September 24, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Highest pay in 2000: Connecticut

Among the States, Connecticut had the highest average annual pay level ($45,445) in 2000.

[Chart data—TXT]

New York had the next highest pay level in 2000 ($44,942), followed by Massachusetts ($44,326), New Jersey ($43,691), and California ($41,194).

The 2000 average pay levels of these five highest-ranking States, accounting for one quarter of the nation's employment, ranged from 17 to 29 percent higher than the U.S. average of $35,296. Occupying the remaining top 10 pay positions for States were, in descending order, Illinois, Colorado, Washington, Michigan, and Delaware. 

Average annual pay in the District of Columbia was $53,018 in 2000.

The BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program produced these data. Pay data presented here are for all workers covered by State and Federal unemployment insurance programs. Data for 2000 are preliminary and subject to revision. Find more information on pay in 2000 in "Average Annual Pay By State and Industry, 2000," news release USDL 01-295.

Related TED articles:

• Massachusetts, California tops in pay gains
• Average annual pay increase in 2000