High-Wage Earners Gained Most This Past Decade in San Jose, Washington DC and San Francisco; Low-Wage Earners Gained Most in New Orleans

01 Nov 2016 High-Wage Earners Gained Most This Past Decade in San Jose, Washington DC and San Francisco; Low-Wage Earners Gained Most in New Orleans

At the High Wage level (75th percentile), the metros that generated the most wage growth were San Jose (+17%), Washington DC (+11%) and San Francisco (+11%). Detroit had the largest wage decrease (-8%), followed by Grand Rapids (-4%) and Memphis (-1%).

 
At the Low Wage level (25^th Percentile), only 13 of the 53 largest metros saw wages grow from 2005 to 2015. New Orleans had the highest wage growth (7%), followed by Pittsburgh (5%) and San Antonio (5%). Wages decreased the most in Detroit (-12%), Grand Rapids (-12%) and Atlanta (-9%).

At the Ultra-High Wage level (90^th Percentile), 50 of the 53 largest metros saw wages grow from 2005 to 2015. San Francisco had the highest wage growth (17%), followed by San Jose (15%) and Seattle (15%). Wages decreased the most in Grand Rapids (-4%), Detroit (-3%) and Memphis (-1%).

Click here to read our article on U.S. wage growth by percentile and median wage by metro.

Research, analysis and content developed by Headlight Data. Original data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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