Internet address: http://stats.bls.gov Technical information: (202) 606-6567 USDL 96-463 For release: 10:00 A.M. EST Media contact: 606-5902 Friday, November 8, 1996 AVERAGE ANNUAL PAY LEVELS IN METROPOLITAN AREAS, 1995 The average annual pay of employees in metropolitan areas increased 3.5 percent from 1994 to 1995, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The average annual pay level for jobs in the nation's 311 metropolitan areas was $29,105 in 1995, up from $28,125 in 1994. Average annual pay for the entire nation, metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas combined, was $27,845 in 1995. (Average annual pay data by state and industry were issued on September 25, 1996.) Annual pay data are compiled from reports submitted by employers subject to state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) laws covering 115.5 million full- and part-time workers. Average annual pay is computed by dividing the total annual payrolls of employees covered under UI programs by the average monthly number of these employees. (See Technical Note beginning on page 3.) 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. Along with pay data for 311 Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas, table 2 of this release includes averages and rankings for the 18 areas designated as Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas. (See Technical Note for definitions.) Metropolitan and Primary Metropolitan Statistical Areas San Jose, Calif., led the nation with an average annual pay level of $42,409 in 1995. (See table 1.) New York, N.Y., had the second highest average annual pay level ($42,272), followed by San Francisco, Calif. ($37,975), Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, N.J. ($37,925), and New Haven- Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury-Waterbury, Conn. ($37,546). Average pay levels in these five metropolitan areas ranged from 29 to 46 percent above the average for all metropolitan areas in the nation. Of the 311 metropolitan areas, 38 reported average annual pay levels above the national metropolitan pay average of $29,105, and 31 had average pay levels in excess of $30,000. Jacksonville, N.C., recorded the lowest average annual pay level among metropolitan areas in 1995 ($16,951), followed by Myrtle Beach, S.C. ($17,910), McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Tex. ($18,031), Yuma, Ariz. ($18,286), and Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, Tex. ($18,566). Average annual pay in the five bottom-ranked metropolitan areas averaged 36 to 42 percent below the national metropolitan pay average. A total of 14 metropolitan areas reported average annual pay levels below $20,000. The largest percentage increase in average annual pay from 1994 to 1995 occurred in San Jose, Calif. (8.4 percent), followed by Provo-Orem, Utah (6.9 percent), Dover, Del. (6.2 percent), Boise City, Idaho (6.1 percent), and Tucson, Ariz. (6.0 percent). 65 metropolitan areas experienced pay increases of 4.0 percent or greater in 1995. - 2 - From 1994 to 1995, average annual pay declined in three metropolitan areas. Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, Calif., had the largest drop (-2.7 percent), followed by Anchorage, Alaska (-1.3 percent), and Cheyenne, Wyo. (-1.1 percent). In addition to the three areas in which average pay levels declined, 13 metropolitan areas experienced pay growth rates of less than 1 percent. Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Areas Average annual pay in the 18 consolidated metropolitan statistical areas increased by 3.7 percent between 1994 and 1995, from $31,469 to $32,642. (See table 2.) The New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.- Conn.-Pa., consolidated metropolitan area had the highest pay level, at $38,047, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif. ($36,187), Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, Mich. ($34,118), Washington-Baltimore, D.C.-Md.- Va.-W.Va. ($32,807), and Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass.- N.H. ($32,791). Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla., had the lowest average annual pay level of the consolidated metropolitan areas, with an average of $27,161 in 1995. Portland-Salem, Ore.-Wash., was second lowest ($27,648), followed by Milwaukee-Racine, Wis. ($27,830), Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio-Ky.-Ind. ($27,886), and Cleveland-Akron, Ohio ($28,382). San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif., had the highest percentage increase in average annual pay between 1994 and 1995 (5.0 percent). The next largest increases were in New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Conn.-Pa., and Portland-Salem, Ore.