Employment fell 0.7 percent in Vermont’s only large county, Chittenden, from March 2024 to March 2025, 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 314^th among the 364 largest U.S. counties with published data. (See table 1.)

Employment in Chittenden stood at 101,800 in March 2025, accounting for 33.2 percent of total employment in Vermont. Nationwide, the 372 largest counties comprise 73.4 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 2024.)

The average weekly wage in Chittenden increased 4.1 percent over the year to $1,462. The national average was $1,589, also up 4.1 percent over the year. Chittenden’s weekly wage ranked 126^th nationally, and the percent change ranked 107^th 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 2024. (See table 2.) Wage levels for all 13 smaller counties were below the national average. Washington reported the highest average weekly wage ($1,336). Essex reported the lowest average weekly wage ($959) in the state.

Among all 14 Vermont counties, 3 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,075, 4 registered wages from $1,075 to $1,149, 2 had wages from $1,150 to $1,224, and 5 had average weekly wages of $1,225 or higher. (See map 1 and table 2.)