Considering asking the boss for a raise? To help you assess the chances of a bigger paycheck, finder.com analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to uncover the careers most likely to provide pay increases.
Top dog on our list? Veterinarians, with those in the industry experiencing a 38% pay increase between 2016 and 2017.
But it’s not just pet lovers who can keep their eyes out for more money. Take a look at the top 10 careers with the biggest potential for a larger income, along with your chances of breaking into the industry.
What are the top 10 jobs with the biggest pay increase potential?
| Ranking | Occupation | 2017 Median Salary* | 2016 Median Salary* | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Veterinarians | $95,680.00 | $69,576.00 | 37.52% |
| 2 | Surveying and mapping technicians | $57,668.00 | $42,172.00 | 36.74% |
| 3 | Producers and directors | $77,428.00 | $60,476.00 | 28.03% |
| 4 | Financial clerks, all other | $46,904.00 | $36,816.00 | 27.40% |
| 5 | Emergency medical technicians and paramedics | $51,168.00 | $40,508.00 | 26.32% |
| 6 | Meeting, convention, and event planners | $56,160.00 | $45,084.00 | 24.57% |
| 7 | Food processing workers, all other | $35,152.00 | $28,444.00 | 23.58% |
| 8 | Parts salespersons | $40,872.00 | $33,228.00 | 23.00% |
| 9 | Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | $23,920.00 | $19,448.00 | 22.99% |
| 10 | Logisticians | $63,960.00 | $52,572.00 | 21.66% |
*Median annual earnings of full-time wage and salary workers were calculated by multiplying BLS’s median weekly earnings by 52.
The emergence of digital maps hasn’t dimmed the spotlight on surveying and mapping technicians, which holds the No. 2 spot for salary increases. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2017 an average 50,000 people make a career out of outlining the geographical landscape. But this field managed to experience a 37% salary increase from 2016 to 2017.
Sliding into third place, producers and directors — a field that averages a salary of $77,000 — also experienced double-digit income growth. Facing deadlines and high pressure, these motion picture professionals saw paychecks of 28% more from 2016 to 2017.
Next in line are financial clerks, a broad title that includes administrative support for banks and other financial institutions. The BLS projects a 9% increase in job availability for this career until 2026. A salary increase of 27% from 2016 to 2017 only sweetens the attraction for prospective employees.
Rounding out the Top 5 spot for salary increases is those who save lives on the daily. Emergency medical technicians and paramedics saw a more than 26% increase in their salary from 2016 to 2017.
Interestingly, these top careers shift around when we zoom into demographics. For women, the top career with a high potential for pay raises is a cluster of construction and extraction occupations that brought in a 26% salary increase from 2016 to 2017, whereas for men, it’s surveying and mapping technicians, who saw a 41% in increase in their paychecks.
What are the top 10 pay raises for women?
| Ranking | Occupation | 2017 Median Salary* | 2016 Median Salary* | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction and extraction occupations | $41,704.00 | $33,228.00 | 26.00% |
| 2 | Meeting, convention, and event planners | $55,328.00 | $44,304.00 | 25.00% |
| 3 | Insurance underwriters | $57,980.00 | $47,320.00 | 23.00% |
| 4 | Psychologists | $74,724.00 | $61,724.00 | 21.00% |
| 4 | Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders | $26,832.00 | $22,100.00 | 21.00% |
| 5 | Miscellaneous healthcare support occupations, including medical equipment preparers | $31,356.00 | $26,208.00 | 20.00% |
| 6 | Physicians and surgeons | $91,468.00 | $76,752.00 | 19.00% |
| 7 | Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | $25,012.00 | $21,164.00 | 18.00% |
| 7 | Insurance sales agents | $41,340.00 | $35,152.00 | 18.00% |
| 8 | Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products | $46,176.00 | $39,780.00 | 16.00% |
| 9 | Miscellaneous personal appearance workers | $27,976.00 | $24,232.00 | 15.00% |
| 9 | Postal service clerks | $48,100.00 | $41,860.00 | 15.00% |
| 9 | Sewing machine operators | $27,092.00 | $23,504.00 | 15.00% |
| 10 | Marketing and sales managers | $66,976.00 | $59,384.00 | 13.00% |
*Median annual earnings of full-time wage and salary workers were calculated by multiplying BLS’s median weekly earnings by 52.
According to the BLS, construction and extraction occupations — your carpenters, electricians, roofers and more — are projected to grow by 11% until 2026. Income increases coupled with fast-track growth justify this occupation leading our list of highest pay raise potentials for women.
Women interested in changing careers may want to check out the two No. 4 positions on our list. From now until 2026, BLS reports an average growth rate of 14% for psychologists, an occupation that experienced a 21% pay increase for women between 2016 and 2017. Additionally, we see a 21% pay increase for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders.
Even the last position on our top 10 is promising, offering the 90th percentile for this cluster of marketing and sales managers the potential to make up to $208,000 as of 2017.
