Occupational Wages for Teachers in Pennsylvania, May 2007 (PDF)

In Pennsylvania, middle school teachers earned an average annual wage of $52,660; secondary school teachers, $51,840; and elementary school teachers, $50,410 as of May 2007, according to survey results from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nationwide, average (mean) wages for middle school teachers were $50,630, secondary school teachers averaged $52,450, and elementary school teachers earned $50,040. Sheila Watkins, the Bureau's regional commissioner, noted that the average wage for Pennsylvania's middle school teachers was measurably higher than that for the nation, while wages for elementary and secondary school teachers in the Commonwealth were not significantly different from the U.S. average.

Among the 14 metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were the only 2 to have wages significantly above the national average in all 3 of the teaching occupations—elementary, middle, and secondary. Conversely, Altoona and Erie were the only areas to have wages that fell measurably below that for the nation in these three occupations.

Elementary school teachers constituted one of the most widely held occupations in Pennsylvania, with 75,190 workers representing 1.3 percent of total employment in May 2007. The numbers of secondary (46,650) and middle (29,040) school teachers in the Commonwealth were smaller, accounting for 0.8- and 0.5-percent shares of employment, respectively. (See table A.)

These statistics are from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, a federal-state cooperative program between BLS and State Workforce Agencies, in this case the Delaware Department of Labor; the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation; the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The OES survey provides estimates of employment and hourly and annual wages for wage and salary workers in 22 major occupational groups and up to 801 non-military detailed occupations for the nation, states, metropolitan areas, metropolitan divisions, and nonmetropolitan areas.

Wages for middle school teachers in metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa .-N.J.-Del.-Md., was the highest-paying metropolitan area in the Commonwealth for middle school teachers, with an average wage of $55,810 per year, significantly higher than the U.S. average of $50,630. Within the greater Philadelphia area, the Camden ($59,140), Philadelphia ($54,740), and Wilmington ($54,640) divisions all recorded above-average wages for this occupation. Five metropolitan areas in addition to Philadelphia had wages for middle school teachers that were measurably higher than that for the nation, including Reading ($55,330) and Lancaster ($54,030). Only 2 of the 14 metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania, Erie ($41,710) and Altoona ($45,890), had below-average wages for middle school teachers. (See table A.) (For comprehensive definitions of metropolitan areas in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, please see Technical Note.)

Wages for middle school teachers across the nation

Nationally, 15 states had average annual wages for middle school teachers that were significantly higher than the U.S. average, including Pennsylvania. In fact, all three states in the Middle Atlantic geographic division recorded significantly above-average wage levels. Along the east coast, six other states registered wages measurably higher than average, combining with those in the Middle Atlantic division to form a contiguous band stretching from Massachusetts to Virginia. The five highest wages in the country were recorded in New York ($64,140), Connecticut ($63,320), California ($60,820), Rhode Island ($59,640), and New Jersey ($59,120). In contrast, wages for middle school teachers were below the national average in 32 states. All eight states in the Mountain division and the eight states that compose the East South Central and West South Central divisions had wages that were measurably below average. The five lowest-paying states for this occupation were Montana ($36,130), Oklahoma ($36,840), South Dakota ($37,810), Kansas ($38,170), and North Carolina ($39,060). (See table 1 and chart 1.) (For comprehensive definitions of the geographic divisions in the United States, please see Technical Note.)

Wages for secondary school teachers in metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania

As with middle school teachers, Philadelphia was the highest-paying metropolitan area in the Commonwealth for secondary school teachers, at $56,760 per year, significantly higher than the U.S. average of $52,450. Within the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the Camden ($60,200), Wilmington ($55,870), and Philadelphia ($55,500) divisions all registered above-average wages. In addition to the Philadelphia area, two others had wages for secondary school teachers that were measurably higher than the national level—Reading ($56,010) and Pittsburgh ($53,400). Four areas in the Commonwealth had wages that did not differ measurably from the U.S. average, while the remaining seven areas had below-average wages. Among the lowest-paying areas for secondary school teachers in Pennsylvania were Erie ($38,020), Altoona ($44,610), and Lebanon ($45,500); wage levels in these three areas were significantly lower than that for the nation. (See table B.)

