A retail clerk just does not earn as much as a logger. After adjustment for inflation, wages and income have suffered. While personal per capita income, which takes all types of income into account, has stagnated over the last decade, the average wage is down significantly. Statewide, the wage also decreased, but not nearly as much. However, on a more positive note, the average wage inched up a bit in both counties in 1991 and 1992 and per capita income has been incrementally rising in the last three to four years.
Unemployment is also a problem.
While there have been many new jobs created, especially in the trade and services sectors, job growth has not been sufficient to meet the demands of the labor force. Consequently, unemployment is high. Since 1990, the Grays Harbor labor force grew by 690 but the number of those with employment fell by 900. In Pacific County, the labor force increased by 290 and the number of employed fell by 50. The unemployment rate during this period grew from 8.8 to 14.2 percent in Grays Harbor County and from 7.9 to 12.1 percent in Pacific County.