Appendix N BLS Atlanta Wage Table Childcare

Atlanta, GA
National Compensation Survey
December 2003
_________________________________________________________________________________________
U.S. Department of Labor
Elaine L. Chao, Secretary
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Kathleen P. Utgoff, Commissioner
September 2004
Bulletin 3125–11

Preface

D

2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE., Room 4175, Washington,
DC 20212–0001, call (202) 691–6199, or send an e-mail to
[email protected].
The data contained in this bulletin are also available at
http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ocs/compub.htm, the BLS Internet site. Data are presented in a Portable Document Format
(PDF) file containing the core bulletin, and in an ASCII file
containing the published table formats. An ASCII file containing positional columns of data for manipulation as a
data base or spreadsheet also is available.
Results of earlier surveys of this area are available from
BLS regional offices, the Division of Compensation Data
Analysis and Planning, or at the BLS Internet site.
Material in this bulletin is in the public domain and,
with appropriate credit, may be reproduced without permission. This information will be made available to sensory
impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202)
691–5200; Federal Relay Service: 1–800–877–8339.

ata shown in this bulletin were collected as part of the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) National Compensation Survey (NCS). The survey could not have been conducted without the cooperation of the many private firms
and government jurisdictions that provided pay data included in this bulletin. The Bureau thanks these respondents for their cooperation.
Field economists of the Bureau of Labor Statistics collected and reviewed the survey data. The Office of Compensation and Working Conditions, in cooperation with the
Office of Field Operations and the Office of Technology
and Survey Processing in the BLS National Office, designed the survey, processed the data, and prepared the
survey for publication.
For additional information regarding this survey, please
contact any BLS regional office at the address and telephone number listed on the back cover of this bulletin.
You may also write to the Bureau of Labor Statistics at:
Division of Compensation Data Analysis and Planning,

iii

Contents

Page
Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................

1

Tables:
1–1. Summary: Mean hourly earnings and weekly hours by selected characteristics,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
2–1. Mean hourly earnings, all workers: Selected occupations,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
2–2. Mean hourly earnings, full-time workers: Selected occupations,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
2–3. Mean hourly earnings, part-time workers: Selected occupations,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
3–1. Mean weekly earnings, full-time workers: Selected occupations,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
3–2. Mean annual earnings, full-time workers: Selected occupations,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
4–1. Selected occupations and levels, all workers: Mean hourly earnings,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
4–2. Selected occupations and levels, full-time workers: Mean hourly earnings,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
4–3. Selected occupations and levels, part-time workers: Mean hourly earnings,
private industry and State and local government..........................................................................
5–1. Selected worker characteristics: Mean hourly earnings by occupational group ...........................
5–2. Major industry division: Mean hourly earnings by occupational group,
private industry ............................................................................................................................
5–3. Establishment employment size: Mean hourly earnings by occupational group,
private industry ............................................................................................................................
6–1. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs, all workers: Selected occupations,
all industries.................................................................................................................................
6–2. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs, all workers: Selected occupations,
private industry ............................................................................................................................
6–3. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs, all workers: Selected occupations,
State and local government ..........................................................................................................
6–4. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs, full-time workers: Selected occupations,
all industries.................................................................................................................................
6–5. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs, part-time workers: Selected occupations,
all industries.................................................................................................................................

2
3
6
9
10
14
18
25
31
33
34
35
36
39
41
43
46

Appendixes:
A. Technical Note ................................................................................................................................
Appendix table 1. Number of workers represented by the survey, by occupational group ...........
B. Occupational Classifications ...........................................................................................................
C. Occupational Leveling Criteria .......................................................................................................
D. Evaluating Your Firm’s Jobs...........................................................................................................

v

A–1
A–5
B–1
C–1
D–1

Introduction

T

Table 1–1 presents an overview of all tables in this bulletin. Mean hourly earnings, weekly hours, and relative
standard errors are given for all industries, private industry,
and State and local government for selected worker and establishment characteristics. The worker characteristics include major occupational group, full-time or part-time
status, union or nonunion status, and time or incentive pay.
Establishment characteristics include goods and service
producing and size of establishment.
Table 2–1 presents estimates of mean hourly earnings,
and the relative standard errors associated with them, for
detailed occupations within all industries, private industry,
and State and local government. Table 2–2 presents the
same type of information for full-time workers only. Table
2–3 provides similar data for workers designated as parttime.
Table 3–1 provides mean weekly earnings data, with
relative standard errors, and weekly hours for full-time employees in specific occupations across all industries, private
industry, and State and local government. Table 3–2 provides annual earnings, relative standard errors, and annual
hours for full-time employees in specific occupations.
Table 4–1 provides mean hourly earnings data by work
level for occupational groups and for detailed occupations.
Separate data are also shown for private industry and government workers. Table 4–2 provides work level data for
full-time workers. Table 4–3 provides similar data for
workers designated as part-time.
Table 5–1 presents mean hourly earnings data for selected worker characteristics by major occupational group.
The worker characteristics include full-time or part-time
designation, union or nonunion status, and time or incentive
pay. Table 5–2 presents mean hourly earnings data for major industry divisions by occupational group; these estimates are limited to the private sector. Table 5–3 presents
mean hourly earnings data for establishment employment
sizes by major occupational group in the private sector.
Tables 6–1 through 6–5 present hourly wage percentiles
that describe the distribution of hourly earnings for individual workers within each published occupation. Data are
provided for the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles
for detailed occupations within all industries, private industry, State and local government, full-time workers, and
part-time workers. These iterations correspond to those
presented in tables 2–1, 2–2, and 2–3.

he tables in this bulletin summarize the NCS results for
the Atlanta, GA, metropolitan area. Data were collected between June 2003 and July 2004; the average reference month is December 2003. Tabulations provide information on earnings of workers in a variety of occupations
and at different work levels. Also contained in this bulletin
are information on the program, a technical note describing
survey procedures, and several appendixes with detailed information on occupational classifications and the occupational leveling methodology.
Most of the earnings estimates in this bulletin are presented as mean hourly earnings. Mean weekly and annual
earnings, and the corresponding hours, also are provided
for full-time employees in specific occupations. Some occupations, such as teachers and firefighters, typically have
shorter or longer work schedules than do the majority of
full-time workers. The weekly and annual estimates are
useful for comparing the earnings of occupations having
different work schedules.
NCS products
The Bureau’s National Compensation Survey provides
comprehensive measures of occupational earnings, compensation cost trends, benefit incidence, and detailed plan
provisions. The Employment Cost Index, a quarterly
measure of the change in employer costs for wages and
benefits, is derived from the NCS. Another product, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, measures employers’ average hourly costs for total compensation, that
is, wages and benefits. Still another NCS product measures
the incidence and provisions of benefit plans. This bulletin
is limited to data on occupational wages and salaries.
About the tables
The tables that follow present data on straight-time occupational earnings, which include wages and salaries, incentive
pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. These
earnings exclude premium pay for overtime, vacations,
holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and tips. About 480 detailed occupations are used to describe all occupations in
the civilian nonfarm economy (excluding the Federal Government and private households). Data are not shown for
any occupations if they would raise concerns about the confidentiality of the survey respondents or if the data are insufficient to support reliable estimates.

1

Table 1-1. Summary: Mean hourly earnings1 and weekly hours by selected characteristics, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total

Private industry

Hourly earnings

State and local government

Hourly earnings

Worker and establishment characteristics

Mean
weekly
hours3

Mean

Relative
error2
(percent)

Hourly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours3

Mean

Relative
error2
(percent)

Mean
weekly
hours3

Mean

Relative
error2
(percent)

$19.71

2.5

37.5

$19.33

3.1

37.2

$21.41

3.4

38.8

White-collar occupations5 .......................................
Professional specialty and technical ...................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .........
Sales ...................................................................
Administrative support ........................................
Blue-collar occupations5 .........................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ................
Machine operators, assemblers, and
inspectors .........................................................
Transportation and material moving ...................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers,
and laborers ......................................................
Service occupations5 ..............................................

24.15
30.93
31.43
17.52
15.26
15.22
20.34

3.0
6.4
4.7
13.2
2.3
3.0
4.6

38.0
38.7
40.4
35.1
37.4
38.8
40.0

24.11
32.36
31.47
17.53
15.68
15.14
20.41

3.6
8.8
3.6
13.3
2.7
3.2
4.9

37.6
38.3
40.5
35.2
37.2
39.3
40.1

24.29
27.67
31.29
–
13.48
16.58
19.38

4.9
3.6
16.8
–
1.0
1.6
.5

39.4
39.7
40.0
–
38.6
33.3
39.6

13.85
14.57

6.1
2.2

39.4
39.4

13.86
14.35

6.1
2.5

39.4
42.3

–
15.80

–
3.1

–
28.3

10.82
11.70

3.9
2.4

37.0
33.7

10.79
10.51

4.0
1.8

37.0
32.0

11.94
14.99

5.6
4.0

36.8
39.7

Full time ..................................................................
Part time .................................................................

20.42
9.63

2.7
4.7

39.6
21.4

20.14
9.31

3.3
5.4

39.6
21.2

21.64
13.38

3.3
4.2

39.6
23.5

Union ......................................................................
Nonunion ................................................................

23.15
19.33

15.7
2.5

36.6
37.6

23.72
18.78

16.5
3.0

36.3
37.3

–
21.63

–
3.5

–
38.7

Time ........................................................................
Incentive .................................................................

19.67
20.19

2.6
14.8

37.3
39.3

19.25
20.19

3.2
14.8

37.0
39.3

21.41
–

3.4
–

38.8
–

Goods producing ....................................................
Service producing ...................................................

(6)
(6)

(6)
(6)

(6)
(6)

–
–

–
–

–
–

(6)
(6)

(6)
(6)

(6)
(6)

50-99 workers7 .......................................................
100-499 workers .....................................................
500 workers or more ...............................................

15.09
18.54
22.44

8.8
4.9
3.6

36.3
38.2
37.5

15.09
18.65
22.80

8.8
5.0
5.1

36.3
38.2
36.9

–
14.60
21.78

–
4.6
3.6

–
40.3
38.8

Total ...........................................................................
Worker characteristics:4

Establishment characteristics:

1 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to employees. They
include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. Excluded are premium
pay for overtime, vacations, and holidays; nonproduction bonuses; and tips. The mean is
computed by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the number of workers,
weighted by hours.
2 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a percent of
the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval" around a sample
estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix A.
3 Mean weekly hours are the hours an employee is scheduled to work in a week,
exclusive of overtime.
4 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time schedule based
on the definition used by each establishment. Union workers are those whose wages are
determined through collective bargaining. Wages of time workers are based solely on

hourly rate or salary; incentive workers are those whose wages are at least partially
based on productivity payments such as piece rates, commissions, and production
bonuses.
5 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is used to cover
all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more information.
6 Classification of establishments into goods-producing and service-producing
industries applies to private industry only.
7 Establishments classified with 50-99 workers may contain establishments with
fewer than 50 due to staff reductions between survey sampling and collection.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not meet publication
criteria.

2

Table 2-1. Mean hourly earnings,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local government,
National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation3

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$19.71
19.90

2.5
2.8

$19.33
19.53

3.1
3.4

$21.41
21.42

3.4
3.4

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

24.15
25.28

3.0
3.4

24.11
25.61

3.6
4.2

24.29
24.31

4.9
4.9

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Electrical and electronic engineers .......................
Engineers, n.e.c. ...................................................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
Computer systems analysts and scientists ...........
Operations and systems researchers and
analysts ..........................................................
Natural scientists ......................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Registered nurses ................................................
Pharmacists ..........................................................
Dietitians ...............................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Prekindergarten and kindergarten ........................
Elementary school teachers .................................
Secondary school teachers ..................................
Teachers, special education .................................
Teachers, n.e.c. ....................................................
Vocational and educational counselors ................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Social workers ......................................................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Lawyers ................................................................
Writers, authors, entertainers, athletes, and
professionals, n.e.c. ............................................
Professional, n.e.c. ...............................................
Technical ......................................................................
Licensed practical nurses .....................................
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. ........
Electrical and electronic technicians .....................
Airplane pilots and navigators ..............................
Computer programmers .......................................
Technical and related, n.e.c. ................................

30.93
31.55
32.48
32.87
38.45
31.12
30.20

6.4
3.7
6.3
4.4
3.9
5.5
4.5

32.36
32.80
32.38
32.87
38.45
31.63
30.76

8.8
5.2
6.5
4.4
3.9
5.5
4.5

27.67
29.24
–
–
–
–
–

3.6
3.5
–
–
–
–
–

35.22
–
32.08
27.23
39.71
22.72
39.66
29.93
30.33
29.96
29.77
29.85
28.53
39.93
–
25.84
19.19
19.33
54.77
54.77

8.7
–
13.2
6.3
5.4
10.8
20.8
4.2
12.2
5.1
4.2
1.5
6.6
.8
–
7.3
9.1
9.1
3.1
3.1

35.22
–
33.12
27.34
39.71
–
32.02
22.04
–
–
–
–
18.76
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

8.7
–
14.2
7.3
5.4
–
12.6
7.3
–
–
–
–
8.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
25.64
26.62
–
–
–
31.22
–
30.70
31.38
–
–
39.93
–
–
19.15
19.29
–
–

–
–
7.8
6.4
–
–
–
3.7
–
5.2
.9
–
–
.8
–
–
9.7
9.7
–
–

35.76
40.25
28.97
16.94
16.24
21.21
138.45
26.54
19.22

7.1
15.2
26.2
1.1
11.2
9.8
12.6
3.0
3.3

35.76
40.25
31.29
17.44
–
22.60
138.45
27.63
19.22

7.1
15.2
28.8
1.9
–
8.0
12.6
3.2
3.3

–
–
17.23
–
13.26
–
–
–
–

–
–
11.7
–
14.7
–
–
–
–

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
Administrators and officials, public administration
Financial managers ..............................................
Administrators, education and related fields .........
Managers, medicine and health ...........................
Managers and administrators, n.e.c. ....................
Management related .................................................
Accountants and auditors .....................................
Other financial officers ..........................................
Management analysts ..........................................
Personnel, training, and labor relations
specialists .......................................................
Construction inspectors ........................................
Management related, n.e.c. ..................................

31.43
37.35
23.34
42.00
48.35
33.58
40.29
24.81
24.13
22.80
31.76

4.7
6.5
8.0
16.5
20.0
7.0
6.3
4.7
9.7
7.2
11.8

31.47
35.16
–
33.79
–
–
40.29
26.96
26.20
22.80
31.76

3.6
5.8
–
9.9
–
–
6.3
4.9
5.7
7.2
11.8

31.29
46.00
23.34
–
54.46
–
–
19.05
–
–
–

16.8
18.7
8.0
–
22.3
–
–
13.0
–
–
–

19.98
17.72
28.75

15.5
1.6
13.5

24.94
–
31.73

14.0
–
15.6

–
17.72
–

–
1.6
–

Sales ................................................................................
Supervisors, sales ................................................
Sales, other business services .............................
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies ...
Sales workers, other commodities ........................

17.52
23.84
24.21
11.50
11.62

13.2
7.7
15.4
4.3
2.6

17.53
23.84
24.21
11.50
11.62

13.3
7.7
15.4
4.3
2.6

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

See footnotes at end of table.

3

Table 2-1. Mean hourly earnings,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local government,
National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

$8.96

6.3

$8.96

6.4

–

–

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
Supervisors, general office ...................................
Secretaries ...........................................................
Receptionists ........................................................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ......................................
Order clerks ..........................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
Billing clerks ..........................................................
Dispatchers ...........................................................
Traffic, shipping and receiving clerks ...................
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and
investigators ...................................................
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance .....
Bill and account collectors ....................................
General office clerks .............................................
Data entry keyers .................................................
Teachers’ aides ....................................................
Administrative support, n.e.c. ...............................

15.26
24.28
18.00
10.96
14.22
15.39
13.55
14.86
13.43
18.67
14.37

2.3
4.8
7.7
5.2
6.6
3.8
4.3
7.3
8.8
7.1
19.9

15.68
–
19.21
11.02
14.25
15.39
14.68
15.55
13.43
–
–

2.7
–
9.2
5.3
7.2
3.8
3.4
9.0
8.8
–
–

$13.48
–
14.38
–
–
–
12.07
13.27
–
–
–

1.0
–
2.1
–
–
–
4.2
3.1
–
–
–

17.73
14.88
14.95
14.56
12.07
11.55
16.04

9.9
9.5
8.6
2.9
7.2
6.1
5.4

19.51
14.88
15.00
14.94
–
–
16.18

7.7
9.5
9.2
3.0
–
–
5.4

–
–
–
12.15
–
12.09
–

–
–
–
3.3
–
2.8
–

Blue collar ...........................................................................

15.22

3.0

15.14

3.2

16.58

1.6

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................
Supervisors, mechanics and repairers .................
Automobile mechanics .........................................
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics .......
Industrial machinery repairers ..............................
Machinery maintenance .......................................
Electronic repairers, communications and
industrial equipment .......................................
Telephone installers and repairers .......................
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c. ...........................
Electricians ...........................................................
Supervisors, production ........................................
Butchers and meat cutters ....................................

20.34
34.59
19.90
21.22
19.00
12.33

4.6
17.6
7.3
7.0
5.4
36.3

20.41
–
19.95
20.82
19.22
–

4.9
–
1.6
7.3
5.7
–

19.38
–
–
–
–
–

.5
–
–
–
–
–

22.94
20.25
18.53
21.98
23.45
11.01

4.6
17.5
10.9
6.7
14.6
21.2

23.50
20.25
19.09
24.06
23.45
11.01

5.1
17.5
12.1
9.8
14.6
21.2

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........
Packaging and filling machine operators ..............
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c. .............
Assemblers ...........................................................
Production inspectors, checkers and examiners ..

13.85
13.37
15.21
17.09
10.94

6.1
4.3
10.8
16.4
9.4

13.86
13.37
15.21
17.09
10.94

6.1
4.3
10.8
16.4
9.4

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

Transportation and material moving ............................
Truck drivers .........................................................
Bus drivers ............................................................
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators ..
Miscellaneous material moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ..............................................

14.57
14.55
15.57
14.08

2.2
2.8
6.4
4.7

14.35
14.63
–
14.08

2.5
2.8
–
4.7

15.80
–
16.57
–

3.1
–
3.5
–

16.56

13.0

16.56

13.0

–

–

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm ......
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........
Hand packers and packagers ...............................
Laborers, except construction, n.e.c. ....................

10.82
11.49
10.23
14.33
8.79
9.78

3.9
8.3
5.9
4.2
5.0
8.0

10.79
–
10.23
14.33
8.79
9.69

4.0
–
5.9
4.2
5.0
8.8

11.94
–
–
–
–
–

5.6
–
–
–
–
–

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Supervisors, firefighters and fire prevention .........
Supervisors, police and detectives .......................

11.70
14.06
26.74
25.33

2.4
7.5
6.4
15.7

10.51
10.62
–
–

1.8
9.2
–
–

14.99
17.09
26.74
25.33

4.0
4.5
6.4
15.7

White collar –Continued
Sales –Continued
Cashiers ...............................................................

See footnotes at end of table.

4

Table 2-1. Mean hourly earnings,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local government,
National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Service –Continued
Protective service –Continued
Firefighting ............................................................
Police and detectives, public service ....................
Sheriffs, bailiffs, and other law enforcement
officers ............................................................
Correctional institution officers .............................
Guards and police, except public service .............
Food service .............................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
Waiters and waitresses ........................................
Other food service ..................................................
Supervisors, food preparation and service ...........
Cooks ...................................................................
Food counter, fountain, and related ......................
Kitchen workers, food preparation ........................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ...............
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Maids and housemen ...........................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
Personal service .......................................................
Early childhood teachers’ assistants ....................
Child care workers, n.e.c. .....................................
Service, n.e.c. .......................................................

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

$15.78
17.07

1.9
5.3

–
–

–
–

$14.23
17.07

2.9
5.3

17.46
14.13
9.86
7.95
4.44
3.85
9.90
13.45
10.63
7.10
10.35
8.50
10.11
10.11
10.36
8.25
10.70
17.09
11.76
9.92
10.32

4.5
5.8
5.9
5.9
13.3
17.8
11.4
7.9
3.7
7.2
5.2
20.1
3.6
4.0
4.2
2.2
4.6
8.1
1.4
7.5
22.5

–
–
$9.64
7.59
4.44
3.85
9.55
13.43
10.63
6.94
9.75
7.19
10.05
10.11
9.92
8.25
10.27
19.11
–
–
10.33

–
–
4.9
6.3
13.3
17.8
12.1
8.3
3.7
6.1
5.2
12.9
3.7
4.2
5.4
2.2
6.2
10.5
–
–
22.7

17.46
14.13
–
12.92
–
–
12.92
–
–
–
–
13.92
–
–
11.69
–
11.69
10.90
–
–
–

4.5
5.8
–
15.1
–
–
15.1
–
–
–
–
26.2
–
–
11.0
–
11.0
6.4
–
–
–

1 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to employees.
They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. Excluded
are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and
tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the
number of workers, weighted by hours.
2 All workers include full-time and part-time workers.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is used
to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more information.

