Washington state’s annual wages are up but the news isn't good
Washington State’s average annual wage jumped up by 2.1 percent in 2010, but the news isn't necessarily good. The wage rates may have climbed because employers eliminated more lower-wage jobs than higher-wage jobs. Another possible explanation could be a decision by employers to add more work hours to part-time employees rather than hiring new workers. The average annual wage now stands at $48,162, which means a weekly wage of $926. The increase will boost unemployment benefits for jobless workers, as the average weekly wage is used to determine unemployment benefits. Minimum weekly unemployment benefits, calculated at 15 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase by $3 to $138. And maximum weekly benefits, calculated at 63 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase by $13 to $583. Ten percent of current workers filing unemployment claims receive the minimum benefit amount, and 20 percent receive the maximum amount. This new data will also be used to determine new employers’ unemployment taxes. In 2012, employers will begin paying unemployment taxes on the first $38,200 paid to each employee, up from $37,300 in 2010.
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annual wages
I note the use of the words, may have, possibly and not necessarily in this article, with no statistics or facts to back up the innuendo. We need to be given the straight talk about whether or not the economy is improving. Is it, or is it not? Please be more definitive with your choice of words. No agenda would be appreciated
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