2006 Washington wages rose faster than inflation - July 12, 2007

07-043

Media contacts: Evelina Tainer, 360-438-4812
Caitlin Cormier, 360-902-9215

OLYMPIA – Employment and wage data for 2006 show that Washington employees earned more than 5 percent more than they did in 2005, according to a new report released by the state Employment Security Department.  

The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages report shows that annual wages across the state averaged $42,881 in 2006, up 5.3 percent from 2005’s average of $40,705.  By comparison, the inflation rate for 2006 was 3.7 percent, based on the Seattle-area consumer price index.

The industry that generated the highest 2006 wages in Washington was information services ($91,098), which includes publishing, broadcasting, Internet services and telecommunications.

Other top-paying industries included management of companies and enterprises ($85,033) and utilities ($70,404). 

Rankings remained relatively consistent in the bottom-paying industries in 2006: accommodation and food services ($15,468); agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting ($22,218); and other services ($22,991).  

Some 52 percent of all jobs covered by unemployment insurance were in the bottom 10 industries, ranked by average annual earnings.  

The average number of jobs covered by unemployment insurance totaled 2,850,986 in 2006. Only 4.8 percent of those jobs were in the three top-paying industries. 

This report differs slightly from the average annual wage published in June, which is based on a formula established in state law. The legislative definition excludes federal-government jobs and uses preliminary data because it has a March 31 cutoff.

By comparison, the July Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages report uses more information from wage-and-hour reports that employers are required to submit to Employment Security and includes federal employment. As such, it represents a more complete picture of average wages in Washington, although it does not include jobs that are not required to be covered by unemployment insurance.

Employment and wage information also is available by county.  King County posted the highest average annual wage in both 2006 ($53,542) and 2005 ($50,143). In 2006, Snohomish County posted the second-highest average ($42,906), with Benton County a close third at $42,140. Clark and Thurston counties ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in 2006.  The next five counties in order of average annual wage were Kitsap, Pierce, Cowlitz, Pend Oreille and Spokane. 

The 10 counties with the lowest average annual wages in 2006 were Okanogan, Douglas, Pacific, Wahkiakum, San Juan, Skamania, Adams, Lincoln, Asotin and Grant.

Further details, by industry and county, are available online at www.workforceexplorer.com, under Current Economic Conditions.

Web Links
PDF of the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages online