Reading Comprehension Skills and Careers

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

910 occupations report this skill · Category: Essential Skills · O*NET element 2.A.1.a

Occupations reporting Reading Comprehension

Importance and level are O*NET scale values. Ordered by reported importance. A skill rating does not indicate hiring outcomes.

OccupationImportanceLevelNational median wage
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage3.53.6$78,240
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan3.53.6$45,920
Audio and Video Technicians3.53.6$58,100
Software Developers3.54.3$135,980
Chefs and Head Cooks3.53.5$62,470
Project Management Specialists3.53.9$102,320
Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products3.53.9—
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers3.53.4$96,710
Forest and Conservation Technicians3.43.8$54,560
Histology Technicians3.43.4—
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services3.43.8$48,560
Agricultural Technicians3.43.5$49,630
Electrical and Electronics Drafters3.43.9$76,870
Semiconductor Processing Technicians3.43.4$51,430
Computer Programmers3.43.5$100,390
Computer Network Support Specialists3.43.9$76,220
Fire Inspectors and Investigators3.43.6$75,920
Dental Laboratory Technicians3.43.0$49,610
Spa Managers3.43.9$69,770
Real Estate Sales Agents3.44.0$52,830
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay3.43.5$103,020
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products3.43.8$72,080
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians3.43.3$63,800
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers3.43.6$79,920
Customer Service Representatives3.43.1$44,770
Film and Video Editors3.43.8$75,420
Library Technicians3.43.9$44,580
Acupuncturists3.33.9$76,040
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers3.33.1$63,520
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists3.33.6$42,540
Geothermal Technicians3.33.1$49,230
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians3.33.6$102,040
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators3.33.5$43,370
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers3.33.9$55,010
Library Assistants, Clerical3.33.3$36,910
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks3.33.8$50,670
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders3.33.1$58,870
Traffic Technicians3.34.0$59,090
Travel Guides3.33.8—
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks3.33.9$48,700
Cargo and Freight Agents3.33.1$52,260
Counter and Rental Clerks3.33.1$41,300
Pharmacy Aides3.33.3$37,680
Dental Assistants3.33.3$48,070
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers3.33.6$44,080
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film3.33.3$74,990
Sound Engineering Technicians3.33.6$73,130
Broadcast Technicians3.33.6$59,570
Physical Therapist Assistants3.33.9$68,380
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators3.33.3$40,610

Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.