US occupational groups, explained

Occupations covered

37

Workers employed

11,119,550

7.2% of US employment

Median range

$59,300 – $213,990

lowest to highest in the group

Plans, directs and coordinates the work of an organisation, a department or a function. These are the roles with formal authority over other workers, budgets or a business area, from a restaurant manager to a chief executive.

Highest published median: Chief Executives at $213,990. Lowest: Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare at $59,300.

Examples: Chief executives, General and operations managers, Financial managers, Human resources managers, Marketing and sales managers, Food service managers, Construction managers.

Not in this group: First-line supervisors of retail sales, office or production workers are classified with the workers they supervise, not here.

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 11.

Occupations covered

32

Workers employed

10,537,240

6.8% of US employment

Median range

$52,230 – $117,330

lowest to highest in the group

Handles the commercial and administrative work of a business: accounting, budgeting, payroll, purchasing, compliance, human resources and business analysis, without managing the organisation as a whole.

Highest published median: Financial Risk Specialists at $117,330. Lowest: Credit Counselors at $52,230.

Examples: Accountants and auditors, Financial analysts, Management analysts, Human resources specialists, Purchasing agents, Training and development specialists, Market research analysts.

Not in this group: Bookkeeping and payroll clerks sit in Office and Administrative Support (43), and finance directors sit in Management (11).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 13.

Occupations covered

21

Workers employed

5,260,120

3.4% of US employment

Median range

$61,860 – $140,300

lowest to highest in the group

Designs, builds, secures and maintains software, data and mathematical systems, including the analysis and research behind them and the support given to the people who use them.

Highest published median: Computer and Information Research Scientists at $140,300. Lowest: Computer User Support Specialists at $61,860.

Examples: Software developers, Computer systems analysts, Information security analysts, Data scientists, Database administrators, Computer user support specialists, Web and digital interface designers.

Not in this group: Computer and information systems managers sit in Management (11); computer repair technicians belong to Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (49).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 15.

Occupations covered

36

Workers employed

2,617,130

1.7% of US employment

Median range

$54,240 – $161,740

lowest to highest in the group

Designs, tests and improves physical structures, machines, electronics and industrial processes, and provides the technical drawing and surveying work around them.

Highest published median: Computer Hardware Engineers at $161,740. Lowest: Surveying and Mapping Technicians at $54,240.

Examples: Civil engineers, Mechanical engineers, Electrical engineers, Industrial engineers, Architects, Surveyors, Mechanical drafters.

Not in this group: The workers who build or repair the machinery are classified in Construction and Extraction (47), Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (49) or Production (51).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 17.

Occupations covered

48

Workers employed

1,473,280

0.9% of US employment

Median range

$49,630 – $193,950

lowest to highest in the group

Carries out research and technical analysis in biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science and the social sciences, including laboratory work and field study.

Highest published median: Industrial-Organizational Psychologists at $193,950. Lowest: Agricultural Technicians at $49,630.

Examples: Chemists, Environmental scientists and specialists, Biological technicians, Medical scientists, Physicists, Agricultural and food scientists, Forensic science technicians.

Not in this group: Psychologists sit here, but psychiatrists are physicians in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (29), and market research analysts are in Business and Financial Operations (13).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 19.

Occupations covered

17

Workers employed

2,668,670

1.7% of US employment

Median range

$45,280 – $71,900

lowest to highest in the group

Provides direct support, counselling, advice or religious service to people and communities, usually in public, charitable or non-profit settings.

Highest published median: Social Workers, All Other at $71,900. Lowest: Religious Workers, All Other at $45,280.

Examples: Social workers, Substance abuse, behavioural disorder and mental health counsellors, Mental health and substance abuse social workers, Rehabilitation counsellors, Health education specialists, Clergy.

Not in this group: Psychologists are in Life, Physical, and Social Science (19), and nursing or therapy aides are in Healthcare Support (31).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 21.

Occupations covered

8

Workers employed

1,305,620

0.8% of US employment

Median range

$58,650 – $159,670

lowest to highest in the group

Covers legal practice and the work that supports it: lawyers, judges and hearing officers, paralegals and the specialists who research titles, arbitrate disputes or examine claims.

Highest published median: Lawyers at $159,670. Lowest: Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers at $58,650.

Examples: Lawyers, Judicial law clerks, Paralegals and legal assistants, Arbitrators, mediators and conciliators, Title examiners, abstractors and searchers, Court reporters and simultaneous captioners.

Not in this group: Legal secretaries are in Office and Administrative Support (43), and police or security work is in Protective Service (33).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 23.

Occupations covered

64

Workers employed

9,100,600

5.9% of US employment

Median range

$36,780 – $128,500

lowest to highest in the group

Teaches and supports learners from preschool to university and runs libraries, including special education, tutoring, teaching assistance and library work.

