Economic Modeling Specialists Intl. (EMSI) has identified states with the greatest percentage of middle-wage jobs. Using Analyst, the firm's labor market data research tool,EMSI found that Wyoming, Iowa, North Dakota and Michigan are at the head of the pack. In these states, 35 to 45 percent of new jobs since 2010 are classified as middle wage. In addition, Texas and California have created the most new middle-wage jobs, a percentage increase of 25 and 23 percent, respectively.
Middle-wage jobs, as defined by the National Employment Law Project, pay between $13.84 and $21.13 an hour, and are typically associated with education requirements of more than a high school diploma but less than a bachelor's degree. EMSI data demonstrates an overall decline in middle-wage jobs; however, EMSI's Joshua Wright points out that some middle-skill and middle-wage jobs are growing, particularly in CTE fields such as engineering, energy, health care, transportation and customer service.
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