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Wednesday, May 01, 2019
Wisconsin’s six large counties had employment increases from September 2017 to September 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are defined as those with 2017 annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Charlene Peiffer noted that Brown County had the largest increase, up 1.6 percent, matching the national average. Employment increases in Wisconsin’s remaining five large counties ranged from 0.3 percent to 0.5 percent. (See table 1.)
From September 2017 to September 2018, 295 of the 349 largest U.S. counties registered employment increases. Midland, TX, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment with a gain of 11.9 percent. New Hanover, NC, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment with a loss of 2.0 percent.
Among the six large counties in Wisconsin, employment was highest in Milwaukee (490,500) in September 2018, followed by Dane (335,600) and Waukesha (244,500). Each of the three other counties—Brown, Outagamie, and Winnebago—had employment levels of less than 170,000. Collectively, Wisconsin's six large counties accounted for 49.6 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 349 largest counties made up 73.0 percent of total U.S. employment.
From the third quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018, the six large counties in Wisconsin had over-the-year increases in average weekly wages, with the largest gain in Brown County (4.0 percent). Dane County had the highest average weekly wage in the state at $1,028, followed by Waukesha County at $1,022 and Milwaukee County at $980. (See table 1.) Nationally, the average weekly wage rose 3.3 percent over the year to $1,055 in the third quarter of 2018.
Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 66 counties in Wisconsin with employment below 75,000. All of these smaller counties had average weekly wages below the national average. (See table 2.)
Large county wage changesBrown County’s 4.0-percent wage increase from the third quarter of 2017 to the third quarter of 2018 ranked 65th among the nation’s 349 largest counties. (See table 1.) Nationally, average weekly wages increased 3.3 percent over the year. In the state’s remaining five large counties, wage gains ranged from 2.9 percent in Waukesha County to 1.3 percent in Dane County.
Nationally, 336 of the 349 largest counties registered over-the-year wage growth. Chatham, GA, had the largest increase, up 8.5 percent from the third quarter of 2017. King, WA, was second with a wage increase of 7.9 percent, followed by Santa Clara, CA, and Stanislaus, CA, at 7.8 percent each.
Among the largest U.S. counties, 11 experienced over-the-year decreases in average weekly wages. Elkhart, IN, had the largest percentage decrease in average weekly wages (-4.2 percent), followed by Union, NJ (-3.7 percent); Providence, RI (-3.4 percent); and Forsyth, NC (-3.0 percent).
Large county average weekly wagesAverage weekly wages in three of Wisconsin’s large counties placed in the top half of the national ranking in the third quarter of 2018. However, average weekly wages in these three counties were below the national average of $1,055. Dane County’s $1,028 average weekly wage ranked 117th among the 349 largest U.S. counties. Waukesha ($1,022) and Milwaukee ($980) Counties placed 121st and 160th, respectively. Outagamie County’s $895 weekly wage was the lowest among the state’s large counties, ranking 242nd nationwide.
Nationwide, average weekly wages were above the U.S. average ($1,055) in 94 of the 349 largest counties in the third quarter of 2018. Santa Clara, CA, held the top position among the highest-paid large counties in the nation with an average weekly wage of $2,460. San Mateo, CA, was second at $2,363, followed by San Francisco, CA ($2,097); New York, NY ($1,997); and Washington, DC ($1,807).
Among the largest U.S. counties, 255 had weekly wages below the national average in the third quarter of 2018. Cameron, TX, had the lowest wage at $632, followed by Horry, SC ($635); Hidalgo, TX ($662); and Webb, TX ($698).
Average weekly wages in Wisconsin’s smaller countiesOf the 66 counties in Wisconsin with employment below 75,000, Sheboygan County had the highest average weekly wage at $907, followed by Marathon County at $900. Florence County had the lowest weekly wage at $527, followed by Iron at $589. (See table 2.)
When all 72 counties in Wisconsin were considered, 10 reported average weekly wages of $649 or lower, 25 had wages from $650 to $749, 23 had wages from $750 to $849, and 14 had wages of $850 or higher. (See chart 1.)
Additional statistics and other informationQCEW 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. The 2017 edition of this publication, which was published in September 2018, contains selected data produced by Business Employment Dynamics (BED) on job gains and losses, as well as selected data from the first quarter 2018 version of the national news release. Tables and additional content from Employment and Wages Annual Averages 2017 are now available online at www.bls.gov/cew/publications/employment-and-wages-annual-averages/2017/home.htm. The 2018 edition of Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online will be available in September 2019.
The County Employment and Wages release for fourth quarter 2018 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. The County Employment and Wages full data update for fourth quarter 2018 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
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.
Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.
