Jobs that lost the most to inflation in America
Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianUnited States | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Real change since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential | $58,470 | $45,530 – $75,280 | -22.8%-2.8% nominal |
| 2 | Biological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $84,620 | $52,150 – $169,900 | -19.3%+1.6% nominal |
| 3 | Operations Research AnalystsBachelor's degree | $88,940 | $57,060 – $159,910 | -16.7%+4.9% nominal |
| 4 | General and Operations ManagersBachelor's degree | $105,770 | $50,090 – $253,390 | -16.7%+5.0% nominal |
| 5 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree | $63,970 | $47,960 – $104,340 | -14.9%+7.2% nominal |
| 6 | Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolBachelor's degree | $66,270 | $50,040 – $101,340 | -14.7%+7.4% nominal |
| 7 | Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $80,250 | $48,800 – $129,500 | -14.6%+7.6% nominal |
| 8 | Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary SchoolBachelor's degree | $65,120 | $49,350 – $103,010 | -14.5%+7.7% nominal |
| 9 | Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $52,830 | $32,970 – $123,590 | -14.3%+8.0% nominal |
| 10 | Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationBachelor's degree | $64,370 | $48,080 – $102,540 | -14.3%+7.9% nominal |
| 11 | Special Education Teachers, Middle SchoolBachelor's degree | $66,810 | $49,420 – $102,510 | -13.6%+8.7% nominal |
| 12 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $104,590 | $64,560 – $215,620 | -12.9%+9.6% nominal |
| 13 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $170,950 | $86,250 – $319,630 | -12.8%+9.9% nominal |
| 14 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $105,870 | $76,280 – $167,770 | -12.8%+9.8% nominal |
| 15 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $140,910 | $99,290 – $174,230 | -12.6%+10.0% nominal |
| 16 | LogisticiansBachelor's degree | $82,320 | $50,890 – $133,160 | -12.5%+10.1% nominal |
| 17 | Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special EducationBachelor's degree | $62,680 | $46,990 – $101,830 | -12.4%+10.3% nominal |
| 18 | Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $107,310 | $59,270 – $322,020 | -12.4%+10.3% nominal |
| 19 | Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award | $63,890 | $44,240 – $96,730 | -12.4%+10.3% nominal |
| 20 | Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree | $95,200 | $51,910 – $161,010 | -11.5%+11.4% nominal |
| 21 | Flight AttendantsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,580 | $35,110 – $136,430 | -10.9%+12.3% nominal |
| 22 | ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,190 | $42,640 – $108,510 | -10.7%+12.5% nominal |
| 23 | Postsecondary Teachers, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $77,640 | $44,300 – $160,700 | -10.6%+12.6% nominal |
| 24 | Hazardous Materials Removal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $49,450 | $38,460 – $82,410 | -10.5%+12.6% nominal |
| 25 | Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMaster's degree | $64,330 | $45,020 – $104,770 | -10.4%+12.8% nominal |
| 26 | Detectives and Criminal InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $93,790 | $55,390 – $160,540 | -10.4%+12.8% nominal |
| 27 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $78,620 | $47,570 – $163,350 | -10.2%+13.1% nominal |
| 28 | Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $69,280 | $38,760 – $123,250 | -10.1%+13.2% nominal |
| 29 | Credit AnalystsBachelor's degree | $83,510 | $56,250 – $169,230 | -10.0%+13.4% nominal |
| 30 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $107,230 | $65,120 – $194,900 | -9.9%+13.4% nominal |
| 31 | Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $99,080 | $47,180 – $209,470 | -9.8%+13.6% nominal |
| 32 | Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue AgentsBachelor's degree | $62,370 | $42,000 – $114,550 | -9.8%+13.6% nominal |
| 33 | Structural Iron and Steel WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $62,780 | $44,580 – $108,260 | -9.4%+14.1% nominal |
| 34 | First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling SupervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $62,890 | $43,360 – $96,150 | -9.3%+14.2% nominal |
| 35 | Librarians and Media Collections SpecialistsMaster's degree | $68,270 | $43,660 – $103,990 | -8.9%+14.7% nominal |
| 36 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $102,760 | $77,140 – $135,140 | -8.8%+14.9% nominal |
| 37 | Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $75,350 | $39,530 – $126,860 | -8.7%+15.0% nominal |
| 38 | English Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree | $78,760 | $48,270 – $137,250 | -8.7%+15.0% nominal |
| 39 | Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthBachelor's degree | $82,220 | $52,520 – $140,010 | -8.5%+15.2% nominal |
| 40 | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and SteamfittersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $63,800 | $44,150 – $108,420 | -8.2%+15.7% nominal |
| 41 | Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,390 | $32,140 – $78,150 | -8.2%+15.7% nominal |
| 42 | Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree | $134,960 | $86,700 – $205,890 | -8.0%+15.8% nominal |
| 43 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,840 | $68,240 – $163,220 | -8.0%+15.8% nominal |
| 44 | Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree | $100,390 | $57,710 – $160,460 | -7.9%+16.0% nominal |
| 45 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $213,990 | $75,700 – $507,730 | -7.9%+16.0% nominal |
| 46 | Health Education SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $64,070 | $42,990 – $118,200 | -7.9%+16.0% nominal |
| 47 | Interpreters and TranslatorsBachelor's degree | $60,170 | $37,070 – $103,660 | -7.8%+16.1% nominal |
| 48 | Financial ExaminersBachelor's degree | $94,160 | $56,230 – $174,200 | -7.8%+16.1% nominal |
| 49 | Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree | $81,370 | $55,530 – $145,160 | -7.7%+16.2% nominal |
| 50 | Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $54,210 | $38,900 – $74,690 | -7.6%+16.4% nominal |