Employment rose in one of Arizona’s two large counties 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.) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that Maricopa County had an over-the-year increase in employment of 1.0 percent, while Pima County registered a 1.0-percent decline. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, June 2024
Maricopa	1.0
Pima	-1.0

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 259 of the 355 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.0 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-3.0 percent).

Among Arizona’s two largest counties, employment was higher in Maricopa County (2,222,300) in June 2024. Within Maricopa County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, Maricopa and Pima counties accounted for 82.8 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 13 counties in Arizona with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in 12 of the 13 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

Average weekly wages increased 4.6 percent in both of Arizona’s largest counties from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.)

  

View Chart Data

Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among the largest counties in Arizona, second quarter 2024

County	Percent change, second quarter 2024
Maricopa	4.6
Pima	4.6

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).

Average weekly wages in Maricopa County ($1,381) and Pima County ($1,187) were below the national average of $1,390 and respectively, ranked 92^nd and 215^th in the second quarter of 2024.

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).

Among the 13 smaller counties in Arizona —those with employment below 75,000—Greenlee ($1,506) had an average weekly wage above the national average of $1,332. Mohave County ($955) had the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 15 counties in Arizona were considered, 5 had average weekly wages of $999 or lower, 5 had wages from $1,000 to $1,099, and 5 had wages of $1,100 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.