Area | Employment | Average weekly wage (1) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 2018 (thousands) | Percent change, September 2017-18 (2) | National ranking by percent change (3) | Average weekly wage | National ranking by level (3) | Percent change, third quarter 2017-18 (2) | National ranking by percent change (3) | |
United States (4) |
146,824.1 | 1.6 | -- | $1,055 | -- | 3.3 | -- |
Wisconsin |
2,888.9 | 0.7 | -- | 901 | 33 | 2.9 | 31 |
Brown, WI |
160.5 | 1.6 | 123 | 917 | 210 | 4.0 | 65 |
Dane, WI |
335.6 | 0.5 | 235 | 1,028 | 117 | 1.3 | 312 |
Milwaukee, WI |
490.5 | 0.4 | 249 | 980 | 160 | 2.6 | 208 |
Outagamie, WI |
108.0 | 0.3 | 262 | 895 | 242 | 2.6 | 208 |
Waukesha, WI |
244.5 | 0.5 | 235 | 1,022 | 121 | 2.9 | 169 |
Winnebago, WI |
93.6 | 0.3 | 262 | 936 | 192 | 2.0 | 272 |
Footnotes: |
|||||||
Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. |
Area | Employment September 2018 | Average weekly wage(1) |
---|---|---|
United States(2) |
146,824,093 | $1,055 |
Wisconsin |
2,888,858 | 901 |
Adams |
4,682 | 693 |
Ashland |
8,139 | 733 |
Barron |
22,638 | 753 |
Bayfield |
4,439 | 607 |
Brown |
160,462 | 917 |
Buffalo |
3,920 | 680 |
Burnett |
4,776 | 622 |
Calumet |
13,978 | 749 |
Chippewa |
24,488 | 788 |
Clark |
11,244 | 804 |
Columbia |
23,278 | 773 |
Crawford |
7,489 | 662 |
Dane |
335,559 | 1,028 |
Dodge |
36,147 | 835 |
Door |
14,980 | 640 |
Douglas |
16,021 | 762 |
Dunn |
17,828 | 758 |
Eau Claire |
58,437 | 857 |
Florence |
1,040 | 527 |
Fond du Lac |
47,804 | 882 |
Forest |
3,178 | 716 |
Grant |
17,911 | 681 |
Green |
15,850 | 735 |
Green Lake |
6,386 | 724 |
Iowa |
10,315 | 761 |
Iron |
1,623 | 589 |
Jackson |
9,216 | 834 |
Jefferson |
33,424 | 750 |
Juneau |
9,359 | 760 |
Kenosha |
66,598 | 794 |
Kewaunee |
6,987 | 751 |
La Crosse |
69,824 | 830 |
Lafayette |
4,305 | 692 |
Langlade |
7,433 | 665 |
Lincoln |
11,207 | 784 |
Manitowoc |
33,678 | 805 |
Marathon |
71,111 | 900 |
Marinette |
18,381 | 785 |
Marquette |
3,996 | 641 |
Menominee |
2,084 | 611 |
Milwaukee |
490,538 | 980 |
Monroe |
21,142 | 811 |
Oconto |
9,285 | 668 |
Oneida |
16,753 | 764 |
Outagamie |
108,002 | 895 |
Ozaukee |
42,922 | 859 |
Pepin |
2,270 | 709 |
Pierce |
10,593 | 680 |
Polk |
15,916 | 695 |
Portage |
34,131 | 794 |
Price |
5,350 | 724 |
Racine |
75,746 | 899 |
Richland |
5,839 | 695 |
Rock |
67,216 | 869 |
Rusk |
5,046 | 689 |
St. Croix |
34,361 | 785 |
Sauk |
36,998 | 746 |
Sawyer |
7,234 | 668 |
Shawano |
12,832 | 643 |
Sheboygan |
62,091 | 907 |
Taylor |
8,184 | 721 |
Trempealeau |
14,085 | 770 |
Vernon |
8,777 | 685 |
Vilas |
8,295 | 607 |
Walworth |
42,804 | 716 |
Washburn |
5,842 | 662 |
Washington |
56,733 | 844 |
Waukesha |
244,544 | 1,022 |
Waupaca |
19,563 | 727 |
Waushara |
6,485 | 639 |
Winnebago |
93,600 | 936 |
Wood |
39,238 | 859 |
Footnotes |
||
NOTE: Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. Data are preliminary. |
