Employment Security Department: Frequently asked questions -- March 2009
Economic and labor information
Q. What is the average wage rates in Washington by county, industry, etc?
A.
Washington businesses and job seekers can find the most current wage rates for occupations on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site. Look in the "Wage and Benefits Information" section under the "Quick Links" tab.
Q. What are the top-10 industries in Washington, based on number of jobs? (Note: Federal confidentiality requirements prohibit Employment Security from identifying individual businesses.)
A.
The following data are for 2009.
| Government
| 553,100
|
| Education and Health Services
| 369,500
|
| Professional and Business Services
| 325,700
|
| Retail Trade
| 314,700
|
| Leisure and Hospitality
| 276,800
|
| Manufacturing
| 269,400
|
| Construction
| 168,800
|
| Financial Activities
| 144,900
|
| Admin and Support and Waste Management and Remediation
| 128,200
|
| Wholesale Trade
| 124,600
|
Q. What counties hold the current highest and lowest unemployment rates?
A.
This information is available on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site. Click on "Data Analysts" under the "Quick Links" tab and then on the "Most Recent Rates" under the "Resident Civilian Labor Force" section.
Q. What industries have the greatest number of current vacancies?
A.
This information is available on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site. Look in the "Job Vacancies and Benefits Report" section under the "Publications & Reports" tab.
Q. What are typical employee benefits being offered by businesses and industries?
A.
Latest information about typical benefits for full- and part-time workers, by industry, is located on Employment Security’s Workforce Explorer Web site. Look in the "Job Vacancies and Benefits Report" section under the "Publications & Reports" tab.
Q. How do Washington’s unemployment-tax rates and benefits compare to other states?
A.
Through the first quarter 2008, Washington was fifth nationally for tax rates and for the average weekly benefit amount.
Q. What is Washington’s average wage? How does it compare nationally?
A.
Employment Security (ESD) tracks average wages in two ways.
One formula is prescribed in state law (RCW 50.04.35) and excludes some types of employers, such as federal government. This formula is used by Employment Security to compute unemployment benefits and taxes, and by the Department of Labor & Industries to compute workers' compensation benefits. Based on this method, the average annual wage in Washington in 2007 was $44,721; the average weekly was was $860.
The second method is established by the federal government and, thus, can be compared to other states. Based on this method, the annual average wage in Washington in 2008 was $46,559, the 12th-highest in the nation. The average weekly wage was $895.
One formula is prescribed in state law (RCW 50.04.35) and excludes some types of employers, such as federal government. This formula is used by Employment Security to compute unemployment benefits and taxes, and by the Department of Labor & Industries to compute workers' compensation benefits. Based on this method, the average annual wage in Washington in 2007 was $44,721; the average weekly was was $860.
The second method is established by the federal government and, thus, can be compared to other states. Based on this method, the annual average wage in Washington in 2008 was $46,559, the 12th-highest in the nation. The average weekly wage was $895.
