 23.70 26.22 27.73 

Rail transportation workers, all other.............................................................................. 19.56 7,680 40,680 13.71 16.71 19.57 21.95 26.17 

Sailors and marine oilers................................................................................................ 14.98 27,570 31,160 10.85 8.48 14.00 18.35 21.86 

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels................................................................. 25.11 25,200 52,230 13.41 17.90 24.20 30.90 37.89 

Motorboat operators....................................................................................................... 16.25 2,830 33,790 10.88 8.14 15.39 22.21 25.67 

Ship engineers................................................................................................................ 27.80 10,330 57,830 15.64 20.40 26.42 34.62 42.02 

Bridge and lock tenders.................................................................................................. 17.05 3,500 35,460 12.33 9.18 17.98 21.29 24.68 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation

Mean wages Percentiles

Employment

Parking lot attendants..................................................................................................... 8.48 17,650 120,080 7.00 6.03 8.08 9.69 11.54 

Service station attendants.............................................................................................. 8.92 90,640 18,560 7.28 6.29 8.29 10.09 12.70 

Traffic technicians........................................................................................................... 17.11 6,240 35,600 10.52 12.47 16.19 21.02 25.89 

Transportation inspectors............................................................................................... 24.89 24,140 51,780 10.89 16.71 24.22 31.27 41.57 

Transportation workers, all other.................................................................................... 16.11 51,850 33,510 10.49 8.41 15.47 20.88 25.69 

Conveyor operators and tenders.................................................................................... 12.85 54,380 26,720 10.05 8.59 12.23 15.05 18.49 

Crane and tower operators............................................................................................. 18.81 43,570 39,130 11.31 13.87 17.99 22.73 27.59 

Dredge operators............................................................................................................ 14.43 1,730 30,010 11.03 9.45 13.47 16.70 20.97 

Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators............................................... 16.40 67,080 34,120 10.13 12.20 15.37 19.86 25.04 

Loading machine operators, underground mining.......................................................... 16.34 3,330 34,000 11.40 13.41 15.98 19.24 22.19 

Hoist and winch operators.............................................................................................. 18.65 5,550 38,790 10.09 12.32 16.19 22.94 33.09 

Industrial truck and tractor operators.............................................................................. 13.57 28,230 631,530 10.50 9.00 12.78 15.90 19.88 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment............................................................................... 330,520 9.33 19,400 7.09 6.09 8.41 10.57 13.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand................................................ 2,390,910 10.53 21,910 7.82 6.72 9.67 12.38 16.02 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
7 1

Hourly Annual1 10th 25th 50th 

(Median) 75th 90th

Transportation and material moving occupations - Continued

Machine feeders and offbearers..................................................................................... $11.31 $23,530 $7.39 $8.72 $10.68 $13.32 $16.41 149,500

Packers and packagers, hand........................................................................................ 8.97 18,660 872,260 7.00 6.03 8.25 10.40 13.17 

Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators..................................................... 21.56 4,680 44,850 14.39 17.34 21.07 25.38 28.76 

Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers................................................................... 17.79 9,810 37,000 10.25 13.59 17.04 22.28 26.43 

Wellhead pumpers.......................................................................................................... 16.33 10,040 33,960 12.31 9.12 16.31 20.27 24.21 

Refuse and recyclable material collectors...................................................................... 13.37 27,810 139,920 8.86 6.58 12.38 16.89 22.40 

Shuttle car operators...................................................................................................... 17.58 3,000 36,570 13.95 15.46 18.08 20.34 21.70 

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders................................................................................... 16.44 16,530 34,190 12.36 9.95 15.59 19.91 24.92 

Material-moving workers, all other.................................................................................. 15.29 57,390 31,800 10.07 8.23 13.87 19.92 25.16 

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004 - 

Continued

Occupation Employment

Mean wages Percentiles

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

occupations for which an hourly mean wage has not been published, the

annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data. 2 Represents a wage above $70.00 per hour.

3

 Hourly wage rates for occupations in which workers typically work

fewer than 2,080 hours per year are not available. 4 The number of hours worked by those employed as actors, dancers,

singers, and musicians varies widely. Many jobs are for the duration of

1 day or 1 week, and it is extremely rare for a performer to have

guaranteed employment for a period that exceeds 3 to 6 months.

Therefore, only hourly wages are available for these occupations.

Table 1. National employment and wage data from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey by occupation, May 2004

—Continued
7 2

The mining sector comprises three detailed (three-digit) industries: Oil and gas extraction;

mining, except oil and gas; and support activities for mining. Mining, except oil and gas,

is the largest detailed industry, employing 204,350 workers and making up 40.2 percent of

total employment in the mining sector. This industry includes three four-digit industries:

Coal mining, metal ore mining, and nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying.

• Within the mining sector, there are 255 occupations.

• The occupation with the highest employment is roustabouts. The 26,750 roustabouts,

split between the oil and gas extraction and support activities for mining industries,

account for 5.3 percent of total mining employment.

Chart 1. Percent distribution of employment in the mining sector (NAICS 21) by major

occupational group, May 2004
7 3

With 567,000 workers, the utilities sector is one of only 3 sectors employing fewer than 1

million workers, agriculture, farming, fishing, and hunting, and mining being the other 2.

The utilities sector includes three four-digit industries: Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution; natural gas distribution; and water, sewage, and other systems.

• While chief executives, a management occupation with mean earnings of $75.84 an

hour, is the highest paid occupation in this industry, legal occupations are the highest

paid occupational group, at $48.52 hourly.

• The lowest paid occupational group is food preparation and serving related occupations, at $10.11 an hour.

• With employment of 53,910, electric power-line installers and repairers is the largest

of the 260 utilities occupations, accounting for 9.5 percent of sector employment.

This occupation has a mean wage of $24.83 an hour.

Chart 2. Percent distribution of employment in the utilities sector (NAICS 22) by major

occupational group, May 2004
7 4

Construction consists of three 3-digit and ten 4-digit detailed industries and encompasses

375 occupations.

• With 4.6 million workers out of the nearly 6.9 million in construction, construction and

extraction is the largest group in this sector and the third-largest occupational group in

any sector.

• The largest occupation is carpenters, with 724,350 employed, or 10.5 percent of construction employment. This sector has the highest concentration of carpenters: 82.1

percent of carpenter employment is in construction. Carpenters make an average of

$18.63 an hour in this sector.

• Aside from management and legal occupations, real estate brokers have the highest

mean wage, $38.52 an hour.

• Of construction and extraction occupations, elevator installers and repairers earn the

highest mean wage, $28.29 an hour.

Chart 3. Percent distribution of employment in the construction sector (NAICS 23) by major

occupational group, May 2004
7 5

With 14.3 million employed, this sector, which comprises three 2-digit and twenty-one 3-

digit industries, is the third largest. It ranks behind retail sales, with 15.2 million workers,

and healthcare and social assistance, with 14.9 million workers.

• There are 574 occupations reported in the manufacturing sector, with team assemblers, which employs 938,970 persons or 6.6 percent of manufacturing employment,

being the largest single occupation. Team assemblers earn an average of $12.86 an

hour.

• The largest occupational group, production, employs 7.4 million persons, at an average wage of $14.40 an hour.

• The smallest occupational group, community and social services, employs 220 workers and has a mean wage of $32.18, fourth highest for this sector, behind legal,

management, and computer and mathematical occupations.

Chart 4. Percent distribution of employment in the manufacturing sector (NAICS 31-33) by

major occupational group, May 2004
7 6

Wholesale trade consists of three 3-digit industries and nineteen 4-digit industries. The

largest 4-digit industry is grocery and related product wholesalers, with 687,060 persons

employed. Farm product raw material merchants is the smallest 4-digit industry, employing 74,340 workers.

• In wholesale trade, sales and related occupations employ 1.4 million persons, the

second-largest sector total for this occupational group after retail trade, which employs 8.1 million persons. However, the average hourly wage for this occupational

group in wholesale trade is $26.02 an hour, much higher than the $11.19 an hour in

retail trade.

• Of the 512 occupations reported in wholesale trade, sales representatives, wholesale

and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products, is the largest. It includes

808,570 workers and accounts for 14.4 percent of total wholesale trade employment.

The average wage for this occupation is $26.26 per hour.

Chart 5. Percent distribution of employment in the wholesale trade sector (NAICS 42) by

major occupational group, May 2004
7 7

Retail trade is the largest sector, with more than 15 million workers employed. It consists

of two 2-digit industries, twelve 3-digit industries, and twenty-seven 4-digit industries. The

largest 4-digit industry is grocery stores, employing 2.4 million persons at an average

industry hourly wage of $10.65.

• The legal occupational group has the third-highest average hourly wage for this sector,

$24.85, but that is the lowest average hourly wage for this group across all sectors.

This group also is the second smallest in the sector, with 1,560 workers. Only community and social services, with 380 workers, includes fewer people.

• There are 3.8 million retail salespersons in the retail sector, forming the largest single

occupation in this and all other sectors. This occupation makes up 25.1 percent of the

retail trade workforce and pays a mean wage of $10.94 an hour.

• Vending machine operators is the smallest occupation in this sector, employing 53,520

persons at an average wage of $13.35.

Chart 6. Percent distribution of employment in the retail trade sector (NAICS 44-45) by

major occupational group, May 2004
7 8

Transportation and warehousing includes two 2-digit, eleven 3-digit, and twenty-nine 4-

digit industries. The largest 4-digit industry is general freight trucking, with 941,040 persons employed, or 18.7 percent of the sector workforce. The smallest 4-digit industry is

scenic and sightseeing transportation, other, with 2,110 workers.

• Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor trailer, is the largest of 437 occupations in this sector,

totaling 833,670 workers, or 16.5 percent of transportation and warehousing employment. The mean wage for truckdrivers is $17.33 per hour.

• Chief executives earn the highest mean wage in this sector, $64.94 an hour. The

highest nonmanagement, nonlegal mean wage is $42.49 an hour, earned by securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents.

Chart 7. Percent distribution of employment in the transportation and warehousing sector (NAICS

48-49) by major occupational group, May 2004
7 9

In the information sector, telecommunications is the largest 3-digit industry, employing 1

million persons or 33.4 percent of the workforce.

Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers is the largest of the sixteen 4-

digit industries in the information sector, employing 675,520 persons at an average wage

of $19.64 an hour. Other telecommunications, with 7,460 workers and an average wage of

$24.10 an hour, is the smallest 4-digit industry.

• Of the 327 occupations reported, customer service representatives is the largest,

employing 207,530 persons or 6.6 percent of the sector’s workforce at an average

wage of $16.28 an hour.

• Chief executives make their highest mean hourly wage, $79.43, in the information

sector.

• Lawyers have the top nonmanagement mean wage in the sector, $69.76 an hour.

Chart 8. Percent distribution of employment in the information sector (NAICS 51) by major

occupational group, May 2004
8 0

There are five 3-digit and eleven 4-digit industries that make up the finance and insurance

sector, employing 5.8 million persons. The largest 4-digit industry is depository credit

intermediation, which employs 1.7 million workers or 30.1 percent of the sector.

• Tellers make up the largest of the 328 occupations reported. The 535,500 tellers earn

a mean wage of $10.29 an hour and account for 9.2 percent of sector employment.

• By major occupational group, the highest nonmanagement wage in this sector is that

of architecture and engineering workers, $33.19 an hour.

• Office and administrative support workers in this sector number 3 million. They constitute the largest occupation in finance and insurance, which employs more of these

workers than does any other sector—13.1 percent of their total number—at an average wage of $14.19 an hour.

Chart 9. Percent distribution of employment in the finance and insurance sector (NAICS 52)

by major occupational group, May 2004
8 1

The real estate and rental and leasing sector includes three 3-digit industries and eight 4-

digit industries and employs 2 million workers. Real estate is the largest 3-digit industry,

with 1.4 million workers, or 67.7 percent of total sector employment.

Employees in the lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets, except copyrighted works,

industry have the highest mean wage of the three- and four-digit industries, earning $25.92

an hour.

• Maintenance and repair workers, general, is the largest of the 397 occupations reported for this sector, with 206,280 persons employed, or 10.0 percent of sector employment.

• Budget analysts earn the highest nonmanagement mean wage, $67.20 an hour.

Chart 10. Percent distribution of employment in the real estate and rental and leasing

sector (NAICS 53) by major occupational group, May 2004
8 2

There are 6.7 million persons employed across nine 4-digit industries in this sector. The

largest industry, architectural, engineering, and related services, employs 1.2 million workers or 18.5 percent of this sector at a mean wage of $27.06 an hour.

• There are 358,200 lawyers, accounting for 5.4 percent of sector employment and

constituting the largest of the 586 occupations reported in the sector. This sector

employs 68.7 percent of all lawyers, with a mean wage of $55.16 an hour, fourth

highest of nonmanagement occupations in this sector.

• While chief executives earn the highest mean wage, $76.50 an hour, speech-language

pathologists earn the highest nonmanagement mean wage in this sector, $68.81 an

hour.

• This sector boasts the highest all-occupation mean wage, $27.63 an hour. The three

highest paid nonmanagement occupational groups are legal, computer and mathematical, and business and financial operations.

Chart 11. Percent distribution of employment in the professional, scientific, and technical

services sector (NAICS 54) by major occupational group, May 2004
8 3

Management of companies and enterprises includes a single 3-digit industry and one 4-

digit industry, employing 1.7 million workers. It is the fourth smallest of all sectors. The

mean wage for all occupations in this sector is $26.40 an hour, second highest across all

sectors.

• Of the 524 occupations reported, customer service representatives is the largest.

With 68,980 workers, it accounts for 4.0 percent of sector employment.

• The largest management occupation is general and operations managers, with 52,790

employed.

• The management of companies and enterprises sector is one of the few in which a

nonmanagement occupation, surgeons, earns the highest mean wage: $83.35 an hour.

• The occupation with the lowest mean wage is ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket

takers, at $6.33 an hour.

Chart 12. Percent distribution of employment in the management of companies and

enterprises sector (NAICS 55) by major occupational group, May 2004
8 4

This sector contains two 3-digit and eleven 4-digit industries. Among the 4-digit industries,

employment services is the largest, with 3.4 million workers.

• Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance is not the largest occupational group

in this sector, but the group is more concentrated in this sector than in any other. The

1.5 million workers in this occupational group in this sector constitute 35.9 percent of

employment across all sectors for this occupational group. The mean wage for this

group in this sector is $9.99 an hour.

• Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners, is the largest of the

630 occupations reported, accounting for 9.6 percent of sector employment. The

754,620 janitors and cleaners employed in this sector have a mean wage of $8.67.

• The occupation with highest mean wage is producers and directors, at $75.85 an hour.

Chart 13. Percent distribution of employment in the administrative and support and waste

management and remediation services sector (NAICS 56) by major occupational group,

May 2004
8 5

Educational services is made up of seven four-digit industries, six of which group schools

by grade level, and one—educational support services—that includes support staff. The

largest of these, by far, is elementary and secondary schools, which employs 8.2 million

persons or 68.2 percent of this sector’s employment. This four-digit industry is larger than

all but four NAICS sectors. Colleges, universities, and professional schools, the secondlargest 4-digit industry, with nearly 2.6 million workers, has the highest mean wage for

industries in this sector: $22.70 an hour.

• Of the 581 occupations reported, elementary school teachers, except special education, is the largest occupation, employing more than 1.4 million workers.

• Obstetricians and gynecologists have the highest mean wage of any occupation in

this sector, $60.90 an hour.

• The lowest mean wage is that of cooks, private household, at $6.10 hourly.

Chart 14. Percent distribution of employment in the educational services sector (NAICS

61) by major occupational group, May 2004
8 6

Employing 14.9 million persons in four 3-digit industries and eighteen 4-digit industries,

the healthcare and social assistance sector is the second-largest major industry, behind

only retail trade. Hospitals is the largest 3-digit industry, employing 5.2 million workers,

more than one-third of the sector's workforce.

• The nearly 2 million registered nurses make that occupation the largest of the 495

reported in this sector. Nurses account for 13.2 percent of sector employment, with a

mean wage of $25.97 an hour.

• Unlike in most industries, many nonmanagerial occupations have the highest mean

wages in this sector. Medical specialists earn 16 of the top 20 mean wages, and

surgeons earn the highest mean wage, at $88.03 an hour.

• This sector employs nearly half of all the community and social services occupations

across all sectors, with 804,950 workers out of 1.7 million total workers in this occupational group employed in healthcare or social assistance positions.

Chart 15. Percent distribution of employment in the healthcare and social assistance

sector (NAICS 62) by major occupational group, May 2004
8 7

The arts, entertainment, and recreation sector includes three 3-digit industries and nine

4-digit industries and employs more than 1.8 million persons. Amusement, gambling,

and recreation is the largest 3-digit industry, with businesses employing 1.3 million workers or 72.5 percent of the entire sector. Coincidentally, the smallest of the 4-digit industries, agents and managers for artists, athletes, entertainers, and other public figures,

has the highest mean wage. The 15,260 workers in this industry earn an average of

$25.69 an hour.

• Amusement and recreation attendants, with 151,360 workers, is the largest of the

375 occupations, accounting for 8.3 percent of industry employment.

• Personal care and service workers make up a larger portion of this sector than of any

other sector, with 467,360 workers. The mean wage is $10.74 an hour for this occupational group.

Chart 16. Percent distribution of employment in the arts, entertainment, and recreation

sector (NAICS 71) by major occupational group, May 2004
8 8

Accommodation and food services is made up of two three-digit industries of the same

names—accommodation and food services—and seven four-digit industries. Accommodation employs 1.8 million workers, or 16.7 percent of the sector’s workforce, mostly in the

4-digit industry traveler accommodation. Food services employs 8.8 million workers, with

almost half (4.1 million) in the full-service restaurant 4-digit industry. This sector has the

lowest total mean wage of all major industry sectors. At $9.06 an hour, this sector is

almost $1.50 less than the next-lowest industry (agriculture, farming, fishing, and hunting—$10.46) and is more than $8.50 less than the all-occupation mean wage of $17.60.

• Waiters and waitresses make up the largest of the 287 occupations reported, with

slightly more than 2 million workers.

• The mean wage for waiters and waitresses is $7.60 an hour, which is more than 50

cents below the mean wage for the food preparation and serving related occupational

group in which waiters and waitresses belong ($8.21).

Chart 17. Percent distribution of employment in the accommodation and food services

sector (NAICS 72) by major occupational group, May 2004
8 9

Of the thirteen 4-digit industries in this sector, automotive repair and maintenance is the

largest, employing 888,520 persons or 23.5 percent of sector workers at a mean wage of

$14.44 an hour. This industry is part of the repair and maintenance three-digit industry

group, one of three in the other services sector, along with personal and laundry services,

and religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations.

The other services sector employs 3.8 million workers, or about 3.0 percent of the

total workforce. Employment is evenly split among the three three-digit industries.

• Of the 540 occupations reported, hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists was

the largest. With 300,690 workers, it accounted for 7.9 percent of sector employment.

• The highest mean wage, $70.63 an hour, was that of a nonmanagerial occupation—

dentists, general.

Chart 18. Percent distribution of employment in the other services sector (NAICS 81) by

major occupational group, May 2004
9 0

The public administration sector consists of establishments of Federal, State, and local

government agencies. Local government employs 56.8 percent of the 9.4 million workers

in public administration and has the lowest mean wage, at $18.45 an hour.

• The largest of the 640 occupations in this sector—this sector includes the most occupations—is police and sheriff’s patrol officers, employing 603,400 persons and accounting for 6.4 percent of sector employment.

• The highest mean wage is that of psychiatrists, who make $70.69 an hour.

• Business and financial operations is the largest occupational group at the Federal

level (with 360,090 workers), the office and administrative support group employs the

most in State government (517,260 persons), and the protective service occupational

group accounts for the most workers in local government (1.3 million).

Chart 19. Percent distribution of employment in the public administration sector (NAICS 92)

by major occupational group, May 2004
9 1

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Logging (NAICS 113300)

Logging equipment operators................................................................................................................................. 20,850 31.5 $13.81 $28,720 $10.56 $16.51

Fallers..................................................................................................................................................................... 8,470 15.57 12.8 32,380 19.58 10.49 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 7,520 11.4 13.75 28,610 10.68 16.31 

Logging workers, all other...................................................................................................................................... 3,790 14.86 5.7 30,900 17.15 12.80 

First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers............................................................. 2,550 21.53 3.9 44,790 25.04 15.40 

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood........................................................................................ 2,190 3.3 10.51 21,850 8.80 11.32 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,6 2.6 90 10.25 21,310 7.48 13.13 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,440 9.60 2.2 19,970 6.93 11.35 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 1,160 16.03 1.8 33,350 19.03 12.95 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,140 12.06 1.7 25,090 9.20 14.90 

Support activities for crop production (NAICS 115100)

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse.................................................................................. 166,700 7.79 57.8 16,200 7.07 8.33 

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............................................................................................................. 17,490 7.65 6.1 15,910 6.76 8.45 

Agricultural equipment operators........................................................................................................................... 13,970 4.8 9.04 18,810 7.15 10.32 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 9,8 3.4 50 8.06 16,770 6.66 8.77 

First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers............................................................. 5,070 1.8 15.25 31,720 10.09 18.91 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 4,060 9.41 1.4 19,560 7.43 10.70 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 4,040 11.82 1.4 24,590 8.78 14.11 

Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals.................................................................................................................. 3,120 7.96 1.1 16,550 7.07 8.14 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 2,800 1.0 8.41 17,490 6.95 9.80 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 2,290 0.8 13.22 27,510 9.86 15.90 

Support activities for animal production (NAICS 115200)

Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals.................................................................................................................. 9,250 9.49 36.1 19,750 7.46 11.02 

Nonfarm animal caretakers.................................................................................................................................... 2,450 9.67 9.6 20,110 7.58 10.93 

Animal trainers....................................................................................................................................................... 1,560 6.1 12.67 26,360 8.77 14.52 

Animal breeders..................................................................................................................................................... 1,090 4.3 15.90 33,070 10.75 20.37 

First-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers............................................................. 860 3.4 16.84 35,020 12.08 20.38 

Agricultural and food science technicians.............................................................................................................. 610 2.4 13.11 27,270 9.70 15.27 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 570 2.2 11.42 23,740 8.01 13.21 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 570 9.60 2.2 19,970 7.11 11.75 

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse.................................................................................. 460 1.8 10.71 22,290 8.60 12.76 

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers......................................................................................... 460 1.8 10.95 22,770 9.31 12.70 

Oil and gas extraction (NAICS 211100)

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.................................................................... 10,120 22.30 8.5 46,380 26.32 17.41 

Petroleum engineers.............................................................................................................................................. 7,460 6.3 48.76 101,410 36.78 59.21 

Wellhead pumpers................................................................................................................................................. 6,370 16.79 5.3 34,910 21.00 12.71 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 5,420 4.6 27.06 56,280 20.89 32.44 

Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers............................................................................................. 5,290 47.29 4.4 98,360 60.25 32.76 

Roustabouts, oil and gas........................................................................................................................................ 4,560 13.46 3.8 28,000 9.94 16.42 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 4,390 3.7 15.64 32,520 11.63 18.79 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,1 3.5 90 57.42 119,440 36.26 (2)

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,610 3.0 13.20 27,460 8.12 17.16 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 3,360 18.73 2.8 38,960 21.72 15.14 

Coal mining (NAICS 212100)

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 9,010 13.0 17.63 36,680 14.18 20.60 

Roof bolters, mining............................................................................................................................................... 4,080 18.43 5.9 38,330 20.75 16.13 

Helpers--extraction workers................................................................................................................................... 4,040 16.40 5.8 34,120 19.79 13.19 

Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators....................................................................................... 3,940 5.7 18.40 38,270 13.65 23.68 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 3,770 5.5 30.27 62,960 23.26 36.40 

Continuous mining machine operators................................................................................................................... 3,150 17.52 4.6 36,440 20.55 14.68 

Electricians............................................................................................................................................................. 2,910 20.62 4.2 42,880 22.54 18.26 

Shuttle car operators.............................................................................................................................................. 2,560 18.00 3.7 37,430 20.45 15.90 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,410 3.5 18.47 38,410 15.77 21.25 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 2,290 3.3 20.04 41,690 15.52 24.75 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Metal ore mining (NAICS 212200)

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 2,410 9.2 18.95 39,420 16.50 21.26 

Continuous mining machine operators................................................................................................................... 1,920 7.3 21.16 44,020 18.66 23.84 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 1,660 6.3 21.72 45,170 19.14 24.92 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 1,370 5.2 19.26 40,070 17.35 21.94 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,170 4.5 18.92 39,350 16.42 21.52 

Electricians............................................................................................................................................................. 1,040 21.89 4.0 45,530 19.06 24.90 

Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other......................................................................................... 950 24.35 3.6 50,650 22.38 26.51 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 940 20.86 3.6 43,380 18.59 23.67 

Mine cutting and channeling machine operators.................................................................................................... 890 20.90 3.4 43,470 18.93 22.23 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 820 3.1 28.09 58,420 23.34 32.46 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004
9 2

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying (NAICS 212300)

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 11,490 10.6 $15.08 $31,370 $12.00 $17.43

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 9,410 8.6 16.65 34,630 12.72 19.48 

Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators....................................................................................... 6,470 5.9 14.75 30,690 11.57 16.91 

Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................................... 4,790 4.4 14.56 30,290 11.30 16.79 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,630 3.3 16.62 34,580 13.17 20.23 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 3,310 3.0 25.66 53,380 18.81 30.89 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,010 2.8 12.32 25,640 9.13 15.09 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 2,760 2.5 13.54 28,160 10.62 15.98 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 2,680 2.5 17.23 35,850 14.10 20.10 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,4 2.3 80 43.05 89,530 27.00 52.61 

Support activities for mining (NAICS 213100)

Roustabouts, oil and gas........................................................................................................................................ 22,180 12.0 12.56 26,120 9.25 15.58 

Service unit operators, oil, gas, and mining........................................................................................................... 12,270 6.7 15.84 32,960 11.49 19.02 

Derrick operators, oil and gas................................................................................................................................ 12,210 6.6 16.85 35,040 13.20 20.07 

Helpers--extraction workers................................................................................................................................... 11,720 6.4 13.02 27,080 10.46 15.54 

Rotary drill operators, oil and gas........................................................................................................................... 11 6.2 ,410 18.77 39,040 14.34 22.23 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 9,520 5.2 26.56 55,250 18.74 33.12 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 6,390 3.5 13.77 28,640 10.88 15.44 

Extraction workers, all other................................................................................................................................... 5,720 3.1 16.97 35,290 12.80 19.36 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 5,340 2.9 43.05 89,540 27.22 53.59 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 3,590 2.0 15.28 31,790 11.22 19.25 

Electric power generation, transmission and distribution (NAICS 221100)

Electrical power-line installers and repairers.......................................................................................................... 50,790 12.4 24.60 51,160 21.19 28.43 

Power plant operators............................................................................................................................................ 21,860 25.85 5.3 53,770 22.37 30.09 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 21,040 17.26 5.1 35,890 13.03 20.80 

Electrical and electronics repairers, powerhouse, substation, and relay................................................................ 13,720 26.53 3.3 55,180 23.41 30.27 

Meter readers, utilities............................................................................................................................................ 13,290 16.28 3.2 33,870 12.51 20.15 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 12,820 3.1 32.04 66,650 27.33 37.52 

Electrical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 10,250 2.5 35.32 73,470 28.91 41.58 

Electricians............................................................................................................................................................. 8,110 2.0 24.81 51,600 21.23 28.91 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 7,970 1.9 33.82 70,350 28.20 41.21 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 7,910 25.40 1.9 52,830 22.39 29.92 

Natural gas distribution (NAICS 221200)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 9,600 17.98 8.8 37,400 12.79 23.29 

Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door...................................................................... 9,070 23.42 8.3 48,720 19.92 27.12 

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters................................................................................................................... 6,120 23.24 5.6 48,330 19.32 27.15 

Meter readers, utilities............................................................................................................................................ 5,490 17.72 5.0 36,850 13.58 22.56 

Gas plant operators................................................................................................................................................ 3,260 25.55 3.0 53,140 22.15 29.24 

Installation, maintenance, and repair workers, all other......................................................................................... 2,480 24.87 2.3 51,730 20.55 30.66 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,390 2.2 17.58 36,580 13.25 22.27 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,180 2.0 21.27 44,240 17.08 25.90 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 1,980 1.8 28.34 58,950 22.80 34.00 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 1,890 1.7 29.40 61,150 24.83 34.24 

Water, sewage, and other systems (NAICS 221300)

Water and liquid waste treatment plant and system operators.............................................................................. 8,460 18.2 16.36 34,020 11.84 20.56 

Meter readers, utilities............................................................................................................................................ 3,030 6.5 13.82 28,740 9.38 17.84 

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters................................................................................................................... 2,120 4.6 16.49 34,300 11.90 20.78 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,870 4.0 16.00 33,270 11.33 20.53 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 1,74 3.7 0 10.99 22,870 8.31 13.15 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,630 3.5 11.21 23,310 7.99 13.63 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,580 3.4 25.31 52,650 19.09 30.48 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,580 3.4 12.94 26,910 9.65 15.89 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,570 3.4 15.40 32,020 11.04 19.19 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,5 3.3 30 37.57 78,140 25.23 46.40 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Residential building construction (NAICS 236100)

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 264,260 30.4 17.83 37,090 12.91 21.70 

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 101,690 11.7 13.53 28,150 9.80 15.55 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 76,620 8.8 25.27 52,560 18.72 29.40 

Helpers--carpenters................................................................................................................................................ 42,060 4.8 10.58 22,010 8.49 12.32 

Construction managers.......................................................................................................................................... 33,390 3.8 37.42 77,840 24.63 44.24 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 31,100 3.6 11.17 23,220 7.71 13.34 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 24,930 2.9 15.06 31,330 11.33 18.29 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 21,9 2.5 40 12.46 25,920 9.78 14.55 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 18,350 2.1 51.56 107,250 28.77 (2)

Cost estimators...................................................................................................................................................... 15,500 1.8 25.93 53,940 17.92 32.36 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
9 3

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Nonresidential building construction (NAICS 236200)

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 146,420 20.2 $20.04 $41,690 $14.35 $25.37

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 104,540 14.4 14.67 30,510 9.93 18.47 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 73,770 26.97 10.2 56,090 32.62 20.19 

Construction managers.......................................................................................................................................... 40,750 5.6 37.64 78,290 26.74 44.42 

Cement masons and concrete finishers................................................................................................................. 19,850 2.7 17.24 35,850 11.83 22.55 

Cost estimators...................................................................................................................................................... 17,790 2.5 29.18 60,690 21.03 36.28 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 17,290 2.4 49.58 103,130 30.20 63.41 

Helpers--carpenters................................................................................................................................................ 17,170 2.4 11.98 24,920 9.34 13.64 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 14,110 1.9 12.45 25,900 9.12 15.13 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 13,740 1.9 19.90 41,400 14.46 24.84 

Utility system construction (NAICS 237100)

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 75,090 19.8 14.52 30,200 9.71 18.12 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 39,060 10.3 19.96 41,520 13.96 25.46 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 25,080 6.6 25.40 52,830 19.00 30.33 

Pipelayers............................................................................................................................................................... 21,640 5.7 15.29 31,810 10.90 18.59 

Electrical power-line installers and repairers.......................................................................................................... 18,190 19.13 4.8 39,790 24.35 13.63 

Telecommunications line installers and repairers.................................................................................................. 13,950 15.48 3.7 32,190 18.36 11.48 

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters................................................................................................................... 11,290 19.29 3.0 40,130 24.82 12.53 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 9,780 16.92 2.6 35,190 20.16 12.50 

Earth drillers, except oil and gas............................................................................................................................ 8,750 16.54 2.3 34,400 19.08 12.53 

Construction managers.......................................................................................................................................... 7,960 2.1 36.08 75,040 25.64 42.36 

Land subdivision (NAICS 237200)

Property, real estate, and community association managers................................................................................. 4,510 5.4 35.68 74,210 19.61 43.82 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 4,430 5.3 27.97 58,170 20.70 33.92 

Real estate sales agents........................................................................................................................................ 4,230 5.0 28.91 60,130 14.17 35.99 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 3,850 4.6 18.97 39,450 15.02 21.81 

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 3,710 4.4 13.12 27,290 9.17 15.99 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 3,590 4.3 10.63 22,110 8.10 11.77 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 3,550 4.2 16.48 34,270 13.15 19.81 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,3 4.0 60 58.01 120,670 32.99 (2)

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,200 3.8 12.02 24,990 8.42 14.33 

Construction managers.......................................................................................................................................... 3,140 41.76 3.7 86,870 52.96 27.66 

Highway, street, and bridge construction (NAICS 237300)

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 89,410 15.79 25.2 32,840 9.92 21.10 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 53,420 20.33 15.0 42,280 25.93 13.82 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 27,160 7.7 15.89 33,050 11.52 19.36 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 26,540 7.5 25.77 53,610 19.22 30.93 

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators............................................................................................ 19,580 5.5 16.58 34,500 11.34 20.72 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 14,760 4.2 20.04 41,690 13.62 25.83 

Cement masons and concrete finishers................................................................................................................. 12,560 16.87 3.5 35,100 22.23 11.65 

Construction managers.......................................................................................................................................... 8,100 2.3 37.19 77,360 26.18 43.33 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 6,320 1.8 18.61 38,710 14.28 22.29 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 5,170 1.5 46.92 97,600 28.62 59.96 

Other heavy and civil engineering construction (NAICS 237900)

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 18,870 18.8 14.16 29,440 9.65 17.21 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 13,480 19.03 13.4 39,570 23.38 12.96 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 5,760 24.92 5.7 51,830 30.09 18.45 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 4,880 19.81 4.9 41,200 25.35 13.69 

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters................................................................................................................... 3,340 22.52 3.3 46,840 27.00 16.80 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 2,810 15.43 2.8 32,100 19.10 11.31 

Construction managers.......................................................................................................................................... 1,980 38.56 2.0 80,210 46.20 26.07 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,920 1.9 11.35 23,610 8.05 13.86 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 1,860 16.66 1.9 34,650 19.95 12.56 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,8 1.8 50 44.61 92,780 26.09 56.22 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors (NAICS 238100)

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 143,740 14.3 17.82 37,070 12.65 22.24 

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 114,880 11.4 13.64 28,370 9.61 16.10 

Roofers................................................................................................................................................................... 103,560 10.3 16.19 33,670 11.58 19.86 

Cement masons and concrete finishers................................................................................................................. 83,990 8.4 16.14 33,580 11.82 19.50 

Brickmasons and blockmasons.............................................................................................................................. 83,370 8.3 20.31 42,230 15.39 24.87 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 53,710 5.4 25.56 53,170 18.75 29.94 

Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters................................................. 42, 4.2 150 13.56 28,210 9.96 15.57 

Structural iron and steel workers............................................................................................................................ 33,480 3.3 22.16 46,080 15.71 28.45 

Glaziers.................................................................................................................................................................. 28,900 2.9 18.12 37,690 12.35 22.19 

Reinforcing iron and rebar workers........................................................................................................................ 19,520 1.9 19.01 39,540 12.30 25.54 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
9 4

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Building equipment contractors (NAICS 238200)

Electricians............................................................................................................................................................. 402,570 22.0 $21.45 $44,610 $14.88 $26.87

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters................................................................................................................... 298,780 16.3 21.45 44,610 15.08 27.04 

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.................................................................... 139,030 17.87 7.6 37,170 12.97 21.56 

Sheet metal workers............................................................................................................................................... 86,790 19.66 4.7 40,880 13.07 25.81 

Helpers--electricians............................................................................................................................................... 84,130 11.84 4.6 24,620 9.31 13.85 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 74,550 4.1 28.45 59,180 20.68 34.16 

Helpers--pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters.................................................................................. 59,530 3.3 11.40 23,710 9.02 13.22 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 51,460 2.8 11.78 24,500 8.75 14.12 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 41,370 2.3 14.95 31,100 11.17 18.10 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 36,6 20 12.20 2.0 25,380 9.03 14.38 

Building finishing contractors (NAICS 238300)

Painters, construction and maintenance................................................................................................................ 160,720 15.86 17.7 32,980 11.64 18.64 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 120,370 19.30 13.2 40,150 13.26 24.82 

Drywall and ceiling tile installers............................................................................................................................. 94,660 17.96 10.4 37,360 12.85 22.14 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 42,430 26.01 4.7 54,110 18.47 30.93 

Plasterers and stucco masons............................................................................................................................... 39,680 17.17 4.4 35,720 12.50 20.52 

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 34,040 13.55 3.8 28,170 9.46 15.93 

Tile and marble setters........................................................................................................................................... 33,750 18.48 3.7 38,450 13.09 22.72 

Tapers.................................................................................................................................................................... 31,810 19.30 3.5 40,140 14.15 24.54 

Insulation workers, floor, ceiling, and wall.............................................................................................................. 25,530 15.90 2.8 33,070 10.25 19.99 

Carpet installers...................................................................................................................................................... 20,260 18.26 2.2 37,980 12.01 23.84 

Other specialty trade contractors (NAICS 238900)

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 126,390 14.06 20.1 29,240 9.79 17.09 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 81,700 13.0 19.43 40,420 13.57 24.64 

Cement masons and concrete finishers................................................................................................................. 43,020 6.8 16.73 34,800 12.11 20.57 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 38,830 6.2 15.12 31,440 11.80 17.40 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 37,560 6.0 25.02 52,050 18.36 28.53 

Excavating and loading machine and dragline operators....................................................................................... 19,590 3.1 16.96 35,280 12.64 20.58 

Fence erectors....................................................................................................................................................... 18,150 12.12 2.9 25,210 9.31 14.13 

Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators............................................................................................ 17,670 2.8 16.70 34,740 11.81 19.62 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 14,900 18.87 2.4 39,250 13.09 24.20 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 14,280 11.28 2.3 23,460 8.12 13.56 

Animal food manufacturing (NAICS 311100)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 3,800 12.34 7.7 25,660 9.37 15.26 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 3,480 13.00 7.0 27,040 10.17 15.64 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 3,060 6.2 14.94 31,070 11.72 17.47 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 2,870 5.8 13.85 28,800 11.63 16.22 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,290 4.6 10.50 21,830 8.02 12.57 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,080 4.2 21.44 44,600 15.23 25.46 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 1,890 3.8 25.17 52,350 16.68 31.63 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,730 3.5 16.47 34,260 12.88 19.95 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 1,650 3.3 12.30 25,590 9.43 14.96 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 1,580 3.2 11.18 23,260 8.31 13.49 

Grain and oilseed milling (NAICS 311200)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 6,990 11.6 14.31 29,770 10.57 16.82 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 3,320 5.5 13.52 28,130 10.20 16.19 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,930 4.8 22.29 46,360 16.67 27.00 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,6 4.4 30 11.99 24,940 9.06 14.86 

Separating, filtering, clarifying, precipitating, and still machine setters, operators, and tenders............................ 2,430 4.0 16.37 34,050 13.97 19.45 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 2,330 3.9 14.61 30,390 11.77 16.96 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,320 3.8 17.58 36,570 14.37 20.93 

Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................................... 2,270 3.8 14.73 30,630 11.76 17.46 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 2,090 3.5 15.70 32,650 11.20 19.36 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 1,870 3.1 14.02 29,160 11.25 16.87 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Sugar and confectionery product manufacturing (NAICS 311300)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 8,000 9.6 12.53 26,070 9.27 15.63 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 7,320 8.8 10.16 21,120 7.61 12.28 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 6,870 11.67 8.2 24,270 8.07 14.22 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 5,330 11.55 6.4 24,030 8.31 14.56 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 3,330 8.54 4.0 17,770 6.88 9.24 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,820 3.4 17.63 36,670 14.75 20.82 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,7 3.3 40 10.99 22,860 8.41 13.13 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,390 2.9 21.73 45,200 15.95 26.20 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 2,250 2.7 15.67 32,590 13.27 18.11 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 2,110 2.5 19.47 40,490 17.43 21.89 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
9 5

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing (NAICS 311400)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 25,45 14.2 0 $11.39 $23,690 $8.41 $13.95

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 10,940 6.1 10.98 22,830 8.48 13.44 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 10,190 12.80 5.7 26,620 15.00 10.89 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 10,080 11.88 5.6 24,710 8.94 14.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 9,4 5.3 80 9.88 20,550 7.80 11.12 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 8,370 4.7 9.45 19,660 7.52 10.89 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 6,310 16.62 3.5 34,560 19.85 13.91 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 6,250 12.92 3.5 26,860 14.68 10.18 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 5,940 3.3 20.52 42,670 15.23 25.19 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 5,200 2.9 17.65 36,710 15.09 20.38 

Dairy product manufacturing (NAICS 311500)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 13,73 10.4 0 13.33 27,720 10.48 16.14 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 9,080 6.9 12.89 26,810 9.95 15.63 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 8,910 12.93 6.8 26,900 15.40 10.37 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 6,730 16.97 5.1 35,290 19.85 14.44 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 6,710 12.30 5.1 25,580 9.91 14.58 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 5,840 4.4 10.24 21,290 7.70 12.59 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 4,810 17.00 3.7 35,350 20.47 13.41 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 4,660 14.38 3.5 29,900 16.50 12.19 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,500 22.02 3.4 45,800 26.27 16.87 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 4,180 3.2 17.83 37,090 14.78 20.84 

Animal slaughtering and processing (NAICS 311600)

Slaughterers and meat packers............................................................................................................................. 129,590 10.21 25.5 21,240 8.75 11.53 

Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers.......................................................................................................... 94,500 18.6 9.20 19,150 7.83 10.42 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 20, 4.1 860 10.05 20,890 8.56 11.15 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 18,930 9.27 3.7 19,290 7.64 10.46 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 18,440 10.80 3.6 22,460 8.68 12.57 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 16,020 3.2 19.29 40,120 15.14 22.43 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 15,960 3.1 9.20 19,140 7.46 10.65 

Butchers and meat cutters..................................................................................................................................... 13,750 10.82 2.7 22,500 8.79 12.44 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 12,280 14.67 2.4 30,510 16.87 12.05 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 9,210 9.83 1.8 20,440 8.22 10.89 

Seafood product preparation and packaging (NAICS 311700)

Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers.......................................................................................................... 9,250 9.83 22.8 20,440 7.28 11.01 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 3,020 8.64 7.5 17,970 6.95 9.76 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 2,970 7.3 8.75 18,210 7.09 9.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,6 6.6 90 8.66 18,020 6.79 10.21 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 1,960 10.51 4.8 21,870 8.11 12.14 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,620 20.39 4.0 42,410 25.93 13.41 

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............................................................................................................. 1,270 3.1 7.97 16,580 6.54 9.11 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 930 8.18 2.3 17,020 6.58 9.35 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 700 10.17 1.7 21,150 7.92 11.91 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 700 28.34 1.7 58,950 35.72 17.95 

Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing (NAICS 311800)

Bakers.................................................................................................................................................................... 44,900 11.50 15.6 23,920 8.36 13.84 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 18,550 10.90 6.4 22,670 7.84 13.23 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 17,410 9.85 6.0 20,490 7.49 11.80 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 17,210 11.61 6.0 24,160 8.50 14.13 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 14,25 4.9 0 12.10 25,160 9.09 14.63 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 11,710 8.66 4.1 18,010 6.97 9.61 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 9,950 20.50 3.5 42,640 24.72 15.46 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 8,450 15.95 2.9 33,170 20.06 11.45 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 8,040 7.67 2.8 15,960 6.47 8.53 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 8,000 10.48 2.8 21,810 6.98 10.03 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Other food manufacturing (NAICS 311900)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 12,99 8.4 0 12.64 26,290 9.58 15.63 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 12,870 8.3 11.07 23,030 8.46 13.47 

Food batchmakers.................................................................................................................................................. 10,010 6.5 12.02 25,010 8.44 15.01 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 6,510 4.2 13.20 27,450 10.99 15.65 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 5,280 3.4 10.36 21,540 7.97 11.90 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,970 3.2 22.05 45,860 15.66 26.95 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,7 3.1 30 11.25 23,400 8.48 13.57 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 4,170 2.7 17.98 37,400 14.84 21.18 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 3,780 2.4 12.31 25,610 8.67 15.42 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 3,390 2.2 29.20 60,740 19.12 37.44 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
9 6

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Beverage manufacturing (NAICS 312100)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 18,27 10.9 0 $13.57 $28,220 $9.82 $16.65

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 11,000 6.6 15.26 31,750 10.63 18.79 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 10,030 6.0 12.04 25,040 9.31 14.63 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 9,450 5.7 23.41 48,700 15.88 26.98 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 8,020 4.8 16.52 34,350 13.55 19.70 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 7,730 4.6 14.24 29,610 11.68 16.60 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 5,030 3.0 14.40 29,940 10.49 17.53 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,480 2.7 23.78 49,460 18.40 27.73 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,980 2.4 18.55 38,590 14.40 22.23 

Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers......................................................................... 3,330 2.0 15.34 31,900 12.82 17.98 

Tobacco manufacturing (NAICS 312200)

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,000 10.9 13.71 28,520 9.13 18.65 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 2,340 8.5 20.46 42,560 10.79 30.32 

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders...................................... 1,270 4.6 15.37 31,960 9.93 20.50 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 1,110 23.20 4.0 48,250 28.21 17.28 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,050 3.8 19.33 40,220 14.50 24.84 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 990 3.6 12.48 25,950 9.44 15.06 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 810 3.0 13.52 28,120 8.74 17.11 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 640 13.23 2.3 27,510 9.69 17.47 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 600 23.94 2.2 49,800 30.92 16.68 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 500 1.8 17.32 36,030 11.89 21.82 

Fiber, yarn, and thread mills (NAICS 313100)

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................. 39.6 21,770 10.72 22,310 9.49 12.18 

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders.................................................................. 3,140 5.7 11.54 24,010 10.20 12.98 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 2,820 5.1 14.09 29,310 12.18 15.69 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,200 4.0 20.13 41,870 16.09 23.28 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,010 3.7 13.83 28,770 11.93 15.79 

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers................................. 1,820 11.88 3.3 24,700 13.54 10.08 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,4 2.5 00 10.26 21,340 9.21 11.15 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 1,340 2.4 11.46 23,830 9.90 12.92 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 1,320 9.90 2.4 20,590 9.15 10.67 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,140 11.33 2.1 23,560 9.95 12.83 

Fabric mills (NAICS 313200)

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders.................................................................. 24,430 11.83 20.5 24,600 13.38 10.14 

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................. 10,990 10.88 9.2 22,630 9.34 12.28 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 5,500 4.6 11.23 23,350 9.22 12.89 

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders............................................................................... 4,890 4.1 11.07 23,020 9.49 12.47 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,780 20.08 4.0 41,770 23.62 15.79 

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 4,190 10.03 3.5 20,870 7.61 11.51 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 3,870 3.3 15.66 32,580 13.14 17.55 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,640 3.1 10.18 21,180 8.70 11.21 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,290 2.8 14.73 30,640 12.68 16.60 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,270 2.8 10.41 21,650 9.05 11.72 

Textile and fabric finishing and fabric coating mills (NAICS 313300)

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders............................................................................... 8,320 12.0 11.05 22,990 9.08 12.87 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,310 11.35 4.8 23,610 9.37 12.98 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,090 19.86 4.4 41,310 23.44 15.21 

Printing machine operators.................................................................................................................................... 2,990 4.3 11.13 23,160 8.47 13.16 

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................. 2,700 3.9 10.17 21,160 9.25 11.00 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 2,560 9.53 3.7 19,820 7.61 10.82 

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 2,460 9.46 3.5 19,680 7.59 10.85 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 2,150 9.73 3.1 20,240 7.92 11.43 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,9 2.8 80 10.33 21,480 8.67 11.21 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 1,870 2.7 33.37 69,420 19.82 41.67 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Textile furnishings mills (NAICS 314100)

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 19,900 18.9 9.45 19,650 7.71 10.72 

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................. 6,990 6.6 11.82 24,590 10.51 13.19 

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders.................................................................. 4,880 4.6 12.08 25,120 10.08 13.97 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 4,850 4.6 11.84 24,620 9.36 14.24 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 4,350 4.1 9.00 18,730 7.61 10.41 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 4,140 3.9 10.94 22,750 9.10 12.76 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 3,730 11.54 3.5 24,000 12.97 10.07 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,710 3.5 19.58 40,730 14.55 23.90 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,600 3.4 9.32 19,380 7.62 10.80 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,340 9.95 3.2 20,700 8.16 11.54 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
9 7

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Other textile product mills (NAICS 314900)

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 20,630 27.0 $9.48 $19,720 $7.67 $10.78

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 4,200 5.5 11.73 24,410 8.67 13.79 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,550 19.71 4.6 40,990 23.44 13.74 

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................. 3,540 4.6 11.51 23,940 9.24 13.99 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 2,130 2.8 24.20 50,340 15.26 29.54 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 1,890 2.5 8.53 17,750 7.02 9.91 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,880 10.09 2.5 21,000 7.82 11.72 

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders........................................................................................ 1,640 10.45 2.1 21,740 8.17 12.54 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 1,570 8.73 2.1 18,170 7.06 10.22 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,5 2.0 00 41.63 86,590 23.86 53.34 

Apparel knitting mills (NAICS 315100)

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 7,300 17.2 8.83 18,370 7.33 10.26 

Textile knitting and weaving machine setters, operators, and tenders.................................................................. 6,510 15.4 10.05 20,900 8.46 11.14 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 2,650 9.08 6.3 18,900 7.46 10.57 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,460 9.59 5.8 19,950 8.09 10.56 

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders............................................................................... 1,860 4.4 9.45 19,650 7.93 10.72 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 1,780 4.2 13.49 28,050 11.70 15.14 

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials................................................................................................... 1,600 3.8 9.33 19,410 7.71 10.74 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 1,550 9.29 3.7 19,330 7.82 10.68 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,450 17.42 3.4 36,230 20.65 12.48 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,0 2.6 90 9.72 20,230 7.95 10.74 

Cut and sew apparel manufacturing (NAICS 315200)

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 99,930 8.53 43.9 17,740 7.16 9.40 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 7,680 3.4 10.01 20,830 7.39 10.94 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 7,420 3.3 10.34 21,510 7.94 11.69 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 6,960 17.06 3.1 35,480 20.86 11.64 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 6,230 8.82 2.7 18,340 7.43 10.11 

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders........................................................................................ 6,020 9.83 2.7 20,450 7.64 11.23 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 5,090 2.2 35.63 74,120 20.37 49.42 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 4,930 2.2 8.96 18,630 6.98 10.38 

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials................................................................................................... 4,720 8.93 2.1 18,560 7.37 10.21 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 4,160 11.22 1.8 23,330 8.26 13.21 

Apparel accessories and other apparel manufacturing (NAICS 315900)

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 8,950 8.46 38.0 17,590 6.92 9.68 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 1,740 8.73 7.4 18,170 7.41 9.72 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,030 4.4 17.40 36,180 12.22 20.94 

Sewers, hand.......................................................................................................................................................... 990 4.2 8.16 16,970 6.25 9.26 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 690 10.42 2.9 21,670 8.15 12.19 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 530 8.41 2.3 17,490 6.75 9.85 

Textile cutting machine setters, operators, and tenders........................................................................................ 500 10.37 2.1 21,570 8.30 11.87 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 450 1.9 11.40 23,710 9.04 13.34 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 440 1.9 27.36 56,900 16.14 34.00 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 420 1.8 9.54 19,830 7.18 10.82 

Leather and hide tanning and finishing (NAICS 316100)

Machine feeders and offbearers............................................................................................................................. 710 11.47 9.8 23,860 9.65 13.44 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 480 11.95 6.6 24,850 8.87 13.32 

Shoe and leather workers and repairers................................................................................................................ 440 12.25 6.1 25,470 9.80 13.69 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 380 12.25 5.3 25,480 8.19 18.04 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 350 4.8 20.48 42,600 15.93 23.75 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 280 3.9 10.31 21,440 7.40 12.76 

Textile bleaching and dyeing machine operators and tenders............................................................................... 260 13.28 3.6 27,630 15.87 10.46 

Textile, apparel, and furnishings workers, all other................................................................................................ 180 2.5 11.62 24,170 10.23 13.05 

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................. 170 2.4 12.92 26,880 10.74 14.76 

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................................................. 170 2.4 11.42 23,750 8.24 13.99 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Footwear manufacturing (NAICS 316200)

Shoe machine operators and tenders.................................................................................................................... 3,670 19.1 9.51 19,790 7.72 11.10 

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 1,760 9.2 9.79 20,370 7.82 11.39 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 1,570 10.73 8.2 22,320 8.31 12.41 

Shoe and leather workers and repairers................................................................................................................ 1,540 9.65 8.0 20,060 7.89 10.80 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 940 4.9 10.30 21,420 8.02 12.68 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 690 10.77 3.6 22,400 9.03 12.04 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 580 3.0 18.55 38,580 13.23 22.07 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 470 2.5 11.03 22,940 8.72 12.20 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 430 11.92 2.2 24,790 9.59 13.83 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 370 8.78 1.9 18,260 6.83 10.59 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
9 8

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Other leather and allied product manufacturing (NAICS 316900)

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 3,990 24.1 $8.94 $18,600 $7.24 $10.38

Shoe and leather workers and repairers................................................................................................................ 1,680 10.1 9.33 19,410 10.65 7.27 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 1,530 9.70 9.2 20,180 11.47 7.41 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 810 4.9 9.78 20,350 10.82 7.66 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 730 4.4 18.43 38,330 22.60 12.91 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 510 3.1 10.25 21,330 12.49 8.02 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 470 11.03 2.8 22,940 12.75 8.50 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 410 8.08 2.5 16,800 8.60 7.09

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 380 2.3 9.67 20,120 11.31 7.26 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 380 2.3 25.54 53,110 31.09 15.62 

Sawmills and wood preservation (NAICS 321100)

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood........................................................................................ 13,620 11.6 12.18 25,330 14.61 9.39 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 13, 11.4 370 9.60 19,960 10.96 7.67 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 8,200 12.14 7.0 25,260 14.01 9.87 

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing................................................................ 6,980 11.48 6.0 23,890 13.60 9.04 

Machine feeders and offbearers............................................................................................................................. 6,950 10.79 5.9 22,450 13.00 8.29 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 6,110 9.90 5.2 20,600 11.43 7.86 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,520 3.0 21.94 45,630 26.49 15.89 

Logging equipment operators................................................................................................................................. 3,380 12.37 2.9 25,740 14.80 9.62 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 3,330 13.90 2.9 28,900 16.60 10.76 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,090 2.6 14.33 29,810 16.60 11.82 

Veneer, plywood, and engineered wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321200)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 16,420 14.2 11.02 22,930 12.93 8.77 

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing................................................................ 8,610 7.4 11.60 24,120 13.61 9.05 

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood........................................................................................ 6,630 5.7 11.66 24,250 13.60 9.33 

Machine feeders and offbearers............................................................................................................................. 6,300 11.44 5.4 23,790 13.57 9.25 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 5,720 12.76 4.9 26,550 14.76 10.64 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,7 4.1 00 10.52 21,890 12.67 8.18 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,420 3.8 20.66 42,970 25.03 15.21 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,770 10.53 3.3 21,890 12.45 8.49 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 3,130 13.31 2.7 27,680 15.63 9.73 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 2,730 14.26 2.4 29,660 16.51 11.77 

Other wood product manufacturing (NAICS 321900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 44,630 11.52 14.4 23,960 13.41 9.12 

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing................................................................ 28,390 10.97 9.2 22,810 13.02 8.53 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 20,040 13.97 6.5 29,070 16.28 10.76 

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters................................................................................................................... 15,740 12.55 5.1 26,100 15.02 9.29 

Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood........................................................................................ 15,110 10.83 4.9 22,520 12.71 8.55 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 13,820 10.13 4.5 21,080 12.01 7.97 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 11,980 9.67 3.9 20,110 11.25 7.65 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 11,470 3.7 19.51 40,570 23.21 14.39 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 9,030 11.62 2.9 24,170 13.44 9.51 

Machine feeders and offbearers............................................................................................................................. 8,990 9.93 2.9 20,650 11.47 8.14 

Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills (NAICS 322100)

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................................................................... 24,030 16.3 18.47 38,430 21.91 14.80 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 6,490 14.40 4.4 29,950 17.41 11.24 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 6,220 22.12 4.2 46,000 26.18 18.32 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 6,180 4.2 21.62 44,970 25.93 17.83 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,900 3.3 29.95 62,300 37.11 22.73 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 4,820 18.22 3.3 37,890 22.29 14.24 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 4,630 16.13 3.1 33,550 19.64 12.74 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,5 3.1 30 14.63 30,440 18.53 10.62 

Millwrights............................................................................................................................................................... 3,570 2.4 22.81 47,450 26.62 19.23 

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................................................. 3,440 2.3 16.99 35,340 20.16 13.47 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Converted paper product manufacturing (NAICS 322200)

Paper goods machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................................................................... 65,630 18.7 14.22 29,590 16.60 11.66 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 24,020 11.36 6.9 23,620 13.51 9.03 

Printing machine operators.................................................................................................................................... 15,570 16.00 4.4 33,280 19.11 12.56 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 14,880 13.92 4.2 28,940 16.06 11.76 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 14,000 4.0 10.46 21,760 12.27 8.59 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 13,880 4.0 24.03 49,990 28.13 18.69 

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................................................. 11,390 3.3 14.67 30,510 17.03 11.74 

Machine feeders and offbearers............................................................................................................................. 11,120 12.24 3.2 25,460 14.27 10.01 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 9,750 11.96 2.8 24,880 14.56 9.16 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 8,960 2.6 33.70 70,090 40.86 21.33 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
9 9

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Printing and related support activities (NAICS 323100)

Printing machine operators.................................................................................................................................... 93,220 14.0 $15.99 $33,250 $11.44 $19.61

Bindery workers...................................................................................................................................................... 56,110 12.59 8.4 26,180 9.25 15.40 

Prepress technicians and workers......................................................................................................................... 44,110 16.63 6.6 34,600 20.47 12.35 

Job printers............................................................................................................................................................. 38,790 16.41 5.8 34,130 20.27 12.27 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 27,320 4.1 23.95 49,820 18.19 28.46 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 26,460 4.0 15.93 33,130 11.78 19.26 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 24,970 3.8 10.51 21,860 8.44 12.29 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 20,930 30.05 3.1 62,500 36.79 17.55 

Machine feeders and offbearers............................................................................................................................. 13,990 11.74 2.1 24,410 9.46 13.37 

Graphic designers.................................................................................................................................................. 13,960 2.1 16.77 34,880 12.63 19.96 

Petroleum and coal products manufacturing (NAICS 324100)

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.................................................................... 19,020 17.0 24.79 51,570 22.63 27.67 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,990 4.5 30.35 63,120 22.29 38.96 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,750 3.3 19.94 41,470 15.81 24.74 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 3,550 3.2 15.81 32,880 11.86 19.30 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 3,490 3.1 15.25 31,720 11.30 17.91 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 2,770 2.5 24.37 50,680 20.14 28.55 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,9 1.8 60 13.09 27,220 9.35 15.99 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 1,950 18.71 1.7 38,920 24.38 12.89 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 1,930 33.97 1.7 70,650 41.13 27.92 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,860 14.65 1.7 30,470 16.74 11.78 

Basic chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325100)

Chemical plant and system operators.................................................................................................................... 27,980 22.38 17.9 46,550 26.14 18.81 

Chemical equipment operators and tenders.......................................................................................................... 12,180 20.57 7.8 42,790 25.18 16.43 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 7,140 4.6 28.86 60,020 21.70 36.15 

Chemical technicians............................................................................................................................................. 6,630 4.2 21.15 44,000 16.95 25.11 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 5,980 3.8 20.19 42,000 16.33 24.29 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 5,030 3.2 21.50 44,730 18.17 25.62 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 3,970 2.5 15.68 32,610 12.08 18.96 

Chemists................................................................................................................................................................ 3,800 29.25 2.4 60,850 34.94 21.77 

Chemical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 3,640 38.06 2.3 79,160 45.63 30.91 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 2,950 18.42 1.9 38,300 21.72 14.79 

Resin, rubber, and artificial fibers manufacturing (NAICS 325200)

Chemical plant and system operators.................................................................................................................... 9,880 22.73 9.0 47,280 26.04 19.41 

Chemical equipment operators and tenders.......................................................................................................... 5,700 21.73 5.2 45,200 25.77 18.32 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,460 4.1 27.13 56,430 20.45 33.31 

Extruding and forming machine setters, operators, and tenders, synthetic and glass fibers................................. 3,850 15.87 3.5 33,020 18.82 12.33 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,840 20.14 3.5 41,880 24.24 16.58 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 3,830 16.29 3.5 33,880 20.06 12.24 

Chemical technicians............................................................................................................................................. 3,720 22.29 3.4 46,350 26.44 18.05 

Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................. 3,300 3.0 17.83 37,080 12.83 24.42 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 2,860 2.6 14.21 29,570 10.10 17.23 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,820 2.6 16.72 34,780 12.41 20.53 

Pesticide, fertilizer, and other agricultural chemical manufacturing (NAICS 325300)

Chemical plant and system operators.................................................................................................................... 4,730 11.3 20.85 43,370 18.28 23.99 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 2,430 5.8 13.09 27,230 9.21 15.66 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,380 18.54 5.7 38,560 21.61 15.86 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,880 4.5 26.27 54,640 19.10 32.93 

Chemical equipment operators and tenders.......................................................................................................... 1,580 3.8 20.14 41,890 17.56 23.08 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 1,160 2.8 10.20 21,230 8.16 11.63 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,130 11.22 2.7 23,350 8.47 13.12 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 1,020 2.4 14.78 30,740 10.92 17.92 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 980 2.3 9.51 19,770 7.55 10.78 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 890 12.02 2.1 25,000 9.65 13.73 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing (NAICS 325400)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 21,87 7.6 0 13.53 28,150 9.89 16.55 

Chemists................................................................................................................................................................ 14,290 29.88 5.0 62,150 37.00 21.24 

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists............................................................................................................. 10,100 38.64 3.5 80,360 46.36 28.87 

Biological technicians............................................................................................................................................. 7,980 2.8 19.43 40,410 14.86 22.84 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 7,710 2.7 16.43 34,180 11.86 19.66 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 7,690 2.7 14.79 30,770 11.14 17.91 

Chemical equipment operators and tenders.......................................................................................................... 7,540 2.6 16.53 34,390 13.90 18.60 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 7,160 2.5 26.28 54,660 19.74 31.88 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 6,580 2.3 29.98 62,350 19.47 36.36 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 5,830 2.0 33.07 68,790 24.28 39.55 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
100

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Paint, coating, and adhesive manufacturing (NAICS 325500)

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 9,460 13.6 $14.45 $30,050 $11.17 $17.27

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 4,320 6.2 13.59 28,270 10.60 16.54 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,870 4.1 24.02 49,970 18.50 28.79 

Chemists................................................................................................................................................................ 2,490 30.81 3.6 64,090 36.26 22.69 

Chemical technicians............................................................................................................................................. 2,320 18.27 3.3 38,010 21.38 14.80 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 2,230 3.2 30.15 62,710 20.31 36.84 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 2,050 3.0 10.77 22,400 8.57 12.66 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 1,930 14.71 2.8 30,610 17.29 11.61 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,900 14.28 2.7 29,700 16.85 11.44 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,8 2.7 70 13.21 27,480 9.71 16.41 

Soap, cleaning compound, and toilet preparation manufacturing (NAICS 325600)

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 12,01 10.4 0 12.18 25,330 8.58 15.39 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 9,330 8.1 14.21 29,560 10.61 17.45 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 6,880 6.0 11.60 24,130 8.62 13.89 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 6,090 10.14 5.3 21,080 7.70 12.07 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,6 4.0 00 12.60 26,200 9.63 15.07 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 3,980 14.21 3.5 29,560 16.80 11.31 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,850 3.3 24.41 50,760 18.41 29.65 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,970 2.6 18.85 39,200 15.49 22.32 

Chemists................................................................................................................................................................ 2,590 28.38 2.3 59,030 34.26 19.99 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,520 2.2 14.31 29,770 10.76 17.12 

Other chemical product and preparation manufacturing (NAICS 325900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 8,050 7.5 11.09 23,070 8.50 12.76 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 7,350 6.8 15.24 31,690 11.65 18.66 

