If your pay rate has been frozen for the last couple years, take heart — you’re doing better than the average paycheck slave. Total American wages dropped 3.2 percent in 2009, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which pins part of the blame on manufacturing and construction industries.

The figures include not just pay wages, but contributions to insurance and retirement accounts. The County of New York and St. Louis were among the hardest hit, suffering drops of 7.4 percent and 11.5 percent, respectively.

Has your pay increased, decreased or remained the same since the end of last year?

Regional Economic Accounts [Bureau of Economic Analysis via L.A. Times, Fark]

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