By Jonathan Eberle |
Arizona workers in Yuma and Lake Havasu City-Kingman have seen some of the strongest wage growth in the nation over the past five years, according to a new analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
The study, conducted by AlgoCademy, reviewed mean hourly wage changes across 395 U.S. metropolitan statistical areas between 2019 and 2024. It found that two Arizona metros ranked in the national top 50 for wage growth.
Yuma placed 11th nationwide, with mean hourly wages climbing from $19.54 in 2019 to $25.74 in 2024—a 31.73% increase. Lake Havasu City-Kingman followed at 26th, where average wages rose from $19.90 to $25.89, a 30.10% increase.
Nationwide, the strongest growth occurred in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California, where wages jumped 44.29% to an average of $58.25 per hour, reflecting the tech hub’s continued economic strength. Other metros in the top five included Sebring, Florida (up 38.74%), Decatur, Illinois (37.89%), Boulder, Colorado (37.84%), and Bellingham, Washington (37.10%).
AlgoCademy’s founder and CEO, Mircea Dima, noted that the findings highlight a broad trend: wage growth is not confined to large urban centers. “Smaller and mid-sized areas like Grants Pass, Oregon, Modesto, California, and Logan, Utah are all seeing wage increases above 34%, showing that opportunities for higher earnings are spreading beyond major U.S. cities,” Dima said. “These trends are a clear sign that workers across the country are benefitting, which can have a positive effect on local communities, from boosting spending power to attracting new talent and investment.”
The research underscores that wage gains have been widespread. While high-growth areas like Silicon Valley continue to dominate in raw numbers, smaller regions—including several in Arizona—are seeing wages rise at a pace that outstrips many larger metropolitan areas. Arizona’s results put the state in strong company, showing that even outside its largest metros, wages have grown substantially since 2019.
Jonathan Eberle is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
