A report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that in May 2010, most of the largest occupations--as measured by the number of people who hold those occupations--were low-paying when compared with the national annual wage average. The BLS Editor's Desk writes: "Of the 15 largest occupations, only general and operations managers, registered nurses, and elementary school teachers (except special education) had average wages above the U.S. all-occupations average of $44,410 annually."

General and operation managers earned an annual average of $113,100; registered nurses $67,720; and elementary school teachers, excluding special education, earned an annual average of $54,300. On the bottom end of the average annual wages among the 15 largest occupations were food preparation and serving workers, including fast food ($18,610); cashiers ($19,810); and waiters and waitresses ($20,790). These last three were among the lowest paying of all occupational groups, regardless of size.

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