For release 10:00 a.m. (EDT), Wednesday, June 7, 2017 USDL-17-0769 

Technical Information: (202) 691-6567 • QCEWInfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/cew 

Media Contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

COUNTY EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES

Fourth Quarter 2016 

From December 2015 to December 2016, employment increased in 280 of the 344 largest U.S. 

counties, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Williamson, Tenn., had the largest

percentage increase with a gain of 5.1 percent over the year, above the national job growth rate of 1.2 

percent. Within Williamson, the largest employment increase occurred in professional and business 

services, which gained 1,995 jobs over the year (6.0 percent). Lafayette, La., had the largest over-theyear percentage decrease in employment among the largest counties in the U.S., with a loss of 5.1 

percent. Within Lafayette, natural resources and mining had the largest decrease in employment, with a 

loss of 2,397 jobs (-19.8 percent). 

The U.S. average weekly wage decreased 1.5 percent over the year, declining to $1,067 in the fourth 

quarter of 2016. This is one of only eight declines in the history of the series, which dates back to 1978. 

The 1.5 percent decline in average weekly wages was the largest decline since fourth quarter 2011, when 

average weekly wages decreased by 1.7 percent. The most recent decline occurred in first quarter 2016, 

when the U.S. average weekly wage decreased 0.6 percent over the year. McLean, Ill., had the largest 

over-the-year percentage decrease in average weekly wages with a loss of 9.2 percent. Within McLean, 

an average weekly wage loss of $178 (-10.9 percent) in financial activities made the largest contribution 

to the county’s decrease in average weekly wages. Clayton, Ga., experienced the largest percentage 

increase in average weekly wages with a gain of 11.3 percent over the year. Within Clayton, trade, 

transportation, and utilities had the largest impact on the county’s average weekly wage growth with an 

increase of $265 (25.3 percent) over the year. 

Chart 1. Large counties ranked by percent increase in 

employment, December 2015-16 

(U.S. average = 1.2 percent)

Chart 2. Large counties ranked by percent decrease in 

average weekly wages, fourth quarter 2015-16 

(U.S. average = -1.5 percent)

3

4

5

6

Williamson,

Tenn.

York,

S.C.

Williamson,

Texas

Utah,

Utah

Northampton,

Pa.

Percent

-10

-8

-6

-4

McLean,

Ill.

Clay,

Mo.

Lafayette,

La.

Douglas,

Colo.

Passaic,

N.J.

Percent
- 2 -

County employment and wage data are from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) 

program, which provides the only detailed quarterly and annual universe count of establishments, 

employment, and wages at the county, metropolitan statistical area, state, and national levels by detailed 

industry. These data are published within 6 months following the end of each quarter. 

Large County Employment 

In December 2016, national employment was 143.7 million (as measured by the QCEW program). Over 

the year, employment increased 1.2 percent, or 1.8 million. In December 2016, the 344 U.S. counties 

with 75,000 or more jobs accounted for 72.8 percent of total U.S. employment and 78.1 percent of total 

wages. These 344 counties had a net job growth of 1.4 million over the year, accounting for 80.7 percent 

of the overall U.S. employment increase. (See chart 3.) The 5 counties with the largest increases in 

employment levels had a combined over-the-year employment gain of 215,600 jobs, which was 12.2 

percent of the overall job increase for the U.S. (See table A.) 

Employment declined in 58 of the largest counties from December 2015 to December 2016. Lafayette, 

La., had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-5.1 percent), followed by Gregg, 

Texas; Midland, Texas; Erie, Pa.; and Kanawha, W.Va. (See table 1.)

