Employment rose in 10 of the 14 largest counties in North Carolina 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 Orange County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 2.6 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

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

County	Percent change, June 2024
Orange	2.6
Iredell	1.6
Pitt	1.5
New Hanover	1.3
Mecklenburg	1.2
Cabarrus	1.0
Wake	0.8
Buncombe	0.7
Durham	0.6
Guilford	0.2
Gaston	-0.1
Cumberland	-0.6
Forsyth	-1.0
Catawba	-1.1

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 14 largest counties in North Carolina, employment was highest in Mecklenburg County (790,000) in June 2024. Within Mecklenburg County’s private industry, finance and insurance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 14 largest North Carolina counties accounted for 62.1 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 86 counties in North Carolina with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 86 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Among the 13 largest counties in North Carolina with published data, 12 reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Cabarrus County had the largest gain (+9.4 percent). Iredell County reported the only loss (-2.0 percent).

  

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

County	Percent change, second quarter 2024
Cabarrus	9.4
Pitt	6.3
Mecklenburg	5.4
Gaston	5.1
New Hanover	5.1
Cumberland	4.8
Wake	4.0
Guilford	3.9
Buncombe	3.8
Orange	3.8
Forsyth	3.7
Catawba	1.3
Iredell	-2.0
Durham*
Note: An asterisk indicates data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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).

Weekly wages in 4 of the 14 largest counties in North Carolina were above the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. Average weekly wages in two of these counties ranked among the top 50 nationwide: Durham ($1,805, 15^th) and Mecklenburg ($1,561, 42^nd).

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 86 smaller counties in North Carolina—those with employment below 75,000—Union ($1,141) reported the highest average weekly wage. Pamlico County ($701) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 100 counties in North Carolina were considered, 44 reported average weekly wages of less than $900, 28 registered wages from $900 to $999, 17 had wages from $1,000 to $1,099, and 11 had average weekly wages of $1,100 or higher. (See map 1.)