Idaho Wages Gain, But Still Low

The average annual wage in Idaho rose faster than nearly every other state’s in 1993, exceeding the percentage increase nationally for the first time in at least three years.

Federal figures released on Tuesday through the state Department of Employment showed the average wage in Idaho hit $21,188 in 1993, up 2.6 percent from the $20,649 the year before.

While the amount still ranked 44th among the 50 states for the fourth straight year, only six other states reported a higher percentage increase in 1993.

Nationally, the average annual wage rose 1.8 percent.Because of that, the percentage increases were even greater than 4.9 percent in 28 other states, and the national average increase was 5.4 percent.Average annual wages in eight of the nine industry divisions in Idaho were up in 1993. Only construction, which saw the pay drop fractionally, posted a decline.

The services sector saw the smallest gain at just a half percentage point.

Mining, which continues to produce the highest average wage at nearly $35,000 although the number of jobs have dwindled dramatically, was up another 3.7 percent in 1993.