Employment rose in both large counties in Mississippi from December 2022 to December 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 Harrison County and Hinds County had over-the-year increases in employment at 1.0 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively. (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 Mississippi, December 2023

County	Percent change, December 2023
Harrison	1.0
Hinds	0.2

National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 318 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hays, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+5.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-6.9 percent).

Among the two large counties in Mississippi, employment was highest in Hinds County (108,700) in December 2023. Within Hinds County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the two largest Mississippi counties accounted for 16.9 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 73.0 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 80 counties in Mississippi with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 80 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Both large Mississippi counties reported average weekly wage gains from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Hinds County (+4.0 percent) had a rate of wage gain that was above the nation rate of 3.6 percent.  

  

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Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among the largest counties in Mississippi, fourth quarter 2023

County	Percent change, fourth quarter 2023
Hinds	4.0
Harrison	2.4

Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Snohomish, WA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+18.6 percent). Merrimack, NH, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-7.2 percent).

Average weekly wages in Hinds County ($1,141) and Harrison County ($909) were below the U.S. average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the fourth quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,699). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($842).

Among the 80 smaller counties in Mississippi—those with employment below 75,000—Hancock ($1,176) reported the highest average weekly wage in the state. Quitman County ($703) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 82 counties in Mississippi were considered, 11 reported average weekly wages of less than $800, 22 reported wages from $800 to $849, 18 had wages from $850 to $899, 11 had wages from $900 to $949, and 20 had average weekly wages of $950 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 first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The County Employment and Wages full data update for the first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).