Highest published median: Law Teachers, Postsecondary at $128,500. Lowest: Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary at $36,780.

Examples: Elementary school teachers, Secondary school teachers, Postsecondary teachers, Special education teachers, Preschool teachers, Teaching assistants, Librarians and media collections specialists.

Not in this group: School principals and other education administrators are classified in Management (11).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 25.

Occupations covered

41

Workers employed

2,046,270

1.3% of US employment

Median range

$37,360 – $114,850

lowest to highest in the group

Creative, performance and media work: art and design, writing and editing, broadcasting, photography, music, sport and entertainment.

Highest published median: Art Directors at $114,850. Lowest: Floral Designers at $37,360.

Examples: Graphic designers, Producers and directors, Editors, Writers and authors, Photographers, Interpreters and translators, Coaches and scouts, Musicians and singers.

Not in this group: Web and digital interface designers are classified with Computer and Mathematical (15), and art, drama or music teachers in schools are in Educational Instruction and Library (25).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 27.

Occupations covered

71

Workers employed

9,823,910

6.3% of US employment

Median range

$37,640 – $559,030

lowest to highest in the group

Diagnoses, treats, prevents and monitors illness, and runs the technical side of healthcare: physicians, nurses, therapists, pharmacists, dentists and laboratory technologists.

Highest published median: Pediatric Surgeons at $559,030. Lowest: Dietetic Technicians at $37,640.

Examples: Registered nurses, Physicians and surgeons, Pharmacists, Physical therapists, Dental hygienists, Radiologic technologists, Medical and clinical laboratory technologists.

Not in this group: Nursing assistants, home health aides and medical assistants sit in Healthcare Support (31), and medical secretaries in Office and Administrative Support (43).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 29.

Occupations covered

17

Workers employed

7,901,670

5.1% of US employment

Median range

$35,240 – $72,300

lowest to highest in the group

Assists patients and clinical staff with day-to-day care: bathing, feeding, moving and monitoring people. These are the roles that support care without diagnosing or treating on their own authority.

Highest published median: Occupational Therapy Assistants at $72,300. Lowest: Physical Therapist Aides at $35,240.

Examples: Nursing assistants, Home health and personal care aides, Medical assistants, Phlebotomists, Dental assistants, Physical therapist aides.

Not in this group: Licensed practical and registered nurses are practitioners and sit in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (29); childcare workers are in Personal Care and Service (39).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 31.

Occupations covered

24

Workers employed

3,776,600

2.4% of US employment

Median range

$33,580 – $106,040

lowest to highest in the group

Protects people and property and enforces rules: police officers and detectives, firefighters, correctional officers, security guards and the supervisors of these roles.

Highest published median: First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives at $106,040. Lowest: Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers at $33,580.

Examples: Police and sheriff's patrol officers, Firefighters, Correctional officers and jailers, Security guards, Detectives and criminal investigators, Private detectives and investigators.

Not in this group: Emergency dispatchers are classified in Office and Administrative Support (43), and lawyers who prosecute or defend cases are in Legal (23).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 33.

Occupations covered

17

Workers employed

13,680,760

8.8% of US employment

Median range

$30,890 – $62,470

lowest to highest in the group

Prepares and serves food and drink and cleans up afterwards, in restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, schools and cafeterias.

Highest published median: Chefs and Head Cooks at $62,470. Lowest: Cooks, Fast Food at $30,890.

Examples: Cooks, restaurant, Waiters and waitresses, Food preparation workers, Bartenders, Fast food and counter workers, Chefs and head cooks, Dishwashers.

Not in this group: Food service managers are in Management (11), and food processing workers in factories are in Production (51).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 35.

Occupations covered

10

Workers employed

4,548,260

2.9% of US employment

Median range

$35,510 – $58,430

lowest to highest in the group

Keeps buildings, grounds and vehicles clean and presentable: janitors and cleaners, housekeeping staff, gardeners, groundskeepers and pest control workers.

Highest published median: First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers at $58,430. Lowest: Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners at $35,510.

Examples: Janitors and cleaners, Maids and housekeeping cleaners, Landscaping and groundskeeping workers, Pest control workers, First-line supervisors of housekeeping and janitorial workers.

Not in this group: Maintenance and repair technicians, who fix rather than clean, are in Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (49).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 37.

Occupations covered

32

Workers employed

3,255,790

2.1% of US employment

Median range

$32,150 – $97,150

lowest to highest in the group

Provides services to people and their animals: hairdressing and beauty treatments, childcare, fitness instruction, recreation, animal care and funeral services.

Highest published median: Makeup Artists, Theatrical and Performance at $97,150. Lowest: Amusement and Recreation Attendants at $32,150.

Examples: Childcare workers, Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors, Animal caretakers, Manicurists and pedicurists, Recreation workers.

