LaborBrief
BLS OEWS, May 2025

Occupation pay and employment

Browse 300 high-employment detailed occupations plus every major occupational group that clears the national data gate.

This index keeps SOC code, national employment, median annual wage, and mean annual wage in one sortable table. All values come from the same May 2025 OEWS cross-industry release. Sort by employment to see scale, by median to find the midpoint of each occupation’s estimated wage distribution, or by mean to compare arithmetic averages.

The table contains 300 detailed occupations and 22 major groups. Detailed occupations were selected by national employment, then required to have at least eight nonempty BLS fields. That process is documented and reproducible; it is not a popularity list, a career recommendation, or a forecast.

Open a profile for 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentile wages, hourly mean, classification context, related occupations, and source notes. The first 86 high-employment detailed occupations also publish complete state cells within the 5,000-page site budget; the underlying JSON retains all complete top-100 cells for future expansion.

OccupationSOCEmploymentMedian annualMean annual
Home Health and Personal Care Aides31-11204,305,810$35,800$36,120
Retail Salespersons41-20313,897,860$35,410$37,310
Fast Food and Counter Workers35-30233,854,050$31,200$32,150
General and Operations Managers11-10213,503,020$105,770$134,940
Registered Nurses29-11413,379,720$97,550$101,420
Cashiers41-20113,089,410$32,880$33,180
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand53-70622,950,280$40,240$42,260
Stockers and Order Fillers53-70652,833,810$37,330$39,540
Customer Service Representatives43-40512,595,750$44,770$46,590
Office Clerks, General43-90612,464,940$45,010$46,420
Waiters and Waitresses35-30312,270,910$35,230$40,060
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners37-20112,209,760$36,840$38,760
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers53-30322,062,040$58,640$59,710
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive43-60141,706,790$47,540$49,350
Software Developers15-12521,687,890$135,980$148,100
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General49-90711,529,700$49,590$53,780
Accountants and Auditors13-20111,449,500$83,680$94,750
Nursing Assistants31-11311,448,910$42,260$42,700
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers43-10111,436,680$69,500$73,490
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary25-90451,420,350$36,780$38,290
Cooks, Restaurant35-20141,409,890$37,390$38,730
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators51-20901,405,030$44,650$46,660
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education25-20211,388,390$63,970$72,650
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks43-30311,373,680$50,670$53,560
Security Guards33-90321,283,470$38,020$42,470
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel41-30911,256,010$69,990$82,430
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products41-40121,238,190$72,080$82,530
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers35-10121,223,240$44,080$46,180
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers41-10111,121,800$48,520$53,380
Construction Laborers47-20611,096,780$47,120$52,030
Business Operations Specialists, All Other13-11991,087,090$83,050$93,970
Project Management Specialists13-10821,066,670$102,320$110,740
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education25-20311,065,210$72,040$76,320
Light Truck Drivers53-3033983,300$44,860$48,770
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants43-6013961,610$45,930$46,800
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers37-3011952,640$39,150$42,290
Human Resources Specialists13-1071912,430$75,940$81,990
Receptionists and Information Clerks43-4171910,180$38,010$39,460
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists13-1161899,580$78,760$89,490
Management Analysts13-1111898,280$101,860$113,790
Food Preparation Workers35-2021893,600$35,320$35,290
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners37-2012860,670$35,510$37,080
Financial Managers11-3031841,710$166,570$186,910
Medical Assistants31-9092817,870$45,690$46,120
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks43-5071816,870$45,260$46,810
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers47-1011812,210$79,920$86,450
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators53-7051774,420$46,420$48,370
Electricians47-2111757,220$63,190$71,490
Bartenders35-3011756,390$34,340$40,790
Lawyers23-1011754,500$159,670$185,840
Computer User Support Specialists15-1232717,190$61,860$67,330
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics49-3023704,640$50,620$56,420
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers51-1011673,430$74,450$76,600
Computer and Information Systems Managers11-3021670,570$175,140$192,160
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers33-3051670,520$76,210$79,200
Carpenters47-2031670,090$60,580$65,630
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses29-2061648,410$64,400$67,050
Cooks, Fast Food35-2011641,070$30,890$32,390
Sales Managers11-2022637,080$148,270$164,350
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors53-1047623,640$62,890$66,860
Managers, All Other11-9199622,190$141,900$153,890
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education25-2022620,090$64,370$72,030
