Frequently Asked Questions

1. What metropolitan area in the United States has the best wage rates for different occupations?
2. Why don't you survey more occupations?
3. What is the national average salary for my job?
4. What is the level of pay in Metropolitan Statistical Areas across the country?
5. What jobs do you collect pay data for and how do you define them?
6. Where would I find information on changes in pay rates?
7. Where can I get wage determinations data?
8. Where can I obtain information on minimum wage and overtime laws and regulations?
9. How can I obtain more information?

1) What metropolitan area in the United States has the best wage rates for different occupations?

See wage rates by occupation and metropolitan area available from the Occupational Compensation Survey: National Summary, 1996, part III (TXT) (PDF 352K)

2) Why don't you survey more occupations?

The National Compensation Survey (NCS) is our new compensation program that surveys more occupations.

3) What is the national average salary for my job?

See Occupational Compensation Survey: National Summary, 1996, part I (TXT) (PDF 409K)

You may also want to check the Occupational Outlook Handbook for national occupational averages.

4) What is the level of pay in Metropolitan Statistical Areas across the country?

See Occupational Compensation Survey: National Summary, 1996:

Part I National Averages by Regions (TXT) (PDF 409K )
Part II Pay Relatives (Comparisons) by areas (TXT) (PDF 54K )
Part III Locality Pay areas (TXT) (PDF 352K)

5) What jobs do you collect pay data for and how do you define them?

See Occupational Descriptions.

6) Where would I find information on changes in pay rates?

See the Employment Cost Index.

7) Where can I get wage determinations data?

Cross-industry wage determinations under the Service Contract Act and construction industry wage determinations under the Davis-Bacon Act are available from: Employment Standards Administration (ESA), U.S. Department of Labor
Contact: Nila Stovall
Phone: 202-219-7531, ext. 137

8) Where can I obtain information on minimum wage and overtime laws and regulations?

General wage and hour questions may also be addressed to ESA staff at: Employment Standards Administration (ESA), U.S. Department of Labor
Phone: 202-219-8743

9) How can I obtain more information?

Occupational Compensation Survey Contact: Staff Phone: 202-691-6199 Email: Staff

Last Modified Date: January 18, 2007