Highest vs Lowest Paying Industries: The $200K+ Wage Gap
According to BLS data, the wage gap between industries is enormous. An average employee in miscellaneous intermediation earns $272,351/year, while someone in motion picture theaters (except drive-ins) earns just $19,903/year — a 14x difference.
10 Highest Paying Industries
- 1. Miscellaneous Intermediation: $272,351/year
- 2. Sports Teams and Clubs: $265,815/year
- 3. Other Financial Vehicles: $224,605/year
- 4. Crude Petroleum Extraction: $221,671/year
- 5. Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology): $212,757/year
- 6. Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities: $191,584/year
- 7. Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers: $181,791/year
- 8. Offices of Other Holding Companies: $179,688/year
- 9. Financial Transactions Processing, Reserve, and Clearinghouse Activities: $176,383/year
- 10. Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services: $171,216/year
10 Lowest Paying Industries
- 1. Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins): $19,903/year
- 2. Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers: $21,530/year
- 3. Limited-Service Restaurants: $22,553/year
- 4. Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars: $22,920/year
- 5. Fine Arts Schools: $22,952/year
- 6. Sports and Recreation Instruction: $23,027/year
- 7. Amusement Arcades: $23,540/year
- 8. Bowling Centers: $25,063/year
- 9. Cafeterias, Grill Buffets, and Buffets: $25,941/year
- 10. Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages): $26,027/year