Delaware led the nation in wage growth between 2013 and 2018 with an 11.2 percent increase during that period.
The surprising finding, based on federal figures, came out of a report from Garner Economics.
Click here for the full report.
The figures are impressive, since the 11.2 percent is adjusted for inflation. Otherwise, the figure would barely keep up with the cost of living.
The report did not that some states might see a rise in the cost of living that outpaced the national rate. At the same time, the figures may be greeted with some suspicion, given other signs that point to a more sluggish economy.
Three states reported declining wages for the 2013-2018 time frame: Mississippi, Alaska, and Louisiana.
Income growth was more sluggish in the region. The Philadelphia metro area, which includes New Castle, Kent and Cecil County in Maryland posted an anemic growth rate of 1.7 percent. The Salisbury area, which includes Sussex County did not fare much better at 2.7 percent.
Delaware’s figures were also affected by the deep recession in Delaware that held down pay beginning in 2008 and 2009.
Delaware was slow to come out of the recession. The wage gains 2013 to 2018 could also be viewed in the context of the state catching up from a troubled period that included the loss of both of the state’s auto plants and other higher paying employers.
Cyndi Dancy, research director for Garner, said a tightening labor supply is one factor affecting t income growth, adding that much of gain has come in the past few years.
Dancy said the report showed the stronger economy is finally making its way to paychecks. While Delaware posted the stongest results, the wage gains came throughout the nation.
The wage figures also indicate the state has weathered setbacks such as the downsizing of DuPont Co. The company shed 1,700 jobs, many in higher-paying areas such as research and development.
Job losses also occurred over several years at AstraZeneca, which shut down its R&D activities and cut its workforce from more than 4,000 to 1,500.