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South Dakota has nation’s lowest average wage. Lack of unions, high-tech industry among reasons

April 28, 2010 /

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South Dakota has the lowest average hourly wage in the nation, according to a recent study by the Department of Labor.

Workers here make $16.53 per hour in private industry, well below the national average of $21.62.

The wage, from 2008 data, was a little more than half that made by the highest earners – the residents of Washington, D.C., who earn an average of $32.37 an hour. The study places wages in the state behind Minnesota ($23.23 per hour), Nebraska ($19.79) and Iowa ($18.35) and in the company of states such as West Virginia, Arkansas and Mississippi.

Anna Bahney • [email protected]

Full Story: http://www.argusleader.com/article/20100427/NEWS/4270337/1001/news

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(Thanks to Chris Gibbons for passing this along. Russ)