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News Release Information

23-1354-CHI
Friday, July 14, 2023

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (312) 353-1138

County Employment and Wages in Michigan — Fourth Quarter 2022

Employment rose in all 10 of the largest counties in Michigan from December 2021 to December 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2021.) Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that Ingham, Kent, and Ottawa Counties had the largest over-the-year increases in employment at 3.2 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)


National employment increased 2.6 percent over the year, with 325 of the 355 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Midland, TX, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment with a gain of 7.9 percent. Elkhart, IN, and Hendricks, IN, both experienced the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment with a loss of 1.7 percent each.

Among the 10 largest counties in Michigan, employment was highest in Oakland County (724,600) in December 2022. Within Oakland County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 10 largest Michigan counties accounted for 69.6 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 355 largest counties made up 72.9 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 73 counties in Michigan with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all the 73 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,385 in the fourth quarter of 2022. (See table 2.)

Large county wage changes

Eight of the ten large Michigan counties reported average weekly wage losses from the fourth quarter of 2021 to the fourth quarter of 2022. (See chart 2.) Kalamazoo County had the largest decline (-3.8 percent), followed by Saginaw County (-2.5 percent) and Genesee County (-2.4 percent). Over-the-year wage changes among Michigan’s other seven large counties ranged from -2.0 percent to +1.1 percent.


Nationwide, wages decreased by 2.3 percent over the year. Among the 355 largest counties in the United States, 240 had over-the-year wage decreases. San Francisco, CA, had the largest percentage wage decrease (-22.6 percent). Midland, TX, had the largest over-the-year percentage increase (+6.1 percent).

Large county average weekly wages

Weekly wages in the 2 of the 10 largest counties in Michigan were above the national average of $1,385 in the fourth quarter of 2022. Average weekly wages in these counties ranked among the top 100 nationwide: Oakland ($1,491, 58th) and Wayne ($1,398, 82nd).

Among the largest U.S. counties, 86 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the fourth quarter of 2022. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage at $3,329. Average weekly wages were at or below the national average in the remaining 269 counties. At $827 a week, Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage.

Average weekly wages in Michigan’s smaller counties

All 73 smaller counties in Michigan—those with employment below 75,000—reported average weekly wages below the national average. Midland County ($1,349) reported the highest average weekly wage among these smaller counties, while Keweenaw County ($583) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 83 counties in Michigan were considered, 18 reported average weekly wages of less than $900, 28 registered wages from $900 to $999, 16 had wages from $1,000 to $1,099, 13 had wages from $1,100 to $1,199, and 8 had average weekly wages of $1,200 or higher. (See chart 3.)

Additional statistics and other information

QCEW data for states have been included in this release in table 3. For additional information about quarterly employment and wages data, please read the Technical Note or visit www.bls.gov/cew.

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. This publication is typically published in September of the following year of the reference period or shortly after the QCEW first quarter full data update. The Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online is available at www.bls.gov/cew/publications/employment-and-wages-annual-averages/.

The County Employment and Wages release for first quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for first quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.


Technical Note

Average weekly wage data by county are compiled under the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program, also known as the ES-202 program. The data are derived from summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered by state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and provided by State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The average weekly wage values are calculated by dividing quarterly total wages by the average of the three monthly employment levels of those covered by UI programs. The result is then divided by 13, the number of weeks in a quarter. It is to be noted, therefore, that over-the-year wage changes for geographic areas may reflect shifts in the composition of employment by industry, occupation, and such other factors as hours of work. Thus, wages may vary among counties, metropolitan areas, or states for reasons other than changes in the average wage level. Data for all states, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), counties, and the nation are available on the BLS web site at www.bls.gov/cew. However, data in QCEW press releases have been revised and may not match the data contained on the Bureau’s web site.

QCEW data are not designed as a time series. QCEW data are simply the sums of individual establishment records reflecting the number of establishments that exist in a county or industry at a point in time. Establishments can move in or out of a county or industry for a number of reasons–some reflecting economic events, others reflecting administrative changes.

The preliminary QCEW data presented in this release may differ from data released by the individual states as well as from the data presented on the BLS web site. These potential differences result from the states’ continuing receipt, review and editing of UI data over time. On the other hand, differences between data in this release and the data found on the BLS web site are the result of adjustments made to improve over-the-year comparisons. Specifically, these adjustments account for administrative (noneconomic) changes such as a correction to a previously reported location or industry classification. Adjusting for these administrative changes allows users to more accurately assess changes of an economic nature (such as a firm moving from one county to another or changing its primary economic activity) over a 12-month period. Currently, adjusted data are available only from BLS press releases.

For more information see the Technical Note for the County Employment and Wages News Release.

Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the 10 largest counties in Michigan, fourth quarter 2022
Area Establishments,
fourth quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
December 2022
(thousands)
Percent change,
December
2021–22 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)
Fourth quarter
2022
National ranking
by level (3)
Percent change,
fourth quarter
2021–22 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)

United States (4)

11,785.7 152,317.9 2.6 -- $1,385 -- -2.3 --

Michigan

302.6 4,350.0 2.3 -- 1,274 21 -1.2 37

Genesee

7.6 132.1 1.1 250 1,044 320 -2.4 255

Ingham

7.1 151.9 3.2 68 1,280 147 1.1 41

Kalamazoo

6.3 120.5 1.2 239 1,224 182 -3.8 309

Kent

18.0 415.1 3.2 68 1,188 214 -1.2 174

Macomb

20.7 334.9 1.4 216 1,301 133 -1.7 205

Oakland

45.8 724.6 1.0 265 1,491 58 -1.5 189

Ottawa

6.9 131.1 3.2 68 1,160 233 0.6 65

Saginaw

4.2 79.8 0.1 320 1,100 284 -2.5 265

Washtenaw

10.1 215.7 2.4 126 1,358 95 -1.6 199

Wayne

38.3 723.1 1.3 225 1,398 82 -2.0 231

Footnotes:
(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Percent changes were computed from employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications.
(3) Ranking does not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(4) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and all counties in Michigan, fourth quarter 2022
Area Establishments Employment December 2022 Average weekly wage (1)

United States (2)

11,785,706 152,317,914 $1,385

Michigan

302,624 4,350,027 1,274

Alcona

223 1,822 827

Alger

277 2,511 965

Allegan

2,741 38,767 1,159

Alpena

938 11,652 1,086

Antrim

628 4,880 810

Arenac

362 3,747 941

Baraga

219 2,780 1,011

Barry

1,078 12,936 973

Bay

2,254 34,022 1,063

Benzie

514 4,569 841

Berrien

4,203 58,769 1,073

Branch

905 14,362 970

Calhoun

2,697 53,134 1,165

Cass

945 9,032 1,006

Charlevoix

913 10,291 1,135

Cheboygan

881 5,966 863

Chippewa

887 12,413 971

Clare

629 6,691 935

Clinton

1,488 17,836 1,063

Crawford

289 3,989 1,012

Delta

1,096 13,411 906

Dickinson

896 13,834 1,100

Eaton

2,202 44,124 1,109

Emmet

1,618 17,875 1,009

Genesee

7,645 132,130 1,044

Gladwin

464 4,198 891

Gogebic

430 5,084 897

Grand Traverse

3,857 50,440 1,130

Gratiot

814 12,806 1,092

Hillsdale

910 12,188 1,021

Houghton

991 11,834 1,017

Huron

1,065 10,676 935

Ingham

7,130 151,949 1,280

Ionia

1,126 19,169 950

Iosco

648 7,620 1,149

Iron

418 3,239 890

Isabella

1,437 27,149 959

Jackson

3,235 56,989 1,143

Kalamazoo

6,261 120,481 1,224

Kalkaska

389 4,430 1,240

Kent

18,014 415,082 1,188

Keweenaw

90 383 583

Lake

187 1,609 847

Lapeer

1,792 21,531 959

Leelanau

890 6,127 939

Lenawee

2,042 25,421 973

Livingston

5,050 63,442 1,101

Luce

193 1,660 884

Mackinac

528 3,663 910

Macomb

20,655 334,888 1,301

Manistee

632 6,700 998

Marquette

1,756 25,873 1,012

Mason

752 10,174 950

Mecosta

710 13,391 917

Menominee

520 7,119 880

Midland

3,983 36,417 1,349

Missaukee

392 4,104 883

Monroe

2,576 38,963 1,115

Montcalm

1,119 16,163 914

Montmorency

243 2,043 803

Muskegon

3,222 62,018 995

Newaygo

900 11,942 943

Oakland

45,824 724,617 1,491

Oceana

608 5,735 911

Ogemaw

626 6,061 824

Ontonagon

199 1,320 713

Osceola

491 7,538 1,046

Oscoda

212 1,306 803

Otsego

831 10,352 1,020

Ottawa

6,924 131,099 1,160

Presque Isle

372 2,574 899

Roscommon

617 5,241 766

Saginaw

4,207 79,759 1,100

St. Clair

3,234 42,574 1,076

St. Joseph

3,001 21,615 940

Sanilac

919 10,264 928

Schoolcraft

254 2,419 973

Shiawassee

1,208 15,287 954

Tuscola

917 11,613 952

Van Buren

1,662 20,551 983

Washtenaw

10,148 215,691 1,358

Wayne

38,282 723,111 1,398

Wexford

953 13,907 972

Footnotes:
(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state, fourth quarter 2022
State Establishments,
fourth quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
December 2022
(thousands)
Percent change,
December
2021–22
Fourth quarter
2022
National ranking
by level
Percent change,
fourth quarter
2021–22
National ranking
by percent change

