Friday, December 31, 2021

Pharmacy Technician Pay in the Great Lakes States

Pharmacy technician employment in the U.S. stood at over 415,000 per May 2020 data published earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With over 69,000 pharmacy technicians employed, the five-state Great Lakes region accounted for about 16.6% of U.S. pharmacy technician employment. BLS data indicated that the region is a weak one for pharmacy technician pay, as no state in the region recorded a pharmacy technician annual mean wage level that exceeded the national average. Moreover, three states in the region ranked in the bottom third of all U.S. states for pharmacy technician annual mean wages.  From May 2020 BLS data, here is a summary look at pharmacy technician pay in the Great Lakes states:

Pharmacy Technician Pay in the Great Lakes States

Pharmacy Technician Pay in the Great Lakes States

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
IL 19,880 $34,700 34th
IN 9,790 $34,200 38th
MI 13,990 $34,090 39th
OH 17,090 $32,520 45th
WI 8,290 $35,780 25th
U.S. 415,310 $36,450 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 18, 2021

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Healthcare Social Worker Pay in the Great Plains Region

Earlier this year the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released May 2020 data indicating that there were over 176,000 healthcare social workers (HSWs) employed in the United States.  The seven-state Great Plains regions accounted for 15,000 of those healthcare social worker jobs.  BLS data reveals the region to be a rather poor one for healthcare social worker pay, as no Great Plains state registered a HSW annual mean wage level that topped the national average of $60,470. Moreover, three states in the region ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for HSW annual mean wages. BLS data from May 2020 reveals the following details about healthcare social worker pay in the Great Plains region:

Healthcare Social Worker Pay in the Great Plains Region
Healthcare Social Worker Pay in the Great Plains Region

State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
IA 1,220 $53,850 38th
KS 1,600 $57,550 26th
MN 4,340 $57,960 21st
MO 6,090 $49,050 48th
NE 780 $50,550 46th
ND 400 $56,100 34th
SD 570 $45,430 51st
U.S. 176,110 $60,470 -------

(*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 17, 2021

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

National Cancer Institute, Our Trusted Link for December 2021

 


National Cancer Institute

Since 1937, the National Cancer Institute has been the national leader in conducting cancer research, as well as training healthcare workers to diagnose and treat cancer.  Cancer was the first non-communicable disease for which research and treatment was funded by the U.S. government. 

Now part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has the largest budget and research program within NIH: over $6 billion, with over 40% dedicated to research project grants. NCI supports and performs research on the causes, genomics, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer. 

Milestones include

  • 1940: First issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (now independent of NCI)
  • 1955: NCI created the Clinical Trials Cooperative Group Program
  • 1957: The first cancer, choriocarcinoma, was cured with chemotherapy at NCI
  • 1960: NCI began funding government-supported cancer centers.
  • 1971: The National Cancer Act of 1971 declares "war on cancer," creates the National Cancer Advisory Board, increases funding 
  • 1973: SEER program established to collect U.S. cancer statistics
  • 1976: Cancer Information Service launched (800-4-CANCER) 
  • 1996: Office of Cancer Survivorship established
  • 2016: Genomic Data Commons begins making cancer genomics data available to all researchers

Moonshot: Launched by the Obama Administration, the National Cancer Moonshot is a $1 billion initiative to accelerate the development of new cancer detection and treatments. 

History Project: Created to mark the 50th anniversary of the National Cancer Act of 1971, the Cancer History Project is a free historical resource. 

