For those of you with jobs or looking at that option, there are some statistics below 

that might be useful. Below is job data compiled by the Biz Journal.  It looks at 323 jobs 
based on position, average annual earnings, comparison of annual earnings to average 
annual earnings, median annual earnings, average hours worked, average weekly 
earnings and average hourly earnings. 
 
 
Average annual Compared to U.S. Median Average Average Average
    Private-industry occupation (U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics classification)
earnings of full- average annual annual annual hours weekly hourly
Rank time workers earnings ($40,553) earnings of work earnings earnings
1 Chief executives $240,903 +494% $154,016 2,322 $4,633 $103.76
2 Physicians and surgeons $139,849 +245% $139,999 2,100 $2,690 $66.59
3 Dentists $133,777 +230% $112,000 2,032 $2,573 $65.82
4 Lawyers $126,530 +212% $115,003 2,179 $2,433 $58.07
5 Aircraft pilots and flight engineers $120,505 +197% $117,901 1,264 $2,327 $95.31
6 Engineering managers $113,388 +180% $110,053 2,120 $2,181 $53.48
7 Securities, commodities, and financial $111,338 +175% $68,078 2,079 $2,141 $53.54
services sales agents
8 Computer and information systems managers $106,087 +162% $100,674 2,099 $2,041 $50.53
9 Marketing and sales managers $100,491 +148% $86,599 2,137 $1,933 $47.03
10 Optometrists $100,419 +148% $100,888 1,957 $1,931 $51.30
11 Pharmacists $97,334 +140% $97,762 2,067 $1,872 $47.09
12 General and operations managers $96,777 +139% $83,990 2,200 $1,861 $44.00
13 Natural sciences managers $94,225 +132% $100,982 2,079 $1,812 $45.32
14 Computer and information scientists, $93,256 +130% $91,936 2,080 $1,793 $44.83
research
15 Financial managers $86,794 +114% $75,001 2,101 $1,669 $41.30
16 Computer software engineers $86,668 +114% $85,005 2,103 $1,667 $41.22
17 Public relations managers $85,548 +111% $76,045 2,061 $1,645 $41.51
18 Announcers $84,919 +109% $41,330 2,078 $1,633 $40.87
19 Purchasing managers $84,626 +109% $72,996 2,094 $1,627 $40.42
20 Industrial production managers $82,513 +103% $80,987 2,136 $1,587 $38.62
21 Actuaries $81,454 +101% $75,799 2,023 $1,566 $40.26
22 Geological and petroleum technicians $80,835 +99% $73,199 2,080 $1,555 $38.86
23 Economists $79,585 +96% $63,565 2,165 $1,530 $36.77
24 Engineers $79,381 +96% $76,091 2,110 $1,527 $37.63
25 Elevator installers and repairers $79,144 +95% $73,486 2,080 $1,522 $38.05
26 Physician assistants $78,786 +94% $74,178 2,076 $1,515 $37.96
27 Computer systems analysts $78,419 +93% $75,874 2,081 $1,508 $37.68
28 Actors, producers, and directors $78,104 +93% $50,382 2,088 $1,503 $37.40
29 Medical and health services managers $76,354 +88% $70,304 2,097 $1,468 $36.42
30 Postsecondary teachers $75,645 +87% $61,297 1,650 $1,787 $45.83
31 Construction managers $75,202 +85% $74,063 2,146 $1,450 $35.04
32 Operations research analysts $75,006 +85% $73,919 2,051 $1,442 $36.57
33 Management analysts $73,640 +82% $68,918 2,089 $1,416 $35.25
34 Nuclear technicians $73,271 +81% $70,616 2,080 $1,409 $35.23
35 Sales engineers $73,186 +80% $69,299 2,132 $1,407 $34.33
36 Market and survey researchers $71,915 +77% $62,614 2,124 $1,383 $33.86
37 Physical scientists $71,660 +77% $65,000 2,085 $1,382 $34.37
38 Transportation, storage, and distribution $71,512 +76% $67,018 2,112 $1,375 $33.86
managers
39 Human resources managers $70,492 +74% $56,152 2,086 $1,356 $33.80
40 Miscellaneous social scientists and related $69,507 +71% $57,524 2,015 $1,337 $34.49
workers
41 Financial analysts and advisors $69,091 +70% $60,000 2,076 $1,329 $33.28
42 Life scientists $68,821 +70% $60,089 2,023 $1,326 $34.02