-Wash. (4.6 percent each), and Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass.-N.H., and Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex. (4.4 percent each). None of the 18 consolidated metropolitan areas reported a decline in average annual pay in 1995. The smallest increase occurred in Los Angeles- Riverside-Orange County, Calif. (1.8 percent), followed by Washington- Baltimore, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va. (2.8 percent), Cleveland-Akron, Ohio (2.9 percent), Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio-Ky.-Ind., and Milwaukee-Racine, Wis. (3.4 percent each). - 3 - Technical Note These data are the product of a Federal-State cooperative program in which State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) prepare summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered by unemployment insurance (UI) legislation. 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 1995 are preliminary and subject to revision. A news release providing average annual pay data by state and industry was issued on September 25, 1996 (USDL 96-393). 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 report, 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 summaries of employment and wages submitted by states to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. UI and UCFE coverage is broad and basically comparable from state to state. In 1995, UI and UCFE programs covered workers in 115.5 million jobs, representing 96.7 percent of wage and salary civilian employment. Covered workers received $3.216 trillion in pay representing 93.7 percent of the wage and salary component of personal income and 44.3 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 1995 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. Concepts and methodology Average annual pay was computed by dividing total annual pay of employees covered by unemployment insurance 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. Percentage changes in average annual pay were computed using final 1994 data as the base, which may differ from the preliminary data issued last year. - 4 - 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 between 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. Year to year changes in average annual pay can result from a change in the proportion of employment in low and high wage jobs, as well as from changes in the level of average annual pay. 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 July 5, 1994 (OMB Bulletin No. 94-07). These definitions reflect information obtained from the 1990 Decennial Census and the 1992 Census Bureau population estimates. A complete list of metropolitan area definitions is available from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Document Sales, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Va. 22161, telephone 703-487-4650. Generally speaking, a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is a free- standing 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. 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 Census Bureau-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 - 5 - 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. The comprehensive bulletin, Employment and Wages, features information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. The bulletin for 1995, which is due to be issued in late 1996, will be available for sale from the BLS Publication Sales Center, P.O. Box 2145, Chicago, Illinois 60690. 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). 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 1994 and 1995 for all covered workers 1/ by metropolitan area Average annual pay Ranking of areas By percent By level of change in Percent average average change, annual pay annual pay, Metropolitan area 2/ 1994 1995 3/ 1994-95 4/ for 1995 1994-95 All metropolitan areas..............................$28,125 $29,105 3.5 --- --- Abilene, Tex............................................. 20,320 20,365 0.2 293 307 Akron, Ohio.............................................. 26,357 27,090 2.8 78 183 Albany, Ga............................................... 23,317 23,877 2.4 179 224 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, N.Y............................. 27,231 27,694 1.7 59 266 Albuquerque, N.M......................................... 24,309 25,019 2.9 137 176 Alexandria, La........................................... 20,712 21,268 2.7 278 208 Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, Pa........................... 26,602 27,804 4.5 58 28 Altoona, Pa.............................................. 21,127 21,768 3.0 266 168 Amarillo, Tex............................................ 22,108 22,633 2.4 233 224 Anchorage, Alaska........................................ 