Chemical plant and system operators.................................................................................................................... 5,110 4.7 19.27 40,080 15.53 22.61 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,170 3.9 24.25 50,440 18.14 29.23 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,780 3.5 15.12 31,450 11.39 17.37 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,160 2.9 18.32 38,110 15.03 21.42 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 2,630 2.4 13.50 28,080 9.77 16.54 

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 2,560 2.4 14.19 29,520 10.97 16.77 

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 2,550 2.4 10.41 21,650 7.96 12.13 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,350 51.88 2.2 107,920 65.05 35.86 

Plastics product manufacturing (NAICS 326100)

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 63,460 11.35 10.0 23,610 8.88 13.38 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 45,740 10.98 7.2 22,840 8.77 12.84 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 37,350 5.9 9.96 20,710 8.06 11.46 

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 29,890 4.7 12.90 26,830 9.97 15.52 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 28,720 21.22 4.5 44,150 25.29 15.84 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 20,740 12.95 3.3 26,930 14.87 10.29 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 17,620 2.8 17.34 36,070 14.42 20.44 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 17, 2.8 420 11.01 22,900 8.76 12.83 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 16,430 10.67 2.6 22,190 8.38 12.67 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 16,2 80 11.91 2.6 24,770 9.38 13.89 

Rubber product manufacturing (NAICS 326200)

Tire builders............................................................................................................................................................ 16,020 17.74 9.2 36,900 22.29 13.40 

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders...................................... 13,55 0 13.87 7.8 28,850 16.15 10.88 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 13,220 14.61 7.6 30,390 18.27 10.91 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 8,320 4.8 15.39 32,020 11.04 19.90 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 7,710 4.4 21.93 45,620 17.19 25.91 

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic...................................................................................... 7,630 4.4 12.79 26,600 8.37 17.22 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 5,460 12.36 3.1 25,720 9.28 13.96 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 5,460 13.69 3.1 28,480 9.88 18.00 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 4,780 2.8 18.77 39,040 15.02 22.58 

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 4,430 2.6 12.15 25,280 9.68 14.03 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Clay product and refractory manufacturing (NAICS 327100)

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders...................................... 4,010 12.77 6.2 26,570 15.00 10.28 

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic...................................................................................... 3,850 12.05 5.9 25,050 9.22 14.50 

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders.................................................................................. 3,660 13.00 5.6 27,040 15.51 10.28 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,320 5.1 13.52 28,110 11.18 15.93 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,930 4.5 21.39 44,490 16.71 25.40 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,850 4.4 11.42 23,740 8.98 13.46 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 2,240 11.13 3.5 23,160 8.76 13.18 

Painting, coating, and decorating workers............................................................................................................. 1,870 2.9 10.97 22,820 8.09 13.38 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 1,810 11.07 2.8 23,020 8.45 13.36 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,750 12.52 2.7 26,030 13.94 10.76 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
101

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Glass and glass product manufacturing (NAICS 327200)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 11,430 10.1 $12.97 $26,980 $10.34 $15.53

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 6,170 5.5 15.23 31,690 11.65 17.69 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 5,680 5.0 11.28 23,460 8.67 13.54 

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders...................................... 4,320 3.8 15.95 33,170 12.17 19.42 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,210 3.7 22.93 47,690 17.43 27.41 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,9 3.5 80 12.13 25,230 9.22 14.21 

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................................................. 3,860 14.69 3.4 30,550 17.53 10.93 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,710 12.09 3.3 25,160 9.52 14.76 

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders.................................................................................. 3,630 15.19 3.2 31,590 18.34 11.69 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,520 3.1 18.01 37,470 14.91 20.95 

Cement and concrete product manufacturing (NAICS 327300)

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 71,570 30.9 15.35 31,930 11.98 17.85 

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic...................................................................................... 9,260 4.0 11.67 24,280 9.15 13.96 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 9,200 11.67 4.0 24,270 8.76 13.74 

Cement masons and concrete finishers................................................................................................................. 6,660 12.86 2.9 26,750 9.68 15.47 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 5,890 2.6 25.68 53,410 17.76 30.48 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 5,640 2.4 13.63 28,360 10.52 16.13 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 5,540 2.4 22.53 46,860 16.67 27.26 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 5,420 2.3 13.45 27,980 10.67 15.58 

Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders...................................... 5,250 2.3 12.52 26,040 9.74 14.67 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 4,980 2.2 17.32 36,020 13.69 20.61 

Lime and gypsum product manufacturing (NAICS 327400)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 1,290 6.8 13.70 28,490 10.83 16.51 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,130 5.9 14.46 30,070 12.19 16.73 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,060 5.6 22.65 47,120 18.07 26.88 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 820 4.3 17.40 36,200 15.26 20.24 

Mixing and blending machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................................... 800 4.2 14.28 29,710 12.17 16.59 

Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle operators and tenders.................................................................................. 650 16.80 3.4 34,950 20.13 14.04 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 630 3.3 12.46 25,920 8.77 15.64 

Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................................... 630 3.3 14.45 30,050 11.87 17.05 

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic...................................................................................... 560 3.0 11.34 23,600 8.67 13.62 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 550 18.89 2.9 39,290 21.37 16.30 

Other nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing (NAICS 327900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 3,080 12.36 4.3 25,710 9.63 14.94 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,900 22.51 4.0 46,830 26.84 17.12 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,7 3.8 70 10.79 22,440 8.05 13.25 

Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic...................................................................................... 2,750 13.54 3.8 28,160 9.61 16.80 

Grinding and polishing workers, hand.................................................................................................................... 2,690 12.47 3.7 25,930 9.30 15.32 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 2,640 14.27 3.6 29,670 17.67 10.66 

Cutting and slicing machine setters, operators, and tenders................................................................................. 2,420 3.3 13.62 28,320 10.29 16.32 

Crushing, grinding, and polishing machine setters, operators, and tenders.......................................................... 2,340 3.2 13.16 27,370 9.98 16.06 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,230 3.1 18.18 37,820 14.77 21.42 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 1,930 2.7 12.49 25,980 8.64 15.57 

Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing (NAICS 331100)

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 5,440 5.6 19.02 39,560 15.07 22.55 

Crane and tower operators..................................................................................................................................... 4,540 4.7 17.32 36,020 13.61 20.78 

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....................................................................... 4,220 4.4 18.12 37,690 14.61 21.24 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,880 4.0 25.28 52,580 20.00 29.35 

Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders........................................................................................................ 3,610 3.7 18.77 39,030 15.24 21.91 

Electricians............................................................................................................................................................. 3,450 22.83 3.6 47,480 26.30 18.91 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,310 14.96 3.4 31,110 18.95 11.00 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,120 12.50 3.2 26,000 9.30 15.44 

Production, planning, and expediting clerks........................................................................................................... 2,950 3.1 21.08 43,850 18.54 23.01 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,770 2.9 17.82 37,070 13.88 21.25 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Steel product manufacturing from purchased steel (NAICS 331200)

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 4,610 7.8 15.18 31,580 12.26 18.34 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 4,42 7.5 0 13.61 28,310 11.05 16.21 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,840 4.8 23.48 48,830 18.58 27.61 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 2,810 4.7 12.86 26,750 10.95 14.56 

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....................................................................... 2,650 4.5 16.12 33,520 13.02 19.14 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,5 4.2 10 12.53 26,060 9.37 14.24 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,280 3.9 17.62 36,650 15.05 20.42 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 2,150 3.6 12.12 25,200 9.61 14.53 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,800 13.86 3.0 28,820 16.10 11.60 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 1,580 2.7 15.16 31,530 12.53 17.14 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
102

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Alumina and aluminum production and processing (NAICS 331300)

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,780 5.2 $22.73 $47,290 $17.08 $27.25

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 3,550 4.9 12.75 26,520 10.16 15.18 

Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders........................................................................................................ 3,500 4.8 15.49 32,220 12.63 18.69 

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 3,420 4.7 13.83 28,770 11.32 16.34 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,160 4.3 17.17 35,720 14.63 20.18 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 2,950 4.0 13.03 27,110 9.80 16.02 

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................................. 2,660 15.06 3.6 31,320 18.53 11.04 

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....................................................................... 2,180 16.19 3.0 33,670 18.87 13.86 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 2,010 2.8 18.76 39,020 15.96 21.34 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 2,000 2.7 12.09 25,150 9.18 14.79 

Nonferrous metal (except aluminum) production and processing (NAICS 331400)

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 6,820 9.7 14.58 30,330 12.21 16.85 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,870 5.5 23.62 49,140 18.70 27.74 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,710 3.9 18.31 38,090 15.51 20.91 

Metal-refining furnace operators and tenders........................................................................................................ 2,550 3.6 16.05 33,380 13.63 18.72 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 2,380 14.67 3.4 30,510 18.73 10.43 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,150 3.1 16.40 34,120 12.90 19.01 

Rolling machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic....................................................................... 2,120 3.0 17.31 36,010 13.92 20.61 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 1,680 2.4 13.21 27,480 10.40 16.08 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,660 2.4 13.05 27,140 10.12 15.56 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 1,510 2.1 14.34 29,830 11.80 16.78 

Foundries (NAICS 331500)

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 13,140 8.0 14.83 30,850 11.34 17.56 

Foundry mold and coremakers............................................................................................................................... 11,210 6.8 13.99 29,100 10.88 16.06 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 9,290 5.7 13.63 28,340 10.58 16.35 

Pourers and casters, metal.................................................................................................................................... 7,590 4.6 13.76 28,610 11.19 16.00 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 7,480 4.6 23.09 48,030 18.08 27.17 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 7,350 4.5 15.02 31,250 11.95 17.27 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 6,120 3.7 19.18 39,890 15.15 22.49 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 5,440 3.3 11.81 24,560 9.42 13.63 

Grinding and polishing workers, hand.................................................................................................................... 4,870 12.39 3.0 25,780 9.93 14.42 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 4,63 0 12.09 2.8 25,160 9.49 14.08 

Forging and stamping (NAICS 332100)

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 15,5 40 13.15 14.4 27,350 15.62 10.40 

Tool and die makers............................................................................................................................................... 6,230 20.47 5.8 42,580 24.18 16.70 

Forging machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic..................................................................... 5,360 5.0 15.75 32,760 12.50 18.28 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 5,150 4.8 24.38 50,710 18.56 28.34 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 4,450 4.1 15.70 32,650 11.78 19.12 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 4,110 3.8 14.72 30,610 11.66 16.98 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 3,680 12.30 3.4 25,580 9.50 14.00 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,540 2.4 17.80 37,020 14.93 20.72 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 2,500 2.3 13.63 28,360 11.37 15.84 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 2,310 2.1 15.12 31,450 11.96 17.57 

Cutlery and handtool manufacturing (NAICS 332200)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 4,350 7.3 10.98 22,840 8.75 12.81 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 3,520 16.16 5.9 33,610 19.36 12.78 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 2,99 0 13.51 5.0 28,110 16.15 10.59 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 2,760 4.6 13.64 28,370 10.40 16.31 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,380 4.0 23.00 47,840 17.93 26.72 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 2,030 3.4 12.51 26,030 9.92 14.57 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 1,850 10.60 3.1 22,040 8.54 12.52 

Tool and die makers............................................................................................................................................... 1,520 19.12 2.5 39,780 21.76 14.60 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 1,440 2.4 14.99 31,170 12.31 17.08 

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................................. 1,440 2.4 12.94 26,920 11.11 14.45 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Architectural and structural metals manufacturing (NAICS 332300)

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 40,960 10.6 14.43 30,010 11.69 16.72 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 31,990 8.3 11.64 24,220 8.97 13.74 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters................................................................................................................... 22,990 14.55 6.0 30,250 16.91 11.52 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 20,930 5.4 12.89 26,810 10.02 15.26 

Sheet metal workers............................................................................................................................................... 18,410 4.8 17.20 35,770 11.19 21.38 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 16,290 4.2 22.72 47,260 17.04 26.39 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 12, 3.2 310 11.59 24,120 8.44 13.22 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 10,820 9.97 2.8 20,730 8.02 11.52 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 8,330 27.49 2.2 57,180 31.26 17.60 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 7,6 2.0 90 46.69 97,120 28.46 57.68 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
103

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Boiler, tank, and shipping container manufacturing (NAICS 332400)

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 11,410 12.5 $14.64 $30,450 $11.97 $17.00

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 5,900 6.5 15.91 33,080 12.16 19.72 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,910 4.3 24.05 50,020 18.47 28.23 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 3,650 4.0 13.25 27,560 10.45 15.73 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 2,910 3.2 11.58 24,090 8.74 13.43 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters................................................................................................................... 2,560 14.17 2.8 29,460 16.51 11.64 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 2,490 15.38 2.7 31,990 18.51 12.04 

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................. 2,460 15.02 2.7 31,240 17.86 11.16 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,270 2.5 16.03 33,340 12.75 19.17 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,170 2.4 17.94 37,310 14.81 20.92 

Hardware manufacturing (NAICS 332500)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 7,180 18.6 11.54 23,990 9.36 13.35 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 2,120 5.5 12.84 26,710 10.28 14.98 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,470 3.8 22.85 47,540 17.08 27.06 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 1,380 3.6 11.03 22,940 8.80 13.11 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 1,000 2.6 13.57 28,230 11.19 15.85 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 960 2.5 13.74 28,580 10.66 15.96 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 930 2.4 16.02 33,310 12.44 19.27 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 910 2.4 12.95 26,940 10.87 14.86 

Tool and die makers............................................................................................................................................... 860 2.2 20.05 41,710 15.86 23.55 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 810 2.1 11.64 24,210 9.25 13.70 

Spring and wire product manufacturing (NAICS 332600)

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 4,81 0 12.52 7.8 26,050 9.82 14.57 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 2,910 11.22 4.7 23,330 8.67 13.43 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,840 4.6 21.71 45,160 16.21 25.52 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 2,800 4.5 11.05 22,980 9.08 13.04 

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 2 ,680 13.99 4.3 29,100 15.91 10.49 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 2,260 13.32 3.6 27,690 16.03 10.07 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 1,850 3.0 27.60 57,400 18.79 34.17 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 1,570 2.5 15.81 32,890 12.00 19.20 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 1,550 2.5 13.36 27,800 10.80 15.74 

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................................. 1,510 2.4 13.59 28,270 9.86 16.50 

Machine shops; turned product; and screw, nut, and bolt manufacturing (NAICS 332700)

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 70,440 16.22 22.1 33,730 19.51 12.62 

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic............................................................................ 20,800 15.31 6.5 31,840 18.34 11.75 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 16,750 5.3 25.57 53,190 19.09 30.33 

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................................... 16,540 5.2 14.99 31,180 11.51 17.93 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 10,550 3.3 15.20 31,610 12.02 17.49 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 8,470 2.7 15.43 32,090 11.73 18.34 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 7,6 2.4 50 48.35 100,580 30.36 61.64 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 7,600 2.4 14.03 29,180 10.56 16.78 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 6,900 2.2 13.74 28,580 10.67 16.51 

Drilling and boring machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 6,460 2.0 13.51 28,100 10.08 16.68 

Coating, engraving, heat treating, and allied activities (NAICS 332800)

Plating and coating machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic................................................... 18,540 13.0 12.31 25,610 9.46 14.48 

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................. 9,840 12.39 6.9 25,780 9.54 14.67 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 9,350 9.90 6.6 20,590 8.06 11.12 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 7,840 5.5 21.82 45,390 16.38 25.82 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 6,930 4.9 12.17 25,320 9.10 14.88 

Heat treating equipment setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.......................................................... 5,620 13.43 4.0 27,930 16.02 10.56 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 4,940 13.29 3.5 27,640 15.71 10.19 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,5 3.2 40 10.67 22,190 8.38 12.46 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 4,250 3.0 9.82 20,420 7.89 11.11 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,840 2.7 16.06 33,410 13.08 18.86 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Other fabricated metal product manufacturing (NAICS 332900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 30,170 11.0 12.50 26,010 9.54 14.95 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 12,820 16.64 4.7 34,610 19.69 13.74 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 10,310 23.33 3.7 48,530 27.41 17.70 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 8,910 3.2 14.60 30,370 11.22 17.25 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 8,810 3.2 14.81 30,800 11.60 17.54 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 8,150 3.0 13.19 27,430 10.25 15.86 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 7,600 2.8 14.08 29,290 10.91 17.24 

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic............................................................................ 7,250 2.6 16.03 33,330 12.60 19.05 

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................................... 6,700 2.4 14.04 29,200 10.91 16.77 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 5,620 2.0 13.31 27,680 10.53 15.75 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
104

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Agriculture, construction, and mining machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333100)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 21,830 11.5 $13.53 $28,140 $10.48 $16.38

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 18,920 10.0 14.56 30,280 11.91 16.84 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 9,240 4.9 15.42 32,070 12.02 18.82 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 6,930 3.7 23.61 49,100 18.15 28.56 

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic............................................................................ 5,840 15.89 3.1 33,050 12.73 19.19 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 5,480 30.75 2.9 63,960 24.82 35.86 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 4,44 0 13.34 2.3 27,750 11.06 15.73 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters................................................................................................................... 4,320 15.03 2.3 31,260 12.48 17.41 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,680 1.9 16.17 33,630 12.73 19.42 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,470 1.8 17.53 36,460 14.32 20.84 

Industrial machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333200)

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 7,940 6.6 17.08 35,530 14.01 20.41 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 5,950 5.0 14.13 29,390 10.97 16.72 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 4,660 3.9 15.43 32,090 12.64 17.93 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 4,350 3.6 30.20 62,820 23.92 35.07 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,220 3.5 24.62 51,200 19.05 29.14 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 2,950 2.5 28.07 58,390 18.74 33.56 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,4 2.0 30 54.65 113,670 35.62 69.51 

Industrial engineers................................................................................................................................................ 2,350 2.0 33.84 70,390 26.00 41.52 

Electromechanical equipment assemblers............................................................................................................. 2,150 1.8 16.76 34,860 13.51 19.94 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 2,100 1.8 20.50 42,640 16.85 24.03 

Commercial and service industry machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333300)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 16,030 13.9 12.85 26,740 9.74 15.08 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 3,390 2.9 14.43 30,010 11.91 16.75 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,300 2.9 24.44 50,830 18.01 28.62 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 2,820 30.69 2.4 63,830 24.19 36.49 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,580 16.02 2.2 33,330 12.73 18.54 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 2.1 2,370 37.00 76,970 28.11 44.44 

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 2,340 2.0 13.89 28,890 10.53 16.53 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 2,310 2.0 26.79 55,720 18.36 33.14 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 2,180 16.00 1.9 33,270 12.40 19.33 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,090 51.55 1.8 107,230 32.46 66.52 

HVAC and commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturing (NAICS 333400)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 29,360 12.77 19.4 26,550 10.16 15.32 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 9,750 14.66 6.4 30,500 12.12 16.89 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 7,820 5.2 13.06 27,160 10.56 15.40 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 5,210 13.38 3.4 27,830 9.85 16.82 

Sheet metal workers............................................................................................................................................... 5,100 14.11 3.4 29,350 10.84 16.37 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,810 22.25 3.2 46,280 17.44 26.20 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 4,770 11.11 3.1 23,110 8.92 13.12 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters................................................................................................................... 4,150 14.16 2.7 29,450 11.52 16.52 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,630 2.4 14.41 29,970 11.55 16.91 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 2,460 1.6 13.33 27,730 10.82 15.72 

Metalworking machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333500)

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 25,100 12.6 17.15 35,680 13.92 20.30 

Tool and die makers............................................................................................................................................... 21,600 10.8 20.16 41,930 16.15 24.14 

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic............................................................................ 9,810 4.9 16.67 34,670 13.02 19.94 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 9,030 4.5 26.44 54,990 19.64 30.97 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 8,530 4.3 16.61 34,550 12.20 19.77 

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 5,930 3.0 13.97 29,060 9.66 17.18 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 5,42 2.7 0 13.30 27,670 10.12 15.98 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 5,420 14.72 2.7 30,620 10.69 17.75 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,9 2.5 10 49.07 102,070 29.99 62.78 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 4,130 2.1 16.06 33,400 12.36 19.46 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Engine, turbine, and power transmission equipment manufacturing (NAICS 333600)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 9,480 10.3 13.59 28,260 10.24 16.14 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 6,990 17.57 7.6 36,540 14.63 20.72 

Engine and other machine assemblers.................................................................................................................. 5,860 17.44 6.3 36,270 12.73 22.71 

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic............................................................................ 4,290 15.69 4.6 32,640 10.75 19.81 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,390 3.7 25.19 52,400 19.65 29.57 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 3,370 3.6 31.19 64,870 24.91 36.30 

Lathe and turning machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................................... 3,080 3.3 16.56 34,450 13.07 19.81 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,840 17.73 3.1 36,880 13.95 21.59 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,780 18.07 3.0 37,600 14.20 21.88 

Grinding, lapping, polishing, and buffing machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............ 2,360 2.6 15.56 32,360 11.25 19.76 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
105

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Other general purpose machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 25,450 9.7 $13.15 $27,350 $10.04 $15.89

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 14,330 16.89 5.5 35,120 20.04 13.68 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 12,980 15.15 5.0 31,520 17.59 12.37 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 9,100 3.5 24.44 50,840 18.77 28.14 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 7,950 3.0 29.14 60,610 23.66 33.97 

Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic............................................................................ 5,870 2.2 16.27 33,850 13.52 19.20 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 5,100 2.0 27.49 57,180 19.14 32.82 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 4,930 1.9 16.39 34,090 12.94 19.46 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 4,870 1.9 14.10 29,320 11.65 16.35 

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 4,450 1.7 14.28 29,710 10.87 17.31 

Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing (NAICS 334100)

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 20,020 9.4 14.26 29,660 10.62 16.08 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 18,510 8.7 42.89 89,200 34.13 51.91 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 11,690 5.5 43.07 89,590 35.22 51.57 

Computer hardware engineers............................................................................................................................... 11,630 5.5 47.00 97,760 34.26 57.51 

Engineering managers........................................................................................................................................... 5,610 2.6 61.36 127,620 47.18 (2)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 5,300 2.5 12.21 25,390 9.60 13.96 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 4,510 28.94 2.1 60,190 36.25 19.24 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 4,380 21.97 2.1 45,690 26.22 17.61 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 4,250 37.96 2.0 78,960 45.17 28.32 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 4,030 1.9 38.16 79,380 24.77 47.81 

Communications equipment manufacturing (NAICS 334200)

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 17,400 11.7 12.50 25,990 9.70 14.60 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 7,110 11.54 4.8 23,990 8.79 13.60 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 6,160 4.1 20.69 43,040 15.76 24.56 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 5,190 3.5 36.42 75,750 27.48 44.18 

Electrical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 4,850 3.3 36.92 76,780 28.95 43.89 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 4,370 2.9 41.98 87,320 34.26 50.65 

Industrial engineers................................................................................................................................................ 4,210 2.8 33.14 68,940 26.01 39.82 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,780 2.5 15.61 32,460 11.66 18.77 

Electronics engineers, except computer................................................................................................................ 3,650 2.5 36.29 75,490 27.70 43.89 

Engineering managers........................................................................................................................................... 3,320 2.2 55.00 114,390 43.04 65.04 

Audio and video equipment manufacturing (NAICS 334300)

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 6,280 18.5 11.43 23,770 9.23 12.96 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 3,570 10.75 10.5 22,350 8.57 12.05 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,110 3.3 22.96 47,750 17.42 28.34 

Electrical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 950 2.8 35.82 74,510 27.39 43.36 

Electronics engineers, except computer................................................................................................................ 930 2.7 36.75 76,440 28.76 44.54 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 920 2.7 14.36 29,870 10.61 16.42 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 850 2.5 20.62 42,900 16.19 24.80 

Industrial engineers................................................................................................................................................ 700 2.1 31.93 66,420 25.35 38.17 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 570 1.7 11.65 24,240 9.07 13.12 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 550 13.11 1.6 27,270 14.80 10.38 

Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing (NAICS 334400)

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 48,300 11.93 10.8 24,810 9.25 13.73 

Semiconductor processors..................................................................................................................................... 38,210 14.35 8.5 29,840 16.82 11.35 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 20,340 11.60 4.5 24,130 8.94 13.43 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 18,530 4.1 20.45 42,530 15.97 24.74 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 16,700 3.7 13.87 28,850 10.35 16.48 

Electronics engineers, except computer................................................................................................................ 16,580 3.7 37.67 78,350 29.92 44.70 

Computer hardware engineers............................................................................................................................... 14,170 3.2 41.32 85,940 33.06 49.33 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 12,700 2.8 24.38 50,720 17.68 29.47 

Electrical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 10,630 2.4 38.48 80,030 30.18 45.31 

Industrial engineers................................................................................................................................................ 9,050 2.0 35.37 73,570 27.76 42.58 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Electronic instruments manufacturing (NAICS 334500)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 26,210 6.1 12.95 26,940 10.00 15.12 

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 26,200 6.1 13.40 27,870 10.15 15.94 

Electrical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 16,700 3.9 36.42 75,750 27.99 43.57 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 13,750 3.2 35.04 72,880 27.97 42.12 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 13,680 3.2 21.34 44,390 16.30 25.52 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 3.2 13,610 38.93 80,970 31.03 46.53 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 12,510 2.9 39.52 82,200 31.23 47.47 

Electromechanical equipment assemblers............................................................................................................. 12,150 2.9 13.01 27,070 10.49 15.03 

Engineers, all other................................................................................................................................................. 11,440 2.7 40.37 83,970 31.76 49.80 

Electronics engineers, except computer................................................................................................................ 9,950 2.3 36.59 76,100 27.55 44.67 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
106

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Manufacturing and reproducing magnetic and optical media (NAICS 334600)

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,8 6.0 80 $11.97 $24,890 $9.93 $13.74

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 2,450 5.1 23.02 47,870 17.89 27.29 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 2,390 5.0 9.74 20,250 7.77 11.23 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,530 15.63 3.2 32,500 19.24 11.08 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 1,510 11.63 3.2 24,190 9.45 13.29 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 2.8 1,340 39.04 81,210 26.91 49.04 

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 1,300 2.7 38.61 80,310 26.73 50.22 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 1,080 2.3 14.71 30,600 8.95 22.05 

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 1,050 2.2 12.63 26,260 9.62 15.30 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 990 2.1 41.04 85,370 30.43 49.82 

Electric lighting equipment manufacturing (NAICS 335100)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 11,060 17.0 11.36 23,630 8.45 13.18 

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 5,480 11.05 8.4 22,970 8.76 12.96 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,310 21.66 3.6 45,060 26.13 15.94 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 1,980 14.66 3.0 30,500 16.83 12.06 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,7 2.7 80 11.30 23,500 8.99 13.04 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 1,750 2.7 12.27 25,520 9.55 14.33 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 1,540 2.4 11.93 24,820 9.64 13.74 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 1,240 14.45 1.9 30,050 9.93 17.84 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,240 18.06 1.9 37,570 21.19 14.90 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,160 15.53 1.8 32,300 18.04 12.31 

Household appliance manufacturing (NAICS 335200)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 26,800 12.64 30.7 26,290 9.85 15.17 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 4,130 13.09 4.7 27,220 15.12 11.15 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,5 4.1 50 12.36 25,720 9.33 15.39 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 3,340 20.94 3.8 43,550 25.46 15.38 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 2,60 0 13.92 3.0 28,950 16.47 10.92 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 2,170 2.5 14.70 30,570 11.86 17.15 

Coating, painting, and spraying machine setters, operators, and tenders............................................................. 1,330 1.5 12.76 26,550 10.44 14.33 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,300 1.5 17.01 35,370 14.57 19.71 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 1,290 1.5 13.75 28,610 11.30 15.91 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,270 1.5 15.02 31,250 11.89 17.20 

Electrical equipment manufacturing (NAICS 335300)

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 23,830 15.3 13.04 27,120 10.04 15.64 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 15,120 9.7 12.58 26,160 9.70 14.96 

Coil winders, tapers, and finishers......................................................................................................................... 8,680 13.19 5.6 27,430 15.74 10.42 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 4,600 3.0 23.10 48,060 17.43 27.30 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 4,45 2.9 0 14.19 29,510 11.78 16.60 

Electrical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 4,050 2.6 32.26 67,090 24.93 37.99 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,840 2.5 15.41 32,040 12.00 18.07 

Electromechanical equipment assemblers............................................................................................................. 3,810 2.5 13.26 27,580 10.42 15.87 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 3,090 2.0 18.92 39,360 15.31 22.09 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 2,640 1.7 16.06 33,410 12.97 18.69 

Other electrical equipment and component manufacturing (NAICS 335900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 16,420 11.9 12.57 26,140 9.61 14.96 

Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers.................................................................................................... 12,490 11.93 9.1 24,820 9.30 13.78 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 5,040 23.61 3.7 49,110 27.76 17.80 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 4,440 17.16 3.2 35,690 20.31 14.95 

Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................. 4,080 3.0 14.12 29,360 12.14 16.29 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,870 2.8 14.91 31,010 11.87 17.20 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,700 2.7 18.13 37,710 15.28 20.97 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 3,630 2.6 13.19 27,430 10.09 16.13 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 3,180 2.3 16.88 35,110 12.89 20.64 

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 3,130 2.3 14.30 29,750 11.26 16.96 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Motor vehicle manufacturing (NAICS 336100)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 52,520 20.2 20.73 43,120 16.71 25.21 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 8,480 3.3 23.82 49,540 22.86 26.78 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 7,440 2.9 30.24 62,900 25.20 34.91 

Engine and other machine assemblers.................................................................................................................. 6,860 2.6 23.54 48,970 22.72 26.14 

Painters, transportation equipment........................................................................................................................ 5,850 2.3 22.38 46,540 18.96 26.36 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 5,770 2.2 25.43 52,890 22.47 30.31 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 4,850 1.9 22.80 47,410 19.14 27.12 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 4,510 1.7 25.94 53,960 24.06 27.84 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 4,490 1.7 22.80 47,430 22.27 26.34 

Industrial engineers................................................................................................................................................ 3,720 1.4 33.68 70,060 29.28 39.67 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
107

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Motor vehicle body and trailer manufacturing (NAICS 336200)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 38,320 23.8 $13.31 $27,680 $10.36 $15.51

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 15,110 9.4 13.92 28,950 11.54 16.17 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 6,180 3.8 21.76 45,260 16.48 25.64 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 5,720 15.98 3.6 33,230 19.35 12.15 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters................................................................................................................... 4,010 14.29 2.5 29,720 16.75 11.14 

Painters, transportation equipment........................................................................................................................ 3,850 14.23 2.4 29,610 16.66 11.06 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 3,30 0 14.45 2.1 30,060 16.65 11.27 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,270 10.66 2.0 22,180 8.92 12.46 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,1 2.0 40 14.41 29,980 9.05 16.19 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 3,080 1.9 15.52 32,290 12.35 18.05 

Motor vehicle parts manufacturing (NAICS 336300)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 114,110 16.4 13.67 28,440 10.58 15.98 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 29,000 4.2 14.70 30,570 11.14 17.09 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 24,620 3.5 17.99 37,420 12.69 24.19 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 23,290 3.3 23.45 48,780 17.15 28.74 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 21,930 18.56 3.1 38,600 23.41 14.14 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 19,280 19.85 2.8 41,280 25.68 13.27 

Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.............................................................. 18,120 18.42 2.6 38,300 24.41 13.26 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 17,800 17.07 2.6 35,510 23.37 12.26 

Tool and die makers............................................................................................................................................... 17,260 25.30 2.5 52,620 31.49 19.95 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 15,990 21.62 2.3 44,970 26.38 16.81 

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing (NAICS 336400)

Aerospace engineers............................................................................................................................................. 44,000 10.2 37.02 77,000 30.32 43.59 

Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and systems assemblers............................................................................... 15,520 3.6 18.44 38,350 13.49 23.28 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 15,470 3.6 18.48 38,440 14.64 21.93 

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians........................................................................................................... 14,950 3.5 20.96 43,600 17.41 25.06 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 13,640 3.2 19.19 39,920 14.50 23.55 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 13,110 3.0 34.49 71,730 27.82 41.32 

Industrial engineers................................................................................................................................................ 11,550 2.7 32.33 67,240 26.62 37.98 

Management analysts............................................................................................................................................ 10,140 2.3 31.99 66,540 25.50 37.50 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 8,690 2.0 28.07 58,390 21.98 34.05 

Engineering managers........................................................................................................................................... 8,640 2.0 50.63 105,310 41.36 57.86 

Railroad rolling stock manufacturing (NAICS 336500)

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 2,660 11.2 15.12 31,450 12.57 16.93 

Railcar repairers..................................................................................................................................................... 1,120 4.7 14.02 29,150 11.86 16.32 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,050 4.4 21.57 44,860 17.19 26.29 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 1,000 4.2 14.89 30,980 12.00 17.52 

Painters, transportation equipment........................................................................................................................ 810 3.4 17.07 35,500 13.83 20.26 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 760 3.2 25.23 52,490 18.64 26.99 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 630 2.7 18.30 38,070 14.21 22.40 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 440 1.9 11.86 24,660 8.55 14.63 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 300 17.60 1.3 36,610 22.08 13.89 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 290 11.54 1.2 23,990 8.71 14.00 

Ship and boat building (NAICS 336600)

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 12,950 15.63 8.7 32,510 18.47 13.04 

Fiberglass laminators and fabricators.................................................................................................................... 11,800 12.62 7.9 26,240 14.42 10.27 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 8,930 11.73 6.0 24,400 9.82 13.28 

Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters................................................................................................................... 5,890 16.88 4.0 35,110 19.87 14.18 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 5,540 3.7 23.39 48,650 18.89 27.19 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 4,970 3.3 15.65 32,560 12.38 18.45 

Electricians............................................................................................................................................................. 3,790 17.77 2.5 36,960 20.53 14.83 

Mechanical drafters................................................................................................................................................ 3,570 21.39 2.4 44,490 25.39 17.42 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 3,540 16.96 2.4 35,280 19.87 14.64 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters................................................................................................................... 3,010 15.30 2.0 31,830 18.64 12.30 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Other transportation equipment manufacturing (NAICS 336900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 5,530 14.6 14.52 30,200 11.58 16.82 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 2,770 7.3 15.17 31,550 11.89 18.16 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 2,030 5.4 19.61 40,790 14.81 24.50 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 1,490 3.9 32.57 67,740 26.99 38.23 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,220 3.2 23.00 47,840 17.17 26.86 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,050 2.8 15.56 32,370 11.60 19.43 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 970 2.6 15.90 33,060 12.06 19.16 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 920 2.4 13.49 28,050 11.04 16.33 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 790 2.1 14.36 29,880 10.52 18.59 

Structural metal fabricators and fitters................................................................................................................... 750 2.0 15.09 31,390 11.82 17.11 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
108

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing (NAICS 337100)

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters................................................................................................................... 68,800 18.0 $12.54 $26,080 $9.57 $14.84

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 28,200 7.4 11.40 23,710 9.08 13.29 

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing................................................................ 24,430 11.28 6.4 23,470 8.96 13.17 

Upholsterers........................................................................................................................................................... 20,990 13.12 5.5 27,280 9.82 15.90 

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 15,640 4.1 11.35 23,620 8.91 13.44 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 15,230 4.0 19.79 41,160 14.88 23.33 

Furniture finishers................................................................................................................................................... 12,700 3.3 11.29 23,480 8.89 13.12 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 11,960 9.53 3.1 19,820 7.95 10.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 11, 3.1 760 10.25 21,310 8.28 11.87 

Carpenters.............................................................................................................................................................. 10,620 15.64 2.8 32,520 19.02 11.26 

Office furniture (including fixtures) manufacturing (NAICS 337200)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 15,670 12.68 11.6 26,380 9.75 14.00 

Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters................................................................................................................... 12,610 14.02 9.4 29,170 16.94 10.54 

Woodworking machine setters, operators, and tenders, except sawing................................................................ 5,810 11.91 4.3 24,780 9.59 13.65 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 5,580 21.27 4.1 44,240 25.31 16.14 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 4,840 3.6 12.64 26,300 10.39 14.37 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,8 2.8 30 11.44 23,790 9.19 13.54 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 3,540 9.80 2.6 20,390 7.86 11.30 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 3,370 13.41 2.5 27,880 15.98 10.62 

Furniture finishers................................................................................................................................................... 3,010 12.45 2.2 25,900 9.84 14.07 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 3,010 2.2 28.43 59,130 19.42 35.25 

Other furniture related product manufacturing (NAICS 337900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 13,380 25.4 10.67 22,190 8.36 12.41 

Sewing machine operators..................................................................................................................................... 4,610 8.8 10.93 22,730 8.40 12.70 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,0 3.9 30 11.16 23,200 8.55 12.92 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 2,000 11.96 3.8 24,880 8.98 13.87 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 1,840 21.05 3.5 43,780 24.79 15.58 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 1,700 3.2 24.93 51,850 15.68 30.72 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 1,370 2.6 11.44 23,800 8.77 13.35 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,250 14.49 2.4 30,130 16.34 11.33 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 1,000 11.42 1.9 23,760 9.46 13.01 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 960 11.74 1.8 24,410 9.30 13.56 

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing (NAICS 339100)

Dental laboratory technicians................................................................................................................................. 34,500 15.93 11.5 33,130 19.41 10.82 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 33,920 11.67 11.3 24,270 9.14 13.76 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 9,850 3.3 24.42 50,790 17.49 29.35 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 9,260 3.1 14.71 30,590 11.22 17.18 

Ophthalmic laboratory technicians......................................................................................................................... 7,690 2.6 11.51 23,950 8.92 13.89 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 6,310 12.55 2.1 26,110 9.70 15.05 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 6,270 15.67 2.1 32,590 18.49 11.91 

Medical appliance technicians................................................................................................................................ 6,140 14.88 2.0 30,940 9.47 17.92 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 5,700 1.9 10.31 21,450 8.10 12.36 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 5,690 12.53 1.9 26,070 9.96 14.69 

Other miscellaneous manufacturing (NAICS 339900)

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 38,390 11.10 10.8 23,090 8.40 13.06 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 13,860 21.07 3.9 43,810 25.20 15.32 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 10,810 24.31 3.0 50,560 29.43 15.52 

Assemblers and fabricators, all other..................................................................................................................... 9,830 11.49 2.8 23,890 8.57 13.61 

Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers................................................................................................... 9,650 13.35 2.7 27,760 8.95 16.11 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 9,400 9.37 2.6 19,490 7.48 10.77 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 8,120 12.17 2.3 25,310 9.69 14.11 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 8,000 2.3 12.22 25,410 9.44 14.61 

Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic............................ 7,690 2.2 12.17 25,320 9.81 14.30 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 7,5 2.1 40 10.39 21,620 7.96 12.50 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423100)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 28,450 8.4 22.88 47,590 13.94 27.37 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 27,390 8.1 9.79 20,360 7.63 11.36 

Parts salespersons................................................................................................................................................. 23,850 14.10 7.1 29,330 16.88 10.32 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 22, 6.7 690 11.23 23,360 8.67 13.08 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 17,730 5.3 17.87 37,170 14.69 21.05 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 13,410 4.0 12.39 25,780 8.90 14.55 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,010 3.3 11.32 23,550 8.87 13.33 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 10,300 3.1 14.88 30,950 10.80 18.15 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 10,260 3.0 12.71 26,430 9.78 14.51 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 9,610 9.72 2.9 20,220 7.12 10.91 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
109

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Furniture and home furnishing merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423200)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 17,550 15.5 $28.60 $59,490 $16.47 $34.20

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 8,4 7.4 10 10.37 21,570 8.23 12.15 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 6,040 10.91 5.3 22,700 8.78 12.67 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 5,370 4.8 12.38 25,750 9.82 14.17 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 4,510 14.92 4.0 31,030 16.97 11.94 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 3,960 12.30 3.5 25,590 13.53 10.69 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,890 11.95 3.4 24,860 9.23 14.52 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 3,300 9.94 2.9 20,680 8.03 11.64 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 3,290 10.63 2.9 22,110 8.36 12.57 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,1 2.7 00 52.58 109,360 30.94 (2)

Lumber and other construction materials merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423300)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 37,680 15.9 25.36 52,750 16.37 29.59 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 27, 11.7 740 10.96 22,810 8.76 12.74 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 22,110 15.17 9.3 31,540 17.36 12.29 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 11,980 13.00 5.1 27,040 15.09 10.47 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 10, 4.5 750 12.75 26,520 10.32 14.87 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 10,110 4.3 11.81 24,560 9.48 13.70 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 6,5 2.8 70 49.44 102,820 29.70 64.47 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,310 2.7 15.06 31,320 11.86 17.79 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 5,830 2.5 11.54 24,000 8.77 13.77 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 5,370 11.73 2.3 24,390 9.30 13.72 

Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423400)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 56,190 26.05 8.8 54,170 31.65 15.64 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 53,460 8.4 33.11 68,860 19.45 42.17 

Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers.................................................................................... 50,910 8.0 18.95 39,420 14.81 22.59 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 24,700 3.9 15.14 31,490 11.95 17.41 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 17,160 2.7 36.30 75,500 28.37 43.15 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 16,380 2.6 24.91 51,810 16.90 30.31 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 16,020 2.5 12.60 26,200 9.86 14.49 

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 15,880 2.5 35.48 73,810 25.21 45.06 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 15,570 2.4 12.84 26,700 9.06 15.80 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 13,180 11.45 2.1 23,820 9.08 13.29 

Metal and mineral (except petroleum) merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423500)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 16,470 28.65 13.8 59,600 32.87 17.27 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 13,050 11.89 11.0 24,740 9.58 14.02 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 5,640 4.7 15.21 31,630 12.43 17.29 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 4,610 3.9 14.67 30,510 11.92 17.01 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 4,380 3.7 12.94 26,920 10.35 15.15 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 4,070 3.4 14.58 30,320 11.70 16.86 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,5 3.0 80 52.84 109,910 30.41 (2)

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 3,550 3.0 14.24 29,630 10.61 16.83 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,360 2.8 12.16 25,300 9.74 14.01 

Cutting, punching, and press machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic.................................... 3,33 0 13.22 2.8 27,490 15.71 10.77 

Electrical and electronic goods merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423600)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 42,550 12.5 25.66 53,380 16.09 31.31 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 21, 6.5 910 29.91 62,220 17.97 36.45 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 13,760 4.1 15.73 32,710 12.32 18.33 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 13,510 4.0 12.87 26,780 9.94 15.10 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 10,910 11.94 3.2 24,840 9.32 13.91 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 10,680 10.92 3.2 22,710 8.68 12.80 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 9,940 52.34 2.9 108,870 68.99 32.61 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 9,110 2.7 15.44 32,110 11.87 18.33 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 8,680 2.6 12.26 25,500 9.22 14.78 

First-line supervisors/managers of nonretail salesworkers.................................................................................... 8,160 2.4 36.67 76,280 23.94 43.39 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Hardware and plumbing merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423700)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 41,690 18.0 23.89 49,680 15.51 28.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 16,290 7.0 11.25 23,400 9.04 13.19 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 11,770 11.74 5.1 24,420 9.62 13.38 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 10, 4.5 370 12.00 24,960 9.69 13.54 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 10,160 4.4 12.26 25,500 9.85 14.09 

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.................................................................... 8,050 3.5 20.37 42,370 15.25 25.31 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,420 3.2 11.37 23,650 9.01 13.32 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 6,8 40 28.85 3.0 60,000 35.99 17.07 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 6,650 15.35 2.9 31,930 18.11 11.93 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 6,6 2.9 40 49.88 103,750 30.15 65.58 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
110

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423800)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 98,310 15.3 $25.19 $52,390 $16.39 $30.39

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 31,510 4.9 18.54 38,560 15.38 21.37 

Parts salespersons................................................................................................................................................. 22,110 3.4 14.59 30,350 11.24 17.26 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 21,850 3.4 11.33 23,560 8.60 13.56 

Farm equipment mechanics................................................................................................................................... 21,810 13.86 3.4 28,840 16.45 10.96 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 21, 3.3 330 10.96 22,800 8.70 12.98 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 21,260 14.30 3.3 29,740 16.93 11.10 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 20, 840 28.43 3.2 59,130 34.43 18.91 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 20,160 3.1 12.62 26,260 9.93 14.71 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 19, 3.1 910 50.10 104,210 30.37 66.01 

Miscellaneous durable goods merchant wholesalers (NAICS 423900)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 37,490 14.1 21.89 45,540 11.99 25.12 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 33, 12.7 710 9.80 20,380 7.70 11.28 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 10,750 14.87 4.0 30,940 17.28 11.83 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 9,290 9.84 3.5 20,470 6.80 11.90 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 9,170 3.4 11.39 23,690 8.94 13.14 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 7,780 12.10 2.9 25,160 9.70 13.74 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 7,640 2.9 14.45 30,070 11.19 17.39 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 7,280 2.7 10.72 22,300 8.64 12.21 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 6,870 48.36 2.6 100,600 64.93 27.57 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 6,270 10.22 2.4 21,260 7.87 11.56 

Paper and paper product merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424100)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 29,320 29.74 19.4 61,860 36.88 16.88 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 8,8 5.9 70 11.60 24,120 8.79 14.00 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 8,450 12.00 5.6 24,960 9.23 14.96 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 8,210 15.31 5.4 31,840 17.63 12.11 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 7,230 13.17 4.8 27,390 15.59 10.62 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 6,0 4.0 20 12.64 26,280 10.02 14.93 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 5,820 3.8 14.35 29,840 11.12 17.17 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 5,130 3.4 17.01 35,380 13.82 20.05 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 4,480 3.0 13.95 29,010 11.09 16.45 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 4,460 2.9 11.92 24,800 8.74 14.43 

Drugs and druggists' sundries merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424200)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 42, 890 32.71 19.7 68,040 40.06 22.35 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 20,890 26.66 9.6 55,460 32.58 16.70 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 15,140 11.99 7.0 24,940 9.37 13.99 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 9,5 4.4 70 11.06 23,000 8.41 13.16 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 7,820 14.24 3.6 29,610 16.38 11.57 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 7,040 12.80 3.2 26,630 15.05 10.11 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 5,550 2.6 10.07 20,950 7.97 11.81 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 5,370 2.5 14.21 29,550 11.25 16.98 

Pharmacy technicians............................................................................................................................................ 5,120 2.4 12.59 26,180 9.70 14.41 

Pharmacists............................................................................................................................................................ 4,030 39.47 1.9 82,090 44.75 34.86 

Apparel, piece goods, and notions merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424300)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 22,770 15.5 29.43 61,210 16.26 37.98 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 15,580 10.6 9.70 20,180 7.67 11.12 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 8,130 11.32 5.5 23,550 8.63 13.33 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 7,980 9.93 5.4 20,660 7.61 11.42 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 5,680 12.48 3.9 25,950 7.70 15.40 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 5,630 8.93 3.8 18,570 6.97 10.35 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 5,220 13.72 3.6 28,530 16.42 10.77 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 5,200 3.5 11.79 24,530 8.59 14.24 

Fashion designers.................................................................................................................................................. 4,100 2.8 30.48 63,390 20.78 36.77 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 3,730 2.5 15.45 32,140 10.91 18.73 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Grocery and related product wholesalers (NAICS 424400)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 87,500 12.7 25.26 52,550 16.13 28.74 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 75,910 11.1 11.66 24,260 8.70 14.03 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 62,070 14.04 9.0 29,210 9.91 17.72 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 61,870 9.0 18.04 37,520 14.37 21.02 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 34, 5.0 360 12.87 26,770 9.84 15.56 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 30,550 12.28 4.5 25,540 9.51 14.76 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 27,450 14.01 4.0 29,140 16.75 11.03 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 19,580 9.65 2.9 20,070 7.51 11.40 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 14,220 13.04 2.1 27,130 15.56 10.12 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 14,04 2.0 0 11.69 24,310 8.98 13.70 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
111

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Farm product raw material merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424500)

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 10, 14.7 930 $8.94 $18,600 $6.99 $10.45

Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals.................................................................................................................. 6,750 9.1 8.07 16,780 6.47 9.16 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 5,150 13.14 6.9 27,340 15.62 10.07 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,640 4.9 9.31 19,370 7.12 10.80 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 3,480 4.7 12.05 25,070 9.46 14.11 

Conveyor operators and tenders............................................................................................................................ 3,400 4.6 11.20 23,290 9.12 12.67 

Graders and sorters, agricultural products............................................................................................................. 3,310 10.02 4.5 20,830 7.53 11.84 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 3,310 22.66 4.5 47,130 25.93 14.21 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,2 3.1 70 33.29 69,250 20.38 39.42 

Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products....................................................................................................... 2,120 2.9 23.52 48,920 15.73 27.04 

Chemical and allied products merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424600)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 15,550 12.0 29.34 61,020 17.60 35.99 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 8,840 6.8 32.76 68,140 21.27 40.10 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 8,390 6.5 17.30 35,990 13.95 20.08 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 7,480 5.8 12.08 25,140 9.17 14.79 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,3 3.4 50 51.17 106,430 31.42 68.90 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 4,2 3.3 30 13.40 27,870 10.56 15.79 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 4,150 3.2 12.30 25,590 8.94 15.06 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 4,090 15.61 3.2 32,470 18.10 12.44 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 3,840 13.27 3.0 27,610 15.98 10.10 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 3,680 12.33 2.8 25,650 9.12 15.34 

Petroleum and petroleum products merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424700)

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 19,910 16.60 19.5 34,520 20.07 12.68 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 8,500 7.80 8.3 16,230 6.49 8.61 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 7,410 7.2 25.43 52,890 15.85 30.81 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 5,280 5.2 12.53 26,060 9.81 14.75 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 4,320 13.10 4.2 27,240 15.42 10.02 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,740 3.7 11.25 23,400 8.27 13.17 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,5 3.5 60 44.72 93,020 25.29 57.43 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,0 3.0 20 12.22 25,410 8.71 15.53 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,600 14.69 2.5 30,550 18.31 10.85 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 2,060 13.11 2.0 27,270 9.69 15.39 

Beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverage merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424800)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 32,790 23.03 23.3 47,900 26.86 15.91 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 12,750 17.37 9.1 36,130 20.55 13.82 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 12, 8.7 200 11.42 23,750 9.03 13.33 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 11,330 16.37 8.1 34,040 19.91 12.28 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 8,340 14.72 5.9 30,610 17.39 11.14 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 7,960 13.74 5.7 28,590 16.63 10.57 

First-line supervisors/managers of nonretail salesworkers.................................................................................... 5,810 4.1 29.67 61,720 21.87 33.66 

Merchandise displayers and window trimmers....................................................................................................... 3 2.2 ,100 12.34 25,660 9.67 14.00 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 3,080 11.21 2.2 23,320 8.55 13.15 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,000 53.33 2.1 110,920 30.63 (2)

Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesalers (NAICS 424900)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 46,930 12.9 22.41 46,620 13.98 26.12 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 33,870 9.3 9.66 20,100 7.63 11.00 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 20,300 10.93 5.6 22,730 8.66 12.78 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 18,940 10.29 5.2 21,400 8.36 11.48 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 14,680 4.1 14.10 29,340 10.54 16.66 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 13,060 3.6 11.99 24,940 9.29 14.32 

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse.................................................................................. 12,070 8.50 3.3 17,680 6.93 9.66 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 10,230 2.8 11.06 23,010 8.52 12.98 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 10,090 2.8 13.06 27,170 9.91 15.82 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 9,940 2.7 9.43 19,610 7.60 10.89 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Wholesale electronic markets and agents and brokers (NAICS 425100)

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 165,730 24.2 29.96 62,320 16.29 37.19 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 36, 5.4 980 35.73 74,320 21.88 45.19 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 32,150 4.7 11.62 24,170 8.22 14.16 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 27, 3.9 030 10.65 22,160 8.00 12.69 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 20,100 15.45 2.9 32,140 18.58 12.00 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 17,380 2.5 14.96 31,110 11.36 18.42 

First-line supervisors/managers of nonretail salesworkers.................................................................................... 15,670 2.3 44.86 93,310 25.19 56.92 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 15,530 2.3 13.12 27,290 9.77 15.94 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 15,520 54.89 2.3 114,170 31.72 (2)

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 13, 2.0 410 12.00 24,950 9.16 14.26 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
112

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Automobile dealers (NAICS 441100)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 270,290 21.5 $21.14 $43,980 $12.61 $26.88

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 228,250 18.1 19.15 39,830 13.67 23.20 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 81,060 6.4 9.59 19,950 7.49 10.86 

Parts salespersons................................................................................................................................................. 66,420 5.3 16.34 33,980 11.30 20.10 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 52,050 4.1 35.37 73,560 22.35 44.13 

Automotive body and related repairers................................................................................................................... 42,610 3.4 19.23 39,990 13.62 23.86 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 36,620 2.9 11.06 23,010 8.39 13.22 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 35,550 2.8 27.78 57,780 19.03 33.98 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 35,460 2.8 13.50 28,080 10.39 16.04 

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 30,490 2.4 19.49 40,530 12.00 24.97 

Other motor vehicle dealers (NAICS 441200)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 32,980 20.9 16.42 34,150 9.63 20.50 

Motorcycle mechanics............................................................................................................................................ 14,210 9.0 14.52 30,190 10.50 17.46 

Parts salespersons................................................................................................................................................. 12,860 8.1 12.51 26,020 9.29 14.42 

Recreational vehicle service technicians................................................................................................................ 8,920 5.6 14.88 30,960 11.21 17.77 

Motorboat mechanics............................................................................................................................................. 8,710 14.64 5.5 30,460 11.14 17.41 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 7,280 4.6 24.39 50,720 15.59 28.66 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 5,4 3.5 50 39.84 82,870 21.81 50.24 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 5,100 3.2 13.37 27,820 10.23 16.04 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 4,990 3.2 10.64 22,140 8.01 12.73 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 4,860 9.37 3.1 19,480 7.57 10.67 

Automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores (NAICS 441300)

Parts salespersons................................................................................................................................................. 66,980 10.83 13.8 22,520 8.17 12.52 

Tire repairers and changers................................................................................................................................... 60,550 12.5 10.64 22,130 8.31 12.12 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 56,390 11.6 12.58 26,160 8.31 15.11 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 56,220 11.6 14.14 29,420 9.83 17.27 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 35,700 7.4 8.52 17,730 7.12 9.54 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 31,570 6.5 18.46 38,390 12.77 21.38 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 15,470 3.2 21.11 43,910 15.25 23.88 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 11, 2.4 550 31.89 66,330 19.50 36.21 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 11,290 2.3 9.96 20,720 7.96 11.50 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 9,930 2.1 19.94 41,480 13.19 24.72 

Furniture stores (NAICS 442100)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 106,020 36.6 14.41 29,970 9.01 17.75 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 25,200 8.7 10.28 21,390 8.06 11.87 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 22, 7.9 750 9.96 20,730 7.88 11.39 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 16,560 5.7 22.16 46,090 14.94 26.24 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 9,430 3.3 10.66 22,170 8.12 12.62 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 7,220 2.5 12.95 26,940 9.81 15.59 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 7,1 2.5 60 39.40 81,950 22.84 48.23 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 6,860 9.25 2.4 19,240 7.65 10.45 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 6,390 9.78 2.2 20,350 7.94 10.88 

Interior designers.................................................................................................................................................... 5,850 20.18 2.0 41,980 13.60 23.46 

Home furnishings stores (NAICS 442200)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 106,750 12.52 38.7 26,040 8.08 14.34 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 18,520 20.99 6.7 43,660 14.20 24.45 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 18,380 8.35 6.7 17,360 6.99 9.24 

Carpet installers...................................................................................................................................................... 12,520 16.71 4.5 34,750 11.65 20.58 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 11,910 9.65 4.3 20,070 7.65 10.81 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 9,310 10.16 3.4 21,140 7.87 12.06 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,410 10.97 2.7 22,830 7.95 13.21 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,710 2.4 13.93 28,970 10.31 16.37 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 5,8 2.1 10 39.47 82,100 22.72 47.22 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 5,680 2.1 11.49 23,890 8.78 13.50 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Electronics and appliance stores (NAICS 443100)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 178,480 34.0 12.32 25,620 8.06 14.05 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 30,240 8.86 5.8 18,430 7.34 10.05 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 29,410 20.21 5.6 42,030 13.56 23.04 

Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers.................................................................................... 20,400 15.06 3.9 31,320 10.92 18.21 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 18,650 11.64 3.6 24,210 8.49 13.64 

Home appliance repairers...................................................................................................................................... 14,390 15.50 2.7 32,240 10.91 19.36 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 14,230 10.16 2.7 21,130 7.94 12.08 

Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers....................................................................... 12,080 13.49 2.3 28,060 10.01 16.35 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 11,100 40.70 2.1 84,660 23.11 50.71 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,040 2.1 10.83 22,520 8.08 13.20 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
113

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Building material and supplies dealers (NAICS 444100)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 372,440 34.5 $12.26 $25,500 $8.76 $13.89

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 126,070 9.23 11.7 19,190 7.59 10.48 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 72,280 18.87 6.7 39,240 21.08 13.45 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 62, 5.8 590 10.01 20,830 7.95 11.26 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 53,620 12.34 5.0 25,670 9.78 14.11 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 39,250 10.44 3.6 21,720 8.23 12.17 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 35,020 11.41 3.2 23,740 9.17 13.35 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 29,920 21.56 2.8 44,850 26.27 13.85 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 26,210 2.4 12.13 25,230 9.44 14.37 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 21, 2.0 350 35.92 74,720 21.34 41.97 

Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores (NAICS 444200)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 31,500 20.0 10.59 22,030 7.65 12.03 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 13,670 8.39 8.7 17,450 6.99 9.60 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 11,800 10.23 7.5 21,280 7.97 11.90 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 11,270 8.78 7.1 18,260 7.16 10.12 

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse.................................................................................. 10,960 6.9 9.11 18,950 7.39 10.41 

Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics.............................................................................. 8,250 5.2 12.09 25,150 9.27 14.21 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 7,220 4.6 17.83 37,080 12.56 21.22 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 4,030 2.6 11.08 23,050 8.92 13.03 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 3,910 12.47 2.5 25,940 9.72 14.52 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 3,830 2.4 13.51 28,090 10.52 15.40 

Grocery stores (NAICS 445100)

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 825,150 33.7 8.79 18,280 6.71 9.85 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 373,330 9.84 15.2 20,460 7.27 11.62 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 195,040 8.0 7.35 15,290 6.20 8.09 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 129,480 16.22 5.3 33,730 19.30 11.79 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 103,530 9.25 4.2 19,240 7.20 10.81 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 97,770 4.0 9.08 18,880 7.29 10.65 

Butchers and meat cutters..................................................................................................................................... 88,260 13.56 3.6 28,210 9.90 17.00 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 57,970 9.42 2.4 19,590 6.74 11.27 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 47,190 10.12 1.9 21,050 7.62 11.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 46,120 9.27 1.9 19,280 6.77 10.78 

Specialty food stores (NAICS 445200)

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 37,650 8.34 15.5 17,340 6.74 9.39 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 24,350 9.58 10.0 19,930 7.17 10.57 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 12,680 5.2 8.05 16,740 6.82 8.70 

Butchers and meat cutters..................................................................................................................................... 11,620 11.61 4.8 24,140 8.36 13.88 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 10,740 8.73 4.4 18,150 7.15 10.04 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 10,580 15.31 4.4 31,850 19.39 10.46 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 9,650 9.32 4.0 19,380 7.16 10.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 9,4 3.9 90 10.17 21,160 7.66 12.38 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 9,420 3.9 15.81 32,870 11.57 18.37 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 9,070 3.7 12.09 25,150 9.20 14.72 

Beer, wine, and liquor stores (NAICS 445300)

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 57,100 8.21 42.4 17,070 6.91 9.17 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 18,200 9.53 13.5 19,820 7.12 10.61 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 12,480 16.42 9.3 34,160 19.64 11.32 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 9,630 8.66 7.2 18,010 7.13 9.81 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 4,790 3.6 21.88 45,510 14.49 25.87 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,170 2.4 10.21 21,240 7.67 12.28 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,800 36.51 2.1 75,940 44.14 20.54 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 2,480 16.83 1.8 35,000 20.13 12.98 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 2,4 1.8 60 12.59 26,180 9.29 15.27 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 2,080 1.5 14.16 29,450 10.11 17.08 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Health and personal care stores (NAICS 446100)

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 231,450 24.6 7.94 16,510 6.64 8.85 

Pharmacy technicians............................................................................................................................................ 138,450 11.12 14.7 23,120 8.93 12.87 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 110,580 9.94 11.7 20,670 7.16 10.88 

Pharmacists............................................................................................................................................................ 99,030 41.75 10.5 86,850 46.95 36.24 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 54,760 5.8 16.86 35,060 12.40 19.83 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 39,080 4.2 8.92 18,540 7.21 10.18 

Pharmacy aides...................................................................................................................................................... 32,510 3.5 8.85 18,410 7.09 10.19 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 29,790 27.75 3.2 57,720 31.70 15.05 

Opticians, dispensing............................................................................................................................................. 21,700 15.75 2.3 32,760 19.51 10.85 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 11, 1.2 370 9.70 20,170 7.58 11.48 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
114

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Gasoline stations (NAICS 447100)

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 539,590 $7.63 $15,860 $6.57 $8.50 61.3

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 85,200 9.7 14.13 29,390 10.49 16.71 

Service station attendants...................................................................................................................................... 31,350 3.6 8.01 16,670 6.91 8.63 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 23,850 2.7 7.37 15,340 6.24 8.28 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 22,420 2.6 15.09 31,390 9.93 18.56 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 16,290 9.38 1.9 19,510 7.00 9.90 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 11,890 6.85 1.4 14,240 5.88 7.13 

Cooks, fast food..................................................................................................................................................... 11,430 7.25 1.3 15,090 6.27 8.18 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 10, 1.2 390 27.61 57,440 16.28 32.03 

Cooks, short order.................................................................................................................................................. 10,270 1.2 7.28 15,150 6.14 8.30 

Clothing stores (NAICS 448100)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 629,590 9.24 61.6 19,220 7.06 10.03 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 113,930 11.2 16.22 33,730 11.82 18.25 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 102,670 10.1 8.03 16,710 6.75 8.83 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 31,290 9.14 3.1 19,010 7.27 10.61 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 16, 1.6 650 30.34 63,100 19.48 34.02 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 11,740 1.2 10.72 22,290 8.11 12.79 

Tailors, dressmakers, and custom sewers............................................................................................................. 10,470 12.59 1.0 26,200 9.13 15.50 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 8,510 11.11 0.8 23,100 8.35 13.00 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,940 11.08 0.8 23,050 8.99 13.00 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 7,9 0.8 20 9.84 20,470 7.64 11.55 

Shoe stores (NAICS 448200)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 123,400 8.72 68.6 18,130 6.84 9.46 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 27,870 15.5 16.24 33,770 11.92 18.60 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 10,990 6.1 7.91 16,460 6.54 8.83 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 3,850 8.68 2.1 18,060 7.07 9.99 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,820 27.95 1.6 58,140 30.21 16.01 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,360 0.8 12.84 26,720 7.81 16.34 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 880 0.5 12.44 25,880 8.16 14.06 

Sales managers..................................................................................................................................................... 760 0.4 38.86 80,830 24.60 47.66 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 600 0.3 10.24 21,310 8.10 12.21 

Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products............................................................................................... 570 19.86 0.3 41,300 24.25 10.92 

Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores (NAICS 448300)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 104,460 11.34 61.2 23,590 7.82 13.02 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 18,010 19.90 10.6 41,390 23.22 13.26 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 5,490 8.33 3.2 17,330 7.07 9.36 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,740 2.2 10.56 21,960 7.84 12.55 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 2,890 13.45 1.7 27,970 9.91 16.50 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,690 40.70 1.6 84,650 52.69 22.49 

Watch repairers...................................................................................................................................................... 1,960 15.37 1.2 31,970 19.09 10.50 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 1,110 0.7 12.44 25,880 9.01 14.28 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,100 12.94 0.6 26,920 9.44 16.47 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 960 12.31 0.6 25,610 9.23 14.98 

Sporting goods, hobby, and musical instrument stores (NAICS 451100)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 210,670 9.31 46.6 19,360 7.14 10.38 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 77,390 7.87 17.1 16,370 6.78 8.67 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 38,090 16.40 8.4 34,120 19.21 11.47 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 8,420 9.06 1.9 18,840 7.26 10.29 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 8,2 1.8 00 32.92 68,470 21.50 36.59 

