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July 8, 2004 Average Wage Growth in North Dakota Exceeds Nation, Yet Significant Lag Exists The average wage per job in North Dakota rose to $26,278 in 2002, an increase of 3.4 percent from $25,412 in 2001. This was the fifth highest percentage gain among all states, with Hawaii leading the nation at 4.7 percent. Although North Dakota’s increase in average wages was high relative to other states, it was just ahead of inflation, meaning overall purchasing power grew only slightly. The average wage earned in North Dakota still lags behind most states and was approximately 27 percent below the national average of $36,167 in 2002. This month’s
“Population Bulletin,” a monthly publication from the North
Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, focuses on
average wage data released from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (www.bea.doc.gov/).
Only three states had lower averages than North Dakota: Mississippi ($26,191),
South Dakota ($25,936) and Montana ($25,790). Connecticut had the highest
average wage per job in 2002 at $45,830, followed by New York ($45,667)
and Massachusetts Nationwide wages rose 1.6 percent between 2001 and 2002, the same pace as inflation. During the same time period. Minnesota wages rose 2.4 percent to $36,651, Montana wages rose 3.2 percent to $25,790, and South Dakota wages rose 3.1 percent to $25,936. Statewide, Oliver and Mercer counties had the highest average wages per job in 2002 at $40,516 and $36,759 respectively. However, both Oliver and Mercer (along with Steele, Sheridan, McHenry, Mckenzie, and Billings counties) experienced losses in average wages between 2001 and 2002. ### Source: Richard
Rathge, (701) 231-7980, richard.rathge@ndsu.nodak.edu
Click here for an Adobe Acrobat file of this publication. (82 Kb pdf) |
Market Advisor: |
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North Dakota State University |
