Income Varies Widely by Geographic Area

Inter-City Wage & Salary Differentials - 1998
Survey Summary

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Where does one find the highest and lowest pay rates? That depends strongly upon the job, according to Abbott, Langer Association Surveys. Having analyzed and compared pay data for over 3,900,000 employees in 54 benchmark jobs in 230 geographic areas in the U.S. and possessions, his firm has just published a 263-page report entitled Inter-City Wage & Salary Differentials - 1998 which reports its findings in detail. Copies of this report are available for $2750.00 through our On-Line Order Form or from Abbott, Langer Association Surveys, 1725 I Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20006 (Telephone: (877) 210-6563, Fax: (877) 239-2457).

According to the report, Secretaries III are paid 20% above the national average in the New York City (NY/NJ) metropolitan area, but 31% below the average in Grand Island-Hastings (NE). Switchboard Operator/Receptionists in the New York City (NY/NJ) metropolitan area do 30% better than the average, whereas those in Butler County (MO) are 38% below the national average. Key Entry Operators II do best in the Kokomo- Logansport (IN) area (52% above), and worst in the Louisville (KY/IN) area (31% below).

The same sort of disparities hold true for technical jobs. For example, Computer Systems Analysts II do best in Bergen-Passaic Counties, NJ (20% above), and worst in San Juan-Caguas-Arecibo, Puerto Rico (27% below). Drafters II are paid 44% above the national average in Nassau-Suffolk Counties, NY, and 33% below the average in San Juan-Caguas-Arecibo, Puerto Rico.

Blue-collar workers are certainly not exempt from geographic pay differentials. Maintenance Machinists are paid best in the San Jose (CA) metropolitan area (34% above average), and worst in San Juan-Caguas-Arecibo, Puerto Rico (40% below). Truck Drivers (medium truck) in Monmouth-Ocean Counties, NJ are paid 23% higher than the national average, but 52% below in Northwest Texas. Forklift Operators are paid 39% above average in Buffalo-Niagra Falls, NY, and least in the Rio Grande Valley (TX) area (50% below the national average).

Naturally, pay in Alaska is almost always higher than the average national rate for the U.S. For example, Computer Operators III are paid 49% more than the national average in Alaska, General Clerks I 52% more, Drafter III 40% more, Shipper & Receiver 60% more, Maintenance Mechanic (machinery) 40% more, General Maintenance Worker 49% more, and Material Handling Laborer 60% more. However, the cost of living in Alaska is also significantly higher than any place in the continental U.S.

The 263-page survey report, Inter-City Wage & Salary Differentials - 1998, described on this page is available to organizations for $275, with charges for shipping & handling. The report is IN STOCK and can be shipped out within two business days. The mean salary data are reported for geographic location. To purchase the report, use our On-Line Order Form, call (877) 210-6563, , fax, or write per the information at the bottom of this page.