Bicycle repairers..................................................................................................................................................... 7,230 1.6 9.84 20,470 8.02 11.36 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,510 12.50 1.4 26,010 9.39 15.43 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 6,470 1.4 10.33 21,480 8.35 11.84 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 6,000 1.3 10.14 21,080 8.00 11.91 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 5,3 1.2 70 9.36 19,470 7.69 10.73 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Book, periodical, and music stores (NAICS 451200)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 87,040 41.4 8.25 17,150 6.69 9.01 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 47,820 7.54 22.8 15,680 6.45 8.40 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 20,570 14.69 9.8 30,550 17.22 10.81 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 6,830 8.86 3.3 18,420 7.24 10.09 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 4,070 1.9 10.05 20,910 8.11 11.48 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 3,400 1.6 8.46 17,600 7.17 9.14 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,3 1.6 70 30.50 63,430 19.74 35.00 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 2,600 1.2 12.14 25,250 9.32 14.01 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 2,320 8.13 1.1 16,920 6.76 9.25 

Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products............................................................................................... 2,260 1.1 18.12 37,700 12.05 21.27 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
115

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Department stores (NAICS 452100)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 638,930 38.6 $9.25 $19,230 $7.38 $10.47

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 256,730 15.5 9.15 19,020 7.58 10.50 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 227,080 8.05 13.7 16,750 7.05 8.76 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 49,120 3.0 16.69 34,710 12.08 20.30 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 40,810 2.5 9.18 19,100 7.49 10.52 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 27,010 1.6 13.73 28,550 9.60 16.75 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 26,280 9.86 1.6 20,520 8.01 11.17 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 19,970 10.35 1.2 21,530 8.25 11.18 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 13, 0.8 470 33.66 70,000 23.29 41.81 

Merchandise displayers and window trimmers....................................................................................................... 1 0.8 3,210 10.39 21,610 7.55 11.81 

Other general merchandise stores (NAICS 452900)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 325,130 8.91 26.1 18,540 7.16 10.29 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 264,880 8.41 21.2 17,500 6.67 9.25 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 144,610 9.46 11.6 19,680 7.57 10.88 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 58,950 15.03 4.7 31,270 18.49 10.71 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 29,230 11.10 2.3 23,080 8.43 13.33 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 25,460 2.0 12.27 25,520 8.85 14.79 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 21,700 1.7 8.52 17,720 6.41 9.98 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 21,340 9.69 1.7 20,150 7.78 10.88 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 18,040 11.15 1.5 23,190 8.20 13.51 

Demonstrators and product promoters.................................................................................................................. 12,350 9.64 1.0 20,060 8.21 10.78 

Florists (NAICS 453100)

Floral designers...................................................................................................................................................... 47,000 10.32 42.1 21,470 7.91 12.07 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 18,040 8.64 16.2 17,970 6.92 9.88 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 15, 14.1 750 8.38 17,440 7.08 9.60 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 5,620 7.84 5.0 16,310 6.66 8.83 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 3,320 16.45 3.0 34,210 18.85 11.84 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 2,810 2.5 11.78 24,510 9.00 13.65 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,280 2.0 9.48 19,730 7.03 11.81 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 2,010 9.14 1.8 19,000 7.00 10.28 

Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse.................................................................................. 1,910 8.62 1.7 17,940 6.87 10.09 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,580 28.42 1.4 59,120 35.03 16.26 

Office supplies, stationery, and gift stores (NAICS 453200)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 145,090 9.01 35.2 18,730 6.99 10.01 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 81,990 7.95 19.9 16,540 6.84 8.81 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 30,450 7.4 15.85 32,970 11.39 18.63 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 15,340 3.7 9.29 19,310 7.52 10.69 

Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers.................................................................................... 12,260 16.13 3.0 33,540 19.11 12.59 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 10,970 22.59 2.7 46,990 26.79 12.51 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 8,2 2.0 00 34.96 72,730 22.56 39.99 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 7,640 1.9 12.34 25,660 9.47 14.39 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 7,390 1.8 10.98 22,830 8.81 12.84 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,850 12.75 1.7 26,530 9.98 15.04 

Used merchandise stores (NAICS 453300)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 39,330 9.04 35.9 18,810 6.85 10.23 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 18,640 7.59 17.0 15,780 6.46 8.45 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 8,340 15.42 7.6 32,070 17.46 10.35 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 8,2 7.5 20 7.99 16,610 6.59 8.68 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 7,600 8.04 6.9 16,730 6.76 8.90 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 3,130 10.40 2.9 21,630 8.01 12.55 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 1,890 8.70 1.7 18,100 6.81 10.10 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,830 1.7 10.13 21,060 7.40 12.12 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,7 1.6 10 32.19 66,950 19.55 36.37 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,300 1.2 13.12 27,290 10.06 15.82 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Other miscellaneous store retailers (NAICS 453900)

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 101,190 33.8 10.39 21,610 7.43 11.24 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 34,820 7.72 11.6 16,060 6.73 8.51 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 22,050 17.83 7.4 37,100 20.61 11.75 

Nonfarm animal caretakers.................................................................................................................................... 10,960 8.17 3.7 16,990 7.13 8.99 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 9,230 8.69 3.1 18,080 7.23 9.92 

Manufactured building and mobile home installers................................................................................................ 6,42 2.2 0 11.63 24,190 9.11 13.60 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 6,3 2.1 80 36.74 76,410 21.10 43.90 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 6,280 2.1 9.79 20,350 7.65 11.06 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 6,160 10.49 2.1 21,820 7.84 12.64 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 6,080 2.0 20.89 43,450 12.18 26.38 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
116

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Electronic shopping and mail-order houses (NAICS 454100)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 35,610 15.7 $11.46 $23,830 $9.29 $13.24

Order clerks............................................................................................................................................................ 26,390 11.6 10.67 22,190 8.16 12.18 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 11,420 10.26 5.0 21,330 8.21 12.14 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 10,710 11.49 4.7 23,910 8.03 13.05 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 9,450 12.52 4.2 26,030 7.82 13.60 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 9,250 4.1 10.68 22,210 8.51 12.46 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 9,060 9.64 4.0 20,060 7.51 11.28 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 6,350 10.68 2.8 22,210 8.35 12.50 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 5,230 2.3 11.65 24,220 9.21 13.67 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 5,050 2.2 19.61 40,790 14.37 23.20 

Vending machine operators (NAICS 454200)

Coin, vending, and amusement machine servicers and repairers......................................................................... 10,770 20.1 13.02 27,080 9.95 15.81 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 10,640 12.44 19.9 25,880 9.63 14.95 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 2,730 8.38 5.1 17,440 6.93 9.65 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 2,380 8.74 4.5 18,170 7.36 9.94 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 2,3 4.4 60 12.32 25,620 9.35 14.98 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,660 3.1 10.04 20,890 7.85 11.80 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 1,600 8.08 3.0 16,820 7.03 8.84 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,350 35.17 2.5 73,160 42.59 21.77 

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers............................................................. 1,240 14.09 2.3 29,320 16.79 11.16 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,180 2.2 13.25 27,550 9.68 15.05 

Direct selling establishments (NAICS 454300)

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 19,340 15.88 12.8 33,030 18.74 12.68 

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.................................................................... 12,240 8.1 18.07 37,590 14.35 21.45 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 12,110 8.0 14.26 29,660 10.65 17.11 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 9,730 6.5 10.79 22,440 8.14 12.41 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 8,560 12.99 5.7 27,020 15.50 10.25 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 6,340 4.2 11.12 23,140 8.67 13.09 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 6,130 12.14 4.1 25,240 9.84 13.73 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 5,620 7.80 3.7 16,230 6.54 8.77 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 5,240 13.46 3.5 28,000 8.01 15.18 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,950 35.49 3.3 73,820 42.64 20.73 

Scheduled air transportation (NAICS 481100)

Flight attendants..................................................................................................................................................... 97,330 20.7 (3) 51,670 (3) (3)

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 95,220 15.78 20.3 32,820 19.97 11.66 

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers............................................................................................................. 63,680 13.6 (3) 140,370 (3) (3)

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians........................................................................................................... 35,240 7.5 27.12 56,410 21.89 33.11 

Transportation workers, all other............................................................................................................................ 20,150 4.3 18.05 37,540 13.29 23.09 

Cargo and freight agents........................................................................................................................................ 14,010 3.0 16.40 34,110 12.27 20.13 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 12,890 14.92 2.8 31,030 19.23 10.88 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 9,720 2.1 23.22 48,290 18.53 26.65 

Baggage porters and bellhops................................................................................................................................ 9,720 2.1 16.84 35,020 11.92 20.79 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 8,530 1.8 11.06 22,990 8.96 12.52 

Nonscheduled air transportation (NAICS 481200)

Airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers............................................................................................................. 6,210 14.5 (3) 84,650 (3) (3)

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians........................................................................................................... 6,070 14.1 21.12 43,930 15.48 26.00 

Commercial pilots................................................................................................................................................... 5,730 13.3 (3) 59,270 (3) (3)

Flight attendants..................................................................................................................................................... 2,970 6.9 (3) 39,420 (3) (3)

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 1,950 4.5 12.72 26,460 9.76 14.96 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,450 3.4 12.54 26,080 9.16 14.94 

Transportation workers, all other............................................................................................................................ 1,090 14.04 2.5 29,190 16.57 10.25 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,030 12.46 2.4 25,910 9.76 14.28 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 940 2.2 48.88 101,660 27.86 67.36 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 880 2.1 11.38 23,670 8.52 13.51 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Rail transportation (NAICS 482100)

Railroad conductors and yardmasters.................................................................................................................... 3 15.0 1,880 25.79 53,650 18.45 33.46 

Locomotive engineers............................................................................................................................................ 30,290 14.2 26.49 55,090 18.21 35.08 

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators......................................................................................................... 14,750 6.9 23.78 49,450 18.50 28.66 

Railcar repairers..................................................................................................................................................... 10,120 4.8 20.35 42,320 18.60 22.23 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 9,710 4.6 16.71 34,760 12.63 20.79 

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators....................................................................................... 8,42 4.0 0 18.62 38,730 16.12 21.11 

Signal and track switch repairers........................................................................................................................... 6,450 3.0 21.83 45,400 19.32 24.21 

Rail transportation workers, all other...................................................................................................................... 5,780 2.7 19.32 40,190 16.91 21.39 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 5,300 2.5 26.35 54,810 21.75 30.09 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 5,160 2.4 20.65 42,950 19.09 22.35 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
117

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Deep sea, coastal, and great lakes water transportation (NAICS 483100)

Sailors and marine oilers........................................................................................................................................ 4,290 12.9 $15.14 $31,500 $11.17 $18.01

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels......................................................................................................... 3,210 9.7 28.10 58,450 19.72 35.27 

Ship engineers........................................................................................................................................................ 2,990 9.0 31.58 65,690 22.86 39.72 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,2 3.8 60 11.04 22,970 8.60 12.59 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,210 15.38 3.7 32,000 17.86 12.49 

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 950 2.9 11.55 24,010 8.88 13.06 

Travel agents.......................................................................................................................................................... 750 13.09 2.3 27,220 14.19 10.22 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 710 15.92 2.1 33,100 19.42 12.52 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 630 1.9 22.97 47,770 17.48 26.66 

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters............................................................. 620 1.9 10.24 21,300 7.83 12.48 

Inland water transportation (NAICS 483200)

Sailors and marine oilers........................................................................................................................................ 5,350 15.67 25.1 32,590 19.63 11.20 

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels......................................................................................................... 4,730 24.42 22.2 50,790 30.29 18.25 

Ship engineers........................................................................................................................................................ 2,130 27.53 10.0 57,260 33.48 20.75 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 760 12.49 3.6 25,980 9.63 15.44 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 570 2.7 43.26 89,990 29.85 51.48 

Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers........................................................................................................... 510 2.4 16.71 34,750 14.84 16.94 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 280 1.3 18.11 37,680 14.37 21.70 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 230 1.1 16.89 35,140 14.58 18.93 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 230 1.1 14.53 30,220 11.82 16.85 

Motorboat operators............................................................................................................................................... 220 1.0 15.00 31,190 11.92 18.33 

General freight trucking (NAICS 484100)

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 538,640 57.2 17.64 36,700 14.02 20.91 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 60, 6.4 010 13.32 27,700 9.69 16.94 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 42, 4.6 890 14.64 30,450 10.63 18.83 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 30,340 3.2 16.34 33,980 12.98 19.76 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 24,010 2.6 15.11 31,430 11.91 18.55 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 23,800 17.95 2.5 37,330 21.77 13.42 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 22,430 2.4 11.50 23,910 8.70 13.71 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 21,910 2.3 22.84 47,510 17.73 26.64 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 12,140 1.3 41.08 85,440 24.62 48.27 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 10,840 1.2 14.48 30,120 11.22 17.24 

Specialized freight trucking (NAICS 484200)

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 197,300 49.4 16.34 33,980 12.27 19.56 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 36,510 9.2 10.80 22,470 8.50 12.48 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 26, 6.6 440 13.54 28,170 10.31 16.07 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 13,310 3.3 16.29 33,880 12.35 19.71 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,310 2.8 11.11 23,120 8.32 13.55 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 8,860 22.69 2.2 47,190 26.55 16.46 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 8,180 17.63 2.1 36,660 21.08 13.46 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 7,1 1.8 90 39.39 81,930 22.93 48.21 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 5,900 1.5 13.64 28,370 10.31 16.43 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 5,370 1.4 10.12 21,060 8.10 11.35 

Urban transit systems (NAICS 485100)

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 19 53.4 ,540 14.47 30,100 11.27 17.86 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 1,960 5.4 18.59 38,660 16.00 21.15 

Bus drivers, school................................................................................................................................................. 1,020 2.8 13.20 27,450 11.17 15.57 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 930 2.5 22.56 46,930 16.48 27.00 

Railcar repairers..................................................................................................................................................... 910 2.5 19.79 41,160 18.77 21.53 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 890 2.4 14.82 30,820 10.82 17.89 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 800 2.2 12.11 25,180 9.64 14.51 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 530 1.5 26.37 54,850 20.97 31.81 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 530 1.5 12.63 26,280 9.60 15.32 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 530 13.27 1.5 27,590 15.25 10.17 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Interurban and rural bus transportation (NAICS 485200)

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 10 48.5 ,180 15.20 31,610 11.61 19.19 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 1,060 5.1 18.97 39,450 16.18 21.88 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 440 2.1 13.43 27,930 10.55 16.02 

Bus drivers, school................................................................................................................................................. 430 2.1 11.89 24,740 7.84 13.83 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 430 2.1 18.73 38,970 15.01 21.85 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 280 1.3 9.88 20,550 7.82 11.34 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 220 1.1 10.75 22,360 9.03 12.57 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 160 24.86 0.8 51,710 27.94 21.54 

Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers......................................................................................... 120 11.13 0.6 23,140 8.64 13.23 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 120 8.70 0.6 18,100 7.33 9.74 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
118

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Taxi and limousine service (NAICS 485300)

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 37,050 56.3 $11.44 $23,790 $8.01 $13.76

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 8,050 12.2 11.23 23,360 8.03 13.43 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 1,700 2.6 14.48 30,130 10.55 17.03 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,670 2.5 9.83 20,440 7.14 11.40 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 1,310 2.0 23.29 48,440 14.13 34.11 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,210 1.8 11.51 23,950 8.77 13.55 

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 1,070 12.33 1.6 25,640 9.47 14.44 

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 1,030 12.61 1.6 26,220 9.82 15.03 

Bus drivers, school................................................................................................................................................. 980 10.57 1.5 21,980 8.27 12.25 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 910 1.4 19.67 40,910 13.40 23.47 

School and employee bus transportation (NAICS 485400)

Bus drivers, school................................................................................................................................................. 139,730 76.4 12.04 25,030 9.77 13.94 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 10,390 5.7 8.55 17,780 7.23 9.83 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 5,300 2.9 15.88 33,030 12.38 18.90 

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 4,390 2.4 11.64 24,200 9.12 13.55 

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters............................................................. 3,910 2.1 8.27 17,210 7.23 9.13 

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 2,550 8.11 1.4 16,860 6.28 9.75 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 2,540 1.4 21.17 44,040 15.34 25.78 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 1,870 1.0 14.17 29,480 11.26 16.63 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,390 0.8 11.73 24,400 9.16 13.70 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,1 0.6 00 38.46 80,000 21.96 45.98 

Charter bus industry (NAICS 485500)

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 19,290 57.1 11.34 23,590 9.27 12.99 

Bus drivers, school................................................................................................................................................. 2,660 7.9 11.85 24,640 9.68 14.01 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 1,510 4.5 9.05 18,820 7.53 10.39 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 1,510 4.5 16.65 34,640 12.81 20.28 

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 1,010 3.0 9.85 20,500 6.76 11.30 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 690 2.0 10.54 21,920 8.22 12.39 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 690 2.0 14.20 29,540 10.85 17.00 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 560 1.7 18.92 39,350 13.54 23.01 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 490 1.5 33.97 70,660 21.02 40.74 

Tour guides and escorts......................................................................................................................................... 350 9.42 1.0 19,590 6.33 12.69 

Other transit and ground passenger transportation (NAICS 485900)

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 15,250 9.60 26.0 19,970 7.64 10.86 

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 8,610 11.37 14.7 23,660 9.10 13.01 

Bus drivers, school................................................................................................................................................. 8,460 10.76 14.4 22,370 8.71 12.72 

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians......................................................... 3,530 6.0 10.17 21,160 7.73 11.95 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 2,600 12.28 4.4 25,540 9.62 14.03 

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics.................................................................................................. 1,710 12.45 2.9 25,900 10.39 13.84 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 1,490 2.5 17.77 36,970 12.91 21.34 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,280 2.2 10.17 21,150 7.89 11.82 

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters............................................................. 990 1.7 8.65 17,990 7.41 9.81 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 990 35.37 1.7 73,570 21.50 40.23 

Pipeline transportation of crude oil (NAICS 486100)

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.................................................................... 1,260 17.4 24.08 50,090 22.07 26.59 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 680 9.4 14.16 29,450 10.30 14.44 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 220 3.0 18.99 39,500 14.41 24.37 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 220 3.0 20.37 42,360 13.25 26.32 

Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door...................................................................... 220 3.0 24.76 51,490 23.02 28.17 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 170 2.3 28.43 59,130 20.79 36.48 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 150 2.1 18.00 37,440 14.08 20.88 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 150 2.1 27.80 57,820 21.90 32.67 

Chemical technicians............................................................................................................................................. 140 1.9 25.76 53,590 23.60 27.82 

Gas plant operators................................................................................................................................................ 130 1.8 24.02 49,960 20.74 27.36 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Pipeline transportation of natural gas (NAICS 486200)

Gas plant operators................................................................................................................................................ 2,580 9.7 23.28 48,410 19.97 26.41 

Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators............................................................................................ 1,510 22.76 5.7 47,340 18.82 26.89 

Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door...................................................................... 1,060 22.63 4.0 47,080 16.68 27.79 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 950 19.25 3.6 40,030 14.90 24.23 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 910 18.78 3.4 39,060 15.06 21.98 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 870 3.3 21.07 43,830 18.37 24.81 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 770 2.9 26.38 54,870 19.50 32.80 

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.................................................................... 680 22.75 2.6 47,330 19.81 26.01 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 670 29.99 2.5 62,380 24.18 35.28 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 580 2.2 49.53 103,030 31.30 62.53 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
119

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Other pipeline transportation (NAICS 486900)

Petroleum pump system operators, refinery operators, and gaugers.................................................................... 1,540 30.8 $24.23 $50,390 $20.22 $27.39

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 360 7.2 24.50 50,950 21.12 27.76 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 190 3.8 30.94 64,340 23.95 36.54 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 160 3.2 19.08 39,690 16.76 21.75 

Gas plant operators................................................................................................................................................ 160 3.2 27.26 56,700 24.42 31.11 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 150 3.0 16.37 34,050 9.57 22.29 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 150 3.0 19.53 40,620 15.27 22.82 

Petroleum engineers.............................................................................................................................................. 120 2.4 36.60 76,140 29.41 42.66 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 120 2.4 45.82 95,310 29.79 54.47 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 90 1.8 17.24 35,860 13.53 20.36 

Scenic and sightseeing transportation, land (NAICS 487100)

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 2, 25.9 420 11.13 23,160 9.14 12.85 

Tour guides and escorts......................................................................................................................................... 960 10.3 10.19 21,200 7.74 12.52 

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 580 6.2 9.40 19,550 7.62 10.62 

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 510 5.5 13.02 27,080 10.43 15.68 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 250 2.7 9.97 20,730 8.02 11.06 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 200 2.1 16.23 33,750 12.76 18.87 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 200 12.60 2.1 26,210 8.99 14.93 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 190 32.55 2.0 67,700 18.33 40.63 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 180 8.82 1.9 18,340 7.08 10.25 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 180 1.9 14.20 29,530 11.54 16.51 

Scenic and sightseeing transportation, water (NAICS 487200)

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels......................................................................................................... 2,440 16.0 19.08 39,680 11.94 23.24 

Sailors and marine oilers........................................................................................................................................ 2,200 14.5 11.78 24,510 7.73 14.04 

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters............................................................. 1,430 9.4 10.40 21,620 7.57 12.94 

Motorboat operators............................................................................................................................................... 670 14.20 4.4 29,530 9.30 18.27 

Tour guides and escorts......................................................................................................................................... 650 11.24 4.3 23,380 6.83 13.13 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 640 9.58 4.2 19,920 6.74 11.99 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 460 3.0 8.29 17,250 6.90 9.07 

Bartenders.............................................................................................................................................................. 450 3.0 10.01 20,830 7.94 11.72 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 450 9.06 3.0 18,840 6.46 12.11 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 410 9.31 2.7 19,360 7.45 10.22 

Scenic and sightseeing transportation, other (NAICS 487900)

Commercial pilots................................................................................................................................................... 500 23.7 (3) 53,970 (3) (3)

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians........................................................................................................... 200 9.5 20.94 43,560 16.73 24.44 

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 150 7.1 11.51 23,950 8.94 13.66 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 90 10.77 4.3 22,400 9.03 11.75 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 80 13.29 3.8 27,650 10.83 16.20 

Transportation workers, all other............................................................................................................................ 70 11.55 3.3 24,020 8.57 13.05 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 50 50.36 2.4 104,760 28.12 69.55 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 40 10.44 1.9 21,720 7.75 12.87 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 40 1.9 11.18 23,250 7.72 13.58 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 30 1.4 19.26 40,060 14.57 22.36 

Support activities for air transportation (NAICS 488100)

Aircraft mechanics and service technicians........................................................................................................... 27,470 19.6 18.55 38,590 14.82 21.61 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 10,220 7.3 11.74 24,410 8.49 13.46 

Transportation workers, all other............................................................................................................................ 6,530 4.7 11.49 23,900 9.10 13.18 

Cargo and freight agents........................................................................................................................................ 4,700 3.4 13.25 27,560 9.09 14.81 

Baggage porters and bellhops................................................................................................................................ 4,470 3.2 8.10 16,840 6.28 9.30 

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 3,940 2.8 11.68 24,290 9.39 13.21 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 3,610 2.6 12.79 26,610 9.02 14.67 

Transportation attendants, except flight attendants and baggage porters............................................................. 3,570 2.6 10.05 20,910 8.90 10.85 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 3,460 10.47 2.5 21,770 8.15 12.54 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 3,080 2.2 26.57 55,270 20.11 30.90 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Support activities for rail transportation (NAICS 488200)

Railcar repairers..................................................................................................................................................... 3,670 17.3 15.73 32,720 12.31 18.97 

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 2,410 11.4 14.25 29,640 11.58 16.62 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 2,370 11.2 11.95 24,850 8.63 14.83 

Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers.............................................................................................. 750 3.5 15.78 32,810 12.20 16.92 

Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators......................................................................................................... 720 3.4 13.02 27,080 10.99 14.28 

Rail transportation workers, all other...................................................................................................................... 570 2.7 17.65 36,720 14.10 20.81 

Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators....................................................................................... 570 2.7 11.88 24,700 9.50 12.97 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 530 2.5 22.74 47,310 18.27 26.50 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 460 2.2 35.30 73,410 22.94 40.86 

Painters, transportation equipment........................................................................................................................ 410 14.83 1.9 30,840 11.53 16.69 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
120

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Support activities for water transportation (NAICS 488300)

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 18, 20.0 150 $18.02 $37,490 $10.37 $26.05

Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels......................................................................................................... 7,730 8.5 26.82 55,780 20.61 32.19 

Sailors and marine oilers........................................................................................................................................ 7,160 7.9 14.62 30,410 11.59 17.39 

Material-moving workers, all other......................................................................................................................... 4,660 5.1 25.40 52,840 22.64 29.59 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 2,720 3.0 29.76 61,890 22.13 38.19 

Tank car, truck, and ship loaders........................................................................................................................... 2,700 3.0 20.09 41,780 14.70 26.43 

Ship engineers........................................................................................................................................................ 2,290 27.20 2.5 56,580 22.42 32.60 

Transportation workers, all other............................................................................................................................ 2,260 22.27 2.5 46,330 12.06 31.59 

Crane and tower operators..................................................................................................................................... 2,250 24.76 2.5 51,510 17.43 31.57 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,430 1.6 18.41 38,290 12.83 21.61 

Support activities for road transportation (NAICS 488400)

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 24,160 31.9 13.49 28,060 9.98 16.38 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 5,1 6.8 80 13.29 27,650 10.06 16.10 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,260 5.6 11.21 23,320 8.80 12.98 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 3,850 5.1 11.64 24,200 8.51 13.56 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 3,380 8.80 4.5 18,310 6.85 9.89 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 3,080 4.1 13.82 28,740 9.87 16.84 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,950 3.9 10.80 22,460 7.85 13.23 

Motor vehicle operators, all other........................................................................................................................... 2,480 3.3 12.02 25,000 7.28 14.30 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 2,280 3.0 21.43 44,560 15.58 26.17 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,4 1.9 40 36.39 75,690 21.98 45.49 

Freight transportation arrangement (NAICS 488500)

Cargo and freight agents........................................................................................................................................ 22,580 13.5 17.66 36,730 12.72 21.04 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 12, 7.3 250 12.17 25,320 8.71 15.01 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 10,770 6.4 16.68 34,690 12.86 20.04 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 9,820 5.9 15.27 31,770 12.08 18.41 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 9,770 5.8 17.49 36,380 13.77 21.03 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,730 4.6 11.55 24,020 8.06 14.32 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 7,280 4.3 13.82 28,750 9.74 16.61 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 7,250 4.3 24.05 50,030 18.05 28.51 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,720 4.0 14.42 29,980 11.49 16.80 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 5,960 3.6 50.47 104,990 31.20 66.44 

Other support activities for transportation (NAICS 488900)

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 5,900 20.2 9.77 20,320 7.55 11.62 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 5,700 19.6 11.26 23,420 8.64 13.14 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 1,120 3.8 11.73 24,390 9.54 13.03 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 1,110 3.8 12.89 26,810 9.11 15.51 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 1,080 3.7 17.18 35,730 13.14 21.21 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 1,030 3.5 16.90 35,140 12.58 19.99 

First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand................................................ 750 2.6 18.94 39,400 14.28 21.90 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 750 2.6 13.13 27,310 10.00 15.10 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 700 2.4 43.80 91,100 24.88 57.70 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 570 2.0 11.46 23,840 9.05 13.35 

Postal Service (NAICS 491100)

Postal service mail carriers.................................................................................................................................... 344,050 42.8 20.85 43,370 18.07 24.32 

Postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators........................................................ 214,400 26.6 18.12 37,690 17.43 20.49 

Postal service clerks............................................................................................................................................... 76,860 9.6 19.82 41,230 18.21 21.17 

Postmasters and mail superintendents.................................................................................................................. 26,430 3.3 24.43 50,820 20.74 27.99 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 16,040 2.0 18.16 37,770 17.24 20.09 

First-line supervisors/managers of nonretail salesworkers.................................................................................... 13,890 1.7 25.66 53,370 23.35 27.12 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 10,570 21.14 1.3 43,980 18.81 23.90 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 8,280 1.0 26.93 56,010 24.00 30.30 

Data entry keyers................................................................................................................................................... 7,850 1.0 13.62 28,320 11.72 14.66 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 7,630 1.0 24.14 50,210 22.86 25.79 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Couriers (NAICS 492100)

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 154,800 29.6 18.12 37,680 22.96 14.38 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 115,260 11.97 22.0 24,900 13.36 9.95 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 25,620 4.9 20.72 43,100 24.87 17.37 

Couriers and messengers...................................................................................................................................... 20,540 3.9 9.94 20,670 11.12 7.48 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 12,990 25.82 2.5 53,710 31.64 20.48 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 12,540 15.21 2.4 31,630 18.14 12.28 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 10,600 13.87 2.0 28,860 16.19 11.20 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 10,560 11.44 2.0 23,790 13.10 9.33 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 8,540 13.79 1.6 28,680 16.15 10.50 

Cargo and freight agents........................................................................................................................................ 8,040 16.85 1.5 35,050 19.97 13.64 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
121

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Local messengers and local delivery (NAICS 492200)

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 15, 32.1 300 $12.19 $25,360 $8.38 $14.95

Couriers and messengers...................................................................................................................................... 12,960 27.2 9.57 19,900 7.24 11.14 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 2,030 18.21 4.3 37,890 21.69 14.35 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 1,790 14.44 3.8 30,030 17.25 10.78 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,5 3.3 60 9.94 20,670 7.92 11.75 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,260 12.33 2.7 25,650 9.76 14.38 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 1,120 18.56 2.4 38,600 21.66 13.63 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 990 10.82 2.1 22,520 7.58 12.88 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 920 1.9 40.92 85,120 24.66 51.39 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 840 1.8 20.41 42,450 15.11 25.13 

Warehousing and storage (NAICS 493100)

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 113 20.6 ,790 12.10 25,170 9.36 14.50 

Industrial truck and tractor operators...................................................................................................................... 71,940 13.16 13.0 27,370 15.04 10.72 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 48,390 12.79 8.7 26,600 9.97 15.08 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 33,330 13.10 6.0 27,250 15.31 10.26 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 27,890 5.0 10.27 21,360 8.01 11.96 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 23,560 4.3 17.96 37,360 13.76 21.36 

First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand................................................ 12,600 2.3 19.98 41,560 15.47 22.92 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 11,990 2.2 12.89 26,800 8.39 16.31 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 9,630 12.19 1.7 25,350 9.67 14.22 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 9,270 14.16 1.7 29,450 15.95 11.12 

Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers (NAICS 511100)

Editors.................................................................................................................................................................... 59,170 23.60 8.8 49,090 28.34 15.66 

Advertising sales agents......................................................................................................................................... 48,220 20.30 7.1 42,210 24.78 11.91 

Reporters and correspondents............................................................................................................................... 38,900 17.51 5.8 36,420 21.73 10.80 

Graphic designers.................................................................................................................................................. 21,550 17.26 3.2 35,900 20.70 12.10 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 20,280 14.21 3.0 29,560 17.17 10.20 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 19,520 2.9 11.78 24,500 8.70 14.20 

Printing machine operators.................................................................................................................................... 18,430 2.7 16.87 35,090 11.90 21.47 

Prepress technicians and workers......................................................................................................................... 17,920 2.7 15.21 31,630 10.50 19.30 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 15,190 2.3 10.45 21,730 7.58 12.06 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 14,500 11.69 2.2 24,320 7.69 13.71 

Software publishers (NAICS 511200)

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 38,900 39.04 16.5 81,210 46.98 30.52 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 21,050 40.94 8.9 85,150 48.99 32.73 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 18,450 24.09 7.8 50,110 29.50 16.57 

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 18,270 7.7 35.24 73,300 26.19 43.42 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 9,690 4.1 35.41 73,650 26.97 42.81 

Computer and information systems managers...................................................................................................... 8,650 3.7 54.81 114,000 40.81 64.62 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products....................................... 7,920 3.4 38.51 80,090 25.43 46.79 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,7 2.0 70 61.04 126,950 40.02 (2)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 4,730 2.0 17.47 36,340 12.87 20.71 

Market research analysts....................................................................................................................................... 4,410 1.9 41.53 86,390 31.98 50.56 

Motion picture and video industries (NAICS 512100)

Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers, all other....................................................................... 43,660 12.0 19.24 (4

) 23.17 12.22 

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers........................................................................................................... 40,190 11.0 6.88 14,310 7.71 6.06

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 31,490 6.90 8.6 14,350 6.01 7.53 

Actors..................................................................................................................................................................... 29,780 8.2 22.44 (4

) 35.03 7.23 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 21,660 5.9 7.51 15,620 6.30 8.22 

Producers and directors......................................................................................................................................... 13,440 47.67 3.7 99,160 21.09 (2)

Film and video editors............................................................................................................................................ 10,160 25.68 2.8 53,410 32.21 15.05 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 9,4 2.6 20 51.43 106,980 23.18 (2)

Motion picture projectionists................................................................................................................................... 8,770 2.4 9.21 19,150 6.77 10.23 

Audio and video equipment technicians................................................................................................................. 8,100 2.2 19.87 41,320 11.24 24.53 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Sound recording industries (NAICS 512200)

Sound engineering technicians.............................................................................................................................. 1,760 8.0 21.02 43,720 10.94 25.16 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 910 4.2 11.80 24,530 8.39 14.67 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 890 17.57 4.1 36,550 20.50 13.65 

Editors.................................................................................................................................................................... 800 24.41 3.7 50,780 28.01 17.07 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 770 16.20 3.5 33,700 9.91 22.31 

Audio and video equipment technicians................................................................................................................. 680 3.1 16.45 34,220 9.90 19.10 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 650 3.0 50.44 104,910 30.40 68.93 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 590 2.7 22.88 47,590 14.61 27.61 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 560 2.6 26.56 55,250 19.00 32.47 

Producers and directors......................................................................................................................................... 440 2.0 35.80 74,470 20.22 45.86 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
122

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Radio and television broadcasting (NAICS 515100)

Radio and television announcers........................................................................................................................... 38,350 16.1 $14.95 $31,100 $7.36 $16.58

Advertising sales agents......................................................................................................................................... 29,880 23.76 12.6 49,410 29.15 12.51 

Broadcast technicians............................................................................................................................................ 20,800 15.15 8.7 31,520 8.55 18.87 

Producers and directors......................................................................................................................................... 16,930 26.15 7.1 54,400 31.86 14.72 

Reporters and correspondents............................................................................................................................... 10,140 21.43 4.3 44,580 25.80 11.67 

Camera operators, television, video, and motion picture....................................................................................... 8,360 16.73 3.5 34,810 8.95 23.59 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 7,1 3.0 30 47.95 99,730 26.25 65.47 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 6,390 12.01 2.7 24,980 8.53 14.87 

Broadcast news analysts........................................................................................................................................ 5,610 28.25 2.4 58,770 35.08 12.11 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 4,020 17.08 1.7 35,530 20.40 13.22 

Cable and other subscription programming (NAICS 515200)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 12,750 15.79 14.9 32,830 18.94 11.37 

Telecommunications line installers and repairers.................................................................................................. 11,240 18.01 13.1 37,470 23.02 13.31 

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers..................................................... 4,350 20.13 5.1 41,860 25.75 14.08 

Producers and directors......................................................................................................................................... 4,220 28.39 4.9 59,050 33.35 18.00 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,900 14.26 3.4 29,650 17.99 11.09 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 2,620 26.29 3.1 54,690 34.35 15.34 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 1,970 14.87 2.3 30,940 16.97 12.07 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 1,970 21.33 2.3 44,370 25.80 15.41 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 1,860 2.2 28.28 58,830 22.62 33.16 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 1,860 2.2 24.00 49,910 18.55 28.23 

Internet publishing and broadcasting (NAICS 516100)

Editors.................................................................................................................................................................... 1,750 6.0 24.29 50,530 16.43 28.64 

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 1,520 5.2 30.12 62,660 20.88 38.06 

Network systems and data communications analysts............................................................................................ 1,430 28.05 4.9 58,340 37.66 17.58 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 1,390 17.51 4.8 36,430 21.93 12.72 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 1,050 20.63 3.6 42,900 24.73 15.31 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 900 3.1 59.10 122,920 36.76 (2)

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 890 3.0 29.56 61,480 18.16 38.23 

Database administrators........................................................................................................................................ 870 35.72 3.0 74,290 44.19 27.12 

Computer and information systems managers...................................................................................................... 860 53.18 2.9 110,620 65.22 40.10 

Network and computer systems administrators..................................................................................................... 720 2.5 30.70 63,860 21.41 38.64 

Wired telecommunications carriers (NAICS 517100)

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers..................................................... 95,650 17.3 24.56 51,080 22.10 27.58 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 49,910 9.0 18.95 39,410 13.76 24.13 

Telecommunications line installers and repairers.................................................................................................. 40,440 7.3 24.12 50,170 21.20 27.92 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 28,720 5.2 28.15 58,550 19.55 35.15 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 18,440 3.3 36.14 75,180 29.88 42.55 

Telephone operators.............................................................................................................................................. 17,840 3.2 15.78 32,820 11.06 20.21 

Electronics engineers, except computer................................................................................................................ 16,150 2.9 33.58 69,840 27.17 39.62 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 16,130 16.81 2.9 34,970 22.83 10.22 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 13,530 30.92 2.5 64,310 35.56 25.94 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,730 17.33 2.1 36,040 20.58 14.77 

Wireless telecommunications carriers (except satellite) (NAICS 517200)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 44,180 15.57 23.0 32,390 17.97 11.26 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 15,250 13.73 7.9 28,570 9.37 16.79 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 11,890 22.01 6.2 45,780 27.26 13.13 

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers..................................................... 7,260 21.99 3.8 45,730 26.53 17.87 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 6,150 3.2 22.34 46,470 14.25 26.54 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 5,980 23.85 3.1 49,610 28.28 17.97 

Telephone operators.............................................................................................................................................. 5,130 13.81 2.7 28,730 18.38 10.22 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 4,660 2.4 21.52 44,750 14.53 26.99 

Electronics engineers, except computer................................................................................................................ 4,440 2.3 36.40 75,710 28.95 43.13 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,770 13.37 2.0 27,810 16.43 10.14 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Telecommunications resellers (NAICS 517300)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 12,920 8.6 15.16 31,540 11.24 18.25 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 10,260 6.8 25.35 52,740 15.00 32.53 

Telecommunications line installers and repairers.................................................................................................. 7,510 5.0 23.36 48,590 21.23 26.87 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 3,860 2.6 12.65 26,320 8.14 14.41 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 3,290 2.2 25.02 52,040 19.84 30.16 

Network systems and data communications analysts............................................................................................ 3,130 2.1 32.95 68,530 26.23 39.43 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 3,040 2.0 31.27 65,040 24.38 38.29 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 3,010 2.0 35.14 73,080 28.48 42.08 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 2,880 1.9 10.82 22,500 8.40 12.07 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 2,410 1.6 30.44 63,320 26.06 35.14 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
123

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Satellite telecommunications (NAICS 517400)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 2,050 12.3 $22.58 $46,960 $20.90 $26.71

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers..................................................... 1,480 8.9 26.65 55,440 23.48 28.54 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 980 5.9 27.43 57,060 23.70 28.95 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 880 5.3 24.12 50,170 23.39 26.85 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 500 3.0 37.14 77,240 30.27 40.87 

Electrical and electronic engineering technicians................................................................................................... 270 1.6 29.48 61,310 20.96 36.16 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 230 1.4 17.01 35,380 13.47 20.83 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 200 1.2 57.56 119,730 35.85 (2)

Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers....................................................................... 180 15.98 1.1 33,230 19.15 10.83 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 140 21.82 0.8 45,390 24.18 18.33 

Cable and other program distribution (NAICS 517500)

Telecommunications line installers and repairers.................................................................................................. 27,030 17.52 21.0 36,450 21.89 12.76 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 24,610 15.15 19.1 31,510 17.43 10.68 

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers..................................................... 8,500 19.52 6.6 40,600 24.39 14.26 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 4,080 26.65 3.2 55,440 31.76 21.25 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 3,830 13.00 3.0 27,030 8.76 15.73 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 3,390 2.6 23.17 48,200 17.51 27.67 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 3,220 2.5 14.72 30,620 11.63 17.17 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,990 1.5 46.98 97,710 29.59 58.86 

Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers....................................................................... 1,920 1.5 13.98 29,070 11.36 16.29 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 1,900 1.5 22.29 46,370 13.04 27.66 

Other telecommunications (NAICS 517900)

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 340 4.6 26.58 55,290 23.06 29.07 

Electronics engineers, except computer................................................................................................................ 260 3.5 29.05 60,430 24.90 33.92 

Engineers, all other................................................................................................................................................. 240 3.2 23.74 49,380 19.98 26.92 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 230 3.1 11.06 23,000 9.05 12.65 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 200 58.29 2.7 121,250 34.09 (2)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 170 15.85 2.3 32,970 17.90 11.62 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 160 2.1 14.32 29,790 12.06 16.83 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 160 2.1 12.77 26,550 9.66 15.24 

Electrical engineers................................................................................................................................................ 160 29.45 2.1 61,260 32.89 24.45 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 160 32.87 2.1 68,370 38.42 25.89 

Internet service providers and web search portals (NAICS 518100)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 11,250 14.72 9.6 30,620 17.87 10.16 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 9,560 18.13 8.1 37,710 21.87 11.79 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 5.8 6,770 38.79 80,680 29.10 47.62 

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 5,310 4.5 32.72 68,060 24.14 41.54 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 5,040 4.3 39.67 82,510 30.70 48.21 

Network and computer systems administrators..................................................................................................... 4,500 3.8 29.51 61,380 21.57 36.92 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 4,300 31.07 3.7 64,630 39.93 18.33 

Network systems and data communications analysts............................................................................................ 4,200 3.6 28.59 59,460 18.87 37.50 

Computer and information systems managers...................................................................................................... 4,060 3.5 50.68 105,420 37.81 60.72 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 3,550 3.0 35.25 73,330 26.85 42.75 

Data processing, hosting, and related services (NAICS 518200)

Data entry keyers................................................................................................................................................... 18,360 6.8 10.54 21,920 8.18 12.43 

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 16,530 31.77 6.1 66,080 39.71 24.08 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 15,430 16.13 5.7 33,550 19.63 11.09 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 14,960 5.6 33.03 68,700 25.45 40.46 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 13,220 4.9 35.73 74,320 27.01 43.17 

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 12,660 4.7 35.97 74,830 28.12 42.64 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 11,920 4.4 20.73 43,110 14.99 25.29 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,570 4.3 12.02 25,000 8.60 14.36 

Computer and information systems managers...................................................................................................... 8,100 3.0 49.08 102,080 37.01 58.25 

Network and computer systems administrators..................................................................................................... 8,070 3.0 31.31 65,120 23.49 37.79 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Other information services (NAICS 519100)

Library assistants, clerical...................................................................................................................................... 6,230 12.5 9.92 20,630 7.41 12.18 

Librarians................................................................................................................................................................ 6,080 19.80 12.2 41,180 23.77 15.19 

Library technicians.................................................................................................................................................. 5,730 11.70 11.5 24,340 8.34 14.72 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,320 6.6 13.18 27,420 10.07 15.96 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 2,430 4.9 12.41 25,820 9.73 13.73 

Editors.................................................................................................................................................................... 1,390 24.68 2.8 51,330 29.72 15.70 

Reporters and correspondents............................................................................................................................... 1,390 23.90 2.8 49,700 30.18 15.60 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 1,070 21.77 2.1 45,280 26.98 15.58 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 1,010 11.44 2.0 23,800 8.95 13.37 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 930 17.21 1.9 35,790 20.45 13.55 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
124

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Monetary authorities - central bank (NAICS 521100)

Office machine operators, except computer.......................................................................................................... 1,960 9.1 $13.13 $27,310 $10.66 $15.65

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,500 7.0 14.48 30,120 12.09 16.88 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,450 6.8 15.33 31,900 12.61 17.41 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 1,370 15.06 6.4 31,330 16.94 12.70 

Financial examiners............................................................................................................................................... 1,370 34.74 6.4 72,250 42.43 26.25 

Financial analysts................................................................................................................................................... 970 4.5 28.26 58,780 21.69 32.64 

Tellers..................................................................................................................................................................... 950 4.4 13.51 28,110 10.14 16.65 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 700 3.3 15.82 32,900 13.08 18.13 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 700 3.3 24.79 51,560 19.18 28.72 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 650 3.0 33.95 70,620 28.08 40.11 

Depository credit intermediation (NAICS 522100)

Tellers..................................................................................................................................................................... 490,410 28.1 10.30 21,430 8.84 11.48 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 119,170 13.13 6.8 27,300 14.88 10.58 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 105,900 19.05 6.1 39,620 22.11 14.74 

Loan officers........................................................................................................................................................... 104,320 24.38 6.0 50,710 29.53 16.22 

New accounts clerks.............................................................................................................................................. 86,820 13.31 5.0 27,680 15.47 10.74 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 76,640 4.4 36.92 76,800 22.41 45.78 

Loan interviewers and clerks.................................................................................................................................. 74,830 4.3 13.78 28,660 10.97 16.06 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 54,190 3.1 12.88 26,790 10.05 15.18 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 41,210 2.4 11.65 24,240 9.36 13.65 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 40,650 17.16 2.3 35,690 20.31 13.39 

Nondepository credit intermediation (NAICS 522200)

Loan officers........................................................................................................................................................... 97,200 29.77 12.9 61,930 35.36 16.67 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 72,680 14.76 9.6 30,690 16.55 11.30 

Loan interviewers and clerks.................................................................................................................................. 68,210 15.24 9.0 31,700 18.01 11.78 

Bill and account collectors...................................................................................................................................... 43,250 14.17 5.7 29,480 16.46 11.27 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 31,700 22.60 4.2 47,000 26.54 16.68 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 28,010 3.7 12.25 25,490 9.49 14.57 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 22,060 12.20 2.9 25,380 9.48 13.66 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 19,500 2.6 48.41 100,690 30.99 60.43 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 19,420 2.6 14.82 30,820 11.92 17.10 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 17,330 2.3 9.17 19,070 7.35 10.19 

Activities related to credit intermediation (NAICS 522300)

Loan officers........................................................................................................................................................... 47,300 31.38 15.5 65,280 36.61 19.07 

Tellers..................................................................................................................................................................... 32,580 10.01 10.7 20,830 8.34 11.37 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 30,540 13.30 10.0 27,650 15.38 10.74 

Loan interviewers and clerks.................................................................................................................................. 28,980 15.36 9.5 31,960 18.47 11.43 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 15,960 21.13 5.2 43,950 25.56 15.01 

Bill and account collectors...................................................................................................................................... 13,000 13.27 4.3 27,600 14.96 10.71 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 9,560 3.1 11.29 23,480 8.93 13.34 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 7,480 9.52 2.5 19,790 7.89 10.86 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 7,420 11.83 2.4 24,610 8.31 13.17 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,820 14.70 2.2 30,580 17.54 11.51 

Securities and commodity contracts intermediation and brokerage (NAICS 523100)

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents................................................................................ 136,220 28.7 49.13 102,200 21.93 (2)

Brokerage clerks.................................................................................................................................................... 48,410 10.2 18.56 38,610 13.67 22.45 

Personal financial advisors..................................................................................................................................... 26,490 39.96 5.6 83,120 52.69 20.67 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 25,450 16.58 5.4 34,490 19.45 12.88 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 25,100 5.3 12.37 25,740 9.34 14.38 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 20,450 20.90 4.3 43,480 25.32 15.65 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 15,850 64.94 3.3 135,080 41.81 (2)

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 11,560 2.4 24.24 50,420 17.50 29.40 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 9,380 2.0 16.83 35,000 13.01 19.81 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 8,490 1.8 28.72 59,730 21.98 32.71 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Securities and commodity exchanges (NAICS 523200)

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents................................................................................ 1,030 11.6 54.05 112,430 27.63 (2)

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 1,010 11.4 21.89 45,530 17.62 25.65 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 640 7.2 64.32 133,780 43.90 (2)

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 540 6.1 35.05 72,910 28.74 42.05 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 410 4.6 55.13 114,660 42.80 59.87 

Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation............................... 380 4.3 29.71 61,790 21.65 31.90 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 340 3.8 35.37 73,570 30.01 41.75 

Brokerage clerks.................................................................................................................................................... 320 3.6 20.62 42,900 15.69 25.96 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 270 3.0 14.45 30,050 11.78 17.32 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 250 2.8 15.35 31,920 12.84 18.49 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
125

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Other financial investment activities (NAICS 523900)

Personal financial advisors..................................................................................................................................... 28,210 $49.07 $102,070 $24.58 10.5 (2)

Financial analysts................................................................................................................................................... 20,790 7.7 44.85 93,300 24.80 $59.60

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 20,480 7.6 21.62 44,970 16.08 25.94 

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents................................................................................ 20,400 7.6 53.95 112,220 26.27 (2)

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 10,6 3.9 10 14.73 30,640 10.26 18.59 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 10,460 3.9 62.09 129,140 40.59 (2)

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 10,440 3.9 29.90 62,190 20.78 36.07 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 9,690 3.6 17.32 36,020 13.04 20.68 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 9,320 3.5 18.13 37,710 13.56 21.64 

Brokerage clerks.................................................................................................................................................... 8,580 3.2 19.23 40,000 14.70 22.11 

Insurance carriers (NAICS 524100)

Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators..................................................................................................... 141,560 11.0 22.97 47,780 16.57 27.98 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 126,470 9.9 14.98 31,160 12.17 17.07 

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...................................................................................................... 120,880 9.4 14.77 30,730 11.89 17.16 

Insurance sales agents.......................................................................................................................................... 77,430 6.0 25.25 52,510 14.83 30.02 

Insurance underwriters........................................................................................................................................... 61,250 4.8 26.54 55,210 18.28 31.98 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 45,890 3.6 12.18 25,330 9.57 14.34 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 41,730 3.3 24.93 51,850 19.02 30.04 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 32,260 2.5 32.55 67,690 25.97 38.99 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 30,240 2.4 27.55 57,310 19.40 34.12 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 29,340 18.90 2.3 39,300 21.86 15.19 

Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities (NAICS 524200)

Insurance sales agents.......................................................................................................................................... 195,160 27.56 23.0 57,330 32.96 14.24 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 110,340 14.70 13.0 30,570 17.34 11.21 

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...................................................................................................... 84,610 10.0 14.61 30,390 11.28 17.17 

Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators..................................................................................................... 56,110 6.6 22.58 46,970 15.79 27.34 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 55,410 6.5 10.58 22,020 8.01 12.61 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 24,840 18.11 2.9 37,660 21.39 14.00 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 22,490 2.7 23.19 48,240 16.99 27.79 

Insurance underwriters........................................................................................................................................... 21,630 2.6 25.51 53,060 17.19 31.20 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 18,100 2.1 57.74 120,090 35.54 (2)

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 13,060 1.5 10.64 22,140 8.51 12.55 

Insurance and employee benefit funds (NAICS 525100)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 4,740 15.73 9.8 32,730 17.84 12.62 

Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators..................................................................................................... 4,720 21.29 9.8 44,270 25.70 15.82 

Insurance claims and policy processing clerks...................................................................................................... 3,150 6.5 14.67 30,510 12.12 16.85 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,080 4.3 12.73 26,470 9.80 15.69 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 1,830 20.27 3.8 42,170 24.29 15.74 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,520 16.45 3.2 34,210 19.53 13.01 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 1,12 2.3 0 14.06 29,250 10.65 17.08 

Insurance underwriters........................................................................................................................................... 1,020 2.1 25.22 52,450 16.72 31.19 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 940 2.0 26.93 56,020 23.47 31.04 

Data entry keyers................................................................................................................................................... 810 1.7 14.21 29,560 11.47 16.70 

Other investment pools and funds (NAICS 525900)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 3,240 8.7 17.09 35,540 14.98 19.31 

Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents................................................................................ 1,960 5.3 35.29 73,400 18.73 41.12 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 1,630 4.4 20.13 41,870 15.77 23.44 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,560 4.2 16.37 34,040 12.63 19.89 

Financial analysts................................................................................................................................................... 1,470 4.0 39.41 81,970 23.03 50.43 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,320 3.6 11.93 24,800 9.17 14.37 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 1,200 15.45 3.2 32,140 19.07 12.12 

Personal financial advisors..................................................................................................................................... 1,130 39.96 3.0 83,120 48.79 21.52 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 1,120 3.0 53.54 111,370 35.73 66.65 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,0 2.9 80 57.70 120,010 35.08 (2)

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Lessors of real estate (NAICS 531100)

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 113,960 19.1 12.68 26,380 9.40 15.17 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 56,790 9.5 10.86 22,590 7.92 13.70 

Property, real estate, and community association managers................................................................................. 52,370 19.96 8.8 41,510 23.51 11.57 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 31,570 9.93 5.3 20,650 7.12 11.68 

Real estate sales agents........................................................................................................................................ 24,880 15.50 4.2 32,240 9.31 17.21 

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 21,880 10.43 3.7 21,690 7.95 12.35 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 19,750 3.3 9.53 19,830 7.70 10.87 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 18,140 3.0 9.30 19,350 7.47 10.40 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 17,420 2.9 11.84 24,620 8.22 14.30 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 16,160 2.7 14.51 30,180 11.11 17.43 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
126

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Offices of real estate agents and brokers (NAICS 531200)

Real estate sales agents........................................................................................................................................ 43,790 $24.46 $50,890 $11.97 $29.80 13.8

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 34,410 10.8 10.89 22,640 8.44 12.93 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 29,200 9.2 11.31 23,520 8.62 13.65 

Real estate brokers................................................................................................................................................ 20,650 6.5 40.28 83,780 16.63 58.24 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 19,800 6.2 10.26 21,340 8.38 11.70 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 18,970 6.0 17.05 35,470 12.54 20.25 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 18,130 5.7 13.42 27,900 10.18 16.25 

Property, real estate, and community association managers................................................................................. 15,380 4.8 23.73 49,370 12.63 29.89 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 14,630 4.6 14.82 30,830 11.70 17.81 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 7,980 2.5 19.49 40,530 14.68 22.45 

Activities related to real estate (NAICS 531300)

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 64,890 13.6 13.38 27,820 10.06 16.22 

Property, real estate, and community association managers................................................................................. 52,880 11.1 21.84 45,420 12.96 26.26 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 27,670 10.36 5.8 21,560 7.70 12.51 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 26,380 11.42 5.5 23,750 8.57 13.29 

Real estate sales agents........................................................................................................................................ 24,790 20.76 5.2 43,190 10.79 24.66 

Appraisers and assessors of real estate................................................................................................................ 23,770 5.0 26.33 54,760 15.48 31.86 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 19,580 4.1 15.47 32,170 12.18 18.28 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 17,130 3.6 13.23 27,530 10.00 15.94 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 14,720 3.1 17.87 37,170 13.74 21.19 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 14,550 3.1 10.11 21,020 8.11 11.48 

Automotive equipment rental and leasing (NAICS 532100)

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 43,840 22.7 11.44 23,800 8.38 13.52 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 22,140 11.5 9.32 19,380 7.57 10.47 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 12,920 6.7 17.15 35,680 14.00 20.34 

Parking lot attendants............................................................................................................................................. 10,890 7.86 5.6 16,350 6.80 8.65 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 8,310 19.68 4.3 40,940 15.17 22.57 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 7,530 11.89 3.9 24,740 9.12 13.97 

Motor vehicle operators, all other........................................................................................................................... 6,940 9.03 3.6 18,780 7.09 9.83 

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 6,690 3.5 15.30 31,820 11.49 18.23 

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 6,600 3.4 9.07 18,860 7.12 10.28 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 4,460 2.3 11.63 24,190 9.02 13.94 

Consumer goods rental (NAICS 532200)

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 102,240 36.7 8.55 17,780 6.60 9.69 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 28,850 7.24 10.3 15,060 6.21 8.13 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 24,040 8.6 14.79 30,760 10.54 17.17 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 18,620 6.7 9.84 20,470 7.11 11.27 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 13,940 5.0 10.97 22,810 8.64 12.88 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 7,040 2.5 12.25 25,470 9.58 13.86 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 6,2 2.3 80 9.39 19,530 7.52 10.66 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 5,4 1.9 00 34.61 71,990 19.52 41.50 

Bill and account collectors...................................................................................................................................... 3,750 1.3 12.47 25,940 9.89 14.51 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,680 1.3 10.12 21,050 7.64 11.87 

General rental centers (NAICS 532300)

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 11,790 19.0 12.43 25,860 8.68 15.17 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 5,700 9.2 9.79 20,370 7.74 10.92 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 5,080 8.2 12.10 25,160 9.20 14.09 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 2,590 4.2 13.21 27,480 9.97 15.69 

First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers.......................................................................................... 2,240 3.6 20.10 41,810 14.46 24.46 

Audio and video equipment technicians................................................................................................................. 2,180 3.5 17.76 36,930 12.63 20.98 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,050 3.3 38.89 80,880 22.02 47.52 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,670 2.7 13.80 28,700 10.54 16.72 

Outdoor power equipment and other small engine mechanics.............................................................................. 1,470 2.4 12.72 26,450 10.00 14.90 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 1,470 2.4 26.29 54,680 16.43 31.15 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment rental and leasing (NAICS 532400)

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 6,980 6.7 13.50 28,080 9.17 15.87 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 5,820 5.6 15.43 32,090 11.88 18.14 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 5,640 5.4 18.16 37,780 14.08 21.15 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 5,0 4.9 70 11.02 22,910 8.69 12.85 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 4,3 4.2 00 13.56 28,210 9.98 16.33 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,7 3.7 80 45.26 94,140 25.98 57.37 

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products........................... 3,620 3.5 24.29 50,510 15.77 28.87 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,400 3.3 14.32 29,780 10.58 17.24 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 2,510 2.4 14.41 29,960 10.49 17.54 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,430 2.3 11.31 23,520 8.35 13.64 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
127

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets (except copyrighted works) (NAICS 533100)

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 1,570 6.1 $18.98 $39,490 $14.83 $22.65

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,5 5.9 20 53.04 110,330 30.07 (2)

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,360 5.3 11.49 23,900 7.96 14.34 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 1,150 28.66 4.4 59,610 31.29 18.41 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 1,000 3.9 13.07 27,180 7.14 16.85 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 900 14.86 3.5 30,900 17.12 11.36 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 890 11.33 3.4 23,560 7.11 13.62 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 760 25.95 2.9 53,980 29.57 15.04 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 720 2.8 25.32 52,670 18.35 30.28 

Management analysts............................................................................................................................................ 700 35.53 2.7 73,910 39.00 18.36 

Legal services (NAICS 541100)

Lawyers.................................................................................................................................................................. 352,090 30.5 55.07 114,540 31.27 (2)

Legal secretaries.................................................................................................................................................... 228,840 19.8 18.49 38,450 13.94 22.54 

Paralegals and legal assistants.............................................................................................................................. 156,630 13.6 19.33 40,210 14.59 22.95 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 56,2 4.9 30 12.71 26,440 9.91 14.47 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 46,690 4.0 10.97 22,810 8.53 12.96 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 34,890 11.51 3.0 23,930 8.93 13.74 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 29,650 15.51 2.6 32,260 18.35 12.14 

File clerks............................................................................................................................................................... 21,660 10.93 1.9 22,730 8.16 13.21 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 21,010 17.92 1.8 37,280 21.23 13.88 

Law clerks.............................................................................................................................................................. 21,010 15.88 1.8 33,030 19.46 10.87 

Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services (NAICS 541200)

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 232,080 29.9 31.24 64,990 19.84 35.95 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 91,370 11.8 14.04 29,200 10.84 16.70 

Tax preparers......................................................................................................................................................... 48,720 6.3 16.01 33,300 9.31 19.57 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 37,160 10.81 4.8 22,490 8.09 13.06 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 31,620 12.83 4.1 26,690 9.76 15.36 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 24,420 18.39 3.2 38,260 21.82 14.36 

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators.................................................................................................. 3.1 23,790 12.97 26,980 10.34 14.91 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 19,230 2.5 21.17 44,030 15.47 25.47 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 16,840 2.2 15.26 31,740 11.26 17.55 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 15,570 2.0 50.62 105,280 34.34 62.92 

Architectural, engineering, and related services (NAICS 541300)

Civil engineers........................................................................................................................................................ 107,060 8.7 32.81 68,250 24.34 39.68 

Architects, except landscape and naval................................................................................................................. 79,270 6.4 31.78 66,100 22.24 37.76 

Architectural and civil drafters................................................................................................................................ 78,010 6.3 19.35 40,250 15.02 22.61 

Civil engineering technicians.................................................................................................................................. 41,430 19.01 3.4 39,540 23.34 13.75 

Surveying and mapping technicians....................................................................................................................... 41,420 14.94 3.4 31,070 17.93 10.76 

Surveyors............................................................................................................................................................... 40,610 21.71 3.3 45,160 26.77 15.01 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 40,210 3.3 35.19 73,200 26.39 42.82 

Engineering managers........................................................................................................................................... 35,080 49.11 2.8 102,150 57.54 37.52 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 32,950 18.30 2.7 38,070 21.31 14.84 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 32,370 12.46 2.6 25,910 9.41 15.03 

Specialized design services (NAICS 541400)

Graphic designers.................................................................................................................................................. 23,950 19.7 23.08 48,000 15.19 26.81 

Interior designers.................................................................................................................................................... 14,260 11.7 22.93 47,700 15.02 27.07 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 4,770 3.9 10.88 22,640 7.53 13.28 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,9 3.2 20 52.65 109,520 30.20 (2)

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 3,620 3.0 15.76 32,780 11.85 18.80 

Printing machine operators.................................................................................................................................... 2,980 2.5 13.66 28,420 9.68 16.50 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 2,920 18.27 2.4 38,000 21.35 14.39 

Art directors............................................................................................................................................................ 2,850 2.3 39.14 81,410 26.24 44.87 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 2,780 2.3 30.73 63,920 18.38 35.77 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 2,50 2.1 0 12.42 25,830 9.30 15.16 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Computer systems design and related services (NAICS 541500)

Computer software engineers, applications........................................................................................................... 11.6 131,030 38.09 79,230 28.15 45.39 

Computer programmers......................................................................................................................................... 110,410 9.8 33.74 70,180 24.14 41.60 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 85,650 7.6 35.02 72,840 25.51 43.11 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 85,350 40.48 7.6 84,200 49.17 29.90 

Computer support specialists................................................................................................................................. 81,690 22.35 7.2 46,480 28.05 15.10 

Network and computer systems administrators..................................................................................................... 39,110 3.5 31.97 66,490 24.02 38.89 

Computer and information systems managers...................................................................................................... 35,050 3.1 53.03 110,300 38.55 64.74 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 34,970 3.1 16.35 34,010 11.03 20.10 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 32, 2.9 460 60.36 125,550 39.64 (2)

Network systems and data communications analysts............................................................................................ 28,060 2.5 31.97 66,500 23.50 39.08 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
128

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services (NAICS 541600)

Management analysts............................................................................................................................................ 94,030 12.3 $42.69 $88,790 $24.15 $55.51

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 35,700 4.7 11.88 24,700 7.98 14.68 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 29,100 18.85 3.8 39,200 22.04 14.51 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 27, 3.6 770 60.12 125,050 35.78 (2)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 26,430 3.4 14.99 31,190 10.91 17.43 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 21,5 2.8 00 13.33 27,720 9.62 16.43 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 17,970 15.61 2.3 32,460 18.65 12.10 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 17,790 31.74 2.3 66,010 39.87 17.61 

Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists............................................................................................ 16,700 2.2 31.97 66,500 17.70 38.62 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 15,210 2.0 28.99 60,300 19.52 34.75 

Scientific research and development services (NAICS 541700)

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 19,070 3.5 20.31 42,250 16.14 23.85 

Computer software engineers, systems software.................................................................................................. 18,030 3.3 45.35 94,320 35.64 53.82 

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists............................................................................................................. 17,820 3.2 34.72 72,210 22.64 42.65 

Biological technicians............................................................................................................................................. 14,870 2.7 18.93 39,380 14.34 22.78 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 12, 2.4 950 61.32 127,550 41.16 (2)

Chemists................................................................................................................................................................ 11,550 32.64 2.1 67,900 41.44 21.15 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,360 2.1 13.99 29,100 10.73 16.65 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 10,840 2.0 31.58 65,700 21.12 40.23 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 10,470 1.9 16.10 33,490 12.74 19.19 

Mechanical engineers............................................................................................................................................. 10,440 1.9 36.66 76,260 28.56 43.18 

Advertising and related services (NAICS 541800)

