Employment rose in 14 of the 15 large counties in New Jersey from September 2022 to September 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 Ocean County had the largest over-the-year increases in employment at 3.6 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

View Chart Data

Chart 1. Over-the-year percent change in covered employment among the largest counties in New Jersey, September 2023

County	Percent change, September 2023
Ocean	3.6
Essex	2.6
Gloucester	2.5
Camden	2.2
Monmouth	2.1
Atlantic	1.6
Bergen	1.6
Burlington	1.4
Somerset	1.4
Mercer	1.2
Morris	1.2
Passaic	0.9
Hudson	0.7
Union	0.7
Middlesex	-0.6

National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 309 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hall, GA, had the largest increase in employment (+5.4 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-7.3 percent).

Among the 15 largest counties in New Jersey, employment was highest in Bergen County (440,800) in September 2023. Within Bergen County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 15 largest New Jersey counties accounted for 88.6 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 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 six counties in New Jersey with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all six small counties were below the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

In New Jersey, 13 of the 15 largest counties reported average weekly wage losses from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Monmouth County had the largest loss (-2.9 percent), followed by Union County (-2.7 percent). Over-the-year wage losses among New Jersey’s other 11 large counties ranged from -2.1 percent to -0.1 percent. Mercer County and Middlesex County were the only large counties to report wage gains.

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, third quarter 2023
Monmouth	-2.9
Union	-2.7
Burlington	-2.1
Essex	-2.0
Ocean	-1.2
Morris	-1.1
Gloucester	-0.9
Atlantic	-0.7
Bergen	-0.6
Passaic	-0.6
Hudson	-0.4
Somerset	-0.3
Camden	-0.1
Middlesex	0.4
Mercer	3.1

Nationwide, wages increased by 0.1 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 169 had over-the-year wage increases. Clayton, GA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+7.7 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-6.0 percent).

Weekly wages in 8 of the 15 largest counties in New Jersey were above the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in four of these counties ranked among the top 25 nationwide: Somerset ($1,785, 12^th), Morris ($1,736, 17^th), Mercer ($1,646, 23^rd), and Hudson ($1,634, 25^th).

Among the largest U.S. counties, 92 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the third quarter of 2023. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,288). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 268 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($793).

All six small counties in New Jersey—those with employment below 75,000—reported an average weekly wage below the national average. Cape May County ($867) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 21 counties in New Jersey were considered, 6 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,100, 6 registered wages from $1,100 to $1,299, 4 had wages from $1,300 to $1,499, and 5 had average weekly wages of $1,500 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 fourth quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the fourth quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.