Not in this group: Nursing and therapy aides who support clinical care belong to Healthcare Support (31), and security guards to Protective Service (33).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 39.

Occupations covered

22

Workers employed

13,424,280

8.6% of US employment

Median range

$32,880 – $124,900

lowest to highest in the group

Sells goods, services and financial products, and supports selling: shop assistants, sales representatives, cashiers, insurance agents, real-estate agents and the supervisors of sales teams.

Highest published median: Sales Engineers at $124,900. Lowest: Cashiers at $32,880.

Examples: Retail salespersons, Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, Cashiers, Insurance sales agents, Real estate sales agents, Securities, commodities and financial services sales agents, First-line supervisors of retail sales workers.

Not in this group: Sales managers are in Management (11), and bank tellers are in Office and Administrative Support (43).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 41.

Occupations covered

54

Workers employed

17,753,420

11.4% of US employment

Median range

$35,070 – $76,590

lowest to highest in the group

Runs the clerical side of work: reception, scheduling, data entry, bookkeeping, payroll, customer service, secretarial work, dispatch and the transport of documents and goods within an office.

Highest published median: Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants at $76,590. Lowest: Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks at $35,070.

Examples: Bookkeeping, accounting and auditing clerks, Customer service representatives, Secretaries and administrative assistants, Receptionists and information clerks, Payroll and timekeeping clerks, Public safety telecommunicators, Medical secretaries and administrative assistants.

Not in this group: Customer service roles whose main job is selling sit in Sales and Related (41); stock and order picking is in Transportation and Material Moving (53).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 43.

Occupations covered

13

Workers employed

434,320

0.3% of US employment

Median range

$35,660 – $59,320

lowest to highest in the group

Grows, harvests and gathers crops, livestock, fish and timber: the work done on farms, on fishing vessels and in forests and nurseries.

Highest published median: First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers at $59,320. Lowest: Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse at $35,660.

Examples: Farmworkers and labourers, crop, Agricultural equipment operators, Animal breeders, Fishers and related fishing workers, Logging equipment operators, Forest and conservation workers.

Not in this group: Farmers, ranchers and other agricultural managers are classified in Management (11), and food processing in factories in Production (51).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 45.

Occupations covered

60

Workers employed

6,425,200

4.1% of US employment

Median range

$40,470 – $109,910

lowest to highest in the group

Builds and repairs structures, roads and tunnels above and below ground, and takes raw materials out of the ground: carpenters, electricians, plumbers, roofers, miners and drilling crews.

Highest published median: Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers at $109,910. Lowest: Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons at $40,470.

Examples: Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters, Construction labourers, Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators, Roofers, Painters, construction and maintenance.

Not in this group: Construction managers are in Management (11), and building cleaning or groundskeeping in Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance (37).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 47.

Occupations covered

51

Workers employed

6,086,210

3.9% of US employment

Median range

$37,710 – $103,020

lowest to highest in the group

Installs, services and repairs machinery, vehicles, electronics, utilities and industrial equipment: the technical work of keeping things running after they have been built.

Highest published median: Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay at $103,020. Lowest: Tire Repairers and Changers at $37,710.

Examples: Automotive service technicians and mechanics, Industrial machinery mechanics, Heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers, Telecommunications line installers and repairers, Aircraft mechanics and service technicians, Maintenance and repair workers, general.

Not in this group: Construction electricians and plumbers are in Construction and Extraction (47), and workers assembling new goods are in Production (51).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 49.

Occupations covered

105

Workers employed

8,565,770

5.5% of US employment

Median range

$34,890 – $122,890

lowest to highest in the group

Makes goods and processes materials in factories and workshops: machine operators, assemblers, welders, bakers, butchers, textile and printing machine work, and the inspection of finished output.

Highest published median: Nuclear Power Reactor Operators at $122,890. Lowest: Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers at $34,890.

Examples: Machinists, Assemblers and fabricators, Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers, Bakers, Butchers and meat cutters, Printing press operators, First-line supervisors of production and operating workers.

Not in this group: Warehouse picking, packing and driving are in Transportation and Material Moving (53), and repairing the machines is in Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (49).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 51.

Occupations covered

50

Workers employed

13,677,170

8.8% of US employment

Median range

$35,150 – $232,140

lowest to highest in the group

Moves people and goods: driving, flying, rail and water transport, plus the loading, stocking and packaging work done in warehouses and shops.

Highest published median: Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers at $232,140. Lowest: Parking Attendants at $35,150.

Examples: Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, Light truck drivers, Bus drivers, transit and intercity, Airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers, Flight attendants, Stockers and order fillers, Industrial truck and tractor operators (forklift).

Not in this group: Mechanics who repair the vehicles are in Installation, Maintenance, and Repair (49), and dispatchers in Office and Administrative Support (43).

Definition: BLS, Standard Occupational Classification (2018), major group 53.