Each year the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) conducts a survey of some 4,000 Utah companies. The following May, the results of that survey are released by both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and DWS. Wage information is now available for five metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and four non-MSA areas. In the Bear River Region there are two releases: Logan/Franklin County MSA; and the combined Box Elder/Rich counties non-MSA.
Why does it take so long to produce wage data? May is the survey's “reference” month, the month for which we ask employers to report their wage data. Once we start asking for the information (via a mail survey form), employers need time to compile and post the data. At that point there may have even been a second survey mailing to non-responding employers. DWS analysts review and edit the information even after it has passed a computer screening. Respondents are contacted to verify information that may look questionable. DWS is mandated by BLS to obtain data from three-fourths of the employers surveyed. The information is then transmitted to Washington D.C. for the preparation of estimates. This quality assurance process takes time, but the payoff is accurate information on wages in Utah.
Since there are two areas represented in the region, the combined Box Elder/Rich counties and the Logan/Franklin County, Idaho MSA, two graphs have been prepared that show the largest occupations in terms of employment ranked by average hourly wages. You can also access the data through the Utah Economic Data Viewer (see link below), which reports wages for hundreds of occupations in these two areas.
Box Elder & Rich Counties
The average wage in the survey for all workers in this two-county area was $16.96 per hour for 2008. This was a meager 1.2 percent increase from the $16.73 average reported in 2007. The top five highest paid occupations (with at least 150 workers employed) included a mix of education/experience requirements, but all required some, if not significant, levels of postsecondary education. They were: mechanical engineers $33.83), general managers ($28.93), registered nurses ($26.69), first-line supervisors of production ($25.75), and first-line supervisors of construction ($23.62). On the other end of the wage scale, lower wages were made by packers/packagers ($6.92), combined food workers-fast food ($7.35), cashiers ($7.65), social and human service assistants ($9.37), and waiters and waitresses ($10.29).
Logan
The survey reported the Logan MSA average wage in 2008 was $15.68 per hour. This was a 3.4-percent increase over the 2007 average of $15.17 per hour. Higher-paid occupations in Logan included general managers ($36.20 per hour), registered nurses ($26.61), first-line supervisors of production ($21.16), first-line supervisors of offices ($20.15), and carpenters ($18.32).
Those workers in lower-wage occupations included packers/packagers ($6.92), fast food cooks ($7.13), combined food workers-fast food ($7.78), cashiers ($8.15), and interviewers, excluding eligibility and loan ($8.85). Note that the official minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour on July 24, 2009, and those average wages below that figure in the 2008 survey would increase to meet the minimum.
You can get occupational wage rates for individual occupations and wage tables showing all the survey occupations at: http://jobs.utah.gov/jsp/wi/utalmis/gotoOccwage.do.
Box Elder:
The economy continued to shed jobs during the first quarter and unemployment rose. In March the county lost some 1,650 jobs from a year ago, that’s a 7.9 percent loss. Unemployment nearly doubled from the 3.2 percent rate of June 2008 to 6.1 percent in June of 2009. Most of the 1,650 lost jobs were in construction (-550) and manufacturing (-630). Other sectors with fewer jobs include retail trade (-50) and transportation (-60). Business services trimmed about 200 slots. On the positive side, healthcare added some 75 new jobs. Spending, as measured by gross taxable sales, slipped by 3 percent from the first quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009. Construction activity was off both in new dwelling permits (-12 percent) but also in the total valuation of activity by some 47 percent. The recession continues to have a hold on the economy curtailing job creation, spending, and building.
Cache:
Throughout the first quarter of 2009, employment declined compared to a year ago. As employment dropped, unemployment increased significantly. In March of 2009 there were 4.1 percent fewer jobs in the county than last year. That is 2,100 less. About two-thirds of the losses were in the goods-producing sectors of construction (-550) and manufacturing (-1,200). Other industries also felt the pangs of the recession including retail trade (-260 jobs) and business services (-440). Hospitality jobs were trimmed by about 100. Only healthcare (+120) and local government (+230) felt growth in positions. Spending by consumers was up, but only by one percent compared to a year ago. Construction was about the only bright spot with 63 new dwelling permits issued, which as an increase of 14.5 percent. Additionally, the total valuation of construction activity was actually up about 27 percent. With the exception of improved building activity, the county’s economy continues to feel the effects of the recession.
Rich:
Job counts were down slightly during the first quarter, but not to the degree some of the other counties in northern Utah have experienced. Unemployment increased from a year ago but still is at a relatively low level (4.2 percent). The county’s economy lost a net 10
jobs during the first three months of 2009. However, in the construction sector there were 40 fewer jobs than last year. Healthcare added some 10 new positions, but government was the main contributor of employment adding 17 positions. Consumer spending was down by 5.4 percent for the first quarter. Construction activity, in terms of total valuation, was down by 73 percent from last year. The county continues to feel the effects of the recession, but not as much as other areas around the state.
For more employment information about your county go to: http://jobs.utah.gov/countyinfo and select your county, then go to Labor Market Indicators in the right-hand margin.
“Officials at Autoliv Inc.’s Utah operations say General Motors’ decision to idle 13 assembly plants this summer will probably force additional furloughs at the auto safety parts supplier, but they remain optimistic that no more layoffs will be needed. Autoliv has about 4,000 employees in Ogden, Brigham City, Tremonton and Promontory making airbags and related components for GM and other auto manufacturers.”
—Standard Examiner
“With the largest commercial development in the history of Cache County well underway, investors are betting on an improving economy to fill it up. The broker for the $100 million-plus Eagle Creek Industrial Business Park recently broke ground at 3100 North and Main Street in this northern Utah community, population 8,149.”
—Herald Journal
