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

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OccupationMedian, America · Real change since 2019

1Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$58,470
No formal educational credential
$45,530 – $75,280-22.8%-2.8% nominal
2Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$84,620
Doctoral or professional degree
$52,150 – $169,900-19.3%+1.6% nominal
3Operations Research Analysts$88,940
Bachelor's degree
$57,060 – $159,910-16.7%+4.9% nominal
4General and Operations Managers$105,770
Bachelor's degree
$50,090 – $253,390-16.7%+5.0% nominal
5Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,970
Bachelor's degree
$47,960 – $104,340-14.9%+7.2% nominal
6Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$66,270
Bachelor's degree
$50,040 – $101,340-14.7%+7.4% nominal
7Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$80,250
Doctoral or professional degree
$48,800 – $129,500-14.6%+7.6% nominal
8Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65,120
Bachelor's degree
$49,350 – $103,010-14.5%+7.7% nominal
9Real Estate Sales Agents$52,830
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,970 – $123,590-14.3%+8.0% nominal
10Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,370
Bachelor's degree
$48,080 – $102,540-14.3%+7.9% nominal
11Special Education Teachers, Middle School$66,810
Bachelor's degree
$49,420 – $102,510-13.6%+8.7% nominal
12Education Administrators, Postsecondary$104,590
Master's degree
$64,560 – $215,620-12.9%+9.6% nominal
13Dentists, General$170,950
Doctoral or professional degree
$86,250 – $319,630-12.8%+9.9% nominal
14Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$105,870
Master's degree
$76,280 – $167,770-12.8%+9.8% nominal
15Pharmacists$140,910
Doctoral or professional degree
$99,290 – $174,230-12.6%+10.0% nominal
16Logisticians$82,320
Bachelor's degree
$50,890 – $133,160-12.5%+10.1% nominal
17Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$62,680
Bachelor's degree
$46,990 – $101,830-12.4%+10.3% nominal
18Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$107,310
Doctoral or professional degree
$59,270 – $322,020-12.4%+10.3% nominal
19Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$63,890
Postsecondary nondegree award
$44,240 – $96,730-12.4%+10.3% nominal
20Education Administrators, All Other$95,200
Bachelor's degree
$51,910 – $161,010-11.5%+11.4% nominal
21Flight Attendants$63,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,110 – $136,430-10.9%+12.3% nominal
22Electricians$63,190
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,640 – $108,510-10.7%+12.5% nominal
23Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$77,640
Doctoral or professional degree
$44,300 – $160,700-10.6%+12.6% nominal
24Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$49,450
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,460 – $82,410-10.5%+12.6% nominal
25Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$64,330
Master's degree
$45,020 – $104,770-10.4%+12.8% nominal
26Detectives and Criminal Investigators$93,790
High school diploma or equivalent
$55,390 – $160,540-10.4%+12.8% nominal
27Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$78,620
Master's degree
$47,570 – $163,350-10.2%+13.1% nominal
28Training and Development Specialists$69,280
Bachelor's degree
$38,760 – $123,250-10.1%+13.2% nominal
29Credit Analysts$83,510
Bachelor's degree
$56,250 – $169,230-10.0%+13.4% nominal
30Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$107,230
High school diploma or equivalent
$65,120 – $194,900-9.9%+13.4% nominal
31Business Teachers, Postsecondary$99,080
Doctoral or professional degree
$47,180 – $209,470-9.8%+13.6% nominal
32Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$62,370
Bachelor's degree
$42,000 – $114,550-9.8%+13.6% nominal
33Structural Iron and Steel Workers$62,780
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,580 – $108,260-9.4%+14.1% nominal
34First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$62,890
High school diploma or equivalent
$43,360 – $96,150-9.3%+14.2% nominal
35Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$68,270
Master's degree
$43,660 – $103,990-8.9%+14.7% nominal
36Physical Therapists$102,760
Doctoral or professional degree
$77,140 – $135,140-8.8%+14.9% nominal
37Education Teachers, Postsecondary$75,350
Doctoral or professional degree
$39,530 – $126,860-8.7%+15.0% nominal
38English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$78,760
Doctoral or professional degree
$48,270 – $137,250-8.7%+15.0% nominal
39Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82,220
Bachelor's degree
$52,520 – $140,010-8.5%+15.2% nominal
40Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$63,800
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,150 – $108,420-8.2%+15.7% nominal
41Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$44,390
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,140 – $78,150-8.2%+15.7% nominal
42Aerospace Engineers$134,960
Bachelor's degree
$86,700 – $205,890-8.0%+15.8% nominal
43Civil Engineers$100,840
Bachelor's degree
$68,240 – $163,220-8.0%+15.8% nominal
44Computer Programmers$100,390
Bachelor's degree
$57,710 – $160,460-7.9%+16.0% nominal
45Chief Executives$213,990
Bachelor's degree
$75,700 – $507,730-7.9%+16.0% nominal
46Health Education Specialists$64,070
Bachelor's degree
$42,990 – $118,200-7.9%+16.0% nominal
47Interpreters and Translators$60,170
Bachelor's degree
$37,070 – $103,660-7.8%+16.1% nominal
48Financial Examiners$94,160
Bachelor's degree
$56,230 – $174,200-7.8%+16.1% nominal
49Insurance Underwriters$81,370
Bachelor's degree
$55,530 – $145,160-7.7%+16.2% nominal
50Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$54,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,900 – $74,690-7.6%+16.4% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianAmerica	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

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The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in America to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in America

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By field

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state