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43 Network systems and data communications $67,956 +68% $64,777 2,079 $1,307 $32.69
analysts
44 Computer programmers $67,840 +67% $66,000 2,087 $1,305 $32.50
45 Architects, except naval $67,667 +67% $63,333 2,130 $1,301 $31.77
46 Advertising and promotions managers $67,018 +65% $62,365 2,070 $1,289 $32.38
47 Budget analysts $66,318 +64% $54,427 2,132 $1,275 $31.11
48 Loan counselors and officers $65,517 +62% $49,999 2,083 $1,260 $31.45
49 Database administrators $65,465 +61% $64,584 2,081 $1,259 $31.46
50 Statisticians $65,028 +60% $61,360 2,053 $1,251 $31.67
51 Financial examiners $64,473 +59% $63,606 2,083 $1,240 $30.96
52 News analysts, reporters and correspondents $64,001 +58% $43,326 2,015 $1,233 $31.76
53 Logisticians $63,950 +58% $60,684 2,078 $1,230 $30.78
54 Network and computer systems $63,803 +57% $60,314 2,080 $1,230 $30.68
administrators
55 Sales representatives, wholesale and $63,206 +56% $52,753 2,102 $1,216 $30.07
manufacturing
56 Cost estimators $62,428 +54% $57,200 2,112 $1,201 $29.55
57 Power plant operators, distributors, and $62,003 +53% $63,294 2,081 $1,192 $29.80
dispatchers
58 Administrative services managers $60,698 +50% $57,200 2,094 $1,168 $28.99
59 Musicians, singers, and related workers $59,914 +48% $51,072 1,705 $1,358 $35.14
60 Registered nurses $59,407 +46% $56,068 2,018 $1,143 $29.43
61 Locomotive engineers and operators $59,385 +46% $45,342 2,167 $1,161 $27.40
62 Ship engineers $59,047 +46% $56,580 1,957 $1,322 $30.16
63 Structural iron and steel workers $57,899 +43% $56,410 2,077 $1,115 $27.88
64 Accountants and auditors $57,554 +42% $53,495 2,083 $1,107 $27.63
65 Real estate brokers and sales agents $56,945 +40% $41,592 2,080 $1,095 $27.38
66 Transportation inspectors $56,932 +40% $45,032 2,168 $1,095 $26.26
67 Buyers and purchasing agents $56,859 +40% $52,000 2,104 $1,093 $27.02
68 Librarians $56,782 +40% $51,785 1,877 $1,132 $30.26
69 First-line supervisors/managers of $56,761 +40% $53,082 2,108 $1,096 $26.93
construction trades and extraction workers
70 First-line supervisors/managers of $56,519 +39% $52,000 2,132 $1,087 $26.51
mechanics, installers, and repairers
71 Compliance officers, except agriculture, $56,422 +39% $49,697 2,156 $1,085 $26.17
construction, health and safety, and
transportation
72 Education administrators $56,104 +38% $52,394 2,035 $1,092 $27.57
73 Aircraft mechanics and service technicians $55,892 +38% $55,536 2,081 $1,080 $26.86
74 Surveyors, cartographers, and $55,601 +37% $45,760 2,086 $1,069 $26.65
photogrammetrists
75 Therapists $55,133 +36% $52,991 2,026 $1,066 $27.22
76 Public relations specialists $55,119 +36% $52,333 2,056 $1,060 $26.80
77 Miscellaneous healthcare practitioner and $55,058 +36% $49,354 2,044 $1,061 $26.93
technical workers
78 Credit analysts $54,883 +35% $48,424 2,070 $1,055 $26.51
79 Food service managers $54,742 +35% $50,136 2,304 $1,058 $23.76
80 Writers and editors $54,591 +35% $49,752 2,046 $1,053 $26.69
81 Psychologists $54,515 +34% $47,549 1,921 $1,085 $28.37
82 Dental hygienists $54,133 +33% $55,985 1,790 $1,041 $30.24
83 Construction and building inspectors $54,101 +33% $53,641 2,089 $1,040 $25.90
84 Human resources, training, and labor $53,938 +33% $51,501 2,026 $1,062 $26.62
relations specialists
85 Archivists, curators, and museum technicians $53,904 +33% $55,000 1,961 $1,037 $27.48
86 Occupational health and safety specialists $53,827 +33% $56,888 2,103 $1,035 $25.60
and technicians
87 Insurance sales agents $53,721 +32% $40,000 2,062 $1,033 $26.06
88 Radio and telecommunications equipment $53,011 +31% $57,955 2,080 $1,019 $25.49
installers and repairers
89 Line installers and repairers $52,733 +30% $56,187 2,075 $1,017 $25.42
90 Computer support specialists $52,602 +30% $46,301 2,069 $1,012 $25.43
91 Diagnostic related technologists and $52,182 +29% $51,854 2,052 $1,003 $25.43
technicians