What are the top 10 pay raises for men?
| Ranking | Occupation | 2017 Median Salary* | 2016 Median Salary* | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Surveying and mapping technicians | $57,928.00 | $41,080.00 | 41.00% |
| 2 | Producers and directors | $88,816.00 | $63,856.00 | 39.00% |
| 3 | Emergency medical technicians and paramedics | $58,188.00 | $42,692.00 | 36.00% |
| 4 | Teacher assistants | $33,384.00 | $26,052.00 | 28.00% |
| 5 | Parts salespersons | $41,600.00 | $33,436.00 | 24.00% |
| 5 | Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and blending workers | $41,340.00 | $33,384.00 | 24.00% |
| 6 | Logisticians | $70,616.00 | $58,032.00 | 22.00% |
| 7 | Diagnostic related technologists and technicians | $73,008.00 | $60,112.00 | 21.00% |
| 7 | Health practitioner support technologists and technicians | $44,616.00 | $37,024.00 | 21.00% |
| 7 | Sales and related workers, all other | $59,644.00 | $49,192.00 | 21.00% |
| 7 | Food processing workers, all other | $36,452.00 | $30,108.00 | 21.00% |
| 8 | Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers | $53,612.00 | $44,824.00 | 20.00% |
| 8 | Stationary engineers and boiler operators | $59,384.00 | $49,608.00 | 20.00% |
| 9 | Compliance officers | $78,052.00 | $66,248.00 | 18.00% |
| 10 | Administrative services managers | $84,708.00 | $72,696.00 | 17.00% |
*Median annual earnings of full-time wage and salary workers were calculated by multiplying BLS’s median weekly earnings by 52.
Looking over the list for men, you’ll see three spots tied for occupations offering a high potential for raises. But let’s start with surveying and mapping technicians, who take the lead for pay raises among men. This career offers 11% on average growth rate for jobs until 2026 , providing more opportunities to pursue it.
At No. 5, we see that parts salespersons — those behind the counters of auto parts stores, dealers and wholesalers — saw a 24% salary increase from 2016 to 2017. This career cluster for car aficionados can earn up to $52,330 in the 90th percentile, BLS reports.
At No.7, there is a striking four way tie between diagnostic related technologists and technicians, health practitioner support technologists and technicians, sales and related workers, and food processing workers which all witnessed a 21% salary increase from 2016 to 2017.
Finally, if you’re looking for a job that typically requires only a high school diploma but offers a potential salary increase of 20% on average, chances are the field of stationary engineers and boiler operators could be a fit. Making up about 36,000 jobs in the US, it’s expected to experience a 5% job growth rate until 2026. Tied for the same salary increase on our list is also the cluster of athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers.
What about decreases?
Not all careers reliably boost an employee’s finances. Plenty of careers failed to make our list due to rapidly declining salaries.
For women, a cluster of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists experienced the deepest salary decline among other occupations. These careers saw a 15% decline in salary between 2016 and 2017, from $52,208 to $44,616.
For men, we again saw a tie for careers offering the sharpest decline. Salaries for both bartenders and chemical engineers dropped 14% from 2016 to 2017. Male chemical engineers reported a median salary of $84,812 in 2017, down from a median $98,852 in 2016. In the same time, male bartenders saw their median salaries drop from $36,452 to $31,200.
Complete list of 317 jobs and rankings
| Occupation | Ranking | 2017 Median Salary* | 2016 Median Salary* | (+/-) % Change in Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Veterinarians | $95,680.00 | $69,576.00 | +37.52% | |
| 2 | Surveying and mapping technicians | $57,688.00 | $42,172.00 | +36.74% | |
| 3 | Producers and directors | $77,428.00 | $60,476.00 | +28.03% | |
| 4 | Financial clerks,all other | $46,904.00 | $36,816.00 | +27.40% | |
| 5 | Emergency medical technicians and paramedics | $51,168.00 | $40,508.00 | +26.32% | |
| 6 | Meeting, convention, and event planners | $56,160.00 | $45,084.00 | +24.57% | |
| 7 | Food processing workers, all others | $35,152.00 | $28,444.00 | +23.58% | |
| 8 | Parts salespersons | $40,872.00 | $33,228.00 | +23.00% | |
