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News Release Information

24-1938-PHI
Monday, September 16, 2024

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:

County Employment and Wages in Pennsylvania — First Quarter 2024

Employment rose in 16 of the 19 largest counties in Pennsylvania from March 2023 to March 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Regional Commissioner Alexandra Hall-Bovee noted that Philadelphia County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 2.3 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

National employment increased 1.3 percent over the year, with 300 of the 369 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Monterey, CA, and St. Johns, FL, had the largest over-the-year increases in employment, with gains of 4.8 percent each. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-4.9 percent).

Among the 19 largest counties in Pennsylvania, employment was highest in Philadelphia County (712,000) in March 2024. Within Philadelphia County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 19 largest Pennsylvania counties accounted for 75.8 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties made up 73.3 percent of total covered U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 48 counties in Pennsylvania with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 47 of the 48 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,527 in the first quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Large county wage changes

All 19 large Pennsylvania counties reported average weekly wage gains from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Cumberland County had the largest gain (+4.5 percent), followed by Northampton County and York County (+4.4 percent each), as well as Erie County (+4.3 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among Pennsylvania’s other 15 large counties ranged from 3.5 percent to 0.8 percent.

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.2 percent over the year. Among the 369 largest counties in the United States, 357 had over-the-year wage increases. Santa Clara, CA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+14.6 percent). Saginaw, MI, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-3.4 percent).

Large county average weekly wages

Weekly wages in 5 of the 19 largest counties in Pennsylvania were above the national average of $1,527 in the first quarter of 2024. Average weekly wages in two of these counties ranked among the top 50 nationwide: Montgomery ($1,931, 28th), and Chester ($1,864, 32nd).

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the first quarter of 2024. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($4,385). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 284 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($807).

Smaller county average weekly wages

Among the 48 smaller counties in Pennsylvania—those with employment below 75,000—Montour ($1,674) reported an average weekly wage above the national average. Sullivan County ($795) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 67 counties in Pennsylvania were considered, 13 reported average weekly wages of less than $950, 21 registered wages from $950 to $1,049, 13 had wages from $1,050 to $1,149, and 20 had average weekly wages of $1,150 or higher. (See map 1.)

Map 1. Average weekly wages by county in Pennsylvania, first quarter 2024

U.S. average = $1,527

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 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 second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Changes for the 2024 County Employment and Wages News Releases

Counties with annual average employment of 75,000 or more in 2023 are included in this release and will be included in future 2024 releases. Seven counties have been added to the nationwide publication tables: Martin, FL; Sarpy, NE; Doña Ana, NM; Kent, RI; Ector, TX; Gregg, TX; and Racine, WI. No counties were dropped from the publication tables.

New Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) definitions, and those for other types of Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSA), were announced in July 2023. With the full data update for first quarter 2024 on September 4, 2024, QCEW data reflect the new definitions. Data based on the new area definitions are available in the BLS online database. Historical data will not be re-tabulated to reflect the new definitions. The announcement regarding new metropolitan statistical area delineations for 2024 provides more information regarding the new area definitions.

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the 19 largest counties in Pennsylvania, first quarter 2024
Area Establishments,
first quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
March 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
March
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)
First quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level (3)
Percent change,
first quarter
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)

United States (4)

