The PayScale Index that studies changes in wages for full-time, private-sector employees’ has recognized the five top metro areas where pay increased in Q4 of 2011 as against Q4 of 2010.
Below is a list of five metro areas that offer highest wage growth as per the PayScale Index. The factors responsible for area's successes are also discussed along with a job in one of the areas’ leading industries apart from the current salary in that metro area.
1. Houston
Q4 YOY Wage Growth: 2.2 Percent
Even though Houston economy traditionally has relied on oil and energy, the case is different now. International commerce and freight transportation have well emerged now. Apart from diversifying, the city has pushed up education and has also produced many cross-industry partnerships.
The partnership connecting social services agencies with the city’s port authority and chamber of commerce, invigorated the community, helping in job creation and boosting salaries. This also placed Houston at the top of The PayScale Index.
Petroleum engineer salary: $120,600
2. Miami
Q4 YOY Wage Growth: 1.8 Percent
Miami is driven by their industries like travel and trade with South America. The city is also venturing into subdivision of biotech and has also re-energized several of its neighborhoods.
Aircraft mechanic salary: $44,900
3. Chicago
Q4 YOY Wage Growth: 1.7 Percent
Chicago's new mayor Rahm Emanuel has emphasized more on job creation as a priority, and the city is also a key transportation hub, helping the economy. Notably, all the railways in the United States pass via Chicago while it also has a major international airport. The city has also revved up its banking sector and poured great efforts to attract industry. Also, apart from transportation, Chicago has abundance of social science, economic and political science research organizations.
Pricing analyst salary: $51,600
4. Washington, DC
Q4 YOY Wage Growth: 1.7 Percent
Washington, DC, apart from being a centre for politics and government, also is a major deep-water port. The city has recently finished a large infrastructure project fortifying their main DC port. On the same lines of Houston, they have used up a big amount of money on strengthening up their community development and combining that in with the trade.
Economist salary: $87,800
5. Seattle
Q4 YOY Wage Growth: 1.6 Percent
After the local Boeing plant chopped up multiple jobs it seemed like Seattle was going to get dry. However, the city ventured into international business as it is preferably located for that trade; also as it is having a major port and serves as the primary access point for travellers to and from Asia and Alaska from the continental US.
Software developer salary: $86,700
