Business owners, hiring professionals and job seekers can compare wages from more than 600 occupations in Lawrence and the state.

Officials from the Kansas Department of Labor recently updated their annual wage survey, crunching payroll information from surveys of more than 2,500 employers.

The 190-page document details average hourly wages for occupations separated into 22 categories. Data can be reviewed for the entire state or for a particular metro area.

In the Lawrence area, for example, the average hourly wage is $7.78 for waiters and waitresses, $8.90 for retail salespeople, $10.01 for office clerks, $13.65 for welders and related jobs, $17.08 for graphic designers, $25.43 for database administrators and $49.50 for lawyers.

The state’s survey is available online at www.dol.ks.gov. Individuals may request printed copies by e-mailing laborstats@dol.ks.gov or calling the department at (785) 296-5049.