In Pierce County, jobs in the securities and commodity contracts brokerage pay the highest wages

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Individuals that are employed in the securities and commodity contracts brokerage industry reported the top wages in Pierce County for 2006. The average industry job in Pierce County received a wage of $131,650 in 2006. The average wage is greater than the average industry wage in the State of Washington of $110,741 and less than then the wage for jobs in this industry at the United States Level of $138,150.

Other high-paying jobs in Pierce County, Washington are present in petroleum and coal products manufacturing ($130,944), druggists' goods merchant wholesalers ($129,057), other financial investment activities ($88,588) and support activities for water transportation ($81,158) industries. Note: Clicking the Above Graphic Displays the Detailed Comparison

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Pierce County Wages have increased by 18.4% Since 2001

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Industry wages, from 2001 to 2006, have increased in Pierce County, Washington by a total of 18.4%. This is greater than the growth in average industry wages for Washington and greater than the growth in average wages for the US.

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Pierce County Industry Wages Lag Behind Washington, and Wages Lag Behind the United States

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Total wages in all industries in Pierce County, Washington can be understood as being relatively high when analyzed with other 2nd quarter of 2006 County wages throughout the state. The average pay is 14.5 percent lower than the with an state average of $41,025. The overall industry wage was less than the industry average in the US of $40,259.

About: These facts are part of the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Pierce County Five-Year Industry Employment Change

Pierce County Five-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Wireless telecommunications carriers industry has witnessed the largest percentage of employment expansion, increasing by 477.8 percent from the 2nd quarter of 2001 to the 2nd quarter of 2006. This industry sector in Pierce County has expanded faster than the overall industry growth seen in the State of Washington, where it saw a loss of 9 percent. The Wireless telecommunications carriers industry in Pierce County outpaced the US in terms of percent growth of industry employment. During this period, the US lost 0.9 percent.

Top 5 Industries
1. Wireless telecommunications carriers (477.8 percent gain)
2. Office administrative services (362.5 percent gain)
3. Petroleum merchant wholesalers (200.3 percent gain)
4. Warehousing and storage (143.3 percent gain)
5. Other general merchandise stores (122.2 percent gain)

Total industry employment has increased by 12.3 percent since the 2nd Quarter of 2001. This is greater than growth in Washington, which experienced a gain of 5.3 percent from the 2nd Quarter of 2001. The gains in the area were greater than than the gain felt at the national level of 2.6 percent.

Pierce County Five-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Support activities for forestry industry has seen the largest percentage drop in employment, losing 76.7 percent of the jobs from 2001 to 2006. These have declined faster than the industry sector has gone through in the Washington, where the it saw a loss of 8 percent. The losses in the Support activities for forestry industry in Pierce County outpaced the US in terms of percent of decline of industry employment. The US lost 2.9 in percent of workers in the Support activities for forestry industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Support activities for forestry (76.7 percent decline)
2. Telecommunications resellers (67.5 percent decline)
3. Basic chemical manufacturing (66 percent decline)
4. Book, periodical, and music stores (61.7 percent decline)
5. Business, computer and management training (61.1 percent decline)

Of the 175 industry sectors (4-digit NAICS) with employment figures reported by the BLS in each quarter, 65 showed an escalation in the number employed, while 110 industry sectors reported declines during the time period.

Total Five-Year Employment Growth in Pierce County

From the industries (4-digit NAICS) in the area, the Other general merchandise stores industry has brought the most jobs with a total of 2,159 new jobs created in the period. The job growth in the Other general merchandise stores industry makes up 6.8 percent of the growth in Pierce County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Other general merchandise stores (2,159 new jobs)
2. Employment services (1,795 new jobs)
3. Building finishing contractors (1,629 new jobs)
4. Building foundation and exterior contractors (1,480 new jobs)
5. Warehousing and storage (1,195 new jobs)

In Pierce County, Washington, the entire sum of jobs in all industries overall has increased by 23,043 jobs from mid-2001 to mid-2006.

Total Five-Year Employment Decline in Pierce County

From of the area's 4-digit NAICS industries, the Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers industry has lost the most employment with a total loss of 968 jobs during the period. The employment lost in the Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers industry make up 9.7 percent of the employment lost during the period in Pierce County, Washington.