Advertising sales agents......................................................................................................................................... 43,470 10.2 26.08 54,240 15.63 31.61 

Graphic designers.................................................................................................................................................. 22,270 5.2 21.95 45,650 14.72 26.15 

Public relations specialists...................................................................................................................................... 22,260 5.2 28.22 58,690 17.52 33.49 

Demonstrators and product promoters.................................................................................................................. 18,640 4.4 9.45 19,650 7.59 10.08 

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service............................................................................. 15,910 10.17 3.7 21,150 7.97 11.69 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 14, 3.5 730 60.38 125,600 34.83 (2)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 13,950 3.3 15.39 32,020 11.21 18.74 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 13,230 3.1 11.79 24,520 8.81 14.25 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 10,910 15.87 2.6 33,020 18.92 12.14 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 10,680 18.47 2.5 38,410 21.66 14.87 

Other professional, scientific, and technical services (NAICS 541900)

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers......................................................................................... 62,190 9.14 12.2 19,010 7.40 10.51 

Veterinary technologists and technicians............................................................................................................... 53,780 12.28 10.6 25,540 9.80 14.23 

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan.................................................................................................................. 46,3 9.1 90 9.58 19,930 7.58 10.85 

Veterinarians.......................................................................................................................................................... 42,510 36.22 8.4 75,330 42.48 24.61 

Photographers........................................................................................................................................................ 36,070 13.98 7.1 29,070 8.21 16.04 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 34,930 10.30 6.9 21,420 8.57 11.83 

Nonfarm animal caretakers.................................................................................................................................... 19,420 8.45 3.8 17,580 6.68 9.56 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 17,860 3.5 10.21 21,230 7.69 12.05 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 11,880 12.31 2.3 25,600 8.97 14.47 

Survey researchers................................................................................................................................................ 11,410 13.13 2.2 27,310 8.23 15.80 

Management of companies and enterprises (NAICS 551100)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 68,980 14.55 4.0 30,260 16.85 11.14 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 66,490 14.72 3.9 30,610 17.10 11.70 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 57,070 12.73 3.3 26,470 9.54 15.37 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 55,410 19.45 3.2 40,450 22.85 15.25 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 55,270 3.2 27.16 56,500 19.84 32.74 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 52,790 3.1 54.34 113,030 33.79 (2)

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 46,140 2.7 31.49 65,490 20.68 37.36 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 41,670 2.4 23.55 48,980 17.80 27.85 

Financial managers................................................................................................................................................ 36,290 2.1 52.10 108,370 35.95 64.04 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 29,800 1.7 32.85 68,330 25.85 39.61 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Office administrative services (NAICS 561100)

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 18,380 5.8 13.42 27,910 10.06 15.31 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 15,720 4.9 11.18 23,250 8.51 13.43 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 14,620 49.95 4.6 103,890 68.04 28.31 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 13,850 4.3 14.87 30,940 11.58 17.37 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 13,690 4.3 17.93 37,300 13.68 21.20 

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 10,590 3.3 26.65 55,430 19.32 31.52 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 10,510 3.3 21.91 45,580 16.04 25.97 

Management analysts............................................................................................................................................ 7,970 2.5 40.91 85,100 22.60 53.83 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 6,590 2.1 13.18 27,420 10.07 15.82 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 5,900 1.9 11.21 23,320 9.20 12.93 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
129

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Facilities support services (NAICS 561200)

Correctional officers and jailers.............................................................................................................................. 13,420 11.9 $11.85 $24,660 $8.81 $13.60

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 7,670 6.8 8.88 18,460 7.03 10.38 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 7,350 11.10 6.5 23,080 8.45 13.07 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 6,360 5.6 17.36 36,110 12.24 22.06 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,380 2.1 14.14 29,420 8.59 14.90 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 2,290 2.0 8.66 18,010 6.98 10.14 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,120 38.60 1.9 80,290 45.77 24.67 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 1,910 11.46 1.7 23,830 8.34 13.91 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 1,500 16.23 1.3 33,760 18.16 12.80 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 1,45 1.3 0 13.68 28,460 10.20 16.10 

Employment services (NAICS 561300)

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 536 15.7 ,410 8.69 18,080 7.12 9.74 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 178,490 5.2 10.57 21,980 8.41 12.15 

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 148,160 8.10 4.3 16,850 6.84 8.86 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 120,120 9.69 3.5 20,150 7.42 10.72 

Production workers, all other.................................................................................................................................. 87,440 9.69 2.6 20,150 7.60 10.41 

Helpers--production workers.................................................................................................................................. 82,800 8.45 2.4 17,580 7.01 9.49 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 77,800 11.76 2.3 24,470 9.53 13.28 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 75,430 30.55 2.2 63,550 37.02 24.11 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 70,810 9.10 2.1 18,930 7.11 10.33 

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 70,570 9.70 2.1 20,170 6.71 11.29 

Business support services (NAICS 561400)

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 150,610 9.91 20.0 20,620 7.71 10.78 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 113,530 10.94 15.1 22,750 8.76 12.35 

Bill and account collectors...................................................................................................................................... 95,310 12.85 12.7 26,730 9.87 14.63 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 26,060 18.74 3.5 38,970 22.00 13.89 

Switchboard operators, including answering service.............................................................................................. 23,880 9.18 3.2 19,100 7.52 10.56 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 20,820 2.8 11.21 23,320 8.62 13.13 

Office machine operators, except computer.......................................................................................................... 19,690 10.89 2.6 22,660 9.01 12.53 

Mail clerks and mail machine operators, except postal service............................................................................. 16,460 10.11 2.2 21,030 7.95 11.82 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 14,760 42.60 2.0 88,610 55.67 23.97 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 13,270 22.95 1.8 47,740 27.91 13.87 

Travel arrangement and reservation services (NAICS 561500)

Travel agents.......................................................................................................................................................... 83,300 14.12 36.1 29,380 16.71 10.32 

Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks.............................................................................. 22,100 12.09 9.6 25,150 9.04 13.90 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 11,830 12.04 5.1 25,050 9.63 13.84 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,500 3.3 10.90 22,670 8.18 12.98 

Telemarketers........................................................................................................................................................ 6,680 9.46 2.9 19,690 7.94 10.40 

First-line supervisors/managers of nonretail salesworkers.................................................................................... 6,370 24.12 2.8 50,170 27.70 16.05 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,010 2.6 13.61 28,320 10.76 16.18 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,7 2.1 70 44.47 92,490 26.04 56.40 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 4,690 2.0 19.81 41,210 14.85 23.57 

Tour guides and escorts......................................................................................................................................... 4,380 1.9 10.52 21,890 8.81 12.18 

Investigation and security services (NAICS 561600)

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 538,510 9.66 74.9 20,090 7.68 10.85 

Security and fire alarm systems installers.............................................................................................................. 22,810 16.62 3.2 34,580 20.23 12.57 

First-line supervisors/managers, protective service workers, all other................................................................... 16,250 16.61 2.3 34,540 19.39 11.79 

Private detectives and investigators....................................................................................................................... 11, 1.6 480 16.93 35,220 11.12 20.13 

Locksmiths and safe repairers............................................................................................................................... 11,080 1.5 14.36 29,860 10.42 17.41 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 7,780 1.1 36.22 75,330 21.77 43.23 

Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance.................................................................................................... 6,720 0.9 11.95 24,850 9.34 13.75 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 6,630 0.9 10.40 21,640 7.91 12.37 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 3,950 22.59 0.6 46,980 27.30 15.29 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 3,78 0.5 0 12.10 25,160 9.39 14.13 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Services to buildings and dwellings (NAICS 561700)

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 690,720 40.8 8.68 18,040 6.87 9.98 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 402,950 10.37 23.8 21,570 8.14 11.93 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 83,900 8.64 5.0 17,960 7.00 10.14 

Pest control workers............................................................................................................................................... 56,170 13.34 3.3 27,740 15.87 10.05 

First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers............................................................... 54,280 3.2 14.78 30,740 10.26 18.01 

First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers............................... 51,630 3.1 17.71 36,830 13.09 20.94 

Tree trimmers and pruners..................................................................................................................................... 33,680 2.0 12.99 27,010 9.90 15.64 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 28,180 34.83 1.7 72,450 42.32 20.26 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 28,050 10.46 1.7 21,750 7.79 12.39 

Pesticide handlers, sprayers, and applicators, vegetation..................................................................................... 17,520 1.0 13.00 27,030 10.44 15.33 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
130

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Other support services (NAICS 561900)

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 17, 5.9 150 $10.46 $21,750 $7.46 $12.65

Packers and packagers, hand................................................................................................................................ 16,910 5.8 8.45 17,570 7.16 9.47 

Weighers, measurers, checkers, and samplers, recordkeeping............................................................................ 15,540 10.18 5.3 21,170 8.10 11.12 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 11,850 12.54 4.1 26,090 9.44 14.73 

Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders............................................................................................ 8,440 2.9 9.88 20,560 7.76 11.61 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 8,270 28.98 2.8 60,290 37.90 17.24 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,860 11.13 2.7 23,140 8.43 13.19 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 7,100 10.04 2.4 20,880 7.64 11.22 

Stock clerks and order fillers.................................................................................................................................. 6,920 10.16 2.4 21,140 8.02 11.35 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 6,7 2.3 70 45.30 94,220 25.91 56.70 

Waste collection (NAICS 562100)

Refuse and recyclable material collectors.............................................................................................................. 36,950 31.8 14.40 29,960 10.10 17.75 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 28,040 24.1 15.95 33,190 12.07 19.06 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 6,540 5.6 9.86 20,520 7.42 11.19 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 4,170 16.65 3.6 34,640 19.78 13.22 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 3,010 2.6 23.87 49,650 17.55 27.54 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,940 2.5 10.62 22,100 7.96 12.76 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,2 1.9 00 40.24 83,690 25.68 46.14 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 2,150 1.9 13.42 27,910 10.53 15.38 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 2,050 1.8 12.93 26,900 10.18 15.21 

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 1,610 22.70 1.4 47,220 27.41 14.83 

Waste treatment and disposal (NAICS 562200)

Refuse and recyclable material collectors.............................................................................................................. 19,560 14.92 18.4 31,020 18.09 10.80 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 12,240 11.5 16.07 33,420 12.41 19.16 

Hazardous materials removal workers................................................................................................................... 4,460 4.2 19.53 40,610 14.31 25.44 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,400 4.1 10.69 22,240 8.40 12.59 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,630 18.67 3.4 38,840 24.29 13.57 

Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators........................................................................ 2,970 2.8 16.35 34,010 12.52 19.80 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 2,590 2.4 17.65 36,720 14.18 20.99 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,510 2.4 12.91 26,850 9.70 15.99 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,290 42.51 2.2 88,410 52.49 27.16 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 2,090 13.63 2.0 28,340 16.01 10.76 

Remediation and other waste management services (NAICS 562900)

Hazardous materials removal workers................................................................................................................... 24,730 17.09 24.3 35,550 21.90 12.24 

Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners...................................................................................................... 8,600 14.47 8.5 30,100 17.03 10.99 

Construction laborers............................................................................................................................................. 5,500 15.55 5.4 32,340 19.45 10.91 

First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers.................................................... 4,680 4.6 23.85 49,600 17.90 28.86 

Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer.................................................................................................................... 4,340 4.3 15.55 32,350 12.24 18.26 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 3,200 3.2 11.55 24,020 8.01 13.41 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,630 2.6 11.07 23,030 8.10 13.38 

Refuse and recyclable material collectors.............................................................................................................. 2,470 2.4 13.46 28,000 9.66 16.32 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,4 2.4 30 43.45 90,380 27.05 54.33 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 2,010 2.0 13.11 27,270 9.81 15.75 

Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 611100)

Elementary school teachers, except special education.......................................................................................... 1,400,480 17.2 (3) 45,750 (3) (3)

Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education.................................................................. 1,012,410 12.4 (3) 48,460 (3) (3)

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 987,440 12.1 (3) 20,370 (3) (3)

Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education......................................................................... 617,290 7.6 (3) 46,530 (3) (3)

Teachers and instructors, all other......................................................................................................................... 370,100 4.5 (3) 30,990 (3) (3)

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 353,350 4.3 11.62 24,170 8.45 14.38 

Bus drivers, school................................................................................................................................................. 271,140 11.07 3.3 23,030 7.05 14.13 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 222, 2.7 850 13.09 27,230 10.00 15.94 

Education administrators, elementary and secondary school................................................................................ 204,540 2.5 (3) 76,010 (3) (3)

Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school...................................................... 195,720 2.4 (3) 46,730 (3) (3)

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Junior colleges (NAICS 611200)

Postsecondary teachers, all other.......................................................................................................................... 82,050 30.67 11.9 63,800 39.38 20.92 

Vocational education teachers, postsecondary...................................................................................................... 42,430 22.67 6.2 47,140 27.16 16.49 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 41,790 10.76 6.1 22,390 7.62 13.24 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 25,0 3.6 00 13.24 27,540 10.32 15.86 

English language and literature teachers, postsecondary...................................................................................... 22,250 3.2 (3) 51,140 (3) (3)

Education administrators, postsecondary.............................................................................................................. 19,780 2.9 33.30 69,270 24.09 41.08 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 19,490 2.8 11.13 23,150 8.31 13.44 

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 19,440 2.8 (3) 24,710 (3) (3)

Mathematical science teachers, postsecondary..................................................................................................... 19,150 2.8 (3) 51,770 (3) (3)

Business teachers, postsecondary......................................................................................................................... 17,690 2.6 (3) 52,630 (3) (3)

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
131

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Colleges, universities, and professional schools (NAICS 611300)

Postsecondary teachers, all other.......................................................................................................................... 158,040 6.1 $30.81 $64,080 $20.45 $37.83

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 141,950 5.5 11.76 24,470 8.52 14.30 

Graduate teaching assistants................................................................................................................................. 107,320 4.2 (3) 27,930 (3) (3)

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 103, 4.0 380 13.46 28,000 10.74 15.94 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 91,760 3.6 17.25 35,870 13.64 20.27 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 80,220 3.1 10.92 22,720 8.46 13.05 

Health specialties teachers, postsecondary........................................................................................................... 77,160 3.0 (3) 86,230 (3) (3)

Education administrators, postsecondary.............................................................................................................. 74,850 37.71 2.9 78,430 24.33 46.51 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 53,930 24.45 2.1 50,850 17.32 29.59 

Biological science teachers, postsecondary........................................................................................................... 51,090 2.0 (3) 76,100 (3) (3)

Business schools and computer and management training (NAICS 611400)

Vocational education teachers, postsecondary...................................................................................................... 7,200 8.6 20.39 42,400 14.30 24.11 

Self-enrichment education teachers....................................................................................................................... 6,380 7.6 21.36 44,420 13.51 26.39 

Teachers and instructors, all other......................................................................................................................... 5,290 6.3 (3) 39,930 (3) (3)

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,630 11.05 4.3 22,990 7.91 13.43 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 3,400 16.13 4.1 33,550 12.86 18.26 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,8 3.4 70 47.06 97,880 29.98 58.39 

Training and development specialists.................................................................................................................... 2,420 2.9 25.80 53,660 16.70 31.82 

Business teachers, postsecondary......................................................................................................................... 2,340 2.8 (3) 43,770 (3) (3)

Sales representatives, services, all other............................................................................................................... 2,040 25.04 2.4 52,090 15.49 30.42 

Instructional coordinators....................................................................................................................................... 2,040 26.05 2.4 54,180 17.76 33.02 

Technical and trade schools (NAICS 611500)

Vocational education teachers, postsecondary...................................................................................................... 38,810 20.60 31.4 42,850 14.39 25.05 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 5,570 4.5 10.58 22,020 7.89 12.82 

Self-enrichment education teachers....................................................................................................................... 4,730 3.8 17.88 37,200 12.02 22.21 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 3,170 2.6 12.12 25,210 9.54 14.12 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 2,830 2.3 16.42 34,150 12.95 19.10 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 2,490 2.0 10.20 21,220 8.20 11.93 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 2,360 1.9 10.05 20,910 7.81 11.77 

Education administrators, postsecondary.............................................................................................................. 2,250 1.8 28.15 58,550 19.50 33.85 

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 2,160 1.8 (3) 23,400 (3) (3)

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists....................................................................................................... 2,150 11.16 1.7 23,220 7.48 13.74 

Other schools and instruction (NAICS 611600)

Self-enrichment education teachers....................................................................................................................... 46,240 17.53 18.9 36,470 10.78 21.57 

Teachers and instructors, all other......................................................................................................................... 27,000 11.1 (3) 33,200 (3) (3)

Coaches and scouts............................................................................................................................................... 20,790 8.5 (3) 26,180 (3) (3)

Choreographers..................................................................................................................................................... 13,790 5.7 18.58 38,650 10.52 23.95 

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors................................................................................................................ 12,420 5.1 12.69 26,400 8.00 16.15 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 8,950 3.7 10.20 21,220 7.71 12.09 

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 8,790 3.6 (3) 22,010 (3) (3)

Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors.................................................................. 7,710 3.2 16.26 33,810 11.25 19.66 

Art, drama, and music teachers, postsecondary.................................................................................................... 5,220 2.1 (3) 54,580 (3) (3)

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 4,820 2.0 10.23 21,290 8.13 12.04 

Educational support services (NAICS 611700)

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 7,270 9.1 (3) 23,850 (3) (3)

Instructional coordinators....................................................................................................................................... 6,030 7.6 25.15 52,320 17.80 28.48 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 5,680 10.02 7.1 20,840 7.90 10.71 

Teachers and instructors, all other......................................................................................................................... 5,430 6.8 (3) 30,570 (3) (3)

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,770 4.7 11.58 24,080 8.08 14.09 

Elementary school teachers, except special education.......................................................................................... 2,600 3.3 (3) 50,670 (3) (3)

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 2,410 13.04 3.0 27,110 10.00 15.74 

Education, training, and library workers, all other................................................................................................... 2,390 3.0 20.71 43,070 12.33 31.34 

Educational, vocational, and school counselors..................................................................................................... 2,340 2.9 21.85 45,450 14.89 26.47 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 2,050 2.6 14.57 30,300 11.77 16.85 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Offices of physicians (NAICS 621100)

Medical assistants.................................................................................................................................................. 225,970 11.1 12.31 25,600 10.06 14.06 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 205,300 25.25 10.1 52,510 18.46 29.71 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 159,740 11.22 7.8 23,340 9.32 12.99 

Medical secretaries................................................................................................................................................ 151,920 13.34 7.5 27,750 10.53 15.46 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 88,310 15.04 4.3 31,280 12.35 17.04 

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators.................................................................................................. 4.3 86,580 13.64 28,380 11.05 15.89 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 83,070 4.1 11.04 22,970 8.64 13.07 

Family and general practitioners............................................................................................................................ 69,570 3.4 72.15 150,070 53.67 (2)

Physicians and surgeons, all other......................................................................................................................... 66,570 3.3 83.26 173,180 69.34 (2)

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 62,950 3.1 20.10 41,810 15.45 23.50 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
132

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Offices of dentists (NAICS 621200)

Dental assistants.................................................................................................................................................... 248,920 33.0 $14.00 $29,110 $11.07 $16.69

Dental hygienists.................................................................................................................................................... 149,910 19.9 28.58 59,440 22.81 33.80 

Dentists, general..................................................................................................................................................... 77,130 10.2 65.39 136,000 41.06 (2)

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 64,330 8.5 12.87 26,780 9.93 15.38 

Medical secretaries................................................................................................................................................ 49,750 15.63 6.6 32,510 18.72 12.02 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 31,040 4.1 12.56 26,130 9.28 15.48 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 21,920 14.23 2.9 29,610 16.54 11.70 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 16,530 16.00 2.2 33,280 19.90 12.39 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 15,750 2.1 20.64 42,930 16.32 24.05 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 11,130 1.5 18.08 37,610 14.18 20.93 

Offices of other health practitioners (NAICS 621300)

Physical therapists.................................................................................................................................................. 44,980 8.7 30.47 63,380 23.95 35.28 

Medical assistants.................................................................................................................................................. 41,320 8.0 10.89 22,650 9.11 12.61 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 35,140 10.28 6.8 21,380 8.30 12.09 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 34,200 10.62 6.6 22,090 8.48 12.51 

Medical secretaries................................................................................................................................................ 27,340 12.20 5.3 25,380 9.93 13.85 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 22,2 4.3 90 11.76 24,470 9.51 13.58 

Physical therapist assistants.................................................................................................................................. 20,430 3.9 17.80 37,020 14.41 21.12 

Chiropractors.......................................................................................................................................................... 19,480 3.8 41.25 85,810 22.13 53.99 

Opticians, dispensing............................................................................................................................................. 19,310 3.7 13.56 28,200 10.39 16.16 

Physical therapist aides.......................................................................................................................................... 19,260 3.7 10.43 21,690 8.20 11.69 

Outpatient care centers (NAICS 621400)

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 57,800 25.53 13.1 53,100 29.00 20.78 

Mental health counselors........................................................................................................................................ 18,750 17.35 4.3 36,090 20.73 12.98 

Medical assistants.................................................................................................................................................. 18,030 12.42 4.1 25,830 14.19 10.33 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers............................................................................................... 16,920 17.17 3.9 35,710 19.93 13.05 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 16,570 11.97 3.8 24,890 9.48 13.74 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 14,190 16.40 3.2 34,120 18.96 13.86 

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors........................................................................................... 13,270 16.61 3.0 34,550 18.70 12.68 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,560 2.6 11.41 23,720 9.02 13.54 

Medical secretaries................................................................................................................................................ 11,070 12.38 2.5 25,760 14.15 10.22 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 10,650 11.12 2.4 23,130 9.20 12.94 

Medical and diagnostic laboratories (NAICS 621500)

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists......................................................................................................... 20,160 22.37 10.9 46,530 26.16 18.53 

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians............................................................................................................ 19,070 14.70 10.3 30,580 17.41 11.30 

Healthcare support workers, all other..................................................................................................................... 18,650 12.45 10.1 25,900 14.08 10.31 

Radiologic technologists and technicians............................................................................................................... 15,890 8.6 23.04 47,910 18.69 26.62 

Couriers and messengers...................................................................................................................................... 7,230 3.9 10.45 21,740 8.79 11.98 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 7,100 13.56 3.8 28,210 15.79 11.04 

Billing and posting clerks and machine operators.................................................................................................. 3.5 6,530 13.55 28,170 11.08 15.76 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 5,090 2.8 11.64 24,200 9.41 13.46 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 5,030 11.59 2.7 24,100 9.67 13.28 

Medical secretaries................................................................................................................................................ 4,740 13.23 2.6 27,520 15.24 11.01 

Home health care services (NAICS 621600)

Home health aides................................................................................................................................................. 208,130 8.74 27.5 18,180 7.14 10.16 

Personal and home care aides............................................................................................................................... 173,150 7.33 22.9 15,250 6.12 8.40 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 114,870 24.91 15.2 51,810 28.08 19.94 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 51,160 17.33 6.8 36,040 20.10 14.68 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 37,710 5.0 9.44 19,630 7.57 10.98 

Physical therapists.................................................................................................................................................. 14,160 33.07 1.9 68,780 40.50 25.20 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,980 11.19 1.6 23,280 8.85 13.18 

Medical and health services managers.................................................................................................................. 11,320 1.5 32.41 67,420 23.92 36.72 

Medical and public health social workers............................................................................................................... 8,690 1.2 22.21 46,200 17.01 25.40 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 7,1 0.9 20 38.87 80,860 25.08 46.19 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Other ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621900)

Emergency medical technicians and paramedics.................................................................................................. 77,580 39.1 11.89 24,740 9.10 14.02 

Healthcare support workers, all other..................................................................................................................... 9,830 12.54 5.0 26,080 9.87 14.67 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 8,660 24.38 4.4 50,700 27.89 19.74 

Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians......................................................... 8,060 4.1 9.56 19,880 7.47 10.85 

Medical and clinical laboratory technicians............................................................................................................ 5,790 2.9 14.22 29,590 10.90 17.10 

Medical assistants.................................................................................................................................................. 5,000 2.5 11.70 24,330 9.69 13.38 

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers................................................................................................................. 4,240 12.47 2.1 25,940 9.41 14.91 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,750 35.70 1.9 74,250 42.18 22.37 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,640 11.32 1.8 23,540 8.80 13.51 

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists......................................................................................................... 3,250 1.6 19.82 41,220 15.66 23.71 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
133

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

General medical and surgical hospitals (NAICS 622100)

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 1,325,550 27.8 $26.54 $55,200 $21.71 $30.88

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 367,740 7.7 10.80 22,460 8.95 12.55 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 175,280 16.03 3.7 33,340 18.30 13.27 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 115,310 2.4 9.48 19,710 7.69 10.82 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 112,290 2.4 12.09 25,150 9.61 14.20 

Radiologic technologists and technicians............................................................................................................... 103,380 2.2 21.51 44,740 17.88 25.38 

Medical and clinical laboratory technologists......................................................................................................... 91,370 1.9 22.55 46,890 19.00 26.07 

Medical secretaries................................................................................................................................................ 83,370 1.8 12.97 26,970 10.53 15.09 

Medical and health services managers.................................................................................................................. 82,930 1.7 37.19 77,360 27.73 42.94 

Interviewers, except eligibility and loan.................................................................................................................. 77,6 1.6 90 12.16 25,290 10.05 13.86 

Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals (NAICS 622200)

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 31,240 13.0 24.64 51,240 20.56 28.05 

Psychiatric technicians........................................................................................................................................... 24,730 10.3 13.86 28,840 10.30 16.79 

Psychiatric aides..................................................................................................................................................... 24,520 10.2 11.68 24,290 9.12 14.15 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers............................................................................................... 9,650 18.03 4.0 37,490 21.62 13.93 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 9,480 16.34 4.0 33,990 19.09 13.63 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 6,400 2.7 10.55 21,940 8.26 12.37 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 5,870 14.93 2.4 31,050 18.81 10.96 

Mental health counselors........................................................................................................................................ 5,840 15.74 2.4 32,730 19.82 10.67 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 5,610 14.77 2.3 30,710 18.41 10.69 

Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists....................................................................................................... 4,340 1.8 31.68 65,890 20.41 34.73 

Specialty (except psychiatric and substance abuse) hospitals (NAICS 622300)

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 39,320 22.0 26.64 55,400 22.02 30.61 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 15,280 8.5 10.83 22,520 8.87 12.69 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 6,710 16.74 3.8 34,810 19.61 13.94 

Physical therapists.................................................................................................................................................. 4,510 28.74 2.5 59,770 33.17 24.09 

Medical and health services managers.................................................................................................................. 3,430 38.16 1.9 79,370 43.75 28.24 

Medical assistants.................................................................................................................................................. 3,230 11.62 1.8 24,170 9.43 13.30 

Occupational therapists.......................................................................................................................................... 3,190 27.47 1.8 57,130 31.79 23.09 

Respiratory therapists............................................................................................................................................. 3,130 1.8 20.78 43,210 18.09 23.62 

Medical secretaries................................................................................................................................................ 3,110 1.7 14.31 29,770 11.36 16.87 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,760 1.5 12.71 26,440 10.02 15.30 

Nursing care facilities (NAICS 623100)

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 604,540 38.5 10.08 20,970 8.41 11.58 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 181,470 17.36 11.6 36,110 20.20 14.55 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 119,860 7.6 23.70 49,300 19.67 27.10 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 76,380 4.9 8.56 17,810 7.08 9.81 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 56,270 8.54 3.6 17,750 7.08 9.69 

Cooks, institution and cafeteria.............................................................................................................................. 45,720 9.72 2.9 20,220 7.77 11.12 

Home health aides................................................................................................................................................. 34,570 9.20 2.2 19,130 7.74 10.49 

Laundry and drycleaning workers........................................................................................................................... 34,460 2.2 8.54 17,760 7.14 9.81 

Recreation workers................................................................................................................................................ 29,770 10.49 1.9 21,810 8.31 12.15 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 21,660 9.49 1.4 19,740 7.46 10.88 

Residential mental health facilities (NAICS 623200)

Home health aides................................................................................................................................................. 93,880 9.24 18.8 19,230 7.81 10.42 

Personal and home care aides............................................................................................................................... 69,940 9.23 14.0 19,190 7.79 10.45 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 40,910 10.23 8.2 21,280 8.26 11.80 

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 31,370 6.3 9.40 19,550 7.80 10.65 

Rehabilitation counselors....................................................................................................................................... 21,710 12.38 4.4 25,750 9.54 14.48 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 14,950 10.14 3.0 21,100 8.39 11.42 

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors........................................................................................... 12,980 14.01 2.6 29,150 16.45 11.02 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 11,380 2.3 22.60 47,000 18.76 26.22 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 11,260 16.85 2.3 35,040 19.68 14.12 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers............................................................................................... 11,210 14.92 2.3 31,020 17.90 10.96 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Community care facilities for the elderly (NAICS 623300)

Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants................................................................................................................ 119,520 20.7 9.62 20,010 8.13 10.87 

Home health aides................................................................................................................................................. 78,170 8.85 13.6 18,400 7.56 10.05 

Personal and home care aides............................................................................................................................... 37,270 8.86 6.5 18,420 7.29 10.00 

Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses................................................................................................ 33,020 16.89 5.7 35,140 19.56 14.44 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 31,840 5.5 8.40 17,470 7.25 9.55 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 23,110 4.0 22.55 46,900 19.03 26.06 

Cooks, institution and cafeteria.............................................................................................................................. 22,270 3.9 9.88 20,550 8.04 11.31 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 17,490 7.93 3.0 16,500 6.91 8.67 

Food servers, nonrestaurant.................................................................................................................................. 16,570 7.96 2.9 16,550 7.02 8.75 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 14,630 8.20 2.5 17,050 7.07 9.24 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
134

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Other residential care facilities (NAICS 623900)

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 31,620 19.3 $9.89 $20,570 $8.06 $11.42

Home health aides................................................................................................................................................. 11,400 7.0 9.22 19,170 7.72 10.49 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 10,280 11.24 6.3 23,370 9.04 13.01 

Child, family, and school social workers................................................................................................................. 9,650 5.9 15.23 31,690 12.01 17.59 

Personal and home care aides............................................................................................................................... 9,150 5.6 9.07 18,860 7.79 10.27 

Residential advisors............................................................................................................................................... 5,060 11.32 3.1 23,540 8.91 12.86 

Rehabilitation counselors....................................................................................................................................... 4,790 12.23 2.9 25,440 9.89 13.66 

Mental health counselors........................................................................................................................................ 3,480 14.08 2.1 29,290 16.67 10.39 

Social and community service managers............................................................................................................... 3,380 2.1 23.35 48,570 17.36 27.52 

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors........................................................................................... 2,970 1.8 12.82 26,670 9.84 15.48 

Individual and family services (NAICS 624100)

Personal and home care aides............................................................................................................................... 151,310 8.58 17.9 17,850 7.31 9.88 

Home health aides................................................................................................................................................. 74,670 8.73 8.8 18,150 7.36 9.94 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 58,830 11.62 6.9 24,170 9.20 13.58 

Child, family, and school social workers................................................................................................................. 43,900 15.45 5.2 32,130 17.78 12.19 

Social and community service managers............................................................................................................... 26,790 3.2 23.60 49,080 17.23 27.75 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 22,310 2.6 10.24 21,300 7.94 12.03 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 19,870 9.68 2.4 20,140 7.57 11.28 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers............................................................................................... 18,450 16.84 2.2 35,020 20.05 12.56 

Rehabilitation counselors....................................................................................................................................... 17,490 13.42 2.1 27,920 15.90 10.33 

Recreation workers................................................................................................................................................ 16,020 10.08 1.9 20,970 7.74 11.65 

Community food and housing, and emergency and other relief services (NAICS 624200)

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 16,480 11.03 12.9 22,940 8.89 12.94 

Social and community service managers............................................................................................................... 6,710 5.2 22.66 47,130 16.71 26.95 

Child, family, and school social workers................................................................................................................. 5,940 4.6 14.13 29,400 11.63 16.36 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 4,830 3.8 10.17 21,150 7.81 11.95 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 3,640 9.25 2.8 19,230 7.58 10.71 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 3,250 14.05 2.5 29,230 16.39 11.31 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,9 2.3 20 30.96 64,400 20.10 36.89 

Community and social service specialists, all other............................................................................................... 2,890 2.3 14.19 29,510 11.06 16.68 

Mental health and substance abuse social workers............................................................................................... 2,680 2.1 14.10 29,320 11.14 16.43 

Cooks, institution and cafeteria.............................................................................................................................. 2,670 2.1 8.94 18,600 7.28 10.31 

Vocational rehabilitation services (NAICS 624300)

Rehabilitation counselors....................................................................................................................................... 25,720 8.4 14.26 29,650 10.25 16.46 

Personal and home care aides............................................................................................................................... 24,110 7.8 9.08 18,890 7.58 10.33 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 18,540 11.22 6.0 23,330 8.57 13.05 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 14,830 4.8 8.37 17,410 6.75 9.69 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 14,660 8.34 4.8 17,340 6.28 8.61 

Educational, vocational, and school counselors..................................................................................................... 12,660 14.43 4.1 30,020 16.84 10.82 

Home health aides................................................................................................................................................. 11,850 9.13 3.9 19,000 7.76 10.33 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,360 2.4 10.04 20,890 7.48 11.97 

Team assemblers................................................................................................................................................... 6,790 7.91 2.2 16,460 6.17 8.69 

Social and community service managers............................................................................................................... 6,290 23.64 2.0 49,170 28.24 17.07 

Child day care services (NAICS 624400)

Preschool teachers, except special education....................................................................................................... 248,670 9.96 34.1 20,720 7.75 11.42 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 211,100 7.65 28.9 15,910 6.31 8.55 

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 90,370 12.4 (3) 17,510 (3) (3)

Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program..................................................................... 32,520 4.5 17.55 36,500 12.54 20.70 

Cooks, institution and cafeteria.............................................................................................................................. 17,240 2.4 8.24 17,140 6.85 9.43 

First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers................................................................................ 9,810 12.49 1.3 25,980 9.53 14.45 

Kindergarten teachers, except special education................................................................................................... 8,530 1.2 (3) 24,360 (3) (3)

Child, family, and school social workers................................................................................................................. 8,090 1.1 15.69 32,640 11.50 17.02 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 7,530 1.0 8.74 18,180 6.55 10.19 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,140 1.0 9.62 20,020 7.61 11.23 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Performing arts companies (NAICS 711100)

Musicians and singers............................................................................................................................................ 29,530 27.29 24.5 (4

) 33.77 12.67 

Actors..................................................................................................................................................................... 10,020 8.3 20.89 (4

) 25.43 9.79 

Producers and directors......................................................................................................................................... 4,250 3.5 23.10 48,050 13.24 27.15 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 4,200 3.5 8.05 16,750 6.03 9.00 

Dancers.................................................................................................................................................................. 4,140 16.33 3.4 (4

) 20.03 8.47 

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers........................................................................................................... 3,700 3.1 9.06 18,840 6.79 10.43 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,300 2.7 11.33 23,560 7.74 14.08 

Music directors and composers............................................................................................................................. 2,880 21.77 2.4 45,290 25.11 12.99 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 2,770 9.23 2.3 19,190 7.32 10.55 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,2 1.9 80 37.50 78,000 20.43 46.20 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
135

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Spectator sports (NAICS 711200)

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers........................................................................................................... 8,530 6.7 $8.54 $17,770 $6.59 $9.65

Athletes and sports competitors............................................................................................................................. 8,100 6.3 (3) 103,910 (3) (3)

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 6,830 5.4 11.13 23,160 8.11 12.84 

Nonfarm animal caretakers.................................................................................................................................... 6,500 9.20 5.1 19,140 7.16 10.29 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 5,130 9.84 4.0 20,460 7.29 11.46 

Coaches and scouts............................................................................................................................................... 4,350 3.4 (3) 61,400 (3) (3)

Amusement and recreation attendants.................................................................................................................. 4,030 3.2 8.15 16,950 6.30 9.10 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,690 10.86 2.9 22,600 7.24 13.06 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 3,280 2.6 9.39 19,540 7.36 10.65 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 3,220 7.44 2.5 15,470 6.32 8.31 

Promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events (NAICS 711300)

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers........................................................................................................... 14,300 18.8 7.82 16,260 6.35 8.50 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 6,080 10.74 8.0 22,330 7.91 12.10 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 4,100 13.06 5.4 27,170 9.42 16.24 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 3,210 9.47 4.2 19,700 7.35 10.86 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 2,740 9.72 3.6 20,210 7.21 10.54 

Parking lot attendants............................................................................................................................................. 2,600 3.4 7.67 15,950 6.61 8.46 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,220 2.9 10.81 22,490 7.98 13.03 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 1,710 13.89 2.3 28,890 9.51 16.81 

Audio and video equipment technicians................................................................................................................. 1,580 2.1 15.81 32,880 11.84 19.20 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,5 2.0 30 44.27 92,080 25.93 57.16 

Agents and managers for public figures (NAICS 711400)

Agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes..................................................................... 4,730 31.0 36.07 75,040 16.05 43.49 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,770 11.6 12.40 25,790 9.67 14.66 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 1,30 8.5 0 12.60 26,210 9.84 14.93 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 1,050 15.96 6.9 33,200 18.87 12.14 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 590 16.59 3.9 34,510 19.90 13.66 

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers........................................................................................................... 570 3.7 6.85 14,250 5.93 7.77 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 400 11.73 2.6 24,400 8.00 17.01 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 350 2.3 55.97 116,420 25.07 (2)

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 270 1.8 48.95 101,810 20.59 (2)

Accountants and auditors....................................................................................................................................... 220 1.4 24.37 50,690 18.34 27.33 

Independent artists, writers, and performers (NAICS 711500)

Public address system and other announcers....................................................................................................... 2,280 5.3 15.00 31,210 9.13 17.09 

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators...................................................................................... 2,280 22.78 5.3 47,370 24.34 10.83 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 1,980 4.6 10.12 21,040 7.35 12.11 

Producers and directors......................................................................................................................................... 1,590 3.7 51.12 106,330 20.17 (2)

Actors..................................................................................................................................................................... 1,540 3.6 29.80 (4

) 36.76 9.23 

Writers and authors................................................................................................................................................ 1,520 3.6 36.19 75,280 15.66 46.75 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 1,35 3.2 0 12.14 25,250 8.86 14.73 

Audio and video equipment technicians................................................................................................................. 1,300 3.0 18.19 37,840 12.06 22.38 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 990 2.3 18.83 39,170 12.94 23.52 

Artists and related workers, all other...................................................................................................................... 970 2.3 13.35 27,770 8.01 14.86 

Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions (NAICS 712100)

Tour guides and escorts......................................................................................................................................... 10,490 9.0 8.95 18,620 7.08 10.27 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 7,420 11.06 6.3 22,990 8.36 12.78 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 4,420 8.32 3.8 17,300 6.98 9.24 

Curators.................................................................................................................................................................. 4,290 22.50 3.7 46,800 27.26 15.03 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 4,180 8.95 3.6 18,620 7.18 10.12 

Nonfarm animal caretakers.................................................................................................................................... 4,070 11.74 3.5 24,430 8.81 14.28 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,560 11.72 3.0 24,370 8.16 14.58 

Self-enrichment education teachers....................................................................................................................... 3,470 15.53 3.0 32,300 18.49 10.63 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 3,330 2.9 11.40 23,710 8.24 13.55 

Museum technicians and conservators.................................................................................................................. 3,190 15.27 2.7 31,770 18.42 10.54 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Amusement parks and arcades (NAICS 713100)

Amusement and recreation attendants.................................................................................................................. 48,430 32.9 7.43 15,450 6.59 8.18 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 13,140 8.41 8.9 17,500 6.11 9.32 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 5,660 8.32 3.8 17,300 6.80 8.96 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 5,110 9.58 3.5 19,930 6.60 10.80 

Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers........................................................................................................... 3,830 2.6 8.48 17,650 6.50 9.70 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 3,540 2.4 10.25 21,330 7.80 10.95 

First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers................................................................................ 3,270 2.2 15.54 32,310 11.62 18.27 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 2,820 1.9 9.53 19,820 7.74 10.83 

Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers.............................................................. 2,570 7.69 1.7 16,000 6.37 8.49 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 2,490 7.47 1.7 15,530 6.45 8.39 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
136

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Gambling industries (NAICS 713200)

Gaming dealers...................................................................................................................................................... 24,560 17.5 $8.47 $17,620 $6.16 $8.43

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 8,580 6.1 7.36 15,300 6.04 8.13 

Gaming change persons and booth cashiers......................................................................................................... 7,550 5.4 9.62 20,010 7.61 11.35 

Gaming cage workers............................................................................................................................................ 7,290 5.2 10.88 22,620 9.06 12.50 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 7,130 5.1 10.74 22,340 8.84 12.12 

Gaming supervisors............................................................................................................................................... 5,790 4.1 19.25 40,040 15.15 22.99 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 4,330 3.1 8.73 18,160 7.19 10.04 

Slot key persons..................................................................................................................................................... 4,150 3.0 11.91 24,770 9.07 14.61 

Gaming and sports book writers and runners........................................................................................................ 3,940 2.8 9.10 18,940 7.22 10.05 

Cooks, restaurant................................................................................................................................................... 3,850 2.7 10.53 21,900 8.86 12.16 

Other amusement and recreation industries (NAICS 713900)

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors................................................................................................................ 108,630 10.6 16.35 34,000 8.61 21.06 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 102,870 10.0 9.76 20,300 7.71 11.01 

Amusement and recreation attendants.................................................................................................................. 95,040 9.3 7.68 15,980 6.27 8.52 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 73,440 7.2 8.94 18,590 6.42 10.77 

Bartenders.............................................................................................................................................................. 31,400 3.1 8.53 17,740 6.48 9.81 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 30,890 3.0 8.71 18,110 7.18 9.95 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 30,200 8.09 2.9 16,820 6.73 9.04 

Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers.............................................................. 28,720 8.07 2.8 16,780 6.62 9.10 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 28,660 7.89 2.8 16,400 6.57 8.58 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 24,320 2.4 12.12 25,200 8.58 14.98 

Traveler accommodation (NAICS 721100)

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 394,120 23.0 8.31 17,280 6.71 9.19 

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks....................................................................................................................... 176,850 10.3 8.88 18,460 7.28 10.16 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 130,540 7.6 8.09 16,830 6.20 9.21 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 58,510 3.4 12.59 26,180 9.01 15.09 

Cooks, restaurant................................................................................................................................................... 54,890 3.2 11.28 23,460 9.02 13.14 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 46,450 2.7 9.87 20,530 7.64 11.81 

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers................................................................................ 42,100 2.5 8.23 17,120 6.53 9.55 

Food servers, nonrestaurant.................................................................................................................................. 38,680 2.3 8.82 18,340 6.53 10.22 

Bartenders.............................................................................................................................................................. 38,110 2.2 9.60 19,970 6.54 11.61 

Dishwashers........................................................................................................................................................... 37,170 2.2 8.70 18,090 6.99 10.17 

Rave (recreational vehicle) parks and recreational camps (NAICS 721200)

Recreation workers................................................................................................................................................ 4,920 11.7 8.64 17,970 6.34 9.95 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 3,970 9.4 8.69 18,080 7.02 9.88 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 3,650 8.7 10.30 21,430 7.71 12.00 

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks....................................................................................................................... 2,570 6.1 8.53 17,750 7.12 9.62 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,470 5.9 10.15 21,110 7.25 12.04 

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 1,780 4.2 8.12 16,880 7.03 9.00 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 1,570 3.7 8.13 16,900 6.79 8.89 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 1,1 2.8 90 29.05 60,430 16.70 35.41 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 1,170 2.8 8.31 17,290 6.93 9.33 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 1,110 8.08 2.6 16,810 6.66 8.94 

Rooming and boarding houses (NAICS 721300)

Maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................................................................... 2,100 17.7 8.81 18,330 6.95 10.34 

Cooks, institution and cafeteria.............................................................................................................................. 940 7.9 9.57 19,910 7.61 11.06 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 690 5.8 7.73 16,090 6.09 8.62 

Residential advisors............................................................................................................................................... 670 9.15 5.7 19,020 6.64 10.67 

Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks....................................................................................................................... 500 9.37 4.2 19,490 6.86 11.03 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 450 13.01 3.8 27,060 8.85 16.34 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 440 9.95 3.7 20,700 7.04 12.24 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 440 3.7 8.08 16,800 6.49 9.26 

Dishwashers........................................................................................................................................................... 370 3.1 7.50 15,590 6.36 8.23 

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers................................................................................ 350 3.0 7.03 14,620 6.16 7.89 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Full-service restaurants (NAICS 722100)

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 1,576,940 37.7 7.59 15,790 6.02 8.20 

Cooks, restaurant................................................................................................................................................... 561,070 9.63 13.4 20,040 7.78 11.00 

Dishwashers........................................................................................................................................................... 294,460 7.36 7.0 15,320 6.38 8.28 

Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop................................................................................... 252,190 6.0 7.67 15,950 6.45 8.50 

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers................................................................................ 205,220 4.9 7.11 14,800 6.14 7.94 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 194,490 8.16 4.7 16,980 6.84 9.41 

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers............................................................. 185,900 4.5 14.22 29,590 10.38 17.16 

Bartenders.............................................................................................................................................................. 166,980 4.0 8.54 17,770 6.44 9.79 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 136,410 3.3 7.13 14,830 6.05 7.99 

Cooks, short order.................................................................................................................................................. 94,800 2.3 8.76 18,210 7.16 10.26 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
137

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Limited-service eating places (NAICS 722200)

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 1,478,840 39.8 $6.97 $14,500 $6.08 $7.90

Cooks, fast food..................................................................................................................................................... 525,080 14.1 7.21 15,000 6.18 8.12 

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers............................................................. 311,220 11.76 8.4 24,460 8.96 13.71 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 217,100 7.48 5.8 15,550 6.46 8.35 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 190,250 7.25 5.1 15,070 6.23 8.15 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 175,640 7.36 4.7 15,310 6.36 8.23 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 161,850 6.91 4.4 14,370 5.92 7.38 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 125,050 7.50 3.4 15,590 6.05 8.05 

Food service managers.......................................................................................................................................... 76,260 20.21 2.1 42,030 22.17 14.03 

Cooks, restaurant................................................................................................................................................... 69,750 8.62 1.9 17,930 7.00 9.98 

Special food services (NAICS 722300)

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 85,180 15.8 8.28 17,230 6.58 9.47 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 56,280 9.25 10.4 19,230 6.42 11.06 

Food preparation workers...................................................................................................................................... 47,490 8.95 8.8 18,610 7.31 10.38 

Cooks, institution and cafeteria.............................................................................................................................. 34,030 10.43 6.3 21,700 8.51 12.14 

Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop......................................................................... 29,680 8.02 5.5 16,670 6.80 8.94 

Dishwashers........................................................................................................................................................... 28,720 7.76 5.3 16,150 6.51 8.79 

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers............................................................. 27,920 5.2 17.52 36,450 11.14 18.12 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 21,970 4.1 8.43 17,540 6.86 9.95 

Food servers, nonrestaurant.................................................................................................................................. 21,940 9.58 4.1 19,930 7.09 11.37 

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers................................................................................ 20,700 3.8 8.04 16,720 6.60 9.17 

Drinking places (alcoholic beverages) (NAICS 722400)

Bartenders.............................................................................................................................................................. 143,100 7.73 38.8 16,080 6.18 8.49 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 80,770 7.14 21.9 14,850 5.93 7.66 

First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers............................................................. 20,650 5.6 13.22 27,500 9.11 16.14 

Cooks, restaurant................................................................................................................................................... 17,580 9.49 4.8 19,740 7.78 10.79 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 14,040 9.54 3.8 19,850 7.12 10.69 

Cooks, short order.................................................................................................................................................. 11,700 8.33 3.2 17,330 6.91 9.72 

Dishwashers........................................................................................................................................................... 9,200 7.16 2.5 14,890 6.16 8.07 

Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers................................................................................ 8,560 2.3 7.03 14,620 6.06 7.91 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 6,300 7.93 1.7 16,490 6.41 9.20 

Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food................................................................... 6,250 7.30 1.7 15,190 6.08 8.28 

Automotive repair and maintenance (NAICS 811100)

Automotive service technicians and mechanics..................................................................................................... 228,980 25.8 14.78 30,750 10.45 18.19 

Cleaners of vehicles and equipment...................................................................................................................... 125,780 14.2 7.88 16,390 6.46 8.64 

Automotive body and related repairers................................................................................................................... 103,390 11.6 17.88 37,200 12.38 21.55 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 47,130 5.3 23.40 48,670 16.46 27.80 

Service station attendants...................................................................................................................................... 37,360 4.2 8.81 18,330 7.46 9.99 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 26,900 10.02 3.0 20,840 7.21 11.78 

Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists........................................................................................ 23,270 2.6 17.19 35,750 13.00 20.63 

Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers......................................................................................... 22,080 2.5 8.88 18,470 7.22 10.25 

Painters, transportation equipment........................................................................................................................ 20,930 17.98 2.4 37,410 21.73 12.53 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 18,450 12.60 2.1 26,210 9.46 15.36 

Electronic and precision equipment repair and maintenance (NAICS 811200)

Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers.................................................................................... 15,920 15.83 15.8 32,920 19.12 11.47 

Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers....................................................................... 5,810 13.28 5.8 27,610 9.23 16.34 

Electrical and electronics repairers, commercial and industrial equipment............................................................ 4,040 17.66 4.0 36,730 21.41 13.27 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 3,830 3.8 25.29 52,600 18.35 30.78 

Medical equipment repairers.................................................................................................................................. 3,740 3.7 18.23 37,920 13.16 22.06 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,550 3.5 10.77 22,410 7.83 12.87 

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line installers..................................................... 2,830 18.01 2.8 37,460 24.20 11.38 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 2,680 13.65 2.7 28,400 9.78 16.41 

Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks..................................................................................................................... 2,640 2.6 12.26 25,500 9.83 14.07 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 2,6 2.6 40 42.88 89,190 26.12 53.61 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Commercial machinery repair and maintenance (NAICS 811300)

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers............................................................................................................... 18,050 11.4 14.08 29,280 10.86 16.69 

Industrial machinery mechanics............................................................................................................................. 8,630 5.5 18.14 37,720 12.82 21.27 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 8,100 5.1 16.83 35,000 11.98 20.20 

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.................................................................... 7,640 4.8 18.62 38,740 13.43 22.47 

Electric motor, power tool, and related repairers.................................................................................................... 6,560 15.29 4.2 31,800 12.16 17.99 

Machinists............................................................................................................................................................... 6,120 16.18 3.9 33,650 12.90 19.08 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 5,750 3.6 25.12 52,250 18.36 29.95 

Mobile heavy equipment mechanics, except engines............................................................................................ 5,370 3.4 16.50 34,310 12.71 20.20 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 5,280 3.3 10.08 20,960 7.17 12.28 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,4 2.8 10 38.02 79,080 23.36 45.30 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
138

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Personal and household goods repair and maintenance (NAICS 811400)

Home appliance repairers...................................................................................................................................... 9,040 11.5 $16.59 $34,500 $11.54 $20.30

Upholsterers........................................................................................................................................................... 6,990 8.9 12.65 26,310 9.27 15.31 

Furniture finishers................................................................................................................................................... 3,820 12.57 4.9 26,150 9.23 14.92 

Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.................................................................... 3,260 4.1 18.33 38,130 12.96 23.69 

Motorboat mechanics............................................................................................................................................. 2,790 3.5 14.48 30,110 11.27 17.27 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 2,790 3.5 10.01 20,810 7.46 11.90 

Retail salespersons................................................................................................................................................ 2,700 11.73 3.4 24,400 8.17 13.39 

Shoe and leather workers and repairers................................................................................................................ 2,330 9.66 3.0 20,080 7.58 10.93 

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 1,900 9.81 2.4 20,410 7.34 11.75 

First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers............................................................... 1,860 2.4 23.85 49,620 16.80 27.79 

Personal care services (NAICS 812100)

Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists....................................................................................................... 299,690 53.7 10.94 22,750 7.39 12.79 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 48,470 8.60 8.7 17,890 6.82 10.05 

Manicurists and pedicurists.................................................................................................................................... 35,770 9.64 6.4 20,040 7.35 10.82 

First-line supervisors/managers of personal service workers................................................................................ 19,110 17.08 3.4 35,530 20.13 11.38 

Shampooers........................................................................................................................................................... 16,110 7.51 2.9 15,620 6.18 8.47 

Barbers................................................................................................................................................................... 15,480 12.00 2.8 24,960 7.36 14.55 

Personal care and service workers, all other......................................................................................................... 14,250 10.07 2.6 20,940 6.35 10.13 

Massage therapists................................................................................................................................................ 14,250 17.12 2.6 35,600 9.20 24.01 

Skin care specialists............................................................................................................................................... 13,730 13.38 2.5 27,820 8.01 16.28 

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 11,370 7.72 2.0 16,070 6.62 8.67 

Deathcare services (NAICS 812200)

Funeral attendants.................................................................................................................................................. 29,440 10.04 21.3 20,890 7.49 11.25 

Funeral directors.................................................................................................................................................... 22,970 25.83 16.6 53,740 29.28 17.24 

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers............................................................................................................ 19,050 13.8 10.47 21,790 7.71 12.31 

Embalmers............................................................................................................................................................. 8,550 17.95 6.2 37,340 21.27 12.61 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 6,700 11.35 4.8 23,600 8.20 13.06 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 6,500 4.7 9.95 20,690 7.38 11.57 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 4,660 9.21 3.4 19,160 7.26 10.84 

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 3,560 10.16 2.6 21,130 7.28 11.64 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,270 39.30 2.4 81,740 47.72 23.86 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 3,060 12.72 2.2 26,460 8.98 15.67 

Drycleaning and laundry services (NAICS 812300)

Laundry and drycleaning workers........................................................................................................................... 108,040 8.43 30.6 17,540 6.90 9.67 

Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials................................................................................................... 63,430 8.49 17.9 17,660 7.16 9.79 

Counter and rental clerks....................................................................................................................................... 50,070 7.93 14.2 16,490 6.56 8.64 

Driver/salesworkers................................................................................................................................................ 17,210 14.65 4.9 30,460 17.93 11.04 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 13,620 17.19 3.9 35,750 20.32 11.46 

Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................................................... 8,660 12.92 2.5 26,870 9.50 15.94 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 7,320 8.06 2.1 16,760 6.80 9.17 

Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers............................................................................................. 6,690 1.9 9.53 19,830 7.54 10.36 

Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand........................................................................................ 6,1 1.7 10 9.06 18,850 7.41 10.32 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,980 34.77 1.4 72,330 43.15 21.03 

Other personal services (NAICS 812900)

Parking lot attendants............................................................................................................................................. 63,950 28.9 8.47 17,620 7.11 9.62 

Photographic processing machine operators......................................................................................................... 17,440 10.92 7.9 22,710 8.29 13.20 

Cashiers................................................................................................................................................................. 14,270 8.70 6.5 18,100 7.35 9.93 

Photographic process workers............................................................................................................................... 9,340 4.2 11.36 23,640 8.16 13.48 

Taxi drivers and chauffeurs.................................................................................................................................... 5,040 9.04 2.3 18,800 7.47 10.37 

Customer service representatives.......................................................................................................................... 4,810 12.33 2.2 25,650 9.40 14.94 

First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators.............. 4,610 17.83 2.1 37,080 21.12 12.56 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 3,950 1.8 10.40 21,620 8.00 12.13 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 3,6 1.7 40 38.07 79,190 22.00 47.01 

First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers................................................................... 2,990 1.4 19.88 41,340 13.96 23.56 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

Religious organizations (NAICS 813100)

Clergy..................................................................................................................................................................... 19,640 19.41 11.1 40,360 24.38 12.01 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 12,570 11.21 7.1 23,310 8.67 13.32 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 12,160 9.22 6.9 19,170 7.13 10.72 

Directors, religious activities and education........................................................................................................... 10,630 6.0 15.82 32,910 10.51 20.14 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,990 4.5 9.28 19,290 7.00 10.83 

Musicians and singers............................................................................................................................................ 7,200 19.95 4.1 (4

) 23.92 6.70 

Preschool teachers, except special education....................................................................................................... 6,440 3.7 11.61 24,150 7.94 13.99 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 6,390 12.96 3.6 26,950 15.34 10.09 

Religious workers, all other.................................................................................................................................... 5,630 11.05 3.2 22,980 6.49 13.83 

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 5,190 2.9 (3) 17,810 (3) (3)

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
139

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Grantmaking and giving services (NAICS 813200)

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 8,120 6.9 $17.68 $36,780 $14.01 $20.88

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 6,060 5.1 27.71 57,630 17.44 34.71 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 5,910 5.0 11.22 23,330 8.26 13.50 

Public relations specialists...................................................................................................................................... 5,190 23.58 4.4 49,040 28.22 15.49 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 4,74 4.0 0 13.49 28,070 10.93 16.15 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 4,5 3.8 10 45.00 93,600 27.47 57.19 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 4,170 3.5 13.20 27,460 10.02 15.60 

Social and community service managers............................................................................................................... 3,890 3.3 29.68 61,740 17.76 32.50 

Sales and related workers, all other....................................................................................................................... 3,490 21.52 3.0 44,750 28.23 12.87 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 3,390 2.9 14.66 30,490 12.09 17.12 

Social advocacy organizations (NAICS 813300)

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 11,450 7.1 12.06 25,080 9.21 14.11 

Nonfarm animal caretakers.................................................................................................................................... 8,050 8.72 5.0 18,130 7.00 9.96 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 7,560 10.54 4.7 21,910 7.77 12.48 

Personal and home care aides............................................................................................................................... 6,640 7.68 4.1 15,970 6.39 8.72 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 6,280 17.34 3.9 36,070 20.27 13.11 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 5,7 3.5 00 33.87 70,460 21.14 41.46 

Social and community service managers............................................................................................................... 5,620 3.5 23.89 49,680 16.91 28.38 

Child, family, and school social workers................................................................................................................. 5,160 3.2 14.06 29,250 11.43 16.13 

Teacher assistants................................................................................................................................................. 4,800 3.0 (3) 18,780 (3) (3)

Community and social service specialists, all other............................................................................................... 4,790 3.0 15.58 32,410 10.95 18.28 

Civic and social organizations (NAICS 813400)

Bartenders.............................................................................................................................................................. 36,870 9.1 7.47 15,540 6.26 8.30 

Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors................................................................................................................ 34,630 11.95 8.5 24,850 7.70 14.47 

Recreation workers................................................................................................................................................ 34,300 8.97 8.5 18,650 6.85 10.28 

Child care workers.................................................................................................................................................. 28,800 7.89 7.1 16,410 6.56 8.72 

Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers.............................................................. 18,810 7.93 4.6 16,500 6.71 8.72 

Waiters and waitresses.......................................................................................................................................... 15,250 8.33 3.8 17,330 6.13 9.51 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 13,890 3.4 8.54 17,770 6.79 9.92 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 11,680 2.9 9.35 19,450 6.97 10.97 

Receptionists and information clerks..................................................................................................................... 10,670 8.84 2.6 18,380 6.98 10.13 

Self-enrichment education teachers....................................................................................................................... 10,160 13.93 2.5 28,980 8.22 17.79 

Business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations (NAICS 813900)

Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other..................................................................... 58,010 20.04 13.7 41,680 6.89 27.66 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 33,590 22.23 7.9 46,230 29.45 10.53 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 26,1 6.2 80 13.71 28,510 9.96 17.04 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 21,340 18.41 5.0 38,300 21.54 14.25 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 20,670 12.07 4.9 25,110 8.57 15.06 

General and operations managers......................................................................................................................... 18,170 44.98 4.3 93,560 57.57 27.52 

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks....................................................................................................... 13,490 3.2 15.23 31,690 11.79 18.40 

Public relations specialists...................................................................................................................................... 12,110 2.9 25.16 52,340 16.04 31.12 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 11,310 2.7 13.22 27,500 9.90 15.85 

Security guards....................................................................................................................................................... 10,490 10.19 2.5 21,190 7.97 11.29 

Federal executive branch (OES designation) (NAICS 999100)

All other information and record clerks................................................................................................................... 134,360 7.5 23.34 48,550 15.07 28.29 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 132,810 7.4 31.97 66,490 24.81 38.13 

Managers, all other................................................................................................................................................. 58,710 3.3 41.59 86,510 32.07 51.76 

Computer systems analysts................................................................................................................................... 57,500 3.2 35.20 73,220 29.59 41.00 

Protective service workers, all other....................................................................................................................... 56,330 3.1 15.75 32,750 12.68 16.73 

Registered nurses.................................................................................................................................................. 48,490 2.7 31.14 64,780 25.60 36.30 

Legal support workers, all other............................................................................................................................. 46,830 2.6 22.52 46,850 17.66 25.45 

Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation............................... 43,150 2.4 24.48 50,920 18.32 30.12 

Management analysts............................................................................................................................................ 42,470 2.4 34.96 72,720 27.90 41.81 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 35,2 2.0 00 18.53 38,550 15.90 20.82 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Percentiles

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages

State government (OES designation) (NAICS 999200)

Correctional officers and jailers.............................................................................................................................. 235,440 10.4 17.73 36,870 13.15 21.31 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 123,350 5.5 12.50 26,010 9.66 15.23 

Executive secretaries and administrative assistants.............................................................................................. 77,010 15.86 3.4 32,990 18.27 12.40 

Business operations specialists, all other............................................................................................................... 59,790 23.87 2.7 49,650 29.54 18.20 

Child, family, and school social workers................................................................................................................. 57,070 18.23 2.5 37,920 21.37 14.20 

Police and sheriff's patrol officers........................................................................................................................... 53,780 23.58 2.4 49,040 28.47 18.51 

First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers...................................................... 52,840 2.3 21.25 44,210 15.81 26.27 

Social and human service assistants..................................................................................................................... 50,650 2.3 14.32 29,790 10.20 18.86 

Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists....................................................................................... 46,760 2.1 21.18 44,050 15.35 25.92 

Eligibility interviewers, government programs........................................................................................................ 43,570 1.9 16.24 33,790 12.75 19.49 

See footnotes at end of table. 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
140

Hourly Annual1 25th 75th

Local government (OES designation) (NAICS 999300)

Police and sheriff's patrol officers........................................................................................................................... 530,290 9.9 $22.15 $46,080 $16.35 $27.15

Firefighters............................................................................................................................................................. 251,900 4.7 19.32 40,190 13.86 24.52 

Office clerks, general.............................................................................................................................................. 201,610 3.8 12.79 26,600 9.87 15.49 

Correctional officers and jailers.............................................................................................................................. 144,430 16.77 2.7 34,880 20.98 12.37 

Recreation workers................................................................................................................................................ 100,040 10.89 1.9 22,650 7.59 12.90 

Bus drivers, transit and intercity............................................................................................................................. 98 1.8 ,190 17.06 35,490 12.83 21.35 

Highway maintenance workers............................................................................................................................... 97,410 1.8 14.49 30,150 11.11 17.42 

Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive................................................................................................. 91,340 1.7 14.22 29,580 11.16 16.99 

Maintenance and repair workers, general.............................................................................................................. 88,570 1.7 16.06 33,410 11.87 20.01 

Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners......................................................................... 85,390 1.6 11.63 24,190 8.64 14.09 

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics survey, 

May 2004 - Continued

Occupation Employment

Percent of 

industry 

employment

Mean wages Percentiles

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

occupations for which an hourly mean wage is not published, the annual

wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data. 2 Represents a wage above $70.00 per hour.

3 Hourly wage rates for occupations where workers typically work

fewer than 2,080 hours per year are not available. 4 The number of hours worked by those employed as actors, dancers,

singers, and musicians varies widely. Many jobs are for the duration of 1

day or 1 week, and it is extremely rare for a performer to have guaranteed

employment for a period that exceeds 3 to 6 months. Therefore, only

hourly wages are available for these occupations.

