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CONTACT: Media Interviews (415) 975-4373 (415) 975-4405 Internet address: http://www.bls.gov/ro9/news.htm Fax on demand (415) 975-4567 -- Document 9505 |
BLS 05-70 |
NATIONAL COMPENSATION SURVEY DECEMBER 2004
Workers in the Anchorage metropolitan area averaged $21.27 per hour during December 2004, 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 $24.77 per hour and accounted for 62 percent of the workers in the area. Blue collar employees averaged $17.13 per hour and represented 17 percent of the workforce, while the remaining 21 percent worked in service occupations and earned $13.75 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 150 firms representing 55,300 workers in the Anchorage metropolitan area, which consists of Anchorage Borough. Seventy-five percent of these employees worked in private industry.
In the Anchorage metropolitan area, average hourly wages were published for nearly 30 detailed occupations. (See Table 1.) Among white collar workers, airplane pilots and navigators averaged $137.93 per hour; petroleum engineers $55.60; registered nurses, $29.99; and secretaries $15.79. Blue collar occupations included truck drivers earning $17.89 per hour and stock handlers and baggers $12.55. In the service occupations, maids and housemen averaged $10.99 and waiters and waitresses $7.18.
The NCS also provides broad coverage of selected occupational characteristics. (See Tables 2 and 3.) For example, full-time employees in the Anchorage area averaged $22.55 per hour and part-time employees averaged $11.56. Union workers in blue collar jobs averaged $24.24 per hour, while their nonunion counterparts made $14.36. Union workers in service jobs earned $17.74 per hour compared to nonunion workers who averaged $10.52. Private industry workers at establishments employing 50-99 workers averaged $14.65 per hour and those in establishments with 500 or more employees earned $25.22.
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 Anchorage, AK, National Compensation Survey December 2004 (Bulletin 3130-01). 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. 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 9505.
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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Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.
Voice phone 202-691-5200
TDD message referral phone number: 800-877-8339
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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
