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Thursday, December 21, 2023
Employment rose in all three of the largest counties in Oklahoma from June 2022 to June 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.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that Cleveland County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 5.4 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)
National employment increased 2.4 percent over the year, with 337 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Midland, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+7.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-7.7 percent).
Among the three largest counties in Oklahoma, employment was highest in Oklahoma County (486,200) in June 2023. Within Oklahoma County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the three largest Oklahoma counties accounted for 56.6 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 74 counties in Oklahoma with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 74 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,332 in the second quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)
Large county wage changesAll three large Oklahoma counties reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Two counties had rates of wage gains above the national rate of 3.2 percent: Tulsa (+4.5%) and Cleveland (+3.7%). Oklahoma County reported a 2.9% increase in wages.
Nationwide, wages increased by 3.2 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 332 had over-the-year wage increases. Clayton, GA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+17.2 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-13.2 percent).
Large county average weekly wagesAverage weekly wages in the three largest counties in Oklahoma were below the national average of $1,332 in the second quarter of 2023. Oklahoma County ($1,166, 195th) and Tulsa County ($1,126, 225th) ranked in the middle third among the 360 largest U.S. counties. The average weekly wage for Cleveland County ($946) ranked 347th.
Among the largest U.S. counties, 88 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,321). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 272 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($795).
Average weekly wages in Oklahoma's smaller countiesAll 74 smaller counties in Oklahoma—those with employment below 75,000— reported an average weekly wage below the national average. Dewey County reported the highest average weekly wage, $1,277. McIntosh County reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state at $697 per week.
When all 77 counties in Oklahoma were considered, 15 reported average weekly wages of $799 or less, 24 registered wages from $800 to $899, 25 had wages from $900 to $999, and 13 had average weekly wages of $1,000 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 third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
Area | Establishments, second quarter (thousands) |
Employment | Average weekly wage (1) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 2023 (thousands) |
Percent change, June 2022–23 (2) |
National ranking by percent change (3) |
Second quarter 2023 |
National ranking by level (3) |
Percent change, second quarter 2022–23 (2) |
National ranking by percent change (3) |
||
United States (4) |
