BLS salary data by occupation: how to read it
Updated
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes pay for about 830 jobs, nationally, by state and for about 530 metro and nonmetro areas, from a survey of employers (Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, OEWS). The latest figures are for May 2025, published May 15, 2026. They are free.
Where to look it up
- At the BLS: the OEWS tables, by occupation, state and area, at bls.gov/oes.
- Here, one page per job and city: the same figures for 110 jobs in the 50 largest metro areas. Salaries by job and city.
- For your own pay: the check below places it among the figures for your job and area.
How to read the figures
| Figure | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | 10% earn less | $87,180 |
| 25th percentile | A quarter earn less | $103,970 |
| Median | Half earn more, half less | $119,720 |
| 75th percentile | A quarter earn more | $133,230 |
| 90th percentile | 10% earn more | $159,240 |
| Mean | The average of all pay | $119,600 |
| Employment | Jobs counted | 197,740 |
Use the median, not the mean, to see where your pay stands. This example in full.
What the pay includes
- Included: base pay, cost-of-living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, commissions, production bonuses and tips.
- Excluded: overtime, severance, shift differentials, bonuses not tied to output (such as year-end bonuses), benefits and tuition reimbursement.
- Not covered: the self-employed.
How it is collected
Employers report the jobs and pay of their employees. The May 2025 figures come from six panels collected over three years, a sample of about 1.1 million establishments.
What it doesn't tell you
- Pay at a named company: the tables are by job, area, industry and ownership.
- Pay by experience. A rule of thumb: the 25th percentile for entry level, the 75th for senior.
- Pay since May 2025. Wages and salaries rose 3.1% in the 12 months to September 2026 (Employment Cost Index).
See where your pay stands for your job and city. Takes 30 seconds. Free, no sign-up.
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Is BLS salary data accurate?
It comes from employers, not from people who choose to share their pay: a sample of about 1.1 million establishments over three years. It gives the typical pay of a job in an area, not pay at a named company.
How often does the BLS update salary data?
Once a year. The May 2025 figures were published on May 15, 2026.
Where can I find BLS salary data by city?
In the OEWS tables for metro areas at bls.gov/oes, or on our pages by job and city.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS technical notes for May 2025 estimates, May 15, 2026
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Cost Index, September 2026, October 30, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.