4 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval" around
a sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not meet
publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

5

Table 2-2. Mean hourly earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation3

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$20.42
20.49

2.7
3.0

$20.14
20.20

3.3
3.6

$21.64
21.64

3.3
3.3

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

24.87
25.63

3.0
3.5

24.99
26.03

3.6
4.4

24.47
24.47

4.7
4.7

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Electrical and electronic engineers .......................
Engineers, n.e.c. ...................................................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
Computer systems analysts and scientists ...........
Operations and systems researchers and
analysts ..........................................................
Natural scientists ......................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Registered nurses ................................................
Pharmacists ..........................................................
Dietitians ...............................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Prekindergarten and kindergarten ........................
Elementary school teachers .................................
Secondary school teachers ..................................
Teachers, special education .................................
Teachers, n.e.c. ....................................................
Vocational and educational counselors ................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Social workers ......................................................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Lawyers ................................................................
Writers, authors, entertainers, athletes, and
professionals, n.e.c. ............................................
Professional, n.e.c. ...............................................
Technical ......................................................................
Licensed practical nurses .....................................
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. ........
Electrical and electronic technicians .....................
Airplane pilots and navigators ..............................
Computer programmers .......................................
Technical and related, n.e.c. ................................

31.06
31.67
32.48
32.87
38.45
31.12
30.20

6.5
3.7
6.3
4.4
3.9
5.5
4.5

32.52
32.96
32.38
32.87
38.45
31.63
30.76

8.9
5.2
6.5
4.4
3.9
5.5
4.5

27.78
29.33
–
–
–
–
–

3.4
3.3
–
–
–
–
–

35.22
–
32.41
27.43
39.74
22.72
41.74
30.05
30.33
29.96
29.77
29.85
28.97
39.93
–
25.84
19.19
19.33
54.77
54.77

8.7
–
13.3
6.5
5.5
10.8
21.9
3.9
12.2
5.1
4.2
1.5
6.7
.8
–
7.3
9.1
9.1
3.1
3.1

35.22
–
33.56
27.58
39.74
–
–
22.06
–
–
–
–
18.78
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

8.7
–
14.3
7.6
5.5
–
–
7.4
–
–
–
–
8.5
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
25.64
26.62
–
–
–
31.36
–
30.70
31.38
–
–
39.93
–
–
19.15
19.29
–
–

–
–
7.8
6.4
–
–
–
3.2
–
5.2
.9
–
–
.8
–
–
9.7
9.7
–
–

35.76
40.25
29.14
16.84
16.42
21.21
138.45
26.54
19.22

7.1
15.2
26.4
1.8
11.5
9.8
12.6
3.0
3.3

35.76
40.25
31.47
17.42
–
22.60
138.45
27.63
19.22

7.1
15.2
29.1
1.9
–
8.0
12.6
3.2
3.3

–
–
17.36
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
11.7
–
–
–
–
–
–

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
Administrators and officials, public administration
Financial managers ..............................................
Administrators, education and related fields .........
Managers, medicine and health ...........................
Managers and administrators, n.e.c. ....................
Management related .................................................
Accountants and auditors .....................................
Other financial officers ..........................................
Management analysts ..........................................
Personnel, training, and labor relations
specialists .......................................................
Construction inspectors ........................................
Management related, n.e.c. ..................................

31.48
37.48
23.34
42.00
49.62
33.58
40.29
24.81
24.13
22.80
31.76

4.7
6.6
8.0
16.5
19.8
7.0
6.3
4.7
9.7
7.2
11.8

31.54
35.31
–
33.79
–
–
40.29
26.96
26.20
22.80
31.76

3.6
5.8
–
9.9
–
–
6.3
4.9
5.7
7.2
11.8

31.29
46.00
23.34
–
54.46
–
–
19.05
–
–
–

16.8
18.7
8.0
–
22.3
–
–
13.0
–
–
–

19.98
17.72
28.75

15.5
1.6
13.5

24.94
–
31.73

14.0
–
15.6

–
17.72
–

–
1.6
–

Sales ................................................................................
Supervisors, sales ................................................
Sales, other business services .............................
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies ...
Cashiers ...............................................................

19.56
23.84
24.46
11.67
10.04

13.3
7.7
15.2
4.4
7.0

19.55
23.84
24.46
11.67
10.04

13.3
7.7
15.2
4.4
7.0

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

See footnotes at end of table.

6

Table 2-2. Mean hourly earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
Supervisors, general office ...................................
Secretaries ...........................................................
Receptionists ........................................................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ......................................
Order clerks ..........................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
Billing clerks ..........................................................
Dispatchers ...........................................................
Stock and inventory clerks ....................................
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and
investigators ...................................................
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance .....
Bill and account collectors ....................................
General office clerks .............................................
Data entry keyers .................................................
Teachers’ aides ....................................................
Administrative support, n.e.c. ...............................

$15.53
24.28
18.14
11.96
14.22
15.42
13.44
15.12
13.43
18.67
13.25

2.6
4.8
7.7
3.8
6.6
3.8
4.7
7.4
8.8
7.1
8.6

$16.01
–
19.26
12.09
14.25
15.42
14.66
15.80
13.43
–
–

3.1
–
9.2
3.8
7.2
3.8
2.9
9.3
8.8
–
–

$13.60
–
14.68
–
–
–
12.07
13.51
–
–
–

1.0
–
3.2
–
–
–
4.2
3.0
–
–
–

17.73
16.03
14.95
14.74
12.07
11.99
16.05

9.9
10.2
8.6
3.1
7.2
3.2
5.4

19.51
16.03
15.00
15.15
–
–
16.20

7.7
10.2
9.2
3.3
–
–
5.4

–
–
–
12.15
–
12.09
–

–
–
–
3.3
–
2.8
–

Blue collar ...........................................................................

15.52

3.3

15.45

3.4

16.63

1.8

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................
Supervisors, mechanics and repairers .................
Automobile mechanics .........................................
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics .......
Industrial machinery repairers ..............................
Machinery maintenance .......................................
Electronic repairers, communications and
industrial equipment .......................................
Telephone installers and repairers .......................
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c. ...........................
Electricians ...........................................................
Supervisors, production ........................................
Butchers and meat cutters ....................................

20.39
34.59
19.90
21.26
19.00
12.33

4.6
17.6
7.3
6.9
5.4
36.3

20.47
–
19.95
20.85
19.22
–

5.0
–
1.6
7.3
5.7
–

19.38
–
–
–
–
–

.5
–
–
–
–
–

22.94
20.25
18.53
21.98
23.45
11.01

4.6
17.5
10.9
6.7
14.6
21.2

23.50
20.25
19.09
24.06
23.45
11.01

5.1
17.5
12.1
9.8
14.6
21.2

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........
Packaging and filling machine operators ..............
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c. .............
Assemblers ...........................................................
Production inspectors, checkers and examiners ..

13.91
13.83
15.21
17.09
10.94

6.2
1.9
10.8
16.4
9.4

13.92
13.83
15.21
17.09
10.94

6.2
1.9
10.8
16.4
9.4

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

Transportation and material moving ............................
Truck drivers .........................................................
Bus drivers ............................................................
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators ..
Miscellaneous material moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ..............................................

14.49
14.57
14.77
14.24

2.4
2.9
9.7
4.4

14.41
14.66
–
14.24

2.7
3.0
–
4.4

15.22
–
16.38
–

4.2
–
5.7
–

16.56

13.0

16.56

13.0

–

–

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........
Hand packers and packagers ...............................
Laborers, except construction, n.e.c. ....................

11.20
11.30
14.70
9.22
9.78

4.4
7.1
4.2
7.0
8.1

11.17
11.30
14.70
9.22
9.69

4.5
7.1
4.2
7.0
8.8

12.13
–
–
–
–

6.4
–
–
–
–

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Supervisors, firefighters and fire prevention .........
Supervisors, police and detectives .......................
Firefighting ............................................................
Police and detectives, public service ....................
Correctional institution officers .............................
Guards and police, except public service .............

12.33
14.19
26.74
25.33
15.78
17.07
14.13
9.86

2.9
7.5
6.4
15.7
1.9
5.3
5.8
5.9

11.13
10.71
–
–
–
–
–
9.64

3.1
9.7
–
–
–
–
–
5.0

15.08
17.15
26.74
25.33
14.23
17.07
14.13
–

3.6
4.3
6.4
15.7
2.9
5.3
5.8
–

White collar –Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

7

Table 2-2. Mean hourly earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Service –Continued
Food service .............................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
Other food service ..................................................
Supervisors, food preparation and service ...........
Kitchen workers, food preparation ........................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ...............
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Maids and housemen ...........................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
Personal service .......................................................

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

$9.18
5.07
10.77
13.63
10.70
8.96
10.12
10.12
10.48
8.25
10.86
17.51

6.9
22.1
9.4
9.1
5.6
21.2
3.8
4.2
4.0
2.2
4.3
7.7

$8.77
5.07
10.41
13.61
10.13
7.32
10.07
10.13
10.06
8.25
10.48
20.40

7.4
22.1
10.2
9.6
5.3
14.8
3.9
4.4
5.2
2.2
5.7
9.6

$13.27
–
13.27
–
–
13.92
–
–
11.69
–
11.69
10.99

13.6
–
13.6
–
–
26.2
–
–
11.0
–
11.0
6.6

1 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to employees.
They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. Excluded
are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and
tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the
number of workers, weighted by hours.
2 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time
schedule based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore, a
worker with a 35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a full-time
employee in one establishment, but classified as part-time in another firm, where
a 40-hour week is the minimum full-time schedule.

3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is used
to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more information.
4 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval" around
a sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not meet
publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

8

Table 2-3. Mean hourly earnings,1 part-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation3

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$9.63
9.90

4.7
6.2

$9.31
9.51

5.4
7.3

$13.38
13.54

4.2
4.2

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

10.68
12.95

6.9
9.5

10.74
13.32

7.3
10.0

9.59
9.68

7.0
7.6

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Technical ......................................................................

20.87
22.42
–
–
–
–

13.1
10.7
–
–
–
–

22.64
24.12
–
–
–
–

10.0
5.5
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

Sales ................................................................................
Cashiers ...............................................................

8.71
7.87

5.0
3.7

8.71
7.85

5.1
3.7

–
–

–
–

Administrative support, including clerical ...................

10.83

6.4

10.98

6.7

9.27

10.9

Blue collar ...........................................................................

10.24

4.1

8.82

5.9

16.33

1.2

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................

–

–

–

–

–

–

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........

–

–

–

–

–

–

Transportation and material moving ............................

15.34

3.9

12.53

5.5

–

–

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........

8.01
7.24
11.60

3.8
5.5
3.3

7.98
7.24
11.60

3.8
5.5
3.3

–
–
–

–
–
–

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Food service .............................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
Waiters and waitresses ........................................
Other food service ..................................................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Personal service .......................................................

7.85
8.41
5.60
3.78
3.53
7.47
6.87
–
–
15.57

16.2
5.8
6.2
16.6
19.7
11.5
6.6
–
–
31.7

7.80
–
5.48
3.78
3.53
7.31
6.87
–
–
15.78

16.8
–
6.1
16.6
19.7
11.3
6.6
–
–
32.5

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to employees.
They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. Excluded
are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and
tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the
number of workers, weighted by hours.
2 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time
schedule based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore, a
worker with a 35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a full-time
employee in one establishment, but classified as part-time in another firm, where
a 40-hour week is the minimum full-time schedule.

3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is used
to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more information.
4 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval" around
a sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not meet
publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

9

Table 3-1. Mean weekly earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation3

Weekly earnings

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

State and local
government

Private industry
Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
weekly
hours5

All ...............................................................
All excluding sales ..............................

$809
810

2.5
2.8

39.6
39.5

$798
798

2.9
3.4

39.6
39.5

$856
856

3.5
3.5

39.6
39.6

White collar ...........................................
White collar excluding sales ...........

988
1,016

2.5
3.0

39.7
39.6

993
1,030

2.8
3.7

39.7
39.6

973
973

4.6
4.6

39.8
39.8

1,220
1,265

4.9
3.7

39.3
39.9

1,271
1,325

6.7
5.2

39.1
40.2

1,105
1,157

2.9
2.9

39.8
39.5

1,314

6.1

40.5

1,310

6.2

40.5

–

–

–

1,370
1,538

7.8
3.9

41.7
40.0

1,370
1,538

7.8
3.9

41.7
40.0

–
–

–
–

–
–

1,267

5.6

40.7

1,289

5.7

40.8

–

–

–

1,234

5.1

40.9

1,258

5.2

40.9

–

–

–

1,409
–
1,288
1,087
1,590
909
1,611

8.7
–
13.7
7.0
5.5
10.8
21.9

40.0
–
39.7
39.6
40.0
40.0
38.6

1,409
–
1,332
1,091
1,590
–
–

8.7
–
14.9
8.2
5.5
–
–

40.0
–
39.7
39.6
40.0
–
–

–
–
1,026
1,065
–
–
–

–
–
7.8
6.4
–
–
–

–
–
40.0
40.0
–
–
–

1,182

3.5

39.3

877

7.2

39.8

1,231

2.8

39.2

1,213
1,188
1,186
1,183
1,108

12.2
4.4
4.1
1.9
5.9

40.0
39.6
39.8
39.6
38.2

–
–
–
–
749

–
–
–
–
8.3

–
–
–
–
39.9

–
1,217
1,251
–
–

–
4.3
.6
–
–

–
39.6
39.9
–
–

1,567

1.2

39.3

–

–

–

1,567

1.2

39.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,034

7.3

40.0

–

–

–

–

–

–

768
773
2,141
2,141

9.1
9.1
3.8
3.8

40.0
40.0
39.1
39.1

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

766
771
–
–

9.7
9.7
–
–

40.0
40.0
–
–

1,459
1,610
1,090
670

8.8
15.2
19.4
1.4

40.8
40.0
37.4
39.8

1,459
1,610
1,152
692

8.8
15.2
21.0
1.7

40.8
40.0
36.6
39.7

–
–
732
–

–
–
9.2
–

–
–
42.1
–

712

7.7

43.3

–

–

–

–

–

–

848
2,637
1,062
769

9.8
2.7
3.0
3.3

40.0
19.0
40.0
40.0

904
2,637
1,105
769

8.0
2.7
3.2
3.3

40.0
19.0
40.0
40.0

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

1,273

4.8

40.5

1,280

3.8

40.6

1,251

16.8

40.0

1,531

6.7

40.8

1,450

6.2

41.1

1,840

18.7

40.0

Professional specialty and
technical ......................................
Professional specialty .....................
Engineers, architects, and
surveyors ..............................
Electrical and electronic
engineers ..........................
Engineers, n.e.c. .....................
Mathematical and computer
scientists ...............................
Computer systems analysts
and scientists ....................
Operations and systems
researchers and analysts
Natural scientists ........................
Health related .............................
Registered nurses ..................
Pharmacists ............................
Dietitians .................................
Teachers, college and university
Teachers, except college and
university ..............................
Prekindergarten and
kindergarten ......................
Elementary school teachers ...
Secondary school teachers ....
Teachers, special education ...
Teachers, n.e.c. ......................
Vocational and educational
counselors ........................
Librarians, archivists, and
curators .................................
Social scientists and urban
planners ................................
Social, recreation, and religious
workers .................................
Social workers ........................
Lawyers and judges ....................
Lawyers ..................................
Writers, authors, entertainers,
athletes, and professionals,
n.e.c. .....................................
Professional, n.e.c. .................
Technical ........................................
Licensed practical nurses .......
Health technologists and
technicians, n.e.c. .............
Electrical and electronic
technicians ........................
Airplane pilots and navigators
Computer programmers .........
Technical and related, n.e.c. ..
Executive, administrative, and
managerial ...................................
Executives, administrators, and
managers ..............................
See footnotes at end of table.

10

Table 3-1. Mean weekly earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

State and local
government

Private industry

Weekly earnings

Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

$933
1,678

8.0
16.5

40.0
40.0

–
$1,349

–
9.8

–
39.9

$933
–

8.0
–

40.0
–

1,983

19.7

40.0

–

–

–

2,179

22.3

40.0

1,331

6.7

39.6

–

–

–

–

–

–

1,670
993
965
918
1,316

7.2
4.5
9.7
7.4
11.5

41.4
40.0
40.0
40.2
41.4

1,670
1,080
1,048
918
1,316

7.2
4.6
5.7
7.4
11.5

41.4
40.0
40.0
40.2
41.4

–
762
–
–
–

–
13.0
–
–
–

–
40.0
–
–
–

799
709
1,137

15.5
1.6
13.8

40.0
40.0
39.6

997
–
1,248

14.0
–
16.2

40.0
–
39.3

–
709
–

–
1.6
–

–
40.0
–

794
1,006
957

12.4
10.9
15.8

40.6
42.2
39.1

793
1,006
957

12.5
10.9
15.8

40.6
42.2
39.1

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

489
399

1.8
7.2

41.9
39.7

489
399

1.8
7.2

41.9
39.7

–
–

–
–

–
–

616
959
710
474
566
615
535

2.4
6.3
7.3
3.9
6.6
3.7
4.7

39.6
39.5
39.1
39.6
39.8
39.9
39.8

635
–
751
479
567
615
580

2.9
–
8.6
3.9
7.1
3.7
3.4

39.7
–
39.0
39.6
39.8
39.9
39.6

538
–
582
–
–
–
483

1.1
–
3.5
–
–
–
4.2

39.5
–
39.6
–
–
–
40.0

598
537
747
530

6.6
8.8
7.1
8.6

39.5
40.0
40.0
40.0

622
537
–
–

8.1
8.8
–
–

39.4
40.0
–
–

539
–
–
–

3.1
–
–
–

39.9
–
–
–

705

9.3

39.7

772

7.0

39.6

–

–

–

634
598
580
483
454
637

9.4
8.6
3.3
7.2
3.7
5.7

39.6
40.0
39.3
40.0
37.9
39.7

634
600
595
–
–
642

9.4
9.2
3.6
–
–
5.7

39.6
40.0
39.2
–
–
39.7

–
–
486
–
455
–

–
–
3.3
–
4.1
–

–
–
40.0
–
37.7
–

628

3.2

40.5

630

3.4

40.8

606

2.6

36.4

821

4.2

40.2

825

4.5

40.3

768

.7

39.6

1,375
796

17.8
7.3

39.7
40.0

–
798

–
1.6

–
40.0

–
–

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
weekly
hours5

Relative
error4
(percent)

White collar –Continued
Executive, administrative, and
managerial –Continued
Executives, administrators, and
managers –Continued
Administrators and officials,
public administration .........
Financial managers ................
Administrators, education and
related fields .....................
Managers, medicine and
health ................................
Managers and administrators,
n.e.c. .................................
Management related ...................
Accountants and auditors .......
Other financial officers ............
Management analysts ............
Personnel, training, and labor
relations specialists ..........
Construction inspectors ..........
Management related, n.e.c. ....
Sales ..................................................
Supervisors, sales ..................
Sales, other business services
Sales workers, hardware and
building supplies ...............
Cashiers .................................
Administrative support, including
clerical .........................................
Supervisors, general office .....
Secretaries .............................
Receptionists ..........................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ........
Order clerks ............................
Records clerks, n.e.c. .............
Bookkeepers, accounting and
auditing clerks ...................
Billing clerks ............................
Dispatchers .............................
Stock and inventory clerks ......
Insurance adjusters,
examiners, and
investigators .....................
Investigators and adjusters,
except insurance ..............
Bill and account collectors ......
General office clerks ...............
Data entry keyers ...................
Teachers’ aides ......................
Administrative support, n.e.c.
Blue collar .............................................
Precision production, craft, and
repair ............................................
Supervisors, mechanics and
repairers ...........................
Automobile mechanics ...........
See footnotes at end of table.

11

–
–

–
–

Table 3-1. Mean weekly earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Weekly earnings

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

State and local
government

Private industry
Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
weekly
hours5

Blue collar –Continued
Precision production, craft, and
repair –Continued
Bus, truck, and stationary
engine mechanics .............
Industrial machinery repairers
Machinery maintenance .........
Electronic repairers,
communications and
industrial equipment .........
Telephone installers and
repairers ...........................
Mechanics and repairers,
n.e.c. .................................
Electricians .............................
Supervisors, production ..........
Butchers and meat cutters ......
Machine operators, assemblers,
and inspectors ............................
Packaging and filling machine
operators ..........................
Miscellaneous machine
operators, n.e.c. ................
Assemblers .............................
Production inspectors,
checkers and examiners ...
Transportation and material
moving .........................................
Truck drivers ...........................
Bus drivers ..............................
Industrial truck and tractor
equipment operators .........
Miscellaneous material
moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ................
Handlers, equipment cleaners,
helpers, and laborers .................
Stock handlers and baggers ...
Freight, stock, and material
handlers, n.e.c. .................
Hand packers and packagers
Laborers, except construction,
n.e.c. .................................
Service ...................................................
Protective service .......................
Supervisors, firefighters and
fire prevention ...................
Supervisors, police and
detectives .........................
Firefighting ..............................
Police and detectives, public
service ..............................
Correctional institution officers
Guards and police, except
public service ....................
Food service ...............................