Table 2. National employment and wage data for the 10 largest occupations by industry from the Occupational Employment Statistics

survey, May 2004—Continued
141

Table 3. Industry, State, and MSA data for selected occupations, May 2004—Continued

Contents

 Page

11-0000 Selected Management Occupations

11-1011 Chief executives ................................................................................................................... 145

11-1021 General and operations managers ........................................................................................ 146

11-2022 Sales managers ................................................................................................................... 147

11-3021 Computer and information systems managers ..................................................................... 148

11-3031 Financial managers .............................................................................................................. 149

13-0000 Selected Business and Financial Operations Occupations

13-1023 Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products .......................................... 150

13-1031 Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators .................................................................... 151

13-1111 Management analysts .......................................................................................................... 152

13-2011 Accountants and auditors ..................................................................................................... 153

13-2072 Loan officers ......................................................................................................................... 154

15-0000 Selected Computer and Mathematical Occupations

15-1021 Computer programmers ........................................................................................................ 155

15-1031 Computer software engineers, applications .......................................................................... 156

15-1032 Computer software engineers, systems software ................................................................. 157

15-1041 Computer support specialists ............................................................................................... 158

15-1051 Computer systems analysts................................................................................................. 159

17-0000 Selected Architecture and Engineering Occupations

17-2051 Civil engineers ...................................................................................................................... 160

17-2071 Electrical engineers .............................................................................................................. 161

17-2112 Industrial engineers .............................................................................................................. 162

17-2141 Mechanical engineers ........................................................................................................... 163

17-3023 Electrical and electronic engineering technicians ................................................................. 164

19-0000 Selected Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

19-1042 Medical scientists, except epidemiologists .......................................................................... 165

19-2031 Chemists .............................................................................................................................. 166

19-2041 Environmental scientists and specialists, including health ................................................... 167

19-3021 Market research analysts ..................................................................................................... 168

19-3031 Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists .................................................................... 169

21-0000 Selected Community and Social Services Occupations

21-1012 Educational, vocational, and school counselors ................................................................... 170

21-1015 Rehabilitation counselors ..................................................................................................... 171

21-1021 Child, family, and school social workers ............................................................................... 172

21-1023 Mental health and substance abuse social workers ............................................................. 173

21-1093 Social and human service assistants ................................................................................... 174

23-0000 Selected Legal Occupations

23-1011 Lawyers ................................................................................................................................ 175

23-1023 Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates ........................................................................ 176

23-2011 Paralegals and legal assistants ............................................................................................ 177

23-2092 Law clerks ............................................................................................................................ 178

23-2093 Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers ......................................................................... 179
142

Table 3. Industry, State, and MSA data for selected occupations, May 2004—Continued

Contents—Continued

 Page

25-0000 Selected Education, Training, and Library Occupations

25-2011 Preschool teachers, except special education ..................................................................... 180

25-2021 Elementary school teachers, except special education ........................................................ 181

25-2022 Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education ........................................ 182

25-2031 Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education.................................. 183

25-9041 Teacher assistants ............................................................................................................... 184

27-0000 Selected Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

27-1023 Floral designers .................................................................................................................... 185

27-1024 Graphic designers ................................................................................................................ 186

27-2022 Coaches and scouts............................................................................................................. 187

27-3031 Public relations specialists ................................................................................................... 188

27-3041 Editors .................................................................................................................................. 189

29-0000 Selected Healthcare Practitioners

29-1051 Pharmacists ......................................................................................................................... 190

 29-1111 Registered nurses ................................................................................................................ 191

29-2041 Emergency medical technicians and paramedics ................................................................. 192

29-2052 Pharmacy technicians .......................................................................................................... 193

29-2061 Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses ............................................................... 194

31-0000 Selected Healthcare Support Occupations

31-1011 Home health aides................................................................................................................ 195

31-1012 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants .............................................................................. 196

31-9091 Dental assistants ................................................................................................................. 197

31-9092 Medical assistants ............................................................................................................... 198

31-9094 Medical transcriptionists ...................................................................................................... 199

33-0000 Selected Protective Service Occupations

33-2011 Firefighters ........................................................................................................................... 200

33-3012 Correctional officers and jailers ............................................................................................. 201

33-3051 Police and sheriff’s patrol officers ......................................................................................... 202

33-9032 Security guards .................................................................................................................... 203

33-9092 Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers ............................... 204

35-0000 Selected Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

35-1012 First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers .............................. 205

35-2014 Cooks, restaurant ................................................................................................................. 206

35-2021 Food preparation workers ..................................................................................................... 207

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food ..................................... 208

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses ........................................................................................................ 209

37-0000 Selected Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

37-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial workers ............................... 210

37-1012 First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service,

and groundskeeping workers ................................................................................................ 211

37-2011 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners ........................................ 212

37-2012 Maids and housekeeping cleaners ....................................................................................... 213

37-3011 Landscaping and groundskeeping workers ........................................................................... 214
143

Table 3. Industry, State, and MSA data for selected occupations, May 2004—Continued

Contents—Continued

 Page

39-0000 Selected Personal Care and Service Occupations ........................................................................

39-3091 Amusement and recreation attendants ................................................................................. 215

39-5012 Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists ..................................................................... 216

39-9011 Childcare workers ................................................................................................................. 217

39-9021 Personal and home care aides ............................................................................................. 218

39-9032 Recreation workers ............................................................................................................... 219

41-0000 Selected Sales and Related Occupations

41-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers .......................................................... 220

41-2011 Cashiers ............................................................................................................................... 221

41-2021 Counter and rental clerks ..................................................................................................... 222

41-2031 Retail salespersons .............................................................................................................. 223

41-4012 Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except

technical and scientific products .......................................................................................... 224

43-0000 Selected Office and Administrative Support Occupations

43-3031 Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks ..................................................................... 225

43-4051 Customer service representatives ......................................................................................... 226

43-5081 Stock clerks and order fillers ................................................................................................ 227

43-6014 Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive ................................................................ 228

43-9061 Office clerks, general ............................................................................................................ 229

45-0000 Selected Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations

45-2041 Graders and sorters, agricultural products ............................................................................ 230

45-2091 Agricultural equipment operators .......................................................................................... 231

45-2092 Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse .................................................. 232

45-2093 Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals .................................................................................. 233

45-4022 Logging equipment operators ............................................................................................... 234

47-0000 Selected Construction and Extraction Occupations

47-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers .................... 235

47-2031 Carpenters............................................................................................................................ 236

47-2061 Construction laborers ........................................................................................................... 237

47-2111 Electricians .......................................................................................................................... 238

47-2152 Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters ................................................................................. 239

49-0000 Selected Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

49-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers ............................... 240

49-3023 Automotive service technicians and mechanics.................................................................... 241

49-3031 Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists ...................................................... 242

49-9021 Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers .................................... 243

49-9042 Maintenance and repair workers, general ............................................................................. 244

51-0000 Selected Production Occupations

51-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers ................................... 245

51-2092 Team assemblers ................................................................................................................. 246

51-9061 Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers ........................................................... 247

51-9111 Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders ........................................................... 248

51-9198 Helpers—production workers ................................................................................................ 249
144

Table 3. Industry, State, and MSA data for selected occupations, May 2004—Continued

Contents—Continued

 Page

53-0000 Selected Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

53-3032 Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer ................................................................................... 250

53-3033 Truckdrivers, light or delivery services................................................................................... 251

53-7051 Industrial truck and tractor operators .................................................................................... 252

53-7062 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand ........................................................ 253

53-7064 Packers and packagers, hand .............................................................................................. 254
145

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Local government (OES designation) 19,970 $38.21 $79,470

2. Management of companies and enterprises 18,960 79.36 165,060 

3. Depository credit intermediation 11,630 65.86 136,980 

4. Architectural and engineering services 8,410 72.05 149,860 

5. State government (OES designation) 7,950 45.00 93,600 

1. Securities and commodity exchanges 30 93.48 194,440 

2. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 88.43 720 183,930 

3. ISPs and Web search portals 760 86.91 180,770 

4. Other financial investment activities 2,440 85.71 178,270 

5. Agents and managers for public figures 70 84.74 176,250 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Idaho 4,360 $40.02 $83,250 0.76

2. District of Columbia 4,170 66.56 138,440 0.69

3. Massachusetts 20,890 68.46 142,400 0.67

4. New Hampshire 3,480 65.69 136,640 0.57

5. Mississippi 5,570 47.04 97,840 0.51

1. Connecticut 2,450 81.81 170,160 0.15

2. New Jersey 2,900 81.43 169,370 0.08

3. California 41,470 78.39 163,040 0.29

4. Washington 1,790 78.31 162,890 0.07

5. Colorado 2,250 76.23 158,550 0.11

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Jackson, MS MSA 1,960 $45.56 $94,760 0.88

2. Boise City, ID MSA 1,750 49.63 103,240 0.75

3. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 13,180 71.52 148,750 0.69

4. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 840 70.60 146,850 0.69

5. Lawrence, MA-NH PMSA 1,080 69.32 144,180 0.69

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 630 88.97 185,050 0.32

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,950 88.84 184,780 0.47

3. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 170 86.65 180,240 0.07

4. New York, NY PMSA 10,950 85.18 177,170 0.28

5. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 1,040 84.63 176,030 0.08

11-1011 Chief executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide the overall direction of companies or private and public 

sector organizations within the guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. 

Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of 

subordinate executives and staff managers.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
146

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Management of companies and enterprises 52,790 $54.34 $113,030

2. Local government (OES designation) 45,300 35.40 73,630 

3. Depository credit intermediation 36,400 42.30 87,990 

4. Building equipment contractors 35,450 45.94 95,560 

5. Computer systems design and related services 32,460 60.36 125,550 

1. Other financial investment activities 7,900 66.10 137,480 

2. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 8,350 62.49 129,980 

3. Apparel and piece goods merchant wholesalers 3,410 62.35 129,690 

4. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 1,850 61.79 128,510

5. Scientific research and development services 12,950 61.32 127,550

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Montana 11,630 $26.46 $55,040 2.89

2. Maryland 60,950 45.40 94,430 2.48

3. Alaska 7,040 33.45 69,580 2.40

4. District of Columbia 13,840 47.20 98,170 2.30

5. Idaho 12,250 28.39 59,060 2.13

1. Connecticut 17,760 60.10 125,010 1.09

2. New Jersey 45,920 60.01 124,830 1.18

3. New York 77,370 56.94 118,430 0.94

4. Washington 18,580 55.35 115,130 0.72

5. California 218,270 51.22 106,530 1.50

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Billings, MT MSA 2,380 $26.48 $55,090 3.31

2. Great Falls, MT MSA 1,060 28.77 59,840 3.16

3. Missoula, MT MSA 1,510 28.57 59,430 2.76

4. Monroe, LA MSA 1,870 34.23 71,210 2.58

5. Hagerstown, MD PMSA 1,550 35.79 74,440 2.42

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 3,470 70.80 147,250 1.74

2. New York, NY PMSA 40,180 64.57 134,300 1.01

3. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 7,770 63.70 132,490 1.25

4. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 7,800 63.06 131,160 1.23

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 1,000 62.50 130,000 1.10

11-1021 General and operations managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of companies or public and private sector organizations. 

Duties and responsibilities include formulating policies, managing daily operations, and planning the 

use of materials and human resources, but are too diverse and general in nature to be classified in any 

one functional area of management or administration, such as personnel, purchasing, or administrative 

services. Include owners and managers who head small business establishments and whose duties are 

primarily managerial.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
147

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Automobile dealers 21,740 $51.49 $107,090

2. Management of companies and enterprises 19,950 50.94 105,960 

3. Computer systems design and related services 8,040 60.67 126,200 

4. Machinery and supply merchant wholesalers 7,950 45.89 95,460 

5. Electronic markets and agents and brokers 7,760 54.24 112,810 

1. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 2,960 62.96 130,950 

2. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 1,170 62.44 129,870

3. Other information services 120 60.88 126,640

4. Computer systems design and related services 8,040 60.67 126,200

5. Other financial investment activities 1,480 59.88 124,560

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Georgia 17,040 $47.52 $98,840 0.45

2. Massachusetts 11,570 49.46 102,870 0.37

3. Utah 3,850 35.92 74,720 0.36

4. Arizona 8,020 36.96 76,880 0.35

5. Hawaii 1,920 35.22 73,250 0.34

1. New York 13,410 63.72 132,530 0.16

2. Connecticut 4,380 56.22 116,930 0.27

3. New Jersey 10,680 55.69 115,840 0.28

4. Minnesota 7,140 51.68 107,490 0.27

5. California 45,620 51.53 107,180 0.31

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Atlanta, GA MSA 12,940 $50.44 $104,920 0.60

2. Nashua, NH PMSA 510 52.08 108,320 0.52

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,310 64.86 134,910 0.51

4. State College, PA MSA 300 27.86 57,940 0.47

5. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 920 65.90 137,070 0.46

1. New York, NY PMSA 7,770 69.18 143,890 0.20

2. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 920 65.90 137,070 0.46

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,310 64.86 134,910 0.51

4. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 1,900 64.15 133,440 0.16

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 220 61.00 126,870 0.24

11-2022 Sales managers

Direct the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales 

distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales 

representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory 

requirements, and monitor the preferences of customers.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
148

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Computer systems design and related services 35,050 $53.03 $110,300

2. Management of companies and enterprises 21,260 51.18 106,450 

3. Insurance carriers 11,280 49.11 102,150 

4. Software publishers 8,650 54.81 114,000 

5. Depository credit intermediation 8,480 43.71 90,920 

1. Securities and commodity exchanges 160 67.80 141,020 

2. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 2,570 60.98 126,850

3. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 4,140 57.88 120,400

4. Other financial investment activities 2,320 57.69 119,990

5. Other food manufacturing 57.07 390 118,700 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 2,940 $48.58 $101,050 0.49

2. Massachusetts 11,330 50.13 104,270 0.36

3. New Jersey 13,050 56.12 116,740 0.34

4. Maryland 7,810 46.10 95,880 0.32

5. Virginia 10,950 50.85 105,780 0.32

1. New York 18,020 56.62 117,770 0.22

2. New Jersey 13,050 56.12 116,740 0.34

3. California 33,870 54.72 113,810 0.23

4. Connecticut 4,600 52.36 108,910 0.28

5. Virginia 10,950 50.85 105,780 0.32

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,950 $66.68 $138,700 0.58

2. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 3,610 57.18 118,930 0.58

3. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 14,290 51.42 106,940 0.52

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 4,860 63.88 132,860 0.51

5. Trenton, NJ PMSA 1,110 45.47 94,570 0.51

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,950 66.68 138,700 0.58

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 4,860 63.88 132,860 0.51

3. New York, NY PMSA 11,360 61.19 127,280 0.29

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 890 60.64 126,130 0.45

5. Newark, NJ PMSA 3,110 59.61 123,980 0.32

11-3021 Computer and Information Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in fields such as electronic data processing, information systems, 

systems analysis, and computer programming. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
149

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Depository credit intermediation 76,640 $36.92 $76,800

2. Management of companies and enterprises 36,290 52.10 108,370 

3. Nondepository credit intermediation 19,500 48.41 100,690

4. Local government (OES designation) 16,700 32.86 68,350

5. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 15,850 64.94 135,080

1. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 15,850 64.94 135,080

2. Securities and commodity exchanges 640 64.32 133,780

3. Other financial investment activities 10,460 62.09 129,140

4. Other information services 170 59.38 123,510

5. Apparel and piece goods merchant wholesalers 730 56.73 118,000

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 4,310 $44.49 $92,530 0.72

2. Massachusetts 19,870 46.40 96,500 0.64

3. Connecticut 9,360 53.51 111,300 0.57

4. New York 44,700 61.98 128,920 0.54

5. New Hampshire 3,140 37.57 78,150 0.51

1. New York 44,700 61.98 128,920 0.54

2. Connecticut 9,360 53.51 111,300 0.57

3. Minnesota 10,450 50.96 106,000 0.40

4. California 59,110 49.55 103,070 0.41

5. New Jersey 19,180 49.14 102,220 0.49

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 2,060 $69.77 $145,130 1.03

2. New York, NY PMSA 30,920 67.18 139,730 0.78

3. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 13,930 49.12 102,160 0.73

4. Des Moines, IA MSA 2,060 46.00 95,670 0.71

5. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 820 43.46 90,390 0.68

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 2,060 69.77 145,130 1.03

2. New York, NY PMSA 30,920 67.18 139,730 0.78

3. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 4,490 58.60 121,880 0.37

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 6,370 57.57 119,750 0.67

5. San Jose, CA PMSA 5,170 57.57 119,740 0.61

11-3031 Financial managers

Plan, direct, and coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial 

activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
150

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Federal Government (OES designation) 26,390 $30.84 $64,140

2. Management of companies and enterprises 13,230 27.54 57,280 

3. Local government (OES designation) 9,180 22.24 46,270 

4. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 27.31 8,560 56,810 

5. General medical and surgical hospitals 7,850 18.96 39,430 

1. Rail transportation 160 32.38 67,340 

2. Wireless telecommunications carriers 590 32.08 66,730 

3. Software publishers 510 31.61 65,760 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 26,390 30.84 64,140 

5. Postal service 910 29.74 61,850 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 2,800 $34.63 $72,030 0.46

2. Virginia 9,920 28.14 58,520 0.29

3. Michigan 11,330 27.80 57,830 0.26

4. Connecticut 4,270 26.75 55,640 0.26

5. Washington 6,520 26.32 54,740 0.25

1. District of Columbia 2,800 34.63 72,030 0.46

2. Virginia 9,920 28.14 58,520 0.29

3. Michigan 11,330 27.80 57,830 0.26

4. New Jersey 7,440 27.71 57,630 0.19

5. Maryland 5,640 27.03 56,230 0.23

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Huntsville, AL MSA 1,360 $30.00 $62,400 0.74

2. Elkhart-Goshen, IN MSA 720 23.58 49,050 0.59

3. Binghamton, NY MSA 500 25.83 53,730 0.44

4. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,430 31.44 65,400 0.40

5. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 580 26.90 55,960 0.38

1. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 9,470 32.64 67,890 0.34

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,430 31.44 65,400 0.40

3. Detroit, MI PMSA 6,680 31.17 64,830 0.34

4. Waterbury, CT PMSA 170 30.69 63,830 0.20

5. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA MSA 190 30.37 63,160 0.24

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an 

establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. Include contract specialists, 

field contractors, purchasers, price analysts, tooling coordinators, and media buyers.

Industry

13-1023 Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
151

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Insurance carriers 141,560 $22.97 $47,780

2. Insurance agencies, brokerages, and related 56,110 22.58 46,970 

3. Management of companies and enterprises 8,760 21.82 45,390 

4. State government (OES designation) 7,350 22.71 47,240 

5. Insurance and employee benefit funds 4,720 21.29 44,270 

1. Rail transportation 270 31.00 64,480 

2. Other professional and technical services 290 30.83 64,120 

3. Power generation and supply — 59,920 28.81 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 70 27.27 56,710 

5. Legal services 320 26.36 54,820 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Connecticut 5,530 $23.97 $49,850 0.34

2. Kansas 3,580 21.82 45,390 0.28

3. Nebraska 2,280 19.54 40,650 0.26

4. Pennsylvania 13,510 21.63 45,000 0.25

5. New Jersey 9,430 23.49 48,860 0.24

1. Alaska 190 29.62 61,600 0.07

2. Colorado 4,150 27.00 56,150 0.20

3. Vermont 280 25.94 53,960 0.10

4. California 31,020 25.06 52,130 0.21

5. New York 17,650 24.69 51,350 0.21

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA 1,290 $29.20 $60,730 1.56

2. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA 1,440 17.73 36,880 0.74

3. Olympia, WA PMSA 640 21.34 44,380 0.74

4. Hartford, CT MSA 4,150 23.39 48,650 0.69

5. Sacramento, CA PMSA 4,310 24.68 51,330 0.57

1. Athens, GA MSA — 66,880 32.15 —

2. Anchorage, AK MSA 180 29.95 62,290 0.13

3. Denver, CO PMSA 2,700 29.26 60,860 0.24

4. Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA 1,290 29.20 60,730 1.56

5. Dutchess County, NY PMSA 220 28.21 58,670 0.19

13-1031 Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements have been made in accordance with 

company practices and procedures, ensuring that proper methods have been followed. Report 

overpayments, underpayments, and other irregularities. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring 

litigation.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
152

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Management and technical consulting services 94,030 $42.69 $88,790

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 42,470 34.96 72,720 

3. State government (OES designation) 27,910 24.09 50,110 

4. Computer systems design and related services 23,960 37.47 77,940 

5. Management of companies and enterprises 23,600 31.88 66,310 

1. Miscellaneous durable goods merchant wholesalers — 102,870 49.46 

2. Investigation and security services 80 49.29 102,510 

3. Freight transportation arrangement 410 48.67 101,230 

4. Medical and diagnostic laboratories 300 46.08 95,840 

5. Advertising and related services 1,980 44.91 93,410 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 15,540 $37.09 $77,150 2.58

2. Virginia 33,540 37.28 77,550 0.97

3. Delaware 2,500 36.66 76,240 0.61

4. Maryland 15,050 32.96 68,560 0.61

5. Connecticut 8,870 38.61 80,320 0.54

1. Massachusetts 14,380 40.71 84,680 0.46

2. New Jersey 13,550 39.85 82,890 0.35

3. California 49,660 39.09 81,310 0.34

4. Illinois 20,430 38.82 80,750 0.36

5. Connecticut 8,870 38.61 80,320 0.54

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Tallahassee, FL MSA 3,680 $24.64 $51,260 2.41

2. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 46,040 37.74 78,490 1.67

3. Trenton, NJ PMSA 2,370 34.95 72,700 1.09

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,970 49.84 103,660 0.99

5. Richmond-Petersburg, VA MSA 4,470 32.19 66,960 0.81

1. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 40 56.75 118,030 0.10

2. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,970 49.84 103,660 0.99

3. Riverside-San Bernardino, CA PMSA 1,950 49.72 103,410 0.17

4. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL MSA 1,680 48.33 100,520 0.32

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 620 46.45 96,610 0.68

13-1111 Management analysts

Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work 

simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist 

management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Include program analysts and management 

consultants.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
153

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Accounting and bookkeeping services 232,080 $31.24 $64,990

2. Management of companies and enterprises 55,270 27.16 56,500 

3. State government (OES designation) 36,480 21.70 45,140 

4. Local government (OES designation) 35,000 23.69 49,270 

5. Federal Government (OES designation) 30,110 28.87 60,050 

1. Securities and commodity exchanges 140 32.59 67,780 

2. Postal service 560 32.14 66,850 

3. Cut and sew apparel manufacturing 1,040 32.08 66,720 

4. Accounting and bookkeeping services 232,080 31.24 64,990 

5. Automobile dealers 7,190 31.16 64,810 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 9,980 $31.28 $65,070 1.66

2. Connecticut 18,930 32.08 66,740 1.16

3. New York 88,580 32.13 66,830 1.07

4. Colorado 20,480 28.03 58,300 0.97

5. Rhode Island 4,390 26.70 55,540 0.91

1. New York 88,580 32.13 66,830 1.07

2. Connecticut 18,930 32.08 66,740 1.16

3. District of Columbia 9,980 31.28 65,070 1.66

4. New Jersey 30,860 29.97 62,330 0.80

5. California 110,490 29.83 62,050 0.76

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 4,220 $34.85 $72,490 2.11

2. Tallahassee, FL MSA 2,890 19.94 41,480 1.89

3. Olympia, WA PMSA 1,320 23.73 49,370 1.52

4. New York, NY PMSA 55,440 34.68 72,130 1.39

5. Austin-San Marcos, TX MSA 9,380 23.07 47,990 1.38

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 4,220 34.85 72,490 2.11

2. New York, NY PMSA 55,440 34.68 72,130 1.39

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 8,680 33.91 70,530 1.02

4. Monmouth-Ocean, NJ PMSA 2,120 33.74 70,180 0.53

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 920 33.34 69,340 1.01

13-2011 Accountants and auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records for the purpose of giving advice or preparing 

statements. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
154

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Depository credit intermediation 104,320 $24.38 $50,710

2. Nondepository credit intermediation 97,200 29.77 61,930

3. Activities related to credit intermediation 47,300 31.38 65,280

4. Management of companies and enterprises 7,570 28.58 59,450

5. Federal Government (OES designation) 4,240 29.17 60,680

1. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 1,750 39.47 82,090

2. Land subdivision 35.87 80 74,600

3. Machinery and equipment rental and leasing 35.54 70 73,920

4. Activities related to real estate 1,880 34.06 70,850

5. Residential building construction 750 33.96 70,650

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Rhode Island 1,840 $37.53 $78,050 0.38

2. Minnesota 9,210 32.56 67,720 0.35

3. Virginia 11,710 29.29 60,930 0.34

4. South Dakota 1,200 19.89 41,360 0.33

5. Colorado 6,830 29.71 61,800 0.32

1. Massachusetts 5,190 40.88 85,040 0.17

2. Arizona 6,590 38.07 79,190 0.29

3. Connecticut 2,800 37.82 78,670 0.17

4. Rhode Island 1,840 37.53 78,050 0.38

5. New Hampshire 880 34.98 72,750 0.14

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC MSA 3,570 $28.82 $59,950 0.44

2. Richmond-Petersburg, VA MSA 2,400 22.97 47,780 0.44

3. Boise City, ID MSA 1,000 27.73 57,670 0.43

4. Montgomery, AL MSA 650 23.66 49,200 0.42

5. Baton Rouge, LA MSA 1,240 22.64 47,100 0.42

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 480 46.33 96,370 0.24

2. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 3,620 44.21 91,960 0.19

3. Lawrence, MA-NH PMSA 200 43.16 89,770 0.13

4. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 350 43.16 89,770 0.19

5. Phoenix-Mesa, AZ MSA 5,450 40.74 84,740 0.33

13-2072 Loan officers

Evaluate, authorize, or recommend approval of commercial, real estate, or credit loans. Advise 

borrowers on financial status and methods of payments. Include mortgage loan officers and agents, 

collection analysts, loan servicing officers, and loan underwriters.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
155

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Computer systems design and related services 110,410 $33.74 $70,180

2. Management of companies and enterprises 21,940 30.07 62,550 

3. Software publishers 18,270 35.24 73,300 

4. Insurance carriers 17,290 30.94 64,350 

5. Data processing and related services 16,530 31.77 66,080 

1. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 41.58 3,640 86,500 

2. Magnetic media manufacturing and reproducing 1,300 38.61 80,310

3. Employment services 12,090 38.05 79,150

4. Support activities for mining 37.52 90 78,050

5. Satellite telecommunications 37.08 50 77,120

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New Jersey 24,390 $34.08 $70,900 0.63

2. Virginia 20,050 31.28 65,050 0.58

3. District of Columbia 3,300 32.59 67,800 0.55

4. Utah 5,080 27.78 57,770 0.48

5. Washington 11,990 37.33 77,660 0.46

1. Washington 11,990 37.33 77,660 0.46

2. California 42,190 36.13 75,140 0.29

3. Massachusetts 11,070 35.57 73,980 0.35

4. Connecticut 6,790 35.39 73,610 0.42

5. Georgia 10,800 35.35 73,530 0.28

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Olympia, WA PMSA 1,060 $28.17 $58,590 1.22

2. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 6,310 36.08 75,040 1.02

3. Trenton, NJ PMSA 1,900 29.92 62,230 0.87

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,690 38.66 80,400 0.85

5. Bloomington, IN MSA 530 22.30 46,390 0.84

1. Huntsville, AL MSA 1,320 44.14 91,800 0.72

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 5,070 41.88 87,120 0.53

3. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 470 40.85 84,970 0.39

4. New London-Norwich, CT-RI MSA — 84,520 40.63 —

5. San Jose, CA PMSA 5,500 40.56 84,370 0.65

15-1021 Computer programmers

Convert project specifications and statements of problems and procedures into detailed logical flow 

charts for coding into computer language. Develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and 

retrieve specific documents, data, and information. May program Web sites.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
156

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Computer systems design and related services 131,030 $38.09 $79,230

2. Software publishers 38,900 39.04 81,210 

3. Management of companies and enterprises 20,210 34.15 71,030 

4. Management and technical consulting services 13,820 38.84 80,790 

5. Insurance carriers 13,640 33.42 69,500 

1. Securities and commodity exchanges 120 44.67 92,920 

2. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 7,540 43.08 89,610 

3. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 43.07 11,690 89,590 

4. Professional and similar organizations 670 42.37 88,120 

5. Employment services 4,550 41.99 87,330 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Virginia 26,250 $36.81 $76,550 0.76

2. Colorado 14,760 38.91 80,930 0.70

3. Massachusetts 20,980 42.22 87,810 0.67

4. Washington 39.32 15,900 81,780 0.62

5. Minnesota 15,870 36.42 75,750 0.61

1. Massachusetts 20,980 42.22 87,810 0.67

2. Delaware 1,050 41.83 87,010 0.26

3. California 80,620 40.80 84,860 0.56

4. New Jersey 16,580 40.40 84,040 0.43

5. Maryland 40.08 11,820 83,370 0.48

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 17,700 $46.19 $96,080 2.08

2. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 2,210 39.41 81,980 1.45

3. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 1,590 43.08 89,600 1.31

4. Burlington, VT MSA 1,330 35.12 73,050 1.24

5. Rochester, MN MSA 1,040 36.58 76,080 1.19

1. Santa Rosa, CA PMSA 460 48.14 100,130 0.24

2. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 1,830 47.45 98,700 0.77

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 17,700 46.19 96,080 2.08

4. Fitchburg-Leominster, MA PMSA 44.86 50 93,300 0.10

5. Colorado Springs, CO MSA 2,780 44.75 93,080 1.17

15-1031 Computer software engineers, applications

Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. 

Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use 

with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an 

application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
157

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Computer systems design and related services 85,350 $40.48 $84,200

2. Software publishers 21,050 40.94 85,150 

3. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 18,510 42.89 89,200 

4. Wired telecommunications carriers 18,440 36.14 75,180 

5. Scientific research and development services 18,030 45.35 94,320 

1. Scientific research and development services 18,030 45.35 94,320 

2. Motion picture and video industries — 93,220 44.82 

3. Electrical equipment manufacturing 270 44.36 92,270 

4. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 43.38 6,070 90,240 

5. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 18,510 42.89 89,200 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Maryland 15,860 $43.86 $91,230 0.65

2. Virginia 21,630 40.85 84,970 0.63

3. Massachusetts 17,950 42.52 88,440 0.57

4. Colorado 11,210 39.28 81,710 0.53

5. Washington 12,200 41.40 86,110 0.47

1. New Jersey 14,400 44.39 92,330 0.37

2. Maryland 15,860 43.86 91,230 0.65

3. California 51,660 43.67 90,830 0.36

4. New Mexico — 90,310 43.42 —

5. New Hampshire 1,800 42.54 88,480 0.29

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 14,810 $49.37 $102,680 1.74

2. Colorado Springs, CO MSA 3,670 39.17 81,470 1.54

3. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 1,870 44.00 91,520 1.54

4. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 1,510 42.89 89,210 0.99

5. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 26,510 43.43 90,330 0.96

1. Missoula, MT MSA — 112,420 54.05 —

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 14,810 49.37 102,680 1.74

3. Newark, NJ PMSA 3,170 48.49 100,870 0.33

4. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ PMSA — 100,760 48.44 —

5. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA — 99,480 47.83 —

15-1032 Computer software engineers, systems software

Research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution 

software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general 

computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software 

requirements. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical 

analysis. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
158

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Computer systems design and related services 81,690 $22.35 $46,480

2. Elementary and secondary schools 26,160 18.04 37,530 

3. Management of companies and enterprises 25,120 22.37 46,530 

4. Colleges and universities 22,610 18.81 39,120 

5. Software publishers 18,450 24.09 50,110

1. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 4,510 28.94 60,190

2. Monetary authorities—central bank 420 28.12 58,500

3. Natural gas distribution 26.96 360 56,070 

4. Tobacco manufacturing 310 26.73 55,600

5. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 26.33 4,640 54,770 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Virginia 21,590 $22.24 $46,270 0.63

2. Colorado 12,370 22.79 47,400 0.59

3. District of Columbia 3,420 21.42 44,540 0.57

4. Delaware 2,250 25.30 52,630 0.55

5. Arizona 12,350 21.04 43,760 0.53

1. Massachusetts 15,560 26.58 55,280 0.50

2. Delaware 2,250 25.30 52,630 0.55

3. New York 29,660 24.06 50,040 0.36

4. California 55,740 23.19 48,230 0.38

5. Washington 12,230 23.13 48,110 0.47

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 1,840 $25.97 $54,020 1.21

2. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSA 6,930 24.07 50,060 1.02

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 6,820 31.72 65,980 0.80

4. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 21,890 23.58 49,050 0.79

5. Provo-Orem, UT MSA 1,150 16.15 33,590 0.79

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 6,820 31.72 65,980 0.80

2. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 11,750 27.61 57,430 0.62

3. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 680 27.43 57,060 0.56

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 4,370 27.04 56,240 0.46

5. New York, NY PMSA 16,030 26.87 55,880 0.40

15-1041 Computer support specialists

Provide technical assistance to computer system users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems 

for clients in person, via telephone, or from remote location. May provide assistance concerning the use 

of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, 

and operating systems.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
159

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Computer systems design and related services 85,650 $35.02 $72,840

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 57,500 35.20 73,220 

3. Insurance carriers 32,260 32.55 67,690 

4. Management of companies and enterprises 29,800 32.85 68,330 

5. State government (OES designation) 19,810 27.35 56,880 

1. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 4,250 37.96 78,960 

2. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 4,300 37.25 77,470 

3. Other financial investment activities 3,000 37.04 77,050 

4. Commercial equipment merchant wholesalers 17,160 36.30 75,500 

5. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 3,670 36.26 75,420 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. District of Columbia 9,990 $37.91 $78,860 1.66

2. Maryland 21,600 34.70 72,170 0.88

3. Virginia 28,160 34.35 71,450 0.82

4. Connecticut 10,260 34.53 71,810 0.63

5. Colorado 12,920 34.63 72,030 0.61

1. District of Columbia 9,990 37.91 78,860 1.66

2. New Jersey 18,740 37.54 78,090 0.48

3. Alaska 650 34.99 72,790 0.22

4. New York 23,720 34.98 72,760 0.29

5. Delaware 1,180 34.97 72,740 0.29

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Huntsville, AL MSA 3,100 $34.33 $71,410 1.69

2. Olympia, WA PMSA 1,450 28.02 58,280 1.67

3. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 41,880 36.34 75,580 1.52

4. Madison, WI MSA 3,110 28.37 59,020 1.09

5. Austin-San Marcos, TX MSA 7,400 30.30 63,030 1.09

1. Monmouth-Ocean, NJ PMSA 1,740 45.38 94,400 0.44

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,750 40.31 83,850 0.56

3. Santa Rosa, CA PMSA 270 38.80 80,690 0.14

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 5,940 38.48 80,040 0.62

5. Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSA 580 38.40 79,880 0.31

15-1051 Computer systems analysts

Analyze science, engineering, business, and all other data-processing problems for application to 

electronic data-processing systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or 

improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. 

May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
160

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Architectural and engineering services 107,060 $32.81 $68,250

2. State government (OES designation) 31,090 29.14 60,610 

3. Local government (OES designation) 28,650 32.28 67,150 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 9,110 35.74 74,330 

5. Nonresidential building construction 8,880 30.56 63,560

1. Oil and gas extraction 110 45.15 93,900

2. Machinery and supply merchant wholesalers 220 44.26 92,060

3. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 160 39.28 81,700

4. Other professional and technical services — 80,970 38.93 

5. Basic chemical manufacturing 200 38.85 80,810 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Washington 11,330 $33.47 $69,620 0.44

2. Alaska 1,070 34.46 71,680 0.37

3. Colorado 6,980 31.22 64,930 0.33

4. Wyoming 720 23.49 48,850 0.29

5. Hawaii 1,650 30.57 63,580 0.29

1. District of Columbia 850 38.72 80,540 0.14

2. California 37,210 35.58 74,000 0.26

3. Nevada 2,630 35.33 73,490 0.24

4. Alaska 1,070 34.46 71,680 0.37

5. New Jersey 6,360 34.05 70,810 0.16

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Olympia, WA PMSA 890 $30.30 $63,020 1.02

2. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA MSA 710 31.74 66,020 0.88

3. Yuba City, CA MSA 310 31.59 65,710 0.80

4. Anchorage, AK MSA 840 34.16 71,050 0.60

5. Sacramento, CA PMSA 4,500 35.01 72,820 0.59

1. Santa Rosa, CA PMSA 280 39.80 82,770 0.15

2. Columbus, GA-AL MSA 60 39.05 81,230 0.05

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,340 38.99 81,090 0.28

4. Lake Charles, LA MSA 160 38.86 80,830 0.20

5. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, CA MSA 390 38.77 80,640 0.23

17-2051 Civil engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of 

building structures and facilities such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, 

irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, and waste disposal units. Include 

architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geotechnical engineers.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
161

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Architectural and engineering services 29,980 $35.38 $73,580

2. Electronic instrument manufacturing 16,700 36.42 75,750 

3. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 10,630 38.48 80,030 

4. Power generation and supply 10,250 35.32 73,470 

5. Scientific research and development services 6,480 37.62 78,250 

1. Computer systems design and related services 3,430 43.94 91,390 

2. Satellite telecommunications — 90,740 43.62 

3. Magnetic media manufacturing and reproducing 50 42.98 89,390 

4. Activities related to real estate — 83,250 40.03 

5. Management and technical consulting services 2,630 39.17 81,470 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. New Mexico 2,080 $36.57 $76,060 0.28

2. Massachusetts 7,010 39.09 81,310 0.22

3. Arizona 4,880 35.82 74,500 0.21

4. Alabama 3,360 34.97 72,740 0.18

5. Virginia 5,870 32.96 68,570 0.17

1. California 20,270 39.87 82,930 0.14

2. Texas 11,620 39.74 82,670 0.13

3. Massachusetts 7,010 39.09 81,310 0.22

4. District of Columbia 780 38.94 80,990 0.13

5. New Hampshire 830 37.69 78,400 0.14

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Huntsville, AL MSA 1,550 $35.25 $73,310 0.85

2. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 930 39.12 81,360 0.77

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 5,040 45.71 95,070 0.59

4. Albuquerque, NM MSA 1,820 37.53 78,060 0.51

5. Fort Collins-Loveland, CO MSA 550 35.09 72,990 0.45

1. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA PMSA — 101,960 49.02 —

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 5,040 45.71 95,070 0.59

3. Austin-San Marcos, TX MSA 2,310 45.41 94,460 0.34

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 760 44.46 92,480 0.08

5. Champaign-Urbana, IL MSA 44.20 50 91,930 0.06

17-2071 Electrical engineers

Design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, 

components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
162

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 12,680 $30.72 $63,900

2. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 11,550 32.33 67,240 

3. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 9,050 35.37 73,570 

4. Electronic instrument manufacturing 8,980 33.92 70,550 

5. Architectural and engineering services 8,480 33.41 69,490 

1. Rail transportation 60 38.96 81,040 

2. ISPs and Web search portals 250 38.81 80,720 

3. Scientific research and development services 7,330 37.93 78,900 

4. Beverage manufacturing — 78,900 37.93 

5. Oil and gas extraction 1,070 37.85 78,720 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Michigan 17,470 $33.10 $68,840 0.41

2. South Carolina 4,260 30.27 62,960 0.24

3. Connecticut 3,740 32.56 67,730 0.23

4. Ohio 11,740 30.61 63,660 0.22

5. Indiana 5,740 29.43 61,220 0.20

1. District of Columbia 220 44.55 92,670 0.04

2. Alaska 50 38.20 79,450 0.02

3. California 18,560 36.82 76,580 0.13

4. Colorado 3,130 35.76 74,390 0.15

5. New Mexico 980 35.13 73,070 0.13

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 5,050 $42.78 $88,980 0.60

2. Lawrence, MA-NH PMSA 930 36.28 75,460 0.59

3. Detroit, MI PMSA 10,290 34.77 72,330 0.52

4. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 760 39.37 81,900 0.50

5. Wichita, KS MSA 1,280 27.75 57,720 0.47

1. Lake Charles, LA MSA 80 43.00 89,430 0.10

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 5,050 42.78 88,980 0.60

3. Santa Fe, NM MSA 40 39.72 82,610 0.05

4. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX MSA 140 39.63 82,430 0.09

5. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 760 39.37 81,900 0.50

17-2112 Industrial engineers

Design, develop, test, and evaluate integrated systems for managing industrial production processes 

including human work factors, quality control, inventory control, logistics and material flow, cost 

analysis, and production coordination.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
163

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Architectural and engineering services 40,210 $35.19 $73,200

2. Electronic instrument manufacturing 13,750 35.04 72,880 

3. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 13,110 34.49 71,730 

4. Scientific research and development services 10,440 36.66 76,260 

5. Federal Government (OES designation) 9,670 37.28 77,530 

1. Spectator sports 170 52.40 108,990 

2. Business, computer and management training — 83,710 40.25 

3. Oil and gas extraction 80 39.90 83,000 

4. Rail transportation 70 38.78 80,660 

5. Insurance agencies, brokerages, and related — 79,010 37.99 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Michigan 18,390 $32.83 $68,280 0.43

2. Connecticut 6,230 32.82 68,260 0.38

3. Wisconsin 7,130 30.08 62,580 0.27

4. Ohio 13,910 31.05 64,570 0.26

5. Minnesota 6,580 31.64 65,810 0.25

1. District of Columbia 580 42.00 87,350 0.10

2. Delaware 750 37.58 78,170 0.18

3. Massachusetts 7,470 37.39 77,770 0.24

4. California 22,140 37.17 77,320 0.15

5. New Jersey 5,120 36.43 75,770 0.13

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Peoria-Pekin, IL MSA 1,370 $31.25 $64,990 0.83

2. Benton Harbor, MI MSA 500 30.87 64,210 0.80

3. Bremerton, WA PMSA 460 33.85 70,400 0.60

4. Detroit, MI PMSA 11,570 33.88 70,460 0.58

5. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA MSA 460 41.13 85,550 0.57

1. Tallahassee, FL MSA — 101,590 48.84 —

2. Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA 47.05 80 97,860 0.10

3. Santa Fe, NM MSA — 94,060 45.22 —

4. Wilmington, NC MSA 150 44.75 93,080 0.13

5. San Francisco, CA PMSA 950 43.99 91,500 0.10

17-2141 Mechanical engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning and designing tools, engines, machines, and other mechanically 

functioning equipment. Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of equipment such as 

centralized heat, gas, water, and steam systems.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
164

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 18,530 $20.45 $42,530

2. Architectural and engineering services 15,720 22.50 46,810 

3. Electronic instrument manufacturing 13,680 21.34 44,390 

4. Wired telecommunications carriers 9,360 24.00 49,920 

5. Federal Government (OES designation) 8,190 30.66 63,780 

1. Office administrative services 170 41.04 85,360 

2. Independent artists, writers, and performers 50 39.14 81,420 

3. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 270 32.84 68,310 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 8,190 30.66 63,780 

5. Satellite telecommunications 270 29.48 61,310 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. New Mexico 2,690 $22.90 $47,630 0.36

2. South Carolina 3,980 21.49 44,700 0.23

3. Massachusetts 6,850 23.72 49,340 0.22

4. Alabama 3,540 23.21 48,270 0.19

5. Utah 2,050 24.38 50,720 0.19

1. Alaska 330 30.39 63,220 0.11

2. District of Columbia 550 27.54 57,270 0.09

3. Hawaii 470 25.23 52,480 0.08

4. Delaware 410 25.02 52,040 0.10

5. Maryland 3,380 24.40 50,750 0.14

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA 1,890 $21.08 $43,840 0.73

2. Huntsville, AL MSA 1,320 22.16 46,100 0.72

3. Las Cruces, NM MSA 420 22.06 45,890 0.70

4. San Jose, CA PMSA 5,960 25.99 54,050 0.70

5. Nashua, NH PMSA 510 21.90 45,550 0.52

1. Abilene, TX MSA 34.20 40 71,140 0.07

2. Bakersfield, CA MSA 700 31.21 64,910 0.30

3. Bremerton, WA PMSA 260 30.32 63,070 0.34

4. Dover, DE MSA 28.85 30 60,000 0.05

5. Houston, TX PMSA 3,570 28.61 59,510 0.17

17-3023 Electrical and electronic engineering technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering 

staff, to design, build, repair, calibrate, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and 

machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design 

decisions.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
165

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

1. Colleges and universities 18,190 $27.69 $57,600

2. Scientific research and development services 17,820 34.72 72,210 

3. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 10,100 38.64 80,360 

4. General medical and surgical hospitals 5,590 28.26 58,780 

5. Offices of physicians 2,320 36.51 75,950

1. Electronic markets and agents and brokers 230 49.84 103,660

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 2,050 44.30 92,150

3. Druggists' goods merchant wholesalers 1,200 41.58 86,490

4. Data processing and related services — 80,400 38.66 

5. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 10,100 38.64 80,360

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Massachusetts 5,860 $32.31 $67,210 0.19

2. Pennsylvania 7,280 29.19 60,710 0.13

3. Connecticut 2,140 36.42 75,750 0.13

4. Rhode Island 630 21.45 44,620 0.13

5. District of Columbia 650 38.45 79,970 0.11

1. South Dakota 50.33 60 104,680 0.02

2. Maryland 1,250 44.11 91,740 0.05

3. West Virginia 100 41.54 86,390 0.02

4. Nevada 41.26 40 85,810 0.00

5. New Jersey 3,530 40.65 84,550 0.09

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Madison, WI MSA 1,230 $24.44 $50,840 0.43

2. Pittsburgh, PA MSA 3,980 28.69 59,680 0.37

3. San Francisco, CA PMSA 3,350 41.17 85,630 0.35

4. Gainesville, FL MSA 310 27.49 57,180 0.26

5. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSA 1,500 33.95 70,620 0.22

1. Sioux Falls, SD MSA 58.06 40 120,770 0.03

2. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL MSA — 102,580 49.32 —

3. Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA MSA — 92,630 44.54 —

4. Monmouth-Ocean, NJ PMSA 330 43.34 90,150 0.08

5. Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, FL MSA 42.73 30 88,880 0.02

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

 Top-paying MSAs for this occupation 

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

 Top-paying States for this occupation 

 MSA 

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

 State 

19-1042 Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human 

health. Engage in clinical investigation or other research, production, technical writing, or related 

activities. Include medical scientists such as physicians, dentists, public health specialists, 

pharmacologists, and medical pathologists. Exclude practitioners who provide medical or dental care or 

dispense drugs. 

 Industry 
166

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

1. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 14,290 $29.88 $62,150

2. Scientific research and development services 11,550 32.64 67,900 

3. Architectural and engineering services 9,740 22.48 46,760 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 5,600 39.64 82,450 

5. Basic chemical manufacturing 3,800 29.25 60,850 

1. Federal Government (OES designation) 5,600 39.64 82,450 

2. Agricultural chemical manufacturing 880 36.62 76,170 

3. Management of companies and enterprises 3,250 36.00 74,870 

4. Computer systems design and related services — 73,480 35.33 

5. Scientific research and development services 11,550 32.64 67,900 

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Delaware 1,220 $31.58 $65,680 0.30

2. New Jersey 5,620 31.20 64,890 0.15

3. Maryland 3,210 36.86 76,670 0.13

4. North Carolina 4,250 29.55 61,460 0.11

5. Missouri 2,320 26.45 55,020 0.09

1. District of Columbia 500 40.48 84,200 0.08

2. Indiana 1,970 36.98 76,910 0.07

3. Maryland 3,210 36.86 76,670 0.13

4. Massachusetts 2,700 33.47 69,620 0.09

5. Minnesota 1,590 33.03 68,700 0.06

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Wilmington-Newark, DE-MD PMSA 1,200 $31.72 $65,980 0.39

2. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSA 2,370 31.14 64,780 0.35

3. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 1,960 30.42 63,280 0.32

4. Pine Bluff, AR MSA 110 35.87 74,600 0.31

5. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 450 36.47 75,850 0.30

1. Lafayette, IN MSA — 96,910 46.59 —

2. Indianapolis, IN MSA 970 42.11 87,590 0.11

3. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 2,880 41.84 87,020 0.10

4. Corpus Christi, TX MSA 37.61 90 78,240 0.06

5. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 200 37.34 77,660 0.10

19-2031 Chemists

 Conduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or chemical experiments in laboratories for 

quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge. 

 Industry 

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

 State 

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

 Top-paying MSAs for this occupation 

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

 Top-paying States for this occupation 

 MSA 
167

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. State government (OES designation) 17,130 $23.28 $48,420

2. Management and technical consulting services 11,160 28.65 59,590 

3. Architectural and engineering services 10,050 26.04 54,160 

4. Local government (OES designation) 10,010 24.67 51,310 

5. Federal Government (OES designation) 5,210 35.21 73,230 

1. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 170 38.99 81,110 

2. Agricultural chemical manufacturing 240 38.51 80,100 

3. Other professional and technical services — 78,340 37.66 

4. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 150 35.83 74,530 

5. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 70 35.37 73,560 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Alaska 640 $28.41 $59,100 0.22

2. District of Columbia 1,130 38.73 80,560 0.19

3. New Mexico 1,090 24.39 50,740 0.14

4. Washington 3,060 29.96 62,310 0.12

5. Montana 460 21.93 45,620 0.11

1. District of Columbia 1,130 38.73 80,560 0.19

2. Nevada 540 32.33 67,260 0.05

3. Connecticut 620 31.26 65,030 0.04

4. Massachusetts 2,050 30.92 64,320 0.07

5. California 8,800 30.47 63,370 0.06

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA MSA 540 $37.09 $77,140 0.67

2. Olympia, WA PMSA 460 25.17 52,350 0.53

3. Tallahassee, FL MSA 590 22.20 46,170 0.39

4. Trenton, NJ PMSA 780 30.94 64,360 0.36

5. Santa Fe, NM MSA 240 25.07 52,140 0.32

1. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA MSA 540 37.09 77,140 0.67

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 850 36.30 75,500 0.09

3. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA — 74,480 35.81 —

4. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 320 35.59 74,030 0.04

5. Ventura, CA PMSA 170 34.84 72,460 0.06

Conduct research or perform investigation to identify, abate, or eliminate sources of pollutants or 

hazards that affect either the environment or the health of the population. Utilizing knowledge of various 

scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and take action based on data derived from 

measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.

Industry

19-2041 Environmental scientists and specialists, including health

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
168

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Management of companies and enterprises 14,230 $30.95 $64,370

2. Management and technical consulting services 12,760 28.85 60,020 

3. Insurance carriers 7,920 26.64 55,410 

4. Computer systems design and related services 7,630 30.66 63,760 

5. Other professional and technical services 7,240 27.84 57,900 

1. Metal and mineral merchant wholesalers 30 45.70 95,050 

2. Software publishers 4,410 41.53 86,390 

3. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 2,870 40.69 84,630 

4. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 2,750 40.31 83,840 

5. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 1,230 39.43 82,010 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. District of Columbia 1,920 $37.02 $77,010 0.32

2. Washington 7,000 38.50 80,080 0.27

3. Minnesota 6,460 29.81 62,010 0.25

4. Virginia 8,280 33.21 69,080 0.24

5. Nebraska 1,860 24.85 51,690 0.21

1. Washington 7,000 38.50 80,080 0.27

2. District of Columbia 1,920 37.02 77,010 0.32

3. Connecticut 3,390 35.23 73,270 0.21

4. Alaska 34.73 40 72,230 0.01

5. Oregon 1,420 34.30 71,350 0.09

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,050 $42.07 $87,500 0.53

2. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 5,830 40.58 84,400 0.45

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,360 40.77 84,810 0.40

4. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI MSA 5,600 30.31 63,050 0.33

5. Omaha, NE-IA MSA 1,290 26.64 55,410 0.31

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,050 42.07 87,500 0.53

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,360 40.77 84,810 0.40

3. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 5,830 40.58 84,400 0.45

4. Oakland, CA PMSA 2,060 38.75 80,590 0.21

5. Nashua, NH PMSA 200 36.69 76,320 0.20

19-3021 Market research analysts

Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to determine potential sales of a product 

or service. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and 

distribution. May use survey results to create a marketing campaign based on regional preferences and 

buying habits.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
169

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 41,200 $29.35 $61,040

2. Offices of other health practitioners 10,020 38.10 79,240 

3. Individual and family services 6,910 23.62 49,140 

4. Outpatient care centers 5,150 25.19 52,390 

5. Local government (OES designation) 4,730 26.45 55,020 

1. Other ambulatory healthcare services 40 40.50 84,230 

2. Offices of other health practitioners 10,020 38.10 79,240 

3. Offices of physicians 4,690 32.26 67,090 

4. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 4,340 31.68 65,890 

5. Other schools and instruction 160 30.94 64,360 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Delaware 600 $25.19 $52,390 0.15

2. Rhode Island 660 37.73 78,470 0.14

3. New York 9,860 31.66 65,850 0.12

4. Connecticut 1,860 30.59 63,620 0.11

5. New Hampshire 680 26.49 55,090 0.11

1. Hawaii 360 38.75 80,610 0.06

2. Rhode Island 660 37.73 78,470 0.14

3. California 14,090 36.12 75,130 0.10

4. New Jersey 3,450 34.73 72,240 0.09

5. Alabama 380 32.43 67,460 0.02

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Pueblo, CO MSA 130 $25.73 $53,530 0.24

2. Kankakee, IL PMSA 100 25.79 53,640 0.23

3. Dutchess County, NY PMSA 250 29.53 61,420 0.22

4. Las Cruces, NM MSA 120 22.21 46,200 0.20

5. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA 370 48.84 101,580 0.20

1. Fort Walton Beach, FL MSA — 108,150 52.00 —

2. Birmingham, AL MSA 100 50.35 104,730 0.02

3. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA 370 48.84 101,580 0.20

4. Oakland, CA PMSA 670 47.54 98,880 0.07

5. Salinas, CA MSA 200 46.44 96,600 0.13

19-3031 Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists

Diagnose and treat mental disorders; learning disabilities; and cognitive, behavioral, and emotional 

problems using individual, child, family, and group therapies. May design and implement behavior 

modification programs.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
170

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 129,120 $25.34 $52,710

2. Colleges and universities 28,510 20.21 42,030 

3. Junior colleges 13,560 24.37 50,690 

4. Vocational rehabilitation services 12,660 14.43 30,020 

5. Individual and family services 6,690 15.48 32,200 

1. Management and technical consulting services — 66,500 31.97 

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 780 28.41 59,090 

3. Elementary and secondary schools 129,120 25.34 52,710 

4. Junior colleges 13,560 24.37 50,690 

5. Scientific research and development services 150 23.25 48,370 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Louisiana 6,140 $20.85 $43,360 0.33

2. Vermont 810 21.15 43,990 0.28

3. Alaska 710 23.47 48,810 0.24

4. Oklahoma 3,150 17.57 36,550 0.22

5. New Mexico 1,670 19.17 39,880 0.22

1. New Jersey 5,970 29.75 61,870 0.15

2. California 23,350 26.38 54,870 0.16

3. Michigan 5,820 26.03 54,150 0.14

4. Virginia 5,550 25.57 53,190 0.16

5. New York 16,200 25.41 52,850 0.20

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Baton Rouge, LA MSA 1,420 $22.87 $47,580 0.48

2. Grand Forks, ND-MN MSA 210 15.31 31,850 0.44

3. Duluth-Superior, MN-WI MSA 480 17.20 35,780 0.43

4. Houma, LA MSA 350 18.19 37,830 0.43

5. Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX MSA 440 21.49 44,690 0.38

1. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 270 35.34 73,500 0.11

2. Newark, NJ PMSA 1,670 31.69 65,920 0.17

3. Fresno, CA MSA 730 31.22 64,950 0.21

4. Merced, CA MSA 30.27 70 62,970 0.12

5. Monmouth-Ocean, NJ PMSA 790 30.24 62,910 0.20

21-1012 Educational, vocational, and school counselors

Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
171

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Vocational rehabilitation services 25,720 $14.26 $29,650

2. Residential mental health facilities 21,710 12.38 25,750 

3. Individual and family services 17,490 13.42 27,920 

4. State government (OES designation) 15,520 19.11 39,760 

5. Local government (OES designation) 6,460 17.10 35,580 

1. General medical and surgical hospitals 2,050 20.40 42,440 

2. Insurance and employee benefit funds — 40,740 19.59 

3. Elementary and secondary schools 790 19.32 40,190 

4. Insurance agencies, brokerages, and related 100 19.32 40,180 

5. Offices of other health practitioners 1,100 19.21 39,950 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Washington 10,080 $15.14 $31,500 0.39

2. Maine 1,600 12.03 25,020 0.27

3. Connecticut 4,330 16.03 33,340 0.27

4. Idaho 1,080 15.62 32,490 0.19

5. Rhode Island 900 15.33 31,890 0.19

1. Hawaii 290 26.21 54,520 0.05

2. Ohio 3,260 18.78 39,060 0.06

3. Michigan 1,670 18.14 37,740 0.04

4. Vermont 260 18.08 37,610 0.09

5. Minnesota 1,940 17.79 37,010 0.08

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Tacoma, WA PMSA 1,480 $16.09 $33,480 0.61

2. Yakima, WA MSA 460 15.65 32,560 0.60

3. Spokane, WA MSA 1,120 15.18 31,570 0.59

4. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ PMSA 310 11.75 24,430 0.52

5. Lewiston-Auburn, ME MSA 180 11.73 24,400 0.38

1. Honolulu, HI MSA 230 27.50 57,200 0.06

2. Fort Collins-Loveland, CO MSA 40 22.14 46,050 0.03

3. New Orleans, LA MSA 330 21.61 44,950 0.05

4. Youngstown-Warren, OH MSA 100 21.35 44,410 0.05

5. Hamilton-Middletown, OH PMSA 21.07 40 43,820 0.03

21-1015 Rehabilitation counselors

Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, 

social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, or the stress of 

daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and 

design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, 

training, and job placement.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
172

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. State government (OES designation) 57,070 $18.23 $37,920

2. Local government (OES designation) 50,800 20.24 42,100 

3. Individual and family services 43,900 15.45 32,130 

4. Elementary and secondary schools 37,020 22.66 47,130 

5. Other residential care facilities 9,650 15.23 31,690 

1. Junior colleges 430 23.51 48,890 

2. Elementary and secondary schools 37,020 22.66 47,130 

3. Legal services — 44,120 21.21 

4. Colleges and universities 950 21.11 43,910 

5. Offices of physicians 1,210 20.49 42,630 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Rhode Island 2,110 $21.85 $45,450 0.44

2. Oklahoma 5,370 13.86 28,820 0.38

3. Delaware 1,500 17.30 35,990 0.37

4. Vermont 1,050 17.67 36,760 0.36

5. West Virginia 2,350 12.43 25,860 0.34

1. Connecticut 4,450 24.20 50,330 0.27

2. New Jersey 8,780 23.06 47,960 0.23

3. Rhode Island 2,110 21.85 45,450 0.44

4. Massachusetts 9,190 21.75 45,250 0.29

5. Nevada 1,330 21.68 45,100 0.12

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Sharon, PA MSA 250 $13.16 $27,370 0.52

2. Enid, OK MSA 110 13.63 28,350 0.50

3. Wheeling, WV-OH MSA 300 14.46 30,080 0.48

4. Missoula, MT MSA 260 12.81 26,640 0.48

5. Pittsfield, MA MSA 190 21.39 44,480 0.47

1. Nashua, NH PMSA — 53,640 25.79 —

2. Danbury, CT PMSA 140 25.54 53,120 0.15

3. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 280 25.39 52,810 0.14

4. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 1,640 25.31 52,640 0.26

5. New London-Norwich, CT-RI MSA 320 25.17 52,350 0.22

21-1021 Child, family, and school social workers

Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children 

and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children. May 

assist single parents, arrange adoptions, and find foster homes for abandoned or abused children. In 

schools, they address such problems as teenage pregnancy, misbehavior, and truancy. May also advise 

teachers on how to deal with problem children.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
173

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Individual and family services 18,450 $16.84 $35,020

2. Outpatient care centers 16,920 17.17 35,710 

3. Local government (OES designation) 12,970 18.22 37,900 

4. Residential mental health facilities 11,210 14.92 31,020 

5. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 9,650 18.03 37,490 

1. Offices of other health practitioners 3,120 20.59 42,830 

2. Other ambulatory healthcare services 150 19.77 41,120 

3. Offices of physicians 3,870 19.76 41,100 

4. General medical and surgical hospitals 7,300 19.37 40,280 

5. Professional and similar organizations 100 19.21 39,960 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Maine 1,540 $17.39 $36,180 0.26

2. Delaware 930 16.32 33,940 0.23

3. Alaska 630 15.50 32,230 0.22

4. Rhode Island 960 17.21 35,800 0.20

5. Washington 4,690 20.91 43,500 0.18

1. Nevada 310 25.28 52,570 0.03

2. District of Columbia 590 22.61 47,020 0.10

3. New Jersey 2,750 21.47 44,660 0.07

4. Connecticut 2,300 21.41 44,540 0.14

5. Maryland 2,190 21.34 44,380 0.09

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. New Bedford, MA PMSA $16.51 $34,340 0.39 250

2. Tuscaloosa, AL MSA 280 11.24 23,390 0.36

3. Tallahassee, FL MSA 540 13.84 28,790 0.35

4. Portland, ME MSA 540 15.65 32,550 0.34

5. Anchorage, AK MSA 430 14.31 29,760 0.31

1. Provo-Orem, UT MSA 190 33.60 69,890 0.13

2. Bakersfield, CA MSA — 56,170 27.00 —

3. Rochester, MN MSA 26.65 60 55,430 0.07

4. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 200 26.19 54,480 0.02

5. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 25.55 50 53,150 0.08

21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of 

alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis 

intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
174

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Individual and family services 58,830 $11.62 $24,170

2. State government (OES designation) 50,650 14.32 29,790 

3. Local government (OES designation) 43,640 14.25 29,640 

4. Residential mental health facilities 40,910 10.23 21,280 

5. Vocational rehabilitation services 18,540 11.22 23,330 

1. Management and technical consulting services 250 17.85 37,130 

2. Insurance agencies, brokerages, and related 140 17.03 35,430 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 970 16.39 34,100 

4. Professional and similar organizations 370 16.35 34,010 

5. Activities related to real estate 90 15.45 32,130 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Vermont 2,830 $13.10 $27,250 0.96

2. Maine 4,010 11.40 23,710 0.67

3. Minnesota 16,150 12.75 26,520 0.62

4. Nebraska 5,110 10.53 21,910 0.58

5. North Dakota 1,580 9.90 20,600 0.50

1. District of Columbia 2,130 17.94 37,320 0.35

2. Connecticut 7,580 17.07 35,500 0.46

3. Alaska 740 14.55 30,260 0.25

4. California 27,120 14.48 30,110 0.19

5. New Jersey 11,170 14.40 29,960 0.29

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Bangor, ME MSA 750 $11.66 $24,260 1.30

2. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ PMSA 630 17.27 35,920 1.05

3. Bismarck, ND MSA 510 9.25 19,240 0.97

4. Duluth-Superior, MN-WI MSA 1,010 11.24 23,380 0.91

5. Wheeling, WV-OH MSA 550 8.55 17,790 0.88

1. Hartford, CT MSA 2,730 17.58 36,560 0.46

2. Trenton, NJ PMSA 700 17.47 36,340 0.32

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 740 17.28 35,950 0.09

4. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ PMSA 630 17.27 35,920 1.05

5. Reno, NV MSA 180 16.97 35,300 0.09

21-1093 Social and human service assistants

Assist professionals from a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, in 

providing client services and support for families. May assist clients in identifying available benefits and 

social and community services and help clients obtain them. May assist social workers with developing, 

organizing, and conducting programs to prevent and resolve problems relevant to substance abuse, 

human relationships, rehabilitation, or adult daycare.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
175

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Legal services 352,090 $55.07 $114,540

2. Local government (OES designation) 48,760 37.81 78,650 

3. State government (OES designation) 32,100 34.65 72,070 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 24,270 52.08 108,320 

5. Management of companies and enterprises 10,860 63.46 132,000 

1. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 260 82.10 170,760 

2. Facilities support services — 155,500 74.76 

3. Other hospitals 30 73.76 153,410 

4. Spectator sports 100 73.60 153,080 

5. Lessors of real estate 630 73.58 153,050 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 26,090 $61.53 $127,980 4.33

2. New York 60,480 57.16 118,890 0.73

3. New Jersey 20,850 53.88 112,070 0.54

4. Illinois 27,270 61.93 128,810 0.48

5. Florida 34,360 49.65 103,280 0.47

1. Illinois 27,270 61.93 128,810 0.48

2. District of Columbia 26,090 61.53 127,980 4.33

3. California 59,360 60.50 125,840 0.41

4. Delaware 1,850 58.21 121,070 0.45

5. New York 60,480 57.16 118,890 0.73

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 36,420 $58.59 $121,870 1.32

2. Tallahassee, FL MSA 1,790 42.31 88,010 1.17

3. New York, NY PMSA 43,610 61.77 128,470 1.10

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 8,980 65.91 137,090 0.94

5. Trenton, NJ PMSA 1,930 52.43 109,060 0.88

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,660 74.10 154,130 0.43

2. Naples, FL MSA 500 69.87 145,330 0.43

3. Danbury, CT PMSA 280 69.58 144,720 0.31

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 8,980 65.91 137,090 0.94

5. Lake Charles, LA MSA 170 65.51 136,260 0.21

23-1011 Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, 

and manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice 

broadly in many areas of law.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
176

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Local government (OES designation) 12,870 $35.48 $73,810

2. State government (OES designation) 12,630 50.58 105,210 

3.