34,098 33,650 -1.3 14 310 Ann Arbor, Mich.......................................... 29,258 30,013 2.6 31 214 Anniston, Ala............................................ 21,433 22,024 2.8 256 183 Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah, Wis............................. 25,381 26,279 3.5 104 104 Asheville, N.C........................................... 21,892 22,880 4.5 223 28 Athens, Ga............................................... 22,234 22,761 2.4 228 224 Atlanta, Ga.............................................. 28,688 29,952 4.4 32 37 Atlantic-Cape May, N.J................................... 26,185 26,585 1.5 93 279 Augusta-Aiken, Ga.-S.C................................... 24,919 25,609 2.8 116 183 Austin-San Marcos, Tex................................... 25,618 26,922 5.1 80 13 Bakersfield, Calif....................................... 24,591 24,659 0.3 154 306 Baltimore, Md............................................ 27,955 28,745 2.8 41 183 Bangor, Maine............................................ 22,335 22,953 2.8 222 183 Barnstable-Yarmouth, Mass................................ 22,371 23,097 3.2 212 141 Baton Rouge, La.......................................... 24,410 25,172 3.1 132 153 Beaumont-Port Arthur, Tex................................ 26,397 26,827 1.6 88 272 Bellingham, Wash......................................... 21,554 22,357 3.7 246 83 Benton Harbor, Mich...................................... 24,854 25,188 1.3 131 287 Bergen-Passaic, N.J...................................... 34,675 35,746 3.1 8 153 Billings, Mont........................................... 22,320 22,813 2.2 227 240 Biloxi-Gulfport-Pascagoula, Miss......................... 22,299 22,869 2.6 224 214 Binghamton, N.Y.......................................... 25,744 26,008 1.0 110 294 Birmingham, Ala.......................................... 26,252 27,337 4.1 71 54 Bismarck, N.D............................................ 21,317 22,014 3.3 257 132 Bloomington, Ind......................................... 21,880 22,590 3.2 236 141 Bloomington-Normal, Ill.................................. 27,769 29,020 4.5 40 28 Boise City, Idaho........................................ 24,571 26,072 6.1 109 4 Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass.-N.H..... 31,403 32,791 4.4 17 37 Boulder-Longmont, Colo................................... 26,948 28,441 5.5 46 9 Brazoria, Tex............................................ 28,941 29,892 3.3 33 132 Bremerton, Wash.......................................... 25,095 25,877 3.1 111 153 Brownsville-Harlingen-San Benito, Tex.................... 17,952 18,566 3.4 307 120 Bryan-College Station, Tex............................... 19,255 19,788 2.8 303 183 Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y............................... 25,780 26,749 3.8 89 71 Burlington, Vt........................................... 25,582 26,480 3.5 97 104 Canton-Massillon, Ohio................................... 23,945 24,644 2.9 156 176 Casper, Wyo.............................................. 22,152 22,621 2.1 234 246 Cedar Rapids, Iowa....................................... 25,706 26,572 3.4 94 120 Champaign-Urbana, Ill.................................... 23,318 24,356 4.5 164 28 Charleston-North Charleston, S.C......................... 22,175 22,508 1.5 241 279 Charleston, W.Va......................................... 25,116 25,845 2.9 113 176 Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, N.C.-S.C................... 26,520 27,859 5.0 56 15 Charlottesville, Va...................................... 23,860 24,705 3.5 149 104 Chattanooga, Tenn.-Ga.................................... 23,747 24,775 4.3 148 42 Cheyenne, Wyo............................................ 22,167 21,913 -1.1 260 309 Chicago, Ill............................................. 31,340 32,524 3.8 18 71 Chico-Paradise, Calif.................................... 20,380 20,573 0.9 290 296 Cincinnati, Ohio-Ky.-Ind................................. 27,106 28,057 3.5 50 104 Clarksville-Hopkinsville, Tenn.-Ky....................... 19,893 20,728 4.2 289 46 Cleveland-Lorain-Elyria, Ohio............................ 27,927 28,742 2.9 42 176 Colorado Springs, Colo................................... 23,754 24,500 3.1 160 153 Columbia, Mo............................................. 22,636 23,150 2.3 209 233 Columbia, S.C............................................ 22,901 23,647 3.3 186 132 Columbus, Ga.-Ala........................................ 21,478 22,255 3.6 251 94 Columbus, Ohio........................................... 26,291 26,948 2.5 79 220 Corpus Christi, Tex...................................... 23,660 24,032 1.6 173 272 Cumberland, Md.