The U.S. Department of Labor says the latest findings show the bend workers earn about 10% lower wages than the national average. But industries like healthcare and law enforcement were actually above the national average. Economist Todd Johnson is with the U.S. Department of Labor. “Well, one thing that draws down the overall wages being down 10% is those industries like management, business and financial services, computers and mathematical careers. They are not in high demand in Bend and wages were significantly lower than in other metro areas.” Nationally, the average worker earns $21.74 an hour.