FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media Contact: (816) 426-2481
Fax on demand: 816-426-3152--Document 9688 & 9689

FOR RELEASE: April 30, 2004

Workers in the Great Falls, Montana metropolitan area averaged $16.82 per hour during November 2003, according to a new survey released by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Acting Regional Commissioner Hal Corley reported that white-collar workers averaged $18.73 per hour, blue-collar employees averaged $15.15, and workers in service occupations earned $10.62. (See table 1.)

The National Compensation Survey (NCS) presents straight-time earnings for occupations in establishments employing 50 or more workers in private industry and State and local governments. The survey excludes agricultural establishments, private households, and the Federal Government. This NCS covered 39 firms in the Great Falls metropolitan area, which includes all of Cascade County, Montana.

The NCS also provides coverage of selected occupational characteristics. For example, full-time employees in the Great Falls metropolitan area averaged $17.14 per hour and part-time workers earned $14.95. Union workers averaged $18.10 per hour, while their nonunion counterparts made $16.49. Private industry workers at establishments employing 50-99 workers averaged $14.52 per hour and those in establishments with 100-499 employees earned $14.83.

The NCS is a part of a statistical program that will eventually integrate three separate surveys of wages and benefits into one comprehensive compensation program increasing the amount of data available. Data provided by the NCS may be used by businesses for establishing pay plans, making decisions concerning plant relocation, and in collective bargaining negotiations. Individuals may use such data to help choose potential careers. Average rates of pay are also available for levels of work within an occupation based on knowledge, skill, independent judgement, supervision received, and other factors required on the job.

Survey Availability

Complete survey results are contained in the National Compensation Survey, Great Falls, MT, November 2003. While supplies last, single copies of the bulletin are available from the Kansas City Information Office by calling 816-426-2481. In addition, data contained in the bulletin are available on the Internet in both text and PDF formats at http://www.bls.gov/ncs/ocs/compub.htm. Select survey tables can also be obtained from Ready Facts, the Bureau's fax-on-demand service, in Kansas City by dialing 816-426-3152 and requesting documents 9688 and 9689.

For personal assistance or further information on the National Compensation Survey, as well as other Bureau programs, contact the Kansas City Economic Analysis & Information Office at 816-426-2481 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. central time.

Last Modified Date: June 4, 2004

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