-W.Va..................................... 21,268 21,958 3.2 258 141 Dallas, Tex.............................................. 30,105 31,502 4.6 23 26 Danville, Va............................................. 21,192 21,931 3.5 259 104 Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Ill................... 25,434 25,861 1.7 112 266 Dayton-Springfield, Ohio................................. 26,721 27,673 3.6 60 94 Daytona Beach, Fla....................................... 19,895 20,494 3.0 291 168 Decatur, Ala............................................. 24,133 24,853 3.0 144 168 Decatur, Ill............................................. 27,071 27,339 1.0 70 294 Denver, Colo............................................. 28,965 30,059 3.8 30 71 Des Moines, Iowa......................................... 25,509 26,376 3.4 100 120 Detroit, Mich............................................ 33,201 34,706 4.5 10 28 Dothan, Ala.............................................. 22,155 23,094 4.2 213 46 Dover, Del............................................... 21,709 23,054 6.2 218 3 Dubuque, Iowa............................................ 23,277 24,053 3.3 172 132 Duluth-Superior, Minn.-Wis............................... 22,712 23,288 2.5 202 220 Dutchess County, N.Y..................................... 28,860 29,707 2.9 35 176 Eau Claire, Wis.......................................... 21,151 21,613 2.2 269 240 El Paso, Tex............................................. 20,221 20,971 3.7 285 83 Elkhart-Goshen, Ind...................................... 24,690 25,155 1.9 133 255 Elmira, N.Y.............................................. 22,880 23,749 3.8 183 71 Enid, Okla............................................... 19,601 19,934 1.7 299 266 Erie, Pa................................................. 24,518 25,204 2.8 130 183 Eugene-Springfield, Ore.................................. 22,510 23,206 3.1 208 153 Evansville-Henderson, Ind.-Ky............................ 23,821 24,269 1.9 166 255 Fargo-Moorhead, N.D.-Minn................................ 21,397 22,087 3.2 255 141 Fayetteville, N.C........................................ 20,928 21,557 3.0 272 168 Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark...................... 21,597 22,363 3.6 244 94 Flint, Mich.............................................. 33,219 33,389 0.5 15 301 Florence, Ala............................................ 21,798 22,310 2.3 247 233 Florence, S.C............................................ 21,681 22,605 4.3 235 42 Fort Collins-Loveland, Colo.............................. 24,221 24,983 3.1 139 153 Fort Lauderdale, Fla..................................... 25,830 26,695 3.3 91 132 Fort Myers-Cape Coral, Fla............................... 21,814 22,230 1.9 252 255 Fort Pierce-Port St. Lucie, Fla.......................... 22,275 23,065 3.5 217 104 Fort Smith, Ark.-Okla.................................... 20,982 21,461 2.3 274 233 Fort Walton Beach, Fla................................... 19,325 19,789 2.4 302 224 Fort Wayne, Ind.......................................... 24,774 25,557 3.2 119 141 Fort Worth-Arlington, Tex................................ 26,463 27,454 3.7 66 83 Fresno, Calif............................................ 21,253 21,332 0.4 277 303 Gadsden, Ala............................................. 22,609 23,558 4.2 193 46 Gainesville, Fla......................................... 21,302 21,822 2.4 263 224 Galveston-Texas City, Tex................................ 25,178 26,361 4.7 102 23 Gary, Ind................................................ 26,671 27,498 3.1 65 153 Glens Falls, N.Y......................................... 23,204 23,346 0.6 200 299 Goldsboro, N.C........................................... 19,476 20,343 4.5 294 28 Grand Forks, N.D.-Minn................................... 19,416 19,918 2.6 300 214 Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland, Mich...................... 26,431 27,297 3.3 72 132 Great Falls, Mont........................................ 19,985 20,213 1.1 296 293 Greeley, Colo............................................ 22,929 23,468 2.3 195 233 Green Bay, Wis........................................... 25,289 26,298 4.0 103 59 Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, N.C................. 24,197 25,229 4.3 129 42 Greenville, N.C.......................................... 22,490 22,635 0.6 232 299 Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, S.C..................... 23,497 24,667 5.0 153 15 Hagerstown, Md........................................... 22,983 23,695 3.1 185 153 Hamilton-Middletown, Ohio................................ 25,804 26,601 3.1 92 153 Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle, Pa.......................... 25,982 26,856 3.4 85 120 Hartford, Conn........................................... 33,172 33,948 2.3 13 233 Hattiesburg, Miss........................................ 20,063 20,867 4.0 286 59 Hickory-Morganton, N.C................................... 21,385 21,724 1.6 267 272 Honolulu, Hawaii......................................... 