May 2003 Occupational Employment and Wages — 2004-04-30

Health care-related occupations, including specialist physicians and dentists, accounted for 8 of the 10 highest-paying occupations in May 2003, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The average hourly wages for these health-related occupations ranged from $91.48 for surgeons to $63.08 for dentists. The lowest-paying occupations included fast-food cooks who earned $7.23 per hour and hair shampooers who earned $7.27 per hour. Five of the six lowest-paying occupations were re- lated to food preparation and serving. Retail salespersons and cashiers were the largest occupations in the United States, with about 4 million and 3.5 million employees, respectively. Occupations with more than 2 million workers included general office clerks; hand laborers and material movers; registered nurses; waiters and waitresses; janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners; and combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food.