12,169.0 153,585.6 1.3 -- 1,527 -- 4.2 --

Pennsylvania

392.0 5,967.0 1.1 -- 1,449 16 3.0 48

Allegheny

36.6 666.3 1.8 98 1,612 65 2.5 294

Berks

9.0 171.9 1.0 197 1,246 218 2.0 330

Bucks

21.4 271.7 2.0 71 1,263 210 3.5 209

Butler

5.4 86.5 0.6 245 1,273 201 3.5 209

Chester

16.7 249.4 0.5 260 1,864 32 2.8 270

Cumberland

7.0 136.7 0.9 208 1,271 204 4.5 104

Dauphin

7.6 187.3 1.9 86 1,371 142 1.1 349

Delaware

14.5 217.1 0.1 295 1,497 91 2.3 307

Erie

6.8 118.1 1.0 197 1,048 343 4.3 128

Lackawanna

5.6 97.1 1.4 151 1,030 347 2.7 277

Lancaster

14.7 249.5 0.8 217 1,162 284 3.2 236

Lehigh

9.0 197.5 -0.5 336 1,305 185 0.8 353

Luzerne

7.5 143.7 1.1 187 1,076 333 2.5 294

Montgomery

29.1 502.0 0.2 282 1,931 28 3.0 252

Northampton

7.1 120.5 0.0 301 1,179 272 4.4 117

Philadelphia

34.2 712.0 2.3 52 1,650 56 3.3 222

Washington

5.8 85.9 1.5 139 1,600 68 1.1 349

Westmoreland

9.2 127.7 -0.7 349 1,105 323 2.7 277

York

9.5 181.4 0.6 245 1,222 237 4.4 117

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 Pennsylvania, first quarter 2024
Area Establishments Employment March 2024 Average weekly wage ($) (1)

United States (2)

12,169,000 153,585,576 1,527

Pennsylvania

392,030 5,966,952 1,449

Adams

2,254 33,068 1,044

Allegheny

36,607 666,255 1,612

Armstrong

1,467 15,623 991

Beaver

3,618 47,866 1,194

Bedford

1,232 16,548 919

Berks

8,974 171,885 1,246

Blair

3,460 57,173 1,019

Bradford

1,546 22,226 1,140

Bucks

21,371 271,670 1,263

Butler

5,426 86,536 1,273

Cambria

3,322 47,665 933

Cameron

159 1,616 1,064

Carbon

1,311 16,650 839

Centre

3,644 67,788 1,193

Chester

16,691 249,432 1,864

Clarion

1,090 12,258 853

Clearfield

2,077 28,841 990

Clinton

930 12,538 1,039

Columbia

1,582 24,320 954

Crawford

2,150 28,661 962

Cumberland

7,033 136,655 1,271

Dauphin

7,642 187,263 1,371

Delaware

14,502 217,060 1,497

Elk

966 13,422 1,004

Erie

6,804 118,129 1,048

Fayette

2,779 37,465 976

Forest

144 1,791 1,135

Franklin

3,465 59,276 1,055

Fulton

321 5,399 1,143

Greene

811 11,858 1,322

Huntingdon

1,026 12,370 925

Indiana

1,941 27,907 1,067

Jefferson

1,215 14,328 937

Juniata

585 6,546 884

Lackawanna

5,587 97,064 1,030

Lancaster

14,663 249,481 1,162

Lawrence

2,022 26,323 1,008

Lebanon

2,937 53,125 1,062

Lehigh

8,982 197,545 1,305

Luzerne

7,512 143,702 1,076

Lycoming

3,058 49,650 1,061

Mckean

1,069 13,863 944

Mercer

2,869 42,800 1,069

Mifflin

1,098 16,778 1,004

Monroe

3,696 56,030 1,040

Montgomery

29,102 501,967 1,931

Montour

492 16,742 1,674

Northampton

7,094 120,463 1,179

Northumberland

1,826 26,160 1,077

Perry

905 7,750 807

Philadelphia

34,191 711,961 1,650

Pike

1,154 11,874 868

Potter

463 4,734 997

Schuylkill

2,996 49,861 1,041

Snyder

1,006 15,379 864

Somerset

1,860 23,184 990

Sullivan

183 1,477 795

Susquehanna

1,002 8,935 996

Tioga

999 12,343 1,000

Union

1,030 17,661 1,073

Venango

1,228 16,169 946

Warren

919 12,987 980

Washington

5,779 85,938 1,600

Wayne

1,442 14,614 1,017

Westmoreland

9,212 127,716 1,105

Wyoming

714 9,373 1,221

York

9,457 181,437 1,222

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, first quarter 2024
State Establishments,
first quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
March 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
March
2023–24
First quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level
Percent change,
first quarter
2023–24
National ranking
by percent change

United States (2)

