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BLS 04-33 FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, May 5, 2004

 HIGHLIGHTS OF SACRAMENTO-YOLO, CA
NATIONAL COMPENSATION SURVEY JULY 2003

Workers in the Sacramento-Yolo, California, metropolitan area averaged $20.75 per hour during July 2003¹, according to a new survey released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Acting Regional Commissioner Nancy Treadwell reported that white-collar workers averaged $23.17 per hour and accounted for 63 percent of the workers in the area. Blue-collar employees averaged $17.28 per hour and represented 19 percent of the workforce, while 18 percent worked in service occupations and earned $15.36 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 209 firms representing 336,600 workers in the Sacramento-Yolo metropolitan area, which includes El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, and Yolo Counties in California. Fifty-eight percent of those represented worked in private industry.

In the Sacramento-Yolo metropolitan area, average hourly wages were published for 56 detailed occupations. (See table 1.) Among white-collar workers, civil engineers averaged $35.78 per hour, licensed practical nurses, $20.28, and receptionists, $12.95. Blue-collar occupations included bus, truck, and stationary engine mechanics who averaged $22.30 per hour; truck drivers at $17.47; and assemblers at $10.13. In the service occupations, police and detectives, public service averaged $28.49 per hour; nursing aides, orderlies and attendants averaged $11.64 per hour; and cooks, $9.99.

The NCS also provides broad coverage of selected occupational characteristics. (See tables 2 and 3.) For example, full-time employees in the Sacramento-Yolo area averaged $21.58 per hour, greater than part-timers at $13.12. Union workers in blue-collar jobs averaged $19.60 per hour, above their nonunion counterparts who earned $15.41. Private industry workers at establishments employing 50-99 workers averaged $16.62 per hour, less than those in establishments with 500 or more employees who averaged $21.43.

The NCS is part of a statistical program that integrates three previously 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 judgment, supervision received and other factors required on the job.

Survey Availability