Canva
1 / 50#50. General merchandise retailers
- March 2023 average wage: $20.74 per hour
- Annual change: +4.1%
- Monthly change: -1.3%
Private workers in these industries had the biggest pay raises over the past year
Workers have had the advantage over employers in recent years—for the first time in about two decades. The presence of more job openings than unemployed people has meant many businesses have had to offer higher pay, better benefits, and other perks to draw in workers.
On average, private sector wages increased 4.3% in the year from March 2022 to March 2023. That wage increase was outpaced by inflation, which rose 5% in that same period, though it is slowing. In April, inflation was slightly lower, at 4.9%.
Among the most lucrative fields for workers have been industries that bounced back from the coronavirus pandemic, top among them the travel and energy sectors.
International travel in 2022 reached 63% of the level in 2019—the year before the pandemic began—and global tourism is expected to improve even more in 2023, though economic uncertainty could change that projection.
As far as energy, restrictions on businesses reduced demand during the pandemic. But demand returned to pre-pandemic levels quickly as countries emerged from lockdowns. Average wages rose in the oil and gas sector—particularly in Texas, for example.
Just six of the 80 industries included in the analysis saw wage decreases over the year.
Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to compare 80 industries and find the ones with the largest pay increases from March 2022 to March 2023. Some percentages that appear to be ties are not at more precise decimal values. The analysis also shows the monthly change in pay.
You may also like: How entrepreneurs can best prepare to get approved for a small business loan
Canva
2 / 50#49. Telecommunications
- March 2023 average wage: $42.07 per hour
- Annual change: +4.3%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
Canva
3 / 50#48. Couriers and messengers
- March 2023 average wage: $24.00 per hour
- Annual change: +4.3%
- Monthly change: -0.5%
Canva
4 / 50#47. Hospitals
- March 2023 average wage: $40.46 per hour
- Annual change: +4.5%
- Monthly change: +0.4%
Canva
5 / 50#46. Warehousing and storage
- March 2023 average wage: $23.31 per hour
- Annual change: +4.5%
- Monthly change: +1.5%
You may also like: The 7 essential things you need when applying for a business loan
Canva
6 / 50#45. Apparel manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $24.48 per hour
- Annual change: +4.7%
- Monthly change: +1.0%
Canva
7 / 50#44. Fabricated metal product manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $29.78 per hour
- Annual change: +4.7%
- Monthly change: +0.3%
Canva
8 / 50#43. Nursing and residential care facilities
- March 2023 average wage: $23.98 per hour
- Annual change: +4.8%
- Monthly change: +0.4%
Canva
9 / 50#42. Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions
- March 2023 average wage: $28.01 per hour
- Annual change: +4.9%
- Monthly change: -0.1%
Canva
10 / 50#41. Machinery manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $33.78 per hour
- Annual change: +4.9%
- Monthly change: +0.4%
You may also like: 5 easy car repairs you can do on your own instead of making an insurance claim
Canva
11 / 50#40. Architectural, engineering, and related services
- March 2023 average wage: $46.35 per hour
- Annual change: +5.0%
- Monthly change: +0.5%
Canva
12 / 50#39. Utilities
- March 2023 average wage: $49.23 per hour
- Annual change: +5.0%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
Canva
13 / 50#38. Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries
- March 2023 average wage: $22.83 per hour
- Annual change: +5.1%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
Canva
14 / 50#37. Health and personal care retailers
- March 2023 average wage: $28.71 per hour
- Annual change: +5.2%
- Monthly change: +0.5%
Canva
15 / 50#36. Real estate
- March 2023 average wage: $33.74 per hour
- Annual change: +5.2%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
You may also like: Where cannabis is supporting tax revenue the most
Canva
16 / 50#35. Gasoline stations and fuel dealers
- March 2023 average wage: $19.45 per hour
- Annual change: +5.2%
- Monthly change: +0.5%
Andrew Will // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $32.36 per hour
- Annual change: +5.3%
- Monthly change: +2.0%
Canva
18 / 50#33. Truck transportation
- March 2023 average wage: $30.23 per hour
- Annual change: +5.3%
- Monthly change: 0.0%
Canva
19 / 50#32. Specialty trade contractors
- March 2023 average wage: $34.94 per hour
- Annual change: +5.4%
- Monthly change: +0.1%
Canva
20 / 50#31. Heavy and civil engineering construction
- March 2023 average wage: $36.86 per hour
- Annual change: +5.5%
- Monthly change: +0.7%
You may also like: Why furniture prices are falling amid ongoing inflation
Canva
21 / 50#30. Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