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92 Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators $52,130 +29% $53,995 2,080 $1,003 $25.06
93 Lodging managers $52,124 +29% $38,351 2,247 $1,002 $23.20
94 Artists and related workers $51,600 +27% $47,501 2,071 $997 $24.92
95 Property, real estate, and community $51,359 +27% $47,981 2,087 $988 $24.61
association managers
96 Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and $51,009 +26% $47,318 2,028 $981 $25.16
investigators
97 Brickmasons, blockmasons, and $50,364 +24% $49,265 1,997 $1,006 $25.22
stonemasons
98 Instructional coordinators $50,236 +24% $49,084 1,952 $991 $25.74
99 Miscellaneous plant and system operators $49,937 +23% $52,416 2,060 $960 $24.24
100 Stationary engineers and boiler operators $49,859 +23% $54,496 2,054 $959 $24.28
101 First-line supervisors/managers of $49,834 +23% $47,840 2,166 $958 $23.00
transportation and material-moving machine
and vehicle operators
102 Tool and die makers $49,596 +22% $49,566 2,076 $955 $23.89
103 Social and community service managers $49,182 +21% $44,000 2,007 $952 $24.51
104 Fire fighters $48,880 +21% $57,262 2,539 $940 $19.25
105 Other teachers and instructors $48,728 +20% $40,000 1,859 $1,014 $26.21
106 Appraisers and assessors of real estate $48,443 +19% $44,105 2,057 $932 $23.55
107 First-line supervisors/managers of production $48,392 +19% $46,538 2,112 $931 $22.92
and operating workers
108 Aircraft structure, surfaces, rigging, and $48,345 +19% $49,587 2,079 $930 $23.26
systems assemblers
109 Broadcast and sound engineering technicians $48,007 +18% $37,856 2,127 $923 $22.57
and radio operators
110 Funeral directors $47,725 +18% $40,799 2,158 $918 $22.11
111 Advertising sales agents $47,665 +18% $37,263 2,047 $917 $23.28
112 Electricians $47,454 +17% $41,808 2,069 $913 $22.94
113 Engineering technicians, except drafters $47,435 +17% $46,821 2,077 $914 $22.84
114 Dietitians and nutritionists $47,086 +16% $44,366 2,074 $906 $22.70
115 Pipelayers, plumbers, pipefitters, and $47,058 +16% $42,640 2,069 $908 $22.74
steamfitters
116 Drafters $47,004 +16% $44,799 2,073 $904 $22.67
117 Designers $46,886 +16% $41,080 2,066 $902 $22.69
118 Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related $46,759 +15% $37,201 1,932 $937 $24.20
workers
119 Miscellaneous legal support workers $46,594 +15% $45,885 2,089 $901 $22.31
120 Directors, religious activities and education $46,269 +14% $38,199 1,996 $890 $23.18
121 Chemical technicians $46,186 +14% $44,470 2,066 $890 $22.35
122 Meeting and convention planners $46,023 +13% $47,999 2,050 $885 $22.44
123 Model makers and patternmakers, metal and $45,996 +13% $45,552 2,071 $888 $22.21
plastic
124 Water and liquid waste treatment plant and $45,904 +13% $41,850 2,080 $883 $22.07
system operators
125 Ship and boat captains and operators $45,441 +12% $42,466 2,337 $967 $19.45
126 First-line supervisors/managers of office and $45,360 +12% $42,598 2,068 $873 $21.94
administrative support workers
127 Tank car, truck, and ship loaders $45,238 +12% $39,645 2,081 $909 $21.74
128 Paralegals and legal assistants $45,227 +12% $41,063 2,046 $870 $22.11
129 Television, video, and motion picture camera $44,709 +10% $37,972 2,080 $860 $21.49
operators and editors
130 Cargo and freight agents $44,623 +10% $37,003 2,079 $858 $21.46
131 Boilermakers $44,430 +10% $41,217 2,080 $854 $21.36
132 Control and valve installers and repairers $43,758 +8% $41,642 2,079 $842 $21.05
133 Precision instrument and equipment repairers $43,747 +8% $43,805 2,076 $841 $21.07
134 Miscellaneous life, physical, and social $43,692 +8% $42,370 2,065 $842 $21.16
science technicians
135 First-line supervisors/managers, sales $43,616 +8% $35,129 2,159 $839 $20.20
workers
136 Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment $43,327 +7% $42,844 2,080 $833 $20.83
operators
137 Mining machine operators $43,169 +6% $40,706 2,078 $831 $20.77
138 Pumping station operators $43,138 +6% $45,365 2,045 $844 $21.10
