Cillo, Paul C.

Potier, Beth

English

University of New Hampshire

University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository
Media Relations Administrative Offices
9-14-2006
Vermont Employment Rates High, But Wage
Levels Low
Paul C. Cillo
Beth Potier
Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/news
This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has
been accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more
information, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.
Recommended Citation
Cillo, Paul C. and Potier, Beth, "Vermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels Low" (2006). UNH Today. 1228.
https://scholars.unh.edu/news/1228
9/18/17, 1(07 PMVermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels Low
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Vermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels Low
Public Assets Institute And Carsey Institute Publish Brief On State Of Working Vermont
Contact:  Paul A. Cillo 
802-472-6222
Public Assets Institute
Montpelier, Vermont 
Beth Potier 
603-862-1566
UNH Media Relations
September 14, 2006
Editors and reporters: Report author Allison Churilla is available at 603-862-2821.
DURHAM, N.H. -- Vermont enjoys higher-than-average workforce participation rates and the
lowest unemployment in New England, but the state’s wage levels remain well below regional
standards and the workforce is aging, finds a new issue brief prepared by the Carsey Institute
at the University of New Hampshire in partnership with the Public Assets Institute of Vermont.
The brief, “The State of Working Vermont 2006,” highlights trends related to the economic and
labor force characteristics of Vermont’s workers. It is produced in cooperation — and its
release coincides — with the Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) national report, “The State of
Working America 2005/2006.”
“Vermonters are working, but the wages they receive are still below those in New England and
the rest of the country,” said Paul Cillo, president of the Public Assets Institute. “While the
state has kept the minimum wage above the federal level and the state poverty rate is low,
the continuing loss of good-paying manufacturing and information jobs is a real concern.”
“With an aging workforce, the state may face difficulties as greater numbers of Baby Boomers
begin to retire. It is clear that Vermont has an interest in keeping the state desirable for
young and middle age workers,” added Carsey Institute director Cynthia “Mil” Duncan.
Among the brief’s primary findings:
While Vermont’s labor force participation, at 71 percent, compares favorably to the
nation and other states in New England, it has declined since 1999 for all groups except
older workers. Thus, one in five of the state’s workers was 55 years of age or older in
2005. Further, participation among workers between the ages of 25 and 54 has dropped
from 71 percent of the workforce in 1999 to 65 percent in 2005. “Other research
documents similar trends, and some analysts are warning of a serious decline in the
working age population in Vermont and the larger New England region,” said brief
author Allison Churilla, a policy fellow at the Carsey Institute and a Ph.D. candidate in
sociology at UNH.
Bolstered by gains of jobs in construction, education, and health services, Vermont
9/18/17, 1(07 PMVermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels Low
Page 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2006/september/bp_060914vermont.cfm@type=n.html
saw a two percent increase in job growth, the second-highest gain in New England
(after Rhode Island at three percent). Like other states in the region, Vermont lost a
significant number of jobs in the manufacturing and information industries.
Despite a seven percent growth in its median wage since 2000 ($14.13 in 2005),
Vermont’s median wage remains the second lowest in the region (behind Maine) and is
below the national median wage of $14.28. The gap in wage growth between high-wage
and middle- and low-wage workers is significant – 32 percent versus 20 percent since
1979 – but has remained steady since 2000.
Consistent with the rest of New England, Vermont’s workforce is very well-educated.
In 2005, one-third of the state’s workers had a four-year college degree and almost 60
percent had some college education. Since the late 1980s, the gap in wage growth
between workers with a college degree (31 percent growth) and a high school degree
(seven percent growth) has been steady.
Gender equity is on the rise in Vermont, which had the highest female labor force
participation (66 percent) and lowest female unemployment rate (three percent) in the
region in 2005. Women earned 87 cents to every dollar men earned in 2005, the
highest earnings ratio in New England, but female median wages ($13.27) were the
second-lowest in the region, next to Maine.
Last week, the Carsey Institute released another issue brief, “The State of Working New
Hampshire 2006,” that provides a similar analysis of that state’s labor statistics. Both briefs
are available on the Carsey Institute’s website at http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu.
Vermont’s Public Assets Institute, established in December 2003, conducts research, performs
fiscal analysis, disseminates information, and develops policies that apply the powers of
government to improving the wellbeing of ordinary citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire conducts research and analysis on
the challenges facing families and communities in New Hampshire, New England, and the
nation. The Carsey Institute sponsors independent, interdisciplinary research that documents
trends and conditions affecting families and communities, providing valuable information and
analysis to policymakers, practitioners, the media, and the general public. Through this work,
the Carsey Institute contributes to public dialogue on policies that encourage social mobility
and sustain healthy, equitable communities.
The Carsey Institute was established in May 2002 with a generous gift from UNH alumna and
noted television producer Marcy Carsey.


Vermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels Low

UNH Scholars' Repository

University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices9-14-2006Vermont Employment Rates High, But WageLevels LowPaul C. CilloBeth PotierFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationCillo, Paul C. and Potier, Beth, "Vermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels Low" (2006). UNH Today. 1228.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/12289/18/17, 1(07 PMVermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels LowPage 1 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2006/september/bp_060914vermont.cfm@type=n.html Vermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels LowPublic Assets Institute And Carsey Institute Publish Brief On State Of Working VermontContact:  Paul A. Cillo 802-472-6222Public Assets InstituteMontpelier, Vermont Beth Potier 603-862-1566UNH Media RelationsSeptember 14, 2006Editors and reporters: Report author Allison Churilla is available at 603-862-2821.DURHAM, N.H. -- Vermont enjoys higher-than-average workforce participation rates and thelowest unemployment in New England, but the state’s wage levels remain well below regionalstandards and the workforce is aging, finds a new issue brief prepared by the Carsey Instituteat the University of New Hampshire in partnership with the Public Assets Institute of Vermont.The brief, “The State of Working Vermont 2006,” highlights trends related to the economic andlabor force characteristics of Vermont’s workers. It is produced in cooperation — and itsrelease coincides — with the Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) national report, “The State ofWorking America 2005/2006.”“Vermonters are working, but the wages they receive are still below those in New England andthe rest of the country,” said Paul Cillo, president of the Public Assets Institute. “While thestate has kept the minimum wage above the federal level and the state poverty rate is low,the continuing loss of good-paying manufacturing and information jobs is a real concern.”“With an aging workforce, the state may face difficulties as greater numbers of Baby Boomersbegin to retire. It is clear that Vermont has an interest in keeping the state desirable foryoung and middle age workers,” added Carsey Institute director Cynthia “Mil” Duncan.Among the brief’s primary findings:While Vermont’s labor force participation, at 71 percent, compares favorably to thenation and other states in New England, it has declined since 1999 for all groups exceptolder workers. Thus, one in five of the state’s workers was 55 years of age or older in2005. Further, participation among workers between the ages of 25 and 54 has droppedfrom 71 percent of the workforce in 1999 to 65 percent in 2005. “Other researchdocuments similar trends, and some analysts are warning of a serious decline in theworking age population in Vermont and the larger New England region,” said briefauthor Allison Churilla, a policy fellow at the Carsey Institute and a Ph.D. candidate insociology at UNH.Bolstered by gains of jobs in construction, education, and health services, Vermont9/18/17, 1(07 PMVermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels LowPage 2 of 2http://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2006/september/bp_060914vermont.cfm@type=n.htmlsaw a two percent increase in job growth, the second-highest gain in New England(after Rhode Island at three percent). Like other states in the region, Vermont lost asignificant number of jobs in the manufacturing and information industries.Despite a seven percent growth in its median wage since 2000 ($14.13 in 2005),Vermont’s median wage remains the second lowest in the region (behind Maine) and isbelow the national median wage of $14.28. The gap in wage growth between high-wageand middle- and low-wage workers is significant – 32 percent versus 20 percent since1979 – but has remained steady since 2000.Consistent with the rest of New England, Vermont’s workforce is very well-educated.In 2005, one-third of the state’s workers had a four-year college degree and almost 60percent had some college education. Since the late 1980s, the gap in wage growthbetween workers with a college degree (31 percent growth) and a high school degree(seven percent growth) has been steady.Gender equity is on the rise in Vermont, which had the highest female labor forceparticipation (66 percent) and lowest female unemployment rate (three percent) in theregion in 2005. Women earned 87 cents to every dollar men earned in 2005, thehighest earnings ratio in New England, but female median wages ($13.27) were thesecond-lowest in the region, next to Maine.Last week, the Carsey Institute released another issue brief, “The State of Working NewHampshire 2006,” that provides a similar analysis of that state’s labor statistics. Both briefsare available on the Carsey Institute’s website at http://www.carseyinstitute.unh.edu.Vermont’s Public Assets Institute, established in December 2003, conducts research, performsfiscal analysis, disseminates information, and develops policies that apply the powers ofgovernment to improving the wellbeing of ordinary citizens, especially the most vulnerable.The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire conducts research and analysis onthe challenges facing families and communities in New Hampshire, New England, and thenation. The Carsey Institute sponsors independent, interdisciplinary research that documentstrends and conditions affecting families and communities, providing valuable information andanalysis to policymakers, practitioners, the media, and the general public. Through this work,the Carsey Institute contributes to public dialogue on policies that encourage social mobilityand sustain healthy, equitable communities.The Carsey Institute was established in May 2002 with a generous gift from UNH alumna andnoted television producer Marcy Carsey.

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Vermont Employment Rates High, But Wage Levels Low

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