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Increase in 2009 wages brings small bump in jobless benefits

6/17/2010

10-025

Media contact: Jamie Swift, communications manager, 360-902-0904

OLYMPIA – The loss of thousands of low-paying jobs helped to increase the average wage in Washington in 2009, according to the Employment Security Department.  The 1.9 percent increase drove the average annual wage to $47,153, the smallest increase since 2004. The average weekly wage was $906.

Among other things, the average wage is used to compute unemployment-insurance benefits for jobless workers. Because the average wage increased in 2009, the minimum and maximum unemployment benefits will go up for new unemployment claims beginning next month.

The minimum weekly unemployment benefit, calculated at 15 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase by $2, to $135, for new claims opened on or after July 4. The maximum weekly benefit, calculated at 63 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase $10, to $570.  

Currently, about 24 percent of unemployment-insurance claims are paid the maximum benefit amount, and 6 percent receive the minimum. Claims opened before July 4 will not see a change in the minimum or maximum benefit.

In addition to unemployment benefits, the average annual wage is used in computing employers’ unemployment taxes. Beginning in 2011, employers will pay unemployment taxes on the first $37,300 paid to each employee, up from $36,800 in 2010.  As a reference point, about one-third of all employees in Washington earned more than $37,300 last year.

The state average wage also is used by the Department of Labor & Industries in calculating worker’s compensation benefits.

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Web links

Employment Security Department – www.esd.wa.gov


Broadcast version

Washington’s average annual wage grew to 47,153 dollars in 2009 – an increase of one-point-nine percent -- according to the state Employment Security Department. 

The average annual wage is used to compute the minimum and maximum unemployment-insurance benefits for jobless workers. 

Because the average wage increased last year, the minimum unemployment benefit will increase by two-dollars a week, to one-hundred-thirty-five dollars. The maximum weekly benefit will increase by ten dollars -- to five-hundred-seventy dollars. 

The increases take effect only for new unemployment claims filed on or after July 4th.

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