United States (2)

11,785.7 152,317.9 2.6 $1,385 -- -2.3 --

Alabama

152.6 2,057.5 2.2 1,158 35 0.4 8

Alaska

24.9 303.9 1.5 1,299 18 -0.8 26

Arizona

211.7 3,157.8 3.1 1,272 22 -0.8 26

Arkansas

101.0 1,272.9 2.9 1,065 50 -0.1 13

California

1,768.8 18,051.3 2.3 1,679 4 -6.9 51

Colorado

254.3 2,857.0 2.9 1,472 9 -0.9 31

Connecticut

142.8 1,667.9 1.6 1,593 6 -0.9 31

Delaware

40.5 464.6 2.4 1,346 15 0.4 8

District of Columbia

49.7 757.7 0.9 2,291 1 -1.1 35

Florida

882.6 9,616.3 3.9 1,284 20 -0.8 26

Georgia

397.5 4,794.5 3.7 1,289 19 -0.3 18

Hawaii

54.0 638.1 3.7 1,227 28 -0.2 16

Idaho

89.5 827.0 3.1 1,114 44 0.3 10

Illinois

409.8 5,997.3 2.0 1,432 11 -2.8 46

Indiana

189.5 3,154.4 2.1 1,131 40 -1.9 40

Iowa

110.8 1,543.9 0.9 1,153 37 -0.3 18

Kansas

96.4 1,416.2 2.6 1,125 41 -0.7 25

Kentucky

146.0 1,967.4 2.5 1,099 46 -0.9 31

Louisiana

151.5 1,880.4 1.1 1,134 39 -0.8 26

Maine

63.1 626.7 2.0 1,165 34 0.0 12

Maryland

190.0 2,668.5 0.3 1,462 10 -2.4 43

Massachusetts

293.6 3,620.2 1.8 1,790 2 -2.5 45

Michigan

302.6 4,350.0 2.3 1,274 21 -1.2 37

Minnesota

205.6 2,870.0 1.6 1,357 14 -1.5 38

Mississippi

83.3 1,161.6 1.2 947 51 0.2 11

Missouri

239.9 2,860.4 2.0 1,172 33 -0.6 21

Montana

62.6 500.6 2.4 1,118 42 0.9 5

Nebraska

79.1 995.5 1.7 1,154 36 1.2 4

Nevada

105.3 1,503.3 4.7 1,244 25 -0.1 13

New Hampshire

64.7 678.9 2.4 1,484 8 -6.1 50

New Jersey

331.2 4,235.5 2.7 1,534 7 -1.9 40

New Mexico

67.5 844.1 2.7 1,115 43 1.6 1

New York

683.5 9,449.3 2.7 1,736 3 -5.1 49

North Carolina

354.8 4,771.4 2.7 1,235 26 -0.6 21

North Dakota

34.8 416.0 2.0 1,204 30 0.9 5

Ohio

333.8 5,439.4 1.6 1,203 31 -1.6 39

Oklahoma

125.9 1,662.2 3.0 1,073 48 -0.6 21

Oregon

188.0 1,960.1 2.1 1,302 17 -2.2 42

Pennsylvania

391.9 5,944.5 2.1 1,320 16 -2.4 43

Rhode Island

47.0 485.8 2.2 1,261 23 -4.3 48

South Carolina

171.0 2,218.6 3.2 1,111 45 0.9 5

South Dakota

39.7 444.6 2.1 1,096 47 -1.0 34

Tennessee

207.8 3,221.9 3.8 1,254 24 -0.8 26

Texas

811.6 13,576.6 4.2 1,372 13 -0.2 16

Utah

137.3 1,675.6 3.2 1,230 27 -0.1 13

Vermont

31.6 304.6 1.7 1,207 29 1.4 3

Virginia

337.4 4,010.6 2.2 1,416 12 -0.6 21

Washington

236.8 3,540.6 3.2 1,631 5 -3.0 47

West Virginia

56.6 682.6 1.1 1,067 49 1.5 2

Wisconsin

204.0 2,899.1 2.1 1,188 32 -1.1 35

Wyoming

30.1 272.7 1.9 1,137 38 -0.5 20

Puerto Rico

50.8 976.7 4.3 665 (3) 2.9 (3)

Virgin Islands

3.7 35.7 1.6 1,021 (3) 3.8 (3)

Footnotes:
(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(3) Data not included in the national ranking.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Chart 3. Average weekly wages by county in Michigan, fourth quarter 2022

(U.S. average = $1,385)

 

Last Modified Date: Friday, July 14, 2023