The Most Active NCI Blogs

Cancer Currents
Cancer Prevention Science
Cancer Data Science Pulse
CGH Spotlight (from Center for Global Health)
NCI Bottom Line (grants and training)

Newsletters 

CCR Milestones from Center for Cancer Research
Global Health Activities from Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
DCEG Linkage from Division of Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology
DCTD Pipeline News from Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
EGRP Cancer Epidemiology News
Office of Cancer Genomics E-Newsletter
Scientific News from NCI’s Behavioral Research Program

Social Media at NCI

    "NCI at a Glance" Infographic

    Nurse Practitioner Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

    Data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) working in the United States at more than 211,000 as of May 2020.  More than 33,700 of the nation's nurse practitioner jobs at that time were in the Mid-Eastern region, an area which includes five states and the District of Columbia.  The Mid-Eastern U.S. was one of the best regions of the country for nurse practitioner pay.  More than 73% of nurse practitioners employed in the Mid-Eastern region lived in a state where the NP annual mean wage exceeded the national average of $114,510. Moreover, over 60% of employed NPs in the region lived in New York or New Jersey, two states that ranked among the five best states in the country for nurse practitioner annual mean wages. A closer examination of BLS employment data from May 2020 shows the following about nurse practitioner pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.:

    Nurse Practitioner Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

    Nurse Practitioner Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    DC 860 $116,150 16th
    DE 740 $112,230 24th
    MD 3,320 $115,240 17th
    NJ 5,800 $130,890 2nd
    NY 14,850 $126,440 4th
    PA 8,150 $111,560 28th
    U.S. 211,280 $114,510 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 17, 2021

    Monday, December 27, 2021

    Dental Hygienist Pay in New England

    Data released earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported nearly 195,000 dental hygienists at work in the United States as of May 2020.  More than 12,000 dental hygienists were employed in the six-state New England region according to the BLS.  The region is a generally good one for dental hygienist pay, with over 80% of the region's practitioners living in a state with a dental hygienist annual mean wage level that was above the national average.  A deeper dive into May 2020 BLS data reveals the following details about dental hygienist pay in New England:

    Dental Hygienist Pay in New England

    Dental Hygienist Pay in New England

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    CT 3,070 $85,610 12th
    MA 5,420 $84,850 13th
    ME 890 $68,110 40th
    NH 1,420 $82,150 16th
    RI 730 $75,980 24th
    VT 520 $74,010 27th
    U.S. 194,830 $78,050 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 17, 2021

    Thursday, December 23, 2021

    Medical Assistant Pay in the Southeastern U.S.

    U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released earlier this year put the number of medical assistants (MA) at work in the United States at over 710,000 as of May 2020. Per BLS data, approximately 182,000 medical assistant jobs were in the twelve-state Southeastern region of the country. In general, the Southeastern U.S. was the worst in the nation for medical assistant pay, with six states in the region ranked among the ten states in the country with the lowest annual mean wage level for medical assistants. Moreover, as of May 2020, no state in the region recorded a medical assistant annual mean wage level that was above the national average.  A closer examination of BLS data reveals the following details about medical assistant pay in the Southeastern U.S. as of May 2020:

    Medical Assistant Pay in the Southeastern U.S
    Medical Assistant Pay in the Southeastern U.S

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    AL 9,380 $29,950 50th
    AR 3,580 $31,530 47th
    FL 56,010 $34,800 31st
    GA 25,820 $34,250 37th
    KY 10,110 $33,450 41st
    LA 8,060 $31,110 48th
    MS 3,670 $30,550 49th
    NC 20,240 $34,540 35th
    SC 11,840 $33,010 42nd
    TN 15,900 $33,990 38th
    VA 14,330 $36,730 24th
    WV 3,280 $29,820 51st
    U.S. 710,200 $36,930 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 15, 2021

    Tuesday, December 21, 2021

    Family Medicine Physician Pay in the Southwest

    Information published earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) put the number of employed family medicine physicians in the U.S. at more than 98,000 as of May 2020.  The four-state Southwest U.S. accounted for about 13,000 of the country's employed family medicine physicians.  BLS data reveals the region to be a slightly better than average one for family physician pay.  Although New Mexico ranked among the ten worst states in the nation for family medicine physician annual mean wages, well over 90% of the region's practitioners lived in states where the family medicine physician annual mean wage level was at, or above, the nation average. A closer review of May 2020 BLS data details the following about family medicine physician pay in the Southwest:

    Family Medicine Physician Pay in the Southwest

    Family Medicine Physician Pay in the Southwest


    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    AZ 2,960 $218,920 23rd
    NM 560 $194,260 44th
    OK 1,680 $214,130 30th
    TX 8,010 $220,390 19th
    U.S. 98,590 $214,370 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 12, 2021

    Monday, December 20, 2021

    General Dentist Pay in Far Western U.S. States

    About 96,000 general dentists were employed in the U.S. as of May 2020 according to data recently published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Just over 18,000 general dentists were working in the six-state Far Western region of the country.  For general dentists, the region is a mixed bag in terms of pay relative to the national average.  About 2/3rds of the Far West's general dentists live in California, which ranked in the bottom quartile of states for general dentist annual mean wages.  However, the remaining states in the region all recorded general dentist annual mean wage levels above the national average and two states, Alaska and Oregon, ranked among the ten best states in the nation for general dentist pay. An examination of BLS data from May 2020 reveals the following details about general dentist pay in Far Western U.S. states:

    General Dentist Pay in Far Western U.S. States

    General Dentist Pay in Far Western U.S. States

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    AK 220 $242,850 3rd
    CA 12,040 $160,300 41st
    HI 660 $202,890 14th
    NV 720 $203,450 13th
    OR 1,500 $215,750 7th
    WA 2,910 $187,520 21st
    U.S. 95,920 $180,830 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 12, 2021

    Saturday, December 18, 2021

    EMT and Paramedic Pay in the Great Lakes States

    Data made available earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that over 257,000 EMTs (emergency medical technicians) and paramedics were employed in the United States as of May 2020. The five Great Lakes states accounted for over 40,000 of those EMT and paramedic jobs. Other than in Illinois, which ranked among the ten best states in the nation for EMT and paramedic annual mean wages, the Great Lakes region is a generally weak one for EMT and paramedic pay.  The other four states in the region, which accounted for more than two-thirds of region's EMT and paramedic employment, all recorded an annual mean wage level for EMTs and paramedics that was below the national average. Moreover, two of those states ranked among the ten worst states in the country for EMT and paramedic annual mean wages. Further examination of May 2020 BLS data revealed the following about EMT and paramedic pay in the Great Lakes states:

    EMT and Paramedic Pay in the Great Lakes States

    EMT and Paramedic Pay in the Great Lakes States

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    IL 12,410 $48,040 6th
    IN 6,330 $36,360 36th
    MI 6,880 $34,410 44th
    OH 9,150 $34,680 42nd
    WI 5,670 $36,790 32nd
    U.S. 257,700 $40,370 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 10, 2021

    Wednesday, December 15, 2021

    Physical Therapist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

    The most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on physical therapist (PT) employment put the number of employed PTs in the U.S. at nearly 221,000 as of May 2020.  The Mid-Eastern U.S. region, which encompasses five states and the District of Columbia, accounted for over 39,000 of those physical therapist jobs according to BLS data.  The Mid-Eastern U.S. was a relatively good one for physical therapist pay, with four states in the region ranked among the twelve best states in the nation for physical therapist annual mean wages.  Those four states were home to about 63% of the region's employed PTs.  A deeper examination of BLS data from May 2020 reveals the following about physical therapist pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.:

    Physical Therapist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

    Physical Therapist Pay in the Mid-Eastern U.S.

