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Retail salespersons numbered 4.3 million, earned $29,360 on average in 2019

January 06, 2021

In 2019, there were 4.3 million retail salespersons in the United States, and they earned an average of $29,360 per year. Fast food and counter workers numbered 4.0 million, with average wages of $23,250. These two occupations were among several large occupations that had annual mean wages significantly below the average for all occupations of $53,490.

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Chart Data

Employment and annual mean wages by occupation, May 2019
Occupation	Annual mean wage	Employment
All Occupations	$53,490	146,875,480
Management Occupations	122,480	8,054,120
Chief Executives	193,850	205,890
General and Operations Managers	123,030	2,400,280
Legislators	49,440	52,280
Advertising and Promotions Managers	141,890	25,100
Marketing Managers	149,200	263,680
Sales Managers	141,690	402,600
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers	132,630	79,160
Administrative Services and Facilities Managers	106,550	307,280
Computer and Information Systems Managers	156,390	433,960
Financial Managers	147,530	654,790
Industrial Production Managers	115,110	185,790
Purchasing Managers	128,400	72,100
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	103,320	132,040
Compensation and Benefits Managers	134,210	16,900
Human Resources Managers	129,570	154,800
Training and Development Managers	123,470	38,510
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers	80,360	5,060
Construction Managers	105,000	293,380
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	53,690	52,360
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	100,340	271,020
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	112,400	144,880
Education Administrators, All Other	92,150	44,550
Architectural and Engineering Managers	152,930	194,250
Food Service Managers	59,820	235,470
Gambling Managers	84,700	4,450
Lodging Managers	63,570	38,340
Medical and Health Services Managers	115,160	394,910
Natural Sciences Managers	145,450	67,720
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	78,220	13,850
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	71,720	220,750
Social and Community Service Managers	72,900	156,460
Emergency Management Directors	82,530	10,060
Funeral Home Managers	95,220	9,400
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other	118,710	472,060
Business and Financial Operations Occupations	78,130	8,183,750
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes	97,170	17,060
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	69,680	421,280
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	68,940	287,960
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage	66,240	13,750
Compliance Officers	72,850	317,600
Cost Estimators	71,350	210,000
Human Resources Specialists	67,760	633,040
Farm Labor Contractors	62,060	160
Labor Relations Specialists	71,870	75,580
Logisticians	78,680	182,050
Management Analysts	95,560	709,750
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	54,880	117,610
Fundraisers	62,830	81,660
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	69,840	89,300
Training and Development Specialists	65,640	312,450
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	71,570	678,500
Project Management Specialists and Business Operations Specialists, All Other	80,220	1,279,390
Accountants and Auditors	79,520	1,280,700
Property Appraisers and Assessors	63,610	56,320
Budget Analysts	80,300	51,460
Credit Analysts	84,930	73,930
Personal Financial Advisors	119,290	210,190
Insurance Underwriters	77,640	100,050
Financial Examiners	92,330	64,550
Credit Counselors	50,230	32,110
Loan Officers	76,200	308,370
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	60,960	53,760
Tax Preparers	49,550	66,670
Financial and Investment Analysts, Financial Risk Specialists, and Financial Specialists, All Other	94,160	458,510
Computer and Mathematical Occupations	93,760	4,552,880
Computer Systems Analysts	96,160	589,060
Information Security Analysts	104,210	125,570
Computer and Information Research Scientists	127,460	30,780
Computer Network Support Specialists	68,860	185,430
Computer User Support Specialists	56,550	647,330
Computer Network Architects	115,110	152,420
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	88,410	354,450
Database Administrators and Architects	96,110	125,460
Computer Programmers	92,610	199,540
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	111,620	1,406,870
Web Developers and Digital Interface Designers	82,370	148,340
Computer Occupations, All Other	92,410	393,160
Actuaries	120,970	22,260
Mathematicians	107,280	2,630
Operations Research Analysts	90,600	99,680
Statisticians	95,680	39,090
Data Scientists and Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other	100,560	30,810
Architecture and Engineering Occupations	88,800	2,592,680
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	89,560	105,850
Landscape Architects	73,970	20,280
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	69,790	11,300
Surveyors	67,920	45,220
Aerospace Engineers	119,220	63,200
Agricultural Engineers	98,290	1,550
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers	97,090	19,780
Chemical Engineers	117,090	30,120
Civil Engineers	94,360	310,850
Computer Hardware Engineers	123,030	67,880
Electrical Engineers	103,480	185,570
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	110,210	128,800
Environmental Engineers	94,220	53,150
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors	94,810	25,860
Industrial Engineers	92,660	291,710
Marine Engineers and Naval Architects	98,730	11,360
Materials Engineers	97,890	26,820
Mechanical Engineers	93,540	306,990