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139 Social science research assistants $43,000 +6% $43,992 2,031 $840 $21.18
140 Miscellaneous mathematical scientists $42,252 +4% $34,736 2,080 $813 $20.31
141 Machinists $41,877 +3% $41,600 2,077 $805 $20.16
142 Miscellaneous media and communication $41,800 +3% $40,040 1,880 $804 $22.23
workers
143 Carpenters $41,534 +2% $39,000 2,039 $808 $20.37
144 Massage therapists $41,386 +2% $36,400 1,999 $796 $20.71
145 First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, $41,118 +1% $37,440 2,129 $793 $19.32
laborers, and material movers, hand
146 Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration $40,846 +1% $37,440 2,091 $786 $19.54
mechanics and installers
147 Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine $40,681 0% $37,960 2,086 $782 $19.50
specialists
148 Septic tank servicers and sewer pipe cleaners $40,420 0% $39,291 2,306 $777 $17.53
149 Derrick, rotary drill, and service unit $40,284 -1% $33,280 2,080 $775 $19.37
operators, oil, gas, and mining
150 Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers $39,975 -1% $35,100 2,054 $770 $19.46
151 Chemical processing machine setters, $39,858 -2% $40,618 2,074 $767 $19.22
operators, and tenders
152 Sheet metal workers $39,832 -2% $34,112 2,020 $773 $19.72
153 Engine and other machine assemblers $39,629 -2% $36,920 2,076 $762 $19.09
154 Industrial machinery installation, repair, and $39,588 -2% $37,752 2,070 $764 $19.13
maintenance workers
155 Biological technicians $39,420 -3% $37,900 2,052 $758 $19.21
156 Production, planning, and expediting clerks $39,250 -3% $37,211 2,079 $755 $18.88
157 Clinical laboratory technologists and $39,136 -3% $36,858 2,072 $753 $18.89
technicians
158 Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service $38,996 -4% $38,274 2,099 $750 $18.58
technicians and mechanics
159 Miscellaneous electrical and electronic $38,909 -4% $35,360 2,080 $748 $18.70
equipment mechanics, installers, and
repairers
160 Cement masons, concrete finishers, and $38,890 -4% $37,440 2,024 $766 $19.21
terrazzo workers
161 Model makers and patternmakers, wood $38,685 -5% $45,760 2,080 $744 $18.60
162 Surveying and mapping technicians $38,634 -5% $33,862 2,080 $743 $18.57
163 Miscellaneous health technologists and $38,535 -5% $33,613 2,065 $741 $18.66
technicians
164 Hazardous materials removal workers $38,530 -5% $34,014 2,028 $760 $18.99
165 Home appliance repairers $38,503 -5% $36,113 2,105 $740 $18.29
166 Crane and tower operators $38,453 -5% $35,360 2,075 $741 $18.53
167 Clergy $38,429 -5% $39,041 2,504 $741 $15.35
168 Roustabouts, oil and gas $38,421 -5% $34,320 2,080 $739 $18.47
169 First-line supervisors/managers, building and $38,187 -6% $38,480 2,089 $735 $18.28
grounds cleaning and maintenance workers
170 Police officers $38,185 -6% $40,394 2,074 $734 $18.42
171 Social workers $37,918 -6% $35,724 2,009 $734 $18.87
172 Construction equipment operators $37,889 -7% $33,280 1,957 $773 $19.36
173 Automotive technicians and repairers $37,805 -7% $35,360 2,103 $727 $17.98
174 Library technicians $37,456 -8% $36,400 2,006 $725 $18.68
175 Licensed practical and licensed vocational $37,117 -8% $36,440 2,024 $714 $18.34
nurses
176 Brokerage clerks $36,870 -9% $35,163 2,027 $709 $18.19
177 Eligibility interviewers, government programs $36,740 -9% $42,286 2,073 $707 $17.72
178 Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and $36,554 -10% $33,280 2,069 $706 $17.67
tapers
179 Metal furnace and kiln operators and tenders $36,529 -10% $34,840 2,073 $705 $17.62
180 Secretaries and administrative assistants $36,444 -10% $34,320 2,030 $703 $17.96
181 Computer control programmers and operators $36,242 -11% $34,944 2,086 $697 $17.37
182 Desktop publishers $36,137 -11% $31,653 1,995 $695 $18.11
183 Meter readers, utilities $35,557 -12% $31,512 2,080 $684 $17.09
184 Counselors $35,534 -12% $33,883 1,999 $690 $17.77
185 Glaziers $35,468 -13% $31,200 2,080 $682 $17.05

