How to Compare Job Salaries

Occupation and area are two factors of comparing job salaries.

With an estimated 130,647,610 people employed in the United States in 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the key to comparing a salary to similar positions is to find a benchmark for that job.

National Average

A job's salary may be compared to the national average, or mean, and median wages. In May 2009, national averages were $20.90 per hour, or $43,640 per year. The median hourly wage was $15.95. Half of workers made more than this and the other half earned less.

Occupational Average

The BLS tracks occupational wages in 22 categories like health care, education and legal occupations. Use these figures to compare how your wage as a plumber stacks up against what other plumbers are making.

Industry Average

Compare the wages of all occupations within an industry on the BLS website (see the Resources section). If you work in residential construction as a secretary, see whether you make more or less than the average secretary and which residential construction occupations pay more or less than yours.

Area Average

Job salaries may be compared by geographic area. BLS data shows which states and metropolitan areas have the highest average salaries for high school teachers, for example. You also may compare metropolitan areas in your state to see where your city falls or decide where it may be the most profitable to move.

References

• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: May 2009 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

Resources

• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics: Overview of BLS Statistics on Pay and Benefits