Top 5 Industries
1. Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers (968 jobs lost)
2. Department stores (804 jobs lost)
3. Other amusement and recreation industries (681 jobs lost)
4. Printing and related support activities (621 jobs lost)
5. Grocery stores (612 jobs lost)





About: This report is part 2 of 6 in the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Pierce County One-Year Industry Employment Change

In Pierce County, Washington, the total number of jobs throughout all industries has increased by 8,415 jobs between mid-2005 and mid-2006.

From the 181 industries with industry data reported by the BLS in each quarter, 61 described an expansion of jobs throughout the time period, while 118 industry sectors reported declines during the time period.

Total One-Year Employment Decline in Pierce County

The Department stores industry faced the greatest employment loss with a total loss of 1,041 jobs during the time period. The jobs lost in the Department stores industry make up 24.0 percent of the employment lost during the period in Pierce County, Washington.

Top 5 Industries
1. Department stores (1,041 jobs lost)
2. Office administrative services (431 jobs lost)
3. Architectural and structural metals mfg. (414 jobs lost)
4. Motor vehicle and parts merchant wholesalers (251 jobs lost)
5. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing (195 jobs lost)

Total One-Year Employment Growth in Pierce County

The Other general merchandise stores industry has accounted the most employment growth with a total of 1,204 total jobs brought in during the period. The growth in the Other general merchandise stores industry makes up 10.5 percent of the total number of new jobs in Pierce County.

Top 5 Industries
1. Other general merchandise stores (1,204 new jobs)
2. Employment services (850 new jobs)
3. Computer systems design and related services (665 new jobs)
4. Building finishing contractors (525 new jobs)
5. Building foundation and exterior contractors (455 new jobs)

Pierce County One-Year Percentage Growth in Employment

The Computer systems design and related services industry has seen the largest percentage job growth, expanding by 101.0 percent from the 2nd quarter of 2005 to the 2nd quarter of 2006. This industry sector in Pierce County has increased employment faster than the overall industry growth seen in the State of Washington, where it saw a gain of 16.9 percent. The Computer systems design and related services industry in Pierce County outpaced the US in terms of percent growth of industry employment. During this period, the US gained 6.8 percent of the industry employment.

Top 5 Industries
1. Computer systems design and related services (101.0 percent gain)
2. Petroleum merchant wholesalers (89.1 percent gain)
3. Other ground passenger transportation (87.2 percent gain)
4. Book, periodical, and music stores (66.2 percent gain)
5. Scientific research and development services (63.9 percent gain)

Pierce County One-Year Percentage Decline in Employment

The Support activities for forestry industry has seen the largest percentage drop in employment, losing 56.7 percent of the jobs from the 2nd quarter of 2005 to 2nd quarter of 2006. The losses of the area have declined faster than the industry sector has gone through in the Washington, where the industry sector experienced a loss of 2.1 percent. The losses in the Support activities for forestry industry in Pierce County outpaced the United States industry losses overall. During this period, the United States lost 0.6 percent in terms of employees in the Support activities for forestry industry.

Top 5 Industries
1. Support activities for forestry (56.7 percent decline)
2. Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing (40.7 percent decline)
3. Vegetable and melon farming (40.5 percent decline)
4. Motor vehicle and parts merchant wholesalers (36.5 percent decline)
5. Support activities for road transportation (32.7 percent decline)

Total employment has increased by 4.2 percent from the reported values in 2005. These values are greater than percent in the State of Washington, which saw a gain of 3.6 percent since 2005 ( 2nd Quarter). The gains the area experienced were greater than than the gain felt at the national level of 2.0 percent.





About: This report is part 1 of 6 in the eCanned.com Industry Analysis Series.

Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Private Sector Employment Only.

Income and Poverty in Pierce County, Washington

Compared to counties across the United States, Pierce County reported a relatively high median income for all households of $52,889 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This figure is 1.3 percent lower than the median income in State of Washington of $53,558 and the median is 7.1 percent higher than the median for the rest of the nation, which is a reported $49,133.

