Employment rose in 19 of the 27 largest counties in California with published data from December 2022 to December 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 Chris Rosenlund noted that Solano County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 2.9 percent. (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 California, December 2023

County	Percent change, December 2023
Solano	2.9
Riverside	1.8
San Luis Obispo	1.7
Sacramento	1.3
San Joaquin	1.2
Santa Cruz	1.2
Marin	1.0
Fresno	0.8
Placer	0.8
Santa Barbara	0.8
Merced	0.1
Yolo	0.1
Monterey	-0.3
Los Angeles	-0.5
Napa	-0.5
Sonoma	-0.5
Butte	-0.7
Santa Clara	-0.7
San Mateo	-2.2
San Francisco	-3.3

National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 318 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hays, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+5.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-6.9 percent).

Among the 29 largest counties in California, employment was highest in Los Angeles County (4,537,900) in December 2023. Within Los Angeles County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 29 largest California counties accounted for 93.5 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 73.0 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 29 counties in California with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 29 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. (See table 2).

All 29 large California counties reported average weekly wage gains from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) San Mateo County had the largest gain (+17.2 percent), followed by Santa Clara County (+11.3 percent), San Francisco County (+7.6 percent), and San Luis Obispo County (+6.9 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among California’s other 25 large counties ranged from 5.0 percent to 0.7 percent.

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

County	Percent change, fourth quarter 2023
San Mateo	17.2
Santa Clara	11.3
San Francisco	7.6
San Luis Obispo	6.9
Monterey	5.0
Kern	4.4
Tulare	4.3
Riverside	4.2
Sacramento	4.2
Orange	4.1
Yolo	3.4
Contra Costa	3.0
Ventura	2.8
San Joaquin	2.6
San Diego	2.5
Los Angeles	2.4
Napa	2.2
Marin	1.6
Sonoma	1.1
Alameda	0.7

Nationwide, wages increased by 3.6 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Snohomish, WA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+18.6 percent). Merrimack, NH, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-7.2 percent).

Weekly wages in 10 of the 29 largest counties in California were above the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. Santa Clara County ($3,699), San Mateo County ($3,469), and San Francisco County ($3,202) led the nation, while the other 7 placed in the top 70 nationwide.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the fourth quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,699). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($842).

Among the 29 smaller counties in California—those with employment below 75,000—El Dorado County ($1,307) reported the highest average weekly wage. Alpine County ($934) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 58 counties in California were considered, 19 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,100, 15 registered wages from $1,100 to $1,199, 6 had wages from $1,200 to $1,299, 5 noted wages from $1,300 to $1,399, and 13 had average weekly wages of $1,400 or higher. (See map 1.) The higher-paying counties were located in and around the Bay Area, as well as Sacramento and Los Angeles. The lower-paying counties were concentrated in the northern and central portions of the state.

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 first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.