Where are Californians getting the biggest pay raises?

"Eight counties had weekly wage increases last year above or just near the 6.5% statewide average, primarily located around the Bay Area."

"The big-raise counties averaged 12.6% wage jumps in the past year, nearly five times greater than the 2.6% increases where pay hikes were slim."

"Job counts dropped in big-raise counties by 0.2%, while they increased by 0.8% in counties with less generous raises."

"Silicon Valley's job market shows volatility; while pay is high, employment numbers have decreased as companies adapt to economic fluctuations."

In California, the average weekly wage saw a substantial rise of $114 to $1,872 in late 2024, which was the fifth-largest increase nationwide. Notably, eight counties, mainly around the Bay Area, reported wage increases above the state average of 6.5%. These high-growth regions averaged a remarkable 12.6% increase in wages, contrasted significantly with only 2.6% in counties with less favorable growth. The technology sector's fluctuations played a vital role in this pattern, as tech companies continue to offer competitive salaries despite a slight decline in their workforce numbers.

Read at The Mercury News