Jobs that actually got a raise in America
Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianUnited States | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Real change since 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gambling DealersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $34,320 | $24,040 – $77,090 | +28.2%+61.4% nominal |
| 2 | Transportation Security ScreenersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $66,770 | $44,700 – $78,350 | +26.9%+59.9% nominal |
| 3 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersBachelor's degree | $232,140 | $106,710 – $463,830 | +25.2%+57.7% nominal |
| 4 | Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential | $35,230 | $18,100 – $64,720 | +22.2%+53.9% nominal |
| 5 | Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent | $48,280 | $29,720 – $97,910 | +20.5%+51.7% nominal |
| 6 | Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,770 | $22,590 – $59,980 | +19.1%+49.9% nominal |
| 7 | DishwashersNo formal educational credential | $34,810 | $26,200 – $42,860 | +15.3%+45.2% nominal |
| 8 | BartendersNo formal educational credential | $34,340 | $20,110 – $73,770 | +15.2%+45.0% nominal |
| 9 | Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender HelpersNo formal educational credential | $33,980 | $21,300 – $46,570 | +15.0%+44.8% nominal |
| 10 | Food Servers, NonrestaurantNo formal educational credential | $35,360 | $28,030 – $46,120 | +14.9%+44.7% nominal |
| 11 | Substitute Teachers, Short-TermBachelor's degree | $41,670 | $28,560 – $65,790 | +14.9%+44.7% nominal |
| 12 | Childcare WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $34,980 | $24,260 – $46,010 | +14.6%+44.4% nominal |
| 13 | Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNo formal educational credential | $34,890 | $27,440 – $43,190 | +14.4%+44.1% nominal |
| 14 | Food Processing Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential | $39,680 | $32,210 – $47,950 | +14.4%+44.0% nominal |
| 15 | Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential | $35,840 | $25,470 – $47,550 | +14.0%+43.5% nominal |
| 16 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNo formal educational credential | $33,580 | $25,780 – $43,970 | +13.9%+43.4% nominal |
| 17 | Residential AdvisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $42,240 | $29,870 – $61,060 | +13.9%+43.4% nominal |
| 18 | Counter and Rental ClerksNo formal educational credential | $41,300 | $29,800 – $65,370 | +13.8%+43.3% nominal |
| 19 | Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent | $35,070 | $27,120 – $45,470 | +13.8%+43.3% nominal |
| 20 | Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential | $35,510 | $27,640 – $48,570 | +13.5%+42.9% nominal |
| 21 | Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $35,360 | $27,250 – $50,060 | +13.3%+42.7% nominal |
| 22 | Cooks, Short OrderNo formal educational credential | $35,880 | $23,440 – $46,460 | +13.3%+42.7% nominal |
| 23 | Nursing AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award | $42,260 | $33,940 – $51,980 | +13.1%+42.5% nominal |
| 24 | Food Preparation WorkersNo formal educational credential | $35,320 | $25,810 – $45,340 | +13.1%+42.4% nominal |
| 25 | Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $35,800 | $27,040 – $45,040 | +12.5%+41.6% nominal |
| 26 | Automotive and Watercraft Service AttendantsNo formal educational credential | $35,670 | $28,630 – $46,060 | +12.4%+41.5% nominal |
| 27 | Retail SalespersonsNo formal educational credential | $35,410 | $27,210 – $47,890 | +11.4%+40.2% nominal |
| 28 | Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and GreenhouseNo formal educational credential | $35,660 | $32,900 – $45,690 | +11.3%+40.2% nominal |
| 29 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersNo formal educational credential | $32,910 | $23,560 – $42,470 | +11.2%+40.0% nominal |
| 30 | Packers and Packagers, HandNo formal educational credential | $36,280 | $27,890 – $47,100 | +11.2%+40.0% nominal |
| 31 | Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingHigh school diploma or equivalent | $43,380 | $32,110 – $56,830 | +11.2%+40.0% nominal |
| 32 | Parking AttendantsNo formal educational credential | $35,150 | $27,040 – $44,550 | +11.0%+39.8% nominal |
| 33 | Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $43,220 | $33,390 – $60,030 | +10.7%+39.5% nominal |
| 34 | CashiersNo formal educational credential | $32,880 | $24,530 – $40,410 | +10.4%+39.0% nominal |
| 35 | Cleaners of Vehicles and EquipmentNo formal educational credential | $35,830 | $27,380 – $47,610 | +10.3%+38.9% nominal |
| 36 | Recreation WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $36,560 | $27,600 – $50,410 | +10.2%+38.7% nominal |
| 37 | Sewing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential | $36,670 | $27,860 – $47,840 | +10.2%+38.8% nominal |
| 38 | Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award | $35,760 | $28,920 – $50,140 | +10.2%+38.8% nominal |
| 39 | Labor Relations SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $95,420 | $50,490 – $156,180 | +9.8%+38.2% nominal |
| 40 | Tour and Travel GuidesHigh school diploma or equivalent | $38,120 | $28,520 – $60,930 | +9.7%+38.1% nominal |
| 41 | Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,350 | $34,170 – $61,600 | +9.6%+38.0% nominal |
| 42 | Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree | $161,740 | $92,940 – $225,330 | +9.6%+38.0% nominal |
| 43 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $44,650 | $33,280 – $64,880 | +9.6%+38.0% nominal |
| 44 | TellersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $43,030 | $34,360 – $49,680 | +9.4%+37.8% nominal |
| 45 | Amusement and Recreation AttendantsNo formal educational credential | $32,150 | $22,350 – $42,490 | +9.2%+37.6% nominal |
| 46 | Food BatchmakersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $42,290 | $31,990 – $58,940 | +9.1%+37.3% nominal |
| 47 | Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent | $59,050 | $40,030 – $84,700 | +9.0%+37.2% nominal |
| 48 | Fast Food and Counter WorkersNo formal educational credential | $31,200 | $22,840 – $42,650 | +9.0%+37.2% nominal |
| 49 | Slaughterers and Meat PackersNo formal educational credential | $40,130 | $33,340 – $51,090 | +9.0%+37.3% nominal |
| 50 | Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award | $35,790 | $27,040 – $71,190 | +8.9%+37.2% nominal |