Most American workers are finally starting to see their paychecks climb since the long and slow recovery of the Great Recession. But according to a new analysis of federal data by Governing magazine, Louisiana is among just two states where median wages declined between 2013 and 2016.
The median hourly wage in Louisiana fell 0.5% to $15.43 last year, down from $15.51 in 2013. Delaware was the only other state to post a decline over the three year span, with the median wage falling 1.4% to $18.25 per hour.
While most American workers have finally started to see their paychecks climb in recent years, Governing reports low-wage earners haven’t been as fortunate, with many seeing little to no wage growth.
That’s the takeaway from the U.S. Department of Labor’s latest occupational employment statistics, which show how wage growth has played out differently across states.
Governing compiled the latest state-level hourly wage estimates for all occupations, along with historical estimates adjusted for inflation. Over the 12-month period ending in May, seven states recorded real median wage increases exceeding 2%, with Iowa, Hawaii and Wisconsin reporting the top percentage gains.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s latest occupational employment statistics show wage growth has played out differently across states in recent years. Governing compiled the latest state-level hourly wage estimates for all occupations, along with historical estimates adjusted for inflation. Over the 12-month period ending in May, seven states recorded real median wage increases exceeding 2%, with Iowa, Hawaii and Wisconsin reporting the top percentage gains.
Looking back further, nearly half of states experienced solid inflation-adjusted median wage increases exceeding 3% over the past three years of the recovery. States with the strongest increases include North Dakota (6.4%), Nebraska (6.1%) and Hawaii (5%). Meanwhile, eight states saw wages rise less than 1%.
One bright note for Louisiana: Median hourly wages rose 0.9% between 2007 and 2016. See the complete analysis of the figures by Governing.
