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This major group comprises the following occupations: First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers ; Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service ; Telephone Operators ; Communications Equipment Operators, All Other ; Bill and Account Collectors ; Billing and Posting Clerks ; Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks ; Gaming Cage Workers ; Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks ; Procurement Clerks ; Tellers ; Financial Clerks, All Other ; Brokerage Clerks ; Correspondence Clerks ; Court, Municipal, and License Clerks ; Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks ; Customer Service Representatives ; Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs ; File Clerks ; Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks ; Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan ; Library Assistants, Clerical ; Loan Interviewers and Clerks ; New Accounts Clerks ; Order Clerks ; Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping ; Receptionists and Information Clerks ; Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks ; Information and Record Clerks, All Other ; Cargo and Freight Agents ; Couriers and Messengers ; Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers ; Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance ; Meter Readers, Utilities ; Postal Service Clerks ; Postal Service Mail Carriers ; Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators ; Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks ; Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks ; Stock Clerks and Order Fillers ; Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping ; Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants ; Legal Secretaries ; Medical Secretaries ; Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive ; Computer Operators ; Data Entry Keyers ; Word Processors and Typists ; Desktop Publishers ; Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks ; Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service ; Office Clerks, General ; Office Machine Operators, Except Computer ; Proofreaders and Copy Markers ; Statistical Assistants ; Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this major group:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22,026,080 | 0.2 % | $17.91 | $37,260 | 0.1 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this major group:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $9.95 | $12.39 | $16.37 | $21.90 | $28.46 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $20,700 | $25,760 | $34,050 | $45,550 | $59,190 |
Industries with the highest published employment and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local Government (OES Designation) | 999,310 | 18.57 | $19.27 | $40,080 |
| Depository Credit Intermediation | 948,520 | 56.39 | $17.24 | $35,850 |
| Offices of Physicians | 798,320 | 31.72 | $17.06 | $35,480 |
| Grocery Stores | 719,630 | 26.73 | $12.74 | $26,500 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 696,090 | 12.87 | $18.18 | $37,820 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postal Service | 549,860 | 86.95 | $24.35 | $50,660 |
| Business Support Services | 558,280 | 60.62 | $15.63 | $32,500 |
| Depository Credit Intermediation | 948,520 | 56.39 | $17.24 | $35,850 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | 114,170 | 54.57 | $20.97 | $43,620 |
| Activities Related to Credit Intermediation | 150,640 | 51.90 | $17.44 | $36,270 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Gas Distribution | 24,650 | 21.77 | $27.50 | $57,190 |
| Monetary Authorities-Central Bank | 2,620 | 14.77 | $26.88 | $55,920 |
| Securities and Commodity Exchanges | 510 | 11.28 | $26.15 | $54,390 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 32,400 | 6.60 | $25.74 | $53,540 |
| Rail Transportation | 14,300 | 6.46 | $24.65 | $51,280 |
States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for this occupation are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in this occupation, see the Create Customized Tables function.
States with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,498,730 | 156.50 | 1.00 | $19.76 | $41,100 |
| Texas | 2,008,820 | 171.03 | 1.09 | $17.51 | $36,420 |
| New York | 1,499,510 | 164.82 | 1.05 | $20.30 | $42,220 |
| Florida | 1,442,140 | 175.40 | 1.12 | $16.41 | $34,130 |
| Pennsylvania | 944,240 | 164.30 | 1.05 | $17.55 | $36,500 |
States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 243,600 | 177.17 | 1.13 | $16.29 | $33,880 |
| Florida | 1,442,140 | 175.40 | 1.12 | $16.41 | $34,130 |
| Arizona | 458,420 | 172.79 | 1.10 | $17.42 | $36,240 |
| Texas | 2,008,820 | 171.03 | 1.09 | $17.51 | $36,420 |
| Delaware | 74,140 | 168.21 | 1.07 | $18.18 | $37,820 |
Top paying States for this occupation:
| State | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 80,670 | 114.85 | 0.73 | $24.83 | $51,650 |
| Alaska | 52,420 | 162.05 | 1.03 | $20.86 | $43,380 |
| Connecticut | 262,860 | 157.75 | 1.01 | $20.73 | $43,120 |
| Massachusetts | 499,850 | 144.47 | 0.92 | $20.66 | $42,970 |
| New York | 1,499,510 | 164.82 | 1.05 | $20.30 | $42,220 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 1,077,490 | 163.59 | 1.04 | $20.98 | $43,630 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA Metropolitan Division | 719,140 | 170.39 | 1.09 | $19.46 | $40,470 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metropolitan Division | 568,170 | 156.15 | 1.00 | $18.84 | $39,190 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | 467,890 | 159.42 | 1.02 | $18.58 | $38,660 |
| Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division | 454,190 | 186.91 | 1.19 | $18.72 | $38,940 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 401,220 | 157.13 | 1.00 | $18.07 | $37,590 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 343,570 | 177.53 | 1.13 | $17.81 | $37,050 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 323,710 | 129.97 | 0.83 | $21.35 | $44,400 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 278,610 | 145.85 | 0.93 | $19.58 | $40,730 |
| Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA Metropolitan Division | 263,330 | 168.46 | 1.07 | $19.67 | $40,920 |
Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laredo, TX | 20,990 | 215.01 | 1.37 | $14.28 | $29,700 |
| Danville, IL | 5,210 | 200.81 | 1.28 | $16.33 | $33,980 |
| Springfield, IL | 21,100 | 198.30 | 1.26 | $18.30 | $38,050 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | 21,210 | 198.20 | 1.26 | $14.53 | $30,220 |
| Grants Pass, OR | 4,740 | 195.99 | 1.25 | $15.25 | $31,730 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 132,680 | 195.28 | 1.24 | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 243,250 | 192.33 | 1.23 | $16.43 | $34,180 |
| Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach, FL Metropolitan Division | 152,090 | 190.63 | 1.22 | $16.90 | $35,160 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | 11,230 | 189.60 | 1.21 | $13.79 | $28,690 |
| Charleston, WV | 21,560 | 189.46 | 1.21 | $16.07 | $33,430 |
Top paying metropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Metropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division | 152,550 | 142.95 | 0.91 | $24.14 | $50,210 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 130,540 | 124.87 | 0.80 | $23.58 | $49,060 |
| San Rafael, CA Metropolitan Division | 16,550 | 148.29 | 0.95 | $22.93 | $47,690 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division | 258,860 | 143.57 | 0.92 | $22.05 | $45,850 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 66,570 | 158.93 | 1.01 | $21.66 | $45,040 |
| Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division | 163,200 | 150.51 | 0.96 | $21.49 | $44,690 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 323,710 | 129.97 | 0.83 | $21.35 | $44,400 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 93,450 | 161.01 | 1.03 | $21.00 | $43,690 |
| New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ Metropolitan Division | 1,077,490 | 163.59 | 1.04 | $20.98 | $43,630 |
| Fairbanks, AK | 6,200 | 167.20 | 1.07 | $20.86 | $43,380 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Northeastern Ohio non-metropolitan area (non-contiguous) | 42,630 | 129.05 | 0.82 | $15.48 | $32,200 |
| North Texas nonmetropolitan area | 41,230 | 154.78 | 0.99 | $15.23 | $31,690 |
| Balance of Lower Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | 40,240 | 144.48 | 0.92 | $15.97 | $33,220 |
| Piedmont North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 34,660 | 135.89 | 0.87 | $15.07 | $31,350 |
| Southeast Coastal North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | 32,580 | 131.35 | 0.84 | $15.24 | $31,700 |
Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Parish Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | 1,910 | 203.12 | 1.29 | $13.61 | $28,300 |
| Garrett County, Maryland nonmetropolitan area | 1,860 | 174.94 | 1.12 | $15.52 | $32,280 |
| Southeast Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 5,990 | 170.30 | 1.09 | $21.05 | $43,770 |
| Upper Eastern Shore of Maryland nonmetropolitan area | 7,940 | 168.18 | 1.07 | $17.45 | $36,300 |
| Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | 6,740 | 163.62 | 1.04 | $14.71 | $30,600 |
Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for this occupation:
| Nonmetropolitan area | Employment (1) | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient (9) | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Alamos County, New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | 1,630 | 107.78 | 0.69 | $24.61 | $51,200 |
| Southeast Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 5,990 | 170.30 | 1.09 | $21.05 | $43,770 |
| Balance of Alaska nonmetropolitan area | 10,680 | 144.94 | 0.92 | $21.03 | $43,750 |
| Nantucket Island and Martha's Vineyard nonmetropolitan area | 2,590 | 149.24 | 0.95 | $20.45 | $42,530 |
| Far West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | 7,310 | 112.31 | 0.72 | $19.53 | $40,620 |
These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia.
The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate--50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.
(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.
(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.
(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.
(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.
Other OES estimates and related information:
May 2016 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2016 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2016 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2016 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
Last Modified Date: March 31, 2017