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Internet address: http://stats.bls.gov/newsrels.htm Technical information: (202) 606-6567 USDL 99-232 Media contact: 606-5902 For release: 10:00 A.M. EDT Wednesday, August 25, 1999 AVERAGE ANNUAL PAY LEVELS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS, 1997 Average annual pay of employees within the nation's 315 metropolitan areas increased by 4.9 percent from 1996 to 1997, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The overthe-year gain was the largest since 1992, when average annual pay increased by 5.4 percent. (See chart 1.) Annual pay in metropolitan areas averaged $31,717 in 1997, up from $30,238 in 1996. Average annual pay for the entire nation, metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas combined, was $30,336 in 1997, a 4.8 percent increase from 1996. (Average annual pay by state and industry for 1997 was issued on June 23,1999, in USDL 99-171.) Average annual pay data are compiled from reports submitted by employers subject to state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) laws covering 121.1 million full- and part-time workers. Average annual pay is computed by dividing the total annual payrolls of employees covered by UI programs by the average monthly number of these employees. (See Technical Note beginning on page 5.) Pay differences between areas reflect the varying composition of employment by occupation, industry, and hours of work, as well as other factors. Similarly, over-the-year pay changes may reflect shifts in these characteristics, as well as changes in the level of average pay. Table 1 of this release contains pay data for 321 Metropolitan and Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas within the United States and Puerto Rico; table 2 includes averages and rankings for the 18 areas designated as Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas. (See Technical Note for definitions.) This is the first year that the Bureau of Labor Statistics has published average annual pay for metropolitan areas within Puerto Rico. The data for the metropolitan areas within Puerto Rico are not included in the averages for all metropolitan areas. Metropolitan and Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas San Jose, Calif., the hub of Silicon Valley, led the nation with an average annual pay level of $48,702 in 1997. (See table 1.) New York, N.Y., had the second highest average annual pay level ($47,281), followed by San Francisco, Calif. ($42,583), New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford-WaterburyDanbury, Conn. ($42,485), and Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, N.J. ($41,796). Average pay levels in these five metropolitan areas ranged from 32 to 54 percent above the average for all metropolitan areas in the nation. All of these MSAs have ranked in the top 10 for average annual pay for the last 10 years. Seven of the top 10 average annual pay levels were found in metropolitan areas that are part of the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Conn.-Pa. consolidated metropolitan statistical area. Of the 315 metropolitan areas, 35 reported average annual pay levels above the national metropolitan pay average of $31,717. These 35 MSAs accounted for 41 percent of total employment and 49 percent of total wages. - 2 Excluding MSAs within Puerto Rico, Jacksonville, N.C., continued to record the lowest average annual pay among metropolitan areas in 1997 ($18,960). The second lowest pay occurred in Yuma, Ariz. ($19,467), followed by Myrtle Beach, S.C. ($19,527), McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Tex. ($19,779), and Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, Tex. ($20,041). The largest percentage increase in average annual pay from 1996 to 1997 occurred in San Jose, Calif. (8.7 percent). General pay gains within manufacturing contributed to the increase in this MSA’s average annual pay. The next largest increase was in Racine, Wis. (8.5 percent), followed by Austin-San Marcos, Tex. (8.2 percent). Both Jacksonville, N.C., and Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash., reported increases of 8.1 percent, followed by Houma, La. (7.9 percent.) (Growth in average annual pay for the Jacksonville, N.C., MSA was partially the result of reporting changes by the Department of Defense.) From 1996 to 1997, average annual pay declined in one metropolitan area. Steubenville-Weirton, Ohio-W.Va., experienced a drop of 3.0 percent due to a strike in manufacturing. Only one