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.
Wages in the three-county area increased between the 2007 and 2008 surveys. The average hourly wage in 2007 was $17.25. It increased by 3.2 percent to the $17.68 level in 2008. The statewide average for 2008 was $18.35, an increase of just 2.9 percent over 2007.
The graph highlights average hourly wages in occupations with significant (1,500 or more) employment. The 25 occupations on the graph account for 36 percent of all 202,000 employed in the three counties in 2008. The occupations are ranked by hourly wages, and the top five represent a diversity of skills and training. Note that there are hundreds of job titles in the survey. The following are those with higher levels of employment. General managers led in wages, earning an average of $39.09 per hour. Registered nurses made $26.52 per hour, followed by sales reps (non-technical) with $25.45. First-line supervisors of offices (office managers) had wages of 20.38 per hour, and skilled machinists were reported in the survey at $18.85 per hour.
Earning lower wages were combined food workers-fast food with the lowest of the high employment occupations at $7.70 per hour. Packer/packager (hand) was next with earnings of $8.62, followed by cashiers with $8.63 per hour. Waiters and waitresses made $8.92 with employers reporting $9.41 for janitors. All of these lower-paying occupations require little training or experience and generally serve as ports-of-entry into the workforce for young inexperienced workers. Note that the minimum wage changed for its third and final installment July 24, 2009, and that wage is set at $7.25 per hour.
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.
Davis:
The recession continues to affect the economy both in terms of job loss and increased unemployment. The latest year-over job decline figure was -4.7 percent. Unemployment in June of 2008 was 3.2 percent. Because of the slowdown, that figure has now risen to 5.1 percent. Compared to last year there are about 5,000 fewer jobs. Just over 2,000 of those losses were in the construction industry, and another 1,100 fell in manufacturing firms. Job losses were reported in wholesale trade (-500), retail trade (-720), and transportation and warehousing (-200). Business services fell by 730. Only healthcare with 360 new jobs, and local government with 330, were registering additions to payroll. Consumer spending was off 7.8 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008. Building activity was down 60 percent in the number of permits and 65 percent in the valuation of construction. The economy in the county is definitely in a recession posture, waiting for something to signal the bottom has been reached and better times are ahead.
Morgan:
Job losses continued during the first quarter, and unemployment crept higher. In the past year, unemployment rose from 3 percent to 4.7 percent (June 2009). The county’s economy lost about 70 positions during March of 2009 compared against the same time in 2008, a decline of 3.9 percent. Construction continued its freefall, losing 90 positions. Manufacturing stayed about the same in the year-over comparison. In the services sector, business services dropped the most with 20 workers leaving. These were countered by an increase in local government. Spending in the county remained at the same level as last year. Construction activity experienced a decline in total valuation (-65 percent) compared to the first quarter of 2008. The recession continues to hold its grip on the county.
Weber:
The county patiently awaits good economic news and the recession continues to hold its grip. Unemployment (June 2009) was 6.8 percent, up measurably from 3.9 percent a year ago. Compared to March of 2008, there are 4,400 fewer jobs. Construction keeps right on dropping jobs at a double-digit rate. About 1,250 (-21 percent) fewer workers were in that sector. Manufacturing dropped 1,100 (down 8.8 percent). Business services fell by 1,600, and hospitality reported 260 fewer workers. Only healthcare with 260, and local government with 120 added employees to payrolls. Consumer spending was off 7.7 percent during the first quarter (compared to 2008). Construction activity was also off significantly. Permits were down 59 percent, and total valuation was off 63 percent. It’s tough times for an economy that is anxious to come out of the economic doldrums.
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.
“With construction expected to begin on the Falcon Hill Research Park soon, officials have revealed details of how land on the project will likely be used. The total land use area covers 519 acres near Hill’s west side, spreading across both Weber and Davis counties.”
—Standard Examiner
“The state’s largest single-site employer could be facing big job cuts next year. Hill [Air Force base] stands to lose 737 military jobs, with the 388th Fighter Wing alone losing 617 positions, as part of the U.S. Air Force’s proposed force structure realignment plan for fiscal year 2010.”
—Standard Examiner