Table A. Large counties ranked by December 2016 employment, December 2015-16 employment increase, and 

December 2015-16 percent increase in employment 

Employment in large counties

December 2016 employment Increase in employment, Percent increase in employment, 

(thousands) December 2015-16 December 2015-16

(thousands)

United States 143,749.9 United States 1,773.6 United States 1.2

Los Angeles, Calif. 4,415.7 Los Angeles, Calif. 50.2 Williamson, Tenn. 5.1

Cook, Ill. 2,590.2 Dallas, Texas 45.7 York, S.C. 4.6

New York, N.Y. 2,471.6 Maricopa, Ariz. 45.2 Williamson, Texas 4.5

Harris, Texas 2,272.0 King, Wash. 42.7 Utah, Utah 4.5

Maricopa, Ariz. 1,926.9 Orange, Calif. 31.8 Northampton, Pa. 4.4

Dallas, Texas 1,688.4 Fulton, Ga. 30.4 Brevard, Fla. 4.2

Orange, Calif. 1,588.8 Santa Clara, Calif. 25.7 Seminole, Fla. 4.2

San Diego, Calif. 1,427.5 Clark, Nev. 23.7 Galveston, Texas 4.0

King, Wash. 1,340.4 San Diego, Calif. 21.8 Thurston, Wash. 4.0

Miami-Dade, Fla. 1,132.9 Orange, Fla. 21.5 Benton, Wash. 3.8

Large County Average Weekly Wages 

Average weekly wages for the nation declined to $1,067, a 1.5 percent decrease, during the year ending 

in the fourth quarter of 2016. Among the 344 largest counties, 290 had over-the-year decreases in 

average weekly wages. (See chart 4.) McLean, Ill., had the largest percentage wage decrease among the 

largest U.S. counties (-9.2 percent). (See table B.) 

Of the 344 largest counties, 48 experienced over-the-year increases in average weekly wages. Clayton, 

Ga., had the largest percentage increase in average weekly wages (11.3 percent), followed by 

Washington, Pa.; Marin, Calif.; Elkhart, Ind.; San Francisco, Calif.; and Champaign, Ill. (See table 1.)
- 3 -

Table B. Large counties ranked by fourth quarter 2016 average weekly wages, fourth quarter 2015-16

decrease in average weekly wages, and fourth quarter 2015-16 percent decrease in average weekly wages 

Average weekly wage in large counties

Average weekly wage, Decrease in average weekly Percent decrease in average 

fourth quarter 2016 wage, fourth quarter 2015-16 weekly wage, fourth

quarter 2015-16

United States $1,067 United States -$16 United States -1.5

Santa Clara, Calif. $2,365 McLean, Ill. -$93 McLean, Ill. -9.2

New York, N.Y. 2,212 Douglas, Colo. -88 Clay, Mo. -8.3

San Mateo, Calif. 2,098 Clay, Mo. -83 Lafayette, La. -8.0

San Francisco, Calif. 2,068 Morris, N.J. -80 Douglas, Colo. -6.8

Suffolk, Mass. 1,888 Lafayette, La. -79 Passaic, N.J. -6.0

Washington, D.C. 1,763 Washington, Ore. -75 Washington, Ore. -5.8

Arlington, Va. 1,677 Passaic, N.J. -67 Tarrant, Texas -5.7

Fairfield, Conn. 1,676 Fairfield, Conn. -66 Sedgwick, Kan. -5.5

Fairfax, Va. 1,610 Lake, Ill. -65 Harford, Md. -5.4

Somerset, N.J. 1,563 Harris, Texas -65 Fort Bend, Texas -5.2

Ten Largest U.S. Counties 

Among the 10 largest counties, 9 had over-the-year percentage increases in employment in December 

2016. King, Wash., had the largest gain (3.3 percent). Within King, trade, transportation, and utilities 

had the largest over-the-year employment level increase, with a gain of 11,720 jobs, or 4.7 percent.

Harris, Texas, had the only percentage decrease in employment among the 10 largest counties (-1.3 

percent). Within Harris, manufacturing had the largest over-the-year employment level decrease, with a 

loss of 14,974 jobs, or -8.3 percent. (See table 2.)

Average weekly wages decreased over the year in 9 of the 10 largest U.S. counties. Harris, Texas, 

experienced the largest percentage loss in average weekly wages (-4.7 percent). Within Harris, 

professional and business services had the largest impact on the county’s average weekly wage decline. 

Within professional and business services, average weekly wages decreased by $92, or -5.2 percent, 

over the year. King, Wash., had the only percentage gain in average weekly wages among the 10 largest 

counties (3.5 percent). Within King, trade, transportation, and utilities had the largest impact on the 

county’s average weekly wage growth with an increase of $249 (20.2 percent) over the year. 
- 4 -

For More Information

The tables and charts included in this release contain data for the nation and for the 344 U.S. counties 

with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2015. December 2016 employment and 

2016 fourth quarter average weekly wages for all states are provided in table 3 of this release.

