Incomes are on the rise for American workers. According to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, wages and salaries in the private sector rose by 5.2% annually in the third quarter. Still, soaring inflation outpaced wage gains, as the consumer price index climbed by a historic 8.2% over the same period.
While most private-sector workers have seen their real wages fall in the last 12 months due to inflation, some occupations have recorded far stronger than average income growth – even outpacing inflation.
Using data from the BLS’s Current Employment Statistics survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the jobs where pay is rising the fastest. In each of the 36 jobs on this list, average hourly earnings climbed by over 12% from August 2021 to August 2022.
The largest share of occupations on this list – eight out of 36 – is in the retail sector, as pay for workers selling sporting goods, outdoor equipment, and home goods is rising rapidly. Additionally, six of the jobs on this list are in the professional and business services sector, and four are in leisure and hospitality. Many of these jobs are related to travel and outdoor recreation. (Here is a look at the industries where people got the biggest raises during the pandemic.)
While average hourly wages have surged in these occupations in the past year, many still pay less than average. In just over half of the jobs on this list, average hourly wages as of August 2022 were below the average of $32.16 an hour across all private sector occupations. (Here is a look at the highest paying jobs you can have in America.)
Click here to see jobs where pay is rising the fastest.
Source: coconinonationalforest / Flickr
36. RV parks and recreational camp workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.1%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $18.59
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $16.58
> Sector: Leisure and hospitality
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $20.01 (+7.8% in past year)
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Source: sutlafk / iStock via Getty Images
35. Misc. nondepository credit intermediation bankers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.3%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $44.74
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $39.85
> Sector: Financial activities
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $41.49 (+3.2% in past year)
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Source: KangeStudio / iStock via Getty Images
34. HVAC and refrigeration equipment workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.3%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $34.36
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $30.60
> Sector: Trade, transportation, and utilities
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $27.74 (+4.4% in past year)
Source: Nattakorn Maneerat / iStock via Getty Images
33. Wireless telecommunications carrier workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.4%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $34.24
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $30.47
> Sector: Information
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $46.70 (+4.9% in past year)
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32. Sporting goods store workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.5%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $21.37
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $19.00
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
Source: a40757 / iStock via Getty Images
31. Telephone call center workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.5%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $24.66
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $21.92
> Sector: Professional and business services
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $38.62 (+4.2% in past year)
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Source: kali9 / E+ via Getty Images
30. Facilities support service workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.8%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $27.58
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $24.45
> Sector: Professional and business services
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $38.62 (+4.2% in past year)
Source: golubovy / Getty Images
29. Computer and office machine repair workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.8%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $32.81
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $29.08
> Sector: Other services
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $28.30 (+1.9% in past year)
28. Lime, gypsum, and other nonmetallic mineral products manufacturing
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +12.8%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $30.69
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $27.20
> Sector: Durable goods manufacturing
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $32.51 (+3.5% in past year)
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Source: Reimphoto / iStock via Getty Images
27. Plywood and engineered wood products manufacturing
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.0%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $26.40
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $23.37
> Sector: Durable goods manufacturing
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $32.51 (+3.5% in past year)
Source: NicolasMcComber / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
26. Home furnishings store workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.2%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $26.01
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $22.98
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
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Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images
25. Floor covering store workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.2%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $32.84
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $29.00
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
Source: jax10289 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
24. Convenience store workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.4%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $17.32
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $15.27
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
Source: borabajk / Getty Images
23. Newspaper publishing workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.5%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $28.41
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $25.04
> Sector: Information
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $46.70 (+4.9% in past year)
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Source: Tim Boyle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
22. Tile and terrazzo contractors
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.5%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $32.28
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $28.45
> Sector: Construction
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $35.00 (+5.5% in past year)
Source: ewg3D / E+ via Getty Images
21. Other building equipment contractors
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.5%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $38.68
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $34.09
> Sector: Construction
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $35.00 (+5.5% in past year)
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Source: Paulo Costa / iStock via Getty Images
20. Freight transportation arrangement workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +13.7%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $36.89
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $32.44
> Sector: Transportation and warehousing
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $28.31 (+5.3% in past year)
19. Cosmetic and beauty supply store workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +14.1%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $23.78
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $20.84
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
Source: Prostock-Studio / Getty Images
18. Caterers and mobile food service workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +14.3%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $25.24
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $22.09
> Sector: Leisure and hospitality
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $20.01 (+7.8% in past year)
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17. Skiing facility workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +14.5%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $27.88
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $24.34
> Sector: Leisure and hospitality
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $20.01 (+7.8% in past year)
Source: xeni4ka / iStock via Getty Images
16. Other activities related to real estate finance workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +14.6%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $46.45
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $40.52
> Sector: Financial activities
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $41.49 (+3.2% in past year)
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15. Support activities for road transportation workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +14.8%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $27.50
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $23.96
> Sector: Transportation and warehousing
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $28.31 (+5.3% in past year)
Source: Kamonchai Mattakulphon / iStock via Getty Images
14. Material handling equipment manufacturing
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.0%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $32.88
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $28.58
> Sector: Durable goods manufacturing
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $32.51 (+3.5% in past year)
Source: CarmenMurillo / iStock via Getty Images
13. Travel agents
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.2%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $30.48
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $26.46
> Sector: Professional and business services
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $38.62 (+4.2% in past year)
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Source: Panpetch Petchphloy / iStock via Getty Images
12. Alcoholic beverage trade and transportation workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.4%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $37.19
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $32.23
> Sector: Trade, transportation, and utilities
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $27.74 (+4.4% in past year)
Source: via Facebook / courtesy of Seafood Shack
11. Seafood product preparation and packaging workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.5%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $21.55
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $18.66
> Sector: Nondurable goods manufacturing
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $28.20 (+3.6% in past year)
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Source: PeopleImages / iStock via Getty Images
10. Other ground passenger transportation workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.6%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $21.47
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $18.57
> Sector: Transportation and warehousing
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $28.31 (+5.3% in past year)
Source: damircudic / E+ via Getty Images
9. Miscellaneous professional and technical service workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.7%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $38.92
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $33.65
> Sector: Professional and business services
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $38.62 (+4.2% in past year)
Source: photovs / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
8. Travel arrangement and reservation service workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.8%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $32.87
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $28.39
> Sector: Professional and business services
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $38.62 (+4.2% in past year)
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7. Other building finishing contractors
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +15.9%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $32.84
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $28.34
> Sector: Construction
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $35.00 (+5.5% in past year)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
6. Book and newspaper store workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +16.4%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $18.85
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $16.19
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
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Source: AlenaMozhjer / iStock via Getty Images
5. Offices of real estate appraisers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +16.6%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $37.29
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $31.98
> Sector: Financial activities
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $41.49 (+3.2% in past year)
Source: Pgiam / E+ via Getty Images
4. Outdoor power equipment store workers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +17.3%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $23.99
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $20.45
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
Source: David McNew / Getty Images
3. Convention and trade show organizers
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +20.4%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $41.22
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $34.24
> Sector: Professional and business services
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $38.62 (+4.2% in past year)
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Source: Kerkez / iStock via Getty Images
2. Arts and sports promoters and agents and managers for public figures
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +21.4%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $36.76
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $30.27
> Sector: Leisure and hospitality
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $20.01 (+7.8% in past year)
1. Florists
> 1-yr. change in avg. hourly earnings: +25.3%
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2022: $19.94
> Avg. hourly earnings, August 2021: $15.92
> Sector: Retail trade
> Avg. hourly earnings across sector: $22.97 (+4.2% in past year)
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