The household income has declined from the 2000 values (inflation adjusted). The median income has decreased to $49,584, posting a 6.2 percent decline. Pierce County, Washington, when comparing total percent of decline, ranks 10 of 16 counties in percent of decline for household income in Washington. Pierce County ranks 398 of 668 counties (or parishes) when comparing the decline in household income across the nation.

The rate of poverty in Pierce County, Washington has increased by 0.5 percent since the amounts published in 2000, moving from 10.5 percent to 11 percent.

As the median income level saw a decline during the period of 2000 to 2005 in Pierce County, Washington, the Race/Ethnicity category that felt the biggest decline in the household income level was the American Indian and Alaska Native category. This group felt a decline of 13.9 percent since 2000. The Asian Race/Ethnicity category has been least effected by the income level decline in Pierce County, experiencing a 10.9 percent increase in household income, since the reported levels in 2000.

Evaluated with other counties (or parishes) across the nation, Pierce County, Washington can be understood to have a medium-low rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 10.5 percent of the population with family incomes below the 1999 poverty level. The American Indian and Alaska Native race/ethnicity demographic category, owns the foremost rate of poverty with 22 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged Under 5 years have the most percent of people living in poverty in Pierce County, having 15.8 percent of this age group in the area living in poverty.

The Asian householders in the area have reported their median household incomes at $43,198. This income level is 18.3 percent less than the reported median household income, in the area, for all households. Hispanic headed households in Pierce County, Washington reported a median household income of $42,291, this median is 20 percent less than the areas median income level for all households. Black or African American headed households had median income levels that were 20.4 percent less than the total 2000 reported median, with a their median reported to be $42,112. In Pierce County, Washington White householders had a median household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $55,119 according to the 2000 Dencennial Census, which was 4.2 percent greater than the median in the year 2000. The American Indian and Alaska Native headed households in Pierce County had a median income of $42,451, this was 19.7 percent less than the median for all households.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Higher Education in Pierce County, Washington

Reported by the 2000 Census in Pierce County, Washington, many men in the area have reached the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 36.4 percent receiving this level of education. The women in Pierce have attainment on average a lower level of higher education (Bachelors Degree or Higher) than the male population-- 21.8 percent (Men) versus 19.4 percent (Women). Many of the women in the area have achieved the Some College or Associates Degree category, with 36.6 percent of the women population in the area achieving this level of education.

From the years 2000 to 2005, the proportion of the male population that could be considered highly educated has increased by 3.6 percent. In the year 2005, 25.6 percent of area's male population, over the age 25, achieved a Bachelors Degree or Higher. At the same time, the percent of women, over the age 25, holding at least a Bachelors Degree has increased by a total of 2.4 percent. By 2005, a total of 21.8 percent of the total female population achieved this high level of education.

From the year 2000, Pierce has increased in the total percent of the over 25 population having a Bachelors Degree or Higher. This population group has grown by 3.0 percent to a total of 23.6 percent in 2005, according to the American Community Survey. The 2005 proportion of highly educated population is less than the 2005 State of Washington percent of 30.2 and less than the national percent of 27.2.

Pierce County, Washington can be considered to have a highly-educated 2000 population, with 20.6 percent of the population (+25) having received a BA or higher, as reported the 2000 Decennial Census. Pierce was reported to have a lower percent of highly educated individuals than the State of Washington's proportion of 27.8 percent and a lower percent than the national average of 24.4 percent.

In Pierce County, Washington as reported in the Census of the year 2000, 21.6 percent of the White Alone, 15 percent of Black or African American, 20.8 percent of the Asian alone and 11.8 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population, over the age 25, has achieved at least a Bachelors Degree.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.

Demographic Profile for Pierce County, Washington

In 2005, the Census Bureau estimated the median age in Pierce County, Washington to be 35.0 years old. The median in Pierce is less than the median age for the State of Washington of 36.7. From 2000, the area has seen an increase in the median, when the median age was 33.9 years old. With 25.2 percent of the 2005 population being made up of children and youth younger than 18, Pierce can be understood as having a medium-high proportion of youths. The 18 to 64 years old population group has a medium-high presence of the population, with 64.4 percent of the population makes up this age category. The retirement (65 and over) age group comprises 10.4 percent of the total population in the area. Compared to other counties in the US, this represents a medium-low proportion of the area population base.

