Employees in management occupations — with mean hourly wages of $44.20 — earned more than employees in any other occupational group in 2006, according to a report released May 22 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Employees in legal occupations earned $41.04 per hour, on average. Earnings per hour in computer and mathematical science occupations were $33.29; in architecture and engineering occupations, $31.82; and in healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, $29.82.
Healthcare support was among the lowest paid occupational groups, with earnings of $11.83 per hour. Employees in personal care and service occupations had average hourly earnings of $11.02. Average hourly pay in building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations was $10.86, and in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations, $10.49.
The food preparation and serving related occupations group was the lowest paid, with an average hourly wage of $8.86.
