Employment rose in 11 of the 14 largest counties in Ohio from March 2023 to March 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Regional Commissioner Jason Palmer noted that Stark County (+2.5 percent), Butler County (+2.4 percent), and Greene County (+2.4 percent) had the largest over-the-year increases in employment. (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 Ohio, March 2024

County	Percent change, March 2024
Stark	2.5
Butler	2.4
Greene	2.4
Delaware	1.7
Franklin	1.2
Warren	1.1
Montgomery	0.8
Lorain	0.7
Mahoning	0.7
Cuyahoga	0.6
Hamilton	0.1
Lake	-0.1
Summit	-0.5
Lucas	-1.0

National employment increased 1.3 percent over the year, with 300 of the 369 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Monterey, CA, and St. Johns, FL, had the largest over-the-year increases in employment, with gains of 4.8 percent each. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-4.9 percent).

Among the 14 largest counties in Ohio, employment was highest in Franklin (769,600) in March 2024. Within Franklin County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 14 largest Ohio counties accounted for 65.2 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties made up 73.3 percent of total covered U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 74 counties in Ohio with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 74 of the smaller counties were below the national average of $1,527 in the first quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

All 14 large Ohio counties reported average weekly wage gains from the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Warren County had the largest gain (+8.0 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among Ohio’s other 13 large counties ranged from 6.5 percent to 2.4 percent.

  

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Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among the largest counties in Ohio, first quarter 2024

County	Percent change, first quarter 2024
Warren	8.0
Butler	6.5
Cuyahoga	5.4
Greene	5.1
Summit	5.1
Mahoning	4.7
Lake	4.4
Hamilton	3.9
Franklin	3.6
Lorain	3.5
Lucas	3.2
Stark	3.2
Delaware	2.8
Montgomery	2.4

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.2 percent over the year. Among the 369 largest counties in the United States, 357 had over-the-year wage increases. Santa Clara, CA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+14.6 percent). Saginaw, MI, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-3.4 percent).

Average weekly wages in Hamilton County and Cuyahoga County were above the national average of $1,527 in the first quarter of 2024. Average weekly wages in 3 of the 14 large counties ranked among the top 100 nationwide: Hamilton ($1,572, 74^th), Cuyahoga ($1,528, 85^th), and Delaware ($1,517, 87^th).

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the first quarter of 2024. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($4,385). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 284 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($807).

All 74 smaller counties in Ohio—those with employment below 75,000— reported an average weekly wage below the national average. Hocking County ($740) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 88 counties in Ohio were considered, 6 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 16 registered wages from $850 to $949, 30 had wages from $950 to $1,049, 17 had wages from $1,050 to $1,149, and 19 had average weekly wages of $1,150 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 second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, December 5, 2024.