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
Cooks, Restaurant2.82.5$37,390
Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.82.4$39,530
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing2.82.8$43,380
Rock Splitters, Quarry2.82.4$48,740
Timing Device Assemblers and Adjusters2.82.6$62,620
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners2.83.1$34,980
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand2.82.1$40,240
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers2.82.9$52,540
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders2.82.3$43,530
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers2.82.1$32,910
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.83.0$46,330
Machine Feeders and Offbearers2.82.9$41,220
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners2.82.9$50,060
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers2.82.3$41,600
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic2.82.9$47,720
Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.82.6$38,760
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand2.82.6$42,660
Wellhead Pumpers2.82.9$69,960
Cooks, Fast Food2.82.4$30,890
Cutters and Trimmers, Hand2.82.6$38,020
Barbers2.82.1$38,210
Brickmasons and Blockmasons2.82.4$62,120
Highway Maintenance Workers2.82.8$50,260
Cashiers2.82.6$32,880
Helpers--Extraction Workers2.82.5$47,730
Funeral Attendants2.82.8$35,680
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants2.82.5$35,670
Fishing and Hunting Workers2.82.5—
Farm Labor Contractors2.82.8$58,460
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners2.82.9$49,880
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse2.82.6$35,660
Construction Laborers2.82.6$47,120
Segmental Pavers2.82.8—
Pourers and Casters, Metal2.82.6$51,810
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians2.82.8$57,550
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers2.82.8$58,930
Potters, Manufacturing2.82.9$46,170
Furniture Finishers2.82.8$44,540
Hoist and Winch Operators2.82.4$56,450
School Bus Monitors2.82.0$35,100
Insulation Workers, Mechanical2.82.8$58,340
Painters, Construction and Maintenance2.82.8$49,400
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity2.82.4$59,050
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas2.82.5$60,190
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders2.82.3$50,270
Waiters and Waitresses2.82.1$35,230
Plasterers and Stucco Masons2.82.3$57,660
Sewing Machine Operators2.62.1$36,670
Carpet Installers2.62.3$50,340

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