4.

5.

1. State government (OES designation) 12,630 50.58 105,210 

2. Local government (OES designation) 12,870 35.48 73,810 

3.

4.

5.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. West Virginia 330 $26.72 $55,570 0.05

2. New Mexico 340 30.87 64,210 0.05

3. Alaska 120 41.09 85,460 0.04

4. South Carolina 710 25.59 53,220 0.04

5. New York 3,120 55.83 116,120 0.04

1. Idaho 68.76 90 143,010 0.02

2. California 1,600 64.23 133,590 0.01

3. Florida 910 61.22 127,340 0.01

4. Illinois 1,030 59.27 123,280 0.02

5. Delaware 130 58.69 122,080 0.03

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Elmira, NY MSA 50 $48.87 $101,640 0.13

2. Binghamton, NY MSA 90 46.54 96,800 0.08

3. Glens Falls, NY MSA 40 56.59 117,710 0.08

4. Jamestown, NY MSA 40 54.86 114,100 0.07

5. Utica-Rome, NY MSA 90 56.77 118,090 0.07

1. Sacramento, CA PMSA 130 68.62 142,740 0.02

2. Rochester, NY MSA 250 63.98 133,090 0.05

3. Wilmington-Newark, DE-MD PMSA 70 63.88 132,860 0.02

4. Trenton, NJ PMSA 60 63.04 131,120 0.03

5. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 170 62.21 129,400 0.03

Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal 

cases according to government statutes. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May issue 

marriage licenses and perform wedding ceremonies.

Industry

23-1023 Judges, magistrate judges, and magistrates

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
177

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Legal services 156,630 $19.33 $40,210

2. Local government (OES designation) 11,650 19.37 40,300 

3. State government (OES designation) 7,730 18.31 38,080 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 5,670 28.34 58,950 

5. Insurance carriers 4,440 22.25 46,270 

1. Wired telecommunications carriers 210 29.87 62,140 

2. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 100 29.73 61,830 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 5,670 28.34 58,950 

4. Telecommunications resellers 60 28.19 58,630 

5. ISPs and Web search portals 50 27.81 57,850 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. District of Columbia 6,820 $20.88 $43,440 1.13

2. Delaware 1,340 19.34 40,220 0.33

3. West Virginia 1,980 14.18 29,500 0.29

4. Florida 17,870 19.53 40,630 0.24

5. Connecticut 3,940 22.35 46,480 0.24

1. California 23,420 24.38 50,720 0.16

2. Connecticut 3,940 22.35 46,480 0.24

3. Washington 4,630 21.94 45,630 0.18

4. New Jersey 5,860 21.77 45,280 0.15

5. Minnesota 4,690 21.75 45,250 0.18

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Charleston, WV MSA 670 $15.12 $31,460 0.53

2. Fort Lauderdale, FL PMSA 3,630 17.88 37,180 0.52

3. Jackson, MS MSA 1,110 14.82 30,830 0.50

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 960 24.75 51,480 0.48

5. Columbia, SC MSA 1,180 16.48 34,280 0.40

1. Salinas, CA MSA — 65,820 31.65 —

2. Orange County, CA PMSA 2,630 28.08 58,400 0.18

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,110 27.65 57,510 0.25

4. Oakland, CA PMSA 1,150 26.40 54,920 0.11

5. San Francisco, CA PMSA 3,320 25.59 53,220 0.35

23-2011 Paralegals and legal assistants

Assist lawyers by researching legal precedent, investigating facts, or preparing legal documents. 

Conduct research to support a legal proceeding, to formulate a defense, or to initiate legal action.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
178

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Legal services 21,010 $15.88 $33,030

2. Local government (OES designation) 9,560 15.90 33,080 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 8,370 19.68 40,930 

4. State government (OES designation) 2,940 19.29 40,130 

5. Management of companies and enterprises 380 17.97 37,390 

1. Federal Government (OES designation) 8,370 19.68 40,930 

2. State government (OES designation) 2,940 19.29 40,130 

3. Management of companies and enterprises 380 17.97 37,390 

4. Nondepository credit intermediation 17.97 60 37,390

5. Other financial investment activities 17.88 60 37,190

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 1,340 $20.67 $42,990 0.22

2. South Carolina 1,320 15.03 31,270 0.07

3. Louisiana 1,300 15.70 32,660 0.07

4. Pennsylvania 3,570 17.33 36,050 0.07

5. Delaware 240 19.09 39,700 0.06

1. Nevada 360 22.66 47,120 0.03

2. Alaska 150 21.81 45,360 0.05

3. Minnesota 710 21.62 44,970 0.03

4. Hawaii 110 21.23 44,160 0.02

5. District of Columbia 1,340 20.67 42,990 0.22

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Columbia, SC MSA 370 $22.79 $47,410 0.13

2. Tallahassee, FL MSA 170 16.05 33,390 0.11

3. Dover, DE MSA 60 17.52 36,430 0.11

4. Salem, OR PMSA 150 14.90 31,000 0.11

5. Philadelphia, PA-NJ PMSA 2,380 19.15 39,840 0.10

1. Columbia, SC MSA 370 22.79 47,410 0.13

2. Anchorage, AK MSA 110 22.50 46,800 0.08

3. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI MSA 590 22.29 46,350 0.04

4. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 210 22.27 46,330 0.02

5. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 320 22.20 46,180 0.04

23-2092 Law clerks

Assist lawyers or judges by researching or preparing legal documents. May meet with clients or assist 

lawyers and judges in court. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
179

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Insurance carriers 21,220 $19.92 $41,430

2. Legal services 20,710 16.81 34,960 

3. Activities related to real estate 2,830 27.70 57,610 

4. Oil and gas extraction 1,540 20.28 42,180 

5. Local government (OES designation) 1,050 16.05 33,370 

1. Activities related to real estate 2,830 27.70 57,610 

2. Support activities for water transportation — 57,490 27.64 

3. Telecommunications resellers 190 27.52 57,240 

4. Residential building construction 80 24.30 50,550 

5. Power generation and supply 60 23.56 49,000 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Utah 1,140 $23.17 $48,190 0.11

2. Idaho 560 16.29 33,880 0.10

3. Hawaii 550 19.53 40,620 0.10

4. Oklahoma 1,290 18.50 38,470 0.09

5. Montana 330 14.26 29,650 0.08

1. California 7,720 26.09 54,280 0.05

2. Oregon 1,260 25.37 52,770 0.08

3. New Mexico 520 23.77 49,440 0.07

4. Utah 1,140 23.17 48,190 0.11

5. Connecticut 22.70 90 47,210 0.01

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Ocala, FL MSA 150 $16.09 $33,460 0.17

2. Great Falls, MT MSA 50 12.98 27,010 0.15

3. Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT MSA 860 23.01 47,860 0.12

4. Omaha, NE-IA MSA 500 16.62 34,570 0.12

5. Tulsa, OK MSA 440 20.48 42,610 0.12

1. Fresno, CA MSA — 71,250 34.25 —

2. Albuquerque, NM MSA 250 31.56 65,630 0.07

3. Salinas, CA MSA — 56,320 27.08 —

4. Riverside-San Bernardino, CA PMSA 560 26.76 55,650 0.05

5. Portland-Vancouver, OR-WA PMSA 870 26.69 55,520 0.09

23-2093 Title examiners, abstractors, and searchers

Search real estate records, examine titles, or summarize pertinent legal or insurance details for a variety 

of purposes. May compile lists of mortgages, contracts, and other instruments pertaining to titles by 

searching public and private records for law firms, real estate agencies, or title insurance companies.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
180

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Child daycare services 248,670 $9.96 $20,720

2. Elementary and secondary schools 56,500 17.68 36,770 

3. Individual and family services 13,090 11.80 24,550 

4. Civic and social organizations 7,090 10.66 22,160 

5. Religious organizations 6,440 11.61 24,150 

1. Elementary and secondary schools 56,500 17.68 36,770 

2. Educational support services 130 17.65 36,720 

3. Junior colleges 1,750 16.94 35,240 

4. Colleges and universities 1,690 15.12 31,450 

5. Employment services 720 14.00 29,130 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. North Carolina 18,670 $8.84 $18,380 0.50

2. Massachusetts 13,370 13.15 27,350 0.43

3. Connecticut 6,720 12.28 25,540 0.41

4. Oklahoma 5,740 9.20 19,130 0.40

5. New Hampshire 2,440 11.02 22,930 0.40

1. Rhode Island 1,480 13.84 28,780 0.31

2. New Jersey 11,900 13.76 28,630 0.31

3. Alaska 480 13.55 28,190 0.16

4. Massachusetts 13,370 13.15 27,350 0.43

5. District of Columbia 1,510 12.96 26,950 0.25

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Greenville, NC MSA 500 $8.23 $17,120 0.77

2. Clarksville-Hopkinsville, TN-KY MSA 520 7.34 15,260 0.76

3. Goldsboro, NC MSA 300 7.73 16,070 0.69

4. Fayetteville, NC MSA 720 7.48 15,550 0.66

5. Wilmington, NC MSA 730 8.75 18,200 0.65

1. New York, NY PMSA 14,580 22.47 46,750 0.37

2. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 710 17.14 35,650 0.30

3. Hagerstown, MD PMSA 100 16.05 33,390 0.16

4. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 510 15.70 32,660 0.27

5. Bremerton, WA PMSA 15.68 80 32,620 0.10

25-2011 Preschool teachers, except special education

Instruct children (normally up to 5 years of age) in activities designed to promote social, physical, and 

intellectual growth needed for primary school in preschool, daycare center, or other child development 

facility. May be required to hold State certification.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
181

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 1,400,480 — $45,750

2. Employment services 8,310 — 42,930

3. Religious organizations 3,750 — 39,530

4. Educational support services 2,600 — 50,670

5. Child daycare services 2,550 — 31,500

1. Educational support services 2,600 — 50,670

2. Emergency and other relief services — — 48,420

3. Elementary and secondary schools 1,400,480 — 45,750

4. Local government (OES designation) — — 45,210

5. Business, computer and management training 230 — 43,540

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. North Dakota 5,940 — $34,710 1.87

2. Idaho 9,940 — 1.73 43,360

3. Louisiana 29,270 — 1.57 36,820

4. Arizona 33,760 — 1.46 36,270

5. Hawaii 8,080 — 1.43 41,720

1. New York 92,710 — 1.12 64,090

2. Connecticut 20,260 — 1.24 53,950

3. Michigan 49,870 — 1.16 53,150

4. New Jersey 49,500 — 1.28 52,610

5. Massachusetts 32,020 — 1.02 52,610

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 4,990 — $40,430 2.66

2. Las Cruces, NM MSA 1,490 — 2.50 34,010

3. Bakersfield, CA MSA 5,670 — 2.42 50,350

4. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA MSA 2,930 — 2.39 51,350

5. Yuba City, CA MSA 930 — 2.39 50,330

1. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 13,850 — 1.15 63,870

2. Ann Arbor, MI PMSA 2,430 — 0.87 60,220

3. Newburgh, NY-PA PMSA 2,210 — 1.61 58,820

4. Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA 3,140 — 1.51 58,440

5. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 7,470 — 1.18 58,050

25-2021 Elementary school teachers, except special education

Teach pupils in public or private schools at the elementary level basic academic, social, and other 

formative skills. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
182

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 617,290 — $46,530

2. Employment services 3,610 — 44,560

3. Educational support services 1,120 — 54,040

4. Other schools and instruction 540 — 34,140

5. Religious organizations 210 — 40,780

1. Educational support services 1,120 — 54,040

2. Elementary and secondary schools 617,290 — 46,530

3. Employment services 3,610 — 44,560

4. Local government (OES designation) 120 — 44,090

5. State government (OES designation) 110 — 42,120

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Hawaii 5,000 — $43,670 0.89

2. Texas 68,140 — 0.73 42,820

3. New Mexico 5,300 — 0.70 38,870

4. New Hampshire 4,260 — 0.70 42,970

5. Connecticut 11,320 — 0.69 54,350

1. New York 42,970 — 0.52 64,330

2. California 51,070 — 0.35 54,410

3. Connecticut 11,320 — 0.69 54,350

4. New Jersey 25,450 — 0.66 54,310

5. Michigan 19,280 — 0.45 54,180

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX MSA 1,480 — $40,750 1.28

2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 2,370 — 1.26 41,630

3. Brazoria, TX PMSA 910 — 1.21 42,900

4. Chico-Paradise, CA MSA 830 — 1.15 53,840

5. Killeen-Temple, TX MSA 1,190 — 1.15 39,760

1. New York, NY PMSA 19,570 — 0.49 74,440

2. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 7,120 — 0.59 67,090

3. Detroit, MI PMSA 8,150 — 0.41 59,800

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,470 — 0.26 58,800

5. San Diego, CA MSA 5,340 — 0.42 58,550

Teach students in public or private schools in one or more subjects at the middle, intermediate, or junior 

high level, which falls between elementary and senior high school as defined by applicable State laws 

and regulations. 

Industry

25-2022 Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
183

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 1,012,410 — $48,460

2. Employment services 3,360 — 45,650

3. Other schools and instruction 1,170 — 42,660

4. Local government (OES designation) 730 — 39,170

5. State government (OES designation) 610 — 37,130

1. Grantmaking and giving services 40 — 54,660

2. Technical and trade schools 300 — 54,060

3. Elementary and secondary schools 1,012,410 — 48,460

4. Employment services 3,360 — 45,650

5. Other schools and instruction 1,170 — 42,660

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Idaho 9,350 — $42,870 1.63

2. Illinois 78,540 — 1.37 52,900

3. Hawaii 6,320 — 1.12 47,430

4. Maine 6,640 — 1.12 40,810

5. North Dakota 3,250 — 1.02 33,260

1. New York 78,070 — 0.95 66,190

2. New Jersey 35,980 — 0.93 58,190

3. Connecticut 14,100 — 0.86 56,240

4. California 102,740 — 0.71 56,200

5. Delaware 1,610 — 0.39 54,150

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Williamsport, PA MSA 870 — $51,890 1.70

2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 3,050 — 1.62 42,900

3. Yuba City, CA MSA 600 — 1.54 52,560

4. Binghamton, NY MSA 1,720 — 1.52 49,680

5. Corvallis, OR MSA 560 — 1.52 40,160

1. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 14,360 — 1.19 66,680

2. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 5,950 — 0.94 60,930

3. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 1,600 — 0.67 60,690

4. Newark, NJ PMSA 9,630 — 0.99 60,640

5. Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSA 1,270 — 0.68 60,240

Instruct students in secondary public or private schools in one or more subjects at the secondary level, 

such as English, mathematics, or social studies. May be designated according to subject matter specialty, 

such as typing instructors, commercial teachers, or English teachers. 

Industry

25-2031 Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational 

education

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
184

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 987,440 — $20,370

2. Child daycare services 90,370 — 17,510

3. Colleges and universities 35,760 — 24,090

4. Junior colleges 19,440 — 24,710

5. Individual and family services 15,720 — 19,730

1. Accounting and bookkeeping services — — 34,080

2. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 340 — 26,650

3. Scientific research and development services 90 — 26,340

4. Offices of other health practitioners 410 — 24,850

5. Junior colleges 19,440 — 24,710

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Vermont 5,690 — $21,100 1.94

2. New York 139,790 — 1.70 21,130

3. New Hampshire 10,000 — 1.63 20,520

4. Maine 9,010 — 1.51 23,600

5. Connecticut 24,620 — 1.51 23,810

1. Alaska 4,180 — 1.43 28,540

2. Nevada 3,960 — 0.36 25,460

3. California 172,170 — 1.19 25,000

4. Washington 30,060 — 1.16 24,490

5. Delaware 3,140 — 0.77 24,140

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Glens Falls, NY MSA 1,140 — $16,030 2.22

2. Binghamton, NY MSA 2,410 — 2.13 20,220

3. Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX MSA 2,370 — 2.05 16,640

4. Yakima, WA MSA 1,550 — 2.03 24,710

5. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA MSA 2,470 — 2.01 22,990

1. State College, PA MSA 1,080 — 1.69 32,160

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 6,450 — 0.68 31,200

3. Orange County, CA PMSA 12,090 — 0.83 27,920

4. San Jose, CA PMSA 6,330 — 0.75 27,170

5. Eau Claire, WI MSA 950 — 1.28 27,030

25-9041 Teacher assistants

Perform duties that are instructional in nature or deliver direct services to students or parents. Serve in a 

position in which a teacher or another professional has ultimate responsibility for the design and 

implementation of educational programs and services.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
185

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Florists 47,000 $10.32 $21,470

2. Grocery stores 8,000 11.16 23,220 

3. Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesalers 2,480 10.37 21,570 

4. Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores 1,580 11.17 23,230 

5. Sporting goods and musical instrument stores 860 9.78 20,350 

1. Specialized design services 280 20.05 41,700 

2. Traveler accommodation 180 14.69 30,550 

3. Full-service restaurants 110 13.38 27,830 

4. Furniture stores 120 13.33 27,730 

5. Management of companies and enterprises 80 12.36 25,700 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Kansas 1,220 $8.85 $18,410 0.09

2. North Dakota 290 8.34 17,350 0.09

3. Wyoming 200 7.72 16,050 0.08

4. West Virginia 550 8.17 16,990 0.08

5. Kentucky 1,330 8.55 17,780 0.08

1. Vermont 220 13.46 28,000 0.08

2. Massachusetts 1,420 13.00 27,050 0.05

3. District of Columbia 100 12.70 26,410 0.02

4. New York 3,990 12.64 26,290 0.05

5. Connecticut 800 12.51 26,030 0.05

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Kokomo, IN MSA 70 $8.92 $18,550 0.15

2. Goldsboro, NC MSA 60 7.14 14,850 0.14

3. Springfield, MO MSA 210 9.81 20,400 0.13

4. Daytona Beach, FL MSA 210 9.43 19,610 0.13

5. Lexington, KY MSA 320 7.58 15,770 0.12

1. Columbia, SC MSA 250 17.00 35,370 0.09

2. New Haven-Meriden, CT PMSA 140 16.15 33,600 0.06

3. New York, NY PMSA 1,510 15.48 32,190 0.04

4. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 620 15.31 31,840 0.03

5. San Francisco, CA PMSA 340 15.17 31,560 0.04

27-1023 Floral designers

Design, cut, and arrange live, dried, or artificial flowers and foliage.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
186

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Specialized design services 23,950 $23.08 $48,000

2. Advertising and related services 22,270 21.95 45,650 

3. Newspaper, book, and directory publishers 21,550 17.26 35,900

4. Printing and related support activities 13,960 16.77 34,880

5. Architectural and engineering services 5,250 21.53 44,790

1. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 350 26.78 55,710

2. Legal services 130 26.37 54,850

3. Magnetic media manufacturing and reproducing 470 26.24 54,570

4. Accounting and bookkeeping services 410 25.71 53,480

5. Apparel and piece goods merchant wholesalers 1,390 25.28 52,590

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Vermont 590 $17.62 $36,640 0.20

2. New York 15,860 24.53 51,030 0.19

3. District of Columbia 1,140 23.00 47,850 0.19

4. Minnesota 4,320 19.52 40,600 0.17

5. Connecticut 2,530 22.71 47,250 0.16

1. Massachusetts 4,530 26.46 55,050 0.15

2. New York 15,860 24.53 51,030 0.19

3. District of Columbia 1,140 23.00 47,850 0.19

4. Nevada 1,010 22.89 47,600 0.09

5. Connecticut 2,530 22.71 47,250 0.16

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 840 $25.14 $52,300 0.42

2. Topeka, KS MSA 310 15.24 31,690 0.32

3. New York, NY PMSA 11,090 26.74 55,610 0.28

4. Lawrence, KS MSA 130 17.09 35,550 0.27

5. Racine, WI PMSA 200 19.46 40,480 0.26

1. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 3,180 29.35 61,060 0.17

2. Santa Rosa, CA PMSA 330 28.37 59,010 0.18

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 1,470 27.72 57,650 0.17

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,200 27.03 56,210 0.23

5. New York, NY PMSA 11,090 26.74 55,610 0.28

27-1024 Graphic designers

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, 

displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
187

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 35,780 — $27,390

2. Colleges and universities 26,150 — 42,530

3. Other schools and instruction 20,790 — 26,180

4. Other amusement and recreation industries 18,650 — 31,870

5. Civic and social organizations 6,060 — 23,530

1. Agents and managers for public figures 180 — 68,720

2. Professional and similar organizations 560 — 67,220

3. Spectator sports 4,350 — 61,400

4. Special food services 100 — 51,110

5. Colleges and universities 26,150 — 42,530

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Wyoming 700 — $24,290 0.29

2. Maine 1,310 — 0.22 24,400

3. Montana 860 — 0.21 20,100

4. Vermont 570 — 0.19 32,110

5. Iowa 2,620 — 0.18 20,370

1. District of Columbia 380 — 0.06 56,610

2. Mississippi 920 — 0.08 45,990

3. Missouri 4,350 — 0.17 44,220

4. Rhode Island 500 — 0.10 42,730

5. West Virginia 350 — 0.05 41,510

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Kenosha, WI PMSA 250 — — 0.47

2. Lawrence, KS MSA 190 — 0.39 34,210

3. Lima, OH MSA 270 — 0.36 26,570

4. Dubuque, IA MSA 180 — 0.35 16,530

5. Wheeling, WV-OH MSA 210 — — 0.34

1. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA 110 — 0.07 62,210

2. Tallahassee, FL MSA 200 — 0.13 55,860

3. Columbia, MO MSA 140 — 0.18 54,210

4. Miami, FL PMSA 880 — 0.09 53,870

5. Sherman-Denison, TX MSA 30 — 0.07 53,260

27-2022 Coaches and scouts

Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports. Demonstrate techniques and 

methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to 

improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching degrees 

should be reported in the appropriate teaching category. Excludes athletic trainers (29-9091). 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
188

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Advertising and related services 22,260 $28.22 $58,690

2. Professional and similar organizations 12,110 25.16 52,340 

3. Colleges and universities 9,680 20.35 42,330 

4. Local government (OES designation) 8,100 22.49 46,770 

5. Management of companies and enterprises 5,790 24.87 51,730 

1. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 60 68.46 142,400 

2. Hardware and plumbing merchant wholesalers 50 39.81 82,810 

3. Postal service 50 37.79 78,600 

4. Druggists' goods merchant wholesalers 670 36.47 75,860 

5. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 60 35.54 73,920 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 5,030 $34.91 $72,600 0.83

2. Vermont 910 23.26 48,370 0.31

3. South Dakota 900 17.99 37,420 0.24

4. Hawaii 1,350 20.85 43,360 0.24

5. Florida 15,460 20.88 43,430 0.21

1. District of Columbia 5,030 34.91 72,600 0.83

2. Virginia 6,270 28.61 59,500 0.18

3. Nevada 730 27.98 58,190 0.07

4. Washington 4,730 27.40 56,990 0.18

5. Maryland 2,770 26.70 55,530 0.11

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Fort Walton Beach, FL MSA 450 $11.14 $23,180 0.53

2. Tallahassee, FL MSA 740 21.44 44,590 0.48

3. Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA 810 30.36 63,160 0.41

4. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY MSA 1,720 29.98 62,360 0.39

5. Olympia, WA PMSA 330 29.79 61,960 0.38

1. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 9,520 34.49 71,730 0.35

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,760 32.76 68,150 0.29

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 1,450 30.73 63,920 0.17

4. Lansing-East Lansing, MI MSA 810 30.36 63,160 0.41

5. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 730 30.06 62,520 0.37

27-3031 Public relations specialists

Engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing or 

selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media. May 

prepare and arrange displays and make speeches.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
189

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Newspaper, book, and directory publishers 59,170 $23.60 $49,090

2. Colleges and universities 3,670 20.71 43,080

3. Radio and television broadcasting 3,610 22.05 45,870

4. Professional and similar organizations 3,530 24.22 50,380

5. Advertising and related services 3,270 22.33 46,460

1. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 37.03 60 77,010

2. Independent artists, writers, and performers 310 33.11 68,860

3. Other financial investment activities 32.87 70 68,360

4. Miscellaneous durable goods merchant wholesalers 31.66 70 65,850

5. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 31.16 80 64,820

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 3,150 $25.49 $53,010 0.52

2. New York 15,560 28.12 58,490 0.19

3. Massachusetts 4,170 24.95 51,890 0.13

4. Maryland 2,800 21.25 44,200 0.11

5. Missouri 2,840 23.31 48,490 0.11

1. New York 15,560 28.12 58,490 0.19

2. Connecticut 1,490 27.36 56,900 0.09

3. Washington 1,930 26.81 55,770 0.08

4. New Jersey 3,860 25.77 53,600 0.10

5. Hawaii 310 25.60 53,240 0.06

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. New York, NY PMSA 11,690 $29.66 $61,700 0.29

2. Des Moines, IA MSA 830 23.15 48,150 0.29

3. Charlottesville, VA MSA 210 18.64 38,770 0.25

4. Bloomington, IN MSA 150 18.17 37,800 0.24

5. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV PMSA 6,110 25.46 52,950 0.22

1. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, CA MSA 130 31.96 66,480 0.08

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 770 31.05 64,590 0.09

3. New Haven-Meriden, CT PMSA 250 30.90 64,270 0.10

4. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 770 30.19 62,790 0.12

5. New York, NY PMSA 11,690 29.66 61,700 0.29

27-3041 Editors

Perform a variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, and revising content of written 

materials, in preparation for final publication. Include technical editors.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
190

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Health and personal care stores 99,030 $41.75 $86,850

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 50,400 39.84 82,860 

3. Grocery stores 17,970 40.38 83,980 

4. Department stores 12,470 39.76 82,700 

5. Other general merchandise stores 9,910 37.58 78,160 

1. Data processing and related services — 93,930 45.16 

2. Other ambulatory healthcare services 50 45.10 93,800 

3. Management and technical consulting services 400 43.81 91,120 

4. Commercial equipment merchant wholesalers 520 43.01 89,460 

5. Warehousing and storage 400 42.64 88,700 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. West Virginia 1,730 $39.00 $81,110 0.25

2. Louisiana 4,590 36.96 76,890 0.25

3. Alabama 4,420 38.58 80,250 0.24

4. Nebraska 1,990 36.54 75,990 0.23

5. Arkansas 2,440 39.35 81,850 0.22

1. California 21,950 46.76 97,260 0.15

2. Vermont 450 43.60 90,680 0.15

3. Wisconsin 4,180 43.14 89,730 0.16

4. Alaska 380 42.99 89,410 0.13

5. Maine 880 42.64 88,700 0.15

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Alexandria, LA MSA 220 $35.07 $72,940 0.40

2. Gadsden, AL MSA 140 42.63 88,670 0.39

3. Monroe, LA MSA 280 35.08 72,970 0.39

4. Iowa City, IA MSA 240 34.23 71,190 0.36

5. Decatur, AL MSA 190 37.10 77,160 0.35

1. Merced, CA MSA 70 54.62 113,600 0.12

2. Salinas, CA MSA 180 54.22 112,770 0.12

3. Redding, CA MSA 210 52.78 109,780 0.32

4. Oakland, CA PMSA 1,690 52.19 108,560 0.17

5. Bakersfield, CA MSA 330 51.49 107,090 0.14

29-1051 Pharmacists

Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to 

patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the 

selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
191

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. General medical and surgical hospitals 1,325,550 $26.54 $55,200

2. Offices of physicians 205,300 25.25 52,510 

3. Nursing care facilities 119,860 23.70 49,300

4. Home healthcare services 114,870 24.91 51,810

5. Employment services 75,430 30.55 63,550

1. Other professional and technical services 150 33.58 69,840

2. Legal services 330 31.52 65,560

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 48,490 31.14 64,780

4. Employment services 75,430 30.55 63,550

5. Electronic shopping and mail-order houses 140 29.89 62,170

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. South Dakota 8,960 $21.83 $45,410 2.43

2. Massachusetts 75,060 30.05 62,490 2.40

3. Mississippi 25,800 22.44 46,680 2.36

4. West Virginia 15,380 22.54 46,890 2.25

5. Maine 13,340 24.49 50,940 2.24

1. California 223,170 32.17 66,920 1.54

2. Maryland 48,630 31.12 64,720 1.98

3. Massachusetts 75,060 30.05 62,490 2.40

4. Hawaii 7,960 29.29 60,920 1.41

5. New York 165,800 29.17 60,680 2.01

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Rochester, MN MSA 5,350 $28.80 $59,900 6.12

2. Cumberland, MD-WV MSA 1,400 22.39 46,580 3.85

3. Alexandria, LA MSA 2,070 22.21 46,200 3.73

4. Jackson, TN MSA 2,040 20.37 42,370 3.55

5. Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR MSA 1,830 24.03 49,980 3.49

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 12,920 40.06 83,320 1.52

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 14,870 38.15 79,350 1.56

3. Oakland, CA PMSA 17,150 37.39 77,770 1.71

4. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA PMSA 1,460 36.42 75,750 1.63

5. Modesto, CA MSA 3,110 34.88 72,550 1.94

29-1111 Registered nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain 

medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise 

patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or 

registration required. Include advance practice nurses such as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse 

specialists, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. Advanced practice 

nursing is practiced by RNs who have specialized formal, postbasic education and who function in highly 

autonomous and specialized roles.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
192

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Other ambulatory healthcare services 77,580 $11.89 $24,740

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 38,590 13.64 28,360 

3. Offices of physicians 1,780 14.34 29,830 

4. Other ground passenger transportation 1,710 12.45 25,900 

5. Other support services 1,100 11.21 23,320 

1. Other amusement and recreation industries 30 16.81 34,960 

2. Waste treatment and disposal 60 16.55 34,420 

3. Home healthcare services — 33,090 15.91 

4. Outpatient care centers 400 15.12 31,450 

5. Nonscheduled air transportation 15.05 60 31,290

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Wisconsin 6,870 $10.98 $22,840 0.26

2. Kentucky 4,360 10.79 22,440 0.25

3. Maine 1,470 11.66 24,240 0.25

4. West Virginia 1,610 9.24 19,220 0.24

5. Tennessee 5,810 11.91 24,760 0.22

1. Washington 2,710 18.20 37,850 0.11

2. Alaska 270 17.93 37,300 0.09

3. New York 10,410 16.65 34,630 0.13

4. Maryland 3,390 16.56 34,440 0.14

5. Massachusetts 5,150 15.95 33,170 0.17

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Johnstown, PA MSA 540 $9.15 $19,030 0.64

2. Wausau, WI MSA 410 12.05 25,060 0.60

3. Benton Harbor, MI MSA 320 13.14 27,340 0.51

4. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX MSA 640 10.70 22,260 0.42

5. Mansfield, OH MSA 280 11.44 23,790 0.38

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA — 56,530 27.18 —

2. Bremerton, WA PMSA — 55,940 26.89 —

3. Salinas, CA MSA 22.76 40 47,340 0.03

4. Yuba City, CA MSA — 45,130 21.70 —

5. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 180 19.93 41,460 0.27

29-2041 Emergency medical technicians and paramedics

Assess injuries, administer emergency medical care, and extricate trapped individuals. Transport injured 

or sick persons to medical facilities.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
193

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Health and personal care stores 138,450 $11.12 $23,120

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 45,810 13.28 27,610 

3. Grocery stores 16,580 11.92 24,790 

4. Other general merchandise stores 12,060 11.85 24,650 

5. Department stores 11,870 10.84 22,540 

1. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing — 35,370 17.00 

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 4,150 15.88 33,040 

3. Local government (OES designation) 670 15.37 31,960 

4. Warehousing and storage — 31,710 15.24 

5. Business support services 40 14.78 30,750 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Kentucky 5,210 $10.68 $22,220 0.30

2. Alabama 5,350 10.18 21,170 0.29

3. West Virginia 1,910 10.07 20,950 0.28

4. Minnesota 7,050 13.64 28,360 0.27

5. Indiana 7,290 11.11 23,110 0.25

1. Alaska 400 15.90 33,080 0.14

2. California 21,520 15.80 32,860 0.15

3. Washington 4,860 15.05 31,310 0.19

4. District of Columbia 380 14.68 30,530 0.06

5. Oregon 3,090 13.99 29,110 0.20

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Gadsden, AL MSA 240 $10.03 $20,850 0.67

2. Columbia, MO MSA 310 9.97 20,730 0.41

3. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 150 11.00 22,880 0.39

4. Florence, AL MSA 190 10.88 22,620 0.38

5. Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR MSA 200 8.99 18,690 0.38

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA 1,140 18.46 38,390 0.12

2. Oakland, CA PMSA 1,430 17.68 36,770 0.14

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 1,020 17.38 36,140 0.12

4. Yolo, CA PMSA 60 17.15 35,680 0.06

5. Salinas, CA MSA 230 16.87 35,100 0.15

29-2052 Pharmacy technicians

Prepare medications under the direction of a pharmacist. May measure, mix, count out, label, and record 

amounts and dosages of medications.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
194

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Nursing care facilities 181,470 $17.36 $36,110

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 175,280 16.03 33,340

3. Offices of physicians 88,310 15.04 31,280

4. Home healthcare services 51,160 17.33 36,040

5. Employment services 48,950 20.26 42,130

1. Druggists' goods merchant wholesalers 23.03 60 47,910

2. Electronic shopping and mail-order houses 21.21 90 44,120

3. Other personal services 20.89 40 43,440

4. Employment services 48,950 20.26 42,130

5. Scientific research and development services 160 19.71 41,000

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Arkansas 12,700 $13.74 $28,570 1.13

2. Louisiana 19,310 14.28 29,700 1.04

3. West Virginia 6,840 13.27 27,600 1.00

4. Mississippi 10,030 12.82 26,670 0.92

5. Oklahoma 12,860 14.23 29,600 0.91

1. Connecticut 7,740 22.65 47,110 0.47

2. District of Columbia 2,540 22.31 46,400 0.42

3. New Jersey 17,500 21.21 44,110 0.45

4. Massachusetts 17,240 20.92 43,520 0.55

5. Maryland 8,050 20.70 43,050 0.33

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Houma, LA MSA 1,640 $15.61 $32,460 2.02

2. Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR MSA 940 13.83 28,760 1.79

3. Pine Bluff, AR MSA 590 13.28 27,620 1.68

4. Alexandria, LA MSA 920 13.37 27,800 1.66

5. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 630 15.87 33,020 1.64

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,820 24.18 50,290 0.30

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,040 23.81 49,530 0.24

3. New Haven-Meriden, CT PMSA 1,430 23.25 48,360 0.56

4. Hartford, CT MSA 2,750 22.87 47,570 0.46

5. Oakland, CA PMSA 3,920 22.78 47,390 0.39

29-2061 Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses

Care for ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled persons in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, private 

homes, group homes, and similar institutions. May work under the supervision of a registered nurse. 

Licensing required.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
195

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Home healthcare services 208,130 $8.74 $18,180

2. Residential mental health facilities 93,880 9.24 19,230 

3. Community care facilities for the elderly 78,170 8.85 18,400 

4. Individual and family services 74,670 8.73 18,150 

5. Nursing care facilities 34,570 9.20 19,130

1. State government (OES designation) 15,990 13.90 28,910

2. Other investment pools and funds 13.19 80 27,440

3. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 1,320 11.46 23,840

4. Other financial investment activities 150 11.34 23,590

5. Offices of real estate agents and brokers — 22,110 10.63 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New York 103,840 $9.55 $19,860 1.26

2. Maine 4,980 9.06 18,850 0.84

3. Minnesota 20,170 10.37 21,580 0.78

4. Rhode Island 3,670 11.49 23,910 0.76

5. North Carolina 27,280 8.36 17,390 0.73

1. Connecticut 9,280 11.95 24,860 0.57

2. Alaska 2,120 11.70 24,340 0.72

3. Rhode Island 3,670 11.49 23,910 0.76

4. Massachusetts 12,300 11.21 23,320 0.39

5. Hawaii 1,410 10.63 22,110 0.25

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX MSA 3,760 $6.16 $12,820 3.25

2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 5,070 6.13 12,740 2.70

3. Utica-Rome, NY MSA 2,960 — — 2.34

4. Goldsboro, NC MSA 720 7.68 15,980 1.66

5. Odessa-Midland, TX MSA 1,690 6.28 13,070 1.61

1. Danbury, CT PMSA 140 13.51 28,110 0.15

2. Waterbury, CT PMSA 590 12.94 26,920 0.70

3. New London-Norwich, CT-RI MSA 580 12.89 26,800 0.40

4. Hartford, CT MSA 3,410 12.27 25,520 0.57

5. Dutchess County, NY PMSA 1,490 12.20 25,380 1.31

31-1011 Home health aides

Provide routine, personal healthcare, such as bathing, dressing, or grooming, to elderly, convalescent, 

or disabled persons in the home of patients or in a residential care facility.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
196

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Nursing care facilities 604,540 $10.08 $20,970

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 367,740 10.80 22,460

3. Community care facilities for the elderly 119,520 9.62 20,010

4. Employment services 61,000 11.48 23,880

5. Local government (OES designation) 41,970 11.31 23,510

1. Civic and social organizations 15.61 80 32,470

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 10,980 14.52 30,190

3. Other support services 190 12.65 26,310

4. Other personal services — 25,690 12.35 

5. State government (OES designation) 21,460 11.67 24,270 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. North Dakota 6,500 $9.59 $19,950 2.04

2. South Dakota 6,340 9.09 18,900 1.72

3. Kansas 22,180 9.98 20,760 1.71

4. Nebraska 14,530 10.14 21,090 1.65

5. Rhode Island 7,440 11.92 24,790 1.55

1. Alaska 1,810 14.16 29,450 0.62

2. New York 96,490 12.91 26,840 1.17

3. Connecticut 23,980 12.83 26,680 1.47

4. Massachusetts 43,720 12.44 25,870 1.40

5. Maryland 22,220 12.09 25,150 0.90

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Pittsfield, MA MSA 1,250 $12.09 $25,140 3.06

2. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 930 10.35 21,530 2.42

3. Wheeling, WV-OH MSA 1,370 9.23 19,190 2.19

4. Florence, SC MSA 1,370 8.33 17,330 2.15

5. Alexandria, LA MSA 1,190 7.72 16,060 2.14

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA 5,580 15.19 31,600 0.59

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,870 14.80 30,780 0.57

3. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 12,250 14.73 30,640 1.01

4. New York, NY PMSA 48,150 14.15 29,440 1.21

5. Oakland, CA PMSA 7,590 13.36 27,790 0.76

31-1012 Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants

Provide basic patient care under the direction of nursing staff. Perform duties, such as feed, bathe, dress, 

groom, or move patients, or change linens. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
197

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Offices of dentists 248,920 $14.00 $29,110

2. Offices of physicians 2,760 12.31 25,600 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 2,660 15.31 31,850 

4. Colleges and universities 1,810 13.80 28,710 

5. General medical and surgical hospitals 1,500 14.08 29,280 

1. Federal Government (OES designation) 2,660 15.31 31,850 

2. Employment services 1,310 15.09 31,380 

3. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 130 14.19 29,520 

4. General medical and surgical hospitals 1,500 14.08 29,280 

5. Other hospitals 100 14.07 29,260 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Utah 3,890 $10.89 $22,640 0.37

2. Washington 9,220 15.07 31,350 0.36

3. Idaho 1,730 12.32 25,620 0.30

4. Montana 1,090 12.18 25,340 0.27

5. California 38,830 15.18 31,570 0.27

1. District of Columbia 490 18.48 38,440 0.08

2. Connecticut 2,890 17.06 35,490 0.18

3. Colorado 4,870 16.85 35,060 0.23

4. Minnesota 4,620 16.85 35,040 0.18

5. Nevada 1,810 16.51 34,340 0.16

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Bremerton, WA PMSA 480 $12.07 $25,110 0.62

2. Provo-Orem, UT MSA 750 12.63 26,280 0.51

3. Tacoma, WA PMSA 1,240 14.47 30,100 0.51

4. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA MSA 470 15.11 31,430 0.47

5. Pocatello, ID MSA 150 10.68 22,210 0.47

1. Santa Rosa, CA PMSA 360 20.63 42,910 0.19

2. Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, MI MSA 470 19.74 41,060 0.28

3. Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC-SC MSA — 40,990 19.71 —

4. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 150 19.60 40,770 0.22

5. St. Cloud, MN MSA 200 18.45 38,370 0.22

31-9091 Dental assistants

Assist dentist, set up patient and equipment, and keep records.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
198

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Offices of physicians 225,970 $12.31 $25,600

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 49,910 12.53 26,060 

3. Offices of other health practitioners 41,320 10.89 22,650 

4. Outpatient care centers 18,030 12.42 25,830 

5. Colleges and universities 5,130 13.75 28,590 

1. State government (OES designation) 2,700 17.37 36,130 

2. Scientific research and development services 540 14.17 29,470 

3. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 700 13.90 28,900 

4. Colleges and universities 5,130 13.75 28,590 

5. Local government (OES designation) 2,140 13.32 27,700 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Hawaii 3,050 $12.72 $26,460 0.54

2. Arizona 10,790 11.94 24,840 0.47

3. Oklahoma 5,920 10.33 21,490 0.42

4. Rhode Island 1,940 11.68 24,290 0.40

5. Texas 37,220 10.44 21,710 0.40

1. District of Columbia 850 15.35 31,920 0.14

2. Connecticut 4,290 14.53 30,220 0.26

3. Massachusetts 6,490 14.45 30,050 0.21

4. Alaska 520 14.30 29,750 0.18

5. Oregon 4,430 14.13 29,390 0.29

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Muncie, IN MSA 440 $10.39 $21,600 0.86

2. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 1,510 9.44 19,630 0.80

3. Yuma, AZ MSA 430 11.52 23,960 0.77

4. Rapid City, SD MSA 380 10.73 22,320 0.75

5. Chico-Paradise, CA MSA 540 12.30 25,570 0.75

1. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA 560 20.78 43,230 0.30

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,050 16.56 34,440 0.22

3. Salinas, CA MSA 540 15.82 32,910 0.35

4. San Jose, CA PMSA 1,810 15.73 32,710 0.21

5. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 4,820 15.42 32,070 0.37

31-9092 Medical assistants

Perform administrative and certain clinical duties under the direction of a physician. Administrative 

duties may include scheduling appointments, maintaining medical records, billing, and coding for 

insurance purposes. Clinical duties may include taking and recording vital signs and medical histories, 

preparing patients for examination, drawing blood, and administering medications as directed by the 

physician.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
199

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. General medical and surgical hospitals 39,650 $14.21 $29,550

2. Offices of physicians 30,970 13.80 28,710 

3. Business support services 8,740 13.76 28,610 

4. Medical and diagnostic laboratories 2,270 15.40 32,040 

5. Offices of other health practitioners 2,220 12.05 25,070 

1. Local government (OES designation) 310 16.23 33,760 

2. Management and technical consulting services 540 16.00 33,270 

3. Individual and family services 170 15.46 32,160 

4. Medical and diagnostic laboratories 2,270 15.40 32,040 

5. Office administrative services 280 15.03 31,260 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. South Dakota 670 $11.80 $24,550 0.18

2. West Virginia 1,020 11.31 23,520 0.15

3. Wisconsin 3,890 14.12 29,370 0.15

4. Minnesota 3,390 14.34 29,830 0.13

5. North Dakota 390 11.65 24,230 0.12

1. Alaska 160 18.15 37,760 0.06

2. Connecticut 970 16.93 35,210 0.06

3. California 8,720 16.80 34,940 0.06

4. Maryland 1,020 16.42 34,160 0.04

5. New Jersey 2,180 16.22 33,730 0.06

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Rochester, MN MSA 360 $15.63 $32,510 0.41

2. Bangor, ME MSA 180 16.57 34,470 0.31

3. Racine, WI PMSA 200 13.78 28,670 0.26

4. Janesville-Beloit, WI MSA 170 13.89 28,890 0.26

5. Rapid City, SD MSA 120 13.40 27,870 0.24

1. Danbury, CT PMSA — 46,270 22.25 —

2. Pocatello, ID MSA — 42,620 20.49 —

3. Colorado Springs, CO MSA — 40,410 19.43 —

4. Anchorage, AK MSA 19.28 80 40,100 0.06

5. Salinas, CA MSA 18.87 80 39,250 0.05

31-9094 Medical transcriptionists

Use transcribing machines with headset and foot pedal to listen to recordings by physicians and other 

healthcare professionals dictating a variety of medical reports, such as emergency room visits, 

diagnostic imaging studies, operations, chart reviews, and final summaries. Transcribe dictated reports 

and translate medical jargon and abbreviations into their expanded forms. Edit as necessary and return 

reports in either printed or electronic form to the dictator for review, possible correction, and signature.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
200

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Local government (OES designation) 251,900 $19.32 $40,190

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 7,810 17.28 35,940 

3. State government (OES designation) 6,010 16.83 35,000 

4. Other support services 5,270 12.01 24,980 

5. Facilities support services 340 15.99 33,260 

1. Colleges and universities 150 21.68 45,100 

2. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 120 20.47 42,570 

3. Scientific research and development services 200 19.80 41,190 

4. Local government (OES designation) 251,900 19.32 40,190 

5. Postal service 180 19.04 39,610 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Alaska 2,130 $14.22 $29,580 0.73

2. Rhode Island 1,780 20.84 43,350 0.37

3. Massachusetts 11,510 21.43 44,580 0.37

4. Maine 1,990 14.01 29,150 0.33

5. Alabama 5,710 14.83 30,850 0.31

1. New Jersey 5,050 28.09 58,430 0.13

2. California 28,200 25.57 53,190 0.19

3. Connecticut 3,650 22.96 47,750 0.22

4. Colorado 4,170 22.84 47,510 0.20

5. Washington 5,800 22.69 47,190 0.23

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Kenosha, WI PMSA 400 $17.87 $37,160 0.75

2. New Bedford, MA PMSA 450 19.09 39,720 0.69

3. Hamilton-Middletown, OH PMSA 850 14.97 31,130 0.65

4. Anchorage, AK MSA 840 15.26 31,730 0.60

5. Dothan, AL MSA 380 13.99 29,090 0.57

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 1,470 35.36 73,540 0.17

2. Oakland, CA PMSA 1,860 35.09 73,000 0.19

3. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 730 31.51 65,540 0.12

4. Newark, NJ PMSA 1,550 31.26 65,020 0.16

5. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA PMSA 5,800 31.10 64,680 0.15

33-2011 Firefighters

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment 

is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, 

search and rescue, and disaster management.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
201

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. State government (OES designation) 235,440 $17.73 $36,870

2. Local government (OES designation) 144,430 16.77 34,880 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 13,740 21.41 44,540 

4. Facilities support services 13,420 11.85 24,660 

5. Other residential care facilities 470 9.94 20,670 

1. Federal Government (OES designation) 13,740 21.41 44,540 

2. State government (OES designation) 235,440 17.73 36,870 

3. Local government (OES designation) 144,430 16.77 34,880 

4. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals — 34,280 16.48 

5. Facilities support services 13,420 11.85 24,660 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Louisiana 10,560 $12.19 $25,350 0.57

2. Texas 44,560 13.76 28,620 0.48

3. Mississippi 4,950 10.40 21,640 0.45

4. Georgia 17,140 13.01 27,070 0.45

5. New York 36,740 22.98 47,800 0.45

1. California 36,200 25.03 52,070 0.25

2. New Jersey 12,720 24.95 51,890 0.33

3. New York 36,740 22.98 47,800 0.45

4. Alaska 790 21.55 44,820 0.27

5. Nevada 2,200 20.85 43,370 0.20

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ PMSA 2,070 $26.18 $54,450 3.44

2. Cumberland, MD-WV MSA 790 18.01 37,460 2.17

3. Glens Falls, NY MSA 870 23.06 47,960 1.70

4. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 650 16.17 33,620 1.69

5. Utica-Rome, NY MSA 1,970 22.03 45,820 1.56

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA 1,110 27.15 56,480 0.12

2. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA 1,500 27.04 56,240 0.80

3. Trenton, NJ PMSA 1,550 26.95 56,060 0.71

4. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ PMSA 2,070 26.18 54,450 3.44

5. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 2,460 25.89 53,840 0.40

33-3012 Correctional officers and jailers

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institution in accordance with established regulations and 

procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Include 

deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional 

institutions.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
202

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Local government (OES designation) 530,290 $22.15 $46,080

2. State government (OES designation) 53,780 23.58 49,040 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 19,330 21.79 45,330 

4. Colleges and universities 9,220 18.38 38,240 

5. Junior colleges 1,340 19.79 41,170 

1. State government (OES designation) 53,780 23.58 49,040 

2. Postal service 860 22.28 46,340 

3. Local government (OES designation) 530,290 22.15 46,080 

4. Federal Government (OES designation) 19,330 21.79 45,330 

5. Junior colleges 1,340 19.79 41,170 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New Mexico 5,150 $16.56 $34,450 0.68

2. Mississippi 6,780 13.28 27,630 0.62

3. New York 50,830 26.11 54,310 0.62

4. Illinois 31,990 24.85 51,700 0.56

5. Arizona 12,750 22.02 45,790 0.55

1. New Jersey 20,970 30.03 62,460 0.54

2. California 74,870 29.92 62,230 0.52

3. Washington 7,990 26.12 54,330 0.31

4. New York 50,830 26.11 54,310 0.62

5. Nevada 4,120 25.48 52,990 0.37

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Laredo, TX MSA 890 $22.31 $46,400 1.15

2. Trenton, NJ PMSA 2,450 30.75 63,970 1.12

3. Las Cruces, NM MSA 620 18.55 38,590 1.04

4. Yuma, AZ MSA 540 19.55 40,670 0.96

5. Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX MSA 1,010 19.52 40,600 0.87

1. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 5,570 35.95 74,770 0.46

2. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 3,200 35.46 73,760 0.51

3. Oakland, CA PMSA 4,550 34.78 72,340 0.45

4. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,070 34.10 70,930 0.48

5. Orange County, CA PMSA 5,390 32.40 67,390 0.37

33-3051 Police and sheriff's patrol officers

Maintain order, enforce laws and ordinances, and protect life and property in an assigned patrol district. 

Perform a combination of the following duties: Patrol a specific area on foot or in a vehicle; direct 

traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects, and serve legal 

processes of courts.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
203

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Investigation and security services 538,510 $9.66 $20,090

2. Local government (OES designation) 33,470 12.49 25,990 

3. Elementary and secondary schools 33,170 12.58 26,160 

4. General medical and surgical hospitals 33,010 12.37 25,730 

5. Traveler accommodation 30,540 11.16 23,220 

1. Advertising and related services 40 23.16 48,160 

2. Couriers 320 20.39 42,410 

3. Scientific research and development services 1,820 17.47 36,340 

4. Power generation and supply 2,460 17.15 35,680 

5. Insurance and employee benefit funds 40 16.78 34,910 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 9,910 $13.12 $27,290 1.64

2. Nevada 16,090 10.82 22,510 1.44

3. Hawaii 7,890 10.61 22,070 1.40

4. New York 96,730 10.85 22,570 1.17

5. New Mexico 7,760 10.53 21,910 1.03

1. Alaska 1,820 13.77 28,640 0.62

2. District of Columbia 9,910 13.12 27,290 1.64

3. Maryland 22,820 12.50 26,000 0.93

4. Colorado 11,790 12.31 25,610 0.56

5. Washington 14,520 12.20 25,370 0.56

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSA 3,680 $11.45 $23,810 1.97

2. Santa Fe, NM MSA 1,390 11.90 24,760 1.84

3. Miami, FL PMSA 16,870 8.89 18,480 1.72

4. New York, NY PMSA 66,070 10.78 22,420 1.66

5. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 13,590 10.87 22,600 1.60

1. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA MSA 450 19.20 39,930 0.56

2. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA MSA 660 17.04 35,430 0.66

3. Akron, OH PMSA 1,810 15.27 31,770 0.56

4. Trenton, NJ PMSA 2,050 13.99 29,100 0.94

5. Olympia, WA PMSA 160 13.91 28,930 0.18

33-9032 Security guards

Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
204

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Local government (OES designation) 40,660 $8.88 $18,460

2. Other amusement and recreation industries 28,720 8.07 16,780 

3. Civic and social organizations 18,810 7.93 16,500 

4. Traveler accommodation 2,920 8.97 18,650 

5. Amusement parks and arcades 2,570 7.69 16,000

1. Lessors of real estate 780 10.70 22,260

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 290 10.59 22,030

3. State government (OES designation) 280 10.10 21,020

4. Other hospitals 30 9.96 20,710

5. Employment services 180 9.72 20,210

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Alaska 570 $10.63 $22,100 0.19

2. Illinois 9,040 7.97 16,580 0.16

3. Nebraska 1,390 7.22 15,010 0.16

4. Virginia 4,900 7.99 16,620 0.14

5. Utah 1,420 7.61 15,820 0.13

1. Hawaii 590 13.32 27,700 0.10

2. California 10,400 10.72 22,300 0.07

3. Alaska 570 10.63 22,100 0.19

4. Massachusetts 2,280 9.84 20,470 0.07

5. Connecticut 1,660 9.65 20,070 0.10

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Glens Falls, NY MSA 150 $7.03 $14,630 0.29

2. Boulder-Longmont, CO PMSA 360 8.83 18,380 0.24

3. Austin-San Marcos, TX MSA 1,530 7.91 16,460 0.23

4. Cedar Rapids, IA MSA 240 7.79 16,210 0.21

5. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 130 9.77 20,320 0.19

1. Honolulu, HI MSA 380 13.06 27,170 0.09

2. Miami, FL PMSA 400 12.35 25,680 0.04

3. Orange County, CA PMSA 1,270 12.00 24,950 0.09

4. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA PMSA 2,080 11.94 24,840 0.05

5. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL MSA 480 11.81 24,570 0.09

33-9092 Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective 

service workers

Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to 

participants. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
205

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Limited-service eating places 311,220 $11.76 $24,460

2. Full-service restaurants 185,900 14.22 29,590 

3. Elementary and secondary schools 41,310 12.32 25,620 

4. Special food services 27,920 17.52 36,450 

5. Grocery stores 24,100 14.29 29,720 

1. Scheduled air transportation 50 21.97 45,690 

2. Sea, coastal, and Great Lakes transportation — 39,580 19.03 

3. Management and technical consulting services 650 18.14 37,740 

4. Special food services 27,920 17.52 36,450 

5. Insurance carriers 50 17.21 35,800 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. North Carolina 28,410 $13.20 $27,450 0.76

2. West Virginia 5,230 10.14 21,090 0.76

3. Kentucky 13,050 11.34 23,580 0.76

4. North Dakota 2,390 11.05 22,980 0.75

5. New Mexico 5,630 10.25 21,310 0.75

1. Washington 12,990 17.11 35,590 0.50

2. Connecticut 7,340 16.76 34,850 0.45

3. District of Columbia 1,760 15.87 33,010 0.29

4. Vermont 1,100 15.84 32,940 0.38

5. Hawaii 3,960 15.50 32,250 0.70

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Wilmington, NC MSA 1,440 $12.86 $26,750 1.29

2. Jacksonville, NC MSA 450 11.49 23,890 1.17

3. Pueblo, CO MSA 560 13.97 29,050 1.05

4. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 1,110 13.09 27,220 1.05

5. Gadsden, AL MSA 370 11.21 23,310 1.03

1. Danbury, CT PMSA 270 20.68 43,010 0.30

2. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 700 19.21 39,960 0.37

3. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 730 18.88 39,280 0.37

4. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 6,170 18.76 39,020 0.48

5. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 1,040 18.17 37,790 0.44

Supervise workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

Industry

35-1012 First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving 

workers

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
206

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Full-service restaurants 561,070 $9.63 $20,040

2. Limited-service eating places 69,750 8.62 17,930 

3. Traveler accommodation 54,890 11.28 23,460 

4. Other amusement and recreation industries 20,210 10.99 22,860 

5. Drinking places, alcoholic beverages 17,580 9.49 19,740 

1. Other schools and instruction — 29,620 14.24 

2. Personal care services 140 13.95 29,010 

3. Sea, coastal, and Great Lakes transportation 80 13.58 28,240 

4. Department stores 50 12.77 26,560 

5. Clothing stores 50 12.12 25,200 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Hawaii 6,550 $11.91 $24,770 1.16

2. Nevada 11,530 11.58 24,100 1.03

3. Colorado 18,930 10.26 21,340 0.90

4. Montana 3,540 8.05 16,730 0.88

5. Oregon 12,050 10.00 20,800 0.77

1. New York 32,800 12.05 25,050 0.40

2. Hawaii 6,550 11.91 24,770 1.16

3. Alaska 1,960 11.84 24,620 0.67

4. Connecticut 6,530 11.83 24,610 0.40

5. Nevada 11,530 11.58 24,100 1.03

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Naples, FL MSA 1,790 $11.31 $23,520 1.53

2. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 1,380 9.79 20,350 1.30

3. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 480 9.23 19,190 1.25

4. Hamilton-Middletown, OH PMSA 1,580 9.53 19,830 1.21

5. Fort Walton Beach, FL MSA 1,020 10.22 21,250 1.21

1. Danbury, CT PMSA 420 14.13 29,400 0.46

2. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 530 13.42 27,910 0.28

3. New York, NY PMSA 14,660 13.40 27,880 0.37

4. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 740 13.34 27,740 1.10

5. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 5,620 12.84 26,700 0.47

35-2014 Cooks, restaurant

Prepare, season, and cook soups, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foodstuffs in restaurants. May 

order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on the menu, or plan the menu.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
207

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Full-service restaurants 194,490 $8.16 $16,980

2. Limited-service eating places 175,640 7.36 15,310 

3. Grocery stores 103,530 9.25 19,240 

4. Elementary and secondary schools 74,040 9.33 19,420 

5. Nursing care facilities 56,270 8.54 17,750

1. Legal services 140 13.94 28,990

2. Scientific research and development services 11.77 40 24,480

3. Clothing stores 11.34 80 23,580

4. State government (OES designation) 2,510 11.00 22,870

5. Beverage manufacturing 290 10.74 22,350

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Mississippi 13,160 $6.57 $13,660 1.20

2. Maine 6,780 8.66 18,020 1.14

3. Louisiana 20,770 6.88 14,310 1.12

4. Oregon 17,010 8.97 18,650 1.09

5. South Dakota 3,970 7.42 15,440 1.08

1. Alaska 2,460 10.59 22,020 0.84

2. Connecticut 12,930 10.35 21,540 0.79

3. District of Columbia 3,380 10.08 20,970 0.56

4. Nevada 7,920 10.01 20,820 0.71

5. Massachusetts 23,220 9.82 20,430 0.74

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, MS MSA 2,410 $6.60 $13,740 1.59

2. Newburgh, NY-PA PMSA 2,110 8.51 17,700 1.53

3. Flagstaff, AZ-UT MSA 860 7.93 16,490 1.51

4. Decatur, IL MSA 800 7.69 15,990 1.49

5. Salem, OR PMSA 2,050 9.20 19,140 1.48

1. Danbury, CT PMSA 830 11.64 24,200 0.91

2. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,170 11.27 23,430 0.59

3. Yuma, AZ MSA — 23,160 11.13 —

4. Columbia, SC MSA 1,930 10.80 22,470 0.66

5. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 6,410 10.67 22,200 0.75

35-2021 Food preparation workers

Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and 

shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
208

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Limited-service eating places 1,478,840 $6.97 $14,500

2. Full-service restaurants 136,410 7.13 14,830 

3. Elementary and secondary schools 100,870 8.59 17,870 

4. Grocery stores 97,770 9.08 18,880 

5. Special food services 85,180 8.28 17,230 

1. Rail transportation 520 12.72 26,450 

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 8,500 12.66 26,330 

3. Beverage manufacturing 70 11.35 23,610 

4. Sea, coastal, and Great Lakes transportation 50 10.91 22,700 

5. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 760 10.90 22,670 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. West Virginia 16,430 $6.42 $13,360 2.40

2. Texas 207,670 6.75 14,030 2.23

3. North Carolina 82,000 7.00 14,550 2.20

4. Washington 56,040 8.79 18,280 2.17

5. Alabama 39,370 6.46 13,430 2.15

1. Connecticut 18,230 9.17 19,070 1.12

2. Washington 56,040 8.79 18,280 2.17

3. Alaska 5,050 8.75 18,200 1.72

4. District of Columbia 9,010 8.75 18,190 1.49

5. Massachusetts 47,780 8.69 18,070 1.53

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Jacksonville, NC MSA 2,190 $6.23 $12,970 5.71

2. Laredo, TX MSA 3,350 6.35 13,200 4.31

3. Grand Forks, ND-MN MSA 1,810 6.44 13,390 3.75

4. Bryan-College Station, TX MSA 2,800 6.77 14,080 3.68

5. Gadsden, AL MSA 1,250 6.23 12,950 3.49

1. Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA 890 10.31 21,440 1.07

2. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,500 9.56 19,880 0.75

3. Danbury, CT PMSA 860 9.37 19,490 0.94

4. New Haven-Meriden, CT PMSA 3,410 9.37 19,480 1.33

5. Santa Fe, NM MSA 970 9.22 19,190 1.28

Perform duties that combine food preparation and food service.

Industry

35-3021 Combined food preparation and serving workers, 

including fast food

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
209

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Full-service restaurants 1,576,940 $7.59 $15,790

2. Limited-service eating places 161,850 6.91 14,370 

3. Traveler accommodation 130,540 8.09 16,830 

4. Drinking places, alcoholic beverages 80,770 7.14 14,850 

5. Other amusement and recreation industries 73,440 8.94 18,590 

1. Other personal services 130 13.76 28,630 

2. Federal Government (OES designation) — 25,850 12.43 

3. Scientific research and development services — 23,110 11.11 

4. Grantmaking and giving services 170 9.99 20,780 

5. Personal care services 260 9.76 20,310 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Nevada 33,910 $7.83 $16,280 3.04

2. Hawaii 15,550 10.87 22,600 2.75

3. Florida 176,750 7.18 14,940 2.41

4. Rhode Island 11,330 8.31 17,290 2.36

5. Wyoming 5,390 6.81 14,160 2.20

1. Hawaii 15,550 10.87 22,600 2.75

2. Massachusetts 55,560 10.32 21,460 1.78

3. New York 124,560 9.58 19,920 1.51

4. Washington 43,920 9.53 19,820 1.70

5. Oregon 26,320 9.39 19,530 1.69

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Fort Walton Beach, FL MSA 5,500 $6.79 $14,120 6.50

2. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 5,270 7.68 15,970 4.96

3. Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSA 6,960 8.14 16,930 3.72

4. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 1,250 7.05 14,660 3.25

5. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 27,430 8.10 16,850 3.23

1. New York, NY PMSA 53,930 11.70 24,330 1.36

2. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 3,260 10.88 22,630 1.63

3. Honolulu, HI MSA 9,260 10.86 22,580 2.27

4. Pittsfield, MA MSA 840 10.84 22,540 2.06

5. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 2,040 10.65 22,150 3.04

35-3031 Waiters and waitresses

Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
210

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Services to buildings and dwellings 54,280 $14.78 $30,740

2. Traveler accommodation 31,810 12.62 26,260 

3. Elementary and secondary schools 29,460 17.16 35,690 

4. Nursing care facilities 9,690 14.39 29,930

5. Local government (OES designation) 9,250 17.89 37,210

1. Couriers 25.50 60 53,050

2. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 25.06 60 52,120

3. Advertising and related services 24.33 60 50,600

4. Electronic instrument manufacturing 23.66 80 49,210

5. Power generation and supply 23.20 50 48,260

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Delaware 1,290 $14.01 $29,140 0.32

2. Hawaii 1,760 16.18 33,650 0.31

3. Nevada 3,440 14.09 29,310 0.31

4. Maryland 5,200 15.70 32,660 0.21

5. District of Columbia 1,220 15.80 32,860 0.20

1. Connecticut 2,520 19.35 40,240 0.15

2. New York 15,430 18.83 39,160 0.19

3. California 18,070 17.91 37,250 0.12

4. Alaska 350 17.90 37,230 0.12

5. New Jersey 7,810 17.85 37,130 0.20

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSA 1,100 $14.92 $31,040 0.59

2. Dover, DE MSA 290 12.87 26,770 0.52

3. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 450 12.10 25,160 0.42

4. Bloomington, IN MSA 250 16.20 33,690 0.40

5. Springfield, IL MSA 390 15.15 31,510 0.36

1. Danbury, CT PMSA 120 23.30 48,470 0.13

2. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 230 22.70 47,210 0.12

3. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 1,900 22.04 45,840 0.16

4. Trenton, NJ PMSA 410 21.43 44,580 0.19

5. Waterbury, CT PMSA 20.97 90 43,620 0.11

Supervise work activities of cleaning personnel in hotels, hospitals, offices, and other establishments.

