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CONTACT: Media Interviews (415) 975-4373 (415) 975-4929 Public Information Line (415) 625-2270 Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/ro9/news.htm Fax on demand (415) 975-4567 Document 9560 |
BLS 05-71 |
NATIONAL COMPENSATION SURVEY DECEMBER 2004
Workers in the San Diego metropolitan area averaged $21.67 per hour during December 2004, according to a new survey released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden reported that white collar workers averaged $26.15 per hour and accounted for 57 percent of the workers in the area. Blue collar employees averaged $18.16 per hour and represented 22 percent of the workforce, while the remainder worked in service occupations and earned $12.14 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 374 firms representing 548,100 workers in the San Diego metropolitan area, which is comprised of San Diego County in California. Seventy-seven percent of those represented worked in private industry.
In the San Diego metropolitan area, average hourly wages were published for 55 detailed occupations. (See Table 1.) Among white collar workers, electrical and electronic engineers averaged $39.18 per hour; licensed practical nurses, $20.36; and secretaries $17.27. Blue collar occupations included electricians $20.98; truck drivers at $18.28; and stock handlers and baggers at $8.29 per hour. In the service occupations, police and detectives, public service averaged $29.61 per hour; nursing aids, orderlies and attendants, $11.15; and waiters and waitresses, $6.79.
The NCS also provides broad coverage of selected occupational characteristics. (See Tables 2 and 3.) For example, full-time employees in the San Diego area averaged $23.27 per hour, considerably more than part-time workers who earned $11.04. Union workers in blue collar jobs averaged $19.63 per hour, notably higher than the $17.00 of their non-union counterparts. Union workers in service jobs also earned more than non-union employees, averaging $21.68 and $9.65, respectively. Private industry workers at establishments employing 50-99 workers averaged $18.02 per hour, earning less than employees at establishments with 500 or more workers who earned $22.85.
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 San Diego, CA National Compensation Survey December 2004 (Bulletin 3130-07). 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/. Select survey tables can also be obtained from the Bureau's fax-on-demand service in San Francisco by dialing 415-975-4567 and requesting document 9560.
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.
Technical Note
Because the NCS is a sample survey, it is subject to sampling errors. Sampling errors occur because observations come only from a sample and not from an entire population. The sample used for this survey is one of a number of possible samples of the same size that could have been selected using the sample design. Estimates derived from the different samples would differ from each other. A measure of the variation among these differing estimates is the standard error. It can be used to measure the precision with which an estimate from a particular sample approximates the expected result of all possible samples. The chances are about 68 out of 100 that an estimate from the survey differs from a complete population figure by less than the standard error. The chances are about 90 out of 100 that this difference would be less than 1.6 times the standard error. The statements of comparisons appearing in this publication are significant at a 1.6 standard error level or better. This means that for differences cited, the estimated difference is greater than 1.6 times the standard error of the difference.
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Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.
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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: October 19, 2005
