Today the Employment Security Department announced that Washington’s average annual wage was $51,595 in 2012. That’s up from $49,894 in 2011.

Both unemployment insurance (UI) and workers’ compensation benefits are calculated using the average annual wage. As the announcement notes,

The minimum weekly unemployment benefit, calculated at 15 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase by $5 to $148, for new claims opened on or after July 7. At the same time, the maximum weekly benefit, calculated at 63 percent of the average weekly wage, will increase by $20, to $624.

(In 2012, the average weekly UI benefit amount in Washington was $374.81, the fifth-highest in the country.)

Further, the increase in the average annual wage means that the UI taxable wage base (the amount on which an employer must pay UI taxes for an employee) will increase. It is currently $39,800 (the highest in the country), and in 2014 it will increase to $41,300. For more information on Washington’s UI program, see these briefs.