Employment fell 0.4 percent in Vermont’s only large county, Chittenden, from December 2023 to December 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Acting Regional Commissioner Mark J. Maggi noted that the rate of employment change in Chittenden ranked 313^th among the 363 largest U.S. counties with published data. (See table 1.)

Employment in Chittenden stood at 103,600 in December 2024, accounting for 33.3 percent of total employment in Vermont. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties comprise 73.3 percent of total covered employment in the United States. (Large counties and county equivalents are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.)

The average weekly wage in Chittenden increased 4.0 percent over the year to $1,494. The national average was $1,507, up 5.0 percent over the year. Chittenden’s weekly wage ranked 94^th nationally, and the percent change ranked 203^rd among the largest U.S. counties.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 13 small counties in Vermont, defined as having employment below 75,000 in 2023. (See table 2.) Wage levels for all 13 smaller counties were below the national average. Washington reported the highest average weekly wage ($1,375). Essex reported the lowest average weekly wage ($950) in the state.

Among all 14 Vermont counties, 3 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,125, 5 registered wages from $1,125 to $1,199, 2 had wages from $1,200 to $1,274, and 4 had average weekly wages of $1,275 or higher. (See map 1 and table 2.)