11,964.6 | 154,308.5 | 2.4 | -- | $1,332 | -- | 3.2 | -- |
Oklahoma |
129.7 | 1,669.0 | 3.1 | -- | 1,052 | 47 | 3.6 | 25 |
Cleveland |
7.3 | 91.5 | 5.4 | 10 | 946 | 347 | 3.7 | 107 |
Oklahoma |
33.1 | 486.2 | 3.7 | 50 | 1,166 | 195 | 2.9 | 169 |
Tulsa |
26.4 | 366.2 | 3.1 | 82 | 1,126 | 225 | 4.5 | 66 |
(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data. |
||||||||
Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. |
Area | Establishments | Employment June 2023 | Average weekly wage (1) |
---|---|---|---|
United States (2) |
11,964,606 | 154,308,523 | $1,332 |
Oklahoma |
129,685 | 1,669,045 | 1,052 |
Adair |
342 | 4,452 | 785 |
Alfalfa |
153 | 1,268 | 977 |
Atoka |
333 | 3,213 | 751 |
Beaver |
174 | 1,384 | 935 |
Beckham |
802 | 9,778 | 895 |
Blaine |
295 | 2,864 | 918 |
Bryan |
1,239 | 20,698 | 945 |
Caddo |
645 | 7,023 | 919 |
Canadian |
3,985 | 37,312 | 935 |
Carter |
1,806 | 23,369 | 978 |
Cherokee |
932 | 17,453 | 879 |
Choctaw |
386 | 5,147 | 781 |
Cimarron |
101 | 670 | 737 |
Cleveland |
7,276 | 91,470 | 946 |
Coal |
130 | 1,152 | 805 |
Comanche |
2,678 | 41,039 | 944 |
Cotton |
121 | 1,681 | 836 |
Craig |
447 | 5,222 | 810 |
Creek |
1,782 | 20,883 | 1,021 |
Custer |
1,052 | 12,252 | 883 |
Delaware |
959 | 9,544 | 817 |
Dewey |
204 | 1,981 | 1,277 |
Ellis |
141 | 1,088 | 873 |
Garfield |
1,789 | 23,639 | 929 |
Garvin |
871 | 9,723 | 1,024 |
Grady |
1,293 | 13,137 | 900 |
Grant |
165 | 1,263 | 1,086 |
Greer |
108 | 921 | 752 |
Harmon |
79 | 643 | 774 |
Harper |
145 | 1,052 | 871 |
Haskell |
280 | 3,479 | 744 |
Hughes |
287 | 2,702 | 750 |
Jackson |
664 | 9,463 | 991 |
Jefferson |
153 | 948 | 750 |
Johnston |
268 | 3,038 | 893 |
Kay |
1,279 | 17,204 | 888 |
Kingfisher |
613 | 6,612 | 1,063 |
Kiowa |
241 | 1,967 | 790 |
Latimer |
220 | 3,372 | 976 |
LeFlore |
1,071 | 11,118 | 794 |
Lincoln |
772 | 7,293 | 984 |
Logan |
887 | 8,558 | 845 |
Love |
249 | 5,438 | 959 |
McClain |
1,308 | 12,215 | 900 |
McCurtain |
859 | 12,321 | 830 |
McIntosh |
420 | 4,222 | 697 |
Major |
262 | 2,102 | 858 |
Marshall |
358 | 4,933 | 971 |
Mayes |
1,026 | 13,061 | 1,032 |
Murray |
388 | 5,037 | 839 |
Muskogee |
1,601 | 27,440 | 956 |
Noble |
276 | 4,761 | 1,030 |
Nowata |
190 | 1,846 | 975 |
Okfuskee |
230 | 2,354 | 790 |
Oklahoma |
33,126 | 486,243 | 1,166 |
Okmulgee |
844 | 9,777 | 854 |
Osage |
571 | 7,416 | 914 |
Ottawa |
798 | 12,768 | 831 |
Pawnee |
356 | 3,412 | 852 |
Payne |
2,291 | 33,928 | 926 |
Pittsburg |
1,075 | 15,227 | 973 |
Pontotoc |
1,211 | 19,327 | 1,056 |
Pottawatomie |
1,494 | 22,373 | 864 |
Pushmataha |
287 | 2,417 | 791 |
Roger Mills |
110 | 812 | 872 |
Rogers |
2,230 | 30,325 | 1,043 |
Seminole |
532 | 7,355 | 858 |
Sequoyah |
758 | 9,391 | 710 |
Stephens |
1,220 | 15,105 | 987 |
Texas |
598 | 9,741 | 946 |
Tillman |
181 | 1,398 | 840 |
Tulsa |
26,410 | 366,218 | 1,126 |
Wagoner |
1,010 | 10,624 | 950 |
Washington |
1,461 | 19,261 | 1,077 |
Washita |
291 | 1,947 | 871 |
Woods |
309 | 3,145 | 878 |
Woodward |
859 | 8,386 | 1,034 |
(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data. |
|||
Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. |
State | Establishments, second quarter (thousands) |
Employment | Average weekly wage (1) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 2023 (thousands) |
Percent change, June 2022–23 |
Second quarter 2023 |
National ranking by level |
Percent change, second quarter 2022–23 |