- March 2023 average wage: $36.43 per hour
- Annual change: +5.5%
- Monthly change: +0.1%
Canva
22 / 50#29. Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers
- March 2023 average wage: $24.06 per hour
- Annual change: +5.7%
- Monthly change: +0.0%
Canva
23 / 50#28. Construction of buildings
- March 2023 average wage: $38.33 per hour
- Annual change: +5.7%
- Monthly change: +0.7%
Canva
24 / 50#27. Insurance carriers and related activities
- March 2023 average wage: $42.37 per hour
- Annual change: +5.7%
- Monthly change: +0.1%
Canva
25 / 50#26. Repair and maintenance
- March 2023 average wage: $28.20 per hour
- Annual change: +5.8%
- Monthly change: +0.8%
You may also like: Transportation, health care lead the way in employee recruitment growth
Canva
26 / 50#25. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services
- March 2023 average wage: $48.49 per hour
- Annual change: +5.9%
- Monthly change: +1.3%
Canva
27 / 50#24. Plastics and rubber products manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $28.70 per hour
- Annual change: +5.9%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
Canva
28 / 50#23. Legal services
- March 2023 average wage: $56.13 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.5%
Canva
29 / 50#22. Facilities support services
- March 2023 average wage: $28.14 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
Canva
30 / 50#21. Accommodation
- March 2023 average wage: $23.33 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
You may also like: 11 ways to secure startup funding for your business
Canva
31 / 50#20. Scientific research and development services
- March 2023 average wage: $59.63 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.2%
Canva
32 / 50#19. Primary metal manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $32.22 per hour
- Annual change: +6.1%
- Monthly change: +0.8%
Canva
33 / 50#18. Specialized design services
- March 2023 average wage: $39.29 per hour
- Annual change: +6.2%
- Monthly change: +0.2%
Canva
34 / 50#17. Social assistance
- March 2023 average wage: $21.44 per hour
- Annual change: +6.3%
- Monthly change: +0.2%
Canva
35 / 50#16. Food services and drinking places
- March 2023 average wage: $19.38 per hour
- Annual change: +6.3%
- Monthly change: +0.3%
You may also like: When salt was gold: The evolution of two commodities
Canva
36 / 50#15. Wood product manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $25.76 per hour
- Annual change: +6.4%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
Canva
37 / 50#14. Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services
- March 2023 average wage: $41.24 per hour
- Annual change: +6.5%
- Monthly change: +0.7%
Canva
38 / 50#13. Furniture and related product manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $26.88 per hour
- Annual change: +6.6%
- Monthly change: -0.3%
Canva
39 / 50#12. Broadcasting and content providers
- March 2023 average wage: $47.65 per hour
- Annual change: +6.8%
- Monthly change: -0.1%
Canva
40 / 50#11. Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
- March 2023 average wage: $38.30 per hour
- Annual change: +7.0%
- Monthly change: +0.1%
You may also like: 'Quick quitting': A closer look at the growing trend in the job market
Canva
41 / 50#10. Transit and ground passenger transportation
- March 2023 average wage: $25.60 per hour
- Annual change: +7.2%
- Monthly change: -0.6%
Canva
42 / 50#9. Food manufacturing
- March 2023 average wage: $25.60 per hour
- Annual change: +7.2%
- Monthly change: +1.0%
Canva
43 / 50#8. Waste management and remediation services
- March 2023 average wage: $32.61 per hour
- Annual change: +7.3%
- Monthly change: +0.4%
Canva
44 / 50#7. Wholesale trade agents and brokers
- March 2023 average wage: $45.99 per hour
- Annual change: +7.5%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
Canva
45 / 50#6. Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers
- March 2023 average wage: $22.98 per hour
- Annual change: +7.5%
- Monthly change: +0.6%
You may also like: Business email compromise attacks are on the rise. Here's how to avoid getting duped.
Koy_Hipster // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers
- March 2023 average wage: $22.13 per hour
- Annual change: +8.1%
- Monthly change: +0.9%
Canva
47 / 50#4. Business support services
- March 2023 average wage: $26.91 per hour
- Annual change: +9.4%
- Monthly change: +0.4%
Canva
48 / 50#3. Publishing industries
- March 2023 average wage: $54.05 per hour
- Annual change: +11.8%
- Monthly change: +1.1%
Canva
49 / 50#2. Oil and gas extraction
- March 2023 average wage: $51.19 per hour
- Annual change: +12.3%
- Monthly change: +0.3%
Canva
50 / 50#1. Travel arrangement and reservation services
- March 2023 average wage: $33.92 per hour
- Annual change: +13.1%
- Monthly change: +0.0%
Data reporting by Paxtyn Merten. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Abigail Renaud.
You may also like: Cheddar cheese, ham, and other groceries that dropped in price in the South last month
