Mean hourly earnings by occupation, private industry, National Compensation Survey, 1998 Hourly Occupation Earnings Executive, administrative and managerial 28.63 Professional specialty and technical 23.63 Precision production, craft, and repair 16.60 Transportation and material moving 13.77 Sales 13.29 Administrative support 12.00 Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors 11.58 Handlers, equipment cleaners, Helpers & laborers 9.52 Service occupations 7.85