The median weekly income for U.S. production workers was $488 in the first quarter of 2012, a drop of $12 or 2.5% from the same period in 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. Median weekly earnings for the nation's 100.8 million full-time wage and salary workers in the first quarter was $769, a gain of 1.9% from the same period last year and less than the 2.8% rise in the Consumer Price Index. Production weekly earnings were $26 higher than the mean of $450 for all service occupations. People in management, professional and related occupations had the highest weekly earnings - $1,309, a gain of 3.3% from the first quarter of 2011. Education remains a powerful determinant of earnings power. Workers with less than a high school diploma had a median weekly income of $450, while high school graduates earned $653, college graduates earned $1,051 and those with advanced degrees earned $1,367.
About the Author
Steve Minter
Steve Minter, Executive Editor
Focus: Leadership, Global Economy, Energy
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An award-winning editor, Executive Editor Steve Minter covers leadership, global economic and trade issues and energy, tackling subject matter ranging from CEO profiles and leadership theories to economic trends and energy policy. As well, he supervises content development for editorial products including the magazine, IndustryWeek.com, research and information products, and conferences.
Before joining the IW staff, Steve was publisher and editorial director of Penton Media’s EHS Today, where he was instrumental in the development of the Champions of Safety and America’s Safest Companies recognition programs.
Steve received his B.A. in English from Oberlin College. He is married and has two adult children.