12,169.0 153,585.6 1.3 1,527 -- 4.2 --

Alabama

160.7 2,091.9 1.6 1,201 37 3.3 44

Alaska

25.2 318.1 2.2 1,374 22 5.6 2

Arizona

229.4 3,257.0 2.9 1,372 23 3.1 46

Arkansas

104.6 1,292.8 1.4 1,171 44 4.0 24

California

1,835.8 18,053.0 1.5 1,833 5 5.5 3

Colorado

264.4 2,851.4 0.3 1,613 8 3.5 38

Connecticut

149.5 1,661.9 1.0 1,908 4 4.4 18

Delaware

43.0 469.3 1.8 1,484 15 3.7 33

District of Columbia

52.3 759.8 0.7 2,434 1 4.0 24

Florida

898.9 9,863.2 2.1 1,384 20 4.2 20

Georgia

401.4 4,843.9 1.3 1,441 17 4.7 12

Hawaii

58.6 638.8 0.6 1,278 29 4.8 10

Idaho

98.5 835.8 1.9 1,130 47 4.1 22

Illinois

410.2 5,966.9 0.3 1,608 9 2.7 50

Indiana

195.2 3,148.3 0.6 1,271 30 5.7 1

Iowa

110.8 1,543.1 0.9 1,214 36 3.2 45

Kansas

100.7 1,415.7 0.7 1,199 38 3.8 32

Kentucky

155.8 1,987.2 1.4 1,178 42 3.4 43

Louisiana

154.5 1,904.2 0.7 1,195 39 4.0 24

Maine

65.0 626.4 1.3 1,249 34 5.2 4

Maryland

198.4 2,690.0 0.8 1,591 10 4.5 16

Massachusetts

287.4 3,599.0 0.5 2,015 3 4.9 8

Michigan

338.6 4,351.0 1.0 1,352 24 3.5 38

Minnesota

210.5 2,850.4 0.2 1,519 14 4.0 24

Mississippi

89.5 1,157.2 0.2 980 51 3.6 36

Missouri

257.5 2,882.5 1.0 1,269 31 3.7 33

Montana

61.8 503.1 1.2 1,126 49 4.4 18

Nebraska

76.0 1,007.3 1.5 1,195 39 2.6 51

Nevada

112.1 1,534.4 2.4 1,304 28 4.7 12

New Hampshire

65.9 680.0 1.1 1,531 13 4.7 12

New Jersey

335.6 4,218.8 1.3 1,761 7 3.5 38

New Mexico

67.9 861.5 1.6 1,159 45 4.8 10

New York

709.5 9,537.4 1.8 2,089 2 3.5 38

North Carolina

395.7 4,871.0 1.8 1,401 18 4.0 24

North Dakota

36.1 419.9 1.6 1,261 33 3.7 33

Ohio

337.0 5,452.8 0.8 1,315 25 4.0 24

Oklahoma

132.9 1,690.0 1.7 1,152 46 4.0 24

Oregon

198.9 1,971.9 -0.3 1,377 21 3.1 46

Pennsylvania

392.0 5,967.0 1.1 1,449 16 3.0 48

Rhode Island

48.5 483.9 1.1 1,387 19 4.0 24

South Carolina

184.6 2,265.9 2.1 1,194 41 4.9 8

South Dakota

39.9 449.7 2.0 1,129 48 4.2 20

Tennessee

230.1 3,261.3 1.9 1,311 27 3.5 38

Texas

839.6 13,826.9 1.7 1,540 12 4.1 22

Utah

135.7 1,699.6 1.9 1,313 26 5.2 4

Vermont

32.8 307.3 0.6 1,232 35 3.6 36

Virginia

318.3 4,072.6 1.6 1,554 11 5.2 4

Washington

224.3 3,577.3 1.3 1,815 6 5.1 7

West Virginia

60.8 694.0 1.6 1,110 50 4.6 15

Wisconsin

206.0 2,899.1 0.6 1,263 32 4.5 16

Wyoming

30.8 274.1 1.1 1,177 43 2.8 49

Puerto Rico

54.7 952.8 1.6 677 (3) 4.8 (3)

Virgin Islands

3.9 36.5 0.9 996 (3) 1.6 (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.

 

Last Modified Date: Monday, September 16, 2024