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186 Computer, automated teller, and office $35,368 -13% $33,625 2,079 $680 $17.01
machine repairers
187 Dispatchers $35,234 -13% $32,240 2,108 $678 $16.72
188 Earth drillers, except oil and gas $35,225 -13% $33,280 2,080 $677 $16.94
189 Human resources assistants, except payroll $35,052 -14% $34,091 2,067 $674 $16.96
and timekeeping
190 Models, demonstrators, and product $34,968 -14% $28,974 2,077 $672 $16.83
promoters
191 Physical therapist assistants and aides $34,900 -14% $29,120 2,048 $671 $17.04
192 Reinforcing iron and rebar workers $34,896 -14% $31,200 2,051 $681 $17.02
193 Miscellaneous sales and related workers $34,786 -14% $26,031 2,046 $674 $17.00
194 Computer operators $34,741 -14% $33,850 2,070 $668 $16.79
195 Statistical assistants $34,554 -15% $34,211 2,029 $665 $17.03
196 Driver/sales workers and truck drivers $34,529 -15% $31,949 2,141 $669 $16.13
197 Agricultural and food science technicians $34,417 -15% $34,112 2,071 $662 $16.62
198 Insulation workers $34,026 -16% $33,280 2,080 $654 $16.36
199 Welding, soldering, and brazing workers $33,900 -16% $32,244 2,074 $652 $16.35
200 Multiple machine tool setters, operators, and $33,829 -17% $32,968 2,062 $651 $16.41
tenders, metal and plastic
201 Semiconductor processors $33,696 -17% $33,057 2,071 $648 $16.27
202 Primary, secondary, and special education $33,676 -17% $31,678 1,616 $786 $20.84
school teachers
203 Transportation attendants $33,447 -18% $32,931 1,070 $644 $31.27
204 Printers $33,438 -18% $33,280 2,059 $643 $16.24
205 Logging workers $32,959 -19% $28,912 2,080 $634 $15.85
206 Miscellaneous construction and related $32,901 -19% $31,683 2,039 $643 $16.14
workers
207 Pest control workers $32,837 -19% $30,859 2,072 $631 $15.85
208 Health diagnosing and treating practitioner $32,680 -19% $32,432 2,054 $629 $15.91
support technicians
209 Plasterers and stucco masons $32,615 -20% $32,610 2,059 $628 $15.84
210 Structural metal fabricators and fitters $32,567 -20% $31,200 2,061 $630 $15.80
211 Dredge, excavating, and loading machine $32,505 -20% $31,585 2,037 $637 $15.96
operators
212 Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and $32,330 -20% $29,390 2,069 $623 $15.62
weighers
213 Small engine mechanics $32,183 -21% $31,200 2,052 $625 $15.68
214 Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and $31,729 -22% $29,120 2,050 $618 $15.48
blending workers
215 Customer service representatives $31,655 -22% $29,881 2,061 $610 $15.36
216 Emergency medical technicians and $31,535 -22% $27,560 2,114 $606 $14.92
paramedics
217 First-line supervisors/managers, food $31,534 -22% $31,122 2,143 $614 $14.72
preparation and serving workers
218 Conveyor operators and tenders $31,464 -22% $29,684 2,080 $605 $15.13
219 Medical records and health information $31,459 -22% $29,640 2,056 $605 $15.30
technicians
220 Correspondence clerks $31,390 -23% $30,000 2,073 $604 $15.14
221 Loan interviewers and clerks $31,305 -23% $30,385 2,063 $602 $15.17
222 Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators $31,249 -23% $26,312 2,072 $602 $15.08
223 Painting workers $31,228 -23% $28,163 2,079 $601 $15.02
224 Insurance claims and policy processing clerks $31,191 -23% $30,225 2,034 $600 $15.33
225 Miscellaneous metalworkers and plastic $31,054 -23% $29,286 2,078 $598 $14.94
workers
226 Furnace, kiln, oven, drier, and kettle $31,019 -24% $27,223 2,080 $597 $14.91
operators and tenders
227 Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory $30,894 -24% $29,952 2,063 $594 $14.97
technicians
228 Roofers $30,627 -24% $26,121 1,912 $638 $16.01
229 Hoist and winch operators $30,410 -25% $32,614 2,069 $585 $14.70
230 Painters and paperhangers $30,409 -25% $27,040 2,039 $591 $14.91
231 Forming machine setters, operators, and $30,251 -25% $29,702 2,059 $582 $14.69
tenders, metal and plastic
232 Packaging and filling machine operators and $30,199 -26% $29,120 2,070 $582 $14.59
