Professional and managerial occupations have higher wages

In 1997, about 80 percent of persons working in managerial occupations had wage rates above $15.75 per hour. Similarly, more than 75 percent of workers in professional occupations made more than $15.75 per hour. In comparison, only 37 percent of all workers earned more than $15.75 per hour.

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About half of workers in sales occupations made above $15.75 per hour; however, more than 27 percent of sales workers earned less than $10.00 per hour.

Among managerial occupations, engineering, mathematical, and natural sciences managers had the highest wages at $32.99 per hour. For professional occupations, the $48.52 hourly wage rate for physicians was the highest. In sales occupations, sales agents in securities, commodities, and financial services reported the highest wages at $28.34 per hour.

Data on occupational employment and wages are produced by the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics program. For additional information, see News Release USDL 98-502, "Occupational Employment and Wages, 1997."