$845
760
616

6.7
5.4
18.6

39.8
40.0
50.0

$834
769
–

7.3
5.7
–

40.0
40.0
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

918

4.6

40.0

940

5.1

40.0

–

–

–

810

17.5

40.0

810

17.5

40.0

–

–

–

741
879
938
440

10.9
6.7
14.6
21.2

40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0

763
962
938
440

12.1
9.8
14.6
21.2

40.0
40.0
40.0
40.0

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

552

6.2

39.7

552

6.2

39.7

–

–

–

553

1.9

40.0

553

1.9

40.0

–

–

–

609
684

10.8
16.4

40.0
40.0

609
684

10.8
16.4

40.0
40.0

–
–

–
–

–
–

438

9.4

40.0

438

9.4

40.0

–

–

–

623
706
431

2.6
6.6
8.2

43.0
48.4
29.2

648
715
–

3.2
6.8
–

44.9
48.8
–

4.9
–
6.5

31.4
–
28.3

570

4.4

40.0

570

4.4

40.0

–

–

–

663

13.0

40.0

663

13.0

40.0

–

–

–

448
449

4.4
7.2

40.0
39.8

447
449

4.6
7.2

40.0
39.8

485
–

6.4
–

40.0
–

594
369

4.9
7.0

40.4
40.0

594
369

4.9
7.0

40.4
40.0

–
–

–
–

–
–

393

7.9

40.1

389

8.6

40.2

–

–

–

462
557

3.9
12.2

37.4
39.3

405
386

4.3
17.3

36.4
36.0

605
730

3.5
4.8

40.1
42.6

1,262

11.7

47.2

–

–

–

1,262

11.7

47.2

1,013
782

15.7
3.6

40.0
49.5

–
–

–
–

–
–

1,013
737

15.7
4.9

40.0
51.8

689
567

5.4
5.9

40.3
40.1

–
–

–
–

–
–

689
567

5.4
5.9

40.3
40.1

352
344

13.1
7.9

35.7
37.5

343
335

12.4
8.3

35.5
38.2

–
415

–
22.2

–
31.3

See footnotes at end of table.

12

$477
–
464

Table 3-1. Mean weekly earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Weekly earnings

Mean

Service –Continued
Food service –Continued
Waiters, waitresses, and
bartenders ..........................
Other food service ....................
Supervisors, food preparation
and service .......................
Kitchen workers, food
preparation .......................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .........
Health service .............................
Nursing aides, orderlies and
attendants .........................
Cleaning and building service .....
Maids and housemen .............
Janitors and cleaners .............
Personal service .........................

Relative
error4
(percent)

State and local
government

Private industry
Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Weekly earnings
Mean
weekly
hours5

Mean

$189
404

26.6
7.9

37.3
37.5

$189
402

26.6
8.4

37.3
38.6

557

7.7

40.8

556

8.1

40.9

–

399
321
398

9.0
18.2
3.9

37.2
35.8
39.4

376
286
396

11.2
13.9
4.0

37.1
39.1
39.3

398
410
315
427
527

4.4
4.0
3.4
4.0
5.1

39.3
39.1
38.2
39.3
30.1

398
398
315
418
564

4.6
5.6
3.4
6.0
6.3

39.3
39.5
38.2
39.9
27.7

1 Earnings are the straight-time weekly wages or salaries paid to employees.
They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. Excluded
are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and
tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the
number of workers, weighted by hours.
2 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time schedule
based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore, a worker with a
35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a full-time employee in one
establishment, but classified as part-time in another firm, where a 40-hour week is
the minimum full-time schedule.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is used to

–
$415

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
weekly
hours5

–
22.2

–
31.3

–

–

–
398
–

–
33.5
–

–
28.6
–

–
445
–
445
414

–
5.5
–
5.5
5.6

–
38.1
–
38.1
37.7

cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more information.
4 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval" around a
sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix A.
5 Mean weekly hours are the hours an employee is scheduled to work in a
week, exclusive of overtime.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not meet
publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

13

Table 3-2. Mean annual earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation3

Annual earnings

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

State and local
government

Private industry
Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
annual
hours5

All ...............................................................
All excluding sales ..............................

$40,933
40,909

2.5
2.8

2,004
1,996

$41,366
41,377

2.9
3.4

2,054
2,048

$39,278
39,271

3.5
3.5

1,815
1,815

White collar ...........................................
White collar excluding sales ...........

49,454
50,543

2.5
3.0

1,988
1,972

51,392
53,271

2.8
3.7

2,056
2,047

43,641
43,635

4.6
4.6

1,783
1,783

58,612
59,201

4.9
3.7

1,887
1,869

65,243
67,624

6.7
5.2

2,006
2,052

46,266
47,164

2.9
2.9

1,666
1,608

68,326

6.1

2,104

68,142

6.2

2,104

–

–

–

71,245
79,979

7.8
3.9

2,167
2,080

71,245
79,979

7.8
3.9

2,167
2,080

–
–

–
–

–
–

65,899

5.6

2,118

67,029

5.7

2,119

–

–

–

64,151

5.1

2,125

65,418

5.2

2,127

–

–

–

73,260
–
66,504
56,186
82,659
47,265
64,584

8.7
–
13.7
7.0
5.5
10.8
21.9

2,080
–
2,052
2,049
2,080
2,080
1,547

73,260
–
69,256
56,725
82,659
–
–

8.7
–
14.9
8.2
5.5
–
–

2,080
–
2,064
2,057
2,080
–
–

–
–
50,972
53,339
–
–
–

–
–
7.8
6.4
–
–
–

–
–
1,988
2,004
–
–
–

45,543

3.5

1,515

36,741

7.2

1,665

46,833

2.8

1,493

46,322
45,052
44,880
45,046
44,756

12.2
4.4
4.1
1.9
5.9

1,527
1,504
1,507
1,509
1,545

–
–
–
–
38,728

–
–
–
–
8.3

–
–
–
–
2,062

–
46,254
47,533
–
–

–
4.3
.6
–
–

–
1,507
1,515
–
–

60,116

1.2

1,506

–

–

–

60,116

1.2

1,506

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

51,544

7.3

1,995

–

–

–

–

–

–

38,615
38,853
111,326
111,326

9.1
9.1
3.8
3.8

2,012
2,010
2,033
2,033

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

38,454
38,700
–
–

9.7
9.7
–
–

2,009
2,007
–
–

75,870
83,724
56,690
34,825

8.8
15.2
19.4
1.4

2,121
2,080
1,945
2,068

75,870
83,724
59,892
35,961

8.8
15.2
21.0
1.7

2,121
2,080
1,903
2,064

–
–
38,040
–

–
–
9.2
–

–
–
2,192
–

37,001

7.7

2,254

–

–

–

–

–

–

44,112
137,138
55,201
39,979

9.8
2.7
3.0
3.3

2,080
991
2,080
2,080

47,003
137,138
57,477
39,979

8.0
2.7
3.2
3.3

2,080
991
2,080
2,080

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

65,856

4.8

2,092

66,532

3.8

2,109

63,737

16.8

2,037

79,245

6.7

2,114

75,301

6.2

2,132

94,081

18.7

2,045

Professional specialty and
technical ......................................
Professional specialty .....................
Engineers, architects, and
surveyors ..............................
Electrical and electronic
engineers ..........................
Engineers, n.e.c. .....................
Mathematical and computer
scientists ...............................
Computer systems analysts
and scientists ....................
Operations and systems
researchers and analysts
Natural scientists ........................
Health related .............................
Registered nurses ..................
Pharmacists ............................
Dietitians .................................
Teachers, college and university
Teachers, except college and
university ..............................
Prekindergarten and
kindergarten ......................
Elementary school teachers ...
Secondary school teachers ....
Teachers, special education ...
Teachers, n.e.c. ......................
Vocational and educational
counselors ........................
Librarians, archivists, and
curators .................................
Social scientists and urban
planners ................................
Social, recreation, and religious
workers .................................
Social workers ........................
Lawyers and judges ....................
Lawyers ..................................
Writers, authors, entertainers,
athletes, and professionals,
n.e.c. .....................................
Professional, n.e.c. .................
Technical ........................................
Licensed practical nurses .......
Health technologists and
technicians, n.e.c. .............
Electrical and electronic
technicians ........................
Airplane pilots and navigators
Computer programmers .........
Technical and related, n.e.c. ..
Executive, administrative, and
managerial ...................................
Executives, administrators, and
managers ..............................
See footnotes at end of table.

14

Table 3-2. Mean annual earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Annual earnings

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

State and local
government

Private industry
Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

–
$70,144

Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

–
9.8

–
2,076

$48,538
–

8.0
–

2,080
–

109,956

22.3

2,019

–

–

Relative
error4
(percent)

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
annual
hours5

White collar –Continued
Executive, administrative, and
managerial –Continued
Executives, administrators, and
managers –Continued
Administrators and officials,
public administration .........
Financial managers ................
Administrators, education and
related fields .....................
Managers, medicine and
health ................................
Managers and administrators,
n.e.c. .................................
Management related ...................
Accountants and auditors .......
Other financial officers ............
Management analysts ............
Personnel, training, and labor
relations specialists ..........
Construction inspectors ..........
Management related, n.e.c. ....
Sales ..................................................
Supervisors, sales ..................
Sales, other business services
Sales workers, hardware and
building supplies ...............
Cashiers .................................
Administrative support, including
clerical .........................................
Supervisors, general office .....
Secretaries .............................
Receptionists ..........................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ........
Order clerks ............................
Records clerks, n.e.c. .............
Bookkeepers, accounting and
auditing clerks ...................
Billing clerks ............................
Dispatchers .............................
Stock and inventory clerks ......
Insurance adjusters,
examiners, and
investigators .....................
Investigators and adjusters,
except insurance ..............
Bill and account collectors ......
General office clerks ...............
Data entry keyers ...................
Teachers’ aides ......................
Administrative support, n.e.c.
Blue collar .............................................
Precision production, craft, and
repair ............................................
Supervisors, mechanics and
repairers ...........................
Automobile mechanics ...........

$48,538
87,259

8.0
16.5

2,080
2,078

100,162

19.7

2,019

–

–

–

69,205

6.7

2,061

–

–

–

86,828
51,316
50,200
47,723
68,448

7.2
4.5
9.7
7.4
11.5

2,155
2,068
2,080
2,093
2,155

86,828
56,136
54,487
47,723
68,448

7.2
4.6
5.7
7.4
11.5

2,155
2,082
2,080
2,093
2,155

–
38,685
–
–
–

–
13.0
–
–
–

–
2,031
–
–
–

41,549
36,857
57,741

15.5
1.6
13.8

2,080
2,080
2,008

51,869
–
64,876

14.0
–
16.2

2,080
–
2,045

–
36,857
–

–
1.6
–

–
2,080
–

41,265
52,328
49,763

12.4
10.9
15.8

2,110
2,195
2,034

41,249
52,328
49,763

12.5
10.9
15.8

2,110
2,195
2,034

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

25,454
20,725

1.8
7.2

2,180
2,064

25,454
20,725

1.8
7.2

2,180
2,064

–
–

–
–

–
–

31,505
49,894
36,203
24,652
29,435
32,006
27,797

2.4
6.3
7.3
3.9
6.6
3.7
4.7

2,028
2,055
1,995
2,061
2,070
2,075
2,068

33,016
–
39,035
24,902
29,492
32,006
30,176

2.9
–
8.6
3.9
7.1
3.7
3.4

2,062
–
2,027
2,060
2,069
2,075
2,058

25,883
–
27,941
–
–
–
25,106

1.1
–
3.5
–
–
–
4.2

1,903
–
1,903
–
–
–
2,080

31,082
27,944
38,219
27,551

6.6
8.8
7.1
8.6

2,055
2,080
2,047
2,080

32,355
27,944
–
–

8.1
8.8
–
–

2,047
2,080
–
–

28,016
–
–
–

3.1
–
–
–

2,074
–
–
–

36,638

9.3

2,066

40,156

7.0

2,058

–

–

–

32,990
31,099
30,146
25,097
17,412
33,110

9.4
8.6
3.3
7.2
3.7
5.7

2,058
2,080
2,046
2,080
1,452
2,062

32,990
31,198
30,918
–
–
33,408

9.4
9.2
3.6
–
–
5.7

2,058
2,080
2,040
–
–
2,062

–
–
25,263
–
16,941
–

–
–
3.3
–
4.1
–

–
–
2,080
–
1,401
–

32,510

3.2

2,095

32,751

3.4

2,119

28,892

2.6

1,737

42,579

4.2

2,088

42,884

4.5

2,095

38,758

.7

2,000

70,730
41,002

17.8
7.3

2,045
2,060

–
41,505

–
1.6

–
2,080

–
–

See footnotes at end of table.

15

–

–
–

–
–

Table 3-2. Mean annual earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Annual earnings

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

State and local
government

Private industry
Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
annual
hours5

Blue collar –Continued
Precision production, craft, and
repair –Continued
Bus, truck, and stationary
engine mechanics .............
Industrial machinery repairers
Machinery maintenance .........
Electronic repairers,
communications and
industrial equipment .........
Telephone installers and
repairers ...........................
Mechanics and repairers,
n.e.c. .................................
Electricians .............................
Supervisors, production ..........
Butchers and meat cutters ......
Machine operators, assemblers,
and inspectors ............................
Packaging and filling machine
operators ..........................
Miscellaneous machine
operators, n.e.c. ................
Assemblers .............................
Production inspectors,
checkers and examiners ...
Transportation and material
moving .........................................
Truck drivers ...........................
Bus drivers ..............................
Industrial truck and tractor
equipment operators .........
Miscellaneous material
moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ................
Handlers, equipment cleaners,
helpers, and laborers .................
Stock handlers and baggers ...
Freight, stock, and material
handlers, n.e.c. .................
Hand packers and packagers
Laborers, except construction,
n.e.c. .................................
Service ...................................................
Protective service .......................
Supervisors, firefighters and
fire prevention ...................
Supervisors, police and
detectives .........................
Firefighting ..............................
Police and detectives, public
service ..............................
Correctional institution officers
Guards and police, except
public service ....................
Food service ...............................

$43,234
39,517
32,057

6.7
5.4
18.6

2,034
2,080
2,600

$43,371
39,970
–

7.3
5.7
–

2,080
2,080
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

47,717

4.6

2,080

48,872

5.1

2,080

–

–

–

42,125

17.5

2,080

42,125

17.5

2,080

–

–

–

38,542
45,722
48,775
22,893

10.9
6.7
14.6
21.2

2,080
2,080
2,080
2,080

39,702
50,049
48,775
22,893

12.1
9.8
14.6
21.2

2,080
2,080
2,080
2,080

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

28,699

6.2

2,063

28,707

6.2

2,063

–

–

–

28,771

1.9

2,080

28,771

1.9

2,080

–

–

–

31,646
35,543

10.8
16.4

2,080
2,080

31,646
35,543

10.8
16.4

2,080
2,080

–
–

–
–

–
–

22,764

9.4

2,080

22,764

9.4

2,080

–

–

–

31,528
36,701
18,644

2.6
6.6
8.2

2,175
2,519
1,262

33,672
37,178
–

3.2
6.8
–

2,337
2,537
–

4.9
–
6.5

1,365
–
1,168

29,623

4.4

2,080

29,623

4.4

2,080

–

–

–

34,451

13.0

2,080

34,451

13.0

2,080

–

–

–

23,314
23,374

4.4
7.2

2,082
2,069

23,248
23,374

4.6
7.2

2,082
2,069

25,233
–

6.4
–

2,080
–

30,896
19,178

4.9
7.0

2,102
2,080

30,896
19,178

4.9
7.0

2,102
2,080

–
–

–
–

–
–

20,425

7.9

2,087

20,231

8.6

2,088

–

–

–

23,503
28,984

3.9
12.2

1,906
2,042

21,036
20,055

4.3
17.3

1,890
1,872

29,300
37,954

3.5
4.8

1,943
2,213

65,638

11.7

2,455

–

–

–

65,638

11.7

2,455

52,693
40,653

15.7
3.6

2,080
2,576

–
–

–
–

–
–

52,693
38,338

15.7
4.9

2,080
2,693

35,812
29,477

5.4
5.9

2,097
2,087

–
–

–
–

–
–

35,812
29,477

5.4
5.9

2,097
2,087

18,328
17,226

13.1
7.9

1,859
1,877

17,819
17,432

12.4
8.3

1,848
1,987

–
15,963

–
22.2

–
1,203

See footnotes at end of table.

16

$20,775
–
19,129

Table 3-2. Mean annual earnings,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, private industry and State and local
government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation3

Annual earnings

Mean

Service –Continued
Food service –Continued
Waiters, waitresses, and
bartenders ..........................
Other food service ....................
Supervisors, food preparation
and service .......................
Kitchen workers, food
preparation .......................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .........
Health service .............................
Nursing aides, orderlies and
attendants .........................
Cleaning and building service .....
Maids and housemen .............
Janitors and cleaners .............
Personal service .........................

Relative
error4
(percent)

State and local
government

Private industry
Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

Relative
error4
(percent)

Annual earnings
Mean
annual
hours5

Mean

–
$15,963

$9,825
19,968

26.6
7.9

1,940
1,854

$9,825
20,924

26.6
8.4

1,940
2,009

28,947

7.7

2,124

28,937

8.1

2,126

–

18,754
14,954
20,717

9.0
18.2
3.9

1,752
1,668
2,047

19,555
14,858
20,581

11.2
13.9
4.0

1,931
2,031
2,045

20,682
20,912
16,371
21,675
25,899

4.4
4.0
3.4
4.0
5.1

2,043
1,995
1,984
1,996
1,479

20,671
20,677
16,371
21,757
29,259

4.6
5.6
3.4
6.0
6.3

2,041
2,055
1,984
2,077
1,435

1 Earnings are the straight-time annual wages or salaries paid to employees.
They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. Excluded
are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and
tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the
number of workers, weighted by hours.
2 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time schedule
based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore, a worker with a
35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a full-time employee in one
establishment, but classified as part-time in another firm, where a 40-hour week is
the minimum full-time schedule.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is used to

Relative
error4
(percent)

Mean
annual
hours5

–
22.2

–
1,203

–

–

–
15,108
–

–
33.5
–

–
1,085
–

–
21,517
–
21,517
17,477

–
5.5
–
5.5
5.6

–
1,840
–
1,840
1,591

cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more information.
4 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval" around a
sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix A.
5 Mean annual hours are the hours an employee is scheduled to work in a year,
exclusive of overtime.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not meet
publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

17

Table 4-1. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 all workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$19.71
19.90

2.5
2.8

$19.33
19.53

3.1
3.4

$21.41
21.42

3.4
3.4

White collar .........................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
13 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
13 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................

24.15
8.62
10.44
11.38
14.21
17.82
18.60
21.49
24.10
30.71
36.86
47.09
46.45
61.07
28.58
25.28
10.51
11.05
12.33
14.13
16.69
17.66
21.36
24.01
30.46
36.97
49.21
46.15
61.07
29.14

3.0
6.5
2.8
3.3
2.6
4.8
4.7
2.9
2.5
2.1
4.5
20.8
4.3
17.0
11.0
3.4
3.9
2.6
3.3
1.9
3.3
3.2
3.0
2.6
2.0
4.6
23.5
4.4
17.0
11.2

24.11
8.65
10.41
11.17
14.62
18.49
19.67
22.39
23.35
30.35
37.02
48.52
46.13
50.43
28.58
25.61
–
11.08
12.29
14.66
17.25
18.72
22.23
23.19
29.88
37.16
51.57
45.77
50.43
29.14

3.6
6.8
3.0
4.0
3.1
5.2
5.5
2.8
2.7
2.6
5.0
24.4
4.5
8.8
11.0
4.2
–
2.8
4.5
2.6
3.5
3.6
3.0
2.7
2.7
5.1
28.1
4.6
8.8
11.2

24.29
–
10.80
12.42
12.55
14.87
14.64
19.71
27.25
31.18
35.84
40.34
–
–
–
24.31
–
10.80
12.42
12.55
14.87
14.64
19.68
27.25
31.18
35.84
40.34
–
–
–

4.9
–
7.8
3.0
2.6
5.1
3.1
4.8
5.1
3.5
9.8
9.9
–
–
–
4.9
–
7.8
3.0
2.6
5.1
3.1
4.8
5.1
3.5
9.8
9.9
–
–
–

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
13 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Electrical and electronic engineers .......................
Engineers, n.e.c. ...................................................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
Computer systems analysts and scientists ...........
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
Operations and systems researchers and
analysts ..........................................................
Natural scientists ......................................................
Health related ...........................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................

