The struggle between workers, who want more money, and companies, who crave high yields at bargain basement prices, is as old as time.
Companies strive to pay as little as possible for their workforce while demanding ever-increasing productivity. But economists and research suggest they have it wrong.
The relationship between productivity and wages may favor the worker.
Productivity vs. Wages
A recent analysis of productivity by state may add further evidence to support the case. The research, conducted by Digital Adoption Magazine, analyzed data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) from 2012 to 2022 to determine which states had the highest increase in labor productivity over the past ten years.
The study sought to identify the US states with the most significant increases in productivity over the past ten years, but, in a surprising revelation, discovered the most productive states also boast the highest employee compensation.
States with the Largest Increases in Productivity
Washington leads the US in labor productivity growth. The state exhibited a 30.31% growth in productivity over the past ten years. California ranked second, at 27.03%, and Kansas ranked third, enjoying a 19.85% increase in productivity.
These states also saw an increase in output per worker over the same period. Washington had an increase of 29.7% over the ten-year period, while California and Kansas saw an increase of 27.87% and 17.24%, respectively.
Rounding out the top ten states with the highest labor productivity increases are Colorado (17.74%), New Hampshire (18.39%), North Dakota (18.28%), Massachusetts (17.25%), Utah (16.95%), Nebraska (16.86%), and Oregon (16.75%).
States with Decreases in Labor Productivity
Not all states enjoyed increases in labor productivity. Four states faced decreases in average outputs per worker.
Alaska experienced the most considerable decrease in labor productivity, dropping 8.31%. The state also endured an 11.21% decrease in output per worker over the ten years.
Delaware averaged a total drop of 2.19%, most of which came in 2016 when the state suffered a massive 8.5% decrease. 2016 was a rough year for Delaware, as worker output also decreased by 8.4%.
Nevada sustained a modest decrease in labor productivity over the past ten years and is currently 1.55% below 2012 productivity levels. Output per worker experienced ebbs and flows over the decade but is currently only .284% higher than in 2012.
Rounding out the states with a decrease in labor productivity over the past ten years is Wyoming, with levels .409% lower than in 2012.
Wages Vs. Productivity: What’s the Connection?
Although the study aimed to explore productivity growth by state, a surprising pattern emerged. The states with the highest labor productivity increases over the past ten years also experienced significant increases in real wages.
Washington workers enjoyed a 79.5% increase in compensation during the study, the third highest in the country. In a surprising twist, Washington saw its most significant increase in productivity and wages in the middle of the pandemic, with productivity growing by 6.4% and salaries increasing by 9.2% from 2020 to 2021.
Workers in California enjoyed a 71.24% increase in wages from 2012 to 2022. Labor compensation grew from $986 billion to a whopping $1.68 trillion over the last ten years.
In Kansas, the state with the third biggest growth in productivity, wages rose from $31.27 per hour worked to $42.67, a 36.43% increase.
As Wages Drop, So Does Productivity
A study examining personal income per capita for each state from 2010 to 2020 found that Alaska had the lowest real income growth of any state.
Data from the United States Regional Economic Analysis Project paints an even bleaker picture. Delaware, Nevada, and Alaska rank last for income growth over the past seven decades. Wyoming did well for several decades, but it ranks last in income growth from 2020-2021.
Nevada may be an outlier from the original study. The state boasted the 8th largest increase in wages over the ten-year period. However, Nevada was hard hit by the pandemic, experiencing steep drops in compensation, hours worked, and output in 2020. Unfortunately, there is no way to know where the state would rank if its trajectory could have continued pandemic-free.
Which Came First, the Productivity or the Wages?
Although the data shows a strong correlation between wages and productivity, it doesn’t specify which came first. Do high wages lead to increased productivity, or is it the other way around?
Researchers exploring the link between wages and productivity discovered astounding correlations. In 2016, behavioral economists found that initial salaries did not affect productivity, but unexpected raises led to productivity increases. The takeaway from this study is that rewarding employees over time is a crucial driver of enhanced productivity.
Numerous other studies over the past fifty years also point to wage increases as a driving factor for enhanced productivity.
Reality Doesn’t Match with Research
Study after study confirms the link between employee compensation and economic growth. Companies need to pay up if they want to compete, attract the best workers, and improve productivity.
Unfortunately, productivity vs wages trends are moving in the opposite direction. The Economic Policy Institute reports the ever-widening gap between labor and productivity. The two started diverging as early as the 1960s, but it’s been increasing at a greater rate since the 1980s. While productivity constantly increases, wages hardly move.
Changing How We Do Business
Despite research showing that increased pay boosts productivity, companies refuse to budge on wages. Why would they pay more when they’re already seeing massive gains in labor productivity?
Work culture needs to adapt. We need to put more value on employees, and less on corporate (read: shareholder) profits. We need to create a work culture that works for everyone, not just those at the top of the pyramid.
When we increase wages for everyone, productivity will also increase, and that’s something everyone should celebrate.