Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry employed over 10.4 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 8% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $96,920, and the median wage was $78,560. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 56.6%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Computer Systems Design and Related Services held the largest number of jobs within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, employing over 2.5 million people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $110,860, with a median wage of $100,060. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 79.7% to 79.1%, indicating industry wages lagged national wage trends.

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services accounted for a substantial employment share, with 1.8 million people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $95,890, and the median wage was $76,100. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 56.5% to 54.9%.

The sub-group of Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 1.6 million people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $90,570 and the median wage was $78,550. The wage variance to the national average experienced a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 50.1% to 46.3%.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we examine the top occupations in terms of employment within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, we find that Lawyers had the highest annual mean wage in 2022, at $167,880, and a median wage of $133,260. The industry variance to the national average was 2.5%. General and Operations Managers had an annual mean wage of $156,410 and a median wage of $131,970. The industry variance to the national average was 27.3%. Software Developers had an annual mean wage of $122,830 and a median wage of $119,460. The industry variance to the national average was -7.6%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry included Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks, with an annual mean wage of $49,180 and a median wage of $47,000. The industry variance to the national average was 3.7%. Paralegals and Legal Assistants had an annual mean wage of $60,830 and a median wage of $57,340. The industry variance to the national average was -3.2%. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists had an annual mean wage of $80,860 and a median wage of $70,010. The industry variance to the national average was 2.5%.

Summary

The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry in the United States has seen remarkable expansion in employment, with over 10.4 million individuals working in the sector in 2022, representing an 8% growth from the previous year. With an annual mean wage of $96,920 and a median wage of $78,560, this industry offers higher-than-average wages compared to the national average, surpassing it by 56.6%. These figures highlight the industry's significant contribution to the economy and its attractiveness as a lucrative employment sector.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Industry Report.