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers49-1011617,500$79,860$85,220
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers51-9061597,370$48,570$53,450
Medical and Health Services Managers11-9111597,080$123,860$140,970
Packers and Packagers, Hand53-7064559,820$36,280$37,540
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers35-9011542,750$33,980$34,230
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term25-3031524,770$41,670$46,420
Computer Systems Analysts15-1211519,530$105,850$114,610
Childcare Workers39-9011518,910$34,980$35,030
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors21-1018491,930$59,350$64,440
Buyers and Purchasing Agents13-1020491,430$77,710$83,770
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents41-3031489,570$78,660$109,150
Insurance Sales Agents41-3021479,100$62,280$81,480
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education25-2011478,780$38,140$43,030
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators47-2073478,090$59,850$66,290
Dishwashers35-9021477,450$34,810$34,310
Pharmacy Technicians29-2052471,680$45,750$46,620
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters47-2152465,840$63,800$72,170
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants43-6011459,910$76,590$79,140
Training and Development Specialists13-1151458,300$69,280$75,550
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria35-2012441,050$37,450$38,810
Industrial Machinery Mechanics49-9041439,640$64,520$68,460
Social and Human Service Assistants21-1093437,860$45,930$47,690
Computer Occupations, All Other15-1299435,370$116,580$122,230
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop35-9031432,690$31,200$32,690
Compliance Officers13-1041417,070$80,730$88,400
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers51-4121416,210$53,750$56,760
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers49-9021409,670$61,010$64,780
Driver/Sales Workers53-3031409,180$38,770$40,730
Billing and Posting Clerks43-3021404,060$48,500$51,070
Bus Drivers, School53-3051402,930$47,920$48,430
Counter and Rental Clerks41-2021400,810$41,300$45,700
Amusement and Recreation Attendants39-3091397,830$32,150$32,640
Marketing Managers11-2021395,240$166,790$177,770
Paralegals and Legal Assistants23-2011392,880$62,890$69,700
Child, Family, and School Social Workers21-1021392,550$59,550$64,000
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks43-5061390,160$59,650$62,150
Dental Assistants31-9091387,790$48,070$50,200
Correctional Officers and Jailers33-3012380,500$58,940$63,630
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment53-7061380,430$35,830$36,980
Construction Managers11-9021380,360$114,990$124,360
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders51-9111379,060$43,220$44,590
Civil Engineers17-2051367,840$100,840$108,670
Industrial Engineers17-2112365,740$102,440$109,900
Financial and Investment Analysts13-2051361,980$102,740$116,800
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors21-1012353,310$64,330$71,430
Firefighters33-2011345,990$59,280$63,630
Physicians, All Other29-1229342,720$265,930$262,040
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians29-2010332,940$62,930$67,350
Self-Enrichment Teachers25-3021332,110$46,800$54,740
Recreation Workers39-9032331,490$36,560$38,520
Tellers43-3071329,480$43,030$42,350
Postal Service Mail Carriers43-5052328,820$60,550$62,540
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary11-9032328,330$105,870$116,100
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators13-1031324,230$78,000$80,470
Nurse Practitioners29-1171323,040$132,300$137,300
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors39-9031322,930$47,160$52,420
Pharmacists29-1051321,970$140,910$140,920
Network and Computer Systems Administrators15-1244314,340$99,130$103,680
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers11-9141311,180$69,990$83,710
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists39-5012305,710$35,790$43,960
Mechanical Engineers17-2141296,810$104,110$113,610
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant35-3041293,900$35,360$36,140
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists49-3031289,960$61,770$64,320
Machinists51-4041287,050$58,750$59,320
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products41-4011284,800$104,920$119,730
Public Relations Specialists27-3031283,380$74,750$84,120
Loan Officers13-2072274,330$76,690$87,790
Parts Salespersons41-2022270,070$38,630$43,830
Physical Therapists29-1123267,330$102,760$105,280
Animal Caretakers39-2021266,910$35,360$37,300
Personal Financial Advisors13-2052266,800$105,070$156,670
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse45-2092265,500$35,660$37,630
Administrative Services Managers11-3012263,960$114,130$129,870
Data Scientists15-2051262,440$120,230$126,800
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks43-4081261,420$35,070$35,550
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School25-2052260,870$65,120$72,650
Production Workers, All Other51-9199251,700$40,110$44,380
Logisticians13-1081251,040$82,320$89,730
Coaches and Scouts27-2022248,950$47,320$60,160
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs53-3053248,530$37,290$39,880
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers51-2028246,970$45,850$47,660
Industrial Production Managers11-3051246,250$126,060$134,170
Food Service Managers11-9051238,430$69,390$74,880
