If you’re fortunate enough to have a full-time, real job — an increasingly precious position in America — you might have done fairly well in the second quarter, even as the national economy was slowing.

According to the latest data from PayScale, cash compensation grew 2.3 percent in the second quarter compared with the same period in 2011. Seattle came in at No. 2 with a 2.9 percent increase, tied with San Diego and Miami. Houston led with 3 percent. At the bottom: Phoenix (0.8 percent) and the “Inland Empire” of Southern California (0.3 percent).

The quarterly wage growth was the highest seen since 2007. Also, small companies outpaced large ones for the first time since 2006. And the transportation sector started a rebound in pay. Energy, mining and technology jobs continued to see the better pay raises. Social services pay suffered, not surprising given government cutbacks.

Seattle-based PayScale looks at 15 private industries, the 20 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, three company sizes, 19 job categories the the six largest Canadian metro areas. With wages a lagging indicator, it will be interesting to see where this comes down next quarter.

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Today’s Econ Haiku:

Summer hype is hot

It’s blazing at Farnborough

Facts stay on the ground