Private workers in these industries had the biggest pay raises over the past year

Workers have had the advantage over employers in recent years—for the first time in about two decades. The presence of more job openings than unemployed people has meant many businesses have had to offer higher pay, better benefits, and other perks to draw in workers.

On average, private sector wages increased 4.3% in the year from March 2022 to March 2023. That wage increase was outpaced by inflation, which rose 5% in that same period, though it is slowing. In April, inflation was slightly lower, at 4.9%.

Among the most lucrative fields for workers have been industries that bounced back from the coronavirus pandemic, top among them the travel and energy sectors.

International travel in 2022 reached 63% of the level in 2019—the year before the pandemic began—and global tourism is expected to improve even more in 2023, though economic uncertainty could change that projection.

As far as energy, restrictions on businesses reduced demand during the pandemic. But demand returned to pre-pandemic levels quickly as countries emerged from lockdowns. Average wages rose in the oil and gas sector—particularly in Texas, for example.

Just six of the 80 industries included in the analysis saw wage decreases over the year.

Stacker used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to compare 80 industries and find the ones with the largest pay increases from March 2022 to March 2023. Some percentages that appear to be ties are not at more precise decimal values. The analysis also shows the monthly change in pay.

#50. General merchandise retailers

- March 2023 average wage: $20.74 per hour
- Annual change: +4.1%
- Monthly change: -1.3%

#49. Telecommunications

- March 2023 average wage: $42.07 per hour
- Annual change: +4.3%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#48. Couriers and messengers

- March 2023 average wage: $24.00 per hour
- Annual change: +4.3%
- Monthly change: -0.5%

#47. Hospitals

- March 2023 average wage: $40.46 per hour
- Annual change: +4.5%
- Monthly change: +0.4%

#46. Warehousing and storage

- March 2023 average wage: $23.31 per hour
- Annual change: +4.5%
- Monthly change: +1.5%

#45. Apparel manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $24.48 per hour
- Annual change: +4.7%
- Monthly change: +1.0%

#44. Fabricated metal product manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $29.78 per hour
- Annual change: +4.7%
- Monthly change: +0.3%

#43. Nursing and residential care facilities

- March 2023 average wage: $23.98 per hour
- Annual change: +4.8%
- Monthly change: +0.4%

#42. Museums, historical sites, and similar institutions

- March 2023 average wage: $28.01 per hour
- Annual change: +4.9%
- Monthly change: -0.1%

#41. Machinery manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $33.78 per hour
- Annual change: +4.9%
- Monthly change: +0.4%

#40. Architectural, engineering, and related services

- March 2023 average wage: $46.35 per hour
- Annual change: +5.0%
- Monthly change: +0.5%

#39. Utilities

- March 2023 average wage: $49.23 per hour
- Annual change: +5.0%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#38. Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries

- March 2023 average wage: $22.83 per hour
- Annual change: +5.1%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#37. Health and personal care retailers

- March 2023 average wage: $28.71 per hour
- Annual change: +5.2%
- Monthly change: +0.5%

#36. Real estate

- March 2023 average wage: $33.74 per hour
- Annual change: +5.2%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#35. Gasoline stations and fuel dealers

- March 2023 average wage: $19.45 per hour
- Annual change: +5.2%
- Monthly change: +0.5%

#34. Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $32.36 per hour
- Annual change: +5.3%
- Monthly change: +2.0%

#33. Truck transportation

- March 2023 average wage: $30.23 per hour
- Annual change: +5.3%
- Monthly change: 0.0%

#32. Specialty trade contractors

- March 2023 average wage: $34.94 per hour
- Annual change: +5.4%
- Monthly change: +0.1%

#31. Heavy and civil engineering construction

- March 2023 average wage: $36.86 per hour
- Annual change: +5.5%
- Monthly change: +0.7%

#30. Merchant wholesalers, durable goods

- March 2023 average wage: $36.43 per hour
- Annual change: +5.5%
- Monthly change: +0.1%

