FOR RELEASE September 25, 1995
Contact David Blaska 608/267-4400
Average state wage up 8.7% in last two years
If you were the average Wisconsin worker in 1994, you were paid $11.49 an
hour _ up 8.7 percent from $10.50 in 1992. Private sector wages went up 9.2
percent over the two-year period while state government wages increased by
6.6 percent.
Those are some of the findings of the 1995 Wage Survey just out from the
Wisconsin Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations. Although the
DILHR Wage Survey was not designed to be the definitive authority on
statewide wage comparisons over time, the sheer size of the sample, 348,000
employees, does lend it considerable credibility.
The 1995 Wage Survey provides valuable information for career counselors,
managers, workers, policy makers, and the tax-paying public. It is an
important resource in the state's Operation: HIRE arsenal to help employers
cope with labor shortages because it provides comprehensive information on
current wage rates for most occupations.
It is the sixth such survey conducted by DILHR. Employers returned over 7,700
surveys reporting wages for over 348,000 employees in over 1,000 occupations
in private business and in government. Wages for overtime, bonuses, and
fringe benefits and the like are not included. Although most occupations are
included, public school teachers are a notable exception.
The Public vs. Private Industry Wage Report shows a wage comparison of
similar occupations between private industry, both large and small firms,
local government and school districts, and the state as a whole.
When making comparisons, however, allowances must be made for the different
staffing patterns in each. For instance, private industry will have more
aircraft mechanics than government. Also, large private industries, those
employing 250 or more workers, are likely to pay more than small companies.
You can obtain all the complete reports
There are 26 wage survey publications for different geographic areas of the
state, a Catalog of Occupational Descriptions, and a Private
Industry/Government Wage Comparison Report. The price of the wage surveys is
related to the size of the publication. The State wage survey, the Milwaukee
Metro wage survey, and the Catalog of Occupational Descriptions are $12.50
including handling and shipping costs. All other regional wage surveys are
$9.00, including handling and shipping. Contact Wis. Document Sales at (608)
266-3358.