30.93
31.55
19.19
22.23
24.77
30.80
37.39
36.98
46.36
49.94
45.58
32.48
32.87
38.45
31.12
22.93
30.78
35.35
37.24
30.20
22.81
31.06
34.92
34.37

6.4
3.7
8.6
5.1
4.7
2.2
5.8
5.7
5.2
9.5
30.2
6.3
4.4
3.9
5.5
9.9
4.0
6.1
3.9
4.5
10.3
4.5
6.3
8.2

32.36
32.80
21.82
22.76
23.36
29.01
37.69
37.17
45.06
49.94
45.58
32.38
32.87
38.45
31.63
22.93
30.67
35.35
37.24
30.76
22.81
30.94
34.92
34.37

8.8
5.2
7.0
8.3
4.6
2.8
6.3
6.7
3.8
9.5
30.2
6.5
4.4
3.9
5.5
9.9
4.2
6.1
3.9
4.5
10.3
4.7
6.3
8.2

27.67
29.24
–
21.67
29.00
32.04
–
36.16
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

3.6
3.5
–
6.5
4.7
3.5
–
9.8
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

35.22
–
32.08
25.21
23.62
25.24
35.04

8.7
–
13.2
9.2
2.7
1.8
6.8

35.22
–
33.12
26.73
23.24
25.27
–

8.7
–
14.2
3.2
2.9
.9
–

–
–
25.64
–
–
–
–

–
–
7.8
–
–
–
–

See footnotes at end of table.

18

Table 4-1. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 all workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

White collar –Continued
Professional specialty and technical –Continued
Professional specialty –Continued
Health related –Continued
Registered nurses ................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Pharmacists ..........................................................
Dietitians ...............................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Prekindergarten and kindergarten ........................
Elementary school teachers .................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Secondary school teachers ..................................
7 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Teachers, special education .................................
Teachers, n.e.c. ....................................................
Vocational and educational counselors ................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Social workers ......................................................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Lawyers ................................................................
Writers, authors, entertainers, athletes, and
professionals, n.e.c. ............................................
Professional, n.e.c. ...............................................
Technical ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Licensed practical nurses .....................................
5 ......................................................................
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. ........
Electrical and electronic technicians .....................
7 ......................................................................
Airplane pilots and navigators ..............................
Computer programmers .......................................
9 ......................................................................
Technical and related, n.e.c. ................................

$27.23
25.51
24.22
25.29
39.71
22.72
39.66
29.93
18.78
24.35
29.04
32.31
30.33
29.96
30.88
32.50
29.77
26.87
32.85
29.85
28.53
39.93
–
25.84
19.19
19.33
54.77
54.77

6.3
7.6
1.2
.6
5.4
10.8
20.8
4.2
6.9
5.6
6.5
3.9
12.2
5.1
7.0
8.3
4.2
8.0
3.0
1.5
6.6
.8
–
7.3
9.1
9.1
3.1
3.1

$27.34
–
23.85
25.29
39.71
–
32.02
22.04
18.78
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
18.76
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

7.3
–
.8
.6
5.4
–
12.6
7.3
6.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
8.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

$26.62
–
–
–
–
–
–
31.22
–
–
31.00
32.38
–
30.70
–
32.53
31.38
–
32.85
–
–
39.93
–
–
19.15
19.29
–
–

6.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
3.7
–
–
4.1
3.9
–
5.2
–
8.3
.9
–
3.0
–
–
.8
–
–
9.7
9.7
–
–

35.76
40.25
28.97
15.16
17.95
21.09
20.65
28.18
16.94
16.56
16.24
21.21
22.13
138.45
26.54
27.58
19.22

7.1
15.2
26.2
9.1
10.1
5.3
7.4
7.0
1.1
2.2
11.2
9.8
7.0
12.6
3.0
5.4
3.3

35.76
40.25
31.29
17.10
18.93
21.83
20.72
29.25
17.44
17.10
–
22.60
22.13
138.45
27.63
–
19.22

7.1
15.2
28.8
2.5
11.5
4.2
7.6
8.1
1.9
2.5
–
8.0
7.0
12.6
3.2
–
3.3

–
–
17.23
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
13.26
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
11.7
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
14.7
–
–
–
–
–
–

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................

31.43
17.20
14.93
19.48
23.66
30.90
39.12
37.96
45.92
37.25
37.35
23.39
34.78

4.7
5.3
4.5
3.5
7.5
6.1
4.6
9.3
5.0
12.9
6.5
12.7
7.5

31.47
17.01
16.36
21.02
23.83
31.65
40.11
35.20
46.61
37.25
35.16
22.83
35.78

3.6
6.2
7.1
3.5
8.8
6.7
3.1
9.1
5.9
12.9
5.8
15.5
7.9

31.29
–
–
17.74
22.91
–
–
44.43
–
–
46.00
–
–

16.8
–
–
3.5
11.6
–
–
16.3
–
–
18.7
–
–

See footnotes at end of table.

19

Table 4-1. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 all workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$37.71
38.21
46.02
43.53
23.34
42.00
48.35
33.58
40.29
36.88
47.18
45.29
24.81
18.10
15.02
19.48
24.00
27.90
24.81
24.13
22.80
31.76

7.5
11.6
2.8
17.0
8.0
16.5
20.0
7.0
6.3
11.5
2.9
20.4
4.7
2.9
5.9
3.9
4.1
6.5
10.1
9.7
7.2
11.8

$38.35
35.27
47.08
43.53
–
33.79
–
–
40.29
36.88
47.18
45.29
26.96
–
17.89
21.27
25.06
28.15
24.81
26.20
22.80
31.76

7.4
11.4
3.0
17.0
–
9.9
–
–
6.3
11.5
2.9
20.4
4.9
–
5.4
3.9
2.1
7.7
10.1
5.7
7.2
11.8

–
$46.08
–
–
23.34
–
54.46
–
–
–
–
–
19.05
–
–
17.74
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
20.1
–
–
8.0
–
22.3
–
–
–
–
–
13.0
–
–
3.5
–
–
–
–
–
–

19.98
17.72
28.75

15.5
1.6
13.5

24.94
–
31.73

14.0
–
15.6

–
17.72
–

–
1.6
–

Sales ................................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
Supervisors, sales ................................................
Sales, other business services .............................
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies ...
Sales workers, other commodities ........................
Cashiers ...............................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................

17.52
7.62
9.22
10.00
14.51
22.16
23.05
23.84
24.21
11.50
11.62
8.96
7.43
9.30
9.83

13.2
4.5
2.2
4.4
8.0
8.7
14.3
7.7
15.4
4.3
2.6
6.3
5.1
2.3
8.1

17.53
7.59
9.22
10.00
14.51
22.16
23.05
23.84
24.21
11.50
11.62
8.96
7.38
9.30
9.83

13.3
4.6
2.2
4.4
8.0
8.7
14.3
7.7
15.4
4.3
2.6
6.4
5.3
2.3
8.1

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Supervisors, general office ...................................
Secretaries ...........................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
Receptionists ........................................................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ......................................

15.26
10.51
11.05
12.35
14.25
16.74
18.42
21.41
15.65
24.28
18.00
14.65
14.57
20.10
22.89
10.96
14.22

2.3
3.9
2.8
3.3
2.1
4.5
3.9
7.0
5.0
4.8
7.7
3.9
9.3
14.0
11.4
5.2
6.6

15.68
–
11.08
12.29
14.69
17.32
18.66
22.58
15.65
–
19.21
–
14.99
21.07
24.39
11.02
14.25

2.7
–
3.0
4.5
2.5
5.0
4.0
7.3
5.0
–
9.2
–
13.8
15.3
8.6
5.3
7.2

13.48
–
10.80
12.50
12.84
14.50
–
17.84
–
–
14.38
–
–
–
–
–
–

1.0
–
7.8
2.9
3.5
2.9
–
8.5
–
–
2.1
–
–
–
–
–
–

White collar –Continued
Executive, administrative, and managerial –Continued
Executives, administrators, and managers
–Continued
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Administrators and officials, public administration
Financial managers ..............................................
Administrators, education and related fields .........
Managers, medicine and health ...........................
Managers and administrators, n.e.c. ....................
9 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Management related .................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Accountants and auditors .....................................
Other financial officers ..........................................
Management analysts ..........................................
Personnel, training, and labor relations
specialists .......................................................
Construction inspectors ........................................
Management related, n.e.c. ..................................

See footnotes at end of table.

20

Table 4-1. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 all workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$13.37
15.39
12.48
15.74
13.55
13.95
14.86
13.35
15.49
13.43
18.67
14.37

6.3
3.8
9.1
3.0
4.3
8.7
7.3
3.5
3.4
8.8
7.1
19.9

$13.32
15.39
12.48
15.74
14.68
–
15.55
13.49
–
13.43
–
–

6.9
3.8
9.1
3.0
3.4
–
9.0
5.7
–
8.8
–
–

–
–
–
–
$12.07
–
13.27
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
4.2
–
3.1
–
–
–
–
–

17.73
14.88
13.98
14.95
14.56
11.09
14.79
16.79
12.07
11.55
16.04

9.9
9.5
8.4
8.6
2.9
2.6
7.0
4.7
7.2
6.1
5.4

19.51
14.88
13.98
15.00
14.94
–
15.29
17.15
–
–
16.18

7.7
9.5
8.4
9.2
3.0
–
7.5
4.8
–
–
5.4

–
–
–
–
12.15
–
–
–
–
12.09
–

–
–
–
–
3.3
–
–
–
–
2.8
–

Blue collar ...........................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................

15.22
8.30
10.88
14.59
14.63
16.19
20.25
21.59
34.99
20.67

3.0
2.9
8.9
4.1
4.2
7.2
5.2
4.8
9.6
8.1

15.14
8.30
10.29
14.59
14.67
16.35
20.40
21.77
–
20.67

3.2
2.9
9.4
4.2
4.4
8.1
5.3
5.3
–
8.1

16.58
–
14.88
–
–
14.90
–
20.35
–
–

1.6
–
3.9
–
–
5.0
–
7.8
–
–

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Supervisors, mechanics and repairers .................
Automobile mechanics .........................................
7 ......................................................................
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics .......
7 ......................................................................
Industrial machinery repairers ..............................
Machinery maintenance .......................................
Electronic repairers, communications and
industrial equipment .......................................
Telephone installers and repairers .......................
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c. ...........................
Electricians ...........................................................
7 ......................................................................
Supervisors, production ........................................
Butchers and meat cutters ....................................

20.34
13.24
18.00
20.77
22.05
34.99
23.26
34.59
19.90
21.14
21.22
21.00
19.00
12.33

4.6
7.6
6.7
4.3
5.9
9.6
7.8
17.6
7.3
7.2
7.0
8.2
5.4
36.3

20.41
13.24
18.33
21.00
22.28
–
23.26
–
19.95
19.95
20.82
–
19.22
–

4.9
7.6
7.2
4.4
6.6
–
7.8
–
1.6
1.6
7.3
–
5.7
–

19.38
–
–
–
20.55
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

.5
–
–
–
8.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

22.94
20.25
18.53
21.98
21.63
23.45
11.01

4.6
17.5
10.9
6.7
8.2
14.6
21.2

23.50
20.25
19.09
24.06
23.70
23.45
11.01

5.1
17.5
12.1
9.8
12.0
14.6
21.2

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........
1 ......................................................................

13.85
7.64

6.1
6.9

13.86
7.64

6.1
6.9

–
–

–
–

White collar –Continued
Administrative support, including clerical –Continued
Information clerks, n.e.c. –Continued
4 ......................................................................
Order clerks ..........................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
4 ......................................................................
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Billing clerks ..........................................................
Dispatchers ...........................................................
Traffic, shipping and receiving clerks ...................
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and
investigators ...................................................
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance .....
4 ......................................................................
Bill and account collectors ....................................
General office clerks .............................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Data entry keyers .................................................
Teachers’ aides ....................................................
Administrative support, n.e.c. ...............................

See footnotes at end of table.

21

Table 4-1. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 all workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$9.89
17.84
15.49
14.25
13.37
15.21
17.09
22.40
10.94

11.9
4.4
9.8
10.4
4.3
10.8
16.4
12.0
9.4

$9.89
17.84
15.49
14.25
13.37
15.21
17.09
22.40
10.94

11.9
4.4
9.8
10.4
4.3
10.8
16.4
12.0
9.4

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Transportation and material moving ............................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Truck drivers .........................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Bus drivers ............................................................
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators ..
4 ......................................................................
Miscellaneous material moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ..............................................

14.57
13.49
13.48
14.63
14.29
14.55
13.62
14.72
15.57
14.08
14.91

2.2
7.0
5.0
7.7
8.3
2.8
10.4
8.8
6.4
4.7
9.0

14.35
11.22
13.32
14.72
13.99
14.63
13.62
14.75
–
14.08
14.91

2.5
7.6
5.4
8.3
10.8
2.8
10.4
9.1
–
4.7
9.0

$15.80
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
16.57
–
–

3.1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3.5
–
–

16.56

13.0

16.56

13.0

–

–

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm ......
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
1 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........
1 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Hand packers and packagers ...............................
1 ......................................................................
Laborers, except construction, n.e.c. ....................
1 ......................................................................

10.82
8.50
10.73
12.76
14.72
11.49
10.23
8.89
12.33
14.33
10.15
12.96
8.79
8.28
9.78
7.95

3.9
3.4
9.1
5.3
5.6
8.3
5.9
1.4
11.5
4.2
5.4
15.7
5.0
6.6
8.0
5.7

10.79
8.51
10.74
12.76
14.78
–
10.23
8.89
12.33
14.33
10.15
12.96
8.79
8.28
9.69
7.95

4.0
3.4
10.8
5.3
5.7
–
5.9
1.4
11.5
4.2
5.4
15.7
5.0
6.6
8.8
5.8

11.94
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

5.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Service .................................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Protective service .....................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
Supervisors, firefighters and fire prevention .........
Supervisors, police and detectives .......................
Firefighting ............................................................

11.70
6.86
8.44
10.43
12.03
13.03
16.39
25.95
22.96
18.57
14.06
9.94
14.09
13.83
15.39
17.37
22.96
26.74
25.33
15.78

2.4
3.5
2.7
5.2
2.8
5.9
6.3
9.8
4.0
27.6
7.5
5.2
4.7
4.7
1.7
1.7
4.0
6.4
15.7
1.9

10.51
6.44
7.95
9.77
10.94
12.04
17.82
–
–
–
10.62
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

1.8
2.7
4.2
4.1
4.3
9.2
15.5
–
–
–
9.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

14.99
11.09
10.07
13.40
14.24
14.37
15.39
17.37
22.96
–
17.09
–
14.60
14.12
15.39
17.37
22.96
26.74
25.33
14.23

4.0
10.2
3.7
11.6
5.7
1.7
1.7
1.7
4.0
–
4.5
–
6.7
.2
1.7
1.7
4.0
6.4
15.7
2.9

Blue collar –Continued
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors
–Continued
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Packaging and filling machine operators ..............
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c. .............
Assemblers ...........................................................
3 ......................................................................
Production inspectors, checkers and examiners ..

See footnotes at end of table.

22

Table 4-1. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 all workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Service –Continued
Protective service –Continued
Firefighting –Continued
7 ......................................................................
Police and detectives, public service ....................
7 ......................................................................
Sheriffs, bailiffs, and other law enforcement
officers ............................................................
Correctional institution officers .............................
Guards and police, except public service .............
Food service .............................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
Waiters and waitresses ........................................
1 ......................................................................
Other food service ..................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Supervisors, food preparation and service ...........
Cooks ...................................................................
Food counter, fountain, and related ......................
Kitchen workers, food preparation ........................
1 ......................................................................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
1 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Health service ...........................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ...............
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Cleaning and building service ...................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Maids and housemen ...........................................
1 ......................................................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$14.92
17.07
18.25

1.5
5.3
.3

–
–
–

–
–
–

$14.92
17.07
18.25

1.5
5.3
.3

17.46
14.13
9.86
7.95
5.51
6.37
10.22
9.97
4.44
4.20
3.89
3.85
3.43
9.90
6.90
8.84
10.81
13.45
10.63
7.10
10.35
10.07
8.50
6.41
13.24
10.11
9.67
9.88
11.38
10.11
9.73
9.88
11.46
10.36
8.98
9.48
12.34
8.25
8.13
10.70
9.31
9.50
12.60

4.5
5.8
5.9
5.9
8.6
8.9
11.5
14.0
13.3
13.0
20.7
17.8
14.6
11.4
10.6
9.5
11.3
7.9
3.7
7.2
5.2
10.2
20.1
3.6
25.4
3.6
3.7
5.9
2.8
4.0
4.9
5.9
3.1
4.2
4.9
5.7
8.3
2.2
1.5
4.6
6.2
6.5
8.7

–
–
$9.64
7.59
5.45
6.27
8.81
9.97
4.44
4.20
3.89
3.85
3.43
9.55
6.79
8.86
9.29
13.43
10.63
6.94
9.75
10.07
7.19
6.41
–
10.05
9.67
9.92
11.27
10.11
9.73
9.92
11.44
9.92
8.33
–
11.55
8.25
8.13
10.27
8.44
–
11.81

–
–
4.9
6.3
9.0
9.7
9.2
14.0
13.3
13.0
20.7
17.8
14.6
12.1
9.7
10.5
7.3
8.3
3.7
6.1
5.2
10.2
12.9
3.6
–
3.7
3.7
6.5
3.1
4.2
4.9
6.5
3.2
5.4
1.7
–
7.0
2.2
1.5
6.2
2.9
–
6.8

17.46
14.13
–
12.92
–
–
13.88
–
–
–
–
–
–
12.92
–
–
13.88
–
–
–
–
–
13.92
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11.69
–
–
–
–
–
11.69
–
–
–

4.5
5.8
–
15.1
–
–
19.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
15.1
–
–
19.4
–
–
–
–
–
26.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11.0
–
–
–
–
–
11.0
–
–
–

See footnotes at end of table.

23

Table 4-1. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 all workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Service –Continued
Personal service .......................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Early childhood teachers’ assistants ....................
Child care workers, n.e.c. .....................................
Service, n.e.c. .......................................................

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$17.09
5.88
9.86
10.08
11.76
9.92
10.32

8.1
8.9
6.1
5.9
1.4
7.5
22.5

$19.11
–
–
–
–
–
10.33

10.5
–
–
–
–
–
22.7

$10.90
–
–
–
–
–
–

6.4
–
–
–
–
–
–

1 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is
used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more
information.
2 Each occupation for which data are collected in an establishment is
evaluated based on 10 factors, including knowledge, complexity, work
environment, etc. Points are assigned based on the occupation’s rank within
each factor. The points are summed to determine the overall level of the
occupation. See appendixes C and D for more information.
3 All workers include full-time and part-time workers.
4 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to
employees. They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and

hazard pay. Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays,
nonproduction bonuses, and tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay
of all workers and dividing by the number of workers, weighted by hours.
5 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval"
around a sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix
A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

24

Table 4-2. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 full-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$20.42
20.49

2.7
3.0

$20.14
20.20

3.3
3.6

$21.64
21.64

3.3
3.3

White collar .........................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
13 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
13 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................

24.87
9.40
11.04
11.79
14.35
17.86
18.60
21.49
24.09
30.71
36.86
47.11
46.45
61.07
28.75
25.63
11.47
12.37
14.25
16.72
17.67
21.36
24.00
30.46
36.97
49.24
46.15
61.07
29.32

3.0
7.8
3.3
3.3
2.8
5.0
4.7
2.9
2.6
2.1
4.5
20.9
4.3
17.0
10.9
3.5
2.7
2.7
2.1
3.5
3.2
3.1
2.6
2.0
4.6
23.6
4.4
17.0
11.1

24.99
9.46
11.04
11.60
14.75
18.57
19.67
22.41
23.31
30.36
37.02
48.55
46.13
50.43
28.75
26.03
11.51
12.34
14.77
17.31
18.72
22.25
23.15
29.89
37.16
51.62
45.77
50.43
29.32

3.6
7.8
3.6
4.3
3.3
5.4
5.5
2.8
2.7
2.6
5.0
24.4
4.5
8.8
10.9
4.4
2.9
3.8
2.8
3.8
3.6
3.1
2.8
2.7
5.1
28.2
4.6
8.8
11.1

24.47
–
–
12.45
12.67
14.87
14.64
19.71
27.25
31.18
35.84
40.34
–
–
–
24.47
–
12.45
12.67
14.87
14.64
19.68
27.25
31.18
35.84
40.34
–
–
–

4.7
–
–
3.0
2.6
5.1
3.1
4.8
5.1
3.5
9.8
9.9
–
–
–
4.7
–
3.0
2.6
5.1
3.1
4.8
5.1
3.5
9.8
9.9
–
–
–

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
13 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Electrical and electronic engineers .......................
Engineers, n.e.c. ...................................................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
Computer systems analysts and scientists ...........
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
Operations and systems researchers and
analysts ..........................................................
Natural scientists ......................................................
Health related ...........................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
Registered nurses ................................................

