How do San Antonio-area wages compare to the national average?

Average wage levels can vary quite a bit from one area to another. Thus, a question individuals here in the San Antonio area might have is: How do wages in our metro region compare to wage levels in the rest of the country?

Federal statistics indicate that the San Antonio area is below the national average when it comes to wage level. In May 2014, the average wage in this area was $20.13 an hour. Meanwhile, the national average was $22.71 an hour. Some of the occupations where the San Antonio area average wage level was below the national average wage level for the occupation in May 2014 are: fast food cooks, construction laborers, medical secretaries, customer service representatives, machinists, registered nurses, accountants/auditors and computer systems analysts. In 2015’s first quarter, the average weekly wage in the San Antonio area was $914, while the national average was $1,048.

Which parts of the San Antonio area have the highest wage levels? According to federal data, of the eight counties in the area (Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson Counties), the two counties with the highest average weekly wages in 2015’s first quarter were Bexar and Kendall Counties.

There are a range of different economic factors that can influence wage levels in a region. An important thing to remember though is that, whatever economic conditions are like here in the San Antonio area, there are certain rules employers have to follow when it comes to wages. This includes state and federal laws involving overtime. If a person suspects their employer failed to pay them overtime wages when they were required to by law or violated other wage-related laws in regards to their pay, they should speak with an employment law attorney skilled in wage and hour law matters about what remedies they could pursue.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “San Antonio Area Economic Summary,” Updated Sept. 30, 2015