| 9 | Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop | $23,920.00 | $19,448.00 | +22.99% | |
| 10 | Logisticians | $63,960.00 | $52,572.00 | +21.66% | |
| 11 | Sales and related workers, all other | $50,492.00 | $41,860.00 | +20.62% | |
| 12 | Crushing, grinding, polishing, mixing, and blending workers | $40,092.00 | $33,436.00 | +19.91% | |
| 13 | Sewing machine operators | $26,988.00 | $22,724.00 | +18.76% | |
| 14 | Stationary engineers and boiler operators | $56,576.00 | $48,048.00 | +17.75% | |
| 15 | Counter and rental clerks | $31,564.00 | $26,884.00 | +17.41% | |
| 16 | Miscellaneous personal appearance workers | $29,484.00 | $25,480.00 | +15.71% | |
| 17 | Psychologists | $75,608.00 | $65,520.00 | +15.40% | |
| 18 | Medical scientists | $71,656.00 | $62,972.00 | +13.79% | |
| 19 | Drafters | $58,552.00 | $51,480.00 | +13.74% | |
| 20 | Packaging and filling machine operators and vendors | $28,756.00 | $25,376.00 | +13.32% | |
| 21 | Network and computer systems | $72,540.00 | $64,064.00 | +13.23% | |
| 22 | Physician assistant | $90,844.00 | $80,288.00 | +13.15% | |
| 23 | Broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio operators | $59,800.00 | $53,040.00 | +12.75% | |
| 24 | Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers | $52,052.00 | $46,384.00 | +12.22% | |
| 25 | Compliance officers | $72,332.00 | $64,636.00 | +11.91% | |
| 26 | Judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers | $90,584.00 | $81,120.00 | +11.67% | |
| 27 | Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $60,788.00 | $54,444.00 | +11.65% | |
| 28 | Diagnostics related technologies and technicians | $60,424.00 | $54,132.00 | +11.62% | |
| 29 | Painters, construction and maintenance | $35,516.00 | $31,824.00 | +11.60% | |
| 29 | Butchers and other meat, poultry, and fish processing workers | $30,524.00 | $27,352.00 | +11.60% | |
| 30 | Automotive and watercraft service attendants | $26,728.00 | $24,024.00 | +11.26% | |
| 31 | Gaming service workers | $35,984.00 | $32,448.00 | +10.90% | |
| 32 | Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products | $58,864.00 | $53,248.00 | +10.55% | |
| 33 | Sales representative, wholesale and manufacturing | $60,164.00 | $54,444.00 | +10.51% | |
| 34 | Sales representatives, services, all other | $59,644.00 | $54,080.00 | +10.29% | |
| 35 | Chemical technicians | $52,676.00 | $47,788.00 | +10.23% | |
| 36 | Aircraft pilots and flight engineers | $90,272.00 | $82,264.00 | +9.73% | |
| 37 | Miscellaneous healthcare support occupations, including medical equipment preparers | $30,524.00 | $27,924.00 | +9.31% | |
| 38 | Welding, soldering, and brazing workers | $42,224.00 | $38,636.00 | +9.29% | |
| 39 | Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | $61,516.00 | $56,316.00 | +9.23% | |
| 40 | Industrial production managers | $77,272.00 | $70,772.00 | +9.18% | |
| 41 | Chemists and material scientists | $74,100.00 | $67,912.00 | +9.11% | |
| 42 | Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers | $23,816.00 | $21,840.00 | +9.05% | |
| 43 | Public relations specialists | $69,628.00 | $63,856.00 | +9.04% | |
| 44 | Computer network architects | $85,027.00 | $78,104.00 | +8.92% | |
| 45 | Miscellaneous health technologists and technicians | $42,172.00 | $38,740.00 | +8.86% | |
| 46 | Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $42,380.00 | $38,948.00 | +8.81% | |
| 47 | Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers | $46,696.00 | $42,952.00 | +8.72% | |
| 48 | Miscellaneous media and communication workers | $42,068.00 | $38,740.00 | +8.59% | |
| 49 | Architects, except naval | $75,556.00 | $69,628.00 | +8.51% | |
| 50 | Phlebotomists | $33,020.00 | $30,472.00 | +8.36% | |
| 51 | First-line supervisors of protective service workers, all other | $49,556.00 | $45,760.00 | +8.30% | |
| 52 | Computer control programmers and operators | $45,136.00 | $41,704.00 | +8.23% | |
| 53 | Printing press operators | $39,416.00 | $36,452.00 | +8.13% | |
| 54 | Paralegals and legal assistants | $49,140.00 | $45,448.00 | +8.12% | |
| 55 | Carpenters | $41,028.00 | $37,960.00 | +8.08% | |
| 56 | Human resource managers | $75,296.00 | $69,680.00 | +8.06% | |
| 57 | Physical scientists, all other | $79,508.00 | $73,632.00 | +7.98% | |