31.06
31.67
19.20
22.26
24.78
30.80
37.39
36.98
46.36
49.94
45.58
32.48
32.87
38.45
31.12
22.93
30.78
35.35
37.24
30.20
22.81
31.06
34.92
34.37

6.5
3.7
8.6
5.1
4.9
2.2
5.8
5.8
5.2
9.5
30.2
6.3
4.4
3.9
5.5
9.9
4.0
6.1
3.9
4.5
10.3
4.5
6.3
8.2

32.52
32.96
21.85
22.85
23.28
29.01
37.69
37.16
45.06
49.94
45.58
32.38
32.87
38.45
31.63
22.93
30.67
35.35
37.24
30.76
22.81
30.94
34.92
34.37

8.9
5.2
7.0
8.5
4.8
2.8
6.3
6.8
3.8
9.5
30.2
6.5
4.4
3.9
5.5
9.9
4.2
6.1
3.9
4.5
10.3
4.7
6.3
8.2

27.78
29.33
–
21.67
29.00
32.04
–
36.16
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

3.4
3.3
–
6.5
4.7
3.5
–
9.8
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

35.22
–
32.41
25.40
23.43
25.24
34.91
27.43

8.7
–
13.3
9.6
2.7
1.8
6.9
6.5

35.22
–
33.56
–
22.94
25.27
–
27.58

8.7
–
14.3
–
2.5
.9
–
7.6

–
–
25.64
–
–
–
–
26.62

–
–
7.8
–
–
–
–
6.4

See footnotes at end of table.

25

Table 4-2. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 full-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

White collar –Continued
Professional specialty and technical –Continued
Professional specialty –Continued
Health related –Continued
Registered nurses –Continued
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Pharmacists ..........................................................
Dietitians ...............................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Prekindergarten and kindergarten ........................
Elementary school teachers .................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Secondary school teachers ..................................
7 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Teachers, special education .................................
Teachers, n.e.c. ....................................................
Vocational and educational counselors ................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Social workers ......................................................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Lawyers ................................................................
Writers, authors, entertainers, athletes, and
professionals, n.e.c. ............................................
Professional, n.e.c. ...............................................
Technical ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Licensed practical nurses .....................................
5 ......................................................................
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. ........
Electrical and electronic technicians .....................
7 ......................................................................
Airplane pilots and navigators ..............................
Computer programmers .......................................
9 ......................................................................
Technical and related, n.e.c. ................................

$24.13
25.29
39.74
22.72
41.74
30.05
24.35
29.04
32.31
30.33
29.96
30.88
32.50
29.77
26.87
32.85
29.85
28.97
39.93
–
25.84
19.19
19.33
54.77
54.77

1.4
.6
5.5
10.8
21.9
3.9
5.6
6.5
3.9
12.2
5.1
7.0
8.3
4.2
8.0
3.0
1.5
6.7
.8
–
7.3
9.1
9.1
3.1
3.1

$23.66
25.29
39.74
–
–
22.06
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
18.78
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

0.5
.6
5.5
–
–
7.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
8.5
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
$31.36
–
31.00
32.38
–
30.70
–
32.53
31.38
–
32.85
–
–
39.93
–
–
19.15
19.29
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
3.2
–
4.1
3.9
–
5.2
–
8.3
.9
–
3.0
–
–
.8
–
–
9.7
9.7
–
–

35.76
40.25
29.14
14.74
17.95
21.09
20.65
28.19
16.84
16.33
16.42
21.21
22.13
138.45
26.54
27.58
19.22

7.1
15.2
26.4
10.8
10.1
5.3
7.4
7.0
1.8
2.9
11.5
9.8
7.0
12.6
3.0
5.4
3.3

35.76
40.25
31.47
–
18.93
21.83
20.72
29.27
17.42
–
–
22.60
22.13
138.45
27.63
–
19.22

7.1
15.2
29.1
–
11.5
4.2
7.6
8.2
1.9
–
–
8.0
7.0
12.6
3.2
–
3.3

–
–
17.36
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
11.7
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
10 ......................................................................
11 ......................................................................

31.48
17.59
14.93
19.48
23.66
30.90
39.12
37.96
45.92
37.25
37.48
23.39
34.78
37.71
38.21

4.7
4.5
4.5
3.5
7.5
6.1
4.6
9.3
5.0
12.9
6.6
12.7
7.5
7.5
11.6

31.54
17.44
16.36
21.02
23.83
31.65
40.11
35.20
46.61
37.25
35.31
22.83
35.78
38.35
35.27

3.6
5.3
7.1
3.5
8.8
6.7
3.1
9.1
5.9
12.9
5.8
15.5
7.9
7.4
11.4

31.29
–
–
17.74
22.91
–
–
44.43
–
–
46.00
–
–
–
46.08

16.8
–
–
3.5
11.6
–
–
16.3
–
–
18.7
–
–
–
20.1

See footnotes at end of table.

26

Table 4-2. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 full-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$46.02
43.53
23.34
42.00
49.62
33.58
40.29
36.88
47.18
45.29
24.81
18.10
15.02
19.48
24.00
27.90
24.81
24.13
22.80
31.76

2.8
17.0
8.0
16.5
19.8
7.0
6.3
11.5
2.9
20.4
4.7
2.9
5.9
3.9
4.1
6.5
10.1
9.7
7.2
11.8

$47.08
43.53
–
33.79
–
–
40.29
36.88
47.18
45.29
26.96
–
17.89
21.27
25.06
28.15
24.81
26.20
22.80
31.76

3.0
17.0
–
9.9
–
–
6.3
11.5
2.9
20.4
4.9
–
5.4
3.9
2.1
7.7
10.1
5.7
7.2
11.8

–
–
$23.34
–
54.46
–
–
–
–
–
19.05
–
–
17.74
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
8.0
–
22.3
–
–
–
–
–
13.0
–
–
3.5
–
–
–
–
–
–

19.98
17.72
28.75

15.5
1.6
13.5

24.94
–
31.73

14.0
–
15.6

–
17.72
–

–
1.6
–

Sales ................................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
Supervisors, sales ................................................
Sales, other business services .............................
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies ...
4 ......................................................................
Cashiers ...............................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................

19.56
9.83
10.60
14.70
22.16
23.05
23.84
24.46
11.67
12.67
10.04
10.04
11.21

13.3
3.9
6.4
8.3
8.7
14.3
7.7
15.2
4.4
2.7
7.0
4.5
9.1

19.55
9.83
10.60
14.70
22.16
23.05
23.84
24.46
11.67
12.67
10.04
10.04
11.21

13.3
3.9
6.4
8.3
8.7
14.3
7.7
15.2
4.4
2.7
7.0
4.5
9.1

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Supervisors, general office ...................................
Secretaries ...........................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
Receptionists ........................................................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ......................................
4 ......................................................................
Order clerks ..........................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
4 ......................................................................

15.53
11.47
12.40
14.36
16.74
18.42
21.41
15.76
24.28
18.14
14.57
20.15
22.89
11.96
14.22
13.37
15.42
12.53
15.74
13.44
14.04

2.6
2.9
2.7
2.2
4.5
3.9
7.0
5.1
4.8
7.7
9.3
14.0
11.4
3.8
6.6
6.3
3.8
9.4
3.0
4.7
9.9

16.01
11.52
12.34
14.81
17.33
18.66
22.58
15.76
–
19.26
14.99
–
24.39
12.09
14.25
13.32
15.42
12.53
15.74
14.66
–

3.1
3.1
3.8
2.7
5.1
4.0
7.3
5.1
–
9.2
13.8
–
8.6
3.8
7.2
6.9
3.8
9.4
3.0
2.9
–

13.60
–
12.53
12.92
14.50
–
17.84
–
–
14.68
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
12.07
–

1.0
–
2.8
3.6
2.9
–
8.5
–
–
3.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
4.2
–

White collar –Continued
Executive, administrative, and managerial –Continued
Executives, administrators, and managers
–Continued
12 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Administrators and officials, public administration
Financial managers ..............................................
Administrators, education and related fields .........
Managers, medicine and health ...........................
Managers and administrators, n.e.c. ....................
9 ......................................................................
12 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Management related .................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Accountants and auditors .....................................
Other financial officers ..........................................
Management analysts ..........................................
Personnel, training, and labor relations
specialists .......................................................
Construction inspectors ........................................
Management related, n.e.c. ..................................

See footnotes at end of table.

27

Table 4-2. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 full-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$15.12
13.71
15.49
13.43
18.67
13.25

7.4
3.5
3.4
8.8
7.1
8.6

$15.80
13.76
–
13.43
–
–

9.3
6.0
–
8.8
–
–

$13.51
–
–
–
–
–

3.0
–
–
–
–
–

17.73
16.03
14.95
14.74
11.09
14.92
16.79
12.07
11.99
16.05

9.9
10.2
8.6
3.1
2.6
7.2
4.7
7.2
3.2
5.4

19.51
16.03
15.00
15.15
–
15.48
17.15
–
–
16.20

7.7
10.2
9.2
3.3
–
7.7
4.8
–
–
5.4

–
–
–
12.15
–
–
–
–
12.09
–

–
–
–
3.3
–
–
–
–
2.8
–

Blue collar ...........................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................

15.52
8.46
10.51
14.78
14.68
16.19
20.25
21.60
34.99
20.67

3.3
3.8
9.3
4.6
4.3
7.2
5.2
4.8
9.6
8.1

15.45
8.46
10.25
14.79
14.72
16.35
20.40
21.78
–
20.67

3.4
3.8
9.9
4.7
4.6
8.1
5.3
5.3
–
8.1

16.63
–
13.13
–
–
14.90
–
20.35
–
–

1.8
–
4.4
–
–
5.0
–
7.8
–
–

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
9 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Supervisors, mechanics and repairers .................
Automobile mechanics .........................................
7 ......................................................................
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics .......
Industrial machinery repairers ..............................
Machinery maintenance .......................................
Electronic repairers, communications and
industrial equipment .......................................
Telephone installers and repairers .......................
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c. ...........................
Electricians ...........................................................
7 ......................................................................
Supervisors, production ........................................
Butchers and meat cutters ....................................

20.39
13.51
18.00
20.77
22.06
34.99
23.26
34.59
19.90
21.14
21.26
19.00
12.33

4.6
8.5
6.7
4.3
5.9
9.6
7.8
17.6
7.3
7.2
6.9
5.4
36.3

20.47
13.51
18.33
21.00
22.30
–
23.26
–
19.95
19.95
20.85
19.22
–

5.0
8.5
7.2
4.4
6.6
–
7.8
–
1.6
1.6
7.3
5.7
–

19.38
–
–
–
20.55
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

.5
–
–
–
8.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

22.94
20.25
18.53
21.98
21.63
23.45
11.01

4.6
17.5
10.9
6.7
8.2
14.6
21.2

23.50
20.25
19.09
24.06
23.70
23.45
11.01

5.1
17.5
12.1
9.8
12.0
14.6
21.2

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Packaging and filling machine operators ..............
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c. .............
Assemblers ...........................................................
3 ......................................................................
Production inspectors, checkers and examiners ..

13.91
7.64
9.79
17.84
15.49
14.25
13.83
15.21
17.09
22.40
10.94

6.2
6.9
13.4
4.4
9.8
10.4
1.9
10.8
16.4
12.0
9.4

13.92
7.64
9.79
17.84
15.49
14.25
13.83
15.21
17.09
22.40
10.94

6.2
6.9
13.4
4.4
9.8
10.4
1.9
10.8
16.4
12.0
9.4

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

White collar –Continued
Administrative support, including clerical –Continued
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Billing clerks ..........................................................
Dispatchers ...........................................................
Stock and inventory clerks ....................................
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and
investigators ...................................................
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance .....
Bill and account collectors ....................................
General office clerks .............................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Data entry keyers .................................................
Teachers’ aides ....................................................
Administrative support, n.e.c. ...............................

See footnotes at end of table.

28

Table 4-2. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 full-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Transportation and material moving ............................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
Truck drivers .........................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Bus drivers ............................................................
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators ..
4 ......................................................................
Miscellaneous material moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ..............................................

$14.49
12.36
13.43
14.60
14.29
14.57
13.62
14.69
14.77
14.24
14.91

2.4
7.6
5.7
8.1
8.3
2.9
10.4
9.4
9.7
4.4
9.0

$14.41
11.22
13.44
14.69
13.99
14.66
13.62
14.72
–
14.24
14.91

2.7
8.4
5.8
8.7
10.8
3.0
10.4
9.7
–
4.4
9.0

$15.22
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
16.38
–
–

4.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
5.7
–
–

16.56

13.0

16.56

13.0

–

–

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
1 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........
1 ......................................................................
Hand packers and packagers ...............................
1 ......................................................................
Laborers, except construction, n.e.c. ....................
1 ......................................................................

11.20
8.77
10.74
12.99
14.72
11.30
10.20
12.63
14.70
10.01
9.22
8.65
9.78
7.95

4.4
4.6
9.2
6.0
5.6
7.1
7.8
10.3
4.2
6.3
7.0
9.5
8.1
5.8

11.17
8.77
10.74
12.99
14.78
11.30
10.20
12.63
14.70
10.01
9.22
8.65
9.69
7.95

4.5
4.6
10.8
6.0
5.7
7.1
7.8
10.3
4.2
6.3
7.0
9.5
8.8
5.8

12.13
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

6.4
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Service .................................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
Not able to be leveled .......................................
Protective service .....................................................
4 ......................................................................
5 ......................................................................
6 ......................................................................
7 ......................................................................
8 ......................................................................
Supervisors, firefighters and fire prevention .........
Supervisors, police and detectives .......................
Firefighting ............................................................
7 ......................................................................
Police and detectives, public service ....................
7 ......................................................................
Correctional institution officers .............................
Guards and police, except public service .............
Food service .............................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
Other food service ..................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Supervisors, food preparation and service ...........

12.33
7.66
9.01
10.59
12.29
13.09
16.42
25.58
22.96
18.57
14.19
14.09
13.94
15.39
17.37
22.96
26.74
25.33
15.78
14.92
17.07
18.25
14.13
9.86
9.18
6.13
7.07
10.62
5.07
10.77
7.22
9.91
10.91
13.63

2.9
6.1
6.8
5.4
2.7
6.0
7.2
8.4
4.0
27.6
7.5
4.7
4.6
1.7
1.7
4.0
6.4
15.7
1.9
1.5
5.3
.3
5.8
5.9
6.9
10.1
25.7
10.7
22.1
9.4
13.1
11.0
11.6
9.1

11.13
7.13
8.59
9.92
11.21
12.04
–
–
–
–
10.71
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
9.64
8.77
6.01
6.95
9.19
5.07
10.41
7.03
–
9.35
13.61

3.1
5.0
9.7
4.1
4.3
9.2
–
–
–
–
9.7
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
5.0
7.4
10.3
27.9
6.8
22.1
10.2
12.5
–
6.9
9.6

15.08
11.24
10.07
13.60
14.24
14.54
15.39
17.37
22.96
–
17.15
14.60
14.31
15.39
17.37
22.96
26.74
25.33
14.23
14.92
17.07
18.25
14.13
–
13.27
–
–
14.60
–
13.27
–
–
14.60
–

3.6
10.0
3.7
10.7
5.7
2.3
1.7
1.7
4.0
–
4.3
6.7
1.3
1.7
1.7
4.0
6.4
15.7
2.9
1.5
5.3
.3
5.8
–
13.6
–
–
16.1
–
13.6
–
–
16.1
–

Blue collar –Continued

See footnotes at end of table.

29

Table 4-2. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 full-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Service –Continued
Food service –Continued
Other food service –Continued
Kitchen workers, food preparation ........................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
1 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Health service ...........................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ...............
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
Cleaning and building service ...................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Maids and housemen ...........................................
1 ......................................................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Personal service .......................................................
3 ......................................................................

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

$10.70
8.96
6.29
13.24
10.12
9.67
9.91
11.38
10.12
9.73
9.91
11.46
10.48
9.17
9.48
12.34
8.25
8.13
10.86
9.61
9.50
12.60
17.51
10.38

5.6
21.2
3.9
25.4
3.8
3.7
6.4
2.8
4.2
4.9
6.4
3.1
4.0
5.2
5.7
8.3
2.2
1.5
4.3
6.2
6.5
8.7
7.7
6.7

$10.13
7.32
6.29
–
10.07
9.67
9.96
11.27
10.13
9.73
9.96
11.44
10.06
8.52
–
11.55
8.25
8.13
10.48
8.76
–
11.81
20.40
–

5.3
14.8
3.9
–
3.9
3.7
7.2
3.1
4.4
4.9
7.2
3.2
5.2
2.5
–
7.0
2.2
1.5
5.7
3.6
–
6.8
9.6
–

–
$13.92
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11.69
–
–
–
–
–
11.69
–
–
–
10.99
–

–
26.2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
11.0
–
–
–
–
–
11.0
–
–
–
6.6
–

1 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is
used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more
information.
2 Each occupation for which data are collected in an establishment is
evaluated based on 10 factors, including knowledge, complexity, work
environment, etc. Points are assigned based on the occupation’s rank within
each factor. The points are summed to determine the overall level of the
occupation. See appendixes C and D for more information.
3 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time
schedule based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore, a
worker with a 35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a full-time
employee in one establishment, but classified as part-time in another firm,
where a 40-hour week is the minimum full-time schedule.

4 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to
employees. They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and
hazard pay. Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays,
nonproduction bonuses, and tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay
of all workers and dividing by the number of workers, weighted by hours.
5 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval"
around a sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix
A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

30

Table 4-3. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 part-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Total
Occupation and level

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$9.63
9.90

4.7
6.2

$9.31
9.51

5.4
7.3

$13.38
13.54

4.2
4.2

White collar .........................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................

10.68
7.63
8.82
10.14
11.47
12.95
12.05
11.36

6.9
3.9
4.3
8.8
3.1
9.5
16.6
3.2

10.74
7.58
8.84
10.14
11.77
13.32
12.10
11.79

7.3
4.0
4.4
8.8
3.6
10.0
16.9
4.2

9.59
–
–
–
–
9.68
–
–

7.0
–
–
–
–
7.6
–
–

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Technical ......................................................................

20.87
22.42
–
–
–
–

13.1
10.7
–
–
–
–

22.64
24.12
–
–
–
–

10.0
5.5
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

Sales ................................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Cashiers ...............................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................

8.71
7.51
8.42
9.05
7.87
7.42
8.39

5.0
3.6
1.7
5.7
3.7
2.8
1.9

8.71
7.45
8.42
9.05
7.85
7.35
8.39

5.1
3.3
1.7
5.7
3.7
2.3
1.9

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
3 ......................................................................
4 ......................................................................

10.83
12.05
11.50

6.4
16.6
3.7

10.98
12.10
11.79

6.7
16.9
4.2

9.27
–
–

10.9
–
–

Blue collar ...........................................................................
1 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................

10.24
7.39
12.27

4.1
4.7
7.8

8.82
7.38
–

5.9
4.8
–

16.33
–
–

1.2
–
–

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................

–

–

–

–

–

–

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........

–

–

–

–

–

–

Transportation and material moving ............................

15.34

3.9

12.53

5.5

–

–

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
1 ......................................................................
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
1 ......................................................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........

8.01
7.39
7.24
7.09
11.60

3.8
4.7
5.5
8.0
3.3

7.98
7.38
7.24
7.09
11.60

3.8
4.8
5.5
8.0
3.3

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

Service .................................................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
3 ......................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Food service .............................................................
1 ......................................................................
2 ......................................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
1 ......................................................................
Waiters and waitresses ........................................
1 ......................................................................
Other food service ..................................................
1 ......................................................................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................

7.85
5.20
5.73
8.17
8.41
5.60
4.96
5.26
3.78
3.74
3.53
3.74
7.47
6.54
6.87
–

16.2
7.7
25.1
12.2
5.8
6.2
13.8
26.7
16.6
13.7
19.7
13.7
11.5
5.5
6.6
–

7.80
5.18
5.73
7.78
–
5.48
4.96
5.26
3.78
3.74
3.53
3.74
7.31
6.54
6.87
–

16.8
7.8
25.1
13.2
–
6.1
13.8
26.7
16.6
13.7
19.7
13.7
11.3
5.5
6.6
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

See footnotes at end of table.

31

Table 4-3. Selected occupations1 and levels,2 part-time workers:3 Mean hourly earnings,4 private industry and
State and local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Total
Occupation and level

Service –Continued
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Personal service .......................................................