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers	96,990	6,280
Nuclear Engineers	120,700	15,850
Petroleum Engineers	156,780	32,620
Engineers, All Other	102,460	152,340
Architectural and Civil Drafters	58,080	98,800
Electrical and Electronics Drafters	65,720	24,140
Mechanical Drafters	60,500	55,210
Drafters, All Other	54,840	14,600
Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technologists and Technicians	68,340	11,540
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	55,480	68,870
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	66,240	122,550
Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians	61,420	14,290
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians	54,740	18,010
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	59,400	67,110
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	59,160	42,820
Surveying and Mapping Technicians	48,500	53,030
Calibration Technologists and Technicians and Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other	65,940	88,330
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations	77,540	1,288,920
Animal Scientists	68,570	2,690
Food Scientists and Technologists	76,190	13,460
Soil and Plant Scientists	69,860	14,150
Biochemists and Biophysicists	108,180	31,360
Microbiologists	82,760	18,270
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	67,200	19,250
Biological Scientists, All Other	87,590	40,100
Conservation Scientists	67,040	22,070
Foresters	63,270	9,510
Epidemiologists	78,290	7,410
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	98,770	127,180
Life Scientists, All Other	85,890	6,450
Astronomers	122,270	2,070
Physicists	131,080	16,730
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	97,160	9,290
Chemists	84,150	83,530
Materials Scientists	100,430	6,710
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	77,940	84,290
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	108,350	29,200
Hydrologists	86,330	6,440
Physical Scientists, All Other	112,070	17,550
Economists	116,630	19,000
Survey Researchers	65,760	9,930
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists	87,450	113,270
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists	111,150	630
Psychologists, All Other	98,230	14,220
Sociologists	90,590	2,630
Urban and Regional Planners	77,750	38,560
Anthropologists and Archeologists	66,810	6,720
Geographers	81,970	1,400
Historians	68,690	3,040
Political Scientists	120,260	6,010
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	87,690	33,690
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians	44,440	21,870
Biological Technicians	49,110	79,530
Chemical Technicians	52,910	65,760
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	50,760	32,620
Geological and Hydrologic Technicians	60,800	17,110
Nuclear Technicians	82,710	6,420
Social Science Research Assistants	51,340	35,580
Forest and Conservation Technicians	45,860	19,060
Forensic Science Technicians	63,170	16,520
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	53,670	64,260
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	76,290	92,780
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians	56,470	20,580
Community and Social Service Occupations	50,480	2,244,310
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	61,000	296,460
Marriage and Family Therapists	54,590	59,050
Rehabilitation Counselors	40,160	109,040
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	49,950	283,540
Counselors, All Other	48,800	25,420
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	51,030	327,710
Healthcare Social Workers	59,300	174,890
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	51,670	117,770
Social Workers, All Other	61,750	58,410
Health Education Specialists	60,500	58,590
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	59,910	88,120
Social and Human Service Assistants	37,050	404,450
Community Health Workers	44,390	58,950
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	46,900	97,480
Clergy	55,190	53,180
Directors, Religious Activities and Education	50,490	21,820
Religious Workers, All Other	39,830	9,450
Legal Occupations	109,630	1,150,780
Lawyers	145,300	657,170
Judicial Law Clerks	59,890	16,630
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers	100,230	14,380
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators	73,720	6,090
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates	128,550	28,670
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	55,020	329,870
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	52,050	52,890
Legal Support Workers, All Other	70,840	45,080
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations	57,710	8,886,600
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	105,440	83,920
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	98,430	31,800
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	86,330	51,150
Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary	98,980	6,780
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	112,110	36,080
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	89,320	9,470
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	98,700	53,090
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary	90,940	1,770
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	102,690	11,020
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	92,650	21,380
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary	93,450	6,060
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	101,110	13,780
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary	95,140	5,850
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	88,410	10,600
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	119,160	13,270
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary	86,540	3,970
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	102,290	15,750
