Other cost drivers for employers include the most expensive unemployment insurance payouts in the nation( Table 25), the most expensive workers’ compensation system based on benefits paid per covered worker( Table 26), the highest minimum wage
( Table 27), the third-highest tax on gasoline and the fourth-highest tax on diesel( Table 12).
Washington’ s low-cost electricity has long been a competitive advantage, but it is beginning to erode. Washington’ s industrial customers now pay the 7th-lowest electricity rates in the nation, down from No. 5 last year and No. 1 five years ago( Table 43). It’ s a similar story for residential customers, which saw rates go from the most affordable in the nation to No. 5 last year( Table 45).
All these figures matter for many reasons, including a practical one for legislators: Employers pay for half of Washington’ s government services, with 49.6 % of all state and local taxes being paid by businesses— a total of $ 10,100 per employee( Table 11).
Read on for more, and get real-time stats on many key metrics at www. awbinstitute. org / vitals /.