Private industry

State and local
government

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

Mean

Relative
error5
(percent)

–
$15.57

–
31.7

–
$15.78

–
32.5

–
–

–
–

1 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is
used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more
information.
2 Each occupation for which data are collected in an establishment is
evaluated based on 10 factors, including knowledge, complexity, work
environment, etc. Points are assigned based on the occupation’s rank within
each factor. The points are summed to determine the overall level of the
occupation. See appendixes C and D for more information.
3 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time
schedule based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore, a
worker with a 35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a full-time
employee in one establishment, but classified as part-time in another firm,
where a 40-hour week is the minimum full-time schedule.

4 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to
employees. They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and
hazard pay. Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays,
nonproduction bonuses, and tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay
of all workers and dividing by the number of workers, weighted by hours.
5 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval"
around a sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix
A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified." Overall
occupational groups may include data for categories not shown separately.

32

Table 5-1. Selected worker characteristics: Mean hourly earnings1 by occupational group,2 National
Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Private industry and State and local government
Occupational group

Full-time
workers3

Part-time
workers3

Union4

Nonunion4

Time5

Incentive5

Mean
All occupations .......................................................................
All excluding sales ........................................................

$20.42
20.49

$9.63
9.90

$23.15
23.43

$19.33
19.52

$19.67
20.05

$20.19
16.64

White collar .........................................................................
White-collar excluding sales .........................................

24.87
25.63

10.68
12.95

36.74
46.35

23.55
24.55

24.16
25.40

24.01
21.56

Professional specialty and technical .................................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Technical ......................................................................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .......................
Sales .................................................................................
Administrative support, including clerical ..........................

31.06
31.67
29.14
31.48
19.56
15.53

20.87
22.42
–
–
8.71
10.83

99.15
–
116.10
–
20.55
19.25

29.17
31.54
21.13
31.57
17.12
15.03

30.90
31.52
28.97
31.27
13.63
15.26

–
–
–
34.86
25.38
15.28

Blue collar ...........................................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ..............................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ..............
Transportation and material moving .................................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ......

15.52
20.39
13.91
14.49
11.20

10.24
–
–
15.34
8.01

18.59
21.93
19.17
17.69
11.29

14.20
19.67
11.41
14.03
10.74

15.38
19.91
14.84
14.37
11.05

13.57
–
7.76
15.51
–

Service .................................................................................

12.33

7.85

16.88

11.40

11.70

–

Relative error6 (percent)
All occupations .......................................................................
All excluding sales ........................................................

2.7
3.0

4.7
6.2

15.7
17.0

2.5
2.7

2.6
2.8

14.8
8.0

White collar .........................................................................
White-collar excluding sales .........................................

3.0
3.5

6.9
9.5

41.2
47.1

2.7
3.1

3.3
3.7

15.4
14.4

Professional specialty and technical .................................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Technical ......................................................................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .......................
Sales .................................................................................
Administrative support, including clerical ..........................

6.5
3.7
26.4
4.7
13.3
2.6

13.1
10.7
–
–
5.0
6.4

37.8
–
32.7
–
12.2
3.6

3.5
3.7
3.0
4.6
15.1
2.0

6.4
3.7
26.2
5.0
8.0
2.5

–
–
–
12.1
21.9
2.7

Blue collar ...........................................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ..............................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ..............
Transportation and material moving .................................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ......

3.3
4.6
6.2
2.4
4.4

4.1
–
–
3.9
3.8

4.7
2.2
12.2
9.0
3.1

3.3
5.9
4.9
2.0
4.5

2.5
4.4
6.4
2.6
3.6

17.4
–
9.7
5.8
–

Service .................................................................................

2.9

16.2

3.6

2.9

2.4

–

1 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to
employees. They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and
hazard pay. Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, holidays,
nonproduction bonuses, and tips. The mean is computed by totaling the pay
of all workers and dividing by the number of workers, weighted by hours.
2 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is
used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more
information.
3 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time
schedule based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore, a
worker with a 35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a full-time
employee in one establishment, but classified as part-time in another firm,
where a 40-hour week is the minimum full-time schedule.

4 Union workers are those whose wages are determined through
collective bargaining.
5 Time workers’ wages are based solely on an hourly rate or salary;
incentive workers are those whose wages are at least partially based on
productivity payments such as piece rates, commissions, and production
bonuses.
6 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a
percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval"
around a sample estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix
A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria.

33

Table 5-2. Major industry division: Mean hourly earnings1 by occupational group,2 private industry, National Compensation
Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Full-time and part-time workers
Goods-producing industries3
Occupational group

All private
industries

Total

Mining

Construction

Manufacturing

Service-producing industries4

Total

TransportFinance,
Wholesale
ation and
insurance,
and retail
public utiland real
trade
ities
estate

Services

Mean
All occupations .............................................................
All excluding sales ..............................................

$19.33
19.53

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

$25.31
25.81

–
–

–
–

–
–

White collar ...............................................................
White-collar excluding sales ...............................

24.11
25.61

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

31.04
33.54

–
–

–
–

–
–

Professional specialty and technical .......................
Professional specialty .........................................
Technical ............................................................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .............
Sales .......................................................................
Administrative support, including clerical ................

32.36
32.80
31.29
31.47
17.53
15.68

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

50.68
34.03
–
34.77
20.09
16.68

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Blue collar .................................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ....................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ....
Transportation and material moving .......................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and
laborers .............................................................

15.14
20.41
13.86
14.35

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

18.99
25.50
–
15.23

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

10.79

–

–

–

–

–

15.16

–

–

–

Service .......................................................................

10.51

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

Relative error5 (percent)
All occupations .............................................................
All excluding sales ..............................................

3.1
3.4

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

6.5
7.4

–
–

–
–

–
–

White collar ...............................................................
White-collar excluding sales ...............................

3.6
4.2

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

12.9
14.6

–
–

–
–

–
–

Professional specialty and technical .......................
Professional specialty .........................................
Technical ............................................................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .............
Sales .......................................................................
Administrative support, including clerical ................

8.8
5.2
28.8
3.6
13.3
2.7

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

44.0
2.1
–
6.1
4.3
6.7

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

Blue collar .................................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ....................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ....
Transportation and material moving .......................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and
laborers .............................................................

3.2
4.9
6.1
2.5

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

2.2
4.7
–
2.0

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

4.0

–

–

–

–

–

9.5

–

–

–

Service .......................................................................

1.8

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

1 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to employees. They
include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay. Excluded are premium
pay for overtime, vacations, holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and tips. The mean is
computed by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the number of workers,
weighted by hours.
2 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations is used to cover
all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for more information.
3 Goods-producing industries include mining, construction, and manufacturing.

4 Service-producing industries include transportation and public utilities; wholesale
and retail trade; finance, insurance, and real estate; and services.
5 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error expressed as a percent of
the estimate. It can be used to calculate a "confidence interval" around a sample
estimate. For more information about RSEs, see appendix A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not meet publication
criteria.

34

Table 5-3. Establishment employment size: Mean hourly earnings1 by occupational group,2 private
industry, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Full-time and part-time workers
100 workers or more
Occupational group

All private
industry
workers

50 - 99
workers3

Total

100 - 499
workers

500
workers or
more

Mean
All occupations .......................................................................
All excluding sales ........................................................

$19.33
19.53

$15.09
15.30

$20.77
20.96

$18.65
18.71

$22.80
22.90

White collar .........................................................................
White-collar excluding sales .........................................

24.11
25.61

21.53
24.29

24.72
25.89

22.26
23.67

26.97
27.51

Professional specialty and technical .................................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Technical ......................................................................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .......................
Sales .................................................................................
Administrative support, including clerical ..........................

32.36
32.80
31.29
31.47
17.53
15.68

36.42
43.38
24.21
27.92
13.26
13.62

31.64
31.14
32.94
32.16
19.01
16.23

29.62
33.80
19.54
33.08
18.35
16.28

32.70
29.79
40.55
31.64
20.96
16.17

Blue collar ...........................................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ..............................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ..............
Transportation and material moving .................................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ......

15.14
20.41
13.86
14.35
10.79

12.13
16.89
11.53
13.49
9.55

16.62
21.18
14.96
15.09
11.71

14.80
19.51
11.90
13.97
10.90

19.18
23.13
19.71
18.66
12.71

Service .................................................................................

10.51

7.14

12.07

10.33

12.96

Relative error4 (percent)
All occupations .......................................................................
All excluding sales ........................................................

3.1
3.4

8.8
9.6

2.8
3.4

5.0
5.1

5.1
5.8

White collar .........................................................................
White-collar excluding sales .........................................

3.6
4.2

12.1
12.6

3.8
4.7

6.1
6.2

7.2
8.0

Professional specialty and technical .................................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Technical ......................................................................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .......................
Sales .................................................................................
Administrative support, including clerical ..........................

8.8
5.2
28.8
3.6
13.3
2.7

16.3
14.7
12.7
11.1
9.9
5.9

10.3
6.0
34.0
3.8
14.1
2.6

12.0
12.2
8.4
6.5
18.3
4.2

14.3
4.5
41.1
4.8
19.7
2.5

Blue collar ...........................................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ..............................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ..............
Transportation and material moving .................................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ......

3.2
4.9
6.1
2.5
4.0

7.4
6.8
11.6
8.7
5.5

5.3
6.4
7.1
10.4
5.4

4.5
6.1
4.0
5.5
6.2

10.1
11.4
11.0
8.1
11.1

Service .................................................................................

1.8

4.4

3.3

5.0

4.2

1 Earnings are the straight-time hourly wages or salaries paid to
employees. They include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments,
and hazard pay. Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations,
holidays, nonproduction bonuses, and tips. The mean is computed
by totaling the pay of all workers and dividing by the number of
workers, weighted by hours.
2 A classification system including about 480 individual
occupations is used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See
appendix B for more information.
3 Establishments classified with 50-99 workers may contain

establishments with fewer than 50 due to staff reductions between
survey sampling and collection.
4 The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard error
expressed as a percent of the estimate. It can be used to calculate a
"confidence interval" around a sample estimate. For more information
about RSEs, see appendix A.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did
not meet publication criteria.

35

Table 6-1. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, all
industries, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Occupation3

10

25

Median
50

75

90

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$8.15
8.25

$11.00
11.20

$15.92
16.12

$24.71
24.83

$35.29
35.35

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

10.50
11.60

13.94
14.95

20.11
21.12

30.06
30.94

40.66
41.25

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Electrical and electronic engineers .......................
Engineers, n.e.c. ...................................................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
Computer systems analysts and scientists ...........
Operations and systems researchers and
analysts ..........................................................
Natural scientists ......................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Registered nurses ................................................
Pharmacists ..........................................................
Dietitians ...............................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Prekindergarten and kindergarten ........................
Elementary school teachers .................................
Secondary school teachers ..................................
Teachers, special education .................................
Teachers, n.e.c. ....................................................
Vocational and educational counselors ................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Social workers ......................................................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Lawyers ................................................................
Writers, authors, entertainers, athletes, and
professionals, n.e.c. ............................................
Professional, n.e.c. ...............................................
Technical ......................................................................
Licensed practical nurses .....................................
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. ........
Electrical and electronic technicians .....................
Airplane pilots and navigators ..............................
Computer programmers .......................................
Technical and related, n.e.c. ................................

16.14
18.23
22.22
22.04
32.53
16.26
15.68

20.96
23.28
27.81
29.72
35.87
23.39
22.07

27.14
29.47
32.85
34.28
38.53
31.31
29.86

35.93
38.00
38.53
36.39
39.64
38.00
37.56

44.23
45.19
39.88
39.53
45.13
42.94
42.40

26.22
–
19.71
19.88
33.10
16.50
20.00
19.95
22.53
21.05
21.54
23.62
17.31
33.27
–
21.05
11.55
11.35
40.86
40.86

29.60
–
22.82
22.25
38.76
17.00
28.53
24.70
23.53
24.73
23.95
27.45
23.28
35.56
–
23.03
14.88
14.95
48.02
48.02

36.35
–
26.92
25.94
40.00
24.00
33.49
28.48
29.41
27.94
28.22
28.48
28.27
42.10
–
24.52
17.56
17.79
54.13
54.13

39.98
–
35.84
29.89
41.74
26.86
46.96
36.04
36.53
35.20
34.78
31.80
35.50
43.18
–
27.69
21.91
22.02
59.77
59.77

43.31
–
46.15
35.30
44.23
29.09
63.14
42.10
42.10
42.70
39.40
40.41
40.75
44.82
–
31.71
28.99
28.99
65.13
65.13

17.84
28.21
14.14
14.17
9.11
13.05
30.12
19.92
14.34

21.35
29.86
16.75
15.50
10.75
16.14
39.95
21.85
16.76

37.05
38.73
21.05
16.78
15.13
21.84
168.77
26.40
19.61

38.50
48.39
25.94
18.11
19.00
25.59
230.69
30.37
21.64

48.39
57.78
33.17
20.00
25.77
26.87
235.11
33.65
23.60

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
Administrators and officials, public administration
Financial managers ..............................................
Administrators, education and related fields .........
Managers, medicine and health ...........................
Managers and administrators, n.e.c. ....................
Management related .................................................
Accountants and auditors .....................................
Other financial officers ..........................................
Management analysts ..........................................
Personnel, training, and labor relations
specialists .......................................................
Construction inspectors ........................................
Management related, n.e.c. ..................................

15.30
15.91
19.58
27.43
28.51
28.94
20.88
14.88
10.49
15.87
23.21

19.33
25.50
20.67
27.43
32.95
28.94
31.69
17.29
19.37
17.79
25.21

28.57
33.75
21.50
34.85
43.11
31.77
37.36
22.13
24.04
23.08
29.06

38.75
45.92
25.01
63.98
55.77
34.83
46.20
30.70
30.77
24.76
34.75

51.28
55.98
28.25
63.98
89.14
45.92
55.98
38.47
31.25
31.96
45.60

11.35
14.87
15.89

13.19
15.50
17.78

17.67
17.18
21.98

24.14
20.34
39.88

31.67
21.63
47.89

Sales ................................................................................
Supervisors, sales ................................................
Sales, other business services .............................
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies ...
Sales workers, other commodities ........................
Cashiers ...............................................................

7.65
14.00
13.26
9.00
8.20
6.50

9.38
17.17
20.11
9.70
9.00
7.35

13.38
20.67
20.53
11.41
10.00
8.50

21.49
35.48
28.70
13.00
13.00
10.00

34.31
35.55
35.48
13.82
17.82
12.35

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
Supervisors, general office ...................................

10.11
13.85

11.75
19.23

14.15
27.16

17.88
30.56

21.59
30.77

See footnotes at end of table.

36

Table 6-1. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, all
industries, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
10

25

Median
50

75

90

$11.84
7.75
11.00
11.51
10.32
10.38
10.00
11.58
10.00

$13.33
9.62
11.88
12.69
11.00
12.19
11.00
15.14
10.91

$15.46
11.00
13.34
15.13
13.06
14.27
13.00
18.97
11.65

$23.08
13.00
15.94
17.58
15.50
17.27
15.50
21.72
19.85

$27.18
13.44
17.95
19.60
18.73
20.63
16.25
27.07
24.08

12.45
11.00
10.50
9.85
8.86
8.21
11.90

14.34
12.00
11.73
11.98
10.60
9.01
13.53

16.96
13.95
15.09
14.47
11.00
10.54
16.03

21.19
17.68
17.45
17.99
13.89
13.95
18.50

23.08
21.91
19.23
19.23
16.40
16.83
19.71

Blue collar ...........................................................................

7.75

9.75

13.50

18.94

25.62

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................
Supervisors, mechanics and repairers .................
Automobile mechanics .........................................
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics .......
Industrial machinery repairers ..............................
Machinery maintenance .......................................
Electronic repairers, communications and
industrial equipment .......................................
Telephone installers and repairers .......................
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c. ...........................
Electricians ...........................................................
Supervisors, production ........................................
Butchers and meat cutters ....................................

9.00
24.03
13.43
16.00
15.47
8.30

15.01
24.03
16.00
17.50
16.71
8.30

19.20
33.15
19.01
20.50
18.21
8.30

24.98
51.92
22.00
23.39
20.98
14.14

31.07
51.92
29.24
31.04
24.97
23.32

10.00
15.91
13.20
15.35
14.50
7.40

20.24
16.64
13.20
17.39
18.79
7.95

26.30
18.86
16.20
22.01
19.56
8.20

26.30
24.00
21.02
24.98
27.85
14.00

26.83
25.13
26.26
30.00
37.98
19.20

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........
Packaging and filling machine operators ..............
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c. .............
Assemblers ...........................................................
Production inspectors, checkers and examiners ..

7.25
11.08
11.30
7.25
9.00

9.32
12.31
11.30
9.60
9.00

12.51
13.86
13.39
12.35
9.95

16.58
14.22
19.34
26.04
11.00

25.75
15.41
25.09
26.31
13.62

Transportation and material moving ............................
Truck drivers .........................................................
Bus drivers ............................................................
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators ..
Miscellaneous material moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ..............................................

9.50
9.50
9.75
9.00

11.50
11.50
12.05
12.06

13.62
13.60
16.38
13.62

17.97
17.96
17.97
16.50

20.01
20.38
20.41
18.90

13.53

13.53

15.51

19.33

23.99

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Groundskeepers and gardeners, except farm ......
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........
Hand packers and packagers ...............................
Laborers, except construction, n.e.c. ....................

7.00
7.98
6.65
9.00
6.70
6.50

8.00
9.04
8.25
10.25
7.13
7.50

10.00
12.00
10.00
12.68
8.15
9.50

12.52
13.43
12.00
18.12
9.85
11.25

16.30
14.61
14.77
21.73
11.07
13.50

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Supervisors, firefighters and fire prevention .........
Supervisors, police and detectives .......................
Firefighting ............................................................
Police and detectives, public service ....................
Sheriffs, bailiffs, and other law enforcement
officers ............................................................
Correctional institution officers .............................
Guards and police, except public service .............
Food service .............................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................

6.00
8.75
20.68
16.30
10.90
11.35

8.00
9.82
22.55
20.38
12.36
14.24

10.00
12.36
27.36
21.98
15.01
16.55

13.12
16.50
30.64
33.21
17.92
19.69

18.23
21.98
33.64
37.70
24.21
23.36

14.24
11.35
8.50
2.13
2.13

15.46
12.13
9.00
5.15
2.13

17.93
14.74
9.50
7.50
2.13

19.39
14.74
10.50
10.84
7.00

22.41
16.40
11.50
12.44
8.50

Occupation3

White collar –Continued
Administrative support, including clerical –Continued
Secretaries ...........................................................
Receptionists ........................................................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ......................................
Order clerks ..........................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
Billing clerks ..........................................................
Dispatchers ...........................................................
Traffic, shipping and receiving clerks ...................
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and
investigators ...................................................
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance .....
Bill and account collectors ....................................
General office clerks .............................................
Data entry keyers .................................................
Teachers’ aides ....................................................
Administrative support, n.e.c. ...............................

See footnotes at end of table.

37

Table 6-1. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, all
industries, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
10

25

Median
50

75

90

$2.13
5.80
9.00
6.75
5.50
7.70
5.15
8.00
8.00
7.25
7.00
7.72
6.69
9.94
7.72
4.83

$2.13
7.00
9.75
8.00
6.00
9.00
6.00
8.50
8.50
8.00
7.49
8.00
8.65
10.15
8.32
6.66

$2.13
9.26
12.00
11.95
7.00
10.25
7.50
9.75
9.75
9.70
7.98
10.41
11.00
11.57
9.00
9.00

$6.00
11.97
13.77
12.44
7.50
11.60
9.75
11.45
11.47
11.58
8.70
11.70
16.50
12.55
9.99
16.00

$8.05
13.77
28.85
12.75
8.50
13.92
11.61
12.63
12.78
14.86
9.90
16.02
45.26
13.30
11.61
16.50

Occupation3

Service –Continued
Food service –Continued
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders –Continued
Waiters and waitresses ........................................
Other food service ..................................................
Supervisors, food preparation and service ...........
Cooks ...................................................................
Food counter, fountain, and related ......................
Kitchen workers, food preparation ........................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ...............
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Maids and housemen ...........................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
Personal service .......................................................
Early childhood teachers’ assistants ....................
Child care workers, n.e.c. .....................................
Service, n.e.c. .......................................................
1 Percentiles designate position in the earnings distribution and are
calculated from individual-worker earnings and the hours they are
scheduled to work. At the 50th percentile, the median, half of the hours
are paid the same as or more than the rate shown, and half are paid the
same as or less than the rate shown. At the 25th percentile, one-fourth
of the hours are paid the same as or less than the rate shown. At the
75th percentile, one-fourth are paid the same as or more than the rate
shown. The 10th and 90th percentiles follow the same logic. Hourly
wages are the straight-time wages or salaries paid to employees. They
include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay.
Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, and holidays;

nonproduction bonuses; and tips.
2 All workers include full-time and part-time workers.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations
is used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for
more information.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified."
Overall occupational groups may include data for categories not shown
separately.

