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Salary Intelligence: Compare Salary Ranges by Job and Occupation

HIGH PAID JOB · RESEARCH WORKSPACE

Salary Intelligence

Explore what occupations pay, independently of the vacancies currently advertised. Start with verified U.S. wage distributions, then explore state data and more occupations when the salary service is connected.

United StatesU.S. dollars (USD)Survey benchmarks, not job offers

Explore published occupations

34 national profiles · May 2025
Browse all 34 verified U.S. occupations

Food & Hospitality

Chefs and Head Cooks $62,470median / year $37,900–$98,560 Cooks, Restaurant $37,390median / year $28,700–$47,900 Cooks, Fast Food $30,890median / year $22,580–$42,910 Cooks, Short Order $35,880median / year $23,440–$46,460 Bakers $37,160median / year $28,120–$49,020 Food Service Managers $69,390median / year $45,960–$107,640 First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,080median / year $29,940–$65,570 Waiters and Waitresses $35,230median / year $18,100–$64,720 Bartenders $34,340median / year $20,110–$73,770 Dishwashers $34,810median / year $26,200–$42,860 Food Preparation Workers $35,320median / year $25,810–$45,340 Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,200median / year $22,840–$42,650 Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $31,200median / year $22,340–$43,990 Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $33,980median / year $21,300–$46,570 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $35,360median / year $28,030–$46,120 Cooks, All Other $37,690median / year $27,040–$51,140

Other Careers

Office Clerks, General $45,010median / year $30,310–$64,680 Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $50,670median / year $36,000–$74,550 Accountants and Auditors $83,680median / year $56,020–$144,090 Software Developers $135,980median / year $82,460–$214,670 Registered Nurses $97,550median / year $68,940–$137,470 Receptionists and Information Clerks $38,010median / year $28,760–$49,950 Customer Service Representatives $44,770median / year $31,750–$63,590 Financial Managers $166,570median / year $94,310–$323,270 Security Guards $38,020median / year $30,210–$58,840 Human Resources Specialists $75,940median / year $47,180–$128,720 Electricians $63,190median / year $42,640–$108,510 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $63,800median / year $44,150–$108,420 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics $50,620median / year $34,660–$81,790 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $63,970median / year $47,960–$104,340 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $64,400median / year $49,740–$83,440 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,640median / year $40,140–$79,380 Retail Salespersons $35,410median / year $27,210–$47,890 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $47,540median / year $33,280–$66,350
Understanding salary percentiles, sources and limitations

The 10th, 25th, median (50th), 75th and 90th percentile describe the published distribution of wages among workers in the selected occupation and geography. They are not employer-advertised salary ranges, seniority tiers, negotiated offers, or guarantees of earnings. A clerk, accounting clerk and accountant are distinct occupations.

The built-in national reference figures come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for May 2025, as published through O*NET OnLine. Where configured, the CareerOneStop Salary API can supply additional U.S. occupations and state-specific annual wage series. Missing, suppressed, or non-comparable values are not guessed.

BLS occupational wage tables · O*NET occupation profiles · CareerOneStop Salary API documentation

Salary Intelligence: Compare Salary Ranges by Job and Occupation

How much does an accountant earn? What is the typical salary of an office clerk, software developer, nurse, engineer or financial manager? High Paid Job Salary Intelligence helps you explore occupational salary ranges, compare wage distributions and understand how earnings differ across professions.

Whether you are searching for a new job, evaluating a career change, negotiating your salary or researching employee compensation, our free Salary Intelligence workspace makes published wage statistics easier to explore and understand.

Explore Salaries Across Different Occupations

Search for occupations and examine available salary benchmarks using wage data from official U.S. employment statistics and supported salary information services. Explore professions such as:

  • Office and administrative jobs: Office clerks, administrative assistants and bookkeeping clerks.
  • Accounting and finance: Accountants, auditors, financial analysts and financial managers.
  • Technology: Software developers, cybersecurity specialists and other computer occupations.
  • Healthcare: Registered nurses and other healthcare professionals.
  • Management and professional careers: Managers, specialists and other professional occupations.

Occupation coverage and geographic detail depend on the available published data and configured salary sources.

Understanding Salary Ranges and Occupational Pay

A salary range provides a broader picture of earnings than a single average salary. People working in the same occupation may receive different compensation depending on their location, experience, qualifications, industry and employer.

High Paid Job Salary Intelligence helps you interpret occupational wage distributions using available percentile statistics.

What Do Salary Percentiles Mean?

  • 10th percentile: Approximately 10% of workers in the occupation earn less than this amount.
  • 25th percentile: Approximately one-quarter of workers earn less than this amount.
  • Median salary (50th percentile): Half of workers earn less and half earn more.
  • 75th percentile: Approximately three-quarters of workers earn less than this amount.
  • 90th percentile: Approximately 90% of workers earn less than this amount.

These percentiles describe reported wage distributions. They do not represent guaranteed starting salaries, seniority levels or individual job offers.

Compare Occupational Wages With Advertised Job Salaries

Published occupational wage statistics and salaries advertised in job vacancies are not the same.

Occupational wage statistics describe compensation reported for workers in defined occupations over a particular reference period. They help establish broader labor-market salary benchmarks.

Advertised job salaries are amounts or ranges specified by employers for particular vacancies. They may depend on location, responsibilities, working arrangements and required experience.

Use Salary Intelligence to understand occupational wage benchmarks, then explore current opportunities through High Paid Job to research available positions and employer-advertised compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Salaries

How can I find the salary range for a particular job?

Enter a supported occupation in the Salary Intelligence search. Where wage information is available, you can examine published salary percentiles and compare different positions. Availability may vary by occupation and geographic area.

What is the difference between average salary and median salary?

The average, or mean, salary is calculated by adding reported wages and dividing by the number of workers. The median salary represents the middle of the wage distribution. Median salaries can be especially helpful when a smaller number of very highly paid workers influence the average.

Why do accountants and accounting clerks have different salary ranges?

Accountants and auditors generally perform work involving financial reporting, analysis, taxation, assurance and professional judgment. Bookkeeping and accounting clerks usually perform different accounting support and recordkeeping functions. Because these are distinct occupational classifications, their wage statistics should not be combined indiscriminately.

Can I compare salaries between different locations?

Geographic salary comparisons may be available when supported salary data services are configured and have published information for the selected occupation and area. A national wage benchmark should not be presented as a verified local salary.

Are these salaries updated in real time?

Official occupational wage statistics are published periodically and reflect specific survey reference periods. They are not live employer offers. Salary Intelligence distinguishes published benchmarks from job vacancy compensation, and users should consult the source dates when interpreting the results.

Salary Data Sources and Methodology

High Paid Job Salary Intelligence uses supported published occupational wage information, including data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and, where configured, CareerOneStop salary services.

For official employment and wage research, consult the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics and CareerOneStop.

Data notice: Salary figures are statistical estimates or published compensation information, not guarantees of employment, individual earnings or future pay. Coverage, methodology, reference periods and geographic availability differ between sources. Use current official publications and individual employer disclosures when making employment or compensation decisions.