Since the year 2000, a high amount of people migrated to Pierce internationally. The international migration into Pierce accounts for 7.5 percent of the total international migration into the State of Washington. This amount of international migration is high when comparing levels of immigration per population in 2005.

Pierce County, Washington had an estimated population of 753,787 in 2005. The total population has increased sharply, since the 2000 total population of 704,026. This growth shows an increase of 7.1 percent. Pierce ranks 3 of 39 counties in terms of population growth in Washington and the county ranks 58 of 3,141 counties when analyzing total county population change across the nation.

Pierce County, Washington has a population that is made up of 74.6 percent White, 6.7 percent African American, 5.5 percent Asian, and 6.8 percent Hispanic. The area population base can be described as having a high level of diversity, with 19.0 percent of the population being minorities. This is greater than the State of Washington percent of 18.3. Since 2000, Pierce has increased in diversity when 17.6 percent of the total population were minorities.

When calculating the total land area, Pierce spans a total of 1679 square miles. This area has a medium-high population density of 449 persons per square mile, in 2005. Other US counties with similar densities include: -- more densely populated -- Richland, SC (450 per sq. mile ), Ottawa, MI (452 per sq. mile ), York, PA (452 per sq. mile ), -- less densely populated -- Escambia, FL (448 per sq. mile ), Volusia, FL (444 per sq. mile ), Middlesex, CT (442 per sq. mile ).

Datasource: Population Estimates Program, U.S. Bureau of the Census.

Housing Report for Pierce County, Washington

The residential housing values in Pierce County, Washington have seen large increases since the Census values accounted for in the year 2000. The values have increased by $64,900, or 43.4 percent, since 2000 when they were valued at $149,600.

Pierce County recorded median owner-occupied home value in the year 2005 of $214,500, accounted by the American Community Survey. This value is less than the overall Washington 2005 home median value of $227,700 and greater than median home value of $167,500 for the United States in the same year.

In Pierce County, there were a total of 303,051 housing structures in 2005. The area has seen growth in housing units, adding a total of 20,605 residential units since 2001, or 7.3 percent.

In the State of Washington, Pierce County ranks 9 of 39 by percent in growth of new residential structures. The county places 505 of 3,141, comparing the percentage change in residential in other US counties.

Pierce County has a relatively high proportion of residential real estate that is high priced. In 2005, the American Community Survey accounted that 5.5 percent of the homes were valued over $500,000.

It can be understood that there is a limited amount of affordable housing in Pierce County, Washington. In 2005, 11.8 percent of housing was valued under $125k.

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Employment Report for Pierce County, Washington -- Annual 2005 Industry Summary

Management of companies and enterprises has the largest businesses in Pierce County, with the industry averaging 33 employees per business. This is less than the industry's national average of 40 and less than the State of Washington average establishment size of 50 for the Management of companies and enterprises industry.

In Pierce County, Health care and social assistance, Retail Trade, and the Accommodation and food services industries have the largest percent of jobs of all industries. The Health care and social assistance provides the most jobs and contributes 15.8 percent of all the jobs in the county. This makes up 32,235 employees. The Retail Trade and Accommodation and food services sectors account for 14.8 and 10.7 percent of the total jobs, respectively.

In Pierce County, Other services, except public administration, Construction and Transportation and Warehousing are the three industries with the highest location quotients. The Other services, except public administration industry has a US LQ in the county of 1.59. The percent of employment in the Other services, except public administration industry is 1.59 times greater than the US average, showing signs that Pierce specializes in Other services, except public administration.

Administrative and waste services from 2001-2005 had the highest increase in employment in Pierce County, changing a total of 37.3 percent. This is greater than the industry employment change in the United States of 4.5 percent. The State of Washington encountered a change in industry employment of 14.4 percent, in the duration of 2001 to 2005.

Manufacturing saw the largest loss of employment between the years 2001-2005 in Pierce County. The sector faced a loss of 1,498 jobs during the period, or 7.2 percent of employment in the sector. These losses made up 63.7 percent of the total loss in employment during the period.







Datasource: U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).