Employment rose in two of the three largest counties in Oklahoma 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.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that Oklahoma County had the largest over-the-year increases in employment at 1.4 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, June 2024
Oklahoma	1.4
Tulsa	0.3
Cleveland	-0.1

Among the three largest counties in Oklahoma, employment was highest in Oklahoma County (495,000) in June 2024. 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 covered 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 74 counties in Oklahoma with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 74 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

All three large Oklahoma counties reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Oklahoma County and Tulsa County both saw a 4.7 percent over-the-year wage gain, while Cleveland County reported a 3.5 percent increase.

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, second quarter 2023
Tulsa	4.5
Cleveland	3.7
Oklahoma	2.9

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 all three largest counties in Oklahoma were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. Oklahoma County ($1,222, 181^st) and Tulsa County ($1,177, 221^st) ranked in the middle third of all large counties nationwide. The average weekly wage for Cleveland County ($973) ranked in the lower third at 349^th.

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).

All 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, $1,253. McIntosh County ($694) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 77 counties in Oklahoma were considered, 15 reported average weekly wages of $849 or less, 25 registered wages from $850 to $949, 24 had wages from $950 to $1,049, and 13 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 third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.