September 20, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Massachusetts, California tops in pay gains

Massachusetts and California experienced the largest percentage increases in average annual pay from 1999 to 2000 (9.8 and 9.6 percent, respectively).

[Chart data—TXT]

Massachusetts' strong performance reflected above-average pay growth in nearly all the major industries, especially in finance, insurance, and real estate (16.5 percent), services (11.9 percent), and manufacturing (10.7 percent). In California, the largest percentage increases in pay and occurred in manufacturing (16.2 percent), services (12.2 percent), and finance, insurance, and real estate (10.0 percent).

Overall, pay gains accelerated in 2000 compared with the previous year. Annual pay grew by at least 4 percent in 31 states this year, whereas only 19 states reached this growth rate in 1999. In the U.S. overall, average annual pay rose by 5.9 percent in 2000, compared with 4.4 percent in 1999.

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 article:

• Average annual pay increase in 2000