| 58 | Cleaners of vehicles and equipment | $27,560.00 | $25,532.00 | +7.94% | |
| 59 | Parking lot attendants | $29,120.00 | $26,988.00 | +7.90% | |
| 60 | Automotive body and related repairers | $42,692.00 | $39,572.00 | +7.88% | |
| 61 | Bill and account collectors | $35,048.00 | $32,500.00 | +7.84% | |
| 62 | Miscellaneous entertainment attendants and related workers | $26,884.00 | $25,012.00 | +7.48% | |
| 63 | Insurance claims and policy processing clerks | $37,128.00 | $34,580.00 | +7.37% | |
| 64 | Health practitioner support technologists and technicians | $36,920.00 | $34,424.00 | +7.25% | |
| 65 | Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers | $39,780.00 | $37,128.00 | +7.14% | |
| 66 | Food batchmakers | $29,900.00 | $27,924.00 | +7.08% | |
| 67 | First-line supervisors of mechanics, installers, and repairers | $56,784.00 | $53,040.00 | +7.06% | |
| 68 | Insurance sales agents | $46,644.00 | $43,628.00 | +6.91% | |
| 69 | Therapists, all other | $51,116.00 | $47,840.00 | +6.85% | |
| 70 | Court, municipal, and license clerks | $38,376.00 | $35,932.00 | +6.80% | |
| 70 | Production, planning, and expediting clerks | $47,372.00 | $44,356.00 | +6.80% | |
| 71 | Information security analysts | $89,700.00 | $84,084.00 | +6.68% | |
| 72 | Childcare workers | $25,064.00 | $23,504.00 | +6.64% | |
| 73 | Production workers, all other | $34,476.00 | $32,344.00 | +6.59% | |
| 74 | Private detectives and investigators | $50,076.00 | $47,008.00 | +6.53% | |
| 75 | Carpet, floor, and tile installers and finishers | $32,812.00 | $30,836.00 | +6.41% | |
| 76 | Life, physical, and social science occupations | $66,872.00 | $62,868.00 | +6.37% | |
| 77 | Radio and telecommunications equipment installers and repairers | $52,520.00 | $49,400.00 | +6.32% | |
| 78 | Writers and authors | $59,124.00 | $55,640.00 | +6.26% | |
| 78 | Detectives and criminal investigators | $65,312.00 | $61,464.00 | +6.26% | |
| 79 | Brickmasons, block masons, and stonemasons | $40,924.00 | $38,532.00 | +6.21% | |
| 80 | Operations research analysts | $72,592.00 | $68,380.00 | +6.16% | |
| 81 | First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers | $60,216.00 | $56,732.00 | +6.14% | |
| 82 | Computer programmers | $77,116.00 | $72,696.00 | +6.08% | |
| 83 | Computer and information systems managers | $95,836.00 | $90,376.00 | +6.04% | |
| 84 | Cashier | $22,776.00 | $21,528.00 | +5.80% | |
| 85 | Electrical, electronics, and electromechanical assemblers | $32,448.00 | $30,680.00 | +5.76% | |
| 86 | Wholesale and retail buyers, except farmers | $46,072.00 | $43,576.00 | +5.73% | |
| 87 | Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers | $32,968.00 | $31,200.00 | +5.67% | |
| 88 | Information and record clerks, all other | $35,932.00 | $34,008.00 | +5.66% | |
| 89 | Engineering technicians, except drafters | $54,756.00 | $51,844.00 | +5.62% | |
| 89 | Sheet metal workers | $44,980.00 | $42,588.00 | +5.62% | |
| 90 | Tellers | $29,744.00 | $28.184.00 | +5.54% | |
| 91 | Stock clerks and order fillers | $29,068 | $27,560 | +5.47% | |
| 92 | Environmental scientists and geoscientists | $85,228.00 | $80,860.00 | +5.40% | |
| 93 | Protective service occupations | $44,304.00 | $42,068.00 | +5.32% | |
| 94 | Social and community service managers | $59,072.00 | $56,108.00 | +5.28% | |
| 95 | Packers and packagers, hand | $24,960.00 | $23,712.00 | +5.26% | |
| 96 | Postsecondary teachers | $68,224.00 | $64,844.00 | +5.21% | |
| 97 | Nurse practitioners | $95,732.00 | $91,000.00 | +5.20% | |
| 98 | Teacher assistants | $28,600.00 | $27,196.00 | +5.16% | |
| 99 | Interviewers, except eligibility and loan | $34,892.00 | $33,228.00 | +5.01% | |
| 100 | Cooks | $24,232.00 | $23,088.00 | +4.95% | |
| 100 | Preschool and kindergarten teachers | $34,164.00 | $32,552.00 | +4.95% | |
| 100 | Transportation, storage, and distribution managers | $54,028.00 | $51,480.00 | +4.95% | |
| 101 | Production occupations | $36,452.00 | $34,736.00 | +4.94% | |
| 102 | General and operations managers | $69,056.00 | $65,832.00 | +4.90% | |
| 103 | Waiters and waitresses | $25,636.00 | $24,440.00 | +4.89% | |
| 104 | Miscellaneous assemblers and fabricators | $32,760.00 | $31,252.00 | +4.83% | |
| 105 | Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks | $38,428.00 | $36,660.00 | +4.82% | |
