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News Release Information

24-2525-KAN
Thursday, December 12, 2024

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (816) 285-7000

County Employment and Wages in Kansas – Second Quarter 2024

Employment rose in three of the four largest counties in Kansas from June 2023 to June 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.)  Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that Wyandotte County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 2.5 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

 

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 259 of the 355 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.0 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-3.0 percent).

Among the four largest counties in Kansas, employment was highest in Johnson County (373,100) in June 2024. Within Johnson County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the four largest Kansas counties accounted for 58.0 percent of total 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 101 counties in Kansas with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 100 of the 101 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Large county wage changes

All four large Kansas counties reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Shawnee County had the largest gain (+5.0 percent), followed by Johnson County (+3.9 percent), Sedgwick County (+3.8 percent), and Wyandotte County (+1.9 percent).

 

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.4 percent over the year. Among the 351 largest counties in the United States with published data, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Hamilton, IN, had the largest percentage wage increase (+33.4 percent). Essex, MA, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-2.1 percent).

Large county average weekly wages

Weekly wages in all four of the largest counties in Kansas were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. The average weekly wage in Johnson County ($1,370, 95th) was ranked in the upper half of large counties nationwide. The remaining three counties—Wyandotte ($1,221, 182nd), Shawnee ($1,122, 274th), and Sedgwick ($1,117, 278th)—ranked among the lower half of large counties nationwide.

Among the 360 largest U.S. counties with published data, 87 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2024. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,632). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 273 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($820).

Average weekly wages in Kansas’ smaller counties

Among the 101 smaller counties in Kansas—those with employment below 75,000—only Coffey ($1,462) reported an average weekly wage above the national average. Jewell County ($676) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 105 counties in Kansas were considered, 21 reported average weekly wages of $799 or less, 37 registered wages from $800 to $899, 37 had wages from $900 to $999, and 10 had average weekly wages of $1,000 or higher. (See map 1.) The higher-paying counties were primarily located in and around the metropolitan areas of Kansas City, Topeka, and Wichita.

Map 1. Average weekly wages by county in Kansas, second quarter 2024

(U.S. average = $1,390)

Additional statistics and other information

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 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the four largest counties in Kansas, second quarter 2024
Area Establishments,
second quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
June 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
June
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)
Second quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level (3)
Percent change,
second quarter
2023–24 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)

United States (4)

12,238.2 155,710.2 0.8 -- 1,390 -- 4.4 --

Kansas

100.9 1,435.8 0.5 -- 1,124 43 4.0 31

Johnson

30.5 373.1 0.1 252 1,370 95 3.9 178

Sedgwick

14.6 265.6 1.2 98 1,117 278 3.8 196

Shawnee

5.1 98.8 0.0 260 1,122 274 5.0 75

Wyandotte

4.1 94.6 2.5 14 1,221 182 1.9 330

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Percent changes were computed from employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications.
(3) Ranking does not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(4) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and all counties in Kansas, second quarter 2024
Area Establishments Employment June 2024 Average weekly wage ($) (1)

United States (2)