Wages for secondary school teachers across the nation

Across the country, the average annual wage for secondary school teachers was significantly higher than the U.S. average in 14 states as of May 2007. Along the east coast, eight states registered wages that were measurably higher than average, stretching from Massachusetts to Virginia; Pennsylvania was the one exception in this grouping, with wages not significantly different from that for the nation. The five highest wages in the nation were recorded in New York ($64,020), Illinois ($63,640), Connecticut ($63,290), California ($61,970), and New Jersey ($61,640). In contrast, wages for secondary school teachers were below the national average in 33 states and the District of Columbia. All eight states in the Mountain division, all seven states in the West North Central division, and the eight states that compose the East South Central and West South Central divisions had wages that were measurably below average. The five lowest-paying states for this occupation were South Dakota ($36,300), Montana ($37,890), Oklahoma ($37,960), Iowa ($38,200), and Kansas ($38,600). (See chart 2.)

Wages for elementary school teachers in metropolitan areas in Pennsylvania

The highest-paying metropolitan area for elementary school teachers in Pennsylvania was York-Hanover, with an average annual wage of $55,520, followed by the Lancaster area at $54,410, and the Scranton—Wilkes-Barre area at $53,070. All three of these wages were significantly above the national average, as were those in two other metropolitan areas in the Commonwealth, Philadelphia ($52,590) and Pittsburgh ($52,440). Within the greater Philadelphia area, two divisions—Camden and Wilmington—also recorded wages for elementary school teachers that were measurably higher than average. Elementary school teachers' wages in seven other areas in Pennsylvania were not measurably different from the U.S. average. In contrast, two metropolitan areas—Altoona, at $37,690, and Erie, at $44,400—had wages for elementary school teachers that were significantly below that for the nation. (See table C.)

Wages for elementary school teachers across the nation

Nationwide, 12 states and the District of Columbia had average annual wages for elementary school teachers that were significantly higher than in the nation as a whole. The East North Central, New England, and Pacific geographic divisions each contained three states that recorded wages significantly above that for the nation, and the Middle Atlantic and South Atlantic divisions each contained two. The five highest wage levels in the country for elementary school teachers were recorded in Rhode Island ($64,130), New York ($62,490), Connecticut ($61,530), California ($58,850), and Alaska ($58,470). At the other end of the spectrum, wages for this occupation were below the national average in 33 states. The 15 states composing the East South Central, West North Central, and West South Central divisions all had wages that were measurably below average for elementary school teachers. The five states at the low end of the wage scale were South Dakota ($35,370), Montana ($36,550), Oklahoma ($36,870), and Arizona and Iowa (each at $37,230). Pennsylvania was one of five states in the nation where wages for elementary teachers were not significantly different from the U.S. average. (See chart 3).

Technical Note

The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey is a semiannual mail survey measuring occupational employment and wage rates for wage and salary workers in nonfarm establishments in the United States. Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands also are surveyed, but their data are not included in this release. OES estimates are constructed from a sample of about 1.2 million establishments. Forms are mailed to approximately 200,000 establishments in May and November of each year for a 3-year period. The nationwide response rate for the May 2007 survey was 77.9 percent based on establishments and 73.5 percent based on employment. The survey included establishments sampled in the May 2007, November 2006, May 2006, November 2005, May 2005, and November 2004 semiannual panels.

The occupational coding system

The OES survey uses the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) occupational classification system, the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The SOC system is the first OMB-required occupational classification system for federal agencies. The OES survey categorizes workers in 1 of 801 detailed occupations. Together, these detailed occupations make up 23 major occupational groups, one of which-- military specific occupations--is not included in the OES survey.

For more information about the SOC system, please see the BLS Web site at www.bls.gov/soc/.

The Industry Coding System

The OES survey uses the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For more information about NAICS, see the BLS Web site at www.bls.gov/bls/naics.htm.

Survey Sample

BLS funds the survey and provides the procedures and technical support, while the State Workforce Agencies (SWAs) collect most of the data. BLS produces cross-industry and industry-specific estimates for the nation, states, metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), metropolitan divisions, and nonmetropolitan areas. Industry-specific estimates are produced at the NAICS sector, 3-digit, 4-digit, and selected 5-digit industry levels. BLS releases all cross-industry and national estimates; the SWAs release industry-specific estimates at the state and MSA levels.

