Chattanooga’s highest paid professions
Among more than 300 occupations tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, six of the top 10 paying jobs in metropolitan Chattanooga were in medical professions last year. Most of the medical jobs had a higher median pay in Chattanooga than the national average.Profession Chattanooga median pay U.S. median pay1. Obstetricians, gynecologists – $264,260 , or 12.8 percent more than the U.S. median of $234,3102. Surgeons – $262,380, or 3.7 percent more than the U.S. median of $252,9103. Pediatricians – $254,760, or 38.3 percent more than the U.S. median of $184,2404. Chief executives – $178,800, or 8 percent less than the U.S. median of $194,3505. Dentists – $172,100, or 3.7 percent less than the U.S. median of $178,6706. Lawyers – $131,920, or 5.7 percent less than the U.S. median of $139,8807. Architects – $129,060, or 10.3 percent less than the U.S. median of $143,8708. Pharmacists – $123,300, or 2.5 percent more than the U.S. median of $120,2709. Veterinarians – $117,150, or 16.4 percent more than the U.S. median of $100,56010. Mining safety engineers – $111,260, or 23.4 percent mor than the U.S. median of $ 90,190All occupations – $41,940, or 15.5 percent less than the U.S. median of $49,630Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2016 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. Nationwide, the top 10 paying occupations were all medical jobs, ranging from the highest paid, anesthesiologists at a U.S. median pay of $269,600 to psychiatrist who average $200,220.
The median pay of Chattanooga workers increased by $1.35 a week last year but remained nearly 16 percent below the national average, according to newly released government figures.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates workers in the six-county Chattanooga metropolitan area were paid a median annual salary in 2016 of $41,940 – $7,690 less than the U.S. median annual pay of $49,630.
The average hourly wage in metro Chattanooga in May 2016 rose by 51 cents an hour from the previous year to $20.16. But local pay still averaged $3.70 an hour less than the U.S. median hourly pay of $23.86.
The BLS found that 19 of the 22 major occupational groups in Chattanooga had significantly lower wages than the U.S. averages, including those in arts, design, entertainment, sports, media, management, health care practitioners and most technical jobs.