| 106 | First-line supervisors of production and operating workers | $50,232.00 | $47,996.00 | +4.66% | |
| 107 | Managers, all other | $77,376.00 | $73,944.00 | +4.64% | |
| 108 | Grounds maintenance workers | $27,300.00 | $26,104.00 | +4.58% | |
| 109 | Billing and posting clerks | $36,192.00 | $34,632.00 | +4.50% | |
| 110 | Metal workers and plastic workers, all other | $34,008.00 | $32,552.00 | +4.47% | |
| 111 | Non-farm animal crackers | $26,312.00 | $25,220.00 | +4.33% | |
| 111 | Postal service clerks | $48,880.00 | $46,852.00 | +4.33% | |
| 112 | Office clerks, general | $35,464.00 | $34,008.00 | +4.28% | |
| 112 | Electrical and electronics engineers | $93,756.00 | $89,908.00 | +4.28% | |
| 113 | Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $39,572.00 | $97,960.00 | +4.25% | |
| 114 | File clerks | $36,608.00 | $35,152.00 | +4.14% | |
| 114 | Taxi drivers and chauffeurs | $31,408.00 | $30,160.00 | +4.14% | |
| 115 | Food preparation and serving related occupations | $25,168.00 | $24,180.00 | +4.09% | |
| 116 | Cutting, punching, and press machine settlers, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic | $34,580.00 | $33,228.00 | +4.07% | |
| 117 | Production, transportation, and material moving occupations | $35,984.00 | $34,580.00 | +4.06% | |
| 118 | Maintenance and repair workers, general | $43,056.00 | $41,392.00 | +4.02% | |
| 118 | Service occupations | $28,288.00 | $27,196.00 | +4.02% | |
| 119 | Medical assistants | $30,888.00 | $29,744.00 | +3.85% | |
| 120 | Fundraisers | $59,904.00 | $57,772.00 | +3.69% | |
| 121 | Industrial truck and tractor operators | $32,448.00 | $31,304.00 | +3.65% | |
| 121 | Farming, fishing, and forestry occupations | $28,028.00 | $27,040.00 | +3.65% | |
| 121 | Secretaries and administrative assistants | $38,428.00 | $37,076.00 | +3.65% | |
| 122 | Insurance underwriters | $59,956.00 | $57,876.00 | +3.59% | |
| 123 | Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists | $27,456.00 | $26,520.00 | +3.53% | |
| 124 | Telecommunications line installers and repairers | $45,708.00 | $44,200.00 | +3.41% | |
| 124 | Claims adjusters, appraisers, examiners, and investigators | $52,104.00 | $50,388.00 | +3.41% | |
| 125 | Recreation and fitness workers | $32,032.00 | $30,992.00 | +3.36% | |
| 126 | Management, business, and financial operations occupations | $69,004.00 | $66,768.00 | +3.35% | |
| 127 | Receptionists and information clerks | $31,304.00 | $30,316.00 | +3.26% | |
| 127 | Chefs and head cooks | $32,968.00 | $31,928.00 | +3.26% | |
| 128 | Office and administrative support occupations | $36,452.00 | $35,308.00 | +3.24% | |
| 128 | Healthcare support occupations | $28,184.00 | $27,300.00 | +3.24% | |
| 129 | Dishwashers | $20,852.00 | $20,228.00 | +3.08% | |
| 130 | Management, professional, and related occupations | $63,648.00 | $61,776.00 | +3.03% | |
| 131 | Heavy vehicle and mobile equipment service technicians and mechanics | $51,636.00 | $50,128.00 | +3.01% | |
| 132 | First-line supervisors of correctional officers | $46,748.00 | $45,396.00 | +2.98% | |
| 133 | Personal care and service occupations | $27,040.00 | $26,260.00 | +2.97% | |
| 134 | Editor | $56,368.00 | $54,756.00 | +2.94% | |
| 134 | Bailiffs, correctional officers, and jailers | $40,092.00 | $38,948.00 | +2.94% | |
| 135 | Transportation and material moving occupations | $35,412.00 | $34,424.00 | +2.87% | |
| 135 | Sales and office occupations | $37,336.00 | $36,296.00 | +2.87% | |
| 136 | Electrician | $50,908.00 | $49,504.00 | +2.84% | |
| 137 | First-line supervisors of retail sales workers | $39,728.00 | $38,636.00 | +2.83% | |
| 138 | Marketing and sales managers | $78,468.00 | $76,336.00 | +2.79% | |
| 139 | Combined food preparation and saving workers, including fast food | $21,164.00 | $20,592.00 | +2.78% | |
| 140 | Water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators | $47,164.00 | $45,916.00 | +2.72% | |
| 141 | Dental assistants | $31,616.00 | $30,784.00 | +2.70% | |
| 142 | Electrical power-line installers and repairers | $61,932.00 | $60,372.00 | +2.58% | |
| 143 | Sales and related occupations | $39,676.00 | $38,688.00 | +2.55% | |
| 144 | Eligibility interviewers, government programs | $44,148.00 | $43,056.00 | +2.54% | |