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 tenders
233 Miscellaneous installation, maintenance, and $30,097 -26% $27,275 2,053 $583 $14.66
repair workers
234 Credit authorizers, checkers, and clerks $30,055 -26% $28,496 2,068 $578 $14.53
235 Machine tool cutting setters, operators, and $30,031 -26% $28,080 2,075 $578 $14.47
tenders, metal and plastic
236 Construction laborers $29,832 -26% $26,000 1,998 $593 $14.93
237 Order clerks $29,723 -27% $27,040 2,071 $573 $14.35
238 First-line supervisors/managers of personal $29,636 -27% $30,472 1,951 $609 $15.19
service workers
239 Miscellaneous community and social service $29,631 -27% $27,067 2,016 $574 $14.70
specialists
240 Telephone operators $29,616 -27% $29,016 2,015 $570 $14.70
241 First-line supervisors/managers of gaming $29,614 -27% $25,293 2,103 $570 $14.08
workers
242 Financial clerks $29,493 -27% $28,500 2,057 $567 $14.34
243 Industrial truck and tractor operators $29,405 -27% $27,872 2,064 $569 $14.25
244 Occupational therapist assistants and aides $29,324 -28% $28,267 2,078 $564 $14.11
245 Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting $29,053 -28% $27,310 2,074 $559 $14.01
machine setters, operators, and tenders
246 Photographers $28,867 -29% $29,047 1,976 $587 $14.61
247 Weighers, measurers, checkers, and $28,602 -29% $27,633 2,080 $550 $13.75
samplers, recordkeeping
248 Travel agents $28,528 -30% $28,600 2,019 $549 $14.13
249 Reservation and transportation ticket agents $28,227 -30% $27,456 2,042 $543 $13.82
and travel clerks
250 Office clerks, general $28,185 -30% $26,728 2,038 $543 $13.83
251 Tailors, dressmakers, and sewers $28,158 -31% $23,038 1,968 $541 $14.31
252 Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers $27,716 -32% $24,960 2,054 $540 $13.49
253 Cabinetmakers and bench carpenters $27,699 -32% $24,960 2,071 $534 $13.37
254 Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical $27,576 -32% $25,272 2,073 $530 $13.30
assemblers
255 Sailors and marine oilers $27,407 -32% $29,202 2,196 $551 $12.48
256 Cutting workers $27,130 -33% $26,541 2,041 $529 $13.29
257 Miscellaneous healthcare support $26,962 -34% $26,000 1,987 $519 $13.57
occupations
258 Molders and molding machine setters, $26,957 -34% $24,918 2,070 $519 $13.02
operators, and tenders, metal and plastic
259 New accounts clerks $26,887 -34% $26,624 2,066 $517 $13.02
260 Data entry and information processing $26,881 -34% $25,270 2,039 $518 $13.19
workers
261 Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks $26,861 -34% $25,438 2,075 $517 $12.94
262 Proofreaders and copy markers $26,814 -34% $24,960 2,080 $516 $12.89
263 Bus drivers $26,804 -34% $24,883 1,892 $542 $14.17
264 Miscellaneous textile, apparel, and $26,747 -34% $22,955 2,064 $515 $12.96
furnishings workers
265 Miscellaneous production workers $26,719 -34% $23,322 2,063 $516 $12.95
266 Miscellaneous personal appearance workers $26,531 -35% $20,673 2,000 $510 $13.27
267 Interviewers, except eligibility and loan $26,482 -35% $26,000 2,032 $509 $13.03
268 Furniture finishers $26,431 -35% $24,960 2,080 $508 $12.71
269 Bookbinders and bindery workers $26,380 -35% $24,960 2,027 $508 $13.01
270 Photographic process workers and $26,123 -36% $22,880 2,030 $504 $12.87
processing machine operators
271 Miscellaneous food processing workers $26,037 -36% $25,314 2,070 $501 $12.58
272 Retail sales workers $25,971 -36% $21,112 2,060 $501 $12.61
273 Stock clerks and order fillers $25,944 -36% $24,752 2,070 $499 $12.54
274 Library assistants, clerical $25,766 -36% $25,626 1,893 $513 $13.61
275 Bakers $25,641 -37% $23,712 2,042 $493 $12.56
276 Helpers, construction trades $25,547 -37% $23,679 2,034 $501 $12.56
277 Woodworking machine setters, operators, $25,383 -37% $24,960 2,072 $489 $12.25
and tenders
278 Receptionists and information clerks $25,225 -38% $24,419 2,045 $486 $12.33
279 Office machine operators, except computer $25,043 -38% $24,315 2,043 $485 $12.26

