HIGHLIGHTS OF PORTLAND-SALEM, OR-WA
NATIONAL COMPENSATION SURVEY SEPTEMBER 2003

Workers in the Portland-Salem metropolitan area averaged $19.34 per hour during September 2003 according to a new survey released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden reported that white-collar workers averaged $23.33 per hour and accounted for 52 percent of the workers in the area. Blue-collar employees averaged $16.37 per hour and represented 30 percent of the workforce, while the remaining 18 percent worked in service occupations and averaged $12.18 per hour. (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, the self-employed, and the Federal Government. This NCS covered 215 firms representing 436,300 workers in the Portland-Salem metropolitan area, which includes Clackamas, Columbia, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill Counties in Oregon and Clark County in Washington. Seventy-seven percent of these employees worked in private industry.

In the Portland-Salem metropolitan area, average hourly wages were published for about 60 detailed occupations. (See Table 1.) Among white-collar workers, industrial engineers averaged $33.85 per hour; registered nurses, $28.62; accountants and auditors, $22.93; and general office clerks, $13.81. Within blue-collar occupations electricians averaged $28.50 per hour; printing press operators, $17.71; and production helpers, $12.85. In the service occupations, cooks averaged $11.07 per hour; maids and housemen, $10.59; and guards and police, except public service, $9.91.

The NCS also provides broad coverage of selected occupational characteristics which may affect individual earnings. (See Tables 2 and 3.) For example, full-time employees in the Portland-Salem area averaged $19.90 per hour, higher than part-time workers at $13.86. Membership in a collective bargaining unit can also affect pay levels. All union workers averaged $20.12 per hour, greater than non-union workers earning $18.91. Furthermore, union workers in service jobs averaged $16.47 per hour, while their non-union counterparts received $10.58. The size of an establishment may influence pay as well. For example, private industry, white-collar workers at establishments employing 50-99 workers averaged $18.43 per hour, while those in establishments with 100-499 employees earned $22.77. Blue-collar workers at establishments of 50-99 employees earned $15.88 per hour while blue-collar workers at establishments of 100-499 employees received $14.69.

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 the 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 judgment, supervision received and other factors required on the job.

Survey Availability