| 145 | Secondary school teachers | $59,228.00 | $57,772.00 | +2.52% | |
| 145 | Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks | $31,772.00 | $30,992.00 | +2.52% | |
| 146 | Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations | $55,432.00 | $54,080.00 | +2.50% | |
| 147 | Janitors and building cleaners | $28,028.00 | $27,352.00 | +2.47% | |
| 148 | Construction managers | $74,256.00 | $72,540.00 | +2.37% | |
| 149 | Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations | $27,144.00 | $26,520.00 | +2.35% | |
| 150 | First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers | $37,596.00 | $36,764.00 | +2.26% | |
| 151 | First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers | $45,084.00 | $44,096.00 | +2.24% | |
| 152 | Librarians | $52,468.00 | $51,324.00 | +2.23% | |
| 153 | Customer service representatives | $34,008.00 | $33,280.00 | +2.19% | |
| 154 | Driver/sales workers and truck drivers | $41,444.00 | $40,560.00 | +2.18% | |
| 155 | Highway maintenance workers | $39,572.00 | $38,740.00 | +2.15% | |
| 156 | Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand | $30,056.00 | $29,432.00 | +2.12% | |
| 157 | Aerospace engineers | $98,384.00 | $96,408.00 | +2.05% | |
| 158 | Maids and housekeeping cleaners | $23,400.00 | $22,932.00 | +2.04% | |
| 159 | Statisticians | $74,516.00 | $73,060.00 | +1.99% | |
| 160 | Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations | $45,656.00 | $44,772.00 | +1.97% | |
| 161 | Security and fire alarm system installers | $49,140.00 | $48,204.00 | +1.94% | |
| 162 | Natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations | $41,652.00 | $40,872.00 | +1.91% | |
| 163 | Food service managers | $39,156.00 | $38,428.00 | +1.89% | |
| 163 | Personal care aides | $25,272.00 | $24,804.00 | +1.89% | |
| 164 | Data entry keyers | $33,800.00 | $33,176.00 | +1.88% | |
| 164 | Security guards and gaming surveillance officers | $30,992.00 | $30,420.00 | +1.88% | |
| 165 | Education, training, and library occupations | $52,104.00 | $51,168.00 | +1.83% | |
| 165 | Clergy | $55,016.00 | $54,028.00 | +1.83% | |
| 166 | First-line supervisors of police and detectives | $70,096.00 | $68,848.00 | +1.81% | |
| 166 | Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations | $58,448.00 | $47,408.00 | +1.81% | |
| 167 | Miscellaneous agricultural workers | $26,884.00 | $26,416.00 | +1.77% | |
| 168 | Accountants and auditors | $60,996.00 | $59,956.00 | +1.73% | |
| 169 | First-line supervisors of food preparation and serving workers | $27,924.00 | $27,456.00 | +1.70% | |
| 170 | Professional and related occupations | $60,320.00 | $59,332.00 | +1.67% | |
| 171 | Management occupations | $72,384.00 | $71,240.00 | +1.61% | |
| 172 | Management analysts | $77,948.00 | $76,752.00 | +1.56% | |
| 173 | Construction and extraction occupations | $41,392.00 | $40,768.00 | +1.53% | |
| 174 | Computer and mathematical occupations | $76,180.00 | $75,036.00 | +1.52% | |
| 174 | Credit counselors and loan officers | $55,640.00 | $54,808.00 | +1.52% | |
| 175 | Personal finance advisors | $74,100.00 | $73,008.00 | +1.50% | |
| 176 | Bus and truck mechanics and Diesel engine specialists | $46,124.00 | $45,448.00 | +1.49% | |
| 176 | Food preparations workers | $22,100.00 | $21,788.00 | +1.49% | |
| 177 | Elementary and middle school teachers | $53,196.00 | $52,468.00 | +1.39% | |
| 178 | Computer system analysts | $73,268.00 | $72,436.00 | +1.15% | |
| 179 | Business and financial operations occupation | $61,048.00 | $60,372.00 | +1.12% | |
| 180 | Police and sheriff’s patrol officers | $52,780.00 | $52,208.00 | +1.10% | |
| 181 | Speech-language pathologists | $63,076.00 | $62,400.00 | +1.08% | |
| 182 | Barbers | $30,680.00 | $30,368.00 | +1.03% | |
| 183 | Business operations specialists, all other | $59,072.00 | $58,500.00 | +0.98% | |
| 184 | First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers | $34,372.00 | $34,060.00 | +0.92% | |
| 185 | Software developers, applications, and systems software | $93,184.00 | $92,352.00 | +0.90% | |
| 186 | Dispatchers | $36,020.00 | $36,608.00 | +0.85% | |
| 186 | Machinists | $43,212.00 | $42,848.00 | +0.85% | |
| 187 | Legal occupations | $75,036.00 | $74,412.00 | +0.84% | |
| 188 | Computer support specialists | $55,536.00 | $55,120.00 | +0.75% | |