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280 Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish $24,826 -39% $23,296 2,055 $477 $12.08
processing workers
281 Refuse and recyclable material collectors $24,757 -39% $23,123 2,242 $476 $11.04
282 File clerks $24,705 -39% $24,336 2,051 $475 $12.05
283 Textile machine setters, operators, and $24,266 -40% $22,984 2,058 $467 $11.79
tenders
284 Helpers--extraction workers $24,263 -40% $22,339 2,080 $467 $11.67
285 Barbers and cosmetologists $24,191 -40% $20,094 1,940 $465 $12.47
286 Mail clerks and mail machine operators, $24,119 -41% $21,965 2,043 $464 $11.81
except postal service
287 Switchboard operators, including answering $24,034 -41% $23,225 2,041 $462 $11.78
service
288 Laborers and material movers, hand $23,015 -43% $20,850 2,052 $445 $11.22
289 Telemarketers $22,764 -44% $19,947 1,981 $438 $11.49
290 Ambulance drivers and attendants, except $22,442 -45% $20,800 2,080 $432 $10.79
emergency medical technicians
291 Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment $22,172 -45% $20,800 2,070 $426 $10.71
mechanic, installers, and repairers
292 Couriers and messengers $22,011 -46% $21,865 1,999 $423 $11.01
293 Security guards and gaming surveillance $21,772 -46% $20,800 2,055 $419 $10.60
officers
294 Sewing machine operators $21,704 -46% $19,760 2,052 $418 $10.58
295 Recreation and fitness workers $21,685 -47% $22,880 1,591 $531 $13.63
296 Grounds maintenance workers $21,653 -47% $19,240 1,919 $447 $11.28
297 Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides $21,542 -47% $20,800 2,005 $414 $10.74
298 Service station attendants $21,319 -47% $18,720 2,066 $410 $10.32
299 Building cleaning workers $21,182 -48% $19,074 2,029 $410 $10.44
300 Cooks $20,375 -50% $19,656 2,006 $393 $10.16
301 Taxi drivers and chauffeurs $20,366 -50% $19,130 1,998 $392 $10.19
302 Personal and home care aides $20,150 -50% $19,474 2,031 $387 $9.92
303 Nonfarm animal caretakers $20,102 -50% $19,440 2,044 $387 $9.83
304 Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges $20,086 -50% $17,680 2,010 $388 $9.99
305 Laundry and dry-cleaning workers $20,061 -51% $19,013 2,047 $386 $9.80
306 Teacher assistants $19,409 -52% $19,061 1,929 $392 $10.06
307 Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks $19,208 -53% $19,240 2,024 $374 $9.49
308 Food preparation workers $18,767 -54% $17,680 1,991 $364 $9.43
309 Graders and sorters, agricultural products $18,709 -54% $17,264 1,996 $369 $9.37
310 Pressers, textile, garment, and related $18,394 -55% $17,903 2,022 $354 $9.10
materials
311 Child care workers $17,797 -56% $16,835 2,038 $345 $8.73
312 Food servers, nonrestaurant $17,026 -58% $16,640 2,014 $328 $8.45
313 Residential advisors $16,850 -58% $18,720 1,835 $373 $9.18
314 Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and $16,567 -59% $14,976 1,862 $321 $8.90
coffee shop
315 Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and $16,549 -59% $15,288 1,724 $372 $9.60
related workers
316 Dishwashers $16,523 -59% $16,012 2,005 $320 $8.24
317 Fast food and counter workers $16,398 -60% $15,538 1,974 $317 $8.31
318 Miscellaneous agricultural workers $16,304 -60% $15,912 1,696 $384 $9.61
319 Parking lot attendants $15,713 -61% $14,560 2,035 $302 $7.72
320 Tour and travel guides $14,905 -63% $17,077 1,264 $419 $11.79
321 Miscellaneous protective service workers $13,929 -66% $5,760 1,130 $454 $12.33
322 Gaming services workers $13,267 -67% $13,179 2,065 $255 $6.43
323 Food service, tipped $10,353 -74% $10,400 1,904 $200 $5.44

