Pay raises for Baltimore area residents didn't keep pace with inflation in 1993, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reported yesterday.
Baltimore area residents earned an average of $27,236 in 1993, a percent increase from the previous year. The Consumer Price Index in 1993 rose by 2.1 percent.
BLS economist Alan Paisner said 1993's statistics may be skewed by tax changes that encouraged people to take bonuses and other income in 1992. In previous years, area residents have seen raises match or exceed inflation, he said.
Initial indications for 1994 show that both raises and inflation were comparatively low, he said.
The Baltimore area Consumer Price Index rose 3.6 percent in the 12 months that ended Nov. 30. Mr. Paisner said the BLS doesn't have preliminary wage statistics for 1994 for Baltimore.