Employment rose in 23 of the 27 largest counties in Florida 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 Victoria G. Lee noted that St. Johns County and Collier County had the largest over-the-year increases in employment at 3.5 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. (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 27 largest counties in Florida, employment was highest in Miami-Dade County (1,236,400) in June 2024. Within Miami-Dade County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 27 largest Florida counties accounted for 87.7 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 40 counties in Florida with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 40 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Among Florida’s 27 largest counties, 26 reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Lake County had the largest gain (+6.2 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among Florida’s other 25 large counties ranged from 5.8 percent to 0.7 percent. Palm Beach County reported the only loss (-1.1 percent).

  

View Chart Data

Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among selected large counties in Florida, second quarter 2024

County	Percent change, second quarter 2024
Lake	6.2
Leon	5.8
Pasco	5.7
Collier	5.6
Manatee	5.6
Marion	5.5
Sarasota	5.3
Duval	5.1
Polk	4.8
Alachua	4.7
Orange	4.0
Volusia	3.8
Bay	3.6
Okaloosa	3.3
Osceola	3.3
Miami-Dade	3.2
St. Lucie	3.0
Lee	2.7
Broward	0.7
Palm Beach	-1.1

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).

Among Florida’s 27 largest counties, only Miami-Dade ($1,400) and Palm Beach ($1,399) reported average weekly wages above the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. Average weekly wages in Florida’s other 25 large counties ranged from $1,378 in Hillsborough to $984 in Osceola.

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 40 smaller counties in Florida—those with employment below 75,000—Glades ($1,163) reported the highest average weekly wage in the state. Calhoun County ($821) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 67 counties in Florida were considered, 11 reported average weekly wages of less than $900, 18 had average weekly wages from $900 to $999, 17 registered wages from $1,000 to $1,099, 9 had wages from $1,100 to $1,199, and 12 had average weekly wages of $1,200 or higher. (See map 1.)