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	87,530	37,480
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	85,240	13,850
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other	85,390	16,830
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	121,620	201,920
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	83,160	59,680
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	74,560	61,300
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary	77,170	4,390
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary	72,980	14,070
Law Teachers, Postsecondary	129,950	16,180
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	77,910	13,640
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	83,220	94,060
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	79,830	29,120
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	80,180	67,930
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	80,170	24,860
History Teachers, Postsecondary	84,210	21,030
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	88,970	23,490
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	85,270	2,150
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	73,720	15,880
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	60,420	112,210
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other	80,720	201,320
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	34,650	431,350
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	60,210	124,290
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	63,930	1,430,480
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	63,550	622,330
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School	64,900	11,860
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	65,930	1,035,850
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	64,800	74,520
Special Education Teachers, Preschool	67,060	22,340
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	64,420	193,830
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	65,740	85,840
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	65,710	143,170
Special Education Teachers, All Other	65,350	35,600
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	58,980	51,950
Self-Enrichment Teachers	46,120	252,780
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	32,460	587,120
Tutors and Teachers and Instructors, All Other	48,700	320,250
Archivists	57,500	6,560
Curators	59,130	12,890
Museum Technicians and Conservators	48,030	13,190
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	61,920	135,690
Library Technicians	36,950	88,720
Farm and Home Management Educators	52,720	8,720
Instructional Coordinators	69,180	176,690
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	36,460	137,500
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	29,640	1,346,910
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	45,970	129,040
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations	61,960	2,017,810
Art Directors	109,600	42,890
Craft Artists	38,740	4,640
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators	63,030	12,350
Special Effects Artists and Animators	84,780	29,340
Artists and Related Workers, All Other	67,750	7,550
Commercial and Industrial Designers	73,820	32,770
Fashion Designers	86,110	22,030
Floral Designers	29,760	41,770
Graphic Designers	56,510	215,930
Interior Designers	60,990	60,650
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	32,940	140,850
Set and Exhibit Designers	62,480	12,040
Designers, All Other	73,510	10,610
Actors	*	52,620
Producers and Directors	93,940	129,210
Athletes and Sports Competitors	93,140	11,330
Coaches and Scouts	44,910	241,390
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	38,810	20,120
Dancers	*	9,690
Choreographers	53,590	4,630
Music Directors and Composers	64,670	10,580
Musicians and Singers	*	41,130
Miscellaneous Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers	*	15,840
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	53,580	29,230
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	62,400	44,100
Public Relations Specialists	70,190	244,730
Editors	71,910	95,970
Technical Writers	76,860	50,760
Writers and Authors	73,860	45,860
Interpreters and Translators	57,000	58,870
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners	64,990	14,530
Media and Communication Workers, All Other	53,060	25,160
Audio and Video Technicians	51,260	73,960
Broadcast Technicians	46,800	28,650
Sound Engineering Technicians	67,090	12,890
Photographers	45,440	50,620
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film	64,960	21,500
Film and Video Editors	87,300	27,570
Lighting Technicians and Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other	73,700	23,440
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations	83,640	8,673,140
Chiropractors	85,010	35,010
Dentists, General	178,260	110,730
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons	237,570	4,650
Orthodontists	230,830	5,990
Prosthodontists	220,840	490
Dentists, All Other Specialists	178,040	5,330
Dietitians and Nutritionists	62,330	67,670
Optometrists	122,980	39,420
Pharmacists	125,510	311,200
Physician Assistants	112,410	120,090
Podiatrists	142,680	9,770
Occupational Therapists	86,210	133,570
Physical Therapists	90,170	233,350
Radiation Therapists	91,620	17,860
Recreational Therapists	51,130	19,070
Respiratory Therapists	63,950	132,090
Speech-Language Pathologists	82,000	154,360
Exercise Physiologists	54,750	7,280
Therapists, All Other	58,600	12,170
Veterinarians	104,820	74,540
Registered Nurses	77,460	2,982,280
Nurse Anesthetists	181,040	43,570
Nurse Midwives	108,810	6,930
Nurse Practitioners	111,840	200,600
Audiologists	83,900	13,590
Anesthesiologists	261,730	31,010
Family Medicine Physicians	213,270	109,370