National ranking by percent change |
||
United States (2) |
11,964.6 | 154,308.5 | 2.4 | $1,332 | -- | 3.2 | -- |
Alabama |
156.7 | 2,079.2 | 2.7 | 1,107 | 35 | 4.0 | 13 |
Alaska |
25.3 | 342.4 | 3.6 | 1,285 | 15 | 3.9 | 17 |
Arizona |
219.1 | 3,091.7 | 3.0 | 1,265 | 18 | 3.9 | 17 |
Arkansas |
103.2 | 1,284.8 | 2.6 | 1,033 | 50 | 3.8 | 19 |
California |
1,767.7 | 18,151.1 | 0.9 | 1,624 | 4 | 3.4 | 26 |
Colorado |
256.6 | 2,914.3 | 2.7 | 1,426 | 8 | 4.8 | 5 |
Connecticut |
148.0 | 1,692.0 | 1.8 | 1,511 | 6 | 3.8 | 19 |
Delaware |
41.6 | 476.2 | 3.0 | 1,248 | 19 | 2.3 | 44 |
District of Columbia |
51.3 | 762.6 | 2.2 | 2,193 | 1 | 3.7 | 23 |
Florida |
891.8 | 9,547.7 | 3.7 | 1,234 | 21 | 4.3 | 8 |
Georgia |
384.5 | 4,802.8 | 2.2 | 1,247 | 20 | 2.6 | 39 |
Hawaii |
56.5 | 636.0 | 3.2 | 1,198 | 24 | 4.0 | 13 |
Idaho |
94.3 | 855.8 | 3.1 | 1,038 | 48 | 3.3 | 30 |
Illinois |
410.8 | 6,101.2 | 1.9 | 1,357 | 12 | 2.6 | 39 |
Indiana |
191.1 | 3,164.7 | 1.5 | 1,102 | 37 | 2.0 | 47 |
Iowa |
110.5 | 1,581.8 | 1.1 | 1,082 | 42 | 2.6 | 39 |
Kansas |
98.7 | 1,428.6 | 3.2 | 1,081 | 43 | 4.0 | 13 |
Kentucky |
150.1 | 1,974.5 | 2.8 | 1,100 | 38 | 3.0 | 35 |
Louisiana |
153.8 | 1,887.3 | 1.7 | 1,093 | 40 | 2.7 | 38 |
Maine |
65.0 | 654.1 | 2.1 | 1,123 | 34 | 3.3 | 30 |
Maryland |
187.1 | 2,716.4 | 2.1 | 1,402 | 9 | 2.2 | 45 |
Massachusetts |
296.4 | 3,703.4 | 1.2 | 1,670 | 2 | 2.0 | 47 |
Michigan |
318.4 | 4,463.0 | 2.5 | 1,220 | 23 | 3.4 | 26 |
Minnesota |
205.7 | 2,964.0 | 2.3 | 1,315 | 14 | 2.2 | 45 |
Mississippi |
87.7 | 1,158.0 | 1.4 | 924 | 51 | 4.3 | 8 |
Missouri |
246.7 | 2,908.7 | 2.0 | 1,150 | 32 | 4.0 | 13 |
Montana |
65.5 | 521.0 | 3.0 | 1,072 | 46 | 4.4 | 7 |
Nebraska |
76.8 | 1,022.1 | 3.0 | 1,092 | 41 | 3.4 | 26 |
Nevada |
106.7 | 1,522.8 | 3.2 | 1,189 | 27 | 2.9 | 36 |
New Hampshire |
65.3 | 694.8 | 2.3 | 1,387 | 10 | 3.2 | 32 |
New Jersey |
330.2 | 4,341.4 | 2.8 | 1,464 | 7 | 1.6 | 50 |
New Mexico |
66.7 | 859.1 | 3.8 | 1,107 | 35 | 6.5 | 1 |
New York |
699.6 | 9,623.8 | 2.4 | 1,621 | 5 | 2.5 | 42 |
North Carolina |
370.9 | 4,857.5 | 3.3 | 1,198 | 24 | 3.4 | 26 |
North Dakota |
35.4 | 430.4 | 2.9 | 1,184 | 28 | 4.9 | 3 |
Ohio |
341.8 | 5,521.9 | 1.7 | 1,160 | 31 | 3.1 | 34 |
Oklahoma |
129.7 | 1,669.0 | 3.1 | 1,052 | 47 | 3.6 | 25 |
Oregon |
200.8 | 2,010.7 | 2.2 | 1,281 | 16 | 2.4 | 43 |
Pennsylvania |
393.0 | 6,014.8 | 1.9 | 1,277 | 17 | 2.0 | 47 |
Rhode Island |
48.0 | 498.8 | 1.3 | 1,221 | 22 | -0.3 | 51 |
South Carolina |
175.9 | 2,248.6 | 2.8 | 1,079 | 44 | 3.7 | 23 |
South Dakota |
39.6 | 466.8 | 2.7 | 1,035 | 49 | 3.8 | 19 |
Tennessee |
215.9 | 3,254.2 | 3.0 | 1,195 | 26 | 3.8 | 19 |
Texas |
824.9 | 13,716.3 | 3.9 | 1,322 | 13 | 3.2 | 32 |
Utah |
135.7 | 1,699.4 | 2.8 | 1,183 | 29 | 4.2 | 11 |
Vermont |
31.8 | 310.3 | 2.3 | 1,175 | 30 | 4.1 | 12 |
Virginia |
357.1 | 4,082.3 | 2.8 | 1,371 | 11 | 4.3 | 8 |
Washington |
241.0 | 3,639.8 | 2.7 | 1,649 | 3 | 4.9 | 3 |
West Virginia |
58.8 | 695.7 | 2.9 | 1,075 | 45 | 6.1 | 2 |
Wisconsin |
204.4 | 2,975.8 | 1.9 | 1,126 | 33 | 2.9 | 36 |
Wyoming |
30.5 | 288.6 | 2.7 | 1,096 | 39 | 4.6 | 6 |
Puerto Rico |
52.6 | 929.7 | 1.6 | 622 | (3) | 4.2 | (3) |
Virgin Islands |
3.8 | 36.3 | 4.7 | 992 | (3) | 1.1 | (3) |
(1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data. |
|||||||
Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. |
Last Modified Date: Thursday, December 21, 2023