INDIANAPOLIS (AP): Indiana workers' pay didn't keep pace with inflation last year, and economic experts say the state needs to focus more on the quality of jobs instead of the quantity to close the distance.







Hoosier workers saw a mere 0.8 percent increase in pay last year. But federal data released this month show inflation grew 1.4 percent in the Midwest.







Business leaders tell the Indianapolis Business Journal that a high number of job seekers has allowed many employers to hold down wages. Others say a lack of skilled workers is contributing to the growing wage gap.







Economist Morton Marcus says the state's economic developers need to increase their focus on creating high-paying jobs in order to close the gap.