General Internal Medicine Physicians	201,440	44,610
Obstetricians and Gynecologists	233,610	18,620
Pediatricians, General	184,410	29,740
Psychiatrists	220,430	25,530
Physicians, All Other; and Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric	203,450	390,680
Surgeons, Except Ophthalmologists	252,040	36,270
Dental Hygienists	77,230	221,560
Acupuncturists and Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other	89,060	36,500
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	54,780	326,020
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	59,600	56,110
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	75,780	72,790
Nuclear Medicine Technologists	80,240	18,110
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	63,120	207,360
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	74,270	37,900
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics	38,830	260,600
Dietetic Technicians	31,180	29,230
Pharmacy Technicians	35,250	417,780
Psychiatric Technicians	37,550	78,470
Surgical Technologists	50,110	109,000
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	36,670	110,650
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	38,760	58,600
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	48,500	697,510
Opticians, Dispensing	40,730	72,330
Orthotists and Prosthetists	72,810	9,830
Hearing Aid Specialists	55,360	8,210
Medical Dosimetrists, Medical Records Specialists, and Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	46,590	331,790
Athletic Trainers	50,540	28,600
Genetic Counselors	84,310	2,390
Health Information Technologists, Medical Registrars, Surgical Assistants, and Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other	58,600	54,350
Healthcare Support Occupations	31,010	6,521,790
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	26,440	3,161,500
Nursing Assistants	30,720	1,419,920
Orderlies	30,710	46,990
Psychiatric Aides	32,590	55,020
Occupational Therapy Assistants	61,880	44,990
Occupational Therapy Aides	34,310	7,560
Physical Therapist Assistants	58,520	96,840
Physical Therapist Aides	29,180	49,270
Massage Therapists	47,180	107,240
Dental Assistants	41,170	351,470
Medical Assistants	35,720	712,430
Medical Equipment Preparers	39,530	56,900
Medical Transcriptionists	35,210	55,780
Pharmacy Aides	30,490	37,280
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	29,690	97,030
Phlebotomists	36,480	128,290
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	40,010	93,270
Protective Service Occupations	49,880	3,498,800
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	69,000	46,430
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	94,950	121,340
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	82,010	69,590
Miscellaneous First-Line Supervisors, Protective Service Workers	53,210	82,590
Firefighters	54,650	324,620
Fire Inspectors and Investigators	64,730	13,710
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists	53,350	2,160
Bailiffs	51,840	19,650
Correctional Officers and Jailers	50,130	423,050
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	86,030	105,620
Fish and Game Wardens	57,690	6,800
Parking Enforcement Workers	43,420	7,650
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	67,600	665,280
Transit and Railroad Police	71,120	4,690
Animal Control Workers	39,710	11,980
Private Detectives and Investigators	57,000	35,000
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators	38,030	10,280
Security Guards	33,030	1,126,370
Crossing Guards and Flaggers	32,920	84,920
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	25,380	143,940
Transportation Security Screeners	42,310	46,730
School Bus Monitors and Protective Service Workers, All Other	34,880	146,390
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations	26,670	13,494,590
Chefs and Head Cooks	56,310	128,190
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	36,960	1,011,100
Cooks, Fast Food	23,530	527,220
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	29,030	402,480
Cooks, Private Household	45,600	390
Cooks, Restaurant	28,700	1,401,890
Cooks, Short Order	26,240	152,670
Cooks, All Other	32,240	19,340
Food Preparation Workers	25,820	863,740
Bartenders	28,000	646,850
Fast Food and Counter Workers	23,250	3,996,820
Waiters and Waitresses	26,800	2,579,020
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	26,080	277,580
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	25,020	477,270
Dishwashers	24,410	514,330
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	24,010	423,380
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other	26,510	72,300
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations	31,250	4,429,100
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	44,160	155,550
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	52,340	103,580
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	30,010	2,145,450
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	26,810	926,960
Building Cleaning Workers, All Other	35,270	18,150
Pest Control Workers	39,910	79,450
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	32,360	912,660
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	39,230	25,780
Tree Trimmers and Pruners	42,510	47,210
Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other	37,870	14,310
Personal Care and Service Occupations	31,260	3,303,200
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers	51,850	29,420
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service and Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services	43,400	217,680
Animal Trainers	36,240	16,530
Animal Caretakers	27,060	212,450
Gambling Dealers	23,980	98,890
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners	27,830	9,970
Gambling Service Workers, All Other	32,000	10,470