Bakers51-3011236,200$37,160$38,480
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians29-2034230,490$80,110$83,840
Instructional Coordinators25-9031227,760$77,440$80,920
Painters, Construction and Maintenance47-2141225,190$49,400$55,420
Cost Estimators13-1051224,220$78,740$85,390
Dental Hygienists29-1292222,740$98,100$98,990
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary25-1071221,270$107,310$147,570
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers11-3071221,180$107,230$121,600
Human Resources Managers11-3121220,660$149,280$164,230
Architectural and Engineering Managers11-9041220,260$171,270$181,540
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers41-1012214,390$87,520$99,370
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks43-9041214,260$49,230$52,920
Social and Community Service Managers11-9151209,330$80,390$88,880
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers47-2051206,170$57,020$60,050
Chief Executives11-1011204,350$213,990$269,630
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance43-5032202,810$50,340$54,740
Chefs and Head Cooks35-1011200,040$62,470$66,700
Electrical Engineers17-2071198,750$120,630$125,100
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers51-6011198,040$34,890$34,920
Graphic Designers27-1024197,830$62,960$70,560
Medical Records Specialists29-2072194,720$51,140$56,790
Real Estate Sales Agents41-9022193,370$52,830$69,510
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other43-9199192,260$45,670$48,670
Information Security Analysts15-1212190,650$129,180$132,510
Healthcare Social Workers21-1022187,630$67,880$71,790
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers15-1253186,740$104,300$111,490
Speech-Language Pathologists29-1127183,390$97,870$98,170
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other29-2099182,610$50,290$58,710
Emergency Medical Technicians29-2042180,510$44,470$46,830
Education Administrators, Postsecondary11-9033180,470$104,590$126,540
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks43-4031179,750$48,700$52,320
Computer Network Architects15-1241179,740$134,050$139,580
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers37-1011178,760$49,100$53,320
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines49-3042176,600$65,510$69,240
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other49-9099176,300$49,230$53,850
Tutors25-3041175,070$43,350$48,050
Food Batchmakers51-3092174,520$42,290$43,750
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists19-1042172,340$103,410$116,840
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic51-4031171,200$46,330$48,430
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators51-9161169,450$50,690$54,320
Helpers--Production Workers51-9198165,700$39,070$41,120
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers27-1026165,220$39,390$42,830
Loan Interviewers and Clerks43-4131164,790$50,020$52,520
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary25-9044164,090$42,910$47,670
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School25-2058163,930$74,260$77,260
Occupational Therapists29-1122162,450$100,330$101,280
Physician Assistants29-1071162,150$135,880$141,280
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity53-3052159,240$59,050$60,280
Bill and Account Collectors43-3011158,830$47,030$49,060
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders51-9124158,740$48,250$52,620
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers33-9092157,550$33,580$34,470
Psychiatric Technicians29-2053156,960$45,130$46,610
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants43-6012156,280$55,570$60,620
Facilities Managers11-3013156,180$106,660$116,890
Highway Maintenance Workers47-4051154,960$50,260$53,080
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs43-4061154,800$54,210$56,090
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives33-1012154,610$106,040$112,190
Engineers, All Other17-2199154,070$122,930$125,330
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks43-3051153,140$58,260$59,630
Manicurists and Pedicurists39-5092152,770$35,760$38,570
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic51-4072150,470$44,350$45,960
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other25-1199149,840$77,640$90,630
Automotive Body and Related Repairers49-3021149,310$54,890$59,690
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan43-4111148,060$45,920$47,240
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors53-7081147,240$49,690$52,820
Construction and Building Inspectors47-4011146,720$74,690$77,730
Computer Network Support Specialists15-1231146,190$76,220$81,870
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers51-3022145,700$38,300$39,280
Printing Press Operators51-5112144,260$45,780$47,360
Phlebotomists31-9097143,540$45,230$45,520
Producers and Directors27-2012143,120$90,360$113,300
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners13-1121142,860$61,160$66,520
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers49-2022140,920$63,890$68,500
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists19-5011140,610$90,150$93,860
Respiratory Therapists29-1126139,790$82,280$87,300
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders51-9011139,630$58,040$60,710
Cooks, Short Order35-2015138,650$35,880$36,120
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians49-3011138,090$79,870$84,740
Parking Attendants53-6021137,880$35,150$34,990
