Idaho wages fall behind national level

Although Idaho added nearly 11,400 jobs in the third quarter, many of those jobs are in sectors with below average wages.

The Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy says the state’s job growth has failed to bring Idaho wages in line with the rest of the nation. National wages grew by more than 21 percent since 1977, but Idaho’s wages have barely moved.

Sasha Pierson, policy analyst at the Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy, states, “We’re seeing Idaho get left behind. Wages across the country have risen by more than 21 percent since 1977 while Idaho wages have barely moved.”

Based on its latest report, the Center said Idaho wages fell $14,000 short, on average, last year compared to the rest of the country, after adjusting for inflation.

The state’s relatively low cost of living only makes a small dent in the problem, according to the Center. Each dollar stretches about 7 percent further, but that still leaves Idaho wages more than 20 percent lower than the national average.

Stakeholders point out that Idaho’s relatively low college degree attainment rate may be contributing to lackluster wage growth. The number of Idahoans with a 4-year degree is lower than the national average and the difference is growing. According to the center’s math, if Idaho matched the national average of college degrees, there would be 58,100 more residents over 25 years old with at least a bachelor’s degree.

You can see the Center’s full jobs report here.