Motion Picture Projectionists	29,890	4,540
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers	24,870	138,160
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	24,330	338,110
Costume Attendants	48,970	7,460
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants	28,230	15,990
Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other	31,790	4,500
Embalmers	50,100	3,890
Funeral Attendants	29,830	34,370
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers	58,360	25,440
Barbers	35,190	20,030
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	31,530	385,960
Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance	81,600	3,400
Manicurists and Pedicurists	27,390	111,780
Shampooers	22,910	12,120
Skincare Specialists	38,970	56,660
Baggage Porters and Bellhops	28,230	39,790
Concierges	34,290	41,670
Tour and Travel Guides	30,670	48,710
Childcare Workers	25,510	561,520
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	45,110	325,500
Recreation Workers	29,330	358,750
Residential Advisors	31,610	107,930
Crematory Operators and Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other	29,190	61,510
Sales and Related Occupations	43,060	14,371,410
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	45,830	1,171,900
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	86,180	249,090
Cashiers	24,370	3,596,630
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers	28,010	21,290
Counter and Rental Clerks	32,600	411,560
Parts Salespersons	35,220	256,170
Retail Salespersons	29,360	4,317,950
Advertising Sales Agents	64,660	129,740
Insurance Sales Agents	67,780	410,050
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	93,090	437,880
Travel Agents	44,690	66,670
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	66,760	1,039,670
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	92,980	306,980
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	71,110	1,344,530
Demonstrators and Product Promoters	35,320	77,760
Models	36,430	2,320
Real Estate Brokers	81,450	42,730
Real Estate Sales Agents	62,060	162,330
Sales Engineers	112,780	63,550
Telemarketers	29,770	134,800
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers	35,150	8,930
Sales and Related Workers, All Other	40,620	118,910
Office and Administrative Support Occupations	41,040	19,528,250
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	60,130	1,487,870
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service	33,030	68,050
Telephone Operators	37,940	4,740
Communications Equipment Operators, All Other	46,050	3,240
Bill and Account Collectors	39,300	235,870
Billing and Posting Clerks	40,620	466,450
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	42,960	1,512,660
Gambling Cage Workers	29,600	14,330
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	47,390	142,700
Procurement Clerks	43,980	66,030
Tellers	31,660	442,120
Financial Clerks, All Other	44,740	30,500
Brokerage Clerks	55,190	47,990
Correspondence Clerks	39,570	6,250
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	42,030	154,020
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks	41,880	26,700
Customer Service Representatives	37,320	2,919,230
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	47,110	139,780
File Clerks	34,610	102,300
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	25,950	267,940
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	36,390	188,570
Library Assistants, Clerical	29,820	85,910
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	41,960	208,530
New Accounts Clerks	38,490	43,420
Order Clerks	36,600	137,180
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	42,620	117,340
Receptionists and Information Clerks	31,250	1,057,370
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks	44,390	123,660
Information and Record Clerks, All Other	42,410	153,850
Cargo and Freight Agents	46,770	95,810
Couriers and Messengers	31,640	74,720
Public Safety Telecommunicators	44,310	95,320
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	44,100	199,360
Meter Readers, Utilities	46,250	30,450
Postal Service Clerks	50,610	81,170
Postal Service Mail Carriers	52,180	339,650
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	51,190	102,390
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	50,640	370,380
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	36,030	704,910
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping	36,650	60,920
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	62,920	542,690
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	50,900	168,140
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	38,090	604,780
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	39,180	2,038,340
Data Entry Keyers	34,820	159,930
Word Processors and Typists	41,880	47,460
Desktop Publishers	48,740	8,740
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks	43,280	257,000
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	32,620	83,580
Office Clerks, General	36,360	2,956,060
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer	35,150	45,960
Proofreaders and Copy Markers	43,200	7,730
Statistical Assistants	51,640	9,810
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other	38,290	188,360
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations	31,340	484,750
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	52,520	22,560
Agricultural Inspectors	47,160	13,760
Animal Breeders	46,420	1,610
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products	27,570	34,340
Agricultural Equipment Operators	33,300	26,990
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	27,780	295,520
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals	29,880	36,630
Agricultural Workers, All Other	33,930	6,540
Forest and Conservation Workers	32,790	6,760
Fallers	49,670	4,890