Butchers and Meat Cutters51-3021136,430$40,140$42,380
Roofers47-2181135,490$55,440$58,140
Information and Record Clerks, All Other43-4199134,920$49,500$51,490
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists25-4022133,790$68,270$72,840
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers21-1023132,810$60,280$68,030
Financial Specialists, All Other13-2099132,130$81,100$93,810
Flight Attendants53-2031131,650$63,580$77,440
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers49-9051131,070$95,320$91,970
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers37-1012130,760$58,430$60,960
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians29-2056129,140$47,380$49,120
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators51-8031128,490$60,020$62,540
Data Entry Keyers43-9021127,080$41,340$43,310
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers31-9096126,580$38,150$40,340
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic51-4081124,590$47,180$50,030
Dentists, General29-1021124,390$170,950$191,350
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers39-3031121,770$32,910$33,080
Sheet Metal Workers47-2211119,770$61,800$67,850
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks43-4181118,710$44,390$49,630
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other25-9099118,590$50,890$59,060
Surgical Technologists29-2055117,460$64,650$68,710
Detectives and Criminal Investigators33-3021114,430$93,790$99,430
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary25-1194114,110$63,820$72,060
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers39-1022114,110$48,590$52,360
Teachers and Instructors, All Other25-3099113,790$66,140$73,880
Web and Digital Interface Designers15-1255113,330$104,000$117,490
Physical Therapist Assistants31-2021112,430$68,380$68,730
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists13-1141112,380$78,210$84,330
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School25-2032111,420$66,270$72,680
Fundraisers13-1131111,040$72,550$77,200
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other31-9099109,740$48,430$50,810
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education25-2012108,870$62,680$69,370
Natural Sciences Managers11-9121108,690$167,220$180,250
Operations Research Analysts15-2031108,510$88,940$99,730
Tire Repairers and Changers49-3093108,410$37,710$40,170
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other21-1099107,730$56,730$59,590
Family Medicine Physicians29-1215107,510$244,180$255,820
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval17-1011106,770$99,280$106,260
Insurance Underwriters13-2053105,420$81,370$93,700
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators43-5053105,200$58,470$59,430
Sewing Machine Operators51-6031104,880$36,670$37,600
Architectural and Civil Drafters17-3011103,700$66,150$70,740
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers53-2011103,560$232,140$288,650
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services39-1014103,190$48,560$53,550
Pest Control Workers37-2021102,620$45,250$46,400
Public Safety Telecommunicators43-5031102,500$53,040$56,740
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants53-6031102,010$35,670$36,780
Paramedics29-2043100,610$60,600$63,360
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers33-102199,140$93,530$96,930
Massage Therapists31-901198,790$58,450$63,830
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers49-905297,720$74,330$73,940
Cargo and Freight Agents43-501197,670$52,260$57,230
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer17-207296,900$130,220$137,280
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders51-919696,130$50,270$52,840
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers49-909895,580$39,630$41,490
Special Education Teachers, Middle School25-205795,200$66,810$73,780
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians17-302395,130$78,190$80,680
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders51-902394,920$48,990$52,090
Rehabilitation Counselors21-101594,740$46,850$51,820
Crossing Guards and Flaggers33-909194,360$38,100$43,350
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary25-112193,560$78,620$94,700
Sales and Related Workers, All Other41-909993,180$48,280$58,510
Computer Programmers15-125192,230$100,390$105,170
Advertising Sales Agents41-301191,700$64,820$80,670
Editors27-304191,690$77,920$90,060
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping43-416190,220$50,610$52,250
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers29-203290,160$96,590$97,240
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists21-109289,390$66,270$73,130
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health19-204189,250$82,220$91,680
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers49-209886,340$60,070$60,960
Library Assistants, Clerical43-412185,520$36,910$39,370
Residential Advisors39-904184,760$42,240$43,990
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other35-909984,630$35,840$36,810
Purchasing Managers11-306184,320$148,080$156,360
Gambling Dealers39-301183,910$34,320$42,550
Veterinarians29-113183,900$130,100$142,680
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers47-208183,080$58,930$63,600

Use the SOC code, wage percentile, OEWS reading guide, wages hub, state index, and verification method to interpret the table without turning an estimate into an individual promise.

Primary sources