Judge an offer in three steps
Step 1. Find your job and metro. Go by duties, not the job title. A "warehouse associate" who fills orders fits stockers. One who moves freight by hand fits hand laborers (O*NET, updated 2026). Use the metro tables below. For other metros, or to see the 25th and 75th percentiles, use the BLS query tool at data.bls.gov/oes.
Step 2. Take out the extras. BLS medians include base pay, tips, commissions and production bonuses. They leave out overtime, shift differentials, weekend premiums and attendance bonuses (BLS OEWS FAQ, read October 31, 2026). So compare the base rate. "$19 days, $21 nights" is a $19 job for this check. For "up to" pay and ranges, see how to read pay on a job posting.
Step 3. See where the rate lands.
Scroll horizontally to view every column.
| Base rate compared with your job and metro | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Below the local minimum wage | It may be illegal | Check minimum wage by state. Call your state labor agency |
| Below the 10th percentile | About 9 in 10 workers in this job earn more | Treat it as a low offer. Keep looking unless the job has something you need |
| 10th percentile to the median | Common pay, on the low side | Ask for more if you bring what the ad asks for. Ask when raises come |
| At or near the median | Half earn more, half earn less | Fair on pay. Now compare hours, shift and benefits |
| Median to the 90th percentile | Better than most in this job | Look for the reason: nights, heavy work, few hours or a license |
| Above the 90th percentile | About 1 in 10 earn more | Read closely. Ask if it is the base rate. Check for job scam warning signs |
Worked example: "An ad says $17 in Houston. Is that low?"
It depends on the job. Here is what BLS shows for the metro.
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, May 2025
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| Job (BLS code) | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (53-7062) | $14.26 | $15.87 | $18.27 | $22.19 | $25.13 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers (53-7065) | $13.82 | $16.46 | $17.74 | $21.57 | $22.55 |
| Retail Salespersons (41-2031) | $11.23 | $13.46 | $15.07 | $17.70 | $21.96 |
| Cashiers (41-2011) | $10.73 | $12.73 | $14.11 | $16.44 | $17.78 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
- Hand laborer: low. $17 is $1.27 under the $18.27 median. At 40 hours that is $50.80 a week, or $2,641.60 over 52 weeks. It is still above the 25th percentile, $15.87.
- Stocker: a little low. $17 is $0.74 under the $17.74 median. That is $29.60 a week, or $1,539.20 a year.
- Retail salesperson: good. $17 is $1.93 over the $15.07 median.
- Cashier: good. $17 is $2.89 over the $14.11 median, and above the 75th percentile, $16.44.
- The catch: if that $17 includes a $1.50 night differential, the base is $15.50. That falls under the 25th percentile for both hand laborers and stockers.
- The legal floor will not help. Texas uses the federal $7.25 minimum (U.S. DOL, updated July 1, 2026).
- Take-home: $17 for 40 hours is $680.00 gross. Subtract $52.02 for Social Security and Medicare (7.65%, IRS Topic 751) and $39.68 in federal withholding (single filer, standard W-4, paid weekly, IRS Publication 15-T, 2026). That leaves $588.30, with no Texas income tax. See your first paycheck explained.
Looking in that metro? See warehouse jobs in Houston.
What the 10th and 90th percentile mean
- 10th percentile: 1 in 10 workers in this job earn less than this.
- Median (50th percentile): half earn less and half earn more.
- 90th percentile: 1 in 10 workers earn more than this.
BLS defines a percentile as the wage that a set share of workers fall below (BLS OEWS, percentile wages, read October 31, 2026). The 10th percentile is not a starting wage, and the 90th is not a cap. BLS does not collect workers' age or education in this survey, and the figures are not split by years on the job (BLS OEWS FAQ). A new hire can land above the median, and a 10-year worker below it.
Why a posted rate differs from the median
- Shift. Night and weekend premiums are not in the median. Federal law does not require extra pay for night work, so it is up to the employer (U.S. DOL, read October 31, 2026). See what overnight postings list in night shift warehouse jobs.