metropolitan area, Killeen-Temple, Tex., experienced pay growth of less than 1.0 percent (0.3 percent). Comparison of Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas Average annual pay within the nation's nonmetropolitan areas rose 4.3 percent in 1997, compared with 4.9 percent in metropolitan areas. (See chart 2.) Average annual pay in nonmetropolitan areas in 1997 was $23,846, up from $22,871 in 1996. In 1997, nonmetropolitan average annual pay was $7,871 less than metropolitan average annual pay, a difference of 25 percent. In 1996, the difference was 24 percent. The difference between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan pay has been gradually widening over the years. In 1980, the difference between the two pay levels amounted to approximately 16 percent. A difference of 21 percent was reported in 1987. With the exceptions of 1994 and 1993, growth in total metropolitan average annual pay has outpaced that of nonmetropolitan average annual pay. (MSA historical data are not directly comparable due to revisions of metropolitan area definitions.) Metropolitan pay grew faster than nonmetropolitan pay in both the private and public sectors in 1997. In the private sector, metropolitan average annual pay grew at a rate of 5.2 percent, while non- metropolitan pay increased 4.8 percent. Within the public sector, metropolitan average annual pay increased 3.3 percent, versus 2.6 percent for nonmetropolitan pay. Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas Average annual pay for the nation’s 18 consolidated metropolitan statistical areas (CMSAs) rose by 5.2 percent from 1996 to 1997, from $34,061 to $35,818. (See table 2.) This was the largest percentage increase since 1992. From 1987 to 1997, there has been a slight increase in the difference between the highest and lowest paid CMSAs. In 1987, there was a difference of approximately 28 percent. In 1997, the reported difference was 32 percent. - 3 For the 11th consecutive year, the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Conn.-Pa., consolidated metropolitan area had the highest pay level, $42,096. The next highest pay level was recorded in San FranciscoOakland-San Jose, Calif. ($40,618), followed by Detroit-Ann Arbor- Flint, Mich. ($36,402), Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass.-N.H. ($36,210), and Washington-Baltimore, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va. ($36,055). Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had the lowest average annual pay level ($28,784) of the consolidated metropolitan areas for the fourth consecutive year. Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio-Ky.-Ind., had the second lowest ($30,288), followed by Milwaukee-Racine, Wis. ($30,644), Cleveland-Akron, Ohio ($30,650), and Portland-Salem, Ore.-Wash. (30,708). The highest percentage increase in average annual pay from 1996 to 1997, 7.5 percent, was reported in Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, Wash. The next largest increases were in San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif. (7.0 percent), Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex. (6.0 percent), Houston-GalvestonBrazoria, Tex. (5.9 percent), and Milwaukee-Racine, Wis. (5.8 percent). None of the 18 consolidated metropolitan areas reported a decline in average annual pay in 1997. The smallest increase occurred in Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (2.6 percent), followed by Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, Mich. (3.8 percent), Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md. (3.9 percent), Los Angeles- Riverside-Orange County, Calif. (4.3 percent), and Cleveland-Akron, Ohio (4.4 percent). Technical Note These data are the product of a federal-state cooperative program known as Covered Employment and Wages, or the ES-202 program. The data are derived from summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered by unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and provided by State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs). The summaries are a by-product of the administration of state unemployment insurance programs that require most employers to pay quarterly taxes based on the employment and wages of workers covered by UI. Data for 1997 are preliminary and subject to revision. Effective with third-quarter 1997 processing, employment and wage totals were generated using new systems in each of the states and at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the first year that BLS has published