Employment rose in 2 of the 3 largest counties in New Hampshire 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.) Regional Commissioner William J. Sibley noted that Rockingham County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, 1.5 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

View Chart Data

Chart 1. Over-the-year percent change in covered employment among the largest counties in New Hampshire, June 2024

County	Percent change, June 2024
Rockingham	1.5
Merrimack	0.2
Hillsborough	-0.4

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 three largest counties in New Hampshire, employment was highest in Hillsborough County (203,500) in June 2024. Within Hillsborough County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the three largest New Hampshire counties accounted for 63.3 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 seven counties in New Hampshire with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 6 of the 7 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

All three large New Hampshire counties reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Merrimack had the largest gain (+6.0 percent), followed by Rockingham (+3.8 percent) and Hillsborough (+3.4 percent).

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, second quarter 2024
Merrimack	6.0
Rockingham	3.8
Hillsborough	3.4

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.4 percent over the year. Among the 351 largest counties in the United States with published wage change 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).

Weekly wages in Hillsborough County ($1,475) were above the national average in the second quarter of 2024, ranking 57^th among the nation’s large counties. Average weekly wages in the two other large counties ranked in the top half nationwide: Rockingham ($1,338, 106^th) and Merrimack ($1,315, 124^th).

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).

Among the seven smaller counties in New Hampshire—those with employment below 75,000—Grafton ($1,396) reported an average weekly wage above the national average. Carroll County ($979) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 10 counties in New Hampshire were considered, 2 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,050, 4 registered wages from $1,050 to $1,199, 2 had wages from $1,200 to $1,349, and 2 had average weekly wages of $1,350 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 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.