Logging Equipment Operators	42,060	26,030
Log Graders and Scalers	39,110	3,300
Logging Workers, All Other	40,390	3,750
Construction and Extraction Occupations	52,580	6,194,140
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	71,440	626,180
Boilermakers	65,040	15,820
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	56,470	60,650
Stonemasons	48,070	12,390
Carpenters	52,850	734,170
Carpet Installers	45,320	26,010
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles	48,610	16,290
Floor Sanders and Finishers	42,300	4,940
Tile and Stone Setters	47,300	40,470
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	48,330	196,120
Terrazzo Workers and Finishers	56,340	2,970
Construction Laborers	41,730	1,020,350
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	44,630	45,770
Pile Driver Operators	70,230	3,540
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	54,210	405,750
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	50,560	102,850
Tapers	61,550	17,970
Electricians	60,370	688,620
Glaziers	49,810	52,400
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall	45,100	33,550
Insulation Workers, Mechanical	54,120	26,670
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	44,640	232,760
Paperhangers	44,470	3,380
Pipelayers	43,600	36,270
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	59,800	442,870
Plasterers and Stucco Masons	49,710	27,360
Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers	54,650	18,870
Roofers	45,820	129,690
Sheet Metal Workers	54,480	131,300
Structural Iron and Steel Workers	59,170	76,570
Solar Photovoltaic Installers	46,850	11,080
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	38,440	23,480
Helpers--Carpenters	33,830	32,920
Helpers--Electricians	34,300	79,260
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons	32,930	10,850
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	33,750	58,400
Helpers--Roofers	33,350	8,960
Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other	33,400	28,530
Construction and Building Inspectors	64,390	110,420
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers	83,250	28,350
Fence Erectors	38,600	25,900
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	47,740	44,240
Highway Maintenance Workers	42,410	150,860
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators	57,160	16,180
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	42,760	29,750
Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers	44,030	32,040
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas	48,030	12,110
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas	57,070	21,010
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas	51,390	51,760
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining	48,580	44,090
Continuous Mining Machine Operators	56,530	14,630
Roof Bolters, Mining	59,560	3,140
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining	53,730	4,200
Rock Splitters, Quarry	37,390	5,080
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas	41,280	58,930
Helpers--Extraction Workers	38,390	16,700
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas; and Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters	48,890	24,940
Underground Mining Machine Operators and Extraction Workers, All Other	52,280	13,790
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations	50,130	5,713,450
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	70,550	485,700
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	42,070	98,260
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers	57,820	14,370
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	58,560	208,480
Avionics Technicians	66,970	21,750
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers	46,620	15,890
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment	63,670	9,790
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	60,360	58,930
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	81,280	22,650
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles	38,910	10,310
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers	42,130	25,590
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	50,210	71,600
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	67,110	133,310
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	47,390	144,180
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers	37,440	19,410
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	44,890	655,330
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	50,360	266,330
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	43,630	36,290
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	54,840	147,800
Rail Car Repairers	56,810	25,930
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	43,440	22,940
Motorcycle Mechanics	39,970	15,590
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	37,670	32,160
Bicycle Repairers	31,360	13,190
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians	41,660	15,580
Tire Repairers and Changers	30,350	110,880
Mechanical Door Repairers	43,740	23,050
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	59,920	52,270
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	51,420	342,040
Home Appliance Repairers	42,400	31,100
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	55,320	387,630
Maintenance Workers, Machinery	49,450	72,890
Millwrights	57,050	47,320
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons	55,750	820
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	71,960	111,660
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	59,670	120,900
Camera and Photographic Equipment Repairers	40,720	3,620
Medical Equipment Repairers	53,130	46,370
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners	39,750	8,020
Watch and Clock Repairers	45,280	2,780