| 189 | First-line supervisors of gaming workers | $41,444.00 | $41,184.00 | +0.63% | |
| 190 | Dietitians and nutritionists | $51,532.00 | $51,272.00 | +0.51% | |
| 191 | Social and human service assistants | $38,428.00 | $38,272.00 | +0.41% | |
| 192 | Financial analysts | $79,560.00 | $79,300.00 | +0.33% | |
| 193 | Special education teachers | $53,248.00 | $53,092.00 | +0.29% | |
| 194 | Market research analysts and marketing specialists | $61,048.00 | $60,892.00 | +0.26% | |
| 196 | Lawyers | $98,852.00 | $98,644.00 | +0.21% | |
| 197 | Other installation, maintenance, and repair workers | $40,248.00 | $40,196.00 | +0.13% | |
| 198 | Physicians and surgeons | $99,736.00 | $99,632.00 | +0.10% | |
| 199 | Social workers | $47,112.00 | $47,112.00 | +0.00% | |
| 200 | Pharmacists | $99,966.00 | $100,048.00 | -0.05% | |
| 201 | Web developers | $64,220.00 | $64,272.00 | -0.08% | |
| 201 | Computer occupations, all other | $64,088.00 | $64,140.00 | -0.08% | |
| 202 | Dental hygienists | $53,716.00 | $53,768.00 | -0.10% | |
| 203 | Couriers and messengers | $37,700.00 | $37,752.00 | -0.14% | |
| 204 | Advertising and promotion managers | $69,160.00 | $69,264.00 | -0.15% | |
| 205 | Property, real estate, and community association managers | $49,764.00 | $49,868.00 | -0.21% | |
| 206 | Purchasing managers | $66,092.00 | $66,248.00 | -0.24% | |
| 206 | Miscellaneous community and social service specialists, including health educators and community health workers | $43,108.00 | $43,212.00 | -0.24% | |
| 207 | Computer operators | $42,068.00 | $43,172.00 | -0.25% | |
| 208 | Architecture and engineering occupations | $76,856.00 | $77,064.00 | -0.27% | |
| 209 | Chief executives | $119,392.00 | $119,756.00 | -0.30% | |
| 210 | Roofers | $32,292.00 | $32,396.00 | -0.32% | |
| 211 | Registered nurses | $59,800.00 | $60,008.00 | -0.35% | |
| 212 | Training and development specialists | $57,148.00 | $57,356.00 | -0.36% | |
| 213 | Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks | $37,388.00 | $37,544.00 | -0.42% | |
| 214 | Personal care and service workers, all others | $29,640.00 | $29,796.00 | -0.52% | |
| 215 | Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides | $26,000.00 | $26,156.00 | -0.60% | |
| 215 | Physical therapists | $68,484.00 | $68,900.00 | -0.60% | |
| 216 | Civil engineers | $77,688.00 | $78,208.00 | -0.66% | |
| 217 | Engineers, all other | $81,172.00 | $81,796.00 | -0.76% | |
| 218 | Crane and tower operators | $46,904.00 | $47,268.00 | -0.77% | |
| 218 | Financial managers | $73,424.00 | $73,996.00 | -0.77% | |
| 218 | Counselors | $46,644.00 | $47,008.00 | -0.77% | |
| 219 | Laundry and dry-clean workers | $23,400.00 | $23,608.00 | -0.88% | |
| 220 | Educational administrators | $71,084.00 | $71,812.00 | -1.01% | |
| 221 | Painting workers | $36,036.00 | $36,452.00 | -1.14% | |
| 222 | Food servers, non-restaurant | $24,596.00 | $24,908.00 | -1.25% | |
| 223 | Retail salespersons | $31,980.00 | $32,396.00 | -1.28% | |
| 224 | Office and administrative support workers, all other | $39,416.00 | $39,936.00 | -1.30% | |
| 225 | Securities, commodities, and financial service sales agents | $69,264.00 | $70,252.00 | -1.41% | |
| 226 | Flight attendants | $44,720.00 | $45,396.00 | -1.49% | |
| 227 | Mechanical engineers | $79,768.00 | $81,120.00 | -1.67% | |
| 228 | Cost estimators | $59,228.00 | $60,268.00 | -1.73% | |
| 229 | Industrial engineers, including health and safety | $77,792.00 | $79,352.00 | -1.97% | |
| 230 | Community and social service occupations | $46,800.00 | $47,788.00 | -2.07% | |
| 231 | Graders and sorters, agricultural products | $26,000.00 | $26,572.00 | -2.15% | |
| 232 | Artists and related workers | $62,868.00 | $64,272.00 | -2.18% | |
| 233 | Construction and building inspectors | $50,648.00 | $51,792.00 | -2.21% | |
| 234 | Administrative service managers | $64,116.00 | $65,572.00 | -2.22% | |
| 235 | Technical writers | $63,544.00 | $65,156.00 | -2.47% | |
| 236 | Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists | $54,184.00 | $55,588.00 | -2.53% | |
| 237 | Order clerks | $32,708.00 | $33,592.00 | -2.63% | |
| 238 | Payroll and timekeeping clerks | $39,780.00 | $40,872.00 | -2.67% | |
| 239 | Medical, dental, and ophthalmic laboratory technicians | $31,096.00 | $31,980.00 | -2.76% | |