The data are derived from reports submitted by employers who are subject to unemployment insurance 

(UI) laws. The 9.9 million employer reports cover 143.7 million full- and part-time workers. Data for the 

fourth quarter of 2016 will be available later at www.bls.gov/cew. Additional information about the 

quarterly employment and wages data is available in the Technical Note. More information about 

QCEW data may be obtained by calling (202) 691-6567. 

The most current news release on quarterly measures of gross job flows is available from QCEW 

Business Employment Dynamics at www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewbd.pdf. 

Several BLS regional offices issue QCEW news releases targeted to local data users. Links to these 

releases are available at www.bls.gov/cew/cewregional.htm. 

The County Employment and Wages release for first quarter 2017 is scheduled to be released on

Wednesday, September 6, 2017. 

Upcoming Industry Changes to QCEW Data

Beginning with the release of first quarter 2017 data, the program will switch to the 2017 version of 

the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as the basis for the assignment and 

tabulation of economic data by industry. For more information on the change, please see the Federal 

Register notice at www.census.gov/eos/www/naics/federal_register_notices/notices/fr08au16.pdf. 
Technical Note

These data are the product of a federal-state cooperative program, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) 

program, also known as the ES-202 program. The data are derived 

from summaries of employment and total pay of workers covered 

by state and federal unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and 

provided by State Workforce Agencies (SWAs). The summaries 

are a result of the administration of state unemployment insurance 

programs that require most employers to pay quarterly taxes based 

on the employment and wages of workers covered by UI. QCEW 

data in this release are based on the 2012 North American Industry 

Classification System (NAICS). Data for 2016 are preliminary and 

subject to revision. 

For purposes of this release, large counties are defined as having 

employment levels of 75,000 or greater. In addition, data for San 

Juan, Puerto Rico, are provided, but not used in calculating U.S. 

averages, rankings, or in the analysis in the text. Each year, these 

large counties are selected on the basis of the preliminary annual 

average of employment for the previous year. The 345 counties 

presented in this release were derived using 2015 preliminary annual averages of employment. For 2016 data, four counties have 

been added to the publication tables: Merced, Calif.; Napa, Calif.; 

Bay, Fla.; and Merrimack, N.H. These counties will be included in 

all 2016 quarterly releases. Two counties, Black Hawk, Iowa, and 

Ector, Texas, which were published in the 2015 releases, will be 

excluded from this and future 2016 releases because their 2015 annual average employment levels were less than 75,000. The counties in table 2 are selected and sorted each year based on the annual 

average employment from the preceding year.

Summary of Major Differences between QCEW, BED, and CES Employment Measures

QCEW BED CES

Source Count of UI administrative records 

submitted by 9.7 million establishments in first quarter of 2016

Count of longitudinally-linked UI administrative records submitted by 

7.7 million private-sector employers

Sample survey: 634,000 establishments

Coverage UI and UCFE coverage, including 

all employers subject to state and 

federal UI laws

UI coverage, excluding government, 

private households, and establishments with zero employment

Nonfarm wage and salary jobs:

UI coverage, excluding agriculture, private 

households, and self-employed workers

Other employment, including railroads, 

religious organizations, and other nonUI-covered jobs

Publication frequency

Quarterly

— Within 6 months after the end of 

each quarter

Quarterly

— 7 months after the end of each 

quarter

Monthly

— Usually first Friday of following 

month

Use of UI file Directly summarizes and publishes 

each new quarter of UI data

Links each new UI quarter to longitudinal database and directly summarizes gross job gains and lossesUses UI file as a sampling frame and to 

annually realign sample-based estimates 

to population counts (benchmarking)