annual pay data for metropolitan areas within Puerto Rico in this release. Coverage Employment and wage data for workers covered by state UI laws and for federal civilian workers covered by the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) program are compiled from quarterly contribution reports submitted to the SESAs by employers. In addition to the quarterly contribution reports, employers who operate multiple establishments within a state complete a questionnaire, called the "Multiple Worksite Report," which provides detailed information on the location and industry of each of their establishments. Average annual pay data included in this release are derived from microdata summaries of nearly 7.5 million employer reports of employment and wages submitted by states to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. These reports are based on place of employment rather than place of residence. UI and UCFE coverage is broad and basically comparable from state to state. In 1997, UI and UCFE programs covered workers in 121.1 million jobs. The estimated 115.8 million workers in these jobs, (after adjustment for multiple jobholders), represented 97.4 percent of wage and salary civilian employment. Multiple job holder estimates are produced by the Current Population Survey (CPS). Covered workers received $3.673 trillion in pay, representing 94.4 percent of the wage and salary component of personal income and 45.3 percent of the gross domestic product. About 82 percent of all covered workers were employed in metropolitan areas. Total wages of workers in metropolitan areas comprised approximately 86 percent of all covered wages in the United States. Major exclusions from UI coverage during 1997 included most agricultural workers on small farms, all members of the Armed Forces, elected officials in most states, most employees of railroads, some domestic workers, most student workers at schools, and employees of certain small nonprofit organizations. - 2 Concepts and methodology Average annual pay was computed by dividing total annual pay of employees covered by UI programs by the average monthly number of these employees. Included in the annual payroll data are bonuses, the cash value of meals and lodging when supplied, tips and other gratuities, and, in some states, employer contributions to certain deferred compensation plans, such as 401(k) plans, and stock options. Monthly employment is based on the number of workers who worked during or received pay for the pay period including the 12th of the month. With few exceptions, all employees of covered firms are reported, including production and sales workers, corporation officials, executives, supervisory personnel, and clerical workers. Workers on paid vacation and part-time workers are also included. Percent changes in average annual pay were computed using final 1996 data as the base. These final 1996 data may differ from the preliminary 1996 data previously published. Average annual pay is affected by the ratio of full-time to part-time workers as well as the number of individuals in high-paying and low-paying occupations. When comparing average annual pay levels among metropolitan areas, these factors should be taken into consideration. Annual pay data only approximate annual earnings because an individual may not be employed by the same employer all year or may work for more than one employer. Also, year-to-year changes in average annual pay can result from a change in the proportion of employment in high- and low-wage jobs, as well as from changes in the level of average annual pay. In order to insure the highest possible quality of data, SESAs verify with employers and update, if necessary, the industry, location, and ownership classifications of all establishments on a 3-year cycle. Changes in establishment classification codes resulting from the verification process are introduced with the data reported for the first quarter of the year. Changes resulting from improved employer reporting are also introduced in the first quarter. For these reasons, some data, especially at more detailed geographic levels, may not be strictly comparable with earlier years. In 1997, effective with first quarter, improved Department of Defense civilian employment and wages were centrally collected from a new data source. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines metropolitan areas for use in federal statistical activities and updates these definitions as needed each summer. Data in this release use metropolitan area criteria established by OMB in definitions issued June 30, 1996 (OMB Bulletin No.96-08). These definitions reflect information obtained from the 1990 Decennial Census and the 1992 and 1994 Bureau of the Census population estimates. Metropolitan statistical area definitions are typically redefined on a yearly basis. Over the past 11 years, changes to metropolitan area definitions have occurred in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. A complete list of metropolitan area definitions is available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Document Sales, 5205 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Va. 22161, telephone 703-487-4650. Generally speaking, a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a freestanding urban area that meets a specified size criteria. Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas (PMSAs) are free-standing areas within very large MSAs. Once an area is identified as a PMSA, the term MSA no longer is used to describe the area. The large metropolitan area that is the sum of the PMSAs is called a Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA). The set of areas known as MSAs, PMSAs, and CMSAs are collectively designated and referred to as metropolitan areas. Non-metropolitan areas include counties which do not fall within defined metropolitan areas. Covered employment and wage data includes establishments classified as foreign locations, out-of-state locations, and unknown locations in nonmetropolitan areas. Current metropolitan area definitions are based on standards published in the Federal Register on March 30, 1990 (55 FR12154-12160). Under the 1990 standards, an area qualifies for recognition as an MSA in one of two ways: (1) if it includes a city of at least 50,000 population, or (2) if it includes a Bureau of the Census-defined urbanized area (of at least 50,000 population) and has a total metropolitan population of at least 100,000 (75,000 in New England). In addition to the county(ies) containing the main city or urbanized area, an MSA may include additional counties that have strong economic and social ties to the central county(ies) and meet other specified requirements of metropolitan character. The ties are determined chiefly by census data on commuting to work. An MSA may contain more than one city of 50,000 population and may cross state lines. An area that meets these requirements for recognition as an MSA but also has a total population of one million or more may be recognized as a CMSA if: (1) separate component areas can be identified within the entire area by meeting specified statistical criteria, and (2) local opinion indicates there is support for the component areas. If recognized, the component areas are designated PMSAs, and the entire area becomes a CMSA. If no PMSAs are recognized, the entire area is an MSA. OMB defines metropolitan areas in terms of entire counties, except in the six New England states where they are defined in terms of cities and towns. New England data in this news release, however, are based on a county concept defined by OMB as New England County Metropolitan Areas (NECMAs) because county-level data are the most detailed available from the Covered Employment and Wages program. NECMAs are county-based alternatives to the city- and town-based metropolitan areas in New England. The NECMA for an MSA or CMSA includes: (1) the county containing the first-named city in that MSA/CMSA title (this county may include the first-named cities of other MSAs/CMSAs), and (2) each additional county having at least half its population in the MSA(s)/CMSA(s) whose first-named cities are in the county identified in step 1. Additional statistics and other information Average annual employment and pay data by state and county are available upon request from the Division of Occupational and Administrative Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Washington, DC 20212, telephone 202-606-6567, and e-mail (202_info@bls.gov). BLS now issues three other reports which provide data from state UI and UCFE programs. A news release on average annual pay by state and industry was issued on June 23, 1999 (USDL 99-171). Also published from this program is the comprehensive bulletin, Employment and Wages, which features information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. Employment and Wages Annual Averages, 1997 is now available for sale from the BLS Publications Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145, Chicago, Illinois 60690. The news release