Western Information Office

CONTACT: Media Interviews (415) 975-4373 (415) 975-4403 Public Information Line (415) 625-2270 Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/ro9/news.htm Fax on demand (415) 975-4567 -- Document 9590

BLS 06-25 FOR RELEASE: Friday, April 7, 2006

Workers in the Visalia-Tulare-Porterville metropolitan area averaged $18.38 per hour during June 2005, according to a new survey released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden reported that white collar workers averaged $23.21 per hour and accounted for 53 percent of the workers in the area. Blue collar employees averaged $13.45 per hour and represented 25 percent of the workforce, while the remainder worked in service occupations and earned $13.18 per hour. (See table 1.)

The National Compensation Survey (NCS) presents straight-time earnings for occupations in establishments employing 50 or more workers in private industry and State and local governments. The survey excludes agricultural establishments, private households, the self-employed, and the Federal Government. This NCS covered 153 firms representing 37,800 workers in the Visalia-Tulare-Porterville metropolitan area, which consists of Tulare County. Within this survey, 52 percent of these employees worked in private industry.

In the Visalia-Tulare-Porterville metropolitan area, average hourly wages were published for 19 detailed occupations. (See table 1.) Among white collar workers, registered nurses averaged $30.68 per hour; secretaries, $15.40; and library clerks, $13.39. Blue collar occupations included truck drivers earning $15.45 per hour and hand packers and packagers earning $7.22. In the service occupations, janitors and cleaners averaged $16.02 per hour and early childhood teachers' assistants earned $8.76.

The NCS also provides broad coverage of selected occupational characteristics. (See tables 2 and 3.) For example, full-time employees in the Visalia-Tulare-Porterville area averaged $19.15 per hour and part-time employees averaged $10.94. Union workers averaged $23.87 per hour, while their nonunion counterparts made $14.32. Private industry workers at establishments employing 50-99 workers averaged $14.54 per hour and those in establishments with 500 or more employees earned $16.23.

The NCS is part of a statistical program that integrates three previously separate surveys of wages and benefits into one comprehensive compensation program increasing the amount of data available. Data provided by the NCS may be used by businesses for establishing pay plans, making decisions concerning plant relocation, and in collective bargaining negotiations. Individuals may use the data to help choose potential careers. Average rates of pay are also available for levels of work within an occupation based on knowledge, skill, independent judgment, supervision received and other factors required on the job.

Survey Availability

Complete survey results are contained in the Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, CA, National Compensation Survey June 2005 (Bulletin 3130-56). While supplies last, single copies of the bulletin are available from the San Francisco Information Office by calling 415-975-4350. In addition, data contained in the bulletin are available on the Internet in both text and PDF formats at http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ocs/compub.htm.

For personal assistance or further information on the National Compensation Survey, as well as other Bureau programs, contact the San Francisco Information Office at 415-975-4350 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

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Please click here for a text format copy of the tables accompanying this release. 

This bulletin is also available in its entirety in text or pdf  format.

 

Last Modified Date: April 07, 2006