Principal

products

Provides a quarterly and annual universe count of establishments, employment, and wages at the county, 

metropolitan statistical area (MSA), 

state, and national levels by detailed 

industry

Provides quarterly employer dynamics data on establishment openings, 

closings, expansions, and contractions 

at the national level by NAICS supersectors and by size of firm, and at the 

state private-sector total level 

Future expansions will include data 

with greater industry detail and data 

at the county and MSA level 

Provides current monthly estimates of 

employment, hours, and earnings at the 

MSA, state, and national level by industry

Principal uses Major uses include:

— Detailed locality data

— Periodic universe counts for 

benchmarking sample survey estimates

— Sample frame for BLS establishment surveys

Major uses include:

— Business cycle analysis

— Analysis of employer dynamics

underlying economic expansions 

and contractions

— Analysis of employment expansion and contraction by size of 

firm

Major uses include:

— Principal national economic indicator

— Official time series for employment 

change measures

— Input into other major economic indicators

Program Web 

sites

www.bls.gov/cew www.bls.gov/bdm www.bls.gov/ces
The preliminary QCEW data presented in this release may differ 

from data released by the individual states. These potential differences 

result from the states' continuing receipt of UI data over time and ongoing review and editing. The individual states determine their data 

release timetables.

Differences between QCEW, BED, and CES employment 

measures

The Bureau publishes three different establishment-based employment measures for any given quarter. Each of these measures—

QCEW, Business Employment Dynamics (BED), and Current Employment Statistics (CES)—makes use of the quarterly UI employment reports in producing data; however, each measure has a somewhat different universe coverage, estimation procedure, and publication product.

Differences in coverage and estimation methods can result in somewhat different measures of employment change over time. It is important to understand program differences and the intended uses of the 

program products. (See table.) Additional information on each program can be obtained from the program Web sites shown in the table.

Coverage

Employment and wage data for workers covered by state UI laws 

are compiled from quarterly contribution reports submitted to the 

SWAs by employers. For federal civilian workers covered by the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) program, 

employment and wage data are compiled from quarterly reports submitted by four major federal payroll processing centers on behalf of 

all federal agencies, with the exception of a few agencies which still 

report directly to the individual SWA. In addition to the quarterly contribution reports, employers who operate multiple establishments 

within a state complete a questionnaire, called the "Multiple Worksite 

Report," which provides detailed information on the location and industry of each of their establishments. QCEW employment and wage 

data are derived from microdata summaries of 9.5 million employer 

reports of employment and wages submitted by states to the BLS in 

2015. These reports are based on place of employment rather than 

place of residence.

UI and UCFE coverage is broad and has been basically comparable 

from state to state since 1978, when the 1976 amendments to the Federal Unemployment Tax Act became effective, expanding coverage to 

include most state and local government employees. In 2015, UI and 

UCFE programs covered workers in 139.5 million jobs. The estimated 

134.4 million workers in these jobs (after adjustment for multiple jobholders) represented 96.5 percent of civilian wage and salary employment. Covered workers received $7.385 trillion in pay, representing 

94.0 percent of the wage and salary component of personal income 

and 40.9 percent of the gross domestic product.

Major exclusions from UI coverage include self-employed workers, most agricultural workers on small farms, all members of the 

Armed Forces, elected officials in most states, most employees of railroads, some domestic workers, most student workers at schools, and 

employees of certain small nonprofit organizations.

State and federal UI laws change periodically. These changes may 

have an impact on the employment and wages reported by employers 

covered under the UI program. Coverage changes may affect the overthe-year comparisons presented in this news release.

Concepts and methodology

Monthly employment is based on the number of workers who 

worked during or received pay for the pay period including the 12th 

of the month. With few exceptions, all employees of covered firms are 

reported, including production and sales workers, corporation officials, executives, supervisory personnel, and clerical workers. Workers on paid vacations and part-time workers also are included.

Average weekly wage values are calculated by dividing quarterly 

total wages by the average of the three monthly employment levels 

(all employees, as described above) and dividing the result by 13, for 

the 13 weeks in the quarter. These calculations are made using unrounded employment and wage values. The average wage values that 

can be calculated using rounded data from the BLS database may differ from the averages reported. Included in the quarterly wage data are 

non-wage cash payments such as bonuses, the cash value of meals and 

lodging when supplied, tips and other gratuities, and, in some states, 

employer contributions to certain deferred compensation plans such 

as 401(k) plans and stock options. Over-the-year comparisons of average weekly wages may reflect fluctuations in average monthly employment and/or total quarterly wages between the current quarter and 

prior year levels.

