U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsStudy the origin, development, and behavior of human beings. May study the way of life, language, or physical characteristics of people in various parts of the world. May engage in systematic recovery and examination of material evidence, such as tools or pottery remaining from past human cultures, in order to determine the history, customs, and living habits of earlier civilizations.
Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:
| Employment (1) | Employment RSE (3) |
Mean hourly wage |
Mean annual wage (2) |
Wage RSE (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,100 | 3.7 % | $27.90 | $58,040 | 1.7 % |
Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% (Median) |
75% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $15.05 | $18.80 | $26.07 | $35.01 | $43.00 |
| Annual Wage (2) | $31,310 | $39,110 | $54,230 | $72,820 | $89,440 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,780 | 0.29 | $24.44 | $50,840 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 1,360 | 0.07 | $34.59 | $71,940 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 700 | 0.07 | $24.18 | $50,300 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 350 | 0.01 | $23.68 | $49,250 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 290 | 0.02 | $28.95 | $60,220 |
Industries with the highest concentration of employment in this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,780 | 0.29 | $24.44 | $50,840 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | 120 | 0.09 | $23.60 | $49,090 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 700 | 0.07 | $24.18 | $50,300 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 1,360 | 0.07 | $34.59 | $71,940 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 290 | 0.02 | $28.95 | $60,220 |
Top paying industries for this occupation:
| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) | 1,360 | 0.07 | $34.59 | $71,940 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 290 | 0.02 | $28.95 | $60,220 |
| Local Government (OES Designation) | 110 | (7) | $28.25 | $58,770 |
| State Government (OES Designation) | 270 | 0.01 | $25.95 | $53,970 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 1,780 | 0.29 | $24.44 | $50,840 |
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 | 690 | 0.05 | 1.22 | $31.95 | $66,460 |
| Texas | 380 | 0.04 | 0.95 | $23.67 | $49,240 |
| New Mexico | 300 | 0.39 | 9.67 | $26.64 | $55,410 |
| Arizona | 290 | 0.12 | 3.09 | $24.87 | $51,720 |
| Pennsylvania | 270 | 0.05 | 1.22 | $32.09 | $66,740 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | 170 | 0.62 | 15.50 | $27.10 | $56,370 |
| New Mexico | 300 | 0.39 | 9.67 | $26.64 | $55,410 |
| Hawaii | 190 | 0.34 | 8.47 | $33.18 | $69,020 |
| Alaska | 90 | 0.30 | 7.52 | $30.23 | $62,870 |
| South Dakota | 60 | 0.15 | 3.81 | $21.47 | $44,650 |
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 | 50 | 0.07 | 1.84 | $44.50 | $92,570 |
| Massachusetts | 60 | 0.02 | 0.52 | $34.69 | $72,150 |
| Hawaii | 190 | 0.34 | 8.47 | $33.18 | $69,020 |
| Pennsylvania | 270 | 0.05 | 1.22 | $32.09 | $66,740 |
| California | 690 | 0.05 | 1.22 | $31.95 | $66,460 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tucson, AZ | 170 | 0.48 | 12.06 | $22.54 | $46,890 |
| Honolulu, HI | 160 | 0.38 | 9.34 | $34.69 | $72,150 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 150 | 0.40 | 10.04 | $26.63 | $55,390 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 140 | 0.18 | 4.46 | $23.51 | $48,900 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA | 140 | 0.11 | 2.74 | $45.20 | $94,020 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA | 120 | 0.13 | 3.16 | $28.24 | $58,730 |
| Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA | 110 | 0.13 | 3.29 | $30.91 | $64,280 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA | 100 | 0.05 | 1.15 | $27.28 | $56,750 |
| Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division | 100 | 0.06 | 1.37 | $33.88 | $70,470 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 80 | 0.04 | 0.87 | $39.97 | $83,130 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmington, NM | 50 | 1.14 | 28.50 | $22.40 | $46,590 |
| Santa Fe, NM | 60 | 0.91 | 22.67 | $27.44 | $57,080 |
| Tucson, AZ | 170 | 0.48 | 12.06 | $22.54 | $46,890 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 150 | 0.40 | 10.04 | $26.63 | $55,390 |
| Honolulu, HI | 160 | 0.38 | 9.34 | $34.69 | $72,150 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 60 | 0.25 | 6.20 | $22.00 | $45,770 |
| Reno-Sparks, NV | 40 | 0.19 | 4.61 | $29.54 | $61,450 |
| Austin-Round Rock, TX | 140 | 0.18 | 4.46 | $23.51 | $48,900 |
| New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA | 70 | 0.13 | 3.34 | $18.16 | $37,770 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 60 | 0.13 | 3.34 | $20.37 | $42,360 |
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 Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA | 140 | 0.11 | 2.74 | $45.20 | $94,020 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division | 80 | 0.04 | 0.87 | $39.97 | $83,130 |
| Honolulu, HI | 160 | 0.38 | 9.34 | $34.69 | $72,150 |
| Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division | 100 | 0.06 | 1.37 | $33.88 | $70,470 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA NECTA Division | (8) | (8) | (8) | $32.22 | $67,030 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | 40 | 0.03 | 0.65 | $31.99 | $66,540 |
| Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA | 110 | 0.13 | 3.29 | $30.91 | $64,280 |
| Baltimore-Towson, MD | 50 | 0.04 | 0.92 | $30.23 | $62,870 |
| Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine, CA Metropolitan Division | 80 | 0.06 | 1.40 | $30.12 | $62,650 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | (8) | (8) | (8) | $29.63 | $61,630 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | 90 | 1.43 | 35.67 | $27.62 | $57,440 |
| Western Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 70 | 0.70 | 17.31 | $24.32 | $50,590 |
| Hawaii / Maui / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | 40 | 0.24 | 6.03 | $26.69 | $55,520 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | 90 | 1.43 | 35.67 | $27.62 | $57,440 |
| Western Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 70 | 0.70 | 17.31 | $24.32 | $50,590 |
| Hawaii / Maui / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | 40 | 0.24 | 6.03 | $26.69 | $55,520 |
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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | 90 | 1.43 | 35.67 | $27.62 | $57,440 |
| Hawaii / Maui / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | 40 | 0.24 | 6.03 | $26.69 | $55,520 |
| Western Colorado nonmetropolitan area | 70 | 0.70 | 17.31 | $24.32 | $50,590 |
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 top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.
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 mean 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.
(7) The value is less than .005 percent of industry employment.
(8) Estimate not released.
(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 2010 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2010 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2010 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
May 2010 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates
List of Occupations in SOC Code Number Order
List of Occupations in Alphabetical Order
Download May 2010 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates in Zipped XLS files
Last Modified Date: May 17, 2011