- Experience and licenses. A license, a certificate or years on the job can move you up the range. Some ads pay for it. Others pay one rate to everyone.
- Employer. The median blends every employer. Some set pay by contract: UPS part-timers start at $21.00 under the Teamsters agreement (National Master Agreement, Article 22, 2023 to 2028). Others post wide ranges: a Walmart customer host job in Kansas City, KS shows $15.00 to $28.00 (posting read October 31, 2026). Plan on the low end of a wide range.
- Who is counted. The figures cover full-time and part-time employees. They do not cover the self-employed, so most gig and owner-operator pay is not here (BLS OEWS FAQ).
- Place. A metro is wider than a city, and some cities set a higher floor: Seattle $21.30, Denver $19.29, Los Angeles $18.42, Chicago $17.05 for employers with 4 or more workers (city labor offices, 2026 rates).
- Date. This data is from May 2025. Wages for all civilian workers rose 3.1% in the 12 months to September 2026 (BLS Employment Cost Index, October 30, 2026). So a fair offer today can run above these medians. Do not add that percent to a job's median and treat it as fact, because it covers all jobs.
When to ask for more
Asking is normal. No federal law requires raises above the minimum wage, so pay is a matter of agreement (U.S. DOL FLSA FAQ, read October 31, 2026). A yes is not promised.
Ask when:
- Your base rate is under your metro median, and you have what the ad asks for.
- The shift is hard and carries no differential.
- You hold a real written offer that pays more.
Expect a no when the rate comes from a union contract, a posted store scale or a seasonal hiring wave. Then ask about the first raise instead.
Say this, using only what is true for you:
"Thank you for the offer. Before I say yes, can I ask about the rate? The BLS median for (job title) in (metro) is (median from the table). I bring (your own example, such as two years on a forklift). Could you start me at (your number)? If the rate is set, can we agree on a pay review at 90 days?"
Do not claim another offer or a skill you do not have. An extra $1.00 an hour is $40.00 a week at 40 hours, or $2,080 over 52 weeks. For a number to aim at, try the pay target quiz. For jobs with higher medians, see jobs that pay $20 an hour with no degree. If when you get paid matters as much as how much, see jobs with weekly pay.
National pay by JobPin category
All figures are BLS OEWS, May 2025, for the whole U.S. A job can appear in more than one category.
Warehouse
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| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (53-7062) | $19.35 | $15.03 to $26.51 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers (53-7065) | $17.95 | $14.48 to $23.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators (53-7051) | $22.32 | $17.71 to $30.06 |
The 53-7051 title includes forklift operators and is wider than forklifts alone. Browse warehouse jobs.
Delivery
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| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Light Truck Drivers (53-3033) | $21.57 | $14.81 to $38.61 |
| Driver/Sales Workers (53-3031) | $18.64 | $10.86 to $28.84 |
Browse delivery jobs.
Driver
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| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (53-3032) | $28.19 | $19.30 to $38.17 |
| Light Truck Drivers (53-3033) | $21.57 | $14.81 to $38.61 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs (53-3053) | $17.93 | $13.51 to $26.47 |
Browse driver jobs.
Retail
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| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons (41-2031) | $17.03 | $13.08 to $23.02 |
| Cashiers (41-2011) | $15.81 | $11.79 to $19.43 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers (53-7065) | $17.95 | $14.48 to $23.68 |
Browse retail jobs.
Customer service
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| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives (43-4051) | $21.53 | $15.27 to $30.57 |
Browse customer service jobs.
Healthcare
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| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides (31-1120) | $17.21 | $13.00 to $21.65 |
| Nursing Assistants (31-1131) | $20.32 | $16.32 to $24.99 |
| Medical Assistants (31-9092) | $21.97 | $17.33 to $28.52 |
Browse healthcare jobs.