27,736 27,936 0.7 52 297 Houma, La................................................ 22,431 22,969 2.4 221 224 Houston, Tex............................................. 30,349 31,390 3.4 25 120 Huntington-Ashland, W.Va.-Ky.-Ohio....................... 23,368 23,408 0.2 197 307 Huntsville, Ala.......................................... 30,389 31,233 2.8 26 183 Indianapolis, Ind........................................ 27,437 28,081 2.3 49 233 Iowa City, Iowa.......................................... 24,131 24,798 2.8 147 183 Jackson, Mich............................................ 26,414 26,848 1.6 87 272 Jackson, Miss............................................ 23,030 24,193 5.1 168 13 Jackson, Tenn............................................ 22,591 23,901 5.8 177 7 Jacksonville, Fla........................................ 24,315 25,255 3.9 128 66 Jacksonville, N.C........................................ 16,332 16,951 3.8 311 71 Jamestown, N.Y........................................... 22,051 22,358 1.4 245 282 Janesville-Beloit, Wis................................... 25,819 26,885 4.1 83 54 Jersey City, N.J......................................... 33,012 34,621 4.9 11 19 Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, Tenn.-Va................. 22,643 23,424 3.5 196 104 Johnstown, Pa............................................ 20,644 21,085 2.1 282 246 Joplin, Mo............................................... 20,296 21,359 5.2 276 11 Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich............................. 26,517 27,259 2.8 75 183 Kankakee, Ill............................................ 22,991 23,952 4.2 175 46 Kansas City, Mo.-Kan..................................... 26,601 27,597 3.7 61 83 Kenosha, Wis............................................. 24,001 24,933 3.9 141 66 Killeen-Temple, Tex...................................... 20,850 21,589 3.5 270 104 Knoxville, Tenn.......................................... 23,711 24,567 3.6 158 94 Kokomo, Ind.............................................. 33,231 33,967 2.2 12 240 LaCrosse, Wis.-Minn...................................... 21,517 21,876 1.7 261 266 Lafayette, Ind........................................... 24,487 25,263 3.2 127 141 Lafayette, La............................................ 21,974 22,735 3.5 231 104 Lake Charles, La......................................... 24,741 25,399 2.7 123 208 Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla............................... 22,377 23,238 3.9 205 66 Lancaster, Pa............................................ 24,838 25,605 3.1 117 153 Lansing-East Lansing, Mich............................... 28,026 28,151 0.4 48 303 Laredo, Tex.............................................. 18,730 19,174 2.4 306 224 Las Cruces, N.M.......................................... 19,451 19,997 2.8 298 183 Las Vegas, Nev.-Ariz..................................... 25,247 26,263 4.0 105 59 Lawrence, Kan............................................ 20,287 20,860 2.8 287 183 Lawton, Okla............................................. 20,268 20,780 2.5 288 220 Lewiston-Auburn, Maine................................... 20,809 21,582 3.7 271 83 Lexington, Ky............................................ 23,510 24,501 4.2 159 46 Lima, Ohio............................................... 24,359 24,694 1.4 150 282 Lincoln, Neb............................................. 22,564 23,285 3.2 203 141 Little Rock-North Little Rock, Ark....................... 23,678 24,569 3.8 157 71 Longview-Marshall, Tex................................... 22,397 23,080 3.0 215 168 Los Angeles-Long Beach, Calif............................ 31,831 32,445 1.9 19 255 Louisville, Ky.-Ind...................................... 24,627 25,554 3.8 120 71 Lubbock, Tex............................................. 21,259 21,529 1.3 273 287 Lynchburg, Va............................................ 22,340 23,074 3.3 216 132 Macon, Ga................................................ 23,333 23,850 2.2 181 240 Madison, Wis............................................. 25,432 26,364 3.7 101 83 Mansfield, Ohio.......................................... 22,908 23,584 2.9 192 176 McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Tex............................ 17,683 18,031 2.0 309 251 Medford-Ashland, Ore..................................... 21,541 22,112 2.7 253 208 Melbourne-Titusville-Palm Bay, Fla....................... 26,325 26,853 2.0 86 251 Memphis, Tenn.-Ark.