for 1997 employment and average annual average pay for large counties is scheduled to be released in the summer of 1999. This news release, along with other BLS statistics and information, is available via the Internet at the BLS World Wide Web site (http://stats.bls.gov.newsrels.htm). Information in this release will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-606-STAT; TDD phone: 202-606-5897; TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-326-2577. Table 1. Average annual pay for 1996 and 1997 for all covered workers 1/ by metropolitan area Average Annual Pay Metropolitan area /2 1996 Metropolitan areas /4 Abilene, Tex. Aguadilla, P.R. Akron, Ohio Albany, Ga. Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y. Albuquerque, N.M. Alexandria, La. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pa. Altoona, Pa. Amarillo, Tex. Anchorage, Alaska Ann Arbor, Mich. Anniston, Ala. Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, Wis. Arecibo, P.R. Asheville, N.C. Athens, Ga. Atlanta, Ga. $ 30,238 21,035 14,282 28,090 24,827 28,712 25,834 21,995 28,759 22,675 23,073 33,501 31,041 22,366 27,105 13,703 23,735 23,317 31,337 1997 $ 31,717 21,942 15,380 29,083 25,408 29,725 27,011 22,710 29,699 23,444 24,012 34,788 32,643 22,862 28,362 14,117 24,645 24,385 33,259 Percent change 1996-97 3/ 4.9 4.3 7.7 3.5 2.3 3.5 4.6 3.3 3.3 3.4 4.1 3.8 5.2 2.2 4.6 3.0 3.8 4.6 6.1 Ranking of areas By level of average annual pay for 1997 --297 318 81 189 65 137 279 66 265 244 22 32 276 103 321 220 226 29 Atlantic-Cape May, N.J. Augusta-Aiken, Ga.-S.C. Austin-San Marcos, Tex. Bakersfield, Calif. Baltimore, Md. Bangor, Maine Barnstable-Yarmouth, Mass. Baton Rouge, La. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Tex. Bellingham, Wash. Benton Harbor, Mich. Bergen-Passaic, N.J. Billings, Mont. Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, Miss. Binghamton, N.Y. Birmingham, Ala. Bismarck, N.D. Bloomington, Ind. Bloomington-Normal, Ill. Boise City, Idaho Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass.-N.H. Boulder-Longmont, Colo. Brazoria, Tex. Bremerton, Wash. Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, Tex. Bryan-College Station, Tex. Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y. Burlington, Vt. Caguas, P.R. Canton-Massillon, Ohio. Casper, Wyo. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Champaign-Urbana, Ill Charleston-North Charleston, S.C Charleston, W.Va Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C. Charlottesville, Va. Chattanooga, Tenn.-Ga. Cheyenne, Wyo. Chicago, Ill. Chico-Paradise, Calif. Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind. Clarksville-Hopkinsville, Tenn.-Ky. Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, Ohio. Colorado Springs, Colo. Columbia, Mo. Columbia, S.C. Columbus, Ga.-Ala. Columbus, Ohio. 27,513 25,968 28,702 24,315 29,957 23,523 24,154 26,015 27,326 23,307 25,864 36,845 23,491 23,212 26,905 28,511 22,617 23,310 29,970 26,339 34,357 30,968 30,781 25,954 19,056 20,683 27,607 27,724 15,646 25,110 23,200 27,523 24,982 23,168 26,697 29,287 25,699 25,460 21,998 33,910 21,021 29,022 21,510 29,705 25,771 23,920 24,481 22,863 27,878 27,927 26,937 31,059 25,398 31,326 24,642 25,132 26,994 28,575 23,904 27,679 38,509 24,529 24,159 27,668 29,637 23,286 24,221 30,587 27,130 36,210 33,198 32,205 27,557 20,041 21,582 28,362 28,954 16,299 26,086 24,137 29,076 25,826 24,122 27,487 30,826 26,557 26,744 23,013 35,894 22,117 30,492 22,210 31,089 27,296 24,453 25,477 24,239 29,453 1.5 3.7 8.2 4.5 4.6 4.8 4.1 3.8 4.6 2.6 7.0 4.5 4.4 4.1 2.8 4.0 3.0 3.9 2.1 3.0 5.4 7.2 4.6 6.2 5.2 4.3 2.7 4.4 4.2 3.9 4.0 5.6 3.4 4.1 3.0 5.3 3.3 5.0 4.6 5.9 5.2 5.1 3.3 4.7 5.9 2.2 4.1 6.0 5.7 108 139 44 190 40 221 198 138 94 247 110 8 223 234 111 67 268 232 52 132 15 30 34 115 311 303 102 86 317 166 236 82 172 237 120 48 148 145 272 16 292 54 289 43 125 225 186 230 72 Corpus Christi, Tex. Cumberland, Md.-W.Va. Dallas, Tex. Danville, Va. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Ill. Dayton-Springfield, Ohio. Daytona Beach, Fla. Decatur, Ala. Decatur, Ill. Denver, Colo. Des Moines, Iowa Detroit, Mich. Dothan, Ala. Dover, Del. Dubuque, Iowa. Duluth-Superior, Minn.-Wis. Dutchess County, N.Y. Eau Claire, Wis. El Paso, Tex. Elkhart-Goshen, Ind. Elmira, N.Y. Enid, Okla. Erie, Pa. Eugene-Springfield, Ore. Evansville-Henderson, Ind.-Ky. Fargo-Moorhead, N.D.-Minn. Fayetteville, N.C. Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark. Flagstaff, Ariz.-Utah. Flint, Mich. Florence, Ala. Florence, S.C. Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo Fort Lauderdale, Fla Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, Fla Fort Smith, Ark.-Okla. Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Fort Wayne, Ind. Fort Worth-Arlington, Tex. Fresno, Calif. Gadsden, Ala. Gainesville, Fla. Galveston-Texas City, Tex. Gary, Ind. Glens Falls, N.Y. Goldsboro, N.C. Grand Forks, N.D.-Minn. Grand Junction, Colo. 24,976 22,723 32,983 22,173 26,483 28,486 21,220 25,842 28,425 31,614 27,525 35,747 23,260 24,176 24,745 24,221 30,546 22,148 21,834 26,333 24,358 20,630 25,941 24,152 25,322 22,973 22,508 23,003 21,440 33,294 22,810 23,440 26,166 27,546 23,246 23,589 21,980 20,657 26,463 28,515 21,703 23,256 22,348 (5) 28,505 24,324 21,417 20,476 22,715 25,634 23,445 35,012 23,175 28,463 30,312 22,001 26,877 29,525 33,374 29,171 37,126 24,220 24,824 25,438 24,881 31,104 23,163 22,748 27,208 24,968 21,539 26,795 25,166 26,691 23,816 23,574 24,347 22,142 33,640 23,562 24,224 27,413 28,401 24,112 24,734 22,921 21,921 27,595 30,040 22,606 24,029 23,505 26,926 29,068 25,161 22,070 21,944 23,613 2.6 3.2 6.2 4.5 7.5 6.4 3.7 4.0 3.9 5.6 6.0 3.9 4.1 2.7 2.8 2.7 1.8 4.6 4.2 3.3 2.5 4.4 3.3 4.2 5.4 3.7 4.7 5.8 3.3 1.0 3.3 3.3 4.8 3.1 3.7 4.9 4.3 6.1 4.3 5.3 4.2 3.3 5.2 (5) 2.0 3.4 3.0 7.2 4.0 178 264 18 269 98 59 295 141 69 28 80 11 233 211 188 208 42 270 278 127 205 304 144 196 146 251 257 228 291 26 258 231 123 100 239 217 274 298 113 60 281 243 261 140 83 197 293 296 254 Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, Mich. Great Falls, Mont. Greeley, Colo. Green Bay, Wis. Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, N.C. Greenville, N.C. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, S.C. Hagerstown, Md. Hamilton-Middletown, Ohio Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle, Pa. Hartford, Conn. Hattiesburg, Miss. Hickory-Morganton-Lenoir, N.C. Honolulu, Hawaii Houma, La. Houston, Tex. Huntington-Ashland, W.Va.-Ky.-Ohio. Huntsville, Ala. Indianapolis, Ind. Iowa City, Iowa. Jackson, Mich. Jackson, Miss. Jackson, Tenn. Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville, N.C. Jamestown, N.Y. Janesville-Beloit, Wis. Jersey City, N.J. Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va. Johnstown, Pa. Jonesboro, Ark.. Joplin, Mo. Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich. Kankakee, Ill. Kansas City, Mo.-Kan. Kenosha, Wis. Killeen-Temple, Tex Knoxville, Tenn Kokomo, Ind LaCrosse, Wis.-Minn. Lafayette, Ind. Lafayette, La. Lake Charles, La. Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla. Lancaster, Pa. Lansing-East Lansing, Mich. Laredo, Tex. Las Cruces, N.M. Las Vegas, Nev.-Ariz. 28,486 21,072 24,527 27,118 26,123 23,466 25,431 24,393 27,629 27,776 34,844 21,774 22,498 28,336 24,096 32,895 23,922 31,472 29,133 25,536 27,579 24,906 24,591 26,375 17,534 22,807 27,832 36,833 24,492 21,564 21,942 21,932 28,611 25,213 28,772 26,228 22,419 25,340 34,787 23,002 25,992 23,955 26,059 24,106 26,467 29,101 20,387 20,372 27,331 29,632 21,781 25,273 28,916 27,173 24,800 26,475 25,499 28,787 28,829 36,643 22,623 23,580 29,511 25,994 34,930 24,784 32,543 30,517 26,408 28,566 26,145 25,624 27,422 18,960 23,558 29,457 38,455 24,922 22,403 22,980 22,910 29,434 26,240 29,819 27,183 22,487 26,367 35,815 23,961 27,465 25,671 27,067 25,019 27,272 30,688 21,473 21,477 28,202 4.0 3.4 3.0 6.6 4.0 5.7 4.1 4.5 4.2 3.8 5.2 3.9 4.8 4.1 7.9 6.2 3.6 3.4 4.8 3.4 3.6 5.0 4.2 4.0 8.1 3.3 5.8 4.4 1.8 3.9 4.7 4.5 2.9 4.1 3.6 3.6 0.3 4.1 3.0 4.2 5.7 7.2 3.9 3.8 3.0 5.5 5.3 5.4 3.2 68 300 193 88 130 212 149 184 90 89 12 280 256 70 168 19 214 33 53 154 95 161 179 122 315 259 71 10 206 287 273 275 74 159 64 129 283 156 17 246 121 176 135 204 126 50 307 306 105 Lawrence, Kan. Lawton, Okla. Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Lexington, Ky. Lima, Ohio Lincoln, Neb. Little Rock-North Little Rock, Ark. Longview-Marshall, Tex. Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif. Louisville, Ky.-Ind. Lubbock, Tex. Lynchburg, Va. Macon, Ga. Madison, Wis. Mansfield, Ohio Mayaguez, P.R. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Tex. Medford-Ashland, Ore. Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, Fla. Memphis, Tenn.-Ark.-Miss. Merced, Calif. Miami, Fla. Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, N.J. Milwaukee-Waukesha, Wis. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.-Wis. Mobile, Ala. Modesto, Calif. Monmouth-Ocean, N.J. Monroe, La. Montgomery, Ala. Muncie, Ind. Myrtle Beach, S.C. Naples, Fla. Nashville, Tenn. Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y. New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford-Waterbury-Danbury, Conn. New London-Norwich, Conn. New Orleans, La. New York, N.Y. Newark, N.J. Newburgh, N.Y.-Pa. Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, Va.-N.C. Oakland, Calif. Ocala, Fla. Odessa-Midland, Tex. Oklahoma City, Okla. Olympia, Wash. Omaha, Neb.-Iowa Orange County, Calif. 21,198 20,916 22,495 25,746 25,013 24,018 25,389 23,983 33,476 26,635 22,721 23,946 24,766 27,191 24,535 13,741 18,928 22,679 27,370 27,909 20,909 28,382 39,630 29,076 31,935 24,252 23,738 29,919 23,389 24,508 25,144 18,551 23,728 28,143 32,879 39,495 32,003 26,116 45,007 38,894 25,593 24,183 34,427 21,677 25,902 24,294 26,575 25,964 32,179 21,913 21,497 23,460 27,027 25,819 25,182 26,431 24,795 34,846 27,616 23,437 25,042 26,436 28,474 25,712 14,604 19,779 23,299 28,499 29,269 21,650 29,030 41,796 30,673 33,577 25,179 24,908 31,506 24,060 25,323 26,400 19,527 25,500 29,880 34,341 42,485 33,043 27,555 47,281 40,411 25,850 25,115 36,377 22,473 27,542 25,130 27,377 27,588 33,767 3.4 2.8 4.3 5.0 3.2 4.8 4.1 3.4 4.1 3.7 3.2 4.6 6.7 4.7 4.8 6.3 4.5 2.7 4.1 4.9 3.5 2.3 5.5 5.5 5.1 3.8 4.9 5.3 2.9 3.3 5.0 5.3 7.5 6.2 4.4 7.6 3.3 5.5 5.1 3.9 1.0 3.9 5.7 3.7 6.3 3.4 3.0 6.3 4.9 299 305 263 136 173 194 153 213 20 112 266 203 151 97 174 320 312 267 96 78 302 85 5 51 27 195 207 38 241 192 155 313 183 62 24 4 31 116 2 6 170 200 13 285 117 199 124 114 25 Orlando, Fla. Owensboro, Ky. Panama City, Fla. Parkersburg-Marietta, W.Va.-Ohio Pensacola, Fla. Peoria-Pekin, Ill. Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J. Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz. Pine Bluff, Ark. Pittsburgh, Pa. Pittsfield, Mass. Pocatello, Idaho Ponce, P.R. Portland, Maine Portland-Vancouver, Ore.-Wash. Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I. Provo-Orem, Utah Pueblo, Colo. Punta Gorda, Fla. Racine, Wis. Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C. Rapid City, S.D. Reading, Pa. Redding, Calif. Reno, Nev. Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, Wash. Richmond-Petersburg, Va. Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif. Roanoke, Va. Rochester, Minn. Rochester, N.Y. Rockford, Ill. Rocky Mount, N.C. Sacramento, Calif. Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, Mich. Salem, Ore. Salinas, Calif. Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah. San Angelo, Tex. San Antonio, Tex. San Diego, Calif. San Francisco, Calif. San Jose, Calif. San Juan-Bayamon, P.R. San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, Calif. Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, Calif. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif. Santa Fe, N.M. Santa Rosa, Calif. 25,206 22,209 21,121 24,685 23,245 27,842 33,076 27,826 22,738 29,060 26,298 21,391 14,367 26,379 29,935 27,330 23,480 22,357 21,816 27,973 29,091 20,719 28,206 23,855 27,679 27,863 28,704 25,279 24,581 30,662 30,235 28,060 23,266 29,560 31,117 23,748 24,852 25,768 21,426 24,459 28,845 40,017 44,824 17,351 23,970 26,251 26,098 24,553 26,938 26,303 23,525 22,504 25,668 23,888 29,434 34,375 29,301 23,820 30,363 27,936 22,025 14,899 27,541 31,606 28,615 23,842 23,091 22,145 30,341 30,908 21,447 29,432 24,681 28,451 28,310 30,025 26,185 25,693 31,517 31,353 29,278 24,832 31,028 32,117 24,769 26,103 27,130 22,222 25,517 30,364 42,583 48,702 18,103 24,771 27,738 27,188 25,539 28,724 4.4 5.9 6.5 4.0 2.8 5.7 3.9 5.3 4.8 4.5 6.2 3.0 3.7 4.4 5.6 4.7 1.5 3.3 1.5 8.5 6.2 3.5 4.3 3.5 2.8 1.6 4.6 3.6 4.5 2.8 3.7 4.3 6.7 5.0 3.2 4.3 5.0 5.3 3.7 4.3 5.3 6.4 8.7 4.3 3.3 5.7 4.2 4.0 6.6 157 260 282 177 248 73 23 76 250 57 107 294 319 118 36 93 249 271 290 58 47 308 75 218 99 104 61 160 175 37 39 77 210 45 35 216 164 131 288 182 56 3 1 316 215 109 128 180 91 Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla. Savannah, Ga. Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton, Pa. Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash. Sharon, Pa. Sheboygan, Wis. Sherman-Denison, Tex. Shreveport-Bossier City, La. Sioux City, Iowa-Neb. Sioux Falls, S.D. South Bend, Ind. Spokane, Wash. Springfield, Ill. Springfield, Mass. Springfield, Mo. St. Cloud, Minn. St. Joseph, Mo. St. Louis, Mo.-Ill. State College, Pa. Steubenville-Weirton, Ohio-W.Va. Stockton-Lodi, Calif. Sumter, S.C. Syracuse, N.Y. Tacoma, Wash. Tallahassee, Fla. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla. Terre Haute, Ind. Texarkana, Tex.-Texarkana, Ark. Toledo, Ohio. Topeka, Kan. Trenton, N.J. Tulsa, Okla. