Employment rose in 25 of the largest counties in Texas 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.) Assistant Commissioner for Regional Operations Michael Hirniak noted that Montgomery County and Hays County had the largest over-the-year increases in employment at 4.3 percent and 4.2 percent, respectively. (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 Texas, September 2023

County	Percent change, September 2023
Montgomery	4.3
Hays	4.2
Midland	3.7
Fort Bend	3.3
Potter	3.3
Nueces	3.1
Williamson	3.1
Denton	2.9
Collin	2.8
Harris	2.7
Lubbock	2.3
Webb	2.3
Bexar	2.1
Travis	1.9
Smith	1.7
Tarrant	1.7
El Paso	1.6
Galveston	1.1
Dallas	0.5
Jefferson	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 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 Texas, employment was highest in Harris County (2,427,700) in September 2023. Within Harris County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 26 largest Texas counties accounted for 79.7 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 228 counties in Texas with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 210 of the 228 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Among Texas’ largest counties, 16 reported average weekly wage gains from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Ten counties had rates of wage gains that were above the national rate of 0.1 percent. Bell County had the largest gain (+4.3 percent) in the state. Over-the-year wage gains among Texas’ other large counties ranged from 2.6 percent to -1.9 percent.

  

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

County	Percent change, third quarter 2023
Bell	4.3
Williamson	2.6
McLennan	2.2
Midland	1.7
Lubbock	1.6
Nueces	1.5
Montgomery	1.2
Bexar	0.9
Fort Bend	0.9
Potter	0.8
Denton	0.1
Tarrant	-0.1
Dallas	-0.2
Webb	-0.2
Hays	-0.3
Brazos	-0.4
Smith	-0.6
Hidalgo	-1.0
Travis	-1.1
Collin	-1.9

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 6 of the 26 largest counties in Texas were above the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in five of these counties ranked among the top 50 nationwide: Midland ($1,706, 20^th), Travis ($1,691, 21^st), Dallas ($1,572, 30^th), Harris ($1,527, 35^th), and Collin ($1,526, 36^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 228 smaller counties in Texas—those with employment below 75,000—Loving had the highest average weekly wage at $2,178. Menard County ($641) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 254 counties in Texas were considered, 40 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 75 registered wages from $850 to $974, 67 had wages from $975 to $1,099, 35 had average weekly wages from $1,100 to $1,224, and 37 had weekly wages of $1,225 or higher. (See map 1.) The higher-paying counties were mainly located in and around the metropolitan areas of Austin, Dallas, and Houston, as well as the West Texas region.

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.
The County Employment and Wages full data update for the fourth quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.