Precision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All Other	59,940	10,570
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	41,960	1,418,990
Wind Turbine Service Technicians	56,700	5,960
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers	37,380	31,370
Commercial Divers	67,100	3,420
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers	44,460	17,010
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers	34,300	2,810
Riggers	52,420	23,000
Signal and Track Switch Repairers	72,690	6,860
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers	32,570	99,460
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	43,800	161,290
Production Occupations	40,140	9,158,980
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	65,220	631,100
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers	56,460	42,940
Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	38,760	12,690
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	36,930	285,190
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	46,570	45,980
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	43,000	76,890
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators	36,970	20,010
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters	38,110	1,260
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	34,800	1,371,920
Bakers	29,630	184,990
Butchers and Meat Cutters	34,010	136,770
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	28,810	153,990
Slaughterers and Meat Packers	29,600	73,390
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	33,880	20,830
Food Batchmakers	33,120	159,390
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders	32,320	30,030
Food Processing Workers, All Other	28,820	42,890
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	37,770	76,940
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	41,200	16,320
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	41,920	32,470
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	37,310	195,040
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	42,630	10,870
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	37,860	76,810
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	41,990	28,070
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	44,820	18,730
Machinists	46,120	383,470
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders	43,280	17,150
Pourers and Casters, Metal	40,850	8,010
Model Makers, Metal and Plastic	57,420	4,300
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic	48,050	3,010
Foundry Mold and Coremakers	36,920	17,590
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	34,670	172,520
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	38,410	146,950
Tool and Die Makers	54,980	70,770
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	45,190	410,750
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	40,240	35,110
Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	39,840	19,560
Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic	48,900	8,150
Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	35,640	41,810
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners	41,970	6,440
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other	37,790	24,340
Prepress Technicians and Workers	42,540	30,270
Printing Press Operators	39,100	173,430
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	35,130	45,600
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	25,420	209,330
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials	24,820	38,070
Sewing Machine Operators	28,000	133,410
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers	30,580	8,760
Shoe Machine Operators and Tenders	30,540	5,020
Sewers, Hand	31,020	4,770
Tailors, Dressmakers, and Custom Sewers	34,530	24,110
Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders	30,810	8,690
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	29,660	13,210
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	31,300	21,130
Textile Winding, Twisting, and Drawing Out Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	30,740	31,190
Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers	37,760	18,230
Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers	52,740	5,870
Upholsterers	36,640	29,420
Textile, Apparel, and Furnishings Workers, All Other	30,710	18,060
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	37,620	99,400
Furniture Finishers	34,350	16,220
Model Makers, Wood	57,320	810
Patternmakers, Wood	63,490	370
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood	32,150	50,730
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	32,180	78,850
Woodworkers, All Other	35,270	6,700
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators	100,990	5,050
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	88,910	10,770
Power Plant Operators	79,370	33,620
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	65,970	32,520
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	50,490	123,730
Chemical Plant and System Operators	62,710	28,840
Gas Plant Operators	71,050	14,410
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers	73,830	40,370
Plant and System Operators, All Other	59,500	12,950
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	51,540	87,120
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	45,370	51,160
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	39,270	33,360
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand	33,060	29,170
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	39,920	125,340
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand	32,340	9,670
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	36,750	57,960
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	37,240	71,850
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	41,350	18,970