38

Table 6-2. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, private
industry, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Private industry
Occupation3
10

25

Median
50

75

90

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$8.00
8.00

$10.50
10.77

$15.50
15.73

$24.04
24.27

$34.62
34.62

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

10.40
11.88

13.83
15.16

20.08
21.12

29.73
30.77

40.66
41.74

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Electrical and electronic engineers .......................
Engineers, n.e.c. ...................................................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
Computer systems analysts and scientists ...........
Operations and systems researchers and
analysts ..........................................................
Natural scientists ......................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Registered nurses ................................................
Pharmacists ..........................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Teachers, n.e.c. ....................................................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Writers, authors, entertainers, athletes, and
professionals, n.e.c. ............................................
Professional, n.e.c. ...............................................
Technical ......................................................................
Licensed practical nurses .....................................
Electrical and electronic technicians .....................
Airplane pilots and navigators ..............................
Computer programmers .......................................
Technical and related, n.e.c. ................................

17.14
19.55
22.22
22.04
32.53
18.67
17.95

21.05
23.38
27.57
29.72
35.87
24.28
22.67

26.97
30.05
32.61
34.28
38.53
31.73
30.18

37.05
38.53
38.53
36.39
39.64
38.00
37.98

46.15
46.29
39.88
39.53
45.13
42.94
43.00

26.22
–
20.00
20.04
33.10
20.00
17.31
11.06
–
–
–
–

29.60
–
23.21
22.43
38.76
20.00
19.95
17.31
–
–
–
–

36.35
–
27.17
25.75
40.00
33.41
22.27
19.95
–
–
–
–

39.98
–
40.00
29.20
41.74
35.51
24.68
19.95
–
–
–
–

43.31
–
46.15
43.75
44.23
52.53
27.82
26.45
–
–
–
–

17.84
28.21
15.37
14.90
16.08
30.12
20.68
14.34

21.35
29.86
18.01
15.91
20.02
39.95
22.29
16.76

37.05
38.73
21.77
17.31
23.03
168.77
27.47
19.61

38.50
48.39
26.63
18.93
25.59
230.69
32.01
21.64

48.39
57.78
33.65
20.25
28.06
235.11
35.27
23.60

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
Financial managers ..............................................
Managers and administrators, n.e.c. ....................
Management related .................................................
Accountants and auditors .....................................
Other financial officers ..........................................
Management analysts ..........................................
Personnel, training, and labor relations
specialists .......................................................
Management related, n.e.c. ..................................

16.14
14.59
18.57
20.88
16.83
19.18
15.87
23.21

20.30
25.24
27.43
31.69
19.14
20.96
17.79
25.21

30.25
33.65
34.85
37.36
24.20
24.04
23.08
29.06

38.31
42.84
40.95
46.20
31.25
30.77
24.76
34.75

49.71
52.79
40.95
55.98
41.59
37.66
31.96
45.60

13.65
16.84

17.67
17.78

21.15
26.44

31.67
47.50

34.33
57.69

Sales ................................................................................
Supervisors, sales ................................................
Sales, other business services .............................
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies ...
Sales workers, other commodities ........................
Cashiers ...............................................................

7.61
14.00
13.26
9.00
8.20
6.50

9.38
17.17
20.11
9.70
9.00
7.30

13.38
20.67
20.53
11.41
10.00
8.50

21.40
35.48
28.70
13.00
13.00
10.04

34.34
35.55
35.48
13.82
17.82
12.35

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
Secretaries ...........................................................
Receptionists ........................................................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ......................................
Order clerks ..........................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
Billing clerks ..........................................................
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and
investigators ...................................................
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance .....
Bill and account collectors ....................................
General office clerks .............................................

10.25
12.00
7.72
11.00
11.51
10.86
10.50
10.00

12.00
13.94
9.79
11.86
12.69
12.27
12.39
11.00

14.71
17.75
11.00
13.35
15.13
14.50
14.47
13.00

18.75
24.72
13.00
16.06
17.58
16.42
18.89
15.50

21.76
27.97
14.52
18.08
19.60
18.75
20.63
16.25

15.63
11.00
10.50
10.00

16.45
12.00
11.73
12.17

18.65
13.95
15.09
15.35

22.18
17.68
17.45
18.80

23.59
21.91
19.23
19.23

See footnotes at end of table.

39

Table 6-2. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, private
industry, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
Private industry
Occupation3
10

25

Median
50

75

90

Administrative support, including clerical –Continued
Administrative support, n.e.c. ...............................

$12.17

$13.64

$16.31

$18.50

$19.71

Blue collar ...........................................................................

7.75

9.50

13.39

18.94

25.64

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................
Automobile mechanics .........................................
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics .......
Industrial machinery repairers ..............................
Electronic repairers, communications and
industrial equipment .......................................
Telephone installers and repairers .......................
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c. ...........................
Electricians ...........................................................
Supervisors, production ........................................
Butchers and meat cutters ....................................

8.50
15.00
16.00
15.52

15.00
18.00
17.00
16.71

19.25
20.00
19.95
18.38

24.98
21.00
23.00
20.98

31.07
24.75
31.07
24.97

10.00
15.91
13.20
17.39
14.50
7.40

23.58
16.64
13.20
17.39
18.79
7.95

26.30
18.86
18.89
24.98
19.56
8.20

26.30
24.00
23.79
27.75
27.85
14.00

26.83
25.13
32.50
30.00
37.98
19.20

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........
Packaging and filling machine operators ..............
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c. .............
Assemblers ...........................................................
Production inspectors, checkers and examiners ..

7.25
11.08
11.30
7.25
9.00

9.35
12.31
11.30
9.60
9.00

12.51
13.86
13.39
12.35
9.95

16.58
14.22
19.34
26.04
11.00

25.75
15.41
25.09
26.31
13.62

Transportation and material moving ............................
Truck drivers .........................................................
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators ..
Miscellaneous material moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ..............................................

9.43
9.50
9.00

11.20
11.82
12.06

13.53
13.75
13.62

16.81
18.00
16.50

20.01
20.38
18.90

13.53

13.53

15.51

19.33

23.99

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........
Hand packers and packagers ...............................
Laborers, except construction, n.e.c. ....................

6.75
6.65
9.00
6.70
6.50

8.00
8.25
10.25
7.13
7.45

10.00
10.00
12.68
8.15
9.50

12.50
12.00
18.12
9.85
11.25

16.30
14.77
21.73
11.07
13.50

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Guards and police, except public service .............
Food service .............................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
Waiters and waitresses ........................................
Other food service ..................................................
Supervisors, food preparation and service ...........
Cooks ...................................................................
Food counter, fountain, and related ......................
Kitchen workers, food preparation ........................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ...............
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Maids and housemen ...........................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
Personal service .......................................................
Service, n.e.c. .......................................................

5.00
8.25
8.50
2.13
2.13
2.13
5.50
9.00
6.75
5.50
7.25
5.15
8.00
8.00
7.25
7.00
8.00
6.25
4.83

7.50
9.00
9.00
5.15
2.13
2.13
6.75
9.53
8.00
6.00
8.50
5.50
8.50
8.50
8.00
7.49
8.00
8.50
6.66

9.12
9.75
9.36
7.25
2.13
2.13
9.00
12.00
11.95
7.00
9.75
6.50
9.65
9.75
9.21
7.98
9.86
11.09
8.77

11.27
10.88
10.30
10.00
7.00
6.00
11.60
13.77
12.44
7.50
11.50
8.80
11.36
11.47
10.92
8.70
11.70
23.25
16.00

14.04
13.78
11.00
12.30
8.50
8.05
13.12
28.85
12.75
8.45
11.60
10.54
12.60
12.80
13.97
9.90
13.97
51.14
16.50

White collar –Continued

1 Percentiles designate position in the earnings distribution and are
calculated from individual-worker earnings and the hours they are
scheduled to work. At the 50th percentile, the median, half of the hours
are paid the same as or more than the rate shown, and half are paid the
same as or less than the rate shown. At the 25th percentile, one-fourth
of the hours are paid the same as or less than the rate shown. At the
75th percentile, one-fourth are paid the same as or more than the rate
shown. The 10th and 90th percentiles follow the same logic. Hourly
wages are the straight-time wages or salaries paid to employees. They
include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay.
Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, and holidays;

nonproduction bonuses; and tips.
2 All workers include full-time and part-time workers.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations
is used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for
more information.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified."
Overall occupational groups may include data for categories not shown
separately.

40

Table 6-3. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
State and local
government
Occupation3
10

25

Median
50

75

90

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$10.31
10.31

$12.92
12.94

$17.47
17.48

$27.35
27.38

$37.41
37.41

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

11.03
11.03

13.96
13.96

21.50
21.50

31.17
31.17

40.57
40.66

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
Health related ...........................................................
Registered nurses ................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Elementary school teachers .................................
Secondary school teachers ..................................
Vocational and educational counselors ................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Social workers ......................................................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Technical ......................................................................
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. ........

14.82
15.77
–
–
18.02
19.09
–
22.19
21.81
22.84
33.27
–
–
11.35
11.35
–
9.63
8.59

19.71
23.28
–
–
20.35
20.69
–
25.84
24.73
26.03
35.56
–
–
14.75
14.88
–
13.05
10.26

27.37
28.48
–
–
25.39
26.88
–
30.34
28.96
31.35
42.10
–
–
17.30
17.38
–
16.40
15.13

34.24
35.56
–
–
31.17
31.17
–
37.42
35.57
36.09
43.18
–
–
22.02
22.35
–
20.45
15.36

41.13
42.10
–
–
31.37
31.37
–
42.11
42.70
40.67
44.82
–
–
29.74
29.74
–
25.19
17.57

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
Administrators and officials, public administration
Administrators, education and related fields .........
Management related .................................................
Construction inspectors ........................................

12.19
21.50
19.58
28.51
11.35
14.87

16.79
28.51
20.67
38.00
13.67
15.50

23.01
38.47
21.50
47.78
17.10
17.18

39.88
55.77
25.01
55.77
21.23
20.34

56.53
81.35
28.25
111.06
28.82
21.63

Sales ................................................................................

–

–

–

–

–

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
Secretaries ...........................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
General office clerks .............................................
Teachers’ aides ....................................................

9.82
10.50
10.11
10.38
8.66
8.37

11.03
12.85
10.69
11.35
10.62
9.46

13.07
13.76
11.35
12.87
11.98
11.63

15.00
15.24
12.99
14.52
13.63
14.15

17.62
18.24
13.99
17.16
15.07
17.02

Blue collar ...........................................................................

9.80

12.90

16.20

19.10

22.96

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................

13.48

15.24

18.30

22.69

28.95

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........

–

–

–

–

–

Transportation and material moving ............................
Bus drivers ............................................................

11.12
11.81

12.55
14.26

16.23
17.31

17.97
18.30

20.13
20.67

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers

9.33

9.33

10.71

13.43

17.96

8.87
11.35
20.68
16.30
10.25
11.35

11.30
13.64
22.55
20.38
12.25
14.24

14.18
15.70
27.36
21.98
14.22
16.55

17.60
19.29
30.64
33.21
16.22
19.69

22.16
24.40
33.64
37.70
18.02
23.36

14.24
11.35
7.84
7.84
7.44
–
7.72
7.72

15.46
12.13
8.87
8.87
8.07
–
8.96
8.96

17.93
14.74
11.13
11.13
9.85
–
11.03
11.03

19.39
14.74
14.12
14.12
23.52
–
13.21
13.21

22.41
16.40
24.18
24.18
25.56
–
18.87
18.87

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Supervisors, firefighters and fire prevention .........
Supervisors, police and detectives .......................
Firefighting ............................................................
Police and detectives, public service ....................
Sheriffs, bailiffs, and other law enforcement
officers ............................................................
Correctional institution officers .............................
Food service .............................................................
Other food service ..................................................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
See footnotes at end of table.

41

Table 6-3. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 all workers:2 Selected occupations, State and
local government, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
State and local
government
Occupation3

Service –Continued
Personal service .......................................................

10

25

Median
50

75

90

$7.98

$8.70

$10.15

$12.33

$13.95

1 Percentiles designate position in the earnings distribution and are
calculated from individual-worker earnings and the hours they are
scheduled to work. At the 50th percentile, the median, half of the hours
are paid the same as or more than the rate shown, and half are paid the
same as or less than the rate shown. At the 25th percentile, one-fourth
of the hours are paid the same as or less than the rate shown. At the
75th percentile, one-fourth are paid the same as or more than the rate
shown. The 10th and 90th percentiles follow the same logic. Hourly
wages are the straight-time wages or salaries paid to employees. They
include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay.
Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, and holidays;

nonproduction bonuses; and tips.
2 All workers include full-time and part-time workers.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations
is used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for
more information.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified."
Overall occupational groups may include data for categories not shown
separately.

42

Table 6-4. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, all
industries, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Occupation3

10

25

Median
50

75

90

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$8.75
8.75

$11.55
11.60

$16.71
16.71

$25.28
25.47

$36.02
36.03

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

11.33
12.00

14.50
15.13

20.73
21.50

30.70
31.29

41.00
41.74

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Engineers, architects, and surveyors .......................
Electrical and electronic engineers .......................
Engineers, n.e.c. ...................................................
Mathematical and computer scientists .....................
Computer systems analysts and scientists ...........
Operations and systems researchers and
analysts ..........................................................
Natural scientists ......................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Registered nurses ................................................
Pharmacists ..........................................................
Dietitians ...............................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Prekindergarten and kindergarten ........................
Elementary school teachers .................................
Secondary school teachers ..................................
Teachers, special education .................................
Teachers, n.e.c. ....................................................
Vocational and educational counselors ................
Librarians, archivists, and curators ...........................
Social scientists and urban planners ........................
Social, recreation, and religious workers ..................
Social workers ......................................................
Lawyers and judges ..................................................
Lawyers ................................................................
Writers, authors, entertainers, athletes, and
professionals, n.e.c. ............................................
Professional, n.e.c. ...............................................
Technical ......................................................................
Licensed practical nurses .....................................
Health technologists and technicians, n.e.c. ........
Electrical and electronic technicians .....................
Airplane pilots and navigators ..............................
Computer programmers .......................................
Technical and related, n.e.c. ................................

16.15
18.25
22.22
22.04
32.53
16.26
15.68

21.00
23.39
27.81
29.72
35.87
23.39
22.07

27.41
29.70
32.85
34.28
38.53
31.31
29.86

36.17
38.00
38.53
36.39
39.64
38.00
37.56

44.33
45.62
39.88
39.53
45.13
42.94
42.40

26.22
–
19.68
19.78
33.10
16.50
27.62
19.95
22.53
21.05
21.54
23.62
17.64
33.27
–
21.05
11.55
11.35
40.86
40.86

29.60
–
22.64
22.12
39.00
17.00
30.35
24.73
23.53
24.73
23.95
27.45
24.70
35.56
–
23.03
14.88
14.95
48.02
48.02

36.35
–
27.33
26.40
40.00
24.00
34.80
28.51
29.41
27.94
28.22
28.48
28.44
42.10
–
24.52
17.56
17.79
54.13
54.13

39.98
–
38.76
30.53
41.74
26.86
50.40
36.09
36.53
35.20
34.78
31.80
35.74
43.18
–
27.69
21.91
22.02
59.77
59.77

43.31
–
46.15
37.51
44.23
29.09
65.40
42.10
42.10
42.70
39.40
40.41
40.75
44.82
–
31.71
28.99
28.99
65.13
65.13

17.84
28.21
14.20
14.25
9.25
13.05
30.12
19.92
14.34

21.35
29.86
16.78
15.59
11.33
16.14
39.95
21.85
16.76

37.05
38.73
21.05
16.70
15.13
21.84
168.77
26.40
19.61

38.50
48.39
26.08
18.00
19.20
25.59
230.69
30.37
21.64

48.39
57.78
33.41
19.77
25.77
26.87
235.11
33.65
23.60

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............
Administrators and officials, public administration
Financial managers ..............................................
Administrators, education and related fields .........
Managers, medicine and health ...........................
Managers and administrators, n.e.c. ....................
Management related .................................................
Accountants and auditors .....................................
Other financial officers ..........................................
Management analysts ..........................................
Personnel, training, and labor relations
specialists .......................................................
Construction inspectors ........................................
Management related, n.e.c. ..................................

15.40
16.25
19.58
27.43
28.51
28.94
20.88
14.88
10.49
15.87
23.21

19.38
26.71
20.67
27.43
32.95
28.94
31.69
17.29
19.37
17.79
25.21

28.63
33.82
21.50
34.85
43.55
31.77
37.36
22.13
24.04
23.08
29.06

38.75
45.94
25.01
63.98
55.77
34.83
46.20
30.70
30.77
24.76
34.75

51.28
55.98
28.25
63.98
89.14
45.92
55.98
38.47
31.25
31.96
45.60

11.35
14.87
15.89

13.19
15.50
17.78

17.67
17.18
21.98

24.14
20.34
39.88

31.67
21.63
47.89

Sales ................................................................................
Supervisors, sales ................................................
Sales, other business services .............................
Sales workers, hardware and building supplies ...
Cashiers ...............................................................

8.51
14.00
13.50
9.09
7.36

10.79
17.17
20.11
9.85
8.00

16.61
20.67
21.00
11.75
10.00

23.86
35.48
28.70
13.00
11.95

35.59
35.55
35.48
13.82
12.95

Administrative support, including clerical ...................
Supervisors, general office ...................................
Secretaries ...........................................................

10.50
13.85
12.00

12.00
19.23
13.39

14.39
27.16
15.49

18.06
30.56
23.08

21.72
30.77
27.26

See footnotes at end of table.

43

Table 6-4. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, all
industries, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
10

25

Median
50

75

90

$10.00
11.00
11.51
10.20
11.25
10.00
11.58
8.35

$11.00
11.88
12.69
11.00
12.38
11.00
15.14
12.00

$12.00
13.34
15.14
12.84
14.27
13.00
18.97
13.07

$13.00
15.94
17.61
15.50
17.27
15.50
21.72
14.84

$14.52
17.95
19.60
18.73
20.63
16.25
27.07
17.86

12.45
12.85
10.50
10.00
8.86
8.37
11.90

14.34
13.26
11.73
12.07
10.60
9.46
13.53

16.96
14.88
15.09
14.73
11.00
11.63
16.03

21.19
18.35
17.45
18.01
13.89
13.95
18.50

23.08
21.91
19.23
19.23
16.40
17.02
19.71

Blue collar ...........................................................................

8.00

10.00

13.75

19.20

25.75

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................
Supervisors, mechanics and repairers .................
Automobile mechanics .........................................
Bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics .......
Industrial machinery repairers ..............................
Machinery maintenance .......................................
Electronic repairers, communications and
industrial equipment .......................................
Telephone installers and repairers .......................
Mechanics and repairers, n.e.c. ...........................
Electricians ...........................................................
Supervisors, production ........................................
Butchers and meat cutters ....................................

9.50
24.03
13.43
16.00
15.47
8.30

15.12
24.03
16.00
17.50
16.71
8.30

19.20
33.15
19.01
20.50
18.21
8.30

24.98
51.92
22.00
23.39
20.98
14.14

31.07
51.92
29.24
31.04
24.97
23.32

10.00
15.91
13.20
15.35
14.50
7.40

20.24
16.64
13.20
17.39
18.79
7.95

26.30
18.86
16.20
22.01
19.56
8.20

26.30
24.00
21.02
24.98
27.85
14.00

26.83
25.13
26.26
30.00
37.98
19.20

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........
Packaging and filling machine operators ..............
Miscellaneous machine operators, n.e.c. .............
Assemblers ...........................................................
Production inspectors, checkers and examiners ..

7.25
12.18
11.30
7.25
9.00

9.07
12.55
11.30
9.60
9.00

12.73
13.97
13.39
12.35
9.95

16.58
14.33
19.34
26.04
11.00

25.96
15.80
25.09
26.31
13.62

Transportation and material moving ............................
Truck drivers .........................................................
Bus drivers ............................................................
Industrial truck and tractor equipment operators ..
Miscellaneous material moving equipment
operators, n.e.c. ..............................................

9.50
9.50
9.50
10.04

11.20
11.37
10.15
12.41

13.62
13.51
16.18
13.62

17.96
18.00
17.97
16.50

20.01
20.38
18.81
18.90

13.53

13.53

15.51

19.33

23.99

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........
Hand packers and packagers ...............................
Laborers, except construction, n.e.c. ....................

7.13
8.48
8.85
7.13
6.50

8.15
9.50
10.25
7.15
7.50

10.31
11.50
13.00
8.54
9.50

13.00
12.25
20.13
9.85
11.25

17.20
14.77
21.76
12.12
13.72

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Supervisors, firefighters and fire prevention .........
Supervisors, police and detectives .......................
Firefighting ............................................................
Police and detectives, public service ....................
Correctional institution officers .............................
Guards and police, except public service .............
Food service .............................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
Other food service ..................................................
Supervisors, food preparation and service ...........
Kitchen workers, food preparation ........................