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So what useful conclusions can we draw from this data?   
 
Conclusion #1 – Education matters.  The 10 six‐figure occupations can be broken down into four broad 
based categories and all require high degrees of education and experience. 

‐‐ Four jobs belong to the professional fields of medicine or law, led by physicians and surgeons with 
their average annual earnings of $139,849. Dentists rank third nationally at $133,777, lawyers are 
fourth at $126,530 and optometrists are 10th at $100,419. 
‐‐ Three have a technical orientation: aircraft pilots ($120,505 per year), engineering managers 
($113,388) and computer and information systems managers ($106,087). 
‐‐ Two are in the financial sphere. Brokers who sell stocks and bonds, officially classified as "securities, 
commodities and financial services sales agents," make an average of $111,338. Marketing and sales 
managers check in at $100,491 per year. 
‐‐ And, of course, chief executives are alone at the top of both the salary scale ($240,903) and the 
organizational pyramid. 

Postgraduate degrees were required in 7 of the 20 highest paying occupations 

 
Conclusion #2 – The average annual pay is $40,553.  That means jobs 148 to 323 are below the 
average.  

     The higher paying jobs clearly bring up the average.  Statistically more jobs are below the average 
than above it.     

 
Conclusion #3 – The amount of hours worked for workers on both ends of the spectrum are about the 
same. 

     Employees in 9 out of 10 highest‐paying jobs spend more than 1900 hours at work during an 
average year.  Based on a 48 week year (2 weeks for vacation and two weeks of paid holidays), that 
averages to 39.5 hours per week.  But the same is true for the majority of low paying jobs.  17 out of 25 
of the lowest‐paying jobs actually work MORE hours than the average high‐paying job. 

 
Conclusions #4 – According to data from the US Department of Labor, the average household expenses 
are $55,772 per year.  That means only 23% of jobs would allow you to live under you means based on 
the average living expenses.  No wonder so many people have trouble living below their means in the 
US today.   

     Below is a breakdown of the expenses.  You will notice that there are some common expenses that 
are left out of these numbers, for example college and education costs. 

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 Average annual: 
     Average Annual expenditures  $55,772        
      Food                            $6,133        
      At home                      $3,465        
      Away from home              $2,668        
      Housing                       $16,920        
      Apparel and services          $1,881       
      Transportation                $8,758        
      Health care                   $2,853        
      Entertainment                $2,698       
      Personal insurance and pensions         $5,336        
      Other expenditures            $5,060        
 

Jobs are the career path for most people.  However, the data supports that the job market is the wrong choice if 
you are looking at accumulate wealth.  Today, more and more people are taking ownership of their future and 
starting their own businesses.  For many, the “Plan B” business is the best choice because (1) they can work a 
full time job while they build a part‐time business, and (2) the costs to pursue Plan B business is generally very 
low.  In an economic winter, workers become disillusioned with the job market as they work more and get paid 
less.  Even worse, we are reminded frequently in the media that more and more people are being laid off.  
Regardless of one’s career path, it is good to understand the profile of your choices. 

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