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tuscon, Ariz. Tyler, Tex. Utica-Rome, N.Y. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, Calif. Ventura, Calif. Victoria, Tex. Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, N.J. Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, Calif. Waco, Tex. Washington, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va. Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa Wausau, Wis. West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla. Wheeling, W.Va.-Ohio Wichita, Kan. Wichita Falls, Tex. 22,455 25,079 24,075 33,586 23,494 26,020 25,124 23,729 23,273 23,547 25,661 24,536 29,700 27,411 22,869 22,680 23,239 29,474 24,730 26,240 24,763 20,708 27,652 25,548 24,226 25,530 23,046 22,390 27,793 25,454 37,598 26,122 25,051 24,705 25,295 23,678 25,833 28,289 23,448 27,901 19,768 23,302 36,385 25,169 25,011 29,057 22,220 27,685 21,719 23,492 25,832 25,069 36,311 24,343 27,119 25,396 24,502 23,605 24,569 26,572 25,530 31,171 28,373 23,651 23,622 24,048 30,995 26,081 25,441 26,101 21,777 28,671 26,455 25,109 26,799 24,140 23,989 29,054 26,131 39,835 27,491 25,951 25,491 26,109 24,658 27,092 30,454 24,101 28,953 20,770 24,383 38,487 26,433 26,260 29,821 22,824 29,204 22,431 4.6 3.0 4.1 8.1 3.6 4.2 1.1 3.3 1.4 4.3 3.6 4.0 5.0 3.5 3.4 4.2 3.5 5.2 5.5 -3.0 5.4 5.2 3.7 3.5 3.6 5.0 4.7 7.1 4.5 2.7 6.0 5.2 3.6 3.2 3.2 4.1 4.9 7.7 2.8 3.8 5.1 4.6 5.5 5.0 5.0 2.6 2.7 5.5 3.3 262 171 202 14 229 133 191 224 255 222 147 181 41 101 252 253 242 46 167 187 165 301 92 150 201 143 235 245 84 162 7 119 169 185 163 219 134 55 240 87 309 227 9 152 158 63 277 286 79 Williamsport, Pa. Wilmington-Newark, Del.-Md. Wilmington, N.C. Yakima, Wash. Yolo, Calif. York, Pa. Youngstown-Warren, Ohio. Yuba City, Calif. Yuma, Ariz. 23,526 33,220 24,019 19,780 29,067 26,955 25,985 21,365 18,213 24,116 34,841 24,833 20,716 30,739 28,113 26,856 22,483 19,467 2.5 4.9 3.4 4.7 5.7 4.3 3.4 5.2 6.9 238 21 209 310 49 106 142 284 314 1/ Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. 2/ Includes data for Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas as of June 30, 1996. In the New England areas, the New England County Metropolitan Area (NECMA) definitions were used. See Technical Note. 3/ Percent changes were computed from unrounded average annual pay data and may differ from those computed using data rounded to the nearest dollar. 4/ Does not include the six MSAs within Puerto Rico. 5/ Data for 1996 and 1997 are not comparable. Table 2. Average annual pay for 1996 and 1997 for all covered workers 1/ by Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area Consolidated metropolitan statistical area 2/ Average Annual Pay 1996 Consolidated metropolitan statistical areas Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass.-N.H. Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, Ill.-Ind.-Wis. Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio-Ky.-Ind. Cleveland-Akron, Ohio Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex. Denver-Boulder-Greeley, Colo. Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, Mich. Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, Tex. Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, Calif. Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Milwaukee-Racine, Wis. New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Conn.-Pa. Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md. Portland-Salem, Ore.-Wash. Sacramento-Yolo, Calif. San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif. Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, Wash. Washington-Baltimore, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va. $ 34,061 34,357 33,407 28,855 29,350 31,700 31,186 35,074 32,577 31,898 28,055 28,978 40,065 32,621 29,108 29,505 37,973 31,786 34,203 1997 $ 35,818 36,210 35,285 30,288 30,650 33,603 32,958 36,402 34,490 33,269 28,784 30,644 42,096 33,896 30,708 30,997 40,618 34,162 36,055 Percent change 1996-97 3/ 5.2 5.4 5.6 5.0 4.4 6.0 5.7 3.8 5.9 4.3 2.6 5.8 5.1 3.9 5.5 5.1 7.0 7.5 5.4 Ranking of areas By level of average annual pay for 1997 -- 4 6 17 15 10 12 3 7 11 18 16 1 9 14 13 2 8 5 1/ Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. 2/ Includes data for Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas as of June 30 1996. In the New England areas, the New England County Metropolitan Area (NECMA) definitions were used. See Technical Note. 3/ Percent changes were computed from unrounded average annual pay data and may differ from those computed using data rounded to the nearest dollar.