Average Wage, 1980
Inflation-Adjusted to 2000 Dollars
In 1980, the average wage for Washington was $28,952, after inflation adjustment to 2000 dollars.
Garfield and San Juan counties had the lowest average wages at $17,962 and $18,501, respectively.Skamania County had the highest average wage at $41,516.
Seven counties had average wages higher than the state average.
Average Wage, 1990
Inflation-Adjusted to 2000 Dollars
In 1990, the average wage for Washington was $28,363, after inflation adjustment to 2000 dollars.
Columbia and Douglas counties had the lowest average wages at $17,533 and $17,708, respectively.
King County had the highest average wage at $32,538.
Four counties (King, Benton, Snohomish, and Cowlitz) had average wages higher than the state average.
Average Wage, 2000
Inflation-Adjusted to 2000 Dollars
In 2000, the average wage for Washington was $37,423.
Okanogan and Pacific counties had the lowest average wages at $21,275 and $21,974, respectively.
King County had the highest average wage at $47,440 and was the only county with average wage higher than the state average.
Change in Average Wage, 1980-1990
Inflation-Adjusted to 2000 Dollars
Between 1980 and 1990, average wages in Washington decreased by 2.0%, after inflation adjustment to 2000 dollars.
Largest declines were in Skamania (47.0% decrease) and Wahkiakum (31.2% decrease) counties. Only 8 counties in Washington experienced an increase in average wage.
The 11.6% increase in average wage for Pend Oreille County for this period was the highest among the counties. No other county experienced an increase of more than 2.3%.
Change in Average Wage, 1990-2000
Inflation-Adjusted to 2000 Dollars
During the period 1990 to 2000, average wages rebounded in the state, increasing overall by slightly over 30 percent, after inflation adjustment to 2000 dollars.
Only Ferry County experienced a decrease in average wages during this period.
Two counties experienced an increase in average wages higher than the overall state level: King (45.8%) and Garfield (37.7%).
Change in Average Wage, 1980-2000
Inflation-Adjusted to 2000 Dollars
Overall, between 1980 and 2000, the average wage for Washington State increased by 29.3 percent, after inflation adjustment to 2000 dollars.
King County, with an increase of 47.6%, led the way followed by Garfield County (38.9%), the only other county to exceed the overall state average change.
Nine counties, all located in resource-dependent areas, experienced a net decrease in average wage over this period.
Data Sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
- Washington State Revenue Forecast Council - Implicit Price Deflator
Last modified: August 24, 2004
E-mail: OFM.Forecasting@ofm.wa.gov
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