-Miss................................. 25,840 26,915 4.2 81 46 Merced, Calif............................................ 20,007 20,253 1.2 295 291 Miami, Fla............................................... 26,488 27,452 3.6 67 94 Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, N.J........................ 36,690 37,925 3.4 4 120 Milwaukee-Waukesha, Wis.................................. 26,958 27,926 3.6 53 94 Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.-Wis.......................... 29,102 30,185 3.7 29 83 Mobile, Ala.............................................. 22,687 23,318 2.8 201 183 Modesto, Calif........................................... 23,037 23,374 1.5 199 279 Monmouth-Ocean, N.J...................................... 28,338 29,033 2.5 39 220 Monroe, La............................................... 21,978 22,977 4.5 220 28 Montgomery, Ala.......................................... 22,984 23,798 3.5 182 104 Muncie, Ind.............................................. 23,671 24,123 1.9 170 255 Myrtle Beach, S.C........................................ 17,498 17,910 2.4 310 224 Naples, Fla.............................................. 21,568 22,747 5.5 229 9 Nashville, Tenn.......................................... 26,200 27,345 4.4 69 37 Nassau-Suffolk, N.Y...................................... 30,765 31,635 2.8 21 183 New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury-Waterbury, Conn.... 35,535 37,546 5.7 5 8 New London-Norwich, Conn................................. 30,015 30,892 2.9 27 176 New Orleans, La.......................................... 24,748 25,594 3.4 118 120 New York, N.Y............................................ 39,933 42,272 5.9 2 6 Newark, N.J.............................................. 35,910 37,224 3.7 6 83 Newburgh, N.Y.-Pa........................................ 24,507 25,016 2.1 138 246 Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News, Va.-N.C............. 22,988 23,540 2.4 194 224 Oakland, Calif........................................... 32,157 33,180 3.2 16 141 Ocala, Fla............................................... 20,273 21,084 4.0 283 59 Odessa-Midland, Tex...................................... 24,722 25,032 1.3 136 287 Oklahoma City, Okla...................................... 23,298 23,626 1.4 187 282 Olympia, Wash............................................ 25,300 26,083 3.1 107 153 Omaha, Neb.-Iowa......................................... 23,748 24,977 5.2 140 11 Orange County, Calif..................................... 30,315 30,889 1.9 28 255 Orlando, Fla............................................. 23,630 24,448 3.5 162 104 Owensboro, Ky............................................ 20,784 21,371 2.8 275 183 Panama City, Fla......................................... 19,858 20,489 3.2 292 141 Parkersburg-Marietta, W.Va.-Ohio......................... 23,475 24,000 2.2 174 240 Pensacola, Fla........................................... 22,078 22,509 2.0 240 251 Peoria-Pekin, Ill........................................ 27,010 27,548 2.0 64 251 Philadelphia, Pa.-N.J.................................... 30,519 31,695 3.9 20 66 Phoenix-Mesa, Ariz....................................... 25,738 26,748 3.9 90 66 Pine Bluff, Ark.......................................... 21,740 22,457 3.3 242 132 Pittsburgh, Pa........................................... 27,121 28,051 3.4 51 120 Pittsfield, Mass......................................... 24,658 25,513 3.5 121 104 Portland, Maine.......................................... 24,455 25,359 3.7 125 83 Portland-Vancouver, Ore.-Wash............................ 27,065 28,357 4.8 47 22 Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I........................ 25,515 26,487 3.8 96 71 Provo-Orem, Utah......................................... 21,377 22,848 6.9 225 2 Pueblo, Colo............................................. 21,066 21,869 3.8 262 71 Punta Gorda, Fla......................................... 20,048 21,058 5.0 284 15 Racine, Wis.............................................. 26,410 26,861 1.7 84 266 Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, N.C.......................... 26,703 27,925 4.6 54 26 Rapid City, S.D.......................................... 19,584 20,107 2.7 297 208 Reading, Pa.............................................. 26,705 27,442 2.8 68 183 Redding, Calif........................................... 23,431 23,590 0.7 191 297 Reno, Nev................................................ 25,632 26,513 3.4 95 120 Richland-Kennewick-Pasco, Wash........................... 26,835 27,570 2.7 63 208 Richmond-Petersburg, Va.................................. 26,483 27,596 4.2 62 46 Riverside-San Bernardino, Calif.......................... 