| 240 | Real estate brokers and sales agents | $49,556.00 | $51,116.00 | -3.05% | |
| 241 | Construction laborers | $34,840.00 | $35,984.00 | -3.18% | |
| 242 | Respiratory therapists | $49,972.00 | $51,896.00 | -3.71% | |
| 243 | Computer, automated teller, and office machine repairers | $42,588.00 | $44,252.00 | -3.76% | |
| 244 | Postal service mail carriers | $49,088.00 | $51,012.00 | -3.77% | |
| 245 | Computer hardware engineers | $92,092.00 | $95,836.00 | -3.91% | |
| 246 | Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $43,160.00 | $44,928.00 | -3.94% | |
| 247 | Loan interviewers and clerks | $38,584.00 | $40,248.00 | -4.13% | |
| 248 | Miscellaneous vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers | $31,876.00 | $33,332.00 | -4.37% | |
| 248 | Other teachers and instructors | $46,644.00 | $48,776.00 | -4.37% | |
| 249 | Medical records and health information technicians | $39,676.00 | $41,496.00 | -4.39% | |
| 250 | Bakers | $24,544.00 | $25,688.00 | -4.45% | |
| 251 | Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics | $47,996.00 | $50,336.00 | -4.65% | |
| 251 | Human resource workers | $56,472.00 | $59,228.00 | -4.65% | |
| 251 | Industrial and refractory machinery mechanics | $47,996.00 | $50,336.00 | -4.65% | |
| 252 | Occupational therapist | $67,652.00 | $70,980.00 | -4.69% | |
| 253 | First-line supervisors of personal service workers | $32,188.00 | $33,852.00 | -4.92% | |
| 253 | First-line supervisors of personal service workers | $32,188.00 | $33,852.00 | -4.92% | |
| 254 | Lodging managers | $45,864.00 | $48,308.00 | -5.06% | |
| 255 | Chemical processing machine settlers, operators, and tenders | $45,604.00 | $48,048.00 | -5.09% | |
| 256 | Miscellaneous legal support workers | $49,764.00 | $52,468.00 | -5.15% | |
| 257 | Other education, training, and library workers | $54,548.00 | $57,564.00 | -5.24% | |
| 258 | Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks | $25,272.00 | $26,676.00 | -5.26% | |
| 259 | Tax examiners and collectors, and revenue agents | $56,056.00 | $59,176.00 | -5.27% | |
| 260 | Bus drivers | $31,460.00 | $33,332.00 | -5.62% | |
| 261 | Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $45,136.00 | $47,840.00 | -5.65% | |
| 262 | Medical and health services managers | $68,588.00 | $72,904.00 | -5.92% | |
| 263 | Pest control workers | $32,032.00 | $34,060.00 | -5.95% | |
| 264 | Word processors and typists | $35,516.00 | $37,960.00 | -6.44% | |
| 265 | Pipe-layers, plumbers, pipe-fitters, and steam-fitters | $55,224.00 | $59,124.00 | -6.60% | |
| 265 | First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers | $55,224.00 | $59,124.00 | -6.60% | |
| 266 | Designers | $55,624.00 | $56,472.00 | -6.81% | |
| 267 | Refuse and recyclable material collectors/tb> | $27,144.00 | $29,224.00 | -7.12% | |
| 268 | Training and development managers/tb> | $72,592.00 | $78,364.00 | -7.37% | |
| 268 | Miscellaneous life, physical, and social sciences/tb> | $72,592.00 | $78,364.00 | -7.37% | |
| 269 | Bartenders | $28,808.00 | $31,304.00 | -7.97% | |
| 270 | Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop | $20,852.00 | $22,984.00 | -9.28% | |
| 271 | Cutting workers | $27,092.00 | $29,952.00 | -9.55% | |
| 272 | Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | $45,812.00 | $51,584.00 | -11.19% | |
| 273 | Architectural and engineering managers | $103,948.00 | $117,416.00 | -11.47% | |
| 274 | Baggage porters, bellhops, and concierges | $28,444.00 | $32,500.00 | -12.48% | |
| 275 | Advertising sales agents | $46,124.00 | $53,196.00 | -13.29% | |
| 276 | Chemical engineers | $84,552.00 | $97,604.00 | -13.37% | |
| 277 | Public relations and fundraising managers | $68,536.00 | $79,664.00 | -13.97% | |
| 278 | Biological scientists | $59,280.00 | $69,992.00 | -15.30% | |
| 279 | News analysts, reporters and correspondents | $49,140.00 | $60,632.00 | -18.95% | |
| 280 | Database administrators | $71,812.00 | $90,012.00 | -20.22% | |
| 281 | Tax preparers | $41,132.00 | $54,548.00 | -24.59% |
*Median annual earnings of full-time wage and salary workers were calculated by multiplying BLS’s median weekly earnings by 52.
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Rachel Dix-Kessler
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of personal finance trends.