General labor
Scroll horizontally to view every column.
| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborers (47-2061) | $22.66 | $16.87 to $37.54 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (53-7062) | $19.35 | $15.03 to $26.51 |
| Helpers: Carpenters (47-3012) | $21.05 | $15.22 to $27.73 |
| Helpers: Electricians (47-3013) | $20.51 | $15.88 to $28.05 |
| Helpers, Construction Trades, All Other (47-3019) | $20.51 | $15.82 to $28.89 |
BLS publishes helper figures by trade. Browse general labor jobs.
Remote (entry level)
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| Job (BLS code) | Median an hour | 10th to 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Representatives (43-4051) | $21.53 | $15.27 to $30.57 |
| Office Clerks, General (43-9061) | $21.64 | $14.57 to $31.10 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks (43-4171) | $18.27 | $13.83 to $24.01 |
These figures describe the whole job, not only work done from home. BLS does not publish a separate remote rate. Browse remote jobs.
Medians in 13 metros
These are BLS metro areas, wider than the city in the name. Chicago reaches into Indiana, New York into New Jersey, and Boston into New Hampshire. Pay rules follow where you work, not the metro name. Hand laborers are SOC 53-7062, stockers 53-7065, cashiers 41-2011, retail sales 41-2031, customer service 43-4051, light truck 53-3033, heavy truck 53-3032, home health and personal care 31-1120, and construction laborers 47-2061.
Warehouse, store and call center jobs
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| Metro area | Hand laborers | Stockers | Cashiers | Retail sales | Customer service |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. (national) | $19.35 | $17.95 | $15.81 | $17.03 | $21.53 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $18.76 | $17.39 | $14.43 | $15.79 | $20.54 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $18.53 | $18.14 | $16.32 | $16.28 | $21.02 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $21.92 | $18.13 | $17.33 | $17.72 | $24.00 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $19.50 | $18.48 | $16.83 | $17.22 | $22.65 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $18.52 | $18.07 | $14.38 | $16.06 | $21.63 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $22.25 | $21.39 | $18.09 | $18.50 | $23.36 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $18.27 | $17.74 | $14.11 | $15.07 | $19.42 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $20.38 | $18.58 | $17.78 | $18.13 | $23.48 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $18.55 | $17.36 | $14.54 | $16.50 | $19.02 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $20.81 | $18.56 | $17.28 | $18.40 | $23.84 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $18.57 | $17.50 | $15.06 | $15.52 | $19.48 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $21.61 | $18.14 | $16.79 | $17.29 | $22.31 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $22.95 | $22.52 | $21.26 | $20.23 | $25.75 |
Driving, care and construction jobs
Scroll horizontally to view every column.
| Metro area | Light truck | Heavy truck | Home health and personal care | Construction laborers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. (national) | $21.57 | $28.19 | $17.21 | $22.66 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $21.61 | $28.41 | $14.39 | $20.20 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $22.03 | $27.46 | $13.64 | $21.16 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $23.86 | $30.78 | $19.67 | $30.49 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $23.05 | $29.95 | $18.36 | $29.27 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $21.18 | $28.62 | $12.93 | $21.14 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $23.73 | $30.72 | $18.70 | $23.44 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $21.12 | $27.33 | $11.27 | $19.88 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $22.36 | $29.01 | $16.50 | $28.28 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $20.55 | $24.80 | $15.81 | $21.88 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $22.81 | $31.27 | $19.08 | $29.46 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $20.13 | $24.16 | $16.40 | $19.66 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $22.01 | $28.74 | $17.75 | $22.56 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $23.84 | $34.25 | $23.18 | $28.72 |
Source for both tables: BLS OEWS, May 2025, median hourly wage.
Current openings
Compare these benchmarks with live postings: warehouse, driver jobs in Dallas, healthcare jobs in New York. JobPin shows the pay the source posting states. No listing here is a promise of that rate.
How to verify a listing
Every opening on JobPin links to its source posting. Open it and check the date. Confirm the base rate and shift on the employer's own site. Ask whether a posted figure includes a differential, overtime or a bonus. Never pay to apply. More: how JobPin verifies listings.
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