24,477 24,816 1.4 145 282 Roanoke, Va.............................................. 22,825 23,951 4.9 176 19 Rochester, Minn.......................................... 28,262 29,155 3.2 38 141 Rochester, N.Y........................................... 28,299 29,302 3.5 36 104 Rockford, Ill............................................ 26,488 27,229 2.8 76 183 Rocky Mount, N.C......................................... 21,749 22,532 3.6 239 94 Sacramento, Calif........................................ 28,125 29,289 4.1 37 54 Saginaw-Bay City-Midland, Mich........................... 29,080 29,863 2.7 34 208 Salem, Ore............................................... 22,419 23,108 3.1 211 153 Salinas, Calif........................................... 23,462 24,261 3.4 167 120 Salt Lake City-Ogden, Utah............................... 23,839 24,693 3.6 151 94 San Angelo, Tex.......................................... 20,543 21,124 2.8 281 183 San Antonio, Tex......................................... 23,016 23,725 3.1 184 153 San Diego, Calif......................................... 27,261 27,842 2.1 57 246 San Francisco, Calif..................................... 36,510 37,975 4.0 3 59 San Jose, Calif.......................................... 39,123 42,409 8.4 1 1 San Luis Obispo-Atascadero-Paso Robles, Calif............ 22,327 23,026 3.1 219 153 Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Lompoc, Calif.................. 25,390 25,806 1.6 114 272 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif............................ 24,068 25,036 4.0 135 59 Santa Fe, N.M............................................ 22,596 23,613 4.5 189 28 Santa Rosa, Calif........................................ 25,232 26,178 3.7 106 83 Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.................................. 21,282 22,279 4.7 248 23 Savannah, Ga............................................. 23,130 23,865 3.2 180 141 Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton, Pa....................... 22,430 23,278 3.8 204 71 Seattle-Bellevue-Everett, Wash........................... 30,181 31,550 4.5 22 28 Sharon, Pa............................................... 22,403 22,815 1.8 226 263 Sheboygan, Wis........................................... 24,411 24,874 1.9 143 255 Sherman-Denison, Tex..................................... 23,231 23,879 2.8 178 183 Shreveport-Bossier City, La.............................. 22,990 23,408 1.8 197 263 Sioux City, Iowa-Neb..................................... 21,367 22,443 5.0 243 15 Sioux Falls, S.D......................................... 21,979 22,739 3.5 230 104 South Bend, Ind.......................................... 24,115 25,096 4.1 134 54 Spokane, Wash............................................ 22,828 23,595 3.4 190 120 Springfield, Ill......................................... 27,963 28,614 2.3 44 233 Springfield, Mass........................................ 25,661 26,437 3.0 98 168 Springfield, Mo.......................................... 21,183 22,111 4.4 254 37 St. Cloud, Minn.......................................... 21,253 21,717 2.2 268 240 St. Joseph, Mo........................................... 21,911 22,279 1.7 248 266 St. Louis, Mo.-Ill....................................... 27,392 28,599 4.4 45 37 State College, Pa........................................ 23,641 24,298 2.8 165 183 Steubenville-Weirton, Ohio-W.Va.......................... 25,254 25,649 1.6 115 272 Stockton-Lodi, Calif..................................... 24,263 24,376 0.5 163 301 Sumter, S.C.............................................. 19,334 19,880 2.8 301 183 Syracuse, N.Y............................................ 26,577 27,267 2.6 73 214 Tacoma, Wash............................................. 23,832 24,687 3.6 152 94 Tallahassee, Fla......................................... 22,246 23,141 4.0 210 59 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla..................... 23,767 24,650 3.7 155 83 Terre Haute, Ind......................................... 21,972 22,583 2.8 237 183 Texarkana, Tex.-Texarkana, Ark........................... 21,169 21,770 2.8 264 183 Toledo, Ohio............................................. 25,921 26,907 3.8 82 71 Topeka, Kan.............................................. 23,912 24,904 4.1 142 54 Trenton, N.J............................................. 35,345 36,614 3.6 7 94 Tucson, Ariz............................................. 22,286 23,622 6.0 188 5 Tulsa, Okla.............................................. 24,805 25,338 2.1 126 246 Tuscaloosa, Ala.......................................... 23,772 24,487 3.0 161 168 Tyler, Tex............................................... 23,729 24,176 1.9 169 255 Utica-Rome, N.Y.......................................... 22,808 23,207 1.8 207 263 Vallejo-Fairfield-Napa, Calif............................ 