Average Nev. wage hits record, lags behind inflation

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The average weekly wage in Nevada has reached a new record after hitting $877 in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Statistics released Tuesday by the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation show that’s 2.9 percent higher than the same quarter a year earlier. State economists say they’ve seen gains in the weekly wage figure for seven of the 10 past quarters.

Gov. Brian Sandoval says he’s pleased Nevadans are reaping the rewards of their hard work, but said there are still too many people unemployed.

The average weekly wage declined in calendar years 2009 and 2010 before turning up for 2011.

The average weekly wage for all of 2012 was a record $839, up 1.3 percent year-over-year. That’s still behind the rate of inflation, which was 2.1 percent in 2012.