Mahoning Co. lags in increase of wages

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County lags behind the rest of the nation this year when it comes to wage increases.

Workers in Mahoning County earned an average of $632 per week during the first quarter of 2011, 4.6 percent more than they made during 2010’s first quarter.

The 4.6 percent increase ranked 116th among the nation’s 322 largest counties, in line with the state average, which had the same percentage increase and where the average worker now makes $819 per week.

Both trail the national average of 5.2 percent and $935 per week.

The figures were compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for its quarterly Employment and Wages study.

Nearby counties fared much better than Mahoning.

Stark County saw wages rise 9.7 percent, the eighth-highest percentage increase nationally.

Cuyahoga County wages rose 7.4 percent; wages increased 7 percent in Lorain County.

Wages in Peoria, Ill., rose a nationwide best 18.9 percent.

Wages in Williamson County, Texas, had the sharpest decline; wages fell 2.8 percent.

Trumbull and Columbiana counties are not in the top 322 largest counties surveyed.