November 20, 2000 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Washington State, Massachusetts lead in pay gains

Leading the nation in pay growth for the third year in a row, Washington State's average annual pay advanced 8.0 percent in 1999. The next highest pay increase occurred in Massachusetts, where wages climbed 6.8 percent.

Percent increase in average annual pay for all covered workers, U.S. and selected states, 1999
[Chart data—TXT]

Three other States had pay gains in excess of 5.0 percent in 1999: California (6.3 percent), Colorado (6.0 percent), and Virginia (5.2).

Overall, pay gains moderated in 1999 compared with the previous year. In the U.S. overall, average annual pay rose by 4.3 percent in 1999, compared with 5.2 percent in 1998.

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 1999 are preliminary and subject to revision. Find more information on pay in 1999 in "Average Annual Pay By State and Industry, 1999," news release USDL 00-339.