State Unemployment Insurance (UI) files provide the universe from which the OES survey draws its sample. Employment benchmarks are obtained from reports submitted by employers to the UI program. Supplemental sources are used for rail transportation (NAICS 4821) and Guam because they do not report to the UI program. The OES survey sample is stratified by metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas and industry. Samples selected in panels prior to May 2005 were stratified using MSA definitions based on the 1990 Metropolitan Statistical Area standards. Beginning with the May 2005 panel, the sample was stratified using new MSA definitions based on the 2000 Metropolitan Statistical Area standards.

Concepts

Occupational employment is the estimate of total wage and salary employment in an occupation across the industries surveyed. The OES survey defines employment as the number of workers who can be classified as full- or part- time employees, including workers on paid vacations or other types of paid leave; workers on unpaid short-term absences; salaried officers, executives, and staff members of incorporated firms; employees temporarily assigned to other units; and employees for whom the reporting unit is their permanent duty station regardless of whether that unit prepares their paycheck.

Wages for the OES survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate, cost-of-living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay including commissions and production bonuses, tips, and on-call pay are included. Excluded are back pay, jury duty pay, overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.

Mean hourly wage. The mean hourly wage rate for an occupation is the total wages that all workers in the occupation earn in an hour divided by the total employment of the occupation. To calculate the mean hourly wage of each occupation, total weighted hourly wages are summed across all intervals and divided by the occupation's weighted survey employment. The mean wage for each interval is based on occupational wage data collected by the BLS Office of Compensation and Working Conditions for the National Compensation Survey (NCS).

Annual wage. Many employees are paid at an hourly rate by their employers and may work more than or less than 40 hours per week. Annual wage estimates for most occupations in this release are calculated by multiplying the mean hourly wage by a "year-round, full-time" figure of 2,080 hours (52 weeks by 40 hours). Thus, annual wage estimates may not represent the actual annual pay received by the employee if they work more or less than 2,080 hours per year. Workers in some occupations typically work less than full time, year round. For these occupations, the OES survey collects and reports either the annual salary or the hourly wage rate, depending on how the occupation is typically paid, but not both. For example, teachers, flight attendants, and pilots may be paid an annual salary, but do not work the usual 2,080 hours per year. In this case, an annual salary is reported. Other workers, such as entertainment workers, are paid hourly rates, but generally do not work full time, year round. For these workers, only an hourly wage is reported.

Hourly versus annual wage reporting. For each occupation, respondents are asked to report the number of employees paid within specific wage intervals. The intervals are defined both as hourly rates and the corresponding annual rates, where the annual rate for an occupation is calculated by multiplying the hourly wage rate by a typical work year of 2,080 hours. The responding establishment can reference either the hourly or the annual rate for full- time workers, but they are instructed to report the hourly rate for part-time workers.

Estimation methodology

Each OES panel includes approximately 200,000 establishments. The OES survey is designed to produce estimates using six panels (3 years) of data. The full six-panel sample of 1.2 million establishments allows the production of estimates at detailed levels of geography, industry, and occupation.

Wage updating. Significant reductions in sampling errors are obtained by combining six panels of data, particularly for small geographic areas and occupations. Wages for the current panel need no adjustment. However, wages in the five previous panels need to be updated to the current panel's reference period.

The OES program uses the BLS Employment Cost Index (ECI) to adjust survey data from prior panels before combining them with the current panel's data. The wage updating procedure adjusts each detailed occupation's wage rate, as measured in the earlier panel, according to the average movement of its broader occupational division. The procedure assumes that there are no major differences by geography, industry, or detailed occupation within the occupational division. The wage rates for the highest wage interval are not updated.

May 2007 OES survey estimates. The May 2007 OES survey estimates are based on all data collected from establishments in the May 2007, November 2006, May 2006, November 2005, May 2005, and November 2004 semiannual samples.

