Employment increased in all 26 of Florida’s largest counties from September 2022 to September 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2022.) Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that St. Johns County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 5.0 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

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Chart 1. Over-the-year percent change in covered employment among selected large counties in Florida, September 2023

County	Percent change, September 2023
St. Johns	5.0
Lake	4.5
Manatee	3.9
Pasco	3.5
Collier	3.2
Orange	3.0
Osceola	2.8
St. Lucie	2.8
Brevard	2.7
Hillsborough	2.7
Polk	1.8
Volusia	1.6
Bay	1.5
Lee	1.5
Duval	0.9
Leon	0.9
Okaloosa	0.6
Alachua	0.3
Pinellas	0.2
Seminole	0.2

National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 309 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hall, GA, had the largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment (+5.4 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-7.3 percent).

Among the 26 largest counties in Florida, employment was highest in Miami-Dade County (1,233,200) in September 2023. Within Miami-Dade County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 26 largest Florida counties accounted for 87.3 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 72.9 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 41 counties in Florida with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 41 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Fifteen of Florida’s 26 largest counties reported average weekly wage losses from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Sarasota County reported the largest loss (-3.1 percent), followed by Escambia County (-3.0 percent). Among Florida’s 11 other largest counties, 9 reported wage gains ranging from 1.7 percent to 0.1 percent.

  

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Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among selected large counties in Florida, third quarter 2023

County	Percent change, third quarter 2023
Sarasota	-3.1
Escambia	-3.0
St. Johns	-2.7
St. Lucie	-2.1
Miami-Dade	-1.2
Okaloosa	-1.2
Seminole	-1.2
Leon	-1.1
Collier	-0.9
Broward	-0.7
Palm Beach	0.0
Pinellas	0.1
Marion	0.2
Brevard	0.6
Orange	0.6
Duval	0.7
Lee	0.8
Lake	1.2
Volusia	1.2
Alachua	1.7

Nationwide, wages increased by 0.1 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 169 had over-the-year wage increases. Clayton, GA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+7.7 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-6.0 percent).

Among Florida’s 26 largest counties, only Miami-Dade County ($1,339) reported an average weekly wage above the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in Florida’s other 25 large counties ranged from $1,330 in Palm Beach to $937 in Osceola.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 92 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the third quarter of 2023. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,288). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 268 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($793).

Among the 41 smaller counties in Florida—those with employment below 75,000—Monroe ($1,059) reported the highest average weekly wage. Calhoun County ($744) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 67 counties in Florida were considered, 12 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 20 had average weekly wages from $850 to $949, 16 registered wages from $950 to $1,049, 7 had wages from $1,050 to $1,149, and 12 had average weekly wages of $1,150 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 fourth quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The County Employment and Wages full data update for the fourth quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).