Employment rose in the two largest counties in Nebraska from December 2022 to December 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 employment increased 1.5 percent in Lancaster County and 1.2 percent in Douglas County. (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 Nebraska, December 2023

County	Percent change, December 2023
Lancaster	1.5
Douglas	1.2

National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 318 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hays, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+5.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-6.9 percent).

Among the two largest counties in Nebraska, employment was highest in Douglas County (344,300) in December 2023. Within Douglas County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the two largest Nebraska counties accounted for 51 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 73.0 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 91 counties in Nebraska with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 90 of the 91 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

The two large Nebraska counties reported average weekly wage gains from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Lancaster County had the largest gain (+3.6 percent), followed by Douglas County (+2.1 percent).

  

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

County	Percent change, fourth quarter 2023
Lancaster	3.6
Douglas	2.1

Nationwide, wages increased by 3.6 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Snohomish, WA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+18.6 percent). Merrimack, NH, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-7.2 percent).

Weekly wages in both of Nebraska’s large counties were below the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. Douglas County had an average weekly wage of $1,322, ranking 154^th nationally. Lancaster County had an average weekly wage of $1,160, ranking 269^th nationwide.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the fourth quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,699). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($842).

Among the 91 smaller counties in Nebraska—those with employment below 75,000—Stanton ($1,565) reported an average weekly wage above the national average. Hooker County ($607) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 93 counties in Nebraska were considered, 21 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 22 registered wages from $850 to $949, 27 had wages from $950 to $1049, and 23 had average weekly wages of $1,050 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 first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.