Average weekly wages are affected by the ratio of full-time to parttime workers as well as the number of individuals in high-paying and 

low-paying occupations and the incidence of pay periods within a 

quarter. For instance, the average weekly wage of the workforce could 

increase significantly when there is a large decline in the number of 

employees that had been receiving below-average wages. Wages may 

include payments to workers not present in the employment counts 

because they did not work during the pay period including the 12th of 

the month. When comparing average weekly wage levels between industries, states, or quarters, these factors should be taken into consideration.

Wages measured by QCEW may be subject to periodic and sometimes large fluctuations. This variability may be due to calendar effects resulting from some quarters having more pay dates than others. 

The effect is most visible in counties with a dominant employer. In 

particular, this effect has been observed in counties where government 

employers represent a large fraction of overall employment. Similar 

calendar effects can result from private sector pay practices. However, 

these effects are typically less pronounced for two reasons: employment is less concentrated in a single private employer, and private employers use a variety of pay period types (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly). 

For example, the effect on over-the-year pay comparisons can be 

pronounced in federal government due to the uniform nature of federal 

payroll processing. Most federal employees are paid on a biweekly 

pay schedule. As a result, in some quarters federal wages include six 

pay dates, while in other quarters there are seven pay dates. Over-theyear comparisons of average weekly wages may also reflect this calendar effect. Growth in average weekly wages may be attributed, in 

part, to a comparison of quarterly wages for the current year, which 

include seven pay dates, with year-ago wages that reflect only six pay 

dates. An opposite effect will occur when wages in the current quarter 

reflecting six pay dates are compared with year-ago wages for a quarter including seven pay dates. 

In order to ensure the highest possible quality of data, states verify 

with employers and update, if necessary, the industry, location, and 

ownership classification of all establishments on a 3 year cycle. 
Changes in establishment classification codes resulting from this process are introduced with the data reported for the first quarter of the 

year. Changes resulting from improved employer reporting also are 

introduced in the first quarter.

QCEW data are not designed as a time series. QCEW data are 

simply the sums of individual establishment records and reflect the 

number of establishments that exist in a county or industry at a point 

in time. Establishments can move in or out of a county or industry for 

a number of reasons—some reflecting economic events, others reflecting administrative changes. For example, economic change 

would come from a firm relocating into the county; administrative 

change would come from a company correcting its county designation.

The over-the-year changes of employment and wages presented in 

this release have been adjusted to account for most of the administrative corrections made to the underlying establishment reports. This is 

done by modifying the prior-year levels used to calculate the over-theyear changes. Percent changes are calculated using an adjusted version of the final 2015 quarterly data as the base data. The adjusted 

prior-year levels used to calculate the over-the-year percent change in 

employment and wages are not published. These adjusted prior-year 

levels do not match the unadjusted data maintained on the BLS Web 

site. Over-the-year change calculations based on data from the Web 

site, or from data published in prior BLS news releases, may differ 

substantially from the over-the-year changes presented in this news 

release.

The adjusted data used to calculate the over-the-year change 

measures presented in this release account for most of the administrative changes—those occurring when employers update the industry, 

location, and ownership information of their establishments. The most 

common adjustments for administrative change are the result of updated information about the county location of individual establishments. Included in these adjustments are administrative changes involving the classification of establishments that were previously reported in the unknown or statewide county or unknown industry categories. Adjusted data account for improvements in reporting employment and wages for individual and multi-unit establishments. To accomplish this, adjustments were implemented to account for: administrative changes caused by multi-unit employers who start reporting 

for each individual establishment rather than as a single entity (first 

quarter of 2008); selected large administrative changes in employment 

and wages (second quarter of 2011); and state verified improvements 

in reporting of employment and wages (third quarter of 2014). These 

adjustments allow QCEW to include county employment and wage 

growth rates in this news release that would otherwise not meet publication standards.

