For the first time in three years, employment in the Wholesale Trade division increased at a faster rate than the state as a whole. Employment increased by 4.2 percent or 4,457 jobs. The annual average wage within Wholesale Trade increased by a greater percent than in any other division. The wage increased by 12.67 percent to $51,980. The massive wage increase was driven by increases in technology oriented durable goods.
Employment within Durable Goods increased by 3,898 to 69,731. Electronic Parts and Equipment employment increased by 1,442 jobs to 6,853. The average wage in Electronic Parts and Equipment increased from $67,789 to $81,882. The second fastest growing sector was Computers, Peripherals & Software with an increase of 846 to 9,682 with an average annual wage of $112,110.
Employment in Lumber and other Construction Materials continued to expand in 2000. Employment increased by 4.8 percent to 6,668 and the average wage increased by 5.4 percent to $41,620.
Employment in Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies reversed a downward trend with an increase of 12 jobs to 6,497. The average wage was $37,423.
In contrast to Durable Goods, Non-Durable Wholesale Trade employment stagnated with an increase of only 559 jobs to 40,672. The average wage made a respectable increase of 7.2 percent to $42,266.
The largest sector within Non-Durable Wholesale Trade is Drugs, Proprietaries, and Sundries. This sector also added the most jobs at 348. The 4,667 jobs paid an average of $57,089.
The three-digit sector of Groceries and Related Products experienced a small increase of 91 jobs to average 13,134. Within Groceries and related products, Groceries, General Line declined by 248 to 4,149, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables increased by 91 to 1,643.
Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals employment declined for the third straight year. The decline was 73 jobs, bringing the average to 704 in 2000. Petroleum Products, NEC also declined for three straight years to an average of 973 in 2000.
The three-digit sector of Farm-Product Raw Materials’ employment declined for the fourth consecutive year. There were 1,793 jobs in 2000 compared to 1,794 in 1999.
The largest percentage increase of any sector within wholesale trade was in Footwear. Footwear employment increased by 48 percent to 154 jobs. The average wage increased from $50,590 to $60,116.
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | |
| Average Employment | 98,337 | 102,940 | 105,113 | 105,954 | 110,408 |
| Total Wages | $ 3,715,682,027 | $ 4,139,450,002 | $ 4,543,636,155 | $ 4,888,181,283 | $ 5,738,974,079 |
| Percent of Total Emp. | 5.25% | 5.27% | 5.18% | 5.03% | 5.05% |
| Percent of Total Wages | 6.95% | 7.05% | 6.94% | 6.79% | 7.06% |