7.17
9.00
20.68
16.30
10.90
11.35
11.35
8.50
2.13
2.13
6.00
8.85
8.00

8.50
10.00
22.55
20.38
12.36
14.24
12.13
9.00
6.50
2.13
7.50
9.53
9.50

10.63
12.69
27.36
21.98
15.01
16.55
14.74
9.50
8.65
5.00
10.40
11.50
10.79

13.77
16.55
30.64
33.21
17.92
19.69
14.74
10.50
11.60
7.46
12.44
13.77
11.60

18.87
21.98
33.64
37.70
24.21
23.36
16.40
11.50
13.77
8.65
13.92
28.85
13.92

Occupation3

White collar –Continued
Administrative support, including clerical –Continued
Receptionists ........................................................
Information clerks, n.e.c. ......................................
Order clerks ..........................................................
Records clerks, n.e.c. ...........................................
Bookkeepers, accounting and auditing clerks ......
Billing clerks ..........................................................
Dispatchers ...........................................................
Stock and inventory clerks ....................................
Insurance adjusters, examiners, and
investigators ...................................................
Investigators and adjusters, except insurance .....
Bill and account collectors ....................................
General office clerks .............................................
Data entry keyers .................................................
Teachers’ aides ....................................................
Administrative support, n.e.c. ...............................

See footnotes at end of table.

44

Table 6-4. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 full-time workers:2 Selected occupations, all
industries, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003 — Continued
10

25

Median
50

75

90

$5.15
8.00
8.00
7.62
7.00
8.00
7.17

$6.00
8.50
8.50
8.00
7.49
8.00
9.00

$7.25
9.75
9.80
9.75
7.98
10.59
11.09

$10.00
11.47
11.47
11.70
8.70
11.70
17.99

$13.34
12.67
12.80
14.86
9.90
16.50
47.19

Occupation3

Service –Continued
Food service –Continued
Other food service –Continued
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Nursing aides, orderlies and attendants ...............
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Maids and housemen ...........................................
Janitors and cleaners ...........................................
Personal service .......................................................
1 Percentiles designate position in the earnings distribution and are
calculated from individual-worker earnings and the hours they are
scheduled to work. At the 50th percentile, the median, half of the hours
are paid the same as or more than the rate shown, and half are paid the
same as or less than the rate shown. At the 25th percentile, one-fourth
of the hours are paid the same as or less than the rate shown. At the
75th percentile, one-fourth are paid the same as or more than the rate
shown. The 10th and 90th percentiles follow the same logic. Hourly
wages are the straight-time wages or salaries paid to employees. They
include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay.
Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, and holidays;
nonproduction bonuses; and tips.
2 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time

schedule based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore,
a worker with a 35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a
full-time employee in one establishment, but classified as part-time in
another firm, where a 40-hour week is the minimum full-time schedule.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations
is used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for
more information.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified."
Overall occupational groups may include data for categories not shown
separately.

45

Table 6-5. Hourly wage percentiles for establishment jobs,1 part-time workers:2 Selected occupations, all
industries, National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Occupation3

10

25

Median
50

75

90

All .............................................................................................
All excluding sales ............................................................

$5.15
2.13

$6.65
6.29

$8.50
8.50

$11.00
11.60

$16.00
17.19

White collar .........................................................................
White collar excluding sales .........................................

6.53
7.75

8.00
9.50

9.50
11.00

11.14
15.16

18.11
23.75

Professional specialty and technical ............................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Health related ...........................................................
Teachers, college and university ..............................
Teachers, except college and university ..................
Technical ......................................................................

11.13
12.04
–
–
–
–

18.11
20.00
–
–
–
–

22.04
24.00
–
–
–
–

24.00
24.00
–
–
–
–

25.30
27.00
–
–
–
–

Executive, administrative, and managerial ..................
Executives, administrators, and managers ...............

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

–
–

Sales ................................................................................
Cashiers ...............................................................

6.30
6.00

7.00
6.75

8.48
8.00

10.00
8.75

11.04
9.65

Administrative support, including clerical ...................

7.50

8.75

10.35

11.61

15.16

Blue collar ...........................................................................

5.92

7.25

9.00

12.00

16.69

Precision production, craft, and repair ........................

–

–

–

–

–

Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ........

–

–

–

–

–

Transportation and material moving ............................

9.45

12.05

15.52

18.07

20.26

Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Stock handlers and baggers .................................
Freight, stock, and material handlers, n.e.c. .........

5.67
5.50
10.00

6.25
6.01
10.00

7.87
7.25
11.00

9.00
8.25
12.00

10.64
9.00
14.00

Service .................................................................................
Protective service .....................................................
Food service .............................................................
Waiters, waitresses, and bartenders ......................
Waiters and waitresses ........................................
Other food service ..................................................
Food preparation, n.e.c. .......................................
Health service ...........................................................
Cleaning and building service ...................................
Personal service .......................................................

2.13
7.00
2.13
2.13
2.13
5.45
2.13
–
–
6.50

2.13
7.50
2.13
2.13
2.13
6.00
5.50
–
–
7.50

6.75
8.16
6.00
2.13
2.13
7.00
7.62
–
–
10.70

8.75
9.00
7.50
6.00
5.15
8.75
8.75
–
–
16.25

12.11
10.00
9.04
7.50
7.00
11.20
9.50
–
–
37.60

1 Percentiles designate position in the earnings distribution and are
calculated from individual-worker earnings and the hours they are
scheduled to work. At the 50th percentile, the median, half of the hours
are paid the same as or more than the rate shown, and half are paid the
same as or less than the rate shown. At the 25th percentile, one-fourth
of the hours are paid the same as or less than the rate shown. At the
75th percentile, one-fourth are paid the same as or more than the rate
shown. The 10th and 90th percentiles follow the same logic. Hourly
wages are the straight-time wages or salaries paid to employees. They
include incentive pay, cost-of-living adjustments, and hazard pay.
Excluded are premium pay for overtime, vacations, and holidays;
nonproduction bonuses; and tips.
2 Employees are classified as working either a full-time or a part-time

schedule based on the definition used by each establishment. Therefore,
a worker with a 35-hour-per-week schedule might be considered a
full-time employee in one establishment, but classified as part-time in
another firm, where a 40-hour week is the minimum full-time schedule.
3 A classification system including about 480 individual occupations
is used to cover all workers in the civilian economy. See appendix B for
more information.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data did not
meet publication criteria, and n.e.c. means "not elsewhere classified."
Overall occupational groups may include data for categories not shown
separately.

46

Appendix A: Technical Note

T

Sample design
The sample for this survey area was selected using a twostage stratified design with probability proportional to employment sampling at each stage. The first stage of sample
selection was a probability sample of establishments. The
sample of establishments was drawn by first stratifying the
sampling frame by industry and ownership. The number of
sample establishments allocated to each stratum is approximately proportional to the stratum employment. Each
sampled establishment is selected within a stratum with a
probability proportional to its employment. Use of this
technique means that the larger an establishment’s employment, the greater its chance of selection. Weights were
applied to each establishment when the data were tabulated
so that it represents similar units (by industry and employment size) in the economy that were not selected for collection. The second stage of sample selection, detailed below,
was a probability sample of occupations within a sampled
establishment.

his section provides basic information on the procedures and concepts used to produce the data contained
in this bulletin. It is divided into three parts: Planning for
the survey; data collection; and processing and analyzing
the data. Although this section answers some questions
commonly asked by data users, it is not a comprehensive
description of all the steps required to produce the data.

Planning for the survey
The overall design of the survey includes questions of
scope, frame, and sample selection.
Survey scope
This survey covered establishments employing 50 workers
or more in goods-producing industries (mining, construction and manufacturing); service-producing industries
(transportation, communications, electric, gas, and sanitary
services; wholesale trade; retail trade; finance, insurance,
and real estate; and services industries); and State and local
governments. Agriculture, private households, and the Federal Government were excluded from the scope of the survey. For purposes of this survey, an establishment is an
economic unit that produces goods or services, a central
administrative office, or an auxiliary unit providing support
services to a company. For private industries in this survey, the establishment is usually at a single physical location. For State and local governments, an establishment is
defined as all locations of a government entity.
The Atlanta, GA, Metropolitan Statistical Area includes
Barrow, Bartow, Carroll, Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett,
Henry, Newton, Paulding, Pickens, Rockdale, Spalding,
and Walton Counties, GA.

Data collection
The collection of data from survey respondents required
detailed procedures. Field economists collected the data,
working out of the Regional Office and visiting each establishment surveyed. Other contact methods, such as mail
and telephone, were used to follow-up and update data.
Occupational selection and classification
Identification of the occupations for which wage data were
to be collected was a multistep process:
1. Probability-proportional-to-size selection of establishment jobs
2. Classification of jobs into occupations based on the
Census of Population system
3. Characterization of jobs as full-time v. part-time,
union v. nonunion, and time v. incentive
4. Determination of the level of work of each job

Sampling frame
The list of establishments from which the survey sample
was selected (sampling frame) was developed from State
unemployment insurance reports. Due to the volatility of
industries within the private sector, sampling frames were
developed using the most recent month of reference available at the time the sample was selected. The sampling
frame was reviewed prior to the survey and, when necessary, missing establishments were added, out-of-business
and out-of-scope establishments were removed, and addresses, employment levels, industry classification, and
other information were updated. Approximately one-fifth
of the sample is reselected each year.

For each occupation, wage data were collected for those
workers who met all the criteria identified in the last three
steps. Special procedures were developed for jobs for
which a correct classification or level could not be determined.
In step one, the jobs to be sampled were selected at each
establishment by the BLS field economist during a personal
visit. A complete list of employees was used for sampling,
A-1

with each selected worker representing a job within the establishment.
As with the selection of establishments, the selection of
a job was based on probability proportional to its size in
the establishment. The greater the number of people working in a job in the establishment, the greater its chance of
selection.
The number of jobs for which data were collected in
each establishment was based on the establishment’s employment size. Prior to 2002, the number of jobs selected
ranged from 8 to 20. Beginning in 2002, the number of
jobs selected followed this schedule:
Number
of employees

Number
of selected jobs

50–249
250 and over

6
8

The second step of the process entailed classifying the
selected jobs into occupations based on their duties. The
National Compensation Survey occupational classification
system is based on the 1990 Census of Population. A selected job may fall into any one of about 480 occupational
classifications, from accountant to wood lathe operator.
For cases in which a job’s duties overlapped two or more
census classification codes, the duties used to set the wage
level were used to classify the job. Classification by primary duties was the fallback.
Each occupational classification is an element of a
broader classification known as a major occupational group
(MOG). Occupations can fall into any of the following
MOGs:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Professional specialty and technical
Executive, administrative, and managerial
Sales
Administrative support, including clerical
Precision production, craft, and repair
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors
Transportation and material moving
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers
Service occupations

Appendix B contains a complete list of all individual
occupations, classified by the MOG to which they belong.
In step three, certain other job characteristics of the
chosen worker were identified. First, the worker was identified as holding either a full-time or part-time job, based
on the establishment’s definition of those terms. Then, the
worker was classified as having a time versus incentive job,
depending on whether any part of pay was directly based
on the actual production of the worker, rather than solely
on hours worked. Finally, the worker was identified as being in a union job or a nonunion job. See the “Definition of
terms” section on the following page for more detail.

A-2

Occupational leveling
In the last step before wage data were collected, the work
level of each selected job was determined using an “occupational leveling” process. Occupational leveling ranks
and compares all occupations randomly selected in an establishment using the same criteria.
For this survey, the level of each occupation in an establishment was determined by an analysis of each of 10 leveling factors. Nine of these factors are drawn from the U.S.
Government Office of Personnel Management’s Factor
Evaluation System, which is the underlying structure for
evaluation of General Schedule Federal employees. The
tenth factor, supervisory duties, attempts to account for the
effect of supervisory duties. It is considered experimental.
The 10 factors are:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Knowledge
Supervision received
Guidelines
Complexity
Scope and effect
Personal contacts
Purpose of contacts
Physical demands
Work environment
Supervisory duties

Each factor contains a number of levels, and each level
has an associated written description and point value. The
number and range of points differ among the factors. For
each factor, an occupation was assigned a level based on
the written description that best matched the job. Within
each occupation, the points for nine factors (supervisory
duties was excluded) were recorded and totaled. The total
determines the overall level of the occupation. A description of the levels for each factor is shown in appendix C.
Tabulations of levels of work for occupations in the
survey follow the Federal Government’s white-collar General Schedule. Point ranges for each of the 15 levels are
shown in appendix D. It also includes an example of a job
with its associated leveling factors, and a guide to help data
users evaluate jobs in their firms
Wage data collected in prior surveys using the occupational leveling method were evaluated by BLS researchers
using regression techniques. For each of the major occupational groups, wages were compared to the 10 occupational
leveling factors (and levels within those factors). The
analysis showed that several of the occupational leveling
factors, most notably knowledge and supervision received,
had strong explanatory power for wages. That is, as the
levels within a given factor increased, the wages also increased.
Collection period
Survey data were collected over a 13-month period for 60
metropolitan areas in the NCS program. For 20 small met-

ropolitan areas, data were collected over a 4-month period.
For each establishment in the survey, the data reflect the establishment’s most recent information at the time of collection. The payroll reference month shown in the tables reflects the average date of this information for all sample
units.
Earnings
Earnings were defined as regular payments from the employer to the employee as compensation for straight-time
hourly work, or for any salaried work performed. The following components were included as part of earnings:
•
•
•
•
•

Incentive pay, including commissions, production
bonuses, and piece rates
Cost-of-living allowances
Hazard pay
Payments of income deferred due to participation
in a salary reduction plan
Deadhead pay, defined as pay given to transportation workers returning in a vehicle without freight
or passengers

The following forms of payments were not considered
part of straight-time earnings:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Shift differentials, defined as extra payment for
working a schedule that varies from the norm, such
as night or weekend work
Premium pay for overtime, holidays, and weekends
Bonuses not directly tied to production (such as
Christmas and profit-sharing bonuses)
Uniform and tool allowances
Free room and board
Payments made by third parties (for example, tips,
bonuses given by manufacturers to department
store salespeople, referral incentives in real estate)
On-call pay

To calculate earnings for various periods (hourly,
weekly, and annual), data on work schedules also were collected. For hourly workers, scheduled hours worked per
day and per week, exclusive of overtime, were recorded.
Annual weeks worked were determined. Because salaried
workers, exempt from overtime provisions, often work beyond the assigned work schedule, their typical number of
hours actually worked was collected.
Definition of terms
Full-time worker. Any employee that the employer considers to be full time.
Incentive worker. Any employee whose earnings are tied,
at least in part, to commissions, piece rates, production bonuses, or other incentives based on production or sales.

A-3

Level. A ranking of an occupation based on the requirements of the position. (See the description in the technical
note on occupational leveling through point factor analysis
for more details on the leveling process.)
Nonunion worker. An employee in an occupation not
meeting the conditions for union coverage. (See below.)
Part-time worker. Any employee that the employer considers to be part time.
Time-based worker. Any employee whose earnings are
tied to an hourly rate or salary, and not to a specific level of
production.
Union worker. Any employee is in a union occupation
when all of the following conditions are met:
•
•
•

A labor organization is recognized as the bargaining agent for all workers in the occupation
Wage and salary rates are determined through collective bargaining or negotiations
Settlement terms, which must include earnings provisions and may include benefit provisions, are embodied in a signed, mutually binding collective
bargaining agreement

Processing and analyzing the data
Data were processed and analyzed at the Bureau’s National
Office following collection.
Weighting and nonresponse
Sample weights were calculated for each establishment and
occupation in the survey. These weights reflected the relative size of the occupation within the establishment and of
the establishment within the sample universe. Weights
were used to aggregate data for the individual establishments or occupations into the various data series. Some of
the establishments surveyed could not supply or refused to
supply information. If data were not provided by a sample
member, the weights of responding sample members in the
same or similar “cells” were adjusted to account for the
missing data. This technique assumes that the mean value
of data for the nonrespondents equals the mean value of
data for the respondents at some detailed “cell” level. Responding and nonresponding establishments were classified
into these cells according to industry and employment size.
Responding and nonresponding occupations within responding establishments were classified into cells that were
additionally defined by major occupation group and job
level.
Establishments that were determined to be out of business or outside the scope of the survey had their weights
changed to zero. If only partial data were given by a sam-

ple establishment or occupation, or data were missing, the
response was treated as a refusal.
Survey response

Total in sampling frame
Total in sample
Responding
Out of business or not in survey scope
Unable or refused to provide data

Establishments
6,176
627
336
88
203

In this survey, the nonresponse rates for all industries
and private industry exceeded regular survey standards.
Estimation
The wage series in the tables are computed by combining
the wages for each sampled occupation. Before being
combined, individual wage rates are weighted by: the number of workers; the sample weight, adjusted for nonresponding establishments and other factors; and the occupation’s scheduled hours of work.
Not all calculated series met the criteria for publication.
Before any series was published, it was reviewed to make
sure that the number of observations underlying it was sufficient. This review prevented the publication of a series
that could have revealed information about a specific establishment.
Estimates of the number of workers represent the total
in all establishments within the scope of the study, and not
the number actually surveyed. Because occupational structures among establishments differ, estimates of the number
of workers obtained from the sample of establishments
serve to indicate only the relative importance of the occupational groups studied.
Percentiles
The percentiles presented in tables 6–1 through 6–5 are
computed using earnings reported for individual workers in
sampled establishment jobs and their scheduled hours of
work. Establishments in the survey may report only individual-worker earnings for each sampled job. For the calculation of percentile estimates, the individual-worker
hourly earnings are appropriately weighted and then arrayed from lowest to highest.
The published 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles designate position in the earnings distribution within

A-4

each published occupation. At the 50th percentile, the median, half of the hours are paid the same as or more than the
rate shown, and half are paid the same as or less than the
rate shown. At the 25th percentile, one-fourth of the hours
are paid the same as or less than the rate shown. At the
75th percentile, one-fourth are paid the same as or more
than the rate shown. The 10th and 90th percentiles follow
the same logic.
Data reliability
The data in this bulletin are estimates from a scientifically
selected probability sample. There are two types of errors
possible in an estimate based on a sample survey, sampling
and nonsampling.
Sampling errors occur because observations come only
from a sample and not from an entire population. The
sample used for this survey is one of a number of possible
samples of the same size that could have been selected using the sample design. Estimates derived from the different
samples would differ from each other.
A measure of the variation among these differing estimates is called the standard error or sampling error. It indicates the precision with which an estimate from a particular sample approximates the average result of all possible
samples. The relative standard error (RSE) is the standard
error divided by the estimate. RSE data are provided
alongside the earnings data in the bulletin tables.
The standard error can be used to calculate a “confidence interval” around a sample estimate. As an example,
suppose a table shows that mean hourly earnings for all
workers were $12.79, with a relative standard error of 3.6
percent for this estimate. At the 90-percent level, the confidence interval for this estimate is from $12.03 to $13.55
($12.79 minus and plus $0.76, where $0.76 is the product
of 1.645 times 3.6 percent times $12.79). If all possible
samples were selected to estimate the population value, the
interval from each sample would include the true population value approximately 90 percent of the time.
Nonsampling errors also affect survey results. They
can stem from many sources, such as inability to obtain information for some establishments, difficulties with survey
definitions, inability of the respondents to provide correct
information, or mistakes in recording or coding the data obtained. Although they were not specifically measured, the
nonsampling errors were expected to be minimal due to the
extensive training of the field economists who gathered the
survey data by personal visit, computer edits of the data,
and detailed data review.

Appendix table 1. Number of workers1 represented by the survey, by occupational group,2
National Compensation Survey, Atlanta, GA, December 2003
Full-time and part-time workers
Occupational group
Total

Private industry

State and local
government

All occupations .......................................................................
All excluding sales ........................................................

888,300
812,300

716,900
641,300

171,400
171,100

White collar .........................................................................
White-collar excluding sales .........................................

498,800
422,900

383,100
307,500

115,700
115,400

Professional specialty and technical .................................
Professional specialty ...................................................
Technical ......................................................................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .......................
Sales .................................................................................
Administrative support, including clerical ..........................

197,000
150,700
46,300
70,900
75,900
155,000

129,400
89,900
39,500
53,800
75,600
124,300

67,600
60,800
6,800
17,100
–
30,700

Blue collar ...........................................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair ..............................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors ..............
Transportation and material moving .................................
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ......

232,900
74,200
44,500
41,900
72,300

214,400
68,800
44,400
31,200
70,000

18,500
5,400
–
10,700
2,300

Service .................................................................................

156,600

119,400

37,200

1 The number of workers represented by the survey are
rounded to the nearest 100. Estimates of the number of workers
provide a description of size and composition of the labor force
included in the survey. Estimates are not intended, however, for
comparison to other statistical series to measure employment
trends or levels. Both full-time and part-time workers were
included in the survey.

2 A classification system including about 480 individual
occupations is used to cover all workers in the civilian economy.
See appendix B for more information.
NOTE: Dashes indicate that no data were reported or that data
did not meet publication criteria.

A-5