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	43,000	576,950
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	45,950	23,590
Dental Laboratory Technicians	44,330	34,460
Medical Appliance Technicians	44,200	14,130
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians	34,800	29,150
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	33,590	390,540
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers	35,600	12,430
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	41,260	146,350
Semiconductor Processing Technicians	41,950	27,680
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators	36,890	11,940
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	43,170	151,700
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	59,730	25,570
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders	36,010	13,890
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	34,230	16,410
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	37,010	8,740
Etchers and Engravers	33,770	10,310
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic	36,000	44,890
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	40,980	100,290
Tire Builders	45,010	20,790
Helpers--Production Workers	30,540	303,030
Production Workers, All Other	33,830	222,230
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations	37,920	12,532,030
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	57,960	9,500
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	57,840	455,390
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	174,870	84,520
Commercial Pilots	102,870	37,830
Air Traffic Controllers	120,140	22,090
Airfield Operations Specialists	57,620	10,680
Flight Attendants	56,230	120,840
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians	29,600	14,740
Driver/Sales Workers	30,230	444,660
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	46,850	1,856,130
Light Truck Drivers	38,520	923,050
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	45,830	179,510
Passenger Vehicle Drivers, Except Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	33,210	700,030
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other	37,300	56,590
Locomotive Engineers	71,570	35,520
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers	52,690	5,400
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers	62,380	11,080
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters	68,350	45,710
Subway and Streetcar Operators	63,770	10,730
Rail Transportation Workers, All Other	54,170	2,650
Sailors and Marine Oilers	53,250	31,290
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels	87,420	33,370
Motorboat Operators	49,030	2,120
Ship Engineers	79,540	8,410
Bridge and Lock Tenders	47,880	3,150
Parking Attendants	26,450	147,390
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	26,860	117,670
Traffic Technicians	52,590	7,470
Transportation Inspectors	77,530	30,020
Passenger Attendants	29,420	28,200
Aircraft Service Attendants and Transportation Workers, All Other	42,940	34,940
Conveyor Operators and Tenders	36,150	24,050
Crane and Tower Operators	60,530	45,480
Dredge Operators	51,340	1,550
Hoist and Winch Operators	62,690	4,800
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	37,930	629,270
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	27,940	382,670
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	32,130	2,953,170
Machine Feeders and Offbearers	33,010	63,280
Packers and Packagers, Hand	27,680	633,640
Stockers and Order Fillers	29,660	2,135,850
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators	62,710	3,440
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers	49,120	10,000
Wellhead Pumpers	55,080	12,970
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	41,400	121,330
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders	47,580	11,620
Material Moving Workers, All Other	36,530	28,240
Note: Occupations for which annual wage estimates are not available because workers do not generally work year-round, full time (Dancers; Miscellaneous Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers; Musicians and Singers; and Actors) are not shown in the chart.

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Only 2 large occupations had above-average wages: registered nurses, with employment of 3.0 million and annual average wages of $77,460, and general and operations managers, with employment of 2.4 million and wages of $123,030, on average.

There were over 9.3 million workers employed in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) occupations in 2019. The highest paying STEM occupations were petroleum engineers (employment 33,000, average wages $156,780 per year) and the three STEM-related management occupations: computer and information systems managers (employment 434,000, average wages $156,390), architectural and engineering managers (employment 194,000, average wages $152,930), and natural sciences managers (employment 68,000, average wages $145,450). The lowest paying STEM occupations were agricultural and food science technicians (employment 22,000, average wages $44,440) and forest and conservation technicians (employment 19,000, average wages $45,860).

These data are from the Occupational Employment Statistics program. See "Occupational Employment and Wages — May 2019" to learn more. These estimates do not include the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers, or unpaid family workers.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Retail salespersons numbered 4.3 million, earned $29,360 on average in 2019 at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/retail-salespersons-numbered-4-3-million-earned-29360-on-average-in-2019.htm (visited September 20, 2024).

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