The adjusted data used to calculate the over-the-year change 

measures presented in any County Employment and Wages news release are valid for comparisons between the starting and ending points 

(a 12-month period) used in that particular release. Comparisons may 

not be valid for any time period other than the one featured in a release 

even if the changes were calculated using adjusted data.

County definitions are assigned according to Federal Information 

Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) as issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, after approval by the 

Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Section 5131 of the Information 

Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 and the Computer Security Act of 1987, Public Law 104-106. Areas shown as counties include those designated as independent cities in some jurisdictions and, 

in Alaska, those designated as census areas where counties have not 

been created. County data also are presented for the New England 

states for comparative purposes even though townships are the more 

common designation used in New England (and New Jersey). The regions referred to in this release are defined as census regions.

Additional statistics and other information

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. The 2015 edition of this 

publication, which was published in September 2016, contains selected data produced by Business Employment Dynamics (BED) on 

job gains and losses, as well as selected data from the first quarter 

2016 version of this news release. Tables and additional content from

the 2015 edition of Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online 

are now available at www.bls.gov/cew/cewbultn15.htm. The 2016 

edition of Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online will be 

available in September 2017. 

News releases on quarterly measures of gross job flows also are 

available from BED at www.bls.gov/bdm, (202) 691-6467, or 

BDMInfo@bls.gov.

Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; TDD 

message referral phone number: (800) 877-8339.
Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 345 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016

Employment Average weekly wage 2

County1

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

United States4.............................. 9,869.9 143,749.9 1.2 - $1,067 -1.5 -