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    DC 560 $96,090 9th
    DE 930 $97,260 7th
    MD 3,990 $89,650 25th
    NJ 6,960 $100,740 4th
    NY 16,150 $92,860 12th
    PA 10,670 $90,890 20th
    U.S. 220,870 $91,680 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 2, 2021

    Tuesday, December 14, 2021

    Pharmacist Pay in New England

    Recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that there were more than 315,000 pharmacists employed in the United States as of May 2020.  Over 15,400 employed pharmacists lived in the six-state New England region.  Although Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire ranked about the eleven best states in the nation for pharmacist annual mean wages, the region was not a particularly good one for pharmacist pay, as nearly 80% of the region's pharmacists lived in states where the annual mean wage was below the national average.  A deeper dive into BLS data from May 2020 reveals the following about pharmacist pay in New England:

    Pharmacist Pay in New England

    Pharmacist Pay in New England

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    CT 3,420 $124,820 19th
    MA 7,560 $121,450 32nd
    ME 1,320 $134,100 4th
    NH 1,300 $127,990 11th
    RI 1,340 $115,050 50th
    VT 530 $131,910 5th
    U.S. 315,470 $125,460 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on May 2, 2021

    Sunday, December 12, 2021

    Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

    May 2020 employment data published recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were more than 676,000 licensed practical nurses (LPNs) employed in the United States.  Known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) in some parts of the country, LPNs make up one of the largest healthcare occupations in the U.S.  Approximately 11,600 of those LPN jobs were in the five-state Rocky Mountain region of the country. Except in Colorado, which ranked among the top 15 states nationally for LPN annual mean wages, licensed practical nurses in the region were likely to earn less than the national average annual mean wage for LPNs.  A closer review of BLS data from May 2020 reveals the following details about licensed practical nurse pay in the Rocky Mountain region:

    Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region

    Licensed Practical Nurse Pay in the Rocky Mountain Region


    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    CO 4,960 $54,310 15th
    ID 2,520 $48,640 25th
    MT 1,850 $46,010 36th
    UT 1,860 $47,550 31st
    WY 440 $48,980 24th
    U.S. 676,440 $50,090 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 26, 2021

    Saturday, December 11, 2021

    Occupational Therapist Pay in the Southeast

    Data released earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicated that there were just over 126,600 occupational therapists (OTs) employed in the U.S. as of May 2020.  Nearly 26,800 occupational therapists were employed in the twelve-state Southeast region of the country at that time.  BLS data revealed the Southeast to be a generally subpar one in terms of OT pay, with about 69% of the region's employed occupational therapists working in states where the OT annual mean wage level was below the national average.  Among the four states where the OT annual mean wage level topped the national average was Virginia, which rated among the ten best states in the national for occupational therapist annual mean wages.  A closer examination of the BLS data revealed the following details about occupational therapist pay in the Southeast as of May 2020:

    Occupational Therapist Pay in the Southeast
    Occupational Therapist Pay in the Southeast

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    AL 1,140 $85,740 24th
    AR 1,200 $82,710 32nd
    FL 6,820 $85,670 25th
    GA 2,960 $88,910 14th
    KY 1,550 $79,900 41st
    LA 1,610 $88,370 15th
    MS 830 $87,640 16th
    NC 3,390 $81,820 37th
    SC 1,630 $79,840 42nd
    TN 2,250 $85,220 26th
    VA 2,940 $95,170 6th
    WV 450 $82,750 31st
    U.S. 126,610 $87,480 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 26, 2021

    Thursday, December 9, 2021

    Physician Assistant Pay in the Southwestern U.S.

    The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on physician assistant (PA) employment put the number of PAs employed at just over 125,000 as of May 2020.  The four-state Southwestern U.S. was home to about 13,700 of those physician assistants according to the BLS.  BLS data revealed a mixed story about PA pay levels in the region.  Two Southwestern states, New Mexico and Oklahoma, ranked among the fifteen best states in the country in terms of physician assistant annual mean wages.  However, more than 80% of the region's physician assistants worked in Arizona or Texas, two states with PA annual mean wage levels that were below the national average.  A further examination of BLS data from May 2020 revealed the following about physician assistant pay in the Southwestern U.S.:

    Physician Assistant Pay in the Southwestern U.S.

