Total personal income in Massachusetts fell from $333 billion in 2008 to $329 billion last year while it declined by an average of 1.7 percent nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The state’s personal income did begin showing signs of improvement late in 2009.
Only six states saw income gains during the year. In two of those states, Maryland and Virginia, the increase was attributed to the earnings of commuters who work in Washington, D.C. Wages and salaries paid by employers in those states fell by 0.1 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively.
Nevada’s 4.8 percent personal income decrease was the second largest recorded since 1969 and was primarily the result of declines in the construction and accommodations industries.
Per capita personal income fell by 2.6 percent in 2009 after increasing by 2 percent in 2008.
