Employment rose in 11 of the 12 largest counties in Virginia from September 2022 to September 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties and county equivalents are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2022.) Regional Commissioner Alexandra Hall Bovee noted that Prince William County (+2.6 percent), Loudoun County (+2.5 percent), and Chesterfield County (+2.4 percent) had the largest over-the-year increases in employment. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, September 2023
Prince William	2.6
Loudoun	2.5
Chesterfield	2.4
Richmond City	1.8
Norfolk City	1.5
Arlington	1.4
Chesapeake City	1.1
Virginia Beach City	1.1
Henrico	0.5
Newport News City	0.5
Fairfax	0.4
Alexandria City	-0.4

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 12 largest counties in Virginia, employment was highest in Fairfax County (627,700) in September 2023. Within Fairfax County’s private industry, professional, scientific, and technical services accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 12 largest Virginia counties accounted for 55.0 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 121 counties in Virginia with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 115 of the 121 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Among the 12 large counties in Virginia, 7 reported average weekly wage gains from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Norfolk City had the largest gain (+2.3 percent), followed by Richmond City (+1.8 percent) and Virginia Beach City (+1.5 percent). Over-the-year wage changes among Virginia’s other 9 large counties ranged from 1.0 percent to -2.0 percent.

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, third quarter 2023
Norfolk City	2.3
Richmond City	1.8
Virginia Beach City	1.5
Newport News City	1.0
Prince William	0.8
Chesapeake City	0.4
Arlington	0.2
Chesterfield	0.0
Henrico	-0.1
Loudoun	-1.2
Alexandria City	-1.7
Fairfax	-2.0

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 6 of the 12 largest counties in Virginia were above the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in three of these counties ranked among the top 25 nationwide: Arlington ($2,119, 8^th), Fairfax ($1,928, 10^th), and Alexandria City ($1,641, 24^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).

Among the 121 smaller counties in Virginia—those with employment below 75,000—6 counties reported an average weekly wage above the national average. Goochland County ($1,959) reported the highest average weekly wage. Grayson County ($732) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 133 counties in Virginia were considered, 48 reported average weekly wages of less than $900, 47 registered wages from $900 to $1,099, 24 had wages from $1,100 to $1,299, and 14 had average weekly wages of $1,300 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.