Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com writer
Salaries are always a hot topic in the office -- most often, as an area of complaint. In today's economy, most are simply grateful to earn a salary of any size, but you still hear things like, "I don't earn enough to survive or pay the bills" or "So-and-so is making X amount, I should be, too." Or -- my personal favorite -- "I deserve more."
Well, we all deserve more, but the reality is that right now, not many of us will get it. And, in looking at the national average salary, some of you may be surprised how you compare.
In 2008, the U.S. median wage was $32,390 per year, according to the most recent data from the Occupational Employment Statistics* of the U.S. Department of Labor. That's not a bad chunk of change, right?
Wouldn't it be nice to know what jobs paid this salary, or better yet, what jobs pay that salary where you live and work?
Jobs by Salary, a new salary tool provided by CBSalary.com, does just that. You can look up a salary range in the area where you work, and the results show what jobs in your local area pay that amount. To see what jobs in your city pay close to the national average, for example, you would input $30,000 to $39,000, plus your city and state. You'll then get a list of jobs you can look for in this range.
Since we can't give you a list of jobs in every single city, we've provided you instead with a national list of jobs that earn America's median salary.
Here are 20 jobs that fit those criteria, and the training you'll need to get them, according to the OES:
1. Forest and conservation technicians
Qualifications: On-the-job training.
Salary: $32,000
2. Floor sanders and finishers
Qualifications: On-the-job training.
Salary: $32,050
3. Medical transcriptionists
Qualifications: Postsecondary training in medical transcription is preferred by employers.
Salary: $32,060
4. Electronic home entertainment equipment installers and repairers
Qualifications: Most learn through apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training.
Salary: $32,080
5. Automotive glass installers and repairers
Qualifications: A high school diploma or GED.
Salary: $32,110
6. Printing machine operators
Qualifications: On-the-job training.
Salary: $32, 170
7. Semiconductor processors
Qualifications: Associate degree; completion of a one-year certificate program in semiconductor technology may also be sufficient.
Salary: $32,230
8. Dental assistants
Qualifications: On-the-job training, although an increasing number are trained in dental-assisting programs offered by community and junior colleges, trade schools or technical institutes.
Salary: $32,380
9. Parking enforcement workers
Qualifications: N/A
Salary: $32,390
10. Structural metal fabricators and fitters
Qualifications: High school diploma or GED; experience and extra training is needed for more advanced assembly work.
Salary: $32,400
11. Loan interviewers and clerks
Qualifications: A college degree.
Salary: $32,470
12. Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks
Qualifications: High school diploma and some accounting coursework or relevant work experience.
Salary: $32,510
13. Log graders and scalers
Qualifications: On-the-job training, learning from experienced workers.
Salary: $32,520
14. Metal pourers and casters
Qualifications: A few weeks of on-the-job training is sufficient for most workers to learn basic machine operations.
Salary: $32, 570
15. Engine and other machine assemblers
Qualifications: A high school diploma or GED; experience and extra training is needed for more advanced assembly work.
Salary: $32,660
16. Opticians, dispensing
Qualifications: On-the-job training, mainly through apprenticeship programs that may last two years or longer.
Salary: $32, 810
17. Broadcast technicians
Qualifications: A college degree.
Salary: $32,900
18. Jewelers and precious stone and metal workers
Qualifications: On-the-job training is OK, but formal training enhances employment and advancement opportunities.
Salary: $32,940
19. Meter reader, utilities
Qualifications: High school graduates qualify for many entry-level production jobs.
Salary: $32,950
20. Painters, construction and maintenance
Qualifications: On-the-job training or an apprenticeship program.
Salary: $32,960
*OES provides employment and wage estimates for workers in 22 major occupational groups and 801 detailed occupations. Wages published are straight-time, gross pay and don't include benefits or other extra wages, such as overtime. They are calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours.
Rachel Zupek is a writer and blogger for CareerBuilder.com and its job blog, The Work Buzz. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CBwriterRZ.
Search By Job Category
