Employment rose in 4 of the 7 largest counties in Wisconsin from September 2023 to September 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are the 369 U.S. counties or county equivalents with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Acting Regional Commissioner Julie Wilson noted that Brown County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 1.5 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 Wisconsin, September 2024

County	Percent change, September 2024
Brown	1.5
Dane	0.5
Waukesha	0.5
Outagamie	0.3
Milwaukee	-0.2
Racine	-0.4
Winnebago	-0.5

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 264 of the 369 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.9 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-2.7 percent).

Among the seven largest counties in Wisconsin, employment was highest in Milwaukee (470,300) in September 2024. Within Milwaukee County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the seven largest Wisconsin counties accounted for 51.2 percent of total covered employment within the state. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties comprised 73.1 percent of total covered employment in the United States.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 65 counties in Wisconsin with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 65 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,394 in the third quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

All seven large Wisconsin counties reported average weekly wage gains from the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Outagamie County had the largest gain (+5.1 percent), followed by Winnebago County (+4.9 percent) and Waukesha County (+4.5 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among Wisconsin’s other four large counties ranged from 3.9 percent to 3.2 percent.

  

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

County	Percent change, third quarter 2024
Outagamie	5.1
Winnebago	4.9
Waukesha	4.5
Dane	3.9
Racine	3.7
Milwaukee	3.5
Brown	3.2

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.5 percent over the year. Among the 365 largest counties in the United States with published data, 363 had over-the-year wage increases. Benton, AR, had the largest percentage wage increase (+15.5 percent). Weld, CO, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-1.3 percent).

Weekly wages in the seven largest counties in Wisconsin were below the national average of $1,394 in the third quarter of 2024. Average weekly wages in three of these counties ranked among the top half nationwide: Dane ($1,382, 100^th), Waukesha ($1,272, 170^th), and Milwaukee ($1,258, 179^th).

Among the 369 largest U.S. counties, 94 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the third quarter of 2024. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,557). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($819).

Among the 65 smaller counties in Wisconsin—those with employment below 75,000—Sheboygan ($1,178) reported the highest average weekly wage, while Florence County ($686) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 72 counties in Wisconsin were considered, 19 reported average weekly wages of less than $900, 26 registered wages from $900 to $999, 16 had wages from $1,000 to $1,099, and 11 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 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the fourth quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.