Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington state economists say paychecks grew at a faster rate than inflation in 2007. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

Washington Employment Security Department analyst Chris Thomas says pay for the average worker was up five percent in 2007, compared to the year before. Inflation was at 3.9 percent.

Chris Thomas: “They’re another indication that, last year in 2007, Washington state’s economy continued to be strong while other parts of the nation are slowing down.”

The average wage in Washington was about $45,000.

Washington’s wage growth in 2007 was about a half percentage point higher than Oregon’s, with Idaho slightly behind that.

Despite the meaning of the new report, Thomas admits that it may not reflect the current economic conditions.

Chris Thomas: “This is information last year before we were seeing the pressures from higher inflation and gas prices.”

In other words, next year’s report may bring a much different conclusion.