Employment rose in all 8 large counties in Maryland from December 2022 to December 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2022.) Regional Commissioner Alexandra Hall-Bovee noted that Anne Arundel County and Baltimore City had the largest over-the-year increases in employment at 2.5 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

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Chart 1. Over-the-year percent change in covered employment among the largest counties in Maryland, December 2023

County	Percent change, December 2023
Anne Arundel	2.5
Baltimore City	2.4
Prince George's	2.2
Frederick	2.1
Harford	1.6
Montgomery	0.9
Howard	0.7
Baltimore	0.6

National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 318 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hays, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+5.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-6.9 percent).

Among the 8 largest counties in Maryland, employment was highest in Montgomery County (462,135) in December 2023. Within Montgomery County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 8 largest Pennsylvania counties accounted for 79 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 73.0 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 16 counties in Maryland with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 15 of the 16 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

All 8 large Maryland counties reported average weekly wage gains from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Harford County had the largest gain (+6.2 percent), followed by Howard County (+4.6 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among Maryland’s other 6 large counties ranged from 3.5 percent to 2.1 percent.

  

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Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among the largest counties in Maryland, fourth quarter 2023

County	Percent change, fourth quarter 2023
Harford	6.2
Howard	4.6
Anne Arundel	3.5
Frederick	3.5
Prince George's	3.0
Baltimore	2.6
Montgomery	2.3
Baltimore City	2.1

Nationwide, wages increased by 3.6 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Snohomish, WA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+18.6 percent). Merrimack, NH, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-7.2 percent).

Weekly wages in 4 of the 8 largest counties in Maryland were above the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in two of these counties ranked among the top 50 nationwide: Montgomery ($1,792, 24^th), Howard ($1,716, 27^th) and Baltimore City ($1,598, 47^th).

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the fourth quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,699). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($842).

Among the 16 smaller counties in Maryland—those with employment below 75,000—St. Mary’s County ($1,584) reported an average weekly wage above the national average. Garrett County ($891) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 24 counties in Maryland were considered, 4 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,000, 10 registered wages from $1,000 to $1,199, 4 had wages from $1,200 to $1,399, and 6 had average weekly wages of $1,400 or higher. (See map 1.)

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 for the County Employment and Wages News Release or visit the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website.

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.

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.

The County Employment and Wages release for the first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.