Employment rose 2.3 percent in North Dakota’s only large county, Cass, from September 2022 to September 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 in September 2023, Cass County’s employment level was 128,100. (See table 1.)

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).

Cass County’s employment accounted for 29.9 percent of total employment within the state in September 2023. Within the county’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. 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 52 counties in North Dakota with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 45 of the 52 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Cass County’s 1.9-percent wage growth from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023 was higher than the national rate of 0.1 percent and ranked 30^th nationally. 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).

Cass County’s $1,238 average weekly was below the national average of $1,334 and ranked 153^rd among the 360 large U.S. counties in the third quarter of 2023. 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 52 smaller counties in North Dakota—those with employment below 75,000—Williams ($1,672) reported the highest average weekly wage, while Sheridan County ($641) reported the state’s lowest.

When all 53 counties in North Dakota were considered, 16 reported average weekly wages of less than $900, 15 registered wages from $900 to $999, 7 had wages from $1,000 to $1,099, and 15 had average weekly wages of $1,100 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.