#29. Clothing, clothing accessories, shoe, and jewelry retailers

- March 2023 average wage: $24.06 per hour
- Annual change: +5.7%
- Monthly change: +0.0%

#28. Construction of buildings

- March 2023 average wage: $38.33 per hour
- Annual change: +5.7%
- Monthly change: +0.7%

#27. Insurance carriers and related activities

- March 2023 average wage: $42.37 per hour
- Annual change: +5.7%
- Monthly change: +0.1%

#26. Repair and maintenance

- March 2023 average wage: $28.20 per hour
- Annual change: +5.8%
- Monthly change: +0.8%

#25. Management, scientific, and technical consulting services

- March 2023 average wage: $48.49 per hour
- Annual change: +5.9%
- Monthly change: +1.3%

#24. Plastics and rubber products manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $28.70 per hour
- Annual change: +5.9%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#23. Legal services

- March 2023 average wage: $56.13 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.5%

#22. Facilities support services

- March 2023 average wage: $28.14 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#21. Accommodation

- March 2023 average wage: $23.33 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#20. Scientific research and development services

- March 2023 average wage: $59.63 per hour
- Annual change: +6.0%
- Monthly change: +0.2%

#19. Primary metal manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $32.22 per hour
- Annual change: +6.1%
- Monthly change: +0.8%

#18. Specialized design services

- March 2023 average wage: $39.29 per hour
- Annual change: +6.2%
- Monthly change: +0.2%

#17. Social assistance

- March 2023 average wage: $21.44 per hour
- Annual change: +6.3%
- Monthly change: +0.2%

#16. Food services and drinking places

- March 2023 average wage: $19.38 per hour
- Annual change: +6.3%
- Monthly change: +0.3%

#15. Wood product manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $25.76 per hour
- Annual change: +6.4%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#14. Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services

- March 2023 average wage: $41.24 per hour
- Annual change: +6.5%
- Monthly change: +0.7%

#13. Furniture and related product manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $26.88 per hour
- Annual change: +6.6%
- Monthly change: -0.3%

#12. Broadcasting and content providers

- March 2023 average wage: $47.65 per hour
- Annual change: +6.8%
- Monthly change: -0.1%

#11. Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries

- March 2023 average wage: $38.30 per hour
- Annual change: +7.0%
- Monthly change: +0.1%

#10. Transit and ground passenger transportation

- March 2023 average wage: $25.60 per hour
- Annual change: +7.2%
- Monthly change: -0.6%

#9. Food manufacturing

- March 2023 average wage: $25.60 per hour
- Annual change: +7.2%
- Monthly change: +1.0%

#8. Waste management and remediation services

- March 2023 average wage: $32.61 per hour
- Annual change: +7.3%
- Monthly change: +0.4%

#7. Wholesale trade agents and brokers

- March 2023 average wage: $45.99 per hour
- Annual change: +7.5%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#6. Sporting goods, hobby, musical instrument, book, and miscellaneous retailers

- March 2023 average wage: $22.98 per hour
- Annual change: +7.5%
- Monthly change: +0.6%

#5. Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers

- March 2023 average wage: $22.13 per hour
- Annual change: +8.1%
- Monthly change: +0.9%

#4. Business support services

- March 2023 average wage: $26.91 per hour
- Annual change: +9.4%
- Monthly change: +0.4%

#3. Publishing industries

- March 2023 average wage: $54.05 per hour
- Annual change: +11.8%
- Monthly change: +1.1%

#2. Oil and gas extraction

- March 2023 average wage: $51.19 per hour
- Annual change: +12.3%
- Monthly change: +0.3%

#1. Travel arrangement and reservation services

- March 2023 average wage: $33.92 per hour
- Annual change: +13.1%
- Monthly change: +0.0%

Data reporting by Paxtyn Merten. Story editing by Jeff Inglis. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Abigail Renaud.