Employment rose in both of Idaho’s large counties from March 2023 to March 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that Canyon County had an over-the-year employment increase of 3.4 percent, while Ada County reported an increase of 1.7 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 Idaho, March 2024

County	Percent change, March 2024
Canyon	3.4
Ada	1.7

National employment increased 1.3 percent over the year, with 300 of the 369 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Monterey, CA, and St. Johns, FL, had the largest over-the-year increases in employment, with gains of 4.8 percent each. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-4.9 percent).

Employment in Ada County was 282,900 in March 2024; Canyon County reported 86,200 employed. Within Ada County’s private industry, healthcare and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the two largest Idaho counties accounted for 44.2 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties made up 73.3 percent of total covered U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 42 counties in Idaho with employment below 75,000. Average weekly wages were below the national average of $1,527 in 41 of the 42 smaller counties in the first quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

From the first quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, the average weekly wage in Ada County increased 4.4 percent, above the national rate of 4.2 percent. The average weekly wage increase in Canyon County (3.3 percent) was below the national rate. (See chart 2.)

  

View Chart Data

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

County	Percent change, first quarter 2024
Ada	4.4
Canyon	3.3

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.2 percent over the year. Among the 369 largest counties in the United States, 357 had over-the-year wage increases. Santa Clara, CA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+14.6 percent). Saginaw, MI, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-3.4 percent).

Ada County’s $1,333 average wage (168^th) and Canyon County’s $974 average wage (359^th) ranked in the top half and bottom half of the 369 largest U.S. counties, respectively. Nationally, the average weekly wage was $1,527 in the first quarter of 2024.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the first quarter of 2024. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($4,385). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 284 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($807).

Among the 42 smaller counties in Idaho—those with employment below 75,000— only Butte County ($2,185) reported an average weekly wage above the national average of $1,527. Boise County ($622) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 44 counties in Idaho were considered, 12 reported average weekly wages of less than $849, 11 registered wages from $850 to $949, 13 had wages from $950 to $1,049, and 8 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 second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the second quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, December 5, 2024.