    Physician Assistant Pay in the Southwestern U.S.


    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    AZ 2,510 $113,850 25th
    NM 720 $123,620 11th
    OK 1,510 $118,130 15th
    TX 8,990 $112,200 30th
    U.S. 125,280 $116,080 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 24, 2021

    Wednesday, December 8, 2021

    Chiropractor Pay in the Far Western U.S.

    According to data released early this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2020 there were just over 34,700 chiropractors working in the United States.  About 4,800 chiropractors were employed in the six-state Far Western region of the country.  For chiropractors, pay levels in the region were decidedly mixed.  Although Washington was the top state in the nation for chiropractor annual mean wages, and Hawaii was in the top 10 nationally, about 80% of the region's chiropractors lived in states where the annual mean wage for chiropractors was below the national average.  In fact, about 70% of the region's chiropractors lived in California or Oregon, two states that ranked in the bottom third nationally for chiropractor annual mean wage levels.  A closer look at BLS data from May 2020 shows the following about chiropractor pay in the Far Western U.S.:

    Chiropractor Pay in the Far Western U.S.

    Chiropractor Pay in the Far Western U.S.

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    AK 130 $90,320 15th
    CA 2,670 $72,300 36th
    HI 80 $99,070 8th
    NV 430 $82,720 26th
    OR 760 $74,650 35th
    WA 730 $125,860 1st
    U.S. 34,760 $83,830 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 21, 2021

    Monday, December 6, 2021

    Health Services Management Pay in the Great Lakes Region

    The United States held more than 402,000 health service management jobs as of May 2020 according to data published earlier this year by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  As of May 2020, over 53,000 were employed as health services managers in the five-state Great Lakes region.  BLS data revealed much disparity in the region for health services manager pay.  On the one hand, nearly 36% of the region's health service managers were employed in Illinois or Wisconsin, where the annual mean wage level exceeded the national average for health service managers. On the other hand, another 42% of the region's health service managers lived in Indiana or Ohio, two states that ranked in the bottom third of states nationally for health service manager annual mean wages.  A deeper dive into May 2020 BLS data revealed the following details about health services management pay in the Great Lakes region:

    Health Services Management Pay in the Great Lakes Region

    Health Services Management Pay in the Great Lakes Region

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    IL 13,600 $124,940 15th
    IN 8,390 $103,470 40th
    MI 11,730 $108,660 31st
    OH 14,230 $106,670 35th
    WI 5,350 $119,220 23rd
    U.S. 402,540 $118,800 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on April 21, 2021

    Sunday, December 5, 2021

    Surgical Technologist Pay in the Great Plains Region

    Data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that over 107,000 surgical technologists were employed in the United States as of May 2020.  The seven-state Great Plains region, with over 7,800 employed, accounted for about 7.3% of surgical technologist employment in the U.S. In general, the Great Plains region was a weak one for surgical technologist pay, despite the fact that Minnesota ranked among the top 10 states nationally for surgical technologist annual mean wages. About 70% of the region's surgical technologists lived in one of the other six states in the region, none of which registered an annual mean wage level for surgical technologists that exceeded the national average. Moreover, three states in the region ranked in the bottom quartile nationally for surgical technologist annual mean wages. From May 2020 BLS data, here is a summary look at surgical technologist pay in the Great Plains region:

    Surgical Technologist Pay in the Great Plains Region
    Surgical Technologist Pay in the Great Plains Region

    State # Employed Annual Mean Wages Wage Rank*
    IA 710 $43,780 46th
    KS 970 $45,950 36th
    MN 2,340 $61,300 6th
    MO 1,890 $44,990 40th
    NE 930 $49,200 28th
    ND 260 $50,760 23rd
    SD 730 $44,700 42nd
    U.S. 107,400 $51,510 -------

    (*) annual mean wage ranking among the 50 states and the District of Columbia

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES. Data extracted on June 7, 2021