Wage growth in the Austin metro matched US growth at 2.9% in 2014 (Q3 to Q3). High wage growth was experienced in rural Lee, Burnet, and Fayette counties. In more urban counties, Hays experienced strong growth, but Williamson County saw its average wage fall in 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wage growth varied by industry across the Rural Capital Area:

  • Information Services wages grew 22% and 18% in Bastrop and Fayette counties, respectively.
  • Financial Activities wages grew by double-digits in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee and Llano counties.
  • Professional Services wages grew by double-digits across a majority of counties in the Rural Capital Area: Bastrop, Burnet, Fayette, Lee and Williamson.
  • Manufacturing wages grew 17% in Llano County and 8% Burnet County.
  • Natural Resources & Mining grew by double digits in Hays, Travis and Williamson counties.
Five-year growth trends showed some similarities: Lee County experienced the fastest wage growth again (40%), but Williamson County grew its wages faster than the Austin metro and US. Blanco County experienced the third fastest growing wages, but Bastrop County wages grew the slowest over the five-year period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many industries boosted their wages by more than 40% in 5 years:

  • Natural Resources & Mining in Caldwell, Hays, Lee and Williamson counties;
  • Construction in Caldwell and Lee counties;
  • Manufacturing in Llano and Williamson counties;
  • Trade, Transportation & Utilities in Blanco, Caldwell, and Lee counties;
  • Information Services in Fayette County;
  • Professional & Business Services in Fayette and Lee counties;
  • Health Care in Llano County; and
  • Leisure and Hospitality in Bastrop County.
Government wages grew the fastest in Travis County over 5 years; least in Williamson County.