Bureau of Labor Statistics
General Information: (312) 353-1880 For Immediate Release: Media Contact: Ronald M. Guzicki Monday, July 26, 2004 Fax-on-Demand Document No. 9835 http://www.bls.gov/ro5 HIGHLIGHTS OF KALAMAZOO-BATTLE CREEK, MI NATIONAL COMPENSATION SURVEY SEPTEMBER 2003 Workers in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek metropolitan area averaged $18.20 per hour during September 2003, according to a new survey released by the U. S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Regional Commissioner Jay A. Mousa reported that white-collar workers averaged $22.35 per hour and accounted for 52 percent of the workers in the area. Blue-collar employees averaged $15.57 per hour and represented 29 percent of the workforce, while the remaining 19 percent worked in service occupations and earned $10.56 per hour. (See table 2-1.) 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 184 firms representing 97,600 workers in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek metropolitan area, which is comprised of Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren Counties in Michigan. Seventy-eight percent of those represented worked in private industry. In the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek metropolitan area, average hourly wages were published for 24 detailed occupations. (See table 1.) Among white-collar workers, registered nurses averaged $24.29 per hour; accountants and auditors, $20.38; and general office clerks, $11.50. Blue-collar occupations included industrial machinery repairers earning $19.48 per hour; industrial truck and tractor equipment operators at $14.57; and stock handlers and baggers at $9.40. In the service occupations, nursing aides, orderlies and attendants averaged $10.77 per hour and cooks, $10.02. The NCS also provides broad coverage of selected occupational characteristics. (See tables 5-1 and 5-3.) For example, full-time employees in the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek area averaged $19.27 per hour and part-timers earned $9.88. Union workers in blue-collar jobs averaged $17.48 per hour, while their non-union counterparts made $14.08. Private industry workers in establishments employing 50-99 workers averaged $13.36 per hour and those in establishments with 500 or more employees earned $21.96. 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 such 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 Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI National Compensation Survey September 2003 (Bulletin 3120-64). While supplies last, single copies of the bulletin are available from the Chicago Information Office by calling (312) 353- 1880. In addition, data contained in the bulletin are available on the Internet in both text and PDF formats at www.bls.gov/ncs/ocs/compub.htm. Survey tables can also be obtained from the Bureau's fax-on-demand service by dialing (312) 353-1880, menu option 1. Up to five documents at a time may be selected and faxed to you within minutes, 24 hours a day. -------------------------------------------------------------------- BLS Fax-on-Demand - Chicago (312) 353-1880, option 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Document | National Compensation Survey |Pages no. | Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI September 2003 | -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9835 | News Release | 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------- | Tables 1-1,2-1,2-2,2-3. Mean hourly earnings by | 9836 | occupation and industry, for full-time and | 10 | part-time worker. Table 3-1 and 3-2. Mean weekly | | and mean annual earnings and hours. | -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9837 | Tables 4-1,4-2,4-3. Hourly earnings for selected | 8 | occupations and levels. | -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9838 | Tables 5-1,5-2,5-3. Hourly earnings by worker | | characteristics. Tables 6-1,6-2,6-3,6-4,6-5. | 11 | Hourly wage percentiles for selected occupations.| -------------------------------------------------------------------- | Appendix A. Technical Note containing survey | 9839 | procedures & concepts | 5 | Table 1 - Number of workers represented by survey | -------------------------------------------------------------------- 9455 | Appendix B. Occupational Classifications | 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- | Appendix C. Generic Leveling Criteria | 9456 | Appendix D. Evaluating Your Firm's Jobs | 8 -------------------------------------------------------------------- For personal assistance or further information on the National Compensation Survey, as well as other Bureau programs, contact the Chicago Information Office at (312) 353-1880 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. # # # Bulletin tables - PDF format - text format ------------------------------------------------------------------------- BLS Fax-on-Demand - Chicago 312 353-1880 Document no. 9835 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Modified Date: July 26, 2004
