Overall, Thredgold described Utah's economy as "running on all eight cylinders."

"There are 11 major employment sectors in Utah, and all 11 have added jobs the past 12 months, led by professional and business services and construction. Those are two areas where the average wage is higher than the average wage in the state. So we're creating jobs in the right sectors. We're creating a lot of jobs, and much of the growth has taken place in the higher-income categories, which is good news," he said.

Tuesday's release also included figures for the 2005 fourth quarter. During that period, Utah's growth rate was 2.3 percent, or ninth among states and matching the nation's rate. Excluding the effects of a rebounding Louisiana, the country's growth in the quarter was 1.72 percent.

The nation's 4.6 percent per capita income growth for all of 2005 was slower than the 5 percent growth in 2004. Among states, Louisiana, ravaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, fell 9.1 percent, while Wyoming, boosted by its mining industry, was up 7.3 percent.

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E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com