Yuma’s average hourly pay $6 less than national average
24% under the national average of $25.72
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly pay in Yuma is $19.54, more than $6 under the national average of $25.72.
Matthew Insco, an economist with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the average salary in Yuma is 24% under the national average.
Arizona residents make an average of $40,640 per year, whereas the U.S. average is $53,490. In comparison to other metropolitan areas in Arizona, Yuma is not very high on the spectrum.
"The state average was below the national average. Phoenix was the closest to the national average. It was 2% below," Insco said. "Among all metropolitan areas in the state, Yuma did have the lowest rate."
These numbers do not, however, take into account the cost of living which could have an effect on the average pay.
The numbers are also broken down by the type of occupation. The 10th percentile makes and average of $11.23 per hour and the 90th percentile makes $34.82 per hour.
"In the Yuma area, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations, which would be your doctors, your R.N.s, that was the highest paying occupational group. It averaged a little over $40 an hour," Insco stated.
"Some of the lower paying occupational groups which would be in your food prep and serving-related occupations, buildings and ground maintenance and your farming occupations as well."
While Yuma County residents are at the low end of the spectrum, unemployment rates continue to skyrocket. Doug Milnes, head of marketing and data analytics for MoneyGeek is anticipating unemployment numbers to be about 150% higher at its peak.
"In February, the unemployment in Yuma was about 12,000 workers. At it's peak we're forecasting about 29,000 workers," Milnes said.
There are also resources to help those who need financial assistance. Jeffery Breazeale from The Salvation Army in Yuma has an abundance of assistance to offer.
"This includes rental and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, food boxes, uh, spiritual and emotional care. So, we haven't stopped," Breazeales said.
In addition, Milnes says MoneyGeek has assistance programs to those that need help filing for unemployment, job searching or budgeting.
