PRESS RELEASE: October 20, 2011
Dr. Robert Carreira
Director, Center for Economic Research
Cochise College
901 N. Colombo Ave.
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Phone: 520-515-5486
Email: cer@cochise.edu
County wages up in 2010
According to recent data from the Arizona Office of Employment and Population Statistics, the average hourly wage in Cochise County in 2010 was $20.09 or $41,795 annually. This was the fourth highest of Arizona's 15 counties, behind Greenlee, Maricopa, and Pima counties. The statewide average wage last year was $20.38 per hour, or $42,389 per year.
The average wage in Cochise County increased 6.8 percent in 2010, compared to statewide growth of 3.6 percent. Wage growth in Cochise County was the second highest of Arizona's 15 counties in 2010, behind Coconino County, which saw wages increase by 9.5 percent.
Wages grew in all Arizona counties in 2010 except Greenlee and La Paz counties. Greenlee County, which had the highest average wage in Arizona in 2010, saw a decline of 1.4 percent, while La Paz County, which had the lowest average wage statewide, saw a 0.6 percent decline.
In recent years, the gap between wages in Cochise County and statewide has narrowed considerably. In 2004, Cochise County wages were 8.9 percent below the statewide average. This narrowed to 1.4 percent in 2010.
From 2000 to 2010, Cochise County wages increased by 48 percent, compared to 26.6 percent inflation during the same period. This reflects real wage growth (an increase in the purchasing power of wages) of 21.4 percent.
In 2010, the largest wage increase in Cochise County went to physicians and surgeons, whose average annual wage increased 70.3 percent from $100,369 to $170,922. The second largest increase went to graphic designers, whose average annual wage jumped 37.7 percent from $26,970 to $37,146. Third were detectives and criminal investigators, whose average wage climbed 32.4 percent from $53,327 to $70,586. The fourth-highest wage increase went to property, real estate, and community association managers, whose wages were up 29.8 percent from $32,695 to $42,449. Fifth were computer programmers, whose average annual wage increased by 24.3 percent from $61,322 to $76,249.
The largest drop in wages was for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, whose average wage dropped 31.5 percent from $35,598 to $24,400 per year. The second largest wage decrease went to interpreters and translators, whose average annual wage fell 22.9 percent from $37,056 to $28,588. Third were computer support specialists, whose average wage dropped 21.5 percent from $60,930 to $47,839. The fourth-largest drop in wages went to wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, whose wages declined 20.9 percent from $44,282 to $35,020. Fifth were first-line supervisors of personal service workers, whose average wage decreased by 20.4 percent from $39,711 to $31,605 per year.
The highest-paying occupation in Cochise County in 2010 was general dentist, with an average wage of $217,701 per year. Second were surgeons, who earned an average of $172,232 per year. The third highest-paying occupation was physicians and surgeons (all other), who earned an average of $170,922. Fourth were family and general practitioners, who earned $162,520. The fifth highest-paid workers in Cochise County were chief executives, who earned an average of $143,094.
The lowest-paid workers in Cochise County in 2010 were cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop counter attendants, who were paid an average annual wage of $16,094. Second lowest paid were dishwashers, who earned $16,626 per year. The third lowest-paid workers were waiters and waitresses, who earned $16,646. Fourth were hosts and hostesses at restaurants, lounges, and coffee shops, who were paid $16,828. The fifth lowest-paid occupation in Cochise County was food batchmakers, who were paid an average of $17,322 per year.
Dr. Robert Carreira is director of the Center for Economic Research at Cochise College. If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or by email at cer@cochise.edu. Check out the CER's website at www.cochise.edu/cer.
| TOP PAYING OCCUPATIONS IN COCHISE COUNTY, 2010 | ||
| Occupation | Average Annual Wage | Average Hourly Wage |
| Dentists, General | $217,701 | $104.66 |
| Surgeons | $172,232 | $82.80 |
| Physicians and Surgeons, All Other | $170,922 | $82.17 |
| Family and General Practitioners | $162,520 | $78.13 |
| Chief Executives | $143,094 | $68.80 |
| Pharmacists | $125,618 | $60.39 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $113,656 | $54.64 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $110,688 | $53.22 |
| Purchasing Managers | $103,289 | $49.66 |
| Managers, All Other | $100,274 | $48.21 |
| Source: Arizona Office of Employment and Population Statistics and Cochise College Center for Economic Research | ||
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