The Arizona Department of Economic Security recently released its occupational employment and wage estimates for 2006.
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The average hourly wage in Cochise County last year was $16.55, or $34,417 annually.
This was the fourth highest of Arizona's 15 counties, behind Greenlee, Maricopa, and Pima counties.
The statewide average wage last year was $17.41 per hour, or $36,218 per year.
Wages in Cochise County increased 3.2 percent in 2006, just keeping pace with inflation.
This follows strong wage growth of 6.4 percent in 2005, nearly twice the rate of inflation that year.
In 2006, Cochise County wages grew slower than the statewide average, which was 3.4 percent, slightly ahead of inflation.
Although Cochise County had the fourth-highest wages of Arizona's 15 counties, the county's wages grew at the fifth slowest rate in the state last year. Wages grew at slower rates only in Maricopa, Navajo, Apache, and Mohave counties. The counties that saw the largest increase in wages were Graham, which saw its annual wage increase by 13.6 percent from $13.72 to $15.58; La Paz, which saw wage growth of 13 percent from $12.48 to $14.10; and Greenlee, which saw a 6.8 percent increase from $17.90 to $19.12. None of the Arizona counties saw average wages decline.
In 2006, the gap widened slightly between wages in Cochise County and the statewide average.
In 2005, Cochise County wages were 4.8 percent below the state average. This gap increased to 4.9 percent in 2006.
This is still an improvement from 2004, however, when Cochise County wages were 8.9 percent below the statewide average.
Since 2001, Cochise County wages have increased by 15.5 percent, compared to 13.8 percent inflation during the same period.
This reflects real wage growth (an increase in the purchasing power of wages) of 1.7 percent. Statewide, real wages declined by 1.5 percent between 2001 and 2006, meaning a loss of purchasing power.
In 2006, the largest wage increase in Cochise County went to computer specialists, whose average wage skyrocketed 120.2 percent from $16.35 to $36.01 per hour.
The second largest increase went to human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, whose average hourly wage jumped 59.1 percent from $17.37 to $27.63.
Third were helpers to brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters, whose average wage climbed 47.7 percent from $7.94 to $11.73.
The fourth-highest wage increase went to aircraft mechanics and service technicians, whose wages were up 41.5 percent from $21.36 to $30.22.
Fifth were data entry keyers, whose average hourly wage increased by 37.1 percent from $8.24 to $11.30.
The largest drop in wages in Cochise County was for architectural and civil drafters, whose average wage dropped 34.8 percent from $25.38 to $16.56 per hour.
The second largest wage decrease went to protective service workers, whose average hourly wage fell 33.9 percent from $20.68 to $13.67.
Third were community and social service specialists, whose average wage dropped 32 percent from $17.95 to $12.21. The fourth-highest drop in wages went to information and record clerks, whose wages declined 30 percent from $23.02 to $16.12.
Fifth were preschool teachers, except special education, whose average wage decreased by 21.8 percent from $10.75 to $8.41 per hour.
The highest-paying occupation in Cochise County in 2006 was general internist, with an average wage of $84.66 per hour.
Second were general dentists, who earned an average of $64.13.
The third highest-paying occupation was physicians and surgeons, who earned an average of $60.63. Fourth were chief executives, who earned $59.51.
The fifth highest-paid workers in Cochise County were engineering managers, who earned an average of $50.59 per hour.
The lowest-paid workers in Cochise County in 2006 were waiters and waitresses, who earned an average of $6.23 per hour. Second were dishwashers, who earned $6.38.
The third lowest-paying occupation was hand packers and packagers, who were paid an average hourly wage of $6.51.
Fourth were crop, nursery, and greenhouse farmworkers and laborers, as well as restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop hosts and hostesses, both of which were paid $6.61.
The fifth lowest-paid occupation in Cochise County was fast food cooks, who were paid an average of $6.63 per hour.
It is important to note the survey was conducted prior to the implementation of Arizona's new minimum wage of $6.75, which took effect January 1 of this year.
If you have any questions on the economy, please contact the CER at (520) 515-5486 or email us at cer@cochise.edu. Be sure to check out the CER's website at www.cochise.edu/cer.
Top paying occupations in Cochise County, 2006
Occupation Average Hourly Wage
Internists, General $84.66
Dentists, General $64.13
Physicians & Surgeons, All Other $60.63
Chief Executives $59.51
Engineering Managers $50.59
Electrical Engineers $42.04
Pharmacists $41.86
Computer & Information
Systems Managers $40.62
Purchasing Managers $40.43
Sales Managers $39.39
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Arizona Department of Economic Security, and Cochise College Center for Economic Research
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