Industry

37-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of housekeeping and janitorial 

workers

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
211

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Services to buildings and dwellings 51,630 $17.71 $36,830

2. Other amusement and recreation industries 11,300 22.07 45,910 

3. Local government (OES designation) 10,730 20.22 42,060 

4. Traveler accommodation 3,160 16.07 33,420 

5. Deathcare services 2,340 16.54 34,400 

1. Nonresidential building construction 130 28.98 60,270

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 160 26.40 54,910

3. Power generation and supply 26.35 70 54,800

4. Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesalers 130 24.44 50,830

5. Spectator sports 220 23.74 49,380

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Hawaii 760 $20.23 $42,080 0.14

2. Wyoming 330 17.09 35,550 0.14

3. Nevada 1,380 18.01 37,460 0.12

4. Arizona 2,770 16.72 34,780 0.12

5. South Carolina 2,120 15.69 32,630 0.12

1. Connecticut 1,400 25.62 53,290 0.09

2. New York 4,240 24.47 50,910 0.05

3. Massachusetts 2,580 22.67 47,160 0.08

4. Washington 1,310 22.06 45,890 0.05

5. New Jersey 3,210 21.00 43,680 0.08

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Anniston, AL MSA 140 $14.94 $31,080 0.29

2. Galveston-Texas City, TX PMSA 220 9.60 19,970 0.25

3. Naples, FL MSA 290 19.51 40,580 0.25

4. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 240 16.34 33,980 0.23

5. Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, FL MSA 230 17.41 36,220 0.20

1. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 1,220 32.37 67,340 0.10

2. Danbury, CT PMSA 29.80 70 61,980 0.08

3. Waterbury, CT PMSA 29.73 60 61,830 0.07

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 350 29.23 60,790 0.18

5. Bremerton, WA PMSA 28.89 40 60,080 0.05

Plan, organize, direct, or coordinate activities of workers engaged in landscaping or groundskeeping 

activities, such as planting and maintaining ornamental trees, shrubs, flowers, and lawns, and applying 

fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals according to contract specifications. May also coordinate 

activities of workers engaged in terracing hillsides, building retaining walls, constructing pathways, 

installing patios, and similar activities in following a landscape design plan. Work may involve reviewing 

contracts to ascertain service, machine, and work force requirements; answering inquiries from potential 

customers regarding methods, material, and price ranges; and preparing estimates according to labor, 

material, and machine costs.

Industry

37-1012 First-line supervisors/managers of landscaping, lawn service, and 

groundskeeping workers

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
212

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Services to buildings and dwellings 690,720 $8.68 $18,040

2. Elementary and secondary schools 353,350 11.62 24,170 

3. Local government (OES designation) 85,390 11.63 24,190 

4. Colleges and universities 80,220 10.92 22,720 

5. Lessors of real estate 56,790 10.86 22,590 

1. Postal service 16,040 18.16 37,770 

2. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 3,750 15.99 33,270 

3. Basic chemical manufacturing 480 15.04 31,280 

4. Sea, coastal, and Great Lakes transportation 90 14.42 29,980 

5. Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy manufacturing 380 14.30 29,730 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. District of Columbia 16,240 $10.36 $21,550 2.69

2. New York 185,290 11.72 24,390 2.25

3. Hawaii 12,380 9.83 20,440 2.19

4. Nevada 24,360 10.42 21,670 2.18

5. Montana 8,300 9.36 19,470 2.06

1. Alaska 5,700 12.24 25,460 1.95

2. Massachusetts 56,770 11.94 24,830 1.82

3. New York 185,290 11.72 24,390 2.25

4. Connecticut 30,410 11.64 24,200 1.86

5. Washington 37,680 11.46 23,840 1.46

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 6,010 $11.05 $22,980 2.52

2. New York, NY PMSA 99,020 12.71 26,440 2.49

3. Binghamton, NY MSA 2,780 9.25 19,240 2.45

4. Great Falls, MT MSA 810 8.97 18,660 2.41

5. Newark, NJ PMSA 22,970 10.17 21,150 2.37

1. Kokomo, IN MSA 700 14.23 29,600 1.46

2. Oakland, CA PMSA 12,920 13.08 27,200 1.29

3. New York, NY PMSA 99,020 12.71 26,440 2.49

4. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 720 12.47 25,950 1.07

5. Brockton, MA PMSA 1,540 12.44 25,870 1.55

Keep buildings in clean and orderly condition. Perform heavy cleaning duties such as cleaning floors, 

shampooing rugs, washing walls and glass, and removing rubbish. Duties may include tending furnace 

and boiler, performing routine maintenance activities, notifying management of need for repairs, and 

cleaning snow or debris from sidewalk.

Industry

37-2011 Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
213

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Traveler accommodation 394,120 $8.31 $17,280

2. General medical and surgical hospitals 115,310 9.48 19,710 

3. Services to buildings and dwellings 83,900 8.64 17,960 

4. Nursing care facilities 76,380 8.56 17,810

5. Community care facilities for the elderly 31,840 8.40 17,470

1. Cable and other subscription programming — 34,910 16.78 

2. Cut and sew apparel manufacturing 15.27 80 31,750 

3. Inland water transportation — 28,680 13.79 

4. Newspaper, book, and directory publishers 130 12.67 26,350

5. Support activities for animal production 12.40 60 25,790

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Nevada 22,540 $10.27 $21,370 2.02

2. Hawaii 10,550 11.83 24,610 1.87

3. Wyoming 3,020 7.89 16,420 1.23

4. South Dakota 4,270 7.77 16,170 1.16

5. North Dakota 3,370 7.41 15,420 1.06

1. New York 45,640 12.35 25,690 0.55

2. Hawaii 10,550 11.83 24,610 1.87

3. District of Columbia 4,950 11.82 24,590 0.82

4. Nevada 22,540 10.27 21,370 2.02

5. Alaska 2,530 10.17 21,150 0.86

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 3,600 $8.00 $16,630 3.39

2. Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSA 4,520 9.41 19,580 2.42

3. Fort Walton Beach, FL MSA 1,910 8.55 17,780 2.26

4. Flagstaff, AZ-UT MSA 1,280 6.71 13,960 2.24

5. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 18,610 10.63 22,110 2.19

1. New York, NY PMSA 24,620 15.12 31,450 0.62

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 8,740 11.97 24,890 0.92

3. Honolulu, HI MSA 5,340 11.65 24,230 1.31

4. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 4,760 11.23 23,370 0.39

5. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 840 10.90 22,670 0.42

37-2012 Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Perform any combination of light cleaning duties to maintain private households or commercial 

establishments such as hotels, restaurants, and hospitals in a clean and orderly manner. Duties include 

making beds, replenishing linens, cleaning rooms and halls, and vacuuming.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
214

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Services to buildings and dwellings 402,950 $10.37 $21,570

2. Other amusement and recreation industries 102,870 9.76 20,300 

3. Local government (OES designation) 79,530 12.41 25,810 

4. Employment services 32,430 9.37 19,480 

5. Elementary and secondary schools 23,570 13.74 28,580 

1. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 50 23.71 49,320 

2. Power generation and supply 330 18.54 38,560 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 1,150 16.91 35,170 

4. Wired telecommunications carriers — 34,450 16.56 

5. Other chemical product and preparation manufacturing 40 16.06 33,410 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Hawaii 7,430 $11.74 $24,420 1.32

2. Florida 81,460 9.61 20,000 1.11

3. Nevada 12,290 11.38 23,680 1.10

4. Arizona 24,020 9.35 19,460 1.04

5. Montana 3,460 9.47 19,700 0.86

1. Massachusetts 18,300 13.43 27,930 0.59

2. District of Columbia 920 13.38 27,830 0.15

3. Connecticut 13,530 13.10 27,240 0.83

4. Alaska 790 12.25 25,470 0.27

5. New York 39,790 12.19 25,350 0.48

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Naples, FL MSA 3,280 $10.93 $22,740 2.80

2. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL MSA 11,390 9.66 20,090 2.17

3. Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, FL MSA 2,290 9.47 19,690 1.96

4. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 1,250 12.95 26,940 1.86

5. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL MSA 3,230 10.23 21,280 1.68

1. Waterbury, CT PMSA 630 14.93 31,060 0.74

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 5,840 14.61 30,380 0.61

3. Danbury, CT PMSA 1,130 14.30 29,750 1.24

4. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 690 14.20 29,540 0.57

5. New York, NY PMSA 11,320 14.19 29,520 0.29

37-3011 Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Landscape or maintain grounds of property using hand or power tools or equipment. Workers typically 

perform a variety of tasks, which may include any combination of the following: sod laying, mowing, 

trimming, planting, watering, fertilizing, digging, raking, sprinkler installation, and installation of 

mortarless segmental concrete masonry wall units.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
215

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Other amusement and recreation industries 95,040 $7.68 $15,980

2. Amusement parks and arcades 48,430 7.43 15,450 

3. Local government (OES designation) 43,470 8.99 18,710 

4. Traveler accommodation 10,290 8.51 17,690 

5. Civic and social organizations 6,290 7.85 16,320 

1. Junior colleges 230 11.59 24,110 

2. Colleges and universities 940 10.47 21,780 

3. Services to buildings and dwellings — 20,440 9.83 

4. Scenic and sightseeing transportation, water 9.68 50 20,130 

5. Nursing care facilities 170 9.56 19,880

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Florida 29,090 $7.76 $16,150 0.40

2. Nevada 4,410 7.65 15,910 0.40

3. Minnesota 10,130 8.12 16,890 0.39

4. North Dakota 1,110 7.85 16,330 0.35

5. Alaska 970 9.96 20,710 0.33

1. Alaska 970 9.96 20,710 0.33

2. Connecticut 1,990 9.94 20,680 0.12

3. Hawaii 1,650 9.37 19,490 0.29

4. Massachusetts 3,740 9.10 18,930 0.12

5. Vermont 560 9.05 18,820 0.19

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Orlando, FL MSA 12,240 $7.56 $15,730 1.34

2. Atlantic-Cape May, NJ PMSA 2,050 6.86 14,260 1.10

3. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 1,130 7.36 15,300 1.06

4. Orange County, CA PMSA 13,610 7.71 16,030 0.93

5. Naples, FL MSA 830 8.03 16,710 0.71

1. Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA 11.67 80 24,280 0.10

2. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 260 11.39 23,700 0.14

3. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA MSA 120 10.92 22,710 0.10

4. New Haven-Meriden, CT PMSA 170 10.84 22,550 0.07

5. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 220 10.78 22,430 0.11

39-3091 Amusement and recreation attendants

Perform a variety of attending duties at amusement or recreation facility. May schedule use of recreation 

facilities, maintain and provide equipment to participants of sporting events or recreational pursuits, or 

operate amusement concessions and rides.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
216

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Personal care services 299,690 $10.94 $22,750

2. Health and personal care stores 2,470 10.37 21,570 

3. Technical and trade schools 2,150 11.16 23,220 

4. Other general merchandise stores 1,210 11.15 23,180 

5. Nursing care facilities 800 11.26 23,430

1. Druggists' goods merchant wholesalers 15.68 50 32,600

2. State government (OES designation) 14.26 90 29,660

3. Clothing stores — 27,860 13.39 

4. Other amusement and recreation industries 620 13.34 27,740 

5. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 110 13.13 27,310 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. North Dakota 1,360 $10.81 $22,490 0.43

2. Pennsylvania 22,170 9.48 19,710 0.40

3. Maryland 9,600 10.41 21,650 0.39

4. Wisconsin 10,470 11.07 23,020 0.39

5. New Jersey 14,680 11.41 23,740 0.38

1. District of Columbia 900 23.45 48,770 0.15

2. Hawaii 1,060 15.34 31,910 0.19

3. Alaska 350 13.57 28,230 0.12

4. Vermont 690 13.41 27,880 0.24

5. Connecticut 5,230 13.27 27,610 0.32

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Kenosha, WI PMSA 370 $12.46 $25,920 0.70

2. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 220 10.06 20,930 0.57

3. Erie, PA MSA 710 8.79 18,280 0.56

4. Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV MSA 260 10.47 21,770 0.53

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 480 14.18 29,500 0.53

1. Burlington, VT MSA 240 16.64 34,610 0.22

2. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 930 15.93 33,130 0.47

3. San Francisco, CA PMSA 1,110 15.27 31,760 0.12

4. Honolulu, HI MSA 930 15.23 31,670 0.23

5. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 490 14.67 30,510 0.26

39-5012 Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists

Provide beauty services, such as shampooing, cutting, coloring, and styling hair, and massaging and 

treating scalp. May also apply makeup, dress wigs, perform hair removal, and provide nail and skin care 

services.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
217

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Child daycare services 211,100 $7.65 $15,910

2. Elementary and secondary schools 103,590 9.59 19,940 

3. Other residential care facilities 31,620 9.89 20,570 

4. Civic and social organizations 28,800 7.89 16,410 

5. Other amusement and recreation industries 28,660 7.89 16,400 

1. State government (OES designation) 180 13.15 27,350 

2. Scientific research and development services 60 11.02 22,920 

3. Office administrative services 210 10.64 22,130 

4. Furniture stores 70 10.39 21,610 

5. Personal care services — 21,560 10.36 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Montana 3,290 $7.98 $16,600 0.82

2. Vermont 2,330 8.99 18,690 0.79

3. New Jersey 26,160 8.71 18,120 0.67

4. New York 54,130 10.45 21,740 0.66

5. South Dakota 2,350 7.29 15,150 0.64

1. Massachusetts 11,480 10.53 21,900 0.37

2. New York 54,130 10.45 21,740 0.66

3. Connecticut 6,890 10.15 21,100 0.42

4. Maryland 7,380 9.99 20,790 0.30

5. California 39,970 9.96 20,720 0.28

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Lawrence, KS MSA 640 $8.67 $18,040 1.33

2. Great Falls, MT MSA 360 6.98 14,510 1.07

3. Dutchess County, NY PMSA 1,080 9.37 19,480 0.95

4. Iowa City, IA MSA 620 7.59 15,790 0.93

5. Billings, MT MSA 610 8.86 18,440 0.85

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA 1,830 11.86 24,670 0.19

2. New York, NY PMSA 31,680 11.42 23,760 0.80

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,010 11.26 23,420 0.24

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 470 11.24 23,380 0.24

5. Orange County, CA PMSA 3,420 11.19 23,270 0.23

39-9011 Childcare workers

Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a 

variety of tasks such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
218

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Home healthcare services 173,150 $7.33 $15,250

2. Individual and family services 151,310 8.58 17,850 

3. Residential mental health facilities 69,940 9.23 19,190 

4. Community care facilities for the elderly 37,270 8.86 18,420 

5. Vocational rehabilitation services 24,110 9.08 18,890 

1. Other investment pools and funds 50 17.25 35,880 

2. Religious organizations 230 10.44 21,710 

3. Other hospitals — 21,520 10.35 

4. State government (OES designation) 4,790 10.03 20,860 

5. Offices of real estate agents and brokers 350 9.93 20,650 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New Mexico 10,150 $8.74 $18,170 1.34

2. Texas 107,090 6.48 13,480 1.15

3. Minnesota 23,750 10.06 20,920 0.91

4. New York 69,310 8.95 18,630 0.84

5. West Virginia 5,070 6.93 14,410 0.74

1. Alaska 2,010 11.38 23,670 0.69

2. Rhode Island 1,610 11.34 23,590 0.34

3. Massachusetts 8,550 10.42 21,670 0.27

4. District of Columbia — 21,600 10.39 —

5. Connecticut 4,610 10.14 21,090 0.28

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, TX MSA 7,390 $6.18 $12,850 6.39

2. Laredo, TX MSA 3,860 6.24 12,980 4.97

3. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA 7,960 6.31 13,120 4.24

4. Sherman-Denison, TX MSA 1,170 6.66 13,840 2.79

5. Corpus Christi, TX MSA 3,450 6.13 12,740 2.15

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 210 14.53 30,220 0.11

2. Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA PMSA 6,240 12.29 25,560 0.16

3. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 240 11.96 24,880 0.13

4. Tucson, AZ MSA 1,550 11.60 24,130 0.46

5. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA — 23,540 11.32 —

39-9021 Personal and home care aides

Assist elderly or disabled adults with daily living activities at the person's home or in a daytime nonresidential facility. Duties performed at a place of residence may include keeping house (making beds, 

doing laundry, washing dishes) and preparing meals. May provide meals and supervised activities at nonresidential care facilities. May advise families, the elderly, and disabled on things such as nutrition, 

cleanliness, and household utilities.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
219

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Local government (OES designation) 100,040 $10.89 $22,650

2. Civic and social organizations 34,300 8.97 18,650 

3. Nursing care facilities 29,770 10.49 21,810

4. Individual and family services 16,020 10.08 20,970

5. Other amusement and recreation industries 15,950 9.33 19,400

1. Performing arts companies 210 21.27 44,250

2. State government (OES designation) 3,280 17.17 35,710

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 3,090 14.94 31,080

4. Other personal services 100 14.17 29,470

5. Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals 740 13.20 27,450

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Vermont 1,100 $10.80 $22,470 0.38

2. Connecticut 5,510 12.55 26,110 0.34

3. Iowa 4,530 9.53 19,830 0.32

4. New York 25,500 10.43 21,700 0.31

5. California 39,570 10.99 22,860 0.27

1. Hawaii 1,300 13.60 28,300 0.23

2. District of Columbia 730 12.93 26,890 0.12

3. Connecticut 5,510 12.55 26,110 0.34

4. Massachusetts 7,080 11.98 24,930 0.23

5. Arizona 4,420 11.99 24,930 0.19

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Chico-Paradise, CA MSA 610 $8.95 $18,620 0.84

2. Bellingham, WA MSA 470 9.62 20,010 0.66

3. Binghamton, NY MSA 670 7.96 16,550 0.59

4. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, CA MSA 580 9.11 18,940 0.58

5. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA MSA 690 10.01 20,820 0.56

1. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 500 15.31 31,850 0.27

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,830 14.49 30,140 0.33

3. Charlottesville, VA MSA 120 14.29 29,720 0.14

4. New London-Norwich, CT-RI MSA 210 13.84 28,790 0.15

5. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,720 13.80 28,700 0.29

39-9032 Recreation workers

Conduct recreation activities with groups in public, private, or volunteer agencies or recreation 

facilities. Organize and promote activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, games, music, dramatics, 

social recreation, camping, and hobbies, taking into account the needs and interests of individual 

members. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
220

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Grocery stores 129,480 $16.22 $33,730

2. Clothing stores 113,930 16.22 33,730 

3. Gasoline stations 85,200 14.13 29,390 

4. Building material and supplies dealers 72,280 18.87 39,240 

5. Other general merchandise stores 58,950 15.03 31,270 

1. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage 490 37.58 78,170 

2. Automobile dealers 52,050 35.37 73,560 

3. Building equipment contractors 290 35.31 73,450 

4. Insurance agencies, brokerages, and related 930 33.65 70,000 

5. Electrical equipment manufacturing — 68,200 32.79 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New Hampshire 7,160 $17.22 $35,810 1.17

2. Alabama 20,010 15.79 32,840 1.09

3. Maine 6,170 15.58 32,400 1.04

4. North Carolina 38,330 16.33 33,970 1.03

5. South Carolina 17,860 16.75 34,850 1.01

1. Delaware 3,500 21.54 44,790 0.86

2. Washington 20,630 21.39 44,480 0.80

3. New Jersey 30,810 21.36 44,420 0.79

4. Connecticut 13,540 21.30 44,300 0.83

5. Florida 56,020 20.54 42,730 0.76

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Jacksonville, NC MSA 600 $15.25 $31,710 1.57

2. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 1,660 15.76 32,780 1.56

3. Mobile, AL MSA 3,280 18.85 39,210 1.52

4. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 1,010 19.55 40,660 1.51

5. Wilmington, NC MSA 1,650 16.13 33,550 1.48

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 1,710 25.85 53,760 0.86

2. Miami, FL PMSA 6,610 24.55 51,060 0.67

3. Wilmington-Newark, DE-MD PMSA 2,510 23.33 48,540 0.82

4. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 5,000 23.28 48,430 0.79

5. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL MSA 1,880 22.93 47,690 0.98

41-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of retail salesworkers

Directly supervise salesworkers in a retail establishment or department. Duties may include management 

functions, such as purchasing, budgeting, accounting, and personnel work, in addition to supervisory 

duties.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
221

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Grocery stores 825,150 $8.79 $18,280

2. Gasoline stations 539,590 7.63 15,860 

3. Other general merchandise stores 264,880 8.41 17,500 

4. Health and personal care stores 231,450 7.94 16,510 

5. Department stores 227,080 8.05 16,750 

1. Postal service 4,480 21.03 43,750 

2. Power generation and supply 1,520 13.13 27,310 

3. State government (OES designation) 9,770 12.78 26,590 

4. Electric goods merchant wholesalers 450 12.75 26,510 

5. Waste collection 40 12.44 25,870 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Vermont 11,160 $8.37 $17,400 3.80

2. Mississippi 40,700 7.12 14,810 3.72

3. Nevada 40,660 9.03 18,780 3.64

4. Louisiana 61,830 6.90 14,360 3.32

5. New Hampshire 20,090 8.66 18,020 3.28

1. District of Columbia 7,130 10.63 22,110 1.18

2. Alaska 6,480 10.50 21,830 2.21

3. Washington 74,790 10.45 21,740 2.90

4. California 363,940 10.00 20,800 2.50

5. Oregon 33,890 9.87 20,530 2.18

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Hattiesburg, MS MSA 2,340 $7.56 $15,720 4.75

2. Monmouth-Ocean, NJ PMSA 16,520 8.73 18,150 4.14

3. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 2,770 9.30 19,350 4.13

4. Pensacola, FL MSA 6,110 6.98 14,520 3.99

5. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 33,620 8.92 18,560 3.96

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA 21,750 11.40 23,710 2.28

2. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 32,490 11.08 23,040 2.50

3. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA PMSA 3,230 10.89 22,660 3.61

4. Santa Rosa, CA PMSA 4,690 10.87 22,600 2.49

5. San Jose, CA PMSA 17,270 10.78 22,410 2.03

41-2011 Cashiers

Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. Usually involves the use 

of electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. Often involves processing credit or debit 

card transactions and validating checks.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
222

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Consumer goods rental 102,240 $8.55 $17,780

2. Drycleaning and laundry services 50,070 7.93 16,490 

3. Automotive equipment rental and leasing 43,840 11.44 23,800 

4. Automobile dealers 30,490 19.49 40,530 

5. Lessors of real estate 21,880 10.43 21,690 

1. Automobile dealers 30,490 19.49 40,530 

2. Other specialty trade contractors 600 19.39 40,330 

3. Wired telecommunications carriers — 33,710 16.21 

4. Couriers 260 16.14 33,580 

5. Metal and mineral merchant wholesalers 120 15.68 32,610 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Washington 19,860 $10.82 $22,510 0.77

2. North Dakota 1,600 7.81 16,240 0.50

3. Alaska 1,320 11.09 23,060 0.45

4. New Hampshire 2,650 10.15 21,120 0.43

5. Colorado 9,100 10.70 22,260 0.43

1. California 61,810 12.27 25,510 0.43

2. Connecticut 3,610 12.24 25,450 0.22

3. Rhode Island 1,510 11.70 24,350 0.31

4. Massachusetts 8,730 11.68 24,290 0.28

5. Nevada 4,300 11.55 24,030 0.39

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Yakima, WA MSA 710 $9.53 $19,830 0.93

2. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA 11,490 10.95 22,780 0.88

3. Redding, CA MSA 510 9.45 19,670 0.78

4. Dothan, AL MSA 490 9.16 19,040 0.74

5. Fargo-Moorhead, ND-MN MSA 760 7.89 16,420 0.72

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 470 15.00 31,190 0.24

2. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 220 13.97 29,050 0.12

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,310 13.58 28,250 0.27

4. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA PMSA 420 13.45 27,970 0.47

5. New Haven-Meriden, CT PMSA 630 13.28 27,620 0.25

41-2021 Counter and rental clerks

Receive orders for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and 

accept payment.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
223

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Department stores 638,930 $9.25 $19,230

2. Clothing stores 629,590 9.24 19,220 

3. Building material and supplies dealers 372,440 12.26 25,500 

4. Other general merchandise stores 325,130 8.91 18,540 

5. Automobile dealers 270,290 21.14 43,980 

1. Other electrical equipment and component manufacturing 30 26.33 54,760 

2. Magnetic media manufacturing and reproducing — 48,220 23.18 

3. Automobile dealers 270,290 21.14 43,980 

4. Motor vehicle and parts merchant wholesalers 5,950 19.95 41,500 

5. Commercial machinery repair and maintenance 460 19.53 40,610 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Delaware 17,720 $11.46 $23,850 4.34

2. New Hampshire 26,250 11.48 23,880 4.28

3. Montana 17,200 9.76 20,300 4.27

4. Hawaii 23,150 10.60 22,050 4.10

5. Colorado 78,390 11.65 24,240 3.71

1. Connecticut 50,500 12.95 26,940 3.09

2. Alaska 8,620 12.78 26,590 2.94

3. Washington 72,840 12.46 25,920 2.82

4. California 450,960 12.34 25,670 3.10

5. New Jersey 120,610 12.21 25,400 3.11

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 4,710 $11.62 $24,170 7.02

2. Myrtle Beach, SC MSA 6,000 10.20 21,220 5.65

3. Pittsfield, MA MSA 2,230 10.94 22,750 5.46

4. Jacksonville, NC MSA 2,030 9.86 20,500 5.30

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 4,770 12.78 26,590 5.22

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 7,590 15.39 32,010 3.80

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 22,750 14.04 29,200 2.68

3. Anchorage, AK MSA 4,570 13.86 28,820 3.28

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 29,550 13.48 28,030 3.10

5. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 6,330 13.47 28,020 3.38

41-2031 Retail salespersons

Sell merchandise such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel in a retail establishment.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
224

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Electronic markets and agents and brokers 165,730 $29.96 $62,320

2. Machinery and supply merchant wholesalers 98,310 25.19 52,390 

3. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers 87,500 25.26 52,550 

4. Commercial equipment merchant wholesalers 56,190 26.05 54,170 

5. Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesalers 46,930 22.41 46,620 

1. Securities and commodity contracts brokerage — 147,730 71.02 

2. Apparel knitting mills 180 37.35 77,680 

3. Support activities for water transportation 180 36.74 76,410 

4. Cut and sew apparel manufacturing 5,090 35.63 74,120 

5. Power generation and supply 570 35.25 73,320 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New York 118,160 $30.16 $62,740 1.43

2. Florida 103,180 23.88 49,680 1.41

3. Colorado 27,510 26.47 55,060 1.30

4. Utah 13,120 24.33 50,600 1.24

5. Illinois 70,570 26.32 54,750 1.23

1. Connecticut 18,590 32.75 68,120 1.14

2. New Jersey 40,980 32.25 67,080 1.06

3. Minnesota 30,570 30.90 64,270 1.18

4. New York 118,160 30.16 62,740 1.43

5. Massachusetts 34,740 29.71 61,800 1.11

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Miami, FL PMSA 20,860 $22.01 $45,780 2.12

2. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 21,910 32.08 66,730 1.81

3. Denver, CO PMSA 18,960 26.57 55,280 1.67

4. Sioux Falls, SD MSA 1,940 20.83 43,330 1.65

5. Fort Lauderdale, FL PMSA 11,250 24.44 50,840 1.60

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 2,740 38.47 80,020 1.37

2. Salinas, CA MSA 1,070 38.16 79,380 0.69

3. Danbury, CT PMSA 1,450 38.03 79,110 1.59

4. Bridgeport, CT PMSA 2,530 37.40 77,790 1.35

5. Kenosha, WI PMSA 550 36.68 76,300 1.03

Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires 

substantial knowledge of items sold.

Industry

41-4012 Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except 

technical and scientific products

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
225

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Accounting and bookkeeping services 91,370 $14.04 $29,200

2. Local government (OES designation) 71,850 14.74 30,670 

3. Management of companies and enterprises 66,490 14.72 30,610 

4. Depository credit intermediation 54,190 12.88 26,790 

5. Building equipment contractors 41,370 14.95 31,100 

1. Postal service 1,450 24.18 50,290 

2. Natural gas distribution 1,200 18.27 37,990

3. Other financial investment activities 9,320 18.13 37,710

4. Internet publishing and broadcasting 18.01 300 37,450 

5. Rail transportation 750 17.60 36,610 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. South Dakota 8,260 $11.07 $23,030 2.24

2. Vermont 5,760 13.69 28,480 1.96

3. North Dakota 5,910 11.43 23,770 1.86

4. Wyoming 4,500 12.02 25,010 1.84

5. Nebraska 16,160 12.51 26,010 1.83

1. District of Columbia 5,150 18.12 37,690 0.85

2. Connecticut 25,050 17.39 36,170 1.53

3. Alaska 4,900 16.90 35,150 1.67

4. Massachusetts 44,880 16.76 34,850 1.44

5. New Jersey 56,500 16.39 34,100 1.46

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Rapid City, SD MSA 1,120 $11.34 $23,590 2.22

2. Bellingham, WA MSA 1,570 14.24 29,630 2.20

3. Casper, WY MSA 750 11.61 24,160 2.17

4. Dubuque, IA MSA 1,060 12.46 25,910 2.06

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 1,850 18.08 37,600 2.03

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 3,770 20.02 41,640 1.89

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 10,310 19.26 40,060 1.21

3. San Francisco, CA PMSA 14,020 19.02 39,550 1.47

4. Oakland, CA PMSA 13,220 18.22 37,900 1.32

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 1,850 18.08 37,600 2.03

43-3031 Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any 

combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use 

in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings 

pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
226

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Insurance carriers 126,470 $14.98 $31,160

2. Depository credit intermediation 119,170 13.13 27,300 

3. Business support services 113,530 10.94 22,750 

4. Insurance agencies, brokerages, and related 110,340 14.70 30,570 

5. Employment services 77,800 11.76 24,470 

1. Postal service 390 24.59 51,140 

2. Satellite telecommunications 2,050 22.58 46,960 

3. Highway, street, and bridge construction 50 21.59 44,900 

4. Support activities for water transportation — 43,970 21.14 

5. Federal Government (OES designation) 50 19.44 40,440 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Delaware 10,620 $15.16 $31,530 2.60

2. Arizona 58,070 12.90 26,830 2.51

3. South Dakota 8,150 11.09 23,070 2.21

4. Utah 23,020 11.90 24,760 2.17

5. Georgia 79,990 13.39 27,850 2.10

1. Massachusetts 50,290 17.20 35,770 1.61

2. New York 117,790 16.34 33,990 1.43

3. Connecticut 29,600 16.31 33,910 1.81

4. Alaska 2,100 16.27 33,850 0.72

5. Washington 39,480 16.01 33,310 1.53

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Pocatello, ID MSA 1,620 $10.51 $21,850 5.08

2. Sioux Falls, SD MSA 4,870 11.26 23,420 4.14

3. Jacksonville, FL MSA 18,350 12.67 26,360 3.37

4. Cedar Rapids, IA MSA 3,890 12.79 26,600 3.33

5. Lubbock, TX MSA 3,690 10.07 20,950 3.15

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 11,160 21.03 43,730 1.31

2. New York, NY PMSA 57,410 18.66 38,820 1.44

3. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 3,430 18.53 38,550 1.72

4. San Francisco, CA PMSA 12,790 18.52 38,530 1.34

5. Lawrence, MA-NH PMSA 2,560 18.51 38,500 1.63

43-4051 Customer service representatives

Interact with customers to provide information in response to inquiries about products and services and 

to resolve complaints.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
227

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Grocery stores 373,330 $9.84 $20,460

2. Department stores 256,730 9.15 19,020 

3. Other general merchandise stores 144,610 9.46 19,680 

4. Warehousing and storage 48,390 12.79 26,600 

5. Building material and supplies dealers 39,250 10.44 21,720 

1. Support activities for water transportation 250 20.41 42,460 

2. Motor vehicle manufacturing 860 20.03 41,660 

3. Postal service 3,840 20.01 41,620 

4. Nondepository credit intermediation 650 19.73 41,040

5. Natural gas distribution 620 19.52 40,600

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Arkansas 17,330 $9.26 $19,260 1.54

2. New Hampshire 8,980 10.84 22,550 1.47

3. New Jersey 55,920 11.11 23,100 1.44

4. Kentucky 24,540 9.91 20,620 1.42

5. Georgia 53,590 10.52 21,890 1.41

1. Alaska 3,830 13.09 27,220 1.31

2. Washington 24,810 12.25 25,480 0.96

3. Oregon 17,470 11.91 24,770 1.12

4. Massachusetts 39,970 11.76 24,460 1.28

5. Connecticut 20,930 11.64 24,210 1.28

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 860 $9.18 $19,090 2.24

2. Newburgh, NY-PA PMSA 2,760 11.58 24,090 2.00

3. Jackson, MI MSA 1,100 11.35 23,600 1.92

4. Lawrence, KS MSA 920 10.39 21,620 1.91

5. Barnstable-Yarmouth, MA MSA 1,280 11.05 22,980 1.91

1. Sheboygan, WI MSA 710 13.97 29,050 1.23

2. Erie, PA MSA 2,220 13.63 28,340 1.74

3. Yolo, CA PMSA 1,800 13.47 28,010 1.90

4. Bremerton, WA PMSA 950 13.16 27,370 1.23

5. San Jose, CA PMSA 9,550 13.14 27,340 1.12

43-5081 Stock clerks and order fillers

Receive, store, and issue sales floor merchandise, materials, equipment, and other items from stockroom, 

warehouse, or storage yard to fill shelves, racks, tables, or customers' orders. May mark prices on 

merchandise and set up sales displays.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
228

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Elementary and secondary schools 222,850 $13.09 $27,230

2. Colleges and universities 103,380 13.46 28,000 

3. Local government (OES designation) 91,340 14.22 29,580 

4. General medical and surgical hospitals 69,080 13.23 27,510 

5. Employment services 60,820 12.35 25,690 

1. Postal service 1,110 22.57 46,950 

2. Securities and commodity exchanges 150 19.40 40,350 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 35,200 18.53 38,550 

4. Wired telecommunications carriers 2,710 18.43 38,340 

5. Monetary authorities—central bank 330 17.92 37,270 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New Mexico 17,520 $11.65 $24,240 2.32

2. District of Columbia 13,850 17.90 37,230 2.30

3. Louisiana 40,790 10.81 22,490 2.19

4. Montana 7,850 10.36 21,550 1.95

5. Mississippi 21,110 10.49 21,830 1.93

1. District of Columbia 13,850 17.90 37,230 2.30

2. New Jersey 69,550 16.34 33,980 1.79

3. Massachusetts 45,800 15.72 32,700 1.47

4. Connecticut 25,560 15.56 32,370 1.57

5. Minnesota 11,600 15.42 32,070 0.45

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Albuquerque, NM MSA 8,960 $12.05 $25,070 2.51

2. San Angelo, TX MSA 1,020 10.56 21,960 2.37

3. Trenton, NJ PMSA 5,060 17.65 36,710 2.32

4. Lafayette, IN MSA 1,970 12.75 26,510 2.31

5. Houma, LA MSA 1,860 9.68 20,140 2.29

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 2,590 18.98 39,480 1.30

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 8,660 17.88 37,200 0.91

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 6,080 17.69 36,790 0.72

4. Trenton, NJ PMSA 5,060 17.65 36,710 2.32

5. Oakland, CA PMSA 8,980 17.55 36,490 0.89

43-6014 Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive

Perform routine clerical and administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling 

appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, and providing information to 

callers.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
229

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Local government (OES designation) 201,610 $12.79 $26,600

2. Employment services 178,490 10.57 21,980 

3. Colleges and universities 141,950 11.76 24,470 

4. State government (OES designation) 123,350 12.50 26,010 

5. Elementary and secondary schools 117,910 11.79 24,520 

1. Postal service 3,940 19.63 40,840 

2. Natural gas distribution 2,390 17.58 36,580

3. Wired telecommunications carriers 11,730 17.33 36,040

4. Rail transportation 9,710 16.71 34,760

5. Motor vehicle manufacturing 780 16.58 34,490

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Delaware 14,260 $11.92 $24,790 3.49

2. Missouri 82,360 10.95 22,790 3.13

3. Hawaii 16,190 11.06 23,000 2.87

4. Virginia 98,290 12.38 25,750 2.85

5. Minnesota 73,540 12.35 25,690 2.83

1. Alaska 7,480 14.23 29,610 2.55

2. Massachusetts 60,130 13.82 28,750 1.92

3. Connecticut 33,150 13.46 28,010 2.03

4. District of Columbia 14,650 13.25 27,570 2.43

5. Washington 59,640 12.86 26,750 2.31

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Yolo, CA PMSA 6,370 $13.71 $28,510 6.71

2. Bryan-College Station, TX MSA 4,130 8.94 18,580 5.43

3. Gainesville, FL MSA 5,060 11.41 23,730 4.18

4. Wilmington-Newark, DE-MD PMSA 11,860 11.93 24,810 3.86

5. St. Joseph, MO MSA 1,750 10.27 21,370 3.82

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 20,700 14.85 30,880 2.44

2. Anchorage, AK MSA 3,980 14.38 29,920 2.85

3. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 35,540 14.31 29,760 1.87

4. Oakland, CA PMSA 24,810 14.08 29,280 2.47

5. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 2,250 14.00 29,120 1.85

43-9061 Office clerks, general

Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific clerical occupation, requiring 

limited knowledge of office management systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in 

accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of 

answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, stenography, office machine operation, 

and filing.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
230

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Support activities for crop production 17,490 $7.65 $15,910

2. Grocery stores 6,490 9.71 20,190 

3. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers 6,470 8.05 16,750 

4. Farm product raw material merch. whls. 3,310 10.02 20,830 

5. Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty 2,650 8.25 17,160 

1. Other professional and technical services 30 14.58 30,330 

2. Dairy product manufacturing 50 13.90 28,900 

3. State government (OES designation) 270 13.67 28,430 

4. Lumber and const. supply merchant wholesalers 60 13.03 27,110 

5. Management of companies and enterprises 30 12.20 25,370 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Idaho 1,620 $7.03 $14,610 0.28

2. South Dakota 660 9.82 20,420 0.18

3. Washington 3,740 8.56 17,810 0.15

4. North Dakota 440 9.08 18,890 0.14

5. Vermont 300 9.18 19,090 0.10

1. Utah 250 12.72 26,460 0.02

2. Minnesota 310 12.18 25,330 0.01

3. New Hampshire — 24,520 11.79 —

4. Iowa 710 11.40 23,720 0.05

5. Massachusetts 690 10.93 22,740 0.02

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA MSA 1,560 $7.81 $16,240 1.27

2. Yakima, WA MSA 910 9.01 18,740 1.19

3. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, WA MSA 700 8.07 16,780 0.87

4. Salinas, CA MSA 1,340 9.57 19,910 0.86

5. Bakersfield, CA MSA 1,980 7.99 16,620 0.85

1. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC MSA 70 16.47 34,270 0.01

2. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI MSA 70 13.38 27,830 0.00

3. Salt Lake City-Ogden, UT MSA 150 12.32 25,620 0.02

4. Portsmouth-Rochester, NH-ME PMSA — 24,560 11.81 —

5. Columbus, OH MSA 11.56 60 24,050 0.01

45-2041 Graders and sorters, agricultural products

Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or 

condition.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
231

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Support activities for crop production 13,970 $9.04 $18,810

2. Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesalers 1,460 12.67 26,350 

3. Farm product raw material merch. whls. 880 12.06 25,090 

4. Beverage manufacturing 490 11.95 24,850 

5. Grain and oilseed milling 340 11.41 23,730 

1. Dairy product manufacturing 60 14.22 29,590 

2. Logging — 29,140 14.01 

3. Agricultural chemical manufacturing 80 12.82 26,670 

4. Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesalers 1,460 12.67 26,350 

5. Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores — 25,990 12.50 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Kansas 950 $12.39 $25,780 0.07

2. North Dakota 210 10.13 21,080 0.07

3. California 7,010 9.27 19,290 0.05

4. Arizona 1,070 8.68 18,050 0.05

5. Iowa 620 10.64 22,130 0.04

1. Pennsylvania 14.57 60 30,300 0.00

2. Maryland 14.50 80 30,170 0.00

3. Illinois 690 13.38 27,840 0.01

4. Washington 120 12.67 26,350 0.01

5. Wisconsin 210 12.57 26,140 0.01

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Yuma, AZ MSA 470 $9.01 $18,740 0.84

2. Salinas, CA MSA 690 11.01 22,900 0.44

3. Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA 670 10.22 21,260 0.32

4. Bakersfield, CA MSA 740 8.57 17,830 0.32

5. San Angelo, TX MSA 60 7.07 14,710 0.14

1. Madison, WI MSA 30 15.26 31,750 0.01

2. St. Cloud, MN MSA — 31,040 14.92 —

3. Miami, FL PMSA 14.67 40 30,510 0.00

4. Chicago, IL PMSA — 30,390 14.61 —

5. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA 220 12.64 26,290 0.12

45-2091 Agricultural equipment operators

Drive and control farm equipment to till soil and to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops. May perform 

tasks such as crop baling or hay bucking. May operate stationary equipment to perform postharvest 

tasks, such as husking, shelling, threshing, and ginning.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
232

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Support activities for crop production 166,700 $7.79 $16,200

2. Employment services 23,000 7.77 16,160 

3. Miscellaneous nondurable goods merchant wholesalers 12,070 8.50 17,680 

4. Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores 10,960 9.11 18,950 

5. Services to buildings and dwellings 4,500 10.14 21,090 

1. Federal Government (OES designation) 150 15.68 32,610 

2. Local government (OES designation) 660 12.19 25,340 

3. State government (OES designation) 250 12.17 25,310 

4. Offices of real estate agents and brokers — 24,310 11.69 

5. Support activities for mining 80 11.59 24,110 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. California 132,370 $8.19 $17,030 0.91

2. Florida 35,270 7.15 14,880 0.48

3. Arizona 9,550 6.85 14,240 0.41

4. New Mexico 2,680 6.44 13,400 0.36

5. Oregon 2,970 8.46 17,600 0.19

1. North Dakota — 23,860 11.47 —

2. Massachusetts 730 11.30 23,510 0.02

3. Rhode Island — 21,320 10.25 —

4. Washington 2,310 10.24 21,300 0.09

5. Colorado 2,220 10.10 21,010 0.11

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Salinas, CA MSA 19,680 $8.27 $17,200 12.67

2. Yuma, AZ MSA 6,610 6.84 14,230 11.80

3. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA MSA 11,870 8.29 17,240 9.68

4. Bakersfield, CA MSA 20,610 7.82 16,270 8.80

5. Fresno, CA MSA 19,360 8.02 16,690 5.56

1. Springfield, IL MSA 70 14.44 30,040 0.07

2. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 40 12.93 26,880 0.01

3. Boston, MA-NH PMSA 330 12.81 26,650 0.02

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 70 12.27 25,520 0.04

5. Omaha, NE-IA MSA 120 12.02 25,000 0.03

Manually plant, cultivate, and harvest vegetables, fruits, nuts, horticultural specialties, and field crops. 

Use hand tools such as shovels, trowels, hoes, tampers, pruning hooks, shears, and knives. Duties may 

include tilling soil and applying fertilizers; transplanting, weeding, thinning, or pruning crops; applying 

pesticides; cleaning, grading, sorting, packing, and loading harvested products. May construct trellises, 

repair fences and farm buildings, or participate in irrigation activities.

Industry

45-2092 Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
233

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Support activities for animal production 9,250 $9.49 $19,750

2. Farm product raw material merch. whls. 6,750 8.07 16,780 

3. Animal slaughtering and processing 4,960 9.72 20,220 

4. Support activities for crop production 3,120 7.96 16,550 

5. Spectator sports 2,660 9.10 18,930 

1. Federal Government (OES designation) 350 15.96 33,200 

2. Local government (OES designation) 150 13.61 28,310 

3. Animal food manufacturing 430 12.98 27,000 

4. State government (OES designation) 200 12.67 26,350 

5. Dairy product manufacturing 80 12.48 25,970 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Kentucky 2,860 $9.03 $18,780 0.17

2. Arkansas 1,380 7.81 16,240 0.12

3. Montana 490 8.64 17,980 0.12

4. Iowa 1,590 10.21 21,240 0.11

5. Nebraska 840 8.59 17,870 0.10

1. Nevada 110 12.64 26,290 0.01

2. Wyoming 12.22 60 25,420 0.02

3. Delaware 200 10.98 22,830 0.05

4. New Jersey 450 10.95 22,780 0.01

5. Utah 150 10.87 22,600 0.01

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Lexington, KY MSA 1,860 $9.35 $19,460 0.72

2. Fresno, CA MSA 1,620 7.38 15,340 0.47

3. Ocala, FL MSA 200 9.03 18,780 0.23

4. Bryan-College Station, TX MSA 130 9.06 18,840 0.17

5. Billings, MT MSA 120 8.26 17,180 0.17

1. Columbus, OH MSA 60 14.23 29,590 0.01

2. Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA — 29,390 14.13 —

3. Bellingham, WA MSA — 28,890 13.89 —

4. New York, NY PMSA 170 13.06 27,160 0.00

5. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 190 12.98 26,990 0.03

45-2093 Farmworkers, farm and ranch animals

Attend to live farm, ranch, or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses 

and other equines, poultry, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products 

such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, 

grazing, castrating, branding, debeaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain 

records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and 

administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal 

housing areas. Include workers who shear wool from sheep and who collect eggs in hatcheries.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
234

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Logging 20,850 $13.81 $28,720

2. Sawmills and wood preservation 3,380 12.37 25,740 

3. Plywood and engineered wood product manufacturing 640 13.09 27,240 

4. Specialized freight trucking 610 13.81 28,720 

5. Other wood product manufacturing 420 12.65 26,310 

1. Management of companies and enterprises — 47,280 22.73 

2. Electronic markets and agents and brokers — 41,450 19.93 

3. Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills 230 16.01 33,300 

4. Services to buildings and dwellings 210 15.04 31,290 

5. Employment services 400 14.25 29,640 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Maine 1,210 $12.98 $27,000 0.20

2. Montana 800 16.71 34,760 0.20

3. Idaho 940 14.54 30,240 0.16

4. Mississippi 1,790 11.49 23,890 0.16

5. Oregon 2,010 16.30 33,890 0.13

1. Washington 1,690 18.43 38,320 0.07

2. Alaska 130 17.20 35,780 0.04

3. Montana 800 16.71 34,760 0.20

4. Massachusetts 30 16.62 34,560 0.00

5. California 1,240 16.51 34,340 0.01

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Missoula, MT MSA 200 $16.57 $34,470 0.37

2. Redding, CA MSA 180 17.24 35,860 0.27

3. Eugene-Springfield, OR MSA 290 17.44 36,280 0.21

4. Medford-Ashland, OR MSA 130 16.36 34,040 0.17

5. Yuba City, CA MSA 50 17.68 36,780 0.13

1. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, WA PMSA — 45,660 21.95 —

2. Jacksonville, FL MSA 100 21.16 44,010 0.02

3. Wilmington, NC MSA 20.73 50 43,120 0.05

4. Florence, AL MSA — 40,800 19.61 —

5. Olympia, WA PMSA — 40,080 19.27 —

45-4022 Logging equipment operators

Drive logging tractor or wheeled vehicle equipped with one or more accessories, such as bulldozer 

blade, frontal shear, grapple, logging arch, cable winches, hoisting rack, or crane boom, to fell trees; to 

skid, load, unload, or stack logs; or to pull stumps or clear brush.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
235

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Residential building construction 76,620 $25.27 $52,560

2. Building equipment contractors 74,550 28.45 59,180 

3. Nonresidential building construction 73,770 26.97 56,090

4. Building foundation and exterior contractors 53,710 25.56 53,170

5. Building finishing contractors 42,430 26.01 54,110

1. Turbine and power transmission equipment manufacturing 34.81 90 72,390

2. Pipeline transportation of crude oil 33.84 30 70,380

3. Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills 31.97 50 66,490

4. Newspaper, book, and directory publishers 31.87 30 66,290

5. Offices of real estate agents and brokers 670 31.59 65,700

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Wyoming 2,130 $25.06 $52,120 0.87

2. Nevada 7,470 28.06 58,360 0.67

3. Virginia 22,570 24.93 51,860 0.65

4. Colorado 13,120 26.38 54,860 0.62

5. Alabama 10,880 21.55 44,820 0.59

1. Alaska 1,670 33.96 70,630 0.57

2. New Jersey 14,190 33.87 70,440 0.37

3. New York 29,900 31.00 64,480 0.36

4. Connecticut 4,320 30.82 64,100 0.26

5. California 52,820 30.68 63,820 0.36

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Lafayette, LA MSA 1,810 $19.26 $40,050 1.09

2. Naples, FL MSA 1,260 27.86 57,950 1.07

3. Victoria, TX MSA 330 23.66 49,220 0.93

4. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL MSA 1,770 23.06 47,960 0.92

5. Tuscaloosa, AL MSA 680 20.85 43,380 0.88

1. San Francisco, CA PMSA 3,570 38.78 80,670 0.37

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,700 37.42 77,830 0.32

3. Waterbury, CT PMSA 220 37.17 77,320 0.26

4. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 1,980 36.39 75,690 0.31

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 160 36.30 75,510 0.18

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of construction or extraction workers.

Industry

47-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and 

extraction workers

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
236

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Residential building construction 264,260 $17.83 $37,090

2. Nonresidential building construction 146,420 20.04 41,690

3. Building foundation and exterior contractors 143,740 17.82 37,070

4. Building finishing contractors 120,370 19.30 40,150

5. Employment services 25,200 14.98 31,160

1. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 390 27.17 56,500

2. Motion picture and video industries 310 26.98 56,130

3. Travel arrangement and reservation services 26.16 40 54,400

4. Fabric mills 25.24 80 52,490

5. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 24.84 60 51,660

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Nevada 16,590 $19.70 $40,980 1.49

2. Arizona 28,390 15.84 32,940 1.23

3. Montana 4,820 16.49 34,300 1.20

4. Vermont 3,490 15.95 33,170 1.19

5. Alaska 3,390 24.20 50,340 1.16

1. Hawaii 4,290 25.25 52,530 0.76

2. Alaska 3,390 24.20 50,340 1.16

3. New Jersey 21,050 23.75 49,390 0.54

4. Illinois 41,500 22.67 47,150 0.73

5. Massachusetts 18,420 22.07 45,900 0.59

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA 4,130 $23.86 $49,630 2.19

2. Reno, NV MSA 3,150 20.44 42,520 1.56

3. Riverside-San Bernardino, CA PMSA 17,850 19.60 40,780 1.56

4. Las Vegas, NV-AZ MSA 13,110 19.47 40,500 1.54

5. Missoula, MT MSA 770 15.79 32,850 1.41

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,890 27.57 57,350 0.46

2. Honolulu, HI MSA 2,930 25.69 53,430 0.72

3. Oakland, CA PMSA 12,000 25.54 53,120 1.19

4. Yolo, CA PMSA 880 25.10 52,200 0.93

5. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 4,120 24.93 51,860 0.65

47-2031 Carpenters

Construct, erect, install, or repair structures and fixtures made of wood, such as concrete forms; building 

frameworks, including partitions, joists, studding, and rafters; and wood stairways, window and door 

frames, and hardwood floors. May also install cabinets, siding, drywall, and batt or roll insulation. 

Include brattice builders who build doors or brattices (ventilation walls or partitions) in underground 

passageways to control the proper circulation of air through the passageways and to the working places.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
237

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Pueblo, CO MSA

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Other specialty trade contractors 126,390 $14.06 $29,240

2. Building foundation and exterior contractors 114,880 13.64 28,370 

3. Nonresidential building construction 104,540 14.67 30,510

4. Residential building construction 101,690 13.53 28,150

5. Highway, street, and bridge construction 89,410 15.79 32,840

1. Professional and similar organizations 140 23.19 48,240

2. Waste collection 600 20.14 41,890

3. Junior colleges 170 19.78 41,150

4. Power generation and supply 1,170 18.25 37,950

5. General medical and surgical hospitals 440 18.04 37,530

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Alaska 3,410 $19.14 $39,810 1.16

2. Wyoming 2,680 11.59 24,110 1.09

3. New Mexico 8,090 10.42 21,660 1.07

4. Texas 88,310 9.76 20,290 0.95

5. Delaware 3,780 12.32 25,620 0.93

1. Illinois 30,410 21.01 43,710 0.53

2. Massachusetts 16,500 19.66 40,890 0.53

3. Hawaii 4,740 19.49 40,540 0.84

4. New York 42,590 19.27 40,090 0.52

5. New Jersey 18,420 19.15 39,840 0.48

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Tuscaloosa, AL MSA 1,250 $9.40 $19,560 1.62

2. Naples, FL MSA 1,620 11.62 24,180 1.38

3. Punta Gorda, FL MSA 530 11.11 23,110 1.38

4. Greeley, CO PMSA 980 12.71 26,440 1.36

5. Auburn-Opelika, AL MSA 600 9.42 19,580 1.35

1. Chicago, IL PMSA 18,770 22.89 47,620 0.47

2. New York, NY PMSA 15,140 22.80 47,420 0.38

3. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 2,870 22.52 46,850 0.46

4. Fitchburg-Leominster, MA PMSA 290 22.53 46,850 0.58

5. Oakland, CA PMSA 12,560 21.18 44,040 1.25

47-2061 Construction laborers

Perform tasks involving physical labor at building, highway, and heavy construction projects; tunnel and 

shaft excavations; and demolition sites. May operate hand and power tools of all types: Air hammers, 

earth tampers, cement mixers, small mechanical hoists, surveying and measuring equipment, and a 

variety of other equipment and instruments. May clean and prepare sites; dig trenches; set braces to 

support the sides of excavations; erect scaffolding; clean up rubble and debris; and remove asbestos, 

lead, and other hazardous waste materials. May assist other craftworkers.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
238

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Building equipment contractors 402,570 $21.45 $44,610

2. Local government (OES designation) 17,700 22.58 46,970 

3. Employment services 10,320 16.60 34,530 

4. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 9,840 28.03 58,300 

5. Nonresidential building construction 8,700 20.82 43,300

1. Grantmaking and giving services 34.10 90 70,920

2. Motion picture and video industries — 64,250 30.89 

3. Monetary authorities—central bank 60 29.86 62,110 

4. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 9,840 28.03 58,300 

5. Miscellaneous durable goods merchant wholesalers — 58,280 28.02 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Wyoming 2,020 $21.11 $43,910 0.82

2. Alaska 1,940 24.81 51,600 0.66

3. Nevada 7,050 21.60 44,940 0.63

4. Delaware 2,530 21.13 43,950 0.62

5. West Virginia 4,170 19.43 40,420 0.61

1. New Jersey 16,550 28.49 59,260 0.43

2. New York 36,500 26.70 55,540 0.44

3. Minnesota 10,140 26.55 55,230 0.39

4. Michigan 22,880 25.84 53,750 0.53

5. Illinois 27,370 25.77 53,600 0.48

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Lake Charles, LA MSA 1,010 $20.18 $41,970 1.26

2. Bremerton, WA PMSA 850 25.07 52,130 1.10

3. Brazoria, TX PMSA 820 17.36 36,110 1.09

4. Casper, WY MSA 360 18.46 38,390 1.04

5. Albany, GA MSA 560 16.76 34,860 0.99

1. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, CA PMSA 1,530 33.96 70,640 0.81

2. Newark, NJ PMSA 5,530 32.39 67,370 0.57

3. San Francisco, CA PMSA 3,330 31.10 64,680 0.35

4. Bergen-Passaic, NJ PMSA 2,220 30.50 63,440 0.35

5. Oakland, CA PMSA 4,240 30.07 62,550 0.42

47-2111 Electricians

Install, maintain, and repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. Ensure that work is in 

accordance with relevant codes. May install or service street lights, intercom systems, or electrical 

control systems.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
239

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Building equipment contractors 298,780 $21.45 $44,610

2. Local government (OES designation) 14,360 17.72 36,850 

3. Nonresidential building construction 13,150 22.71 47,240

4. Utility system construction 11,290 19.29 40,130

5. Natural gas distribution 6,120 23.24 48,330

1. Professional and similar organizations — 79,700 38.32 

2. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 3,810 28.64 59,570 

3. Management of companies and enterprises 1,310 28.63 59,560 

4. Commercial and service industry machinery 60 28.37 59,020 

5. Waste collection — 57,470 27.63 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Louisiana 10,170 $17.61 $36,620 0.55

2. Nevada 5,460 23.25 48,350 0.49

3. Alaska 1,430 26.97 56,090 0.49

4. Delaware 1,910 21.89 45,520 0.47

5. Oklahoma 6,580 16.38 34,080 0.46

1. Illinois 17,530 28.60 59,490 0.31

2. Oregon 4,190 27.28 56,740 0.27

3. Alaska 1,430 26.97 56,090 0.49

4. New York 29,080 26.45 55,010 0.35

5. New Jersey 9,830 26.44 54,990 0.25

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Baton Rouge, LA MSA 3,220 $18.28 $38,030 1.08

2. Bremerton, WA PMSA 800 23.78 49,470 1.04

3. Brazoria, TX PMSA 740 17.61 36,630 0.98

4. Decatur, IL MSA 510 28.13 58,500 0.95

5. Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, MS MSA 1,320 17.01 35,380 0.87

1. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 1,410 32.17 66,910 0.23

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 1,880 31.82 66,180 0.22

3. Gary, IN PMSA 1,330 31.29 65,080 0.53

4. Chicago, IL PMSA 10,800 31.09 64,670 0.27

5. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,840 29.85 62,100 0.30

47-2152 Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

Assemble, install, alter, and repair pipelines or pipe systems that carry water, steam, air, or other liquids 

or gases. May install heating and cooling equipment and mechanical control systems.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
240

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Automotive repair and maintenance 47,130 $23.40 $48,670

2. Automobile dealers 35,550 27.78 57,780 

3. Local government (OES designation) 24,770 24.62 51,210 

4. Building equipment contractors 21,880 26.58 55,290 

5. Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores 15,470 21.11 43,910 

1. Satellite telecommunications 500 37.14 77,240 

2. Motion picture and video industries 120 35.87 74,620 

3. Petroleum and coal products manufacturing 1,930 33.97 70,650 

4. Motor vehicle manufacturing 1,310 33.95 70,610 

5. Other pipeline transportation 80 32.17 66,920 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. West Virginia 3,580 $22.88 $47,580 0.52

2. Alabama 9,390 22.60 47,000 0.51

3. Wyoming 1,230 24.29 50,520 0.50

4. Indiana 14,060 23.95 49,820 0.49

5. Oklahoma 6,900 23.78 49,470 0.49

1. Alaska 1,010 32.31 67,210 0.35

2. Connecticut 4,660 30.24 62,900 0.29

3. Massachusetts 8,630 29.47 61,310 0.28

4. New Jersey 13,750 29.23 60,810 0.35

5. Washington 9,130 28.33 58,920 0.35

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX MSA 1,060 $27.16 $56,500 0.69

2. Sheboygan, WI MSA 400 24.76 51,500 0.69

3. Bremerton, WA PMSA 530 29.72 61,820 0.69

4. Brazoria, TX PMSA 490 23.99 49,890 0.65

5. Lafayette, LA MSA 1,020 23.60 49,090 0.62

1. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 550 36.62 76,170 0.28

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 2,530 32.04 66,640 0.30

3. San Francisco, CA PMSA 2,130 32.02 66,610 0.22

4. Waterbury, CT PMSA 210 31.83 66,220 0.25

5. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 3,910 31.79 66,130 0.32

Supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. 

Industry

49-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and 

repairers

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
241

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Automotive repair and maintenance 228,980 $14.78 $30,750

2. Automobile dealers 228,250 19.15 39,830 

3. Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores 56,220 14.14 29,420 

4. Gasoline stations 22,420 15.09 31,390 

5. Local government (OES designation) 20,970 18.96 39,440 

1. Scientific research and development services 300 26.36 54,820 

2. Satellite telecommunications 90 26.10 54,290 

3. Motor vehicle manufacturing 4,510 25.94 53,960 

4. Spectator sports 2,450 25.64 53,340 

5. Natural gas distribution 720 24.74 51,460

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Delaware 4,160 $21.81 $45,360 1.02

2. North Dakota 2,260 14.36 29,860 0.71

3. West Virginia 4,480 12.11 25,200 0.65

4. New Hampshire 3,910 17.27 35,910 0.64

5. Arizona 14,690 16.47 34,250 0.64

1. Delaware 4,160 21.81 45,360 1.02

2. Alaska 1,510 21.26 44,230 0.52

3. California 68,970 19.12 39,760 0.48

4. Nevada 4,710 19.02 39,560 0.42

5. District of Columbia 570 18.79 39,080 0.10

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Joplin, MO MSA 700 $14.45 $30,060 0.94

2. Jacksonville, NC MSA 340 16.22 33,730 0.89

3. Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH MSA 580 11.15 23,200 0.86

4. Sarasota-Bradenton, FL MSA 2,380 15.86 32,990 0.86

5. Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, FL MSA 1,680 15.96 33,190 0.85

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 3,520 23.38 48,630 0.41

2. San Francisco, CA PMSA 3,730 23.20 48,250 0.39

3. Danbury, CT PMSA 590 21.66 45,060 0.65

4. Ann Arbor, MI PMSA 1,060 21.41 44,530 0.38

5. Oakland, CA PMSA 5,150 21.13 43,950 0.51

49-3023 Automotive service technicians and mechanics

Diagnose, adjust, repair, and overhaul automotive vehicles. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
242

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. General freight trucking 30,340 $16.34 $33,980

2. Automotive repair and maintenance 23,270 17.19 35,750 

3. Local government (OES designation) 20,960 20.09 41,780 

4. Motor vehicle and parts merchant wholesalers 17,730 17.87 37,170 

5. Elementary and secondary schools 14,630 16.05 33,390 

1. Scientific research and development services 30 26.16 54,410 

2. Natural gas distribution 230 25.00 52,000

3. Couriers 6,620 24.78 51,550

4. Power generation and supply 2,640 24.43 50,810

5. Support activities for water transportation 510 23.72 49,340

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Wyoming 860 $18.17 $37,800 0.35

2. Nebraska 2,610 16.44 34,190 0.30

3. North Dakota 920 15.83 32,920 0.29

4. Kansas 3,730 15.89 33,060 0.29

5. Iowa 3,960 15.47 32,170 0.28

1. Hawaii 780 23.29 48,450 0.14

2. Alaska 720 22.19 46,150 0.25

3. Massachusetts 3,420 21.11 43,910 0.11

4. California 24,750 20.68 43,020 0.17

5. Washington 6,070 20.47 42,580 0.24

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Albany, GA MSA 340 $14.58 $30,330 0.60

2. Corpus Christi, TX MSA 900 15.48 32,200 0.56

3. Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA 1,000 18.72 38,940 0.48

4. South Bend, IN MSA 590 17.54 36,480 0.46

5. Casper, WY MSA 160 15.35 31,920 0.46

1. Oakland, CA PMSA — 50,910 24.47 —

2. Honolulu, HI MSA 640 24.30 50,540 0.16

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 930 23.89 49,690 0.11

4. Anchorage, AK MSA 260 23.57 49,020 0.19

5. San Francisco, CA PMSA 670 23.14 48,130 0.07

49-3031 Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul trucks, buses, and all types of diesel engines. Include mechanics 

working primarily with automobile diesel engines.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
243

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Building equipment contractors 139,030 $17.87 $37,170

2. Direct selling establishments 12,240 18.07 37,590 

3. Hardware and plumbing merchant wholesalers 8,050 20.37 42,370 

4. Commercial machinery repair and maintenance 7,640 18.62 38,740 

5. Elementary and secondary schools 5,910 18.11 37,660 

1. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 410 27.08 56,330 

2. Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing 40 25.85 53,770 

3. Scientific research and development services 280 25.40 52,830 

4. Wired telecommunications carriers 140 24.24 50,410 

5. Museums, historical sites, zoos, and parks 70 24.22 50,380 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

 Percent of 

State 

employment 

1. Maryland 7,530 $18.92 $39,360 0.31

2. Connecticut 4,570 21.41 44,520 0.28

3. Maine 1,640 16.87 35,080 0.28

4. Idaho 1,560 16.62 34,580 0.27

5. Florida 19,650 15.93 33,140 0.27

1. Alaska 350 24.47 50,900 0.12

2. Hawaii 570 23.32 48,500 0.10

3. District of Columbia 330 22.69 47,200 0.06

4. Massachusetts 5,900 22.61 47,020 0.19

5. Michigan 8,280 21.73 45,210 0.19

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

 Percent of 

MSA 

employment 

1. Panama City, FL MSA 370 $14.18 $29,500 0.58

2. Fort Myers-Cape Coral, FL MSA 960 16.15 33,600 0.50

3. Daytona Beach, FL MSA 760 13.96 29,030 0.45

4. State College, PA MSA 280 13.86 28,820 0.44

5. Jacksonville, NC MSA 160 14.82 30,820 0.42

1. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 410 26.86 55,860 0.34

2. Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI MSA 290 26.15 54,390 0.15

3. San Jose, CA PMSA 610 26.02 54,120 0.07

4. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA PMSA 150 25.14 52,290 0.17

5. Anchorage, AK MSA 260 24.56 51,090 0.19

Install or repair heating, central air-conditioning, or refrigeration systems, including oil burners, hot-air 

furnaces, and heating stoves.

