Employment rose in 12 of the 14 largest counties in North Carolina 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 Cabarrus County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 3.7 percent, followed by Iredell County (+3.5 percent) and Wake County (+3.0 percent). (See chart1 and table 1.)

  

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Chart 1. Over-the-year percent change in covered employment among the largest counties in North Carolina, September 2023

County	Percent change, September 2023
Cabarrus	3.7
Iredell	3.5
Wake	3.0
Durham	2.3
Mecklenburg	2.3
Orange	2.3
New Hanover	2.0
Buncombe	1.4
Cumberland	1.3
Pitt	1.3
Gaston	1.2
Guilford	0.2
Forsyth	-0.2
Catawba	-0.3
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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 14 largest counties in North Carolina, employment was highest in Mecklenburg County (780,800) in September 2023. Within Mecklenburg County’s private industry, finance and insurance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 14 largest North Carolina counties accounted for 62.3 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 86 counties in North Carolina with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 86 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Ten of North Carolina’s largest counties reported average weekly wage gains from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Durham County had the largest gain (+3.8 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among North Carolina’s other nine large counties ranged from 1.3 percent to 0.2 percent.

  

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

County	Percent change, third quarter 2023
Durham	3.8
Cabarrus	1.3
Pitt	1.2
New Hanover	1.1
Forsyth	0.8
Gaston	0.7
Mecklenburg	0.7
Wake	0.7
Buncombe	0.5
Orange	0.2
Guilford	-0.7
Catawba	-1.4
Iredell	-3.0
Cumberland*
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 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).

Weekly wages in 4 of the 14 largest counties in North Carolina were above the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in two of these counties ranked among the top 50 nationwide: Durham ($1,741, 14^th) and Mecklenburg ($1,515, 38^th).

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 86 smaller counties in North Carolina—those with employment below 75,000—Union ($1,103) reported the highest average weekly wage. Pamlico County ($663) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 100 counties in North Carolina were considered, 29 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 42 registered wages from $850 to $949, 18 had wages from $950 to $1,049, and 11 had average weekly wages of $1,050 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).