Employment rose in 3 of the 4 largest counties in Iowa from June 2022 to June 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 Jason Palmer noted that Polk County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 3.0 percent. (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 Iowa, June 2023

County	Percent change, June 2023
Polk	3.0
Johnson	1.9
Scott	0.1
Linn	-0.6

National employment increased 2.4 percent over the year, with 337 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Midland, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+7.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-7.7 percent).

Among the four largest counties in Iowa, employment was highest in Polk County (318,600) in June 2023. Within Polk County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the four largest Iowa counties accounted for 39.2 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 95 counties in Iowa with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in the 95 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,332 in the second quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

All four large Iowa counties reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Scott County had the largest gain (+6.4 percent), followed by Johnson County (+2.9 percent), Polk County (+2.0 percent), and Linn County (+0.8 percent).

  

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

County	Percent change, second quarter 2023
Scott	6.4
Johnson	2.9
Polk	2.0
Linn	0.8

Nationwide, wages increased by 3.2 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 332 had over-the-year wage increases. Clayton, GA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+17.2 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-13.2 percent).

Weekly wages in the four largest counties in Iowa were below the national average of $1,332 in the second quarter of 2023. All four of Iowa’s large counties had average weekly wages greater than $1,000: Polk ($1,262), Linn ($1,197), Johnson ($1,166), and Scott ($1,080).

Among the largest U.S. counties, 88 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,321). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 272 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($795).

All 95 smaller counties in Iowa—those with employment below 75,000—reported an average weekly wage below the national average. Dallas County ($1,260) reported the highest average weekly wage in the state, while Decatur County ($765) reported the lowest.

When all 99 counties in Iowa were considered, 14 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 18 registered wages from $850 to $899, 26 had wages from $900 to $949, 21 had wages from $950 to $999, and 20 had average weekly wages of $1,000 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 third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.