Industry

49-9021 Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and 

installers

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
244

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Lessors of real estate 113,960 $12.68 $26,380

2. Local government (OES designation) 88,570 16.06 33,410 

3. Activities related to real estate 64,890 13.38 27,820 

4. Traveler accommodation 58,510 12.59 26,180 

5. Elementary and secondary schools 54,260 15.26 31,750 

1. Motor vehicle manufacturing 5,770 25.43 52,890 

2. Satellite telecommunications 880 24.12 50,170 

3. Telecommunications resellers — 49,870 23.97 

4. Power generation and supply 7,500 23.13 48,110 

5. Scheduled air transportation 7,270 22.27 46,330 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. South Carolina 24,940 $14.74 $30,650 1.41

2. Indiana 35,200 15.78 32,820 1.23

3. Hawaii 6,910 16.19 33,680 1.22

4. West Virginia 8,350 12.87 26,770 1.22

5. North Carolina 44,840 15.10 31,400 1.21

1. Alaska 3,410 19.28 40,110 1.16

2. Connecticut 11,330 17.97 37,370 0.69

3. Illinois 53,130 17.81 37,040 0.93

4. District of Columbia 3,730 17.68 36,770 0.62

5. Michigan 44,000 17.47 36,340 1.03

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Danville, VA MSA 990 $14.47 $30,100 2.27

2. Steubenville-Weirton, OH-WV MSA 980 13.07 27,190 2.00

3. Sumter, SC MSA 690 12.83 26,690 1.91

4. Pine Bluff, AR MSA 650 15.69 32,630 1.86

5. Rocky Mount, NC MSA 1,100 15.30 31,820 1.78

1. Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA 1,400 23.51 48,910 1.69

2. San Jose, CA PMSA 7,590 19.99 41,580 0.89

3. Oakland, CA PMSA 8,780 19.74 41,060 0.87

4. Detroit, MI PMSA 19,870 19.08 39,690 1.00

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 640 18.97 39,460 0.70

49-9042 Maintenance and repair workers, general

Perform work involving the skills of two or more maintenance or craft occupations to keep machines, 

mechanical equipment, or the structure of an establishment in repair. Duties may involve pipe fitting; 

boiler making; insulating; welding; machining; carpentry; repairing electrical or mechanical equipment; 

installing, aligning, and balancing new equipment; and repairing buildings, floors, or stairs.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
245

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Plastics product manufacturing 28,720 $21.22 $44,150

2. Printing and related support activities 27,320 23.95 49,820 

3. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 23,290 23.45 48,780 

4. Machine shops and threaded product manufacturing 16,750 25.57 53,190 

5. Architectural and structural metals manufacturing 16,290 22.72 47,260 

1. Spectator sports 40 34.71 72,210 

2. Power generation and supply 7,970 33.82 70,350 

3. Natural gas distribution 1,640 33.27 69,200

4. Accounting and bookkeeping services 170 31.90 66,350

5. Activities related to real estate 31.25 60 65,000

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Indiana 26,890 $22.80 $47,430 0.94

2. Wisconsin 21,780 23.49 48,860 0.81

3. Iowa 11,250 22.18 46,130 0.79

4. South Carolina 13,920 21.89 45,540 0.79

5. Alabama 14,270 21.22 44,130 0.78

1. Connecticut 9,430 27.00 56,150 0.58

2. Delaware 1,600 26.39 54,900 0.39

3. Alaska 830 26.15 54,390 0.28

4. New Jersey 18,450 26.04 54,170 0.48

5. Michigan 30,620 26.03 54,140 0.71

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Elkhart-Goshen, IN MSA 2,560 $21.42 $44,560 2.08

2. Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, NC MSA 2,810 19.36 40,270 1.74

3. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA MSA 900 26.96 56,070 1.28

4. Danville, VA MSA 560 18.77 39,040 1.28

5. Terre Haute, IN MSA 830 23.87 49,650 1.28

1. San Jose, CA PMSA 4,310 31.83 66,200 0.51

2. Bremerton, WA PMSA 360 30.07 62,540 0.47

3. Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX MSA 1,290 29.21 60,760 0.84

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 630 29.08 60,490 0.32

5. Waterbury, CT PMSA 660 29.07 60,460 0.78

Supervise and coordinate the activities of production and operating workers, such as inspectors, 

precision workers, machine setters and operators, assemblers, fabricators, and plant and system 

operators. 

Industry

51-1011 First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating 

workers

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
246

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Employment services 120,120 $9.69 $20,150

2. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 114,110 13.67 28,440 

3. Motor vehicle manufacturing 52,520 20.73 43,120 

4. Plastics product manufacturing 45,740 10.98 22,840 

5. Other wood product manufacturing 44,630 11.52 23,960 

1. Motor vehicle manufacturing 52,520 20.73 43,120 

2. Natural gas distribution — 38,580 18.55 

3. Grain and oilseed milling 2,090 15.70 32,650 

4. Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills 1,610 15.17 31,550 

5. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 7,750 14.99 31,180 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Tennessee 61,700 $13.14 $27,330 2.34

2. Indiana 65,680 14.46 30,070 2.29

3. Iowa 31,040 12.55 26,090 2.18

4. Kentucky 29,820 14.32 29,790 1.73

5. Wisconsin 44,060 12.57 26,140 1.64

1. Delaware 2,880 17.62 36,650 0.71

2. Michigan 59,200 14.65 30,470 1.38

3. Indiana 65,680 14.46 30,070 2.29

4. Kentucky 29,820 14.32 29,790 1.73

5. Connecticut 13,410 14.09 29,310 0.82

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Elkhart-Goshen, IN MSA 10,980 $13.94 $29,000 8.93

2. Clarksville-Hopkinsville, TN-KY MSA 2,870 15.25 31,720 4.17

3. Lafayette, IN MSA 3,080 20.27 42,160 3.62

4. Rocky Mount, NC MSA 2,100 11.25 23,410 3.39

5. Rockford, IL MSA 5,570 12.75 26,520 3.31

1. Lafayette, IN MSA 3,080 20.27 42,160 3.62

2. Wilmington-Newark, DE-MD PMSA 2,510 18.67 38,830 0.82

3. Youngstown-Warren, OH MSA 5,890 18.23 37,920 2.64

4. Lexington, KY MSA 7,550 18.17 37,790 2.90

5. Kenosha, WI PMSA 1,190 17.46 36,320 2.24

51-2092 Team assemblers

Work as part of a team having responsibility for assembling an entire product or component of a 

product. Team assemblers can perform all tasks conducted by the team in the assembly process and 

rotate through all or most of them rather than being assigned to a specific task on a permanent basis. 

May participate in making management decisions affecting the work. Team leaders who work as part of 

the team should be included.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
247

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Employment services 29,810 $11.57 $24,060

2. Motor vehicle parts manufacturing 24,620 17.99 37,420 

3. Plastics product manufacturing 20,740 12.95 26,930 

4. Semiconductor and electronic component manufacturing 16,700 13.87 28,850 

5. Architectural and engineering services 16,490 17.01 35,380 

1. Power generation and supply 1,510 26.88 55,920 

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 12,400 26.17 54,440 

3. Scheduled air transportation 200 25.55 53,150 

4. Wireless telecommunications carriers — 53,100 25.53 

5. Wired telecommunications carriers 150 24.47 50,900 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. South Carolina 14,270 $13.17 $27,400 0.81

2. Michigan 28,370 18.31 38,090 0.66

3. Indiana 18,570 15.54 32,310 0.65

4. Wisconsin 16,900 13.80 28,710 0.63

5. North Carolina 23,300 13.18 27,410 0.63

1. Alaska 440 21.65 45,030 0.15

2. District of Columbia 270 20.55 42,740 0.05

3. Hawaii 410 18.64 38,760 0.07

4. Michigan 28,370 18.31 38,090 0.66

5. Massachusetts 10,210 17.17 35,700 0.33

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Sumter, SC MSA 490 $11.99 $24,930 1.35

2. Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, NC MSA 2,110 11.96 24,890 1.31

3. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC MSA 5,650 12.62 26,260 1.22

4. Elkhart-Goshen, IN MSA 1,440 14.15 29,440 1.17

5. Anniston, AL MSA 560 15.06 31,320 1.16

1. Lake Charles, LA MSA 280 24.71 51,400 0.35

2. Bremerton, WA PMSA 280 22.99 47,820 0.36

3. Anchorage, AK MSA 170 22.77 47,370 0.12

4. Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, MI MSA 670 21.82 45,390 0.40

5. Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, MS MSA 330 21.08 43,850 0.22

51-9061 Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers

Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, 

or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision 

measuring instruments and complex test equipment.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
248

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Employment services 70,810 $9.10 $18,930

2. Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty 25,450 11.39 23,690 

3. Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing 21,870 13.53 28,150 

4. Animal slaughtering and processing 18,440 10.80 22,460 

5. Beverage manufacturing 18,270 13.57 28,220 

1. Tobacco manufacturing 2,340 20.46 42,560 

2. Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills 2,850 19.04 39,600 

3. Federal Government (OES designation) 100 18.12 37,700 

4. Motor vehicle manufacturing 50 17.21 35,800 

5. Boiler, tank, and shipping container manufacturing 1,500 15.47 32,170 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Arkansas 7,580 $10.86 $22,590 0.67

2. Wisconsin 15,920 12.11 25,190 0.59

3. Kentucky 8,140 12.40 25,800 0.47

4. North Carolina 16,990 12.28 25,550 0.46

5. Tennessee 11,750 11.97 24,900 0.45

1. Delaware 1,510 13.60 28,280 0.37

2. Wyoming 310 13.52 28,130 0.13

3. West Virginia 1,000 13.30 27,660 0.15

4. Iowa 5,670 13.09 27,220 0.40

5. Missouri 9,390 12.90 26,820 0.36

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Decatur, IL MSA 1,460 $12.57 $26,150 2.72

2. Yakima, WA MSA 1,470 12.22 25,410 1.93

3. Provo-Orem, UT MSA 1,610 11.76 24,470 1.10

4. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA 1,790 10.19 21,190 1.05

5. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA PMSA 920 10.57 21,990 1.03

1. Cedar Rapids, IA MSA 760 18.82 39,150 0.65

2. Terre Haute, IN MSA 460 16.94 35,240 0.71

3. Columbus, OH MSA 1,980 16.25 33,810 0.23

4. Jackson, MI MSA 60 16.22 33,740 0.11

5. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 340 16.21 33,720 0.17

51-9111 Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders

Operate or tend machines to prepare industrial or consumer products for storage or shipment. Include 

cannery workers who pack food products.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
249

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Employment services 82,800 $8.45 $17,580

2. Printing and related support activities 24,970 10.51 21,860 

3. Converted paper product manufacturing 24,020 11.36 23,620 

4. Animal slaughtering and processing 18,930 9.27 19,290 

5. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing 17,210 11.61 24,160 

1. Rail transportation 300 17.12 35,620 

2. Natural gas distribution 130 16.48 34,270

3. Metal ore mining 170 16.44 34,190

4. Power generation and supply 650 15.72 32,690

5. Coal mining 460 15.14 31,490

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Arkansas 14,080 $9.94 $20,680 1.25

2. Delaware 4,940 8.81 18,320 1.21

3. Indiana 19,890 10.72 22,290 0.69

4. Utah 6,680 9.12 18,970 0.63

5. Wisconsin 16,460 11.15 23,200 0.61

1. Maryland 5,030 11.81 24,570 0.21

2. Massachusetts 6,930 11.76 24,470 0.22

3. District of Columbia — 24,310 11.69 —

4. Alaska 290 11.67 24,280 0.10

5. Maine 1,920 11.52 23,970 0.32

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR MSA 3,020 $9.95 $20,690 1.78

2. Jonesboro, AR MSA 690 10.24 21,300 1.68

3. Evansville-Henderson, IN-KY MSA 2,490 11.76 24,450 1.63

4. Elkhart-Goshen, IN MSA 1,940 10.06 20,930 1.58

5. Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, NC MSA 2,490 10.40 21,640 1.55

1. Lake Charles, LA MSA 170 13.98 29,080 0.21

2. Missoula, MT MSA 160 13.83 28,780 0.29

3. Pocatello, ID MSA 50 13.80 28,710 0.16

4. Tacoma, WA PMSA 750 13.78 28,670 0.31

5. Danbury, CT PMSA 140 13.74 28,580 0.15

51-9198 Helpers--production workers

Help production workers by performing duties of lesser skill. Duties include supplying or holding 

materials or tools and cleaning work area and equipment. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
250

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. General freight trucking 538,640 $17.64 $36,700

2. Specialized freight trucking 197,300 16.34 33,980 

3. Cement and concrete product manufacturing 71,570 15.35 31,930 

4. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers 61,870 18.04 37,520 

5. Employment services 41,580 15.33 31,890 

1. Spectator sports 370 23.65 49,180 

2. Wired telecommunications carriers 170 23.21 48,270 

3. Scientific research and development services 340 22.48 46,760 

4. Postal service 5,680 22.02 45,800 

5. Computer systems design and related services — 45,210 21.73 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Nebraska 27,170 $15.35 $31,930 3.08

2. Arkansas 33,910 15.93 33,120 3.01

3. Tennessee 61,320 15.58 32,410 2.33

4. Iowa 32,550 15.16 31,530 2.29

5. Wyoming 5,400 15.94 33,140 2.20

1. Alaska 2,720 20.51 42,660 0.93

2. Massachusetts 23,870 18.96 39,440 0.76

3. New York 54,320 18.72 38,930 0.66

4. Connecticut 13,040 18.63 38,760 0.80

5. New Jersey 45,200 18.48 38,440 1.17

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Joplin, MO MSA 3,980 $16.19 $33,670 5.35

2. Chattanooga, TN-GA MSA 10,890 16.12 33,530 4.88

3. Green Bay, WI MSA 5,200 19.87 41,340 3.53

4. Wausau, WI MSA 2,010 16.72 34,780 2.93

5. Decatur, AL MSA 1,510 17.74 36,900 2.80

1. New York, NY PMSA 13,850 21.43 44,580 0.35

2. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 1,510 21.24 44,180 1.24

3. Nassau-Suffolk, NY PMSA 9,340 21.20 44,110 0.77

4. Stamford-Norwalk, CT PMSA 760 20.75 43,160 0.38

5. Gary, IN PMSA 5,290 20.20 42,010 2.12

53-3032 Truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer

Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 GVW to transport and 

deliver goods, livestock, or materials in liquid, loose, or packaged form. May be required to unload 

truck. May require use of automated routing equipment. Requires commercial driver's license.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
251

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Couriers 154,800 $18.12 $37,680

2. General freight trucking 42,890 14.64 30,450 

3. Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores 35,700 8.52 17,730 

4. Building material and supplies dealers 35,020 11.41 23,740 

5. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers 34,360 12.87 26,770 

1. Postal service 2,950 21.59 44,900 

2. Wired telecommunications carriers 230 20.63 42,920 

3. Motor vehicle manufacturing 100 20.18 41,980 

4. Support activities for water transportation 300 18.77 39,050 

5. Software publishers 60 18.21 37,880 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Utah 9,500 $13.45 $27,970 0.90

2. Idaho 5,040 11.50 23,920 0.88

3. Pennsylvania 48,290 12.74 26,510 0.88

4. West Virginia 5,940 10.11 21,020 0.87

5. Wisconsin 23,260 11.49 23,900 0.87

1. Massachusetts 20,640 15.03 31,270 0.66

2. Illinois 45,850 15.03 31,260 0.80

3. Alaska 1,860 14.73 30,630 0.64

4. New York 53,300 14.05 29,220 0.65

5. New Jersey 32,380 13.99 29,100 0.83

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Lancaster, PA MSA 3,090 $12.72 $26,450 1.38

2. Cumberland, MD-WV MSA 490 9.95 20,690 1.35

3. Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL MSA 2,540 12.60 26,210 1.31

4. Fitchburg-Leominster, MA PMSA 650 14.11 29,350 1.30

5. Altoona, PA MSA 780 12.63 26,280 1.30

1. Worcester, MA-CT PMSA 2,260 17.47 36,340 0.99

2. Brockton, MA PMSA 1,170 16.83 35,010 1.18

3. Yolo, CA PMSA 1,230 16.68 34,690 1.30

4. Lowell, MA-NH PMSA 980 16.65 34,640 0.81

5. Champaign-Urbana, IL MSA 1,070 16.11 33,520 1.17

53-3033 Truckdrivers, light or delivery services

Drive a truck or van with a capacity of under 26,000 GVW, primarily to deliver or pick up merchandise 

or to deliver packages within a specified area. May require use of automatic routing or location 

software. May involve loading and unloading truck.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
252

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Warehousing and storage 71,940 $13.16 $27,370

2. Building material and supplies dealers 53,620 12.34 25,670 

3. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers 27,450 14.01 29,140 

4. Employment services 24,850 11.08 23,040 

5. General freight trucking 24,010 15.11 31,430 

1. Natural gas distribution 24.50 50 50,970

2. Motor vehicle manufacturing 4,490 22.80 47,430

3. Power generation and supply 680 21.77 45,290

4. Architectural and engineering services 340 19.92 41,440

5. Coal mining 570 18.93 39,370

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Arkansas 9,940 $11.70 $24,340 0.88

2. Tennessee 22,280 12.71 26,430 0.85

3. Georgia 31,620 12.60 26,200 0.83

4. Kentucky 13,210 13.37 27,800 0.76

5. Indiana 21,280 14.02 29,170 0.74

1. Michigan 22,710 17.39 36,170 0.53

2. Hawaii 1,500 17.15 35,660 0.27

3. Wyoming 620 16.24 33,780 0.25

4. District of Columbia 200 15.62 32,490 0.03

5. Washington 13,680 15.28 31,790 0.53

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle, PA MSA 5,280 $13.87 $28,840 1.51

2. Jackson, TN MSA 860 11.54 23,990 1.50

3. Fort Smith, AR-OK MSA 1,260 12.40 25,800 1.28

4. Reading, PA MSA 2,030 14.42 30,000 1.26

5. Goldsboro, NC MSA 540 9.73 20,240 1.25

1. Bloomington-Normal, IL MSA 790 21.77 45,270 0.95

2. Kokomo, IN MSA 360 20.01 41,630 0.75

3. Detroit, MI PMSA 10,480 19.28 40,100 0.53

4. Ann Arbor, MI PMSA 880 18.62 38,720 0.32

5. Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, MI MSA 600 18.53 38,540 0.36

53-7051 Industrial truck and tractor operators

Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, 

factory, construction site, or similar location.

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
253

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Employment services 536,410 $8.69 $18,080

2. Couriers 115,260 11.97 24,900 

3. Warehousing and storage 113,790 12.10 25,170 

4. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers 75,910 11.66 24,260 

5. Building material and supplies dealers 62,590 10.01 20,830 

1. Metal ore mining 180 18.43 38,330 

2. Support activities for water transportation 18,150 18.02 37,490 

3. Wired telecommunications carriers 260 17.58 36,570 

4. Coal mining 2,080 16.85 35,060

5. Pipeline transportation of crude oil 16.48 50 34,280

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. Nevada 30,860 $11.32 $23,540 2.76

2. Tennessee 70,780 10.24 21,290 2.69

3. Illinois 149,260 10.24 21,290 2.61

4. Ohio 130,500 11.17 23,230 2.46

5. South Carolina 42,690 10.04 20,880 2.41

1. Alaska 3,530 13.33 27,730 1.20

2. Hawaii 6,440 12.55 26,100 1.14

3. Minnesota 33,800 12.37 25,730 1.30

4. Michigan 69,230 12.35 25,690 1.61

5. Connecticut 18,690 12.30 25,580 1.14

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Anniston, AL MSA 2,310 $10.82 $22,500 4.78

2. Gadsden, AL MSA 1,600 9.13 18,990 4.47

3. Laredo, TX MSA 3,210 7.85 16,330 4.13

4. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 9,790 10.16 21,130 4.10

5. Rocky Mount, NC MSA 2,160 10.08 20,970 3.49

1. Flint, MI PMSA 2,930 14.37 29,880 1.87

2. Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, MI MSA 1,890 13.71 28,520 1.14

3. Lafayette, IN MSA 1,240 13.67 28,430 1.46

4. Stockton-Lodi, CA MSA 6,370 13.66 28,410 3.07

5. Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI MSA 21,080 13.23 27,510 1.24

53-7062 Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand

Manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other unskilled general labor. Include all 

unskilled manual laborers not elsewhere classified. 

Industry

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 
254

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, States, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

1. Grocery stores 195,040 $7.35 $15,290

2. Employment services 148,160 8.10 16,850 

3. Plastics product manufacturing 37,350 9.96 20,710 

4. Warehousing and storage 27,890 10.27 21,360 

5. Other general merchandise stores 21,700 8.52 17,720 

1. Postal service 60 18.98 39,470 

2. Federal Government (OES designation) 980 18.12 37,680 

3. Support activities for water transportation 380 17.75 36,920 

4. Aerospace product and parts manufacturing 400 13.40 27,870 

5. Support activities for air transportation 60 13.16 27,380 

Employment Hourly mean 

wage

Annual mean 

wage

Percent of 

State 

employment

1. New Jersey 44,850 $8.74 $18,180 1.16

2. Indiana 27,600 9.85 20,490 0.96

3. Ohio 49,230 9.44 19,640 0.93

4. Tennessee 23,250 9.16 19,060 0.88

5. Wisconsin 23,560 9.62 20,020 0.88

1. Alaska 1,120 10.91 22,700 0.38

2. Maryland 11,600 10.89 22,640 0.47

3. Pennsylvania 39,210 10.07 20,940 0.71

4. Connecticut 8,080 9.94 20,670 0.50

5. Michigan 32,370 9.86 20,510 0.75

 Employment Hourly mean 

wage 

 Annual mean 

wage 

Percent of 

MSA 

employment

1. Yakima, WA MSA 1,900 $8.64 $17,980 2.49

2. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ PMSA 1,350 9.98 20,760 2.24

3. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA MSA 2,740 8.37 17,400 2.23

4. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ PMSA 13,130 8.46 17,590 2.11

5. Jersey City, NJ PMSA 4,410 7.82 16,260 1.85

1. Yolo, CA PMSA 1,110 12.80 26,630 1.17

2. Kokomo, IN MSA 490 12.51 26,010 1.02

3. Victoria, TX MSA 330 12.19 25,360 0.93

4. Hagerstown, MD PMSA 500 11.74 24,420 0.78

5. Sheboygan, WI MSA 660 11.63 24,190 1.14

MSAs with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 3

Top-paying MSAs for this occupation

States with the highest concentration of workers in this occupation 2

Top-paying States for this occupation

 MSA 

Top industries by employment for this occupation 1

Top-paying industries for this occupation

State

53-7064 Packers and packagers, hand

Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.

Industry
255

Table 3. Employment and Wages for Selected Occupations by Industry, State, and MSA,

May 2004—Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

1 Table shows occupational employment and wage estimates for

10 industries: The 5 with the highest employment and the 5 with the

highest wages for this occupation. Industries are shown at the fourdigit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code

level.

2 States (includes Washington, DC) with the highest percentages

of workers in this occupation. The percent of employment is

calculated by dividing the State employment for the detailed

occupation by the total State employment for all occupations

3 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with the highest

percentages of workers in this occupation. The percent of workers

is calculated by dividing the MSA employment for the detailed

occupation by the total MSA employment for all occupations.

NOTE: A dash indicates that no estimates are available.
256

Appendix A. The Standard

Occupational Classification

System

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) surveyfully implemented the Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC) in 2000. The SOC fulfilled a growing

need for a universal occupational classification system that

permits government agencies and private industry to produce comparable data.

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires

all Federal statistical agencies collecting occupational data

to use the SOC. The new classification system is designed

to cover all occupations in which work is performed for pay

or profit, reflecting the current occupational structure in the

United States.

The OES survey uses 22 of the 23 major occupational

groups from the SOC to categorize workers who work for pay

in 1 of 801 detailed occupations. The major group excluded

is military-specific occupations, which are not covered in the

OES survey.

Description of the SOC structure

The SOC is an empirically based, economywide occupational

classification system. The occupations are identified by

codes and titles, and by definitions that describe primary job

duties. The skill level required for some of the occupations

is implicit in the definition. The classification system emphasizes occupations of special interest to many data users,

such as technology-related occupations and those requiring substantial training.

The SOC has four levels of classification: Major group,

minor group, broad occupational detail, and detailed occupation. Occupation codes consist of six digits, with a hyphen between the second and third digits for presentation

clarity. The first two digits represent the major group; the

third, the minor group; and the fourth and fifth, the broad

occupational detail. The last digit, along with the preceding

five, identifies the detailed occupation.

Major group codes end with 0000 (for example, 33-0000,

Protective Service Occupations), minor groups end with 000

(33-2000, Fire Fighting Workers), and broad occupations end

with 0 (33-2020, Fire Inspectors). All residuals (“Other,”

“Miscellaneous,” or “All Other”), whether at the detailed or

broad occupation or minor group level, contain a 9 at the

level of the residual. Detailed residual occupations end in 9

(for example, 33-9199, Protective Service Workers, All Other);

broad occupations that are minor group residuals end in 90

(33-9190, Miscellaneous Protective Service Workers); and

minor groups that are major group residuals end in 9000 (33-

9000, Other Protective Service Workers).

There are residual categories within the various levels of

the system to permit the reporting of occupations not identified at the detailed level. The following sections examine the

first level of the system (major group), as well as the residual

occupational categories.

Major groups

The major groups and numbers of detailed occupations of

the SOC surveyed in the OES program in May 2004 are as

follows:

Detailed

occupations

Code Major occupational group

 Total ............................................ 801

11-0000 Management ................................... 34

13-0000 Business and financial operations 30

15-0000 Computer and mathematical ......... 16

17-0000 Architecture and engineering ........ 35

19-0000 Life, physical, and social science . 44

21-0000 Community and social services .... 17

23-0000 Legal ................................................ 9

25-0000 Education, training, and library ...... 61

27-0000 Arts, design, entertainment, sports,

 and media ..................................... 41

29-0000 Healthcare practitioner and

 technical ........................................ 53

31-0000 Healthcare support ........................ 15

33-0000 Protective service .......................... 21

35-0000 Food preparation and serving

 related ........................................... 18

37-0000 Building and grounds cleaning and

 maintenance ................................. 10

39-0000 Personal care and service ............ 34

41-0000 Sales and related ........................... 22

43-0000 Office and administrative support . 55

45-0000 Farming, fishing, and forestry ........ 16

47-0000 Construction and extraction .......... 59

49-0000 Installation, maintenance, and

 repair ............................................. 51

51-0000 Production ....................................... 110

53-0000 Transportation and material

 moving .......................................... 50
257

Classification guidelines

To ensure that all users of occupational data classify workers in the same way, the following classification principles

apply:

1. The classification covers all occupations in which work

is performed for pay or profit, including work performed in

family-operated enterprises by family members who are not

directly compensated. It excludes occupations unique to volunteers. Each occupation is assigned to only one occupation at the lowest level of the classification. OES does not

cover the self-employed. For additional information, see appendix B.

2. Occupations are classified based upon work performed

and skills, education, training, and credentials required.

3. Supervisors of professional and technical workers usually have qualifications similar to those of the workers they

supervise and are, therefore, classified with the workers supervised. Likewise, team leaders, lead workers, and supervisors of production, sales, and service workers who spend at

least 20 percent of their time performing work similar to that

of the workers they supervise are classified with the workers

they supervise.

4. First-line managers and supervisors of production,

service, and sales workers who spend 80 percent or more of

their time performing supervisory activities are classified separately in the appropriate supervisor category because their

work activities are distinct from those of the workers they

supervise. First-line managers generally are found in smaller

establishments, where they perform both supervisory and

management functions, such as accounting, marketing, and

personnel work.

5. Apprentices and trainees are classified with the occupations for which they are being trained, while helpers and

aides are classified separately.

6. If an occupation is not included as a distinct detailed

occupation in the SOC structure, it is classified in the appropriate residual occupation. Residual occupations contain all

occupations within a major, minor, or broad group that are

not classified separately.

7. When workers may be classified in more than one occupation, they are classified in the occupation that requires

the highest level of skill. If there is no measurable difference

in skill requirements, workers are included in the occupation

at which they spend the most time.

8. OES data collection and reporting agencies classify

workers at the most detailed level possible. Different agencies may use different levels of aggregation, depending on

their ability to collect data and the requirements of data users.

First-line managers and supervisors are included in the

last 11 major occupational groups. Professional, paraprofessional, and technical supervisors are classified with the workers they supervise due to the extensive subject matter knowledge required. First-line managers and supervisors may be

supervised by top and middle managers in the managerial

and administrative major groups.

Residual occupational categories

The SOC has detailed categories for occupations that are

numerically significant, either in one industry or across all

industries. For less populous occupations, residual categories (that is, “All other...”) have been created within most

levels of the SOC. Residual categories provide a complete

accounting of all workers employed within an establishment

and allow aggregation and analysis of occupational employment data at various levels of detail. Some examples of residual categories are: “All other sales and related workers”

at the major group level, and “All other machinery maintenance mechanics” at the detailed level.

For more information about the SOC, see the Bureau of

Labor Statistics Web site at www.bls.gov/soc/.
258

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey isa mail survey measuring occupational employment and

wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the 50 States and the District of Columbia. Guam,

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands also are surveyed, but

their data are not included in national estimates.

About 6.5 million establishments are stratified within State

by substate area, industry, and employment size class.

Substate areas include all officially defined metropolitan areas and one or more residual balance-of-State areas (MSA/

BOS areas). The North American Industry Classification

System (NAICS) is used to stratify establishments by industry.

Probability sample panels of about 200,000 establishments

are selected semiannually. Responses are obtained through

mail and telephone contact. Respondents report their number of employees by occupation across 12 wage bands. The

Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC) is used

to define occupations.

Estimates of occupational employment and occupational

wage rates are based on a rolling six-panel (or 3-year) cycle.

The total sample size when six panels are combined is approximately 1.2 million establishments.

Occupational and industrial classification systems

The occupational classification system

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget’s Standard Occupational Classification system (SOC) is used to define occupations. The survey uses the system to categorize workers across 22 major occupation groups spanning

approximately 801 detailed occupations. See appendix A for

a detailed description of the system.

The industrial classification system

In 2002, the OES survey switched from the Standard Industrial Classification system (SIC) to the NAICS. More information about NAICS can be found at the BLS Web site

www.bls.gov/bls/naics.htm or in the 2002 North American

Industry Classification System manual. Each establishment

in the survey is assigned a six-digit NAICS code based on its

primary economic activity.

Industrial scope and stratification. The survey covers the

following NAICS industries:

11 Logging (1133), support activities for crop production (1151), and support activities for animal production (1152) only

21 Mining

22 Utilities

23 Construction

31-33 Manufacturing

42 Wholesale trade

44-45 Retail trade

48-49 Transportation and warehousing

51 Information

52 Finance and insurance

53 Real estate and rental and leasing

54 Professional, scientific, and technical services

55 Management of companies and enterprises

56 Administrative and support and waste management

and remediation services

61 Educational services

62 Healthcare and social assistance

71 Arts, entertainment, and recreation

72 Accommodation and food services

81 Other Services, except Public Administration

[private households (814) are excluded]

Federal Government (OES-designated code 999100)

State Government (OES-designated code 999200)

Local Government (OES-designated code 999300)

These sectors are stratified into approximately 350 industry groups. Most groups are entire four-digit NAICS codes.

The rest are either stand-alone five-digit NAICS codes or

residual four-digit NAICS codes with the stand-alone fivedigit codes removed. “NAICS4/5” is shorthand that is used

to describe this particular grouping of industries.

Concepts

An establishment is generally a single physical location at

which economic activity occurs (for example, store, factory,

farm, etc.). Each establishment is assigned a six-digit NAICS

Appendix B. Survey Methods

and Reliability of the

May 2004 Occupational

Employment Statistics

Survey
259

code. When a single physical location encompasses two or

more distinct economic activities, it is treated as separate

establishments if separate payroll records are available and

certain other criteria are met.

Employment refers to the number of workers who can be

classified as full- or part-time employees, including workers

on paid vacations or other types of leave; workers on unpaid

short-term absences; salaried officers, executives, and staff

members of incorporated firms; employees temporarily assigned to other units; and noncontract employees for whom

the reporting unit is their permanent duty station, regardless

of whether that unit prepares their paychecks.

The OES survey includes all full- and part-time wage and

salary workers in nonfarm industries. Self-employed owners, partners in unincorporated firms, household workers,

and unpaid family workers are excluded.

Occupations are classified based on work performed and on

required skills. Employees are assigned to an occupation

based on the work they perform and not on their education

or training. For example, an employee trained as an engineer

but working as a drafter is reported as a drafter. Employees

who perform the duties of two or more occupations are reported in the occupation that requires the highest level of

skill or in the occupation where the most time is spent if there

is no measurable difference in skill requirements. Working

supervisors (those spending 20 percent or more of their time

doing work similar to that of the workers they supervise) are

classified with the workers they supervise. Workers receiving on-the-job training and apprentices are classified with

the occupations for which they are being trained.

A wage is money that is paid or received for work or services

performed in a specified period. Included in a wage are baserate pay; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; and incentive pay, such as commissions and

production bonuses, tips, and on-call pay. Excluded are back

pay, jury duty pay, overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer costs for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursement. Employers are

asked to classify each of their workers into an SOC occupation and 1 of the following 12 wage intervals:

Wages

Hourly 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

3-year survey cycle of data collection

The survey is based on a probability sample drawn from a

universe of about 6.5 million in-scope establishments stratified by geography, industry, and employment size. The

sample is designed to represent all nonfarm establishments

in the United States.

Beginning with the November 2002 panel, the OES survey changed from an annual sample of 400,000 establishments to a semiannual sample of 200,000 establishments in

May and November of each year. Semiannual samples are

referred to as panels. Previous yearly samples are the equivalent of two panels. To the extent possible, privately owned

units selected in any one panel will not be sampled again in

the next five succeeding panels.

The survey is conducted over a rolling six-panel (or 3-

year) cycle. This is done to provide adequate geographic,

industrial, and occupational coverage. Over the course of a

six-panel (or 3-year) cycle, approximately 1.2 million establishments are sampled. In this cycle, data collected in May

2004 are combined with data collected in November 2003,

May 2003, November 2002, and 2001 (the equivalent of two

panels). In the transition from annual to semiannual sampling, some large establishments from the 2000 sample were

added to provide complete coverage of establishments with

250 or more workers (based on maximum employment).

For a given panel, survey questionnaires/schedules are

initially mailed out to almost all sampled establishments. State

workforce agency staff may make personal visits to some of

the larger establishments. Two or three additional mailings

are sent to nonrespondents at approximately 3-week intervals. Telephone or personal visit followups are made to

nonrespondents considered critical to the survey because

of their size.

Periodic censuses are taken of Federal and State Government.

• A census of Federal Government and the U.S. Postal

Service (USPS) is conducted semiannually in June and

December. Prior to November 2002, a census of Federal Government and the USPS was taken annually.

Employment and wage data for these industries are

collected from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Data from only the most recent panel is

retained for use in OES estimates.

• A census of State government is conducted annually

in November. State-owned establishments are included,

except for schools and hospitals. In most States, a consolidated report of employment and wage data is obtained for each MSA/BOS level.

• A probability sample, not a census, is taken of local

government units. Local-government-owned estabInterval
260

lishments are included, excluding schools and hospitals.

Schools and hospitals owned by State or local government are sampled along with their counterparts in the private

sector.

Sampling Procedures

The frame

The sampling frame, or universe, is a list of about 6.5 million

in-scope nonfarm establishments that file unemployment insurance (UI) reports with the State workforce agencies. Virtually all establishments are required to file these reports,

with the exception of Guam establishments and rail transportation (NAICS 4821) establishments. Every quarter a national sampling frame list is created by combining all of the

State lists into a single file called the Longitudinal Data Base

(LDB). The following frame files were used to select the

samples for the May 2004 survey.

• 2003 Second quarter LDB file (for May 2004 panel)

• 2002 Fourth quarter LDB file (for November 2003

panel)

• 2002 Second quarter LDB file (for May 2003 panel)

• 2001 Fourth quarter LDB file (for November 2002

panel)

• 2000 Fourth quarter LDB file (for 2001 sample)

In addition, the LDB files were supplemented with frame

files covering Guam and rail transportation (NAICS 4821).

Stratification

Establishments on the frame are stratified by geographic area,

industry group, and size class.

• Geographic stratification—686 MSA/BOS areas are

specified within State. Each officially defined metropolitan area in a State is specified as a substate area.

In addition, each State is allowed to specify up to four

residual balance-of-State areas. (Note: Cross-State

MSAs are split among the several States.)

• Industry stratification—343 NAICS4/5 industry groups

are defined.

• Size class stratification—An establishment’s size

is defined as the maximum of its 12 monthly levels on

the sampling frame. Establishments are classified into

one of the following seven employment size class (SC)

ranges: 1–4, 5–9, 10–19, 20–49, 50–99, 100–249, and

250 or more.

At any given time there are about 575,000 nonempty MSA/

BOS-by-NAICS4/5-by-SC strata on the frame. When comparing nonempty strata between frames, there may be substantial frame-to-frame differences. The differences are due

primarily to normal birth and death processes and to normal

establishment growth or shrinkage. Other differences are

due to NAICS reclassification and changes in geographic

location.

Certainty and virtual certainty units

Federal Government and USPS units are are called “certainty”

units because a census is taken of them every panel. A

census is taken every other panel (covering November employment) of State government units. Technically, State units

are not “certainty” units because data are not collected every panel. Consequently the term “virtual certainty” is applied to these units. The term “virtual certainty” also is

applied to units employing 250 or more workers based on

maximum employment (that is, units in size class 7). These

units are sampled once in the six-panel survey cycle with

certainty.

Allocation of the sample to strata

Each State is assigned a fixed overall sample size that is

correlated to the size of its sampling frame. Nationally, a

given frame has about 575,000 nonempty MSA/BOS-byNAICS4/5-by-SC strata and most of the sample is allocated

simply to get minimal coverage of all strata across a six-panel

cycle. For each State, there also is a Neyman allocation

procedure that is used to allocate the remaining sample to

the strata. The objective of the Neyman allocation process

is to even out the relative standard errors of estimates for

“typical” occupations across all substate areas.

Sampling using PRNs

Permanent random numbers (PRNs) are used in the sample

selection process. Each establishment in the sampling frame

is assigned a PRN. The numbers allow us to minimize sample

overlap between the OES survey and other large surveys

conducted by BLS.

For each stratum, a specific PRN value is designated as

the “starting” point to select a sample. From this “starting”

point, we sequentially select the first “n” eligible establishments in the frame to include in the sample; “n” denotes the

number of establishments to be sampled.

Panel weights (sampling weights)

Sampling weights are computed so that each panel roughly

represents the entire universe of establishments.

Federal Government, USPS, and State government units

are assigned a panel weight of 1. Other sampled establishments, including virtual certainty units in size class 7, are

assigned a design-based panel weight. For a stratum with n

establishments sampled from N frame establishments, the

weight N/n is assigned to each of the n sampled establishments. N/n is the reciprocal of a frame establishment’s chance

of being selected into the panel.

National sample counts

The combined sample for the May 2004 survey is the equivalent of six panels. The sample allocations for the panels in

this cycle are:
261

204,197 establishments for May 2004

204,881 establishments for November 2003

199,587 establishments for May 2003

201,016 establishments for November 2002

405,655 establishments for 2001 (two-panel equivalent)

In addition, some certainty units from 2000 were added to

the sample to provide complete coverage of establishments

with 250 or more employees. The combined sample size for

the May 2004 estimates is approximately 1.2 million establishments, which includes only the most recent data for Federal and State Government. Federal and State Government

units from older panels are deleted to avoid double-counting

these industries.

Response and Nonresponse

Response

Of the approximately 1.2 million establishments in the combined initial sample, 1,103,140 were viable establishments

(that is, establishments that are not out of scope or out of

business). Of the viable establishments, 868,908 responded

and 234,232 did not. The establishment response rate is 78.8

percent (868,908/1,103,140). The response rate in terms of

weighted sample employment is 72.7 percent.

Nonresponse

Establishments that did not report occupational employment

data are “unit” nonrespondents. Establishments that reported employment data but failed to break out employment

by wage intervals are “partial” nonrespondents. Missing

data for unit nonrespondents are imputed through a twostep imputation process. Missing data for partial nonrespondents are imputed through the second step of the process only.

Step 1, Impute an occupational employment staffing

pattern.

For each unit nonrespondent, a staffing pattern is imputed using a nearest-neighbor “hot deck” imputation

method. The procedure links a responding donor establishment to each nonrespondent. For the May 2004

survey, possible donors were respondents from the

May 2004, November 2003, May 2003, and November

2002 panels. The nearest-neighbor hot deck procedure

searches within defined cells for a donor that most

closely resembles the nonrespondent by geographic

area, industry, and employment size. The procedure

initially searches for a donor whose reported employment is approximately the same as the nonrespondent’s

frame employment within the same MSA-BOS and fivedigit NAICS. If the search is unsuccessful, the pool of

donors is enlarged in incremental steps by expanding

geographic area and industry until a suitable donor is

found. Limits are placed on the number of times a

donor can be used.

After a donor has been found, its occupational staff

ing pattern is used to prorate the nonrespondent’s

frame employment by occupation. The prorated employment is the nonrespondent’s imputed occupational

employment.

Note: At the end of step 1, total employment has been

imputed by occupation for the nonrespondent. We do

not, however, have an employment distribution across

wage intervals for the occupations.

Step 2, Impute an employment distribution across

wage intervals.

For each “unit” nonrespondent in step 1 or for each

“partial” nonrespondent, impute an employment distribution across wage intervals for all occupations.

This distribution, called the wage employment distribution, is imputed as follows:

• Identify the imputation cell for the nonrespondent. Imputation cells are initially defined by panel, MSA/BOS,

NAICS4/5, and four size classes.

• Determine if the imputation cell has enough respondents to compute wage employment distributions. If

not, incrementally enlarge the cell until there are enough

respondents.

• For each occupation in the imputation cell, use the respondents to calculate an employment distribution as

a percentage across wage intervals.

• Use the distributions above to prorate the nonrespondent’s imputed occupational employment across wage

intervals. (Or, for partial respondents, use the distributions above to prorate the reported occupational

employment across wage intervals.)

Combining and benchmarking data for occupational employment estimates

Reweighting for the combined sample

Employment and wage rate estimates are computed using a

rolling six-panel (3-year) sample. Estimates for the May 2004

survey were calculated using data from the May 2004, November 2003, May 2003, November 2002, and 2001 samples,

plus a small number of virtual certainty units from the 2000

sample. Establishments from each sample were assigned

weights to represent the universe at the time of sample selection. When the samples are combined, each sampled establishment is reweighted so that the aggregate sample represents the “recent” population. This revised weight is called

the final weight.

In the reweighting process, only data from the most recent census of Federal Government, the USPS, and State

government are kept. The final weight for establishments in

these industries is set to 1. The final weight of virtual certainty units also is set to 1.
262

Noncertainty units were reweighted stratum by stratum.

The original single-panel sampling weights were computed

so that responses in a stratum could be weighted to represent the entire stratum population. In one common scenario,

six panel samples are combined, and all six panels have sample

units for a particular stratum. A summation of the singlepanel weights would overrepresent the stratum population

by a factor of six. Because we do not want to overrepresent

the stratum population, the final weight of each establishment is set equal to one sixth of its single-panel sampling

weight. In general, when six panel samples are combined,

only n < 6 panels have sample units for a particular stratum.

The final weight of each establishment in the stratum is computed by multiplying its single-panel sampling weight by 1/n.

Benchmarking to QCEW employment

A ratio estimator is used to calculate estimates of occupational employment. The auxiliary variable for the estimator is

the average of the latest May and November employment

totals from the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and

Wages (QCEW). For the May 2004 survey, the auxiliary

variable is the average of May 2004 and November 2003

employment. To balance the State need for estimates at differing levels of geography and industry, the ratio estimation

process is carried out through a series of four hierarchical

employment ratio adjustments. The ratio adjustments also

are known as benchmark factors (BMFs).

The first of the hierarchical benchmark factors is calculated in the States for cells defined by MSA-BOS, NAICS4/5,

and employment size class (four size classes). If a first-level

BMF is out of range, it is reset to a predetermined maximum

ceiling or predetermined minimum floor value. First-level

BMFs are calculated as follows:

h = MSA-BOS by NAICS4/5

H = State by four-digit NAICS

s = employment size classes (1–19, 20–49, 50–249,

or 250+)

S = aggregate employment size classes (1–49, 50+)

M = average of May and November QCEW

wi = final weight for establishment i

xi = total establishment employment

BMFmin = a parameter, the lowest value allowed for BMF

BMFmax = a parameter, the highest value allowed for BMF

Second-level BMFs are calculated for cells defined within

States at the four-digit NAICS level by summing the product of final weight and first-level BMF for each establishment in the cell. Second-level BMFs account for the portion

of universe employment that is not adequately covered by

weighted employment in first-level benchmarking. Inadequate coverage occurs when “MSA-BOS | NAICS4/5 | size

class” cells have no sample data or when a floor or ceiling is

imposed on first-level BMFs. Second-stage benchmarks

are calculated as follows:

⎟

⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛

= ∑ ∑ ∈ ∈ Hhs hsi

ii hs

H H BMFxw

M

,1

β

⎪

⎩

⎪

⎨

⎧

>

<

=

otherwise

if,BMF ,BMF

if,BMF ,BMF

max max

min min

,2

H

H

H

BMF H

β

β

β

Third-level BMFs (BMF3,H) are calculated at the “State | 3-

digit NAICS” cell level by summing the product of final

weight, first-level BMF, and second-level BMF for each establishment in the cell. Fourth-level BMFs (BMF4,H) are calculated at the “State | 2-digit NAICS” cell level by summing

the product of final weight, first-level BMF, second-level

BMF, and third-level BMF for each establishment in the cell.

As with second-level BMFs, third- and fourth-level BMFs

are computed to account for inadequate coverage of the

universe employment.

A final benchmark factor, BMFi, is calculated for each

establishment as the product of its four hierarchical benchmark factors (BMFi

 = BMF1 * BMF2 * BMF3 * BMF4 ). A

benchmark weight value is then calculated as the product of

the establishment’s final weight and final benchmark factor.

Occupational employment estimates

Benchmark weights are used to compute estimates of occupational employment. Estimates are produced for cells

defined by geographic area, industry group, and size of establishment (i.e., size class). To estimate the total employment for an occupation in a cell, take the product of reported

occupational employment and benchmark weight for each

establishment in the cell. Sum the product across all establishments in the cell. This sum is the estimate of total occupational employment in the cell.

The equation below is used to calculate occupational

employment estimates for an estimation cell defined by geographic area, industry group, and size class.

∑( ) ∈

= hi

ho ioii ˆ xBMFwX

o = occupation

h = estimation cell

wi = benchmark weight for establishment i

⎟

⎠

⎞ ⎜

⎝

⎛ = ∑∈hsi

hs hs ii β xwM

, ⎟

⎠

⎞ ⎜

⎝

⎛ = ∑∈hSi

hS hS ii β xwM

, ⎟

⎠

⎞ ⎜

⎝

⎛ = ∑∈hi

h h ii β xwM

,

( )

( )

⎪

⎪

⎪

⎩

⎪

⎪

⎪

⎨

⎧

>

= <

otherwise

if,BMF ,BMF

if,BMF ,BMF

allif, ,BMF,BMFby boundedarewithin

allif, ,BMF,BMFby boundedarewithin

max max

min min

min max

min max

,1

h

h

h

hS hS

hs hs

hs

h

h

BMF

β

β

β

β β

β β

then

, then
263

by the OES survey. This value is calculated externally using

data from the Bureau’s National Compensation Survey (NCS).

Although smaller than the OES survey in terms of sample

size, the NCS program, unlike OES, collects individual wage

data. The mean hourly wage rate for interval L (the upper,

open-ended wage interval) is calculated without wage data

for pilots. This occupation is excluded because pilots work

fewer hours than other occupations. Consequently their

hourly wage rates are much higher.

Wage aging process

Aging factors are developed from the BLS Employment Cost

Index (ECI) survey. The ECI survey measures the rate of

change in compensation for nine major occupation groups

on a quarterly basis. Aging factors are used to adjust OES

wage data in past survey reference periods to the current

survey reference period (May 2004).

Mean hourly wage rate estimates

Mean hourly wage is the total hourly wages for an occupation divided by its weighted survey employment. Estimates

of mean hourly wage are calculated using a standard grouped

data formula that was modified to use ECI aging factors.

= ∑r

rzroiozoi ˆ cxuy ( ) ∈ zi

Ro

ˆ

oi yˆ

Xo

ˆ

 

o = occupation

= mean hourly wage rate for occupation o

z = year (or panel)

t = current panel

wi = final weight for establishment i

BMFi = final benchmark factor applied to establishment

i

= unweighted total hourly wage estimate for occupation o in establishment i

r = wage interval

= estimated employment for occupation o

xi o r = reported employment for occupation o in

establishment i in wage interval r (note that

establishment i reports data for only one panel

z or one year z)

uz o = ECI aging factor for panel (or year) z and

occupation o

cz r = mean hourly wage for interval r in panel (or year)

z

In this formula, cz r represents the mean hourly wage of

interval r in panel (or year) z. The mean is determined extero

t

z z t i

oiii

o

X

yBMFw

R ˆ

ˆ

ˆ 5

∑ ∑ = ∈ − ⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛

=

BMFi = final benchmark factor applied to establishment i

xio = reported employment for occupation o in

establishment i

Xho ˆ = estimated employment for occupation o in the

cell h

Wage rate estimation

Two externally derived parameters are used to calculate wage

rate estimates. They are the following:

• Mean wage rates for each of the 12 wage intervals

• Wage updating factors (also known as aging factors)

Wage rates of workers are reported to the OES survey as

grouped data across 12 consecutive, nonoverlapping wage

bands. Individual wage rates are not collected.

An illustration. An establishment employs 10 secretaries

at the following wage rates:

$ 7/hour - 1 secretary

$ 8/hour – 1 secretary

$11/hour – 2 secretaries

$12/hour – 2 secretaries

$13/hour – 2 secretaries

$15/hour – 1 secretary

$16/hour – 1 secretary

Wage rates for secretaries, however, are reported to the

OES survey as follows:

Wage interval A (under $ 6.75/hour) – 0 secretaries

Wage interval B ($ 6.75-$8.49/hour) – 2 secretaries

Wage interval C ($ 8.50-$10.74/hour) – 0 secretaries

Wage interval D ($10.75-$13.49/hour) – 6 secretaries

Wage interval E ($13.50-$16.99/hour) – 2 secretaries

The remaining wage intervals have 0 secretaries.

Because wage rates are collected as grouped data, we

must use grouped data formulae to calculate estimates of

mean and percentile wage rates. Assumptions are made when

using grouped data formulae. For the mean wage rate formula, we assume that we know the average wage rate for

workers in each interval. For the percentile wage rate formula, we assume that workers are evenly distributed in each

interval.

Wage data from panels in May 2004, November 2003, May

2003, November 2002, and 2001 were used to calculate May

2004 wage rate estimates. Wage data from different panels,

however, are not equivalent in real-dollar terms. Consequently, wage data collected prior to the current survey reference period (May 2004) have to be updated or aged to

approximate that period.

Determination of a mean wage rate for each interval

The mean hourly wage rate for all workers in any given wage

interval cannot be computed using grouped data collected
264

nally using data from the NCS. Research is conducted periodically to verify the continued viability of this updating

procedure.

Percentile hourly wage rate estimates

The p-th percentile hourly 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. The wage interval containing the p-th percentile hourly

wage rate is located using a cumulative frequency count of

employment across all wage intervals. After the targeted

wage interval is identified, the p-th percentile wage rate is

then estimated using a linear interpolation procedure.

)( rr

r

ro LU

f

j LpR −+=

pRo

pRo

Lr

Ur

rf

Lr

= p-th percentile hourly wage rate for occupation o

r = wage interval that encompasses 

= lower bound of wage interval r

= upper bound of wage interval r

= number of workers in interval r

j = difference between the number of workers

needed to reach the p-th percentile wage rate

and the number of workers needed to reach

the wage rate

Annual wage rate estimates

These estimates are calculated by multiplying mean or percentile hourly wage rate estimates by a “year-round, full time”

figure of 2,080 hours (52 weeks x 40 hours) per year. These

estimates, however, may not represent mean annual pay

should the workers work more or less than 2,080 hours per

year.

Alternatively, some workers are paid based on an annual

amount but do not work the usual 2,080 hours per year. Since

the survey does not collect the actual number of hours

worked, hourly wage rates cannot be derived from annual

wage rates with any reasonable degree of confidence.

Confidentiality

BLS has a strict confidentiality policy that ensures that the

survey sample composition, lists of reporters, and names of

respondents will be kept confidential. Additionally, the policy

assures respondents that published figures will not reveal

the identity of any specific respondent and will not allow the

data of any specific respondent to be imputed. Each published estimate is screened to ensure that it meets these confidentiality requirements. The specific screening criteria are

not listed in this publication to further protect the confidentiality of the data.

Variance estimation

Occupational employment variance estimation

A subsample replication technique called the “jackknife random group” is used to estimate variances of occupational

employment. In this technique, each sampled establishment

is assigned to one of G random groups. G subsamples are

created from the G random groups. Each subsample is

reweighted to represent the universe.

G estimates of total occupational employment ( ),

one estimate per subsample, are calculated. The variability

among the G employment estimates is a good variance estimate for occupational employment. The two formulae below

can be used to estimate the variance of occupational employment for an estimation cell defined by geographic area

and industry group.

Xhjog

ˆ

)1(

) ˆ ˆ (

) ˆ ( 1

2

−

−

=

∑=

GG

XX

Xv

G

g

hjog hjo

hjo

) ˆ (Xv hjo Xhjo

ˆ

Xhjo

ˆ

Xhjog

ˆ

h = estimation cell defined by geographic

area and industry group

j = employment size class (1-19, 20-49, 50-249,

250+)

o = occupation

= estimated variance of 

G = number of random groups

= estimated employment of occupation o in

cell h and size class j

= estimated employment of occupation o in

cell h, size class j, and subsample g

Xhjo

ˆ

Xhjog

ˆ

= estimated mean employment for occupation

o in cell h and size class j based on the

G subsamples (Note: A finite population

correction factor is applied to the terms

 and Xhjo

ˆ

) ˆ (Xv hjo

∑∈

= hj

ho XvXv hjo ) ˆ () ˆ (

.)

The variance for an occupational employment estimate in

cell h obtained by summing the variances across

all size classes j in cell h.

Occupational mean wage variance estimation

Because OES wage data are collected in intervals (grouped),
265

they do not capture the exact wage of each worker. Therefore, some components of the wage variance are approximated using factors developed from NCS data. A Taylor

Linearization technique is used to develop a variance estimator appropriate for OES mean wage estimates. The primary component of the mean wage variance, which accounts

for the variability of the observed sample data, is estimated

using the standard estimator of variance for a ratio estimate.

This component is the first term in the formula given below:

Ro

ˆ

) ˆ (Rv o Ro

ˆ

Xo

ˆ

ohf

oh n

wi

oi q

 = estimated mean wage for occupation o

= estimated variance of 

= estimated occupational employment for occupation o

h = stratum (area/industry/size class)

= sampling fraction for occupation o in stratum h

= number of sampled establishments that reported occupation o in stratum h

= sampling weight for establishment i

= ( ) oiooi xRy ˆ ˆ −

oi yˆ

oi x

 for occupation o in establishment i

= estimated total occupational wage in establishment i for occupation o

= reported employment in establishment i for

occupation o

oh q oi q

θ ro

roi x

= mean of the quantities for occupation o

in stratum h

= proportion of employment within interval r

for occupation o

= reported employment in establishment i within

wage interval r for occupation o

( ) 22 2 ,, rerc r and σσσ ω Within wage interval r, these

are estimated using the NCS and respectively represent the

variability of the wage value imputed to each worker, the

variability of wages across establishments, and the variability of wages within establishments.

Reliability of the estimates

Estimates developed from a sample will differ from the results of a census. An estimate based on a sample survey is

subject to two types of error—sampling error and

nonsampling error. An estimate based on a census is subject

only to nonsampling error.

Nonsampling error

This type of error is attributable to causes such as errors in

the sampling frame; an inability to obtain information for all

establishments in the sample; differences in respondents’

interpretation of survey questions; an inability or unwillingness of the respondents to provide correct information;

errors made in recording, coding, or processing the data;

and errors made in imputing values for missing data. Explicit measures of the effects of nonsampling error are not

available.

Sampling errors

When a sample, rather than an entire population, is surveyed,

estimates differ from the true population values that they

represent. This difference, or sampling error, occurs by

chance, and its variability is measured by the variance of the

estimate or the standard error of the estimate (square root of

the variance). The relative standard error is the ratio of the

standard error to the estimate itself.

Estimates of the sampling error for occupational employment and mean wage rate are provided in this publication to

allow data users to determine if those statistics are reliable

enough for their needs. Only a probability-based sample

can be used to calculate estimates of sampling error. The

formulae used to estimate OES variances are adaptations of

formulae appropriate for the survey design used.

The particular sample used in this survey is one of a large

number of many possible samples of the same size that could

have been selected using the same sample design. Sample

estimates from a given design are said to be unbiased when

an average of the estimates from all possible samples yield,

hypothetically, the true population value. In this case, the

sample estimate and its standard error can be used to construct confidence intervals, or ranges of values that include

the true population value with known probabilities. To illustrate, if the process of selecting a sample from the population

were repeated many times, if each sample were surveyed

under essentially the same unbiased conditions, and if an

estimate and a suitable estimate of its standard error were

made from each sample, the following would hold true:

• Approximately 68 percent of the intervals from one

standard error below to one standard error above the

estimate would include the true population value. This

interval is called a 68-percent confidence interval.

• Approximately 90 percent of the intervals from 1.6 standard errors below to 1.6 standard errors above the estimate would include the true population value. This

interval is called a 90-percent confidence interval.

( ) ( )

( ) ⎟

⎟

⎟

⎟

⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎜

⎜

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛

+ ⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛

+

+

⎟

⎟

⎠

⎞

⎜

⎜

⎝

⎛

⎭

⎬

⎫

⎩

⎨

⎧ − ⎪⎭

⎪

⎬

⎫

⎪⎩

⎪

⎨

⎧

−

−

=

∑ ∑ ∑ ∑

∑ ∑

=

∈

r r

rro

o

re

n

i

roii

r o

rcro

h h i

ohoii

oh

ohoh

o

o

X xw X

qqw n

fn

X

Rv o

2 2

1

2

2

22

2 2

2

ˆ

1

ˆ

1

1

1

ˆ

1

) ˆ (

σθ σ σθ ω
266

• Approximately 95 percent of the intervals from 2 standard errors below to 2 standard errors above the estimate would include the true population value. This

interval is called the 95-percent confidence interval.

• Almost all (99.7 percent) of the intervals from 3 standard errors below to 3 standard errors above the estimate would include the true population value.

For example, suppose that an estimated occupational

employment total is 5,000, with an associated estimate of

relative standard error of 2.0 percent. Based on these data,

the standard error of the estimate is 100 (2 percent of 5,000).

To construct a 95-percent confidence interval, add and subtract 200 (twice the standard error) from the estimate: (4,800,

5,200). Approximately 95 percent of the intervals constructed

in this manner will include the true occupational employment

if survey methods are nearly unbiased.

Estimated standard errors should be taken to indicate the

magnitude of sampling error only. They are not intended to

measure nonsampling error, including any biases in the data.

Particular care should be exercised in the interpretation of

small estimates or of small differences between estimates

when the sampling error is relatively large or the magnitude

of the bias is unknown.

Quality-control measures

Several editing and quality-control procedures are used to

reduce nonsampling error. For example, completed survey

questionnaires are checked for data consistency. Followup

mailings and phone calls are sent out to nonresponding establishments to improve the survey response rate. Response

analysis studies are conducted to assess the respondents’

comprehension of the questionnaire.

The OES survey is a Federal-State cooperative effort that

enables States to conduct their own surveys. A major concern with a cooperative program such as OES is to accommodate the needs of BLS and other Federal agencies, as well as

State-specific publication needs, with limited resources while

simultaneously standardizing survey procedures across all

50 States, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories.

Controlling sources of nonsampling error in this decentralized environment can be difficult. One important computerized quality-control tool used by the OES survey is the Survey Processing and Management system. It was developed

to provide a consistent and automated framework for survey

processing and to reduce the workload for analysts at the

State, regional, and national levels.

To ensure standardized sampling methods in all areas, the

sample is drawn in the national office. Standardizing data

processing activities such as validating the sampling frame,

allocating and selecting the sample, refining mailing addresses, addressing envelopes and mailers, editing and updating questionnaires, conducting electronic review, producing management reports, and calculating employment

estimates have resulted in the overall standardization of the

OES survey methodology. This has reduced the number of

errors on the data files as well as the time needed to review

them.

Other quality control measures used in the OES survey

include:

• Follow-up solicitations of nonrespondents, especially

critical for large nonrespondents

• Review of schedules to verify the accuracy and reasonableness of the reported data

• Adjustments for atypical reporting units on the data

file

• Validation of the benchmark employment figures and

of the benchmark factors

• Validation of the analytical tables of estimates at the

NAICS4/5 level
267

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) programcurrently produces occupational employment and wage

estimates for the Nation, States, 334 metropolitan areas, and

industries. The current estimates are based on the Standard

Occupational Classification system (SOC) and on the North

American Industry Classification System (NAICS). National

industry estimates are available at the sector, three-, four-,

and selected five-digit levels. These estimates are available

online at www.bls.gov/oes/.

Industry data

Industry data are available at the national level only through

the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For the years 1997 to

2001, industry data are available for two- and three-digit industries as defined by the Standard Industrial Classification

system (SIC). Prior to 1996, the OES survey collected data

from specified industries in 1 of 3 years in the survey round,

depending on the industry.

Industry data for States are not available from BLS but

may be available from State workforce agencies listed on the

inside cover of this publication.

Appendix C. Availability of Historical

Occupational Employment Statistics

Survey Data Nationally

and from State Agencies

Occupational classification

Data are available for SOC occupations for 1999 forward.

Prior to 1999, OES used its own occupational classification

system.

Wage data

Wage data are provided for all areas and industries beginning with the 1997 data.

State data

Cross-industry State data for 1997 forward are available on

the OES Web site. Prior to 1983, not all States participated in

the OES program in all survey years. Starting with the 1991

OES survey, certain States also collected wage data. Check

with the State workforce agencies listed on the inside back

cover of this publication regarding the availability of State

data on occupational employment and wages.

Metropolitan area data

Cross-industry data for 334 metropolitan areas for 1997 forward are available on the OES Web site.