Morgan ranks 46th in average wages

The average West Virginia worker earned $32,724 in 2006, according to statistics from WORKFORCE West Virginia, a division of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.

The average wage in Morgan County was $25,297, placing the county at 46th among the 55 counties. Adjoining Hampshire County was 45th with an average wage of $25,434.

The average annual wage in the state rose by $1,380, about 4.4% from 2005. Average annual employment grew to 705,281 from 695,300, an increase of 9,981 jobs.

The top five industries growing in employment over the year included: construction (+2,767), mining (+2,010), leisure and hospitality (+1,599), retail trade (+1,135) and professional and business services (+1,129).

The top three industries with declining employment were manufacturing (-1,126), information (-185) and other services (-164). A decline in the iron and steel mills sector overshadowed modest growth in several manufacturing sectors, including machinery, electrical equipment and aerospace parts.

A survey of wages shows federal government health services paid the highest average annual wage among the state's major sectors, with an average of $71,035, followed by utilities ($68,096). Mining ($59,979), management services ($54,389) and wholesale trade ($45,171) completed the top five highest-paying sectors.

Boone County continued to earn the highest average annual wage at $44,333, followed by Marshall ($39,439) and Mingo ($38,185). The Berkeley County average was $34,688.

Wirt County had the lowest average annual wage of $22,085, followed by Tucker ($22,391) and Summers ($22,742).

Fastest growing counties in terms of the number of employed were Monongalia (+1,640), Berkeley (+1,248), Raleigh (+745) and Kanawha (+642).