12,238,175 155,710,239 1,390

Kansas

100,865 1,435,779 1,124

Allen

403 5,760 871

Anderson

266 2,490 898

Atchison

428 5,503 927

Barber

213 1,630 828

Barton

898 11,747 906

Bourbon

403 5,418 794

Brown

338 4,556 912

Butler

1,715 19,427 933

Chase

87 864 822

Chautauqua

107 795 695

Cherokee

419 5,713 1,029

Cheyenne

136 920 759

Clark

90 868 980

Clay

287 2,981 780

Cloud

313 3,308 777

Coffey

268 3,419 1,462

Comanche

94 660 796

Cowley

787 12,862 938

Crawford

1,088 17,720 839

Decatur

135 906 732

Dickinson

565 6,496 830

Doniphan

236 2,638 978

Douglas

3,773 50,529 1,044

Edwards

125 962 846

Elk

88 633 725

Ellis

1,129 15,592 882

Ellsworth

186 2,253 919

Finney

1,131 20,559 974

Ford

865 17,830 999

Franklin

717 10,122 926

Geary

756 12,519 966

Gove

163 1,159 817

Graham

112 877 822

Grant

231 2,514 960

Gray

313 3,213 990

Greeley

80 647 842

Greenwood

207 1,665 735

Hamilton

106 1,542 890

Harper

224 2,478 870

Harvey

845 13,910 915

Haskell

164 1,827 938

Hodgeman

76 626 819

Jackson

324 4,418 906

Jefferson

417 3,923 972

Jewell

112 748 676

Johnson

30,461 373,121 1,370

Kearny

147 1,572 869

Kingman

254 2,796 879

Kiowa

105 1,145 768

Labette

503 8,592 885

Lane

88 652 899

Leavenworth

1,786 22,007 1,123

Lincoln

111 932 947

Linn

263 2,185 975

Logan

139 1,252 830

Lyon

887 15,448 912

Mcpherson

987 16,564 1,100

Marion

357 3,613 769

Marshall

416 4,541 899

Meade

168 1,613 958

Miami

975 9,157 1,014

Mitchell

277 3,165 872

Montgomery

2,215 15,181 849

Morris

172 1,618 784

Morton

96 837 797

Nemaha

439 5,865 963

Neosho

496 6,523 886

Ness

145 1,088 958

Norton

201 2,354 876

Osage

373 3,121 739

Osborne

173 1,284 762

Ottawa

159 1,307 779

Pawnee

210 2,587 893

Phillips

237 2,157 853

Pottawatomie

755 10,063 972

Pratt

382 4,691 916

Rawlins

123 1,068 904

Reno

1,704 26,921 903

Republic

225 1,972 774

Rice

358 3,856 911

Riley

2,052 30,369 978

Rooks

203 1,778 851

Rush

116 1,084 848

Russell

316 2,531 815

Saline

1,608 30,192 941

Scott

250 2,127 955

Sedgwick

14,580 265,568 1,117

Seward

597 11,067 962

Shawnee

5,093 98,846 1,122

Sheridan

121 1,076 905

Sherman

283 2,469 818

Smith

164 1,412 777

Stafford

177 1,216 814

Stanton

93 938 954

Stevens

206 2,154 950

Sumner

638 6,500 834

Thomas

418 4,153 897

Trego

132 1,132 877

Wabaunsee

191 1,398 803

Wallace

98 603 804

Washington

297 2,096 727

Wichita

111 772 859

Wilson

243 3,192 901

Woodson

97 697 736

Wyandotte

4,104 94,588 1,221

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state, second quarter 2024
State Establishments,
second quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
June 2024
(thousands)
Percent change,
June
2023–24
Second quarter
2024 ($)
National ranking
by level
Percent change,
second quarter
2023–24
National ranking
by percent change

United States (2)

12,238.2 155,710.2 0.8 1,390 -- 4.4 --

Alabama

162.9 2,111.1 1.2 1,150 36 3.9 35

Alaska

25.4 345.9 0.8 1,345 15 4.5 17

Arizona

221.3 3,137.3 1.1 1,324 18 4.6 16

Arkansas

101.7 1,299.9 1.0 1,074 49 4.1 30

California

1,878.6 18,193.5 0.4 1,697 4 4.4 20

Colorado

268.9 2,909.4 -0.2 1,487 8 4.2 25

Connecticut

151.4 1,702.2 0.4 1,569 6 3.8 37

Delaware

43.8 481.0 0.9 1,322 19 5.4 6

District of Columbia

52.3 764.0 0.1 2,283 1 4.2 25

Florida

903.5 9,700.1 1.4 1,278 21 3.6 43

Georgia

392.2 4,867.7 1.2 1,297 20 4.2 25

Hawaii

59.6 640.9 0.8 1,273 22 5.8 3

Idaho

101.0 867.3 1.2 1,096 48 5.6 4

Illinois

410.2 6,115.5 0.0 1,401 12 3.4 44

Indiana

192.5 3,187.3 0.4 1,171 33 6.4 2

Iowa

111.3 1,588.0 0.2 1,118 45 3.3 45

Kansas

100.9 1,435.8 0.5 1,124 43 4.0 31

Kentucky

157.1 1,995.9 1.0 1,146 38 4.3 23

Louisiana

155.9 1,904.3 0.6 1,144 40 4.7 12

Maine

65.7 666.1 1.1 1,167 35 4.2 25

Maryland

210.5 2,778.5 1.5 1,454 9 3.8 37

Massachusetts

287.6 3,708.1 0.2 1,758 3 5.0 8

Michigan

345.1 4,480.5 0.4 1,266 23 3.9 35

Minnesota

212.2 2,985.5 0.5 1,359 14 3.3 45

Mississippi

89.8 1,163.8 0.1 960 51 4.0 31

Missouri

245.3 2,927.1 0.6 1,186 32 3.1 48

Montana

63.3 528.8 1.5 1,113 46 3.8 37

Nebraska

77.1 1,030.9 0.7 1,122 44 2.7 51

Nevada

108.6 1,548.9 1.6 1,243 28 4.5 17

New Hampshire

66.7 699.6 0.5 1,443 10 4.0 31

New Jersey

338.5 4,361.1 0.9 1,516 7 3.3 45

New Mexico

68.4 871.9 1.2 1,150 36 4.4 20

New York

712.7 9,762.4 1.3 1,687 5 4.0 31

North Carolina

379.6 4,902.0 0.9 1,256 25 4.8 9

North Dakota

36.5 437.4 1.5 1,221 30 3.1 48

Ohio

341.2 5,558.1 0.4 1,214 31 4.7 12

Oklahoma

129.3 1,684.7 0.8 1,101 47 4.7 12

Oregon

196.1 2,019.2 -0.1 1,338 16 4.8 9

Pennsylvania

393.6 6,067.5 0.8 1,325 17 3.8 37

Rhode Island

48.8 504.7 1.1 1,257 24 2.9 50

South Carolina

188.4 2,290.1 1.8 1,134 41 5.1 7

South Dakota

40.2 470.3 0.7 1,074 49 3.8 37

Tennessee

234.9 3,287.4 1.3 1,248 27 4.2 25

Texas

840.9 13,905.7 1.2 1,381 13 4.5 17

Utah

138.2 1,715.2 0.8 1,249 26 5.6 4

Vermont

32.8 310.8 0.0 1,227 29 4.3 23

Virginia

319.9 4,140.8 1.4 1,436 11 4.8 9

Washington

234.7 3,674.3 1.0 1,776 2 7.4 1

West Virginia

61.7 700.1 0.6 1,127 42 4.7 12

Wisconsin

208.5 2,990.8 0.4 1,168 34 3.7 42

Wyoming

31.0 290.9 0.5 1,145 39 4.4 20

Puerto Rico

54.5 944.0 1.3 651 (3) 4.7 (3)

Virgin Islands

3.9 36.4 -0.1 1,010 (3) 1.5 (3)

(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
(2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
(3) Data not included in the national ranking.

Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

 

Last Modified Date: Thursday, December 12, 2024