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Bloomberg ranked occupations based on upside earnings potential by calculating the ratio of pay for the top 10% of workers to pay for the bottom 10% of workers.
Excluded were managerial positions, jobs that pay at least $100,000 at 10th percentile, occupations with fewer than 10,000 jobs nationwide and occupations without sufficient data. Study was based on BLS OES 2012 by state data. Pay included base rate, cost-of-living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses and tips. Earnings were state averages.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
May 25, 2013
Rank | Occupation |
Earnings-power potential
i
|
Top 10% earns more than | Bottom 10% earns less than |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Postal Service Mail Carriers | 1.385 | $57,615 | $41,587 |
2 | Shampooers | 1.429 | $23,389 | $16,368 |
3 | Fast Food Cooks | 1.431 | $23,342 | $16,307 |
4 | Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, including Fast Food | 1.433 | $23,341 | $16,285 |
5 | Dishwashers | 1.439 | $23,491 | $16,328 |
6 | Postal Service Clerks | 1.446 | $55,081 | $38,079 |
7 | Transportation Security Screeners | 1.462 | $43,987 | $30,091 |
8 | Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge and Coffee Shop | 1.486 | $24,288 | $16,340 |
9 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession and Coffee Shop | 1.500 | $24,501 | $16,330 |
10 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants and Ticket Takers | 1.515 | $24,721 | $16,319 |
11 | Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | 1.529 | $24,973 | $16,328 |
12 | Amusement and Recreation Attendants | 1.582 | $25,866 | $16,348 |
13 | Personal Care Aides | 1.583 | $27,126 | $17,133 |
14 | Pressers, Textile, Garment and Related Materials | 1.586 | $26,610 | $16,780 |
15 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | 1.608 | $26,506 | $16,487 |
16 | Cashiers t | 1.633 | $27,103 | $16,599 |
17 | Pharmacists t | 1.642 | $143,582 | $87,465 |
18 | Respiratory Therapists t | 1.650 | $70,332 | $42,618 |
19 | Home Health Aides | 1.662 | $29,213 | $17,578 |
20 | Short Order Cooks | 1.668 | $28,049 | $16,820 |