State reports list medical profession as the highest paid

Friday, Jan. 14, 2005 | 9 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The medical profession is the highest paid occupation in Nevada with surgeons at the top, earning an average of $103 an hour.

All 100 of the top wage earners are in medicine ranging from $73 an hour for podiatrists to the $103 for surgeons.

The statistics are contained in the annual report of state Controller Kathy Augustine that was issued Thursday.

The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004, said the strength and resiliency of the Nevada economy was evident during the year.

Augustine said, "In the absence of any external surprises, there is no reason to believe Nevada's pace of economic expansion should decelerate anytime soon," and should produce the highest growth in jobs and personal income in the nation.

With the tax increase by the 2003 Legislature, total tax collections in the general fund rose 20.6 percent to $4.1 billion, an increase of $715 million compared to the previous year.

The average annual wage in the state was $34,281 in calendar, said Augustine, quoting from figures from the Nevada Research and Analysis Bureau. That compares with $33,015 in calendar 2002.

She said the Occupational Employment Statistics lists the top 10 high wage occupations with general internists second at $101 an hour, followed by family and general practitioners at $99; dentists at $88; pediatricians at $87 and obstetricians and gynecologists at $83.

Her report, using figures from the state Department of Taxation, said the MGM Mirage in Las Vegas has the highest property assessed valuation in the state at $1.4 billion, followed by the Mandalay Resort Group at $990 million. Assessed valuation is 35 percent of full cash value.

Film production in Nevada in fiscal 2004 generated $116.4 million. "More than 2,000 days of film production were generated by over 600 projects served by the Nevada Film office during the past year," Augustine said.

Highlights were the films "Dodge Ball," "Miss Congeniality 2," "Supercross the Movie" and "Elvis Has Left The Building."

Passengers arriving and departing airports rose to 44.8 million, up 10.3 percent from the prior 2003 fiscal year.

Looking at the state's debt ability, Augustine estimates that bonds up to $483.5 million could be issued to finance such things as new buildings.

In another sign of the strong economy, the Legislative Interim Finance Committee Wednesday pumped $50 million into the state's "Rainy Day" fund to bring it to $120 million. Gov. Kenny Guinn said he will recommend additional money be added to the fund.

Augustine said her debt collection program yielded more than $1.3 million in overdue bills owed the state during fiscal 2004, an increase of about $100,000 from the previous fiscal year.