State | Employment | Average weekly wage (1) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 2018 (thousands) | Percent change, September 2017-18 | Average weekly wage | National ranking by level | Percent change, third quarter 2017-18 | National ranking by percent change | |
United States (2) |
146,824.1 | 1.6 | $1,055 | -- | 3.3 | -- |
Alabama |
1,966.0 | 1.2 | 885 | 38 | 3.1 | 25 |
Alaska |
334.0 | -0.4 | 1,065 | 13 | 3.7 | 12 |
Arizona |
2,838.6 | 2.8 | 974 | 23 | 2.9 | 31 |
Arkansas |
1,222.1 | 0.7 | 811 | 49 | 2.9 | 31 |
California |
17,457.5 | 1.8 | 1,260 | 5 | 3.8 | 9 |
Colorado |
2,684.0 | 2.1 | 1,104 | 9 | 3.5 | 18 |
Connecticut |
1,681.5 | 0.3 | 1,209 | 6 | 2.5 | 41 |
Delaware |
447.8 | 0.6 | 1,046 | 15 | 2.4 | 42 |
District of Columbia |
770.7 | 0.7 | 1,807 | 1 | 2.8 | 36 |
Florida |
8,690.7 | 4.6 | 924 | 29 | 3.1 | 25 |
Georgia |
4,448.8 | 2.3 | 993 | 20 | 3.3 | 21 |
Hawaii |
654.7 | 0.0 | 975 | 22 | 2.4 | 42 |
Idaho |
743.5 | 3.0 | 805 | 50 | 3.2 | 23 |
Illinois |
6,029.2 | 0.8 | 1,087 | 10 | 3.0 | 28 |
Indiana |
3,072.3 | 0.9 | 883 | 39 | 2.4 | 42 |
Iowa |
1,555.0 | 0.6 | 887 | 37 | 3.7 | 12 |
Kansas |
1,390.4 | 1.0 | 867 | 42 | 3.5 | 18 |
Kentucky |
1,898.7 | 0.5 | 855 | 43 | 2.2 | 47 |
Louisiana |
1,915.4 | 0.5 | 901 | 33 | 3.7 | 12 |
Maine |
626.5 | 0.6 | 851 | 45 | 3.7 | 12 |
Maryland |
2,683.9 | 0.7 | 1,130 | 8 | 2.4 | 42 |
Massachusetts |
3,598.1 | 0.7 | 1,305 | 2 | 3.2 | 23 |
Michigan |
4,366.5 | 0.8 | 991 | 21 | 2.8 | 36 |
Minnesota |
2,904.3 | 0.8 | 1,074 | 12 | 4.2 | 5 |
Mississippi |
1,133.7 | 0.2 | 754 | 51 | 3.4 | 20 |
Missouri |
2,812.0 | 0.4 | 907 | 31 | 3.3 | 21 |
Montana |
473.3 | 1.0 | 815 | 48 | 2.8 | 36 |
Nebraska |
980.3 | 0.6 | 873 | 41 | 2.8 | 36 |
Nevada |
1,382.9 | 3.4 | 936 | 28 | 2.4 | 42 |
New Hampshire |
662.3 | 0.5 | 1,040 | 16 | 1.7 | 49 |
New Jersey |
4,072.6 | 0.8 | 1,181 | 7 | 2.1 | 48 |
New Mexico |
826.2 | 1.2 | 855 | 43 | 3.9 | 7 |
New York |
9,467.5 | 1.4 | 1,272 | 4 | 4.2 | 5 |
North Carolina |
4,398.0 | 1.1 | 938 | 26 | 3.8 | 9 |
North Dakota |
424.3 | 1.1 | 995 | 19 | 4.4 | 3 |
Ohio |
5,424.4 | 0.7 | 947 | 25 | 2.9 | 31 |
Oklahoma |
1,616.8 | 1.2 | 874 | 40 | 3.6 | 16 |
Oregon |
1,939.8 | 1.5 | 1,005 | 18 | 3.8 | 9 |
Pennsylvania |
5,894.8 | 1.0 | 1,031 | 17 | 3.0 | 28 |
Rhode Island |
489.4 | 1.0 | 963 | 24 | -1.3 | 51 |
South Carolina |
2,088.2 | 2.8 | 834 | 46 | 0.8 | 50 |
South Dakota |
431.5 | 1.3 | 827 | 47 | 3.0 | 28 |
Tennessee |
3,005.6 | 1.7 | 938 | 26 | 3.9 | 7 |
Texas |
12,327.0 | 2.6 | 1,064 | 14 | 3.1 | 25 |
Utah |
1,494.4 | 3.4 | 911 | 30 | 3.6 | 16 |
Vermont |
310.9 | 0.0 | 892 | 36 | 2.6 | 40 |
Virginia |
3,889.6 | 1.1 | 1,082 | 11 | 2.9 | 31 |
Washington |
3,425.6 | 2.4 | 1,280 | 3 | 6.2 | 2 |
West Virginia |
706.0 | 1.7 | 894 | 35 | 8.1 | 1 |
Wisconsin |
2,888.9 | 0.7 | 901 | 33 | 2.9 | 31 |
Wyoming |
278.2 | 0.6 | 905 | 32 | 4.3 | 4 |
Puerto Rico |
862.5 | 0.2 | 534 | (3) | 5.3 | (3) |
Virgin Islands |
33.4 | -8.0 | 888 | (3) | 18.6 | (3) |
Footnotes: |
||||||
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: Wednesday, May 01, 2019