Tucson's median wage for all occupations was $33,970 in 2016, which ranked Tucson 10th among the 12 metropolitan areas tracked on the MAP Dashboard.Β
Denver posted the highest median wage at $42,140, which was 24 percent higher than Tucson.Β
The median wage in El Paso was 18 percent below Tucson.Β
Occupational wages tell workers which occupations provide the largest payoff, therefore influencing residential location decisions as well as educational choices.
Even after adjusting for the local cost of living, Tucson's median wage remained relatively low when compared to peer western metropolitan areas.Β
Tucson's median wage has risen slowly since the Great Recession, at 1.0 percent per year.Β
