Economy

As it is in many U.S. states, income in Idaho is on an upward trend. Idaho lost ground in per capita personal income from 2009-2011 as it recovered from the Great Recession. But what’s also growing is the gap between personal income in Idaho and in the national as a whole.Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis show Idahoans earned less in 2012 than residents of almost every other state in the country.A closer look at hourly wages reveals half of Idaho’s workforce earned $14.58 an hour or less in 2012. The hourly wage in Idaho, on average, is $18.48.Idaho also had a larger share of hourly workers earning minimum wage in 2012 than ever before. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 31,000 Idahoans made $7.25 an hour or less in 2012. That’s a 63 percent increase from 2011.

Idaho State Employee Pay Nearly 20 Percent Below Market Rate

Boise State Public Radio News | By Associated Press

Published January 2, 2014 at 9:39 AM MST

Idaho lawmakers will take a look at state employee pay rates this year as they continue to fall behind market rates.

The Spokesman-Review reported Thursday that pay for Idaho employees is about 19 percent below market rates, and that gap has been growing for the last decade.

Now, for the first time in six years, the House Commerce and Human Resources Committee has reconvened to examine the issue. Republican Rep. Steve Hartgen from Twin Falls, the committee chairman, says state employees have held the government together during recession, and he hopes they know lawmakers are doing the best they can.

The latest state report shows pay for Idaho state workers is about 29 percent lower than private-sector wages, and about 10 percent lower than rates in surrounding states.

Idaho State Employee Pay Nearly 20 Percent Below Market Rate

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