26,181 25,464 -2.7 122 311 Ventura, Calif........................................... 26,905 27,262 1.3 74 287 Victoria, Tex............................................ 21,553 22,267 3.3 250 132 Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, N.J........................ 26,430 27,104 2.6 77 214 Visalia-Tulare-Porterville, Calif........................ 18,807 19,457 3.5 304 104 Waco, Tex................................................ 21,777 22,534 3.5 238 104 Washington, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va............................ 33,947 34,891 2.8 9 183 Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa............................... 24,181 24,813 2.6 146 214 Wausau, Wis.............................................. 23,313 24,112 3.4 171 120 West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Fla.......................... 26,617 27,911 4.9 55 19 Wheeling, W.Va.-Ohio..................................... 21,516 21,769 1.2 265 291 Wichita, Kan............................................. 25,291 26,388 4.3 99 42 Wichita Falls, Tex....................................... 20,624 21,264 3.1 279 153 Williamsport, Pa......................................... 22,368 23,093 3.2 214 141 Wilmington-Newark, Del.-Md............................... 30,175 31,439 4.2 24 46 Wilmington, N.C.......................................... 22,552 23,233 3.0 206 168 Yakima, Wash............................................. 18,398 19,271 4.7 305 23 Yolo, Calif.............................................. 27,825 28,616 2.8 43 183 York, Pa................................................. 25,113 26,074 3.8 108 71 Youngstown-Warren, Ohio.................................. 25,025 25,380 1.4 124 282 Yuba City, Calif......................................... 21,145 21,237 0.4 280 303 Yuma, Ariz............................................... 17,996 18,286 1.6 308 272 1/ Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. 2/ Includes data for Metropolitan Statistical Areas as of July 5, 1994. In the New England areas, the New England County Metropolitan Area (NECMA) definitions were used. See Technical Note. 3/ Data are preliminary. 4/ Percent changes were computed from unrounded average annual pay data and may differ from those computed using data rounded to the nearest dollar. Table 2. Average annual pay for 1994 and 1995 for all covered workers 1/ by Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area Average annual pay Ranking of areas By percent By level of change in Percent average average change, annual pay annual pay, Consolidated metropolitan statistical area 2/ 1994 1995 3/ 1994-95 4/ for 1995 1994-95 All consolidated metropolitan statistical areas.....$31,469 $32,642 3.7 -- -- Boston-Worcester-Lawrence-Lowell-Brockton, Mass.-N.H..... 31,403 32,791 4.4 5 4 Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, Ill.-Ind.-Wis...................... 30,888 32,047 3.8 6 10 Cincinnati-Hamilton, Ohio-Ky.-Ind....................... 26,958 27,886 3.4 15 14 Cleveland-Akron, Ohio.................................... 27,585 28,382 2.9 14 16 Dallas-Fort Worth, Tex................................... 29,050 30,340 4.4 10 4 Denver-Boulder-Greeley, Colo............................. 28,416 29,531 3.9 12 9 Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, Mich............................ 32,788 34,118 4.1 3 7 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, Tex.......................... 30,059 31,107 3.5 8 12 Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, Calif............... 30,368 30,912 1.8 9 18 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla............................... 26,239 27,161 3.5 18 12 Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.................................... 26,909 27,830 3.4 16 14 New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, N.Y.-N.J.-Conn. 36,357 38,047 4.6 1 2 Philadelphia-Wilmington-Atlantic City, Pa.-N.J.-Del.-Md.. 30,120 31,238 3.7 7 11 Portland-Salem, Ore.-Wash................................ 26,427 27,648 4.6 17 2 Sacramento-Yolo, Calif................................... 28,092 29,214 4.0 13 8 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif.................... 34,475 36,187 5.0 2 1 Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, Wash........................... 28,809 30,052 4.3 11 6 Washington-Baltimore, D.C.-Md.-Va.-W.Va.................. 31,920 32,807 2.8 4 17 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 July 5, 1994. In the New England areas, the New England County Metropolitan Area (NECMA) definitions were used. See Technical Note. 3/ Data are preliminary. 4/ Percent changes were computed from unrounded average annual pay data and may differ from those computed using data rounded to the nearest dollar.