Reliability of the estimates. Estimates calculated from a sample survey are subject to two types of error: sampling and nonsampling. Sampling error occurs when estimates are calculated from a subset (that is, a sample) of the population instead of the full population. When a sample of the population is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample estimate of the characteristic of interest may differ from the population value of that characteristic. Differences between the sample estimate and the population value will vary depending on the sample selected. This variability can be estimated by calculating the standard error (SE) of the sample estimate. If we were to repeat the sampling and estimation process countless times using the same survey design, approximately 90 percent of the intervals created by adding and subtracting 1.645 SEs from the sample estimate would include the population value. These intervals are called 90-percent confidence intervals. The OES survey, however, usually uses the relative standard error (RSE) of a sample estimate instead of its SE to measure sampling error. RSE is defined as the SE of a sample estimate divided by the sample estimate itself. This statistic provides the user with a measure of the relative precision of the sample estimate. RSEs are calculated for both occupational employment and mean wage rate estimates. Occupational employment RSEs are calculated using a subsample, random group replication technique called the jackknife. Mean wage rate RSEs are calculated using a variance components model that accounts for both the observed and unobserved components of the wage data. The variances of the unobserved components are estimated using wage data from the BLS National Compensation Survey. In general, estimates based on many establishments have lower RSEs than estimates based on few establishments. If the distributional assumptions of the models are violated, the resulting confidence intervals may not reflect the prescribed level of confidence.

It should be noted that a value that is statistically different from another does not necessarily mean that the difference has economic or practical significance. Statistical significance is concerned with the ability to make confident statements about a universe based on a sample. It is entirely possible that a large difference between two values is not significantly different statistically, while a small difference is, since both the size and heterogeneity of the sample affect the relative error of the data being tested.

Nonsampling error occurs for a variety of reasons, none of which are directly connected to sampling. Examples of nonsampling error include: nonresponse, data incorrectly reported by the respondent, errors in the administrative data used to create the sampling frame, mistakes made in entering collected data into the database, and mistakes made in editing and processing the collected data. Every attempt is made to minimize nonsampling error through survey methods such as data editing, imputation methods, and benchmarking of data to current employment totals.

Additional information

The May 2007 OES national data for all occupations are available on the BLS Web site at www.bls.gov/oes/. Users may also access each occupation's definition and percentile wages. The May 2007 cross-industry data for states, metropolitan statistical areas, metropolitan divisions, and nonmetropolitan areas are also available on the BLS Web site, as are the industry staffing patterns at the sector, 3-, 4-, and selected 5-digit NAICS levels. These data include industry-specific occupational employment and wage data. A more detailed technical note for OES is available at www.bls.gov/news.release/ocwage.tn.htm.

OES information is available through our regional web page at www.bls.gov/ro3/. If you have additional questions, you can contact the Mid-Atlantic Information Office at 215-597-3282. Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339.

Metropolitan area definitions
The substate area data published in this release reflect the standards and definitions established by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, dated December 2005.

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pa.-N.J. Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania and Warren County in New Jersey.

Altoona, Pa. MSA includes Blair County in Pennsylvania.

Erie, Pa. MSA includes Erie County in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg-Carlisle, Pa. MSA includes Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry Counties in Pennsylvania.

Johnstown, Pa. MSA includes Cambria County in Pennsylvania.

Lancaster, Pa. MSA includes Lancaster County in Pennsylvania.

Lebanon, Pa. MSA includes Lebanon County in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md. MSA

Camden, N.J. Metropolitan Division (MD) includes Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey.

Philadelphia, Pa. MD includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties in Pennsylvania.

Wilmington, Del.-Md.-N.J. MD includes New Castle County in Delaware, Cecil County in Maryland, and Salem County in New Jersey.

Pittsburgh, Pa. MSA includes Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania.

Reading, Pa. MSA includes Berks County in Pennsylvania.

Scranton—Wilkes-Barre, Pa. MSA includes Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties in Pennsylvania.

State College, Pa. MSA includes Centre County in Pennsylvania.

Williamsport, Pa. MSA includes Lycoming County in Pennsylvania.

York-Hanover, Pa. MSA includes York County in Pennsylvania.

Geographic region and division definitions

Northeast region

New England division includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Middle Atlantic division includes New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Midwest region

East North Central division includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

West North Central division includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

South region

South Atlantic division includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland,
North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

East South Central division includes Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

West South Central division includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas.

West region

Mountain division includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Pacific division includes Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.