October 11, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Gap widens between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area pay

Average annual pay within the nation's nonmetropolitan areas rose by 4.9 percent in 2000, compared with 6.0 percent in metropolitan areas.

[Chart data—TXT]

The difference between nonmetropolitan and metropolitan pay has gradually widened over the years. In 1990, the difference between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan pay levels amounted to approximately 16 percent. In 1995, the difference was 23 percent and in 2000, nonmetropolitan average annual pay was 26 percent less than pay in metropolitan areas.

Average annual pay in nonmetropolitan areas in 2000 was $27,311. In comparison, annual pay in metropolitan areas averaged $36,986.

These data on average annual pay are a product of the BLS Covered Employment and Wages program. Pay data presented here are for workers covered by State and Federal unemployment insurance programs. Find additional information in "Average Annual Pay Levels in Metropolitan Areas, 2000," news release USDL 01-318.