Jefferson, AL................................ 18.5 343.9 0.5 242 1,043 -0.7 95

Madison, AL................................. 9.5 195.2 1.8 114 1,098 -4.0 311

Mobile, AL.................................... 10.0 169.7 -0.4 308 938 -0.5 76

Montgomery, AL........................... 6.4 132.6 1.2 172 942 -0.6 84

Shelby, AL.................................... 5.8 84.4 -0.4 308 998 -2.2 223

Tuscaloosa, AL............................. 4.5 92.5 -0.3 302 873 -1.0 120

Anchorage, AK............................. 8.4 149.2 -2.1 338 1,082 -4.9 327

Maricopa, AZ................................ 96.5 1,926.9 2.4 76 994 -2.3 233

Pima, AZ....................................... 18.8 367.2 1.3 164 860 -3.4 288

Benton, AR................................... 6.2 117.5 3.1 32 1,017 -2.5 242

Pulaski, AR................................... 14.5 250.7 0.6 230 949 -2.6 252

Washington, AR........................... 5.9 104.7 1.8 114 950 -0.2 60

Alameda, CA................................ 61.4 760.6 2.0 105 1,377 -1.9 191

Butte, CA..................................... 8.2 81.3 1.8 114 790 -1.3 144

Contra Costa, CA......................... 31.7 364.3 2.0 105 1,289 0.2 39

Fresno, CA................................... 33.6 371.4 1.8 114 857 1.2 16

Kern, CA....................................... 18.1 310.3 0.8 211 868 -2.0 198

Los Angeles, CA........................... 472.0 4,415.7 1.1 184 1,256 -0.6 84

Marin, CA..................................... 12.5 115.3 1.2 172 1,378 4.3 3

Merced, CA................................. 6.4 75.9 3.2 28 807 1.3 15

Monterey, CA............................... 13.4 170.2 2.4 76 915 -0.2 60

Napa, CA..................................... 5.8 73.2 0.4 250 1,065 -0.2 60

Orange, CA.................................. 116.3 1,588.8 2.0 105 1,200 -0.6 84

Placer, CA.................................... 12.5 157.4 2.9 48 1,083 2.0 10

Riverside, CA............................... 60.1 707.1 3.1 32 835 -0.5 76

Sacramento, CA........................... 55.8 643.7 2.0 105 1,132 -0.4 70

San Bernardino, CA..................... 56.1 725.7 -0.1 287 890 0.5 33

San Diego, CA.............................. 107.8 1,427.5 1.6 139 1,170 -1.5 164

San Francisco, CA....................... 59.9 715.5 2.7 58 2,068 3.7 5

San Joaquin, CA.......................... 17.4 242.6 3.4 20 893 -0.3 67

San Luis Obispo, CA.................... 10.3 113.7 1.9 110 884 -2.5 242

San Mateo, CA............................. 27.6 398.8 1.7 130 2,098 -1.5 164

Santa Barbara, CA....................... 15.3 192.0 0.0 281 1,025 -1.2 138

Santa Clara, CA........................... 70.9 1,064.0 2.5 71 2,365 0.9 18

Santa Cruz, CA............................ 9.5 99.4 1.6 139 933 -2.0 198

Solano, CA................................... 11.0 138.2 1.9 110 1,074 -0.9 110

Sonoma, CA................................. 19.6 203.5 1.5 146 1,018 -2.5 242

Stanislaus, CA.............................. 14.9 182.3 1.5 146 884 0.0 49

Tulare, CA.................................... 10.0 160.0 3.1 32 772 0.9 18

Ventura, CA.................................. 26.4 322.2 -0.1 287 1,044 -1.6 168

Yolo, CA....................................... 6.6 98.2 0.9 205 1,106 -3.7 301

Adams, CO................................... 10.5 202.0 3.6 14 1,022 -1.3 144

Arapahoe, CO.............................. 21.6 324.6 1.6 139 1,227 -1.8 183

Boulder, CO.................................. 14.7 179.9 3.0 39 1,237 -2.4 237

Denver, CO.................................. 30.7 501.7 2.8 50 1,287 -0.4 70

Douglas, CO................................. 11.6 118.9 1.8 114 1,204 -6.8 341

El Paso, CO.................................. 18.5 268.0 2.7 58 943 -1.4 149

Jefferson, CO............................... 21.5 234.4 0.7 223 1,072 -0.9 110

Larimer, CO.................................. 11.6 154.0 2.5 71 980 -0.6 84

Weld, CO...................................... 6.8 100.4 0.2 264 900 -2.9 268

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 345 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 2

County1

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fairfield, CT................................. 35.2 426.8 -0.9 322 $1,676 -3.8 306

Hartford, CT.................................. 27.6 512.3 0.3 257 1,264 -3.2 282

New Haven, CT............................ 23.8 368.5 0.4 250 1,094 -2.8 266

New London, CT.......................... 7.4 123.3 0.8 211 1,023 -3.3 286

New Castle, DE............................ 19.5 291.3 -0.8 318 1,166 -2.6 252

Washington, DC........................... 39.5 760.9 0.5 242 1,763 0.1 40

Alachua, FL.................................. 7.1 130.3 3.0 39 864 -5.1 333

Bay, FL......................................... 5.5 76.1 0.3 257 783 -0.6 84

Brevard, FL................................... 15.5 206.1 4.2 6 941 -1.6 168

Broward, FL.................................. 68.7 802.5 1.8 114 1,000 -1.9 191

Collier, FL..................................... 13.7 150.2 3.6 14 915 -4.5 323

Duval, FL..................................... 29.0 499.0 2.6 65 1,001 -1.2 138

Escambia, FL............................... 8.2 131.7 2.8 50 830 -3.3 286

Hillsborough, FL........................... 41.5 686.9 2.3 89 1,010 -2.6 252

Lake, FL....................................... 8.0 96.0 3.2 28 721 -2.4 237

Lee, FL......................................... 21.7 259.8 2.5 71 844 0.4 37

Leon, FL....................................... 8.7 148.3 2.1 98 860 -2.6 252

Manatee, FL................................. 10.6 122.7 1.2 172 809 -0.9 110

Marion, FL.................................... 8.2 102.7 3.5 19 750 -0.1 55

Miami-Dade, FL............................ 97.5 1,132.9 1.3 164 1,029 -2.5 242

Okaloosa, FL................................ 6.3 81.4 1.9 110 869 -1.0 120

Orange, FL................................... 41.2 813.7 2.7 58 940 -0.5 76

Osceola, FL.................................. 6.7 90.1 2.1 98 724 -0.5 76

Palm Beach, FL............................ 55.5 602.8 2.4 76 1,055 -2.4 237

Pasco, FL..................................... 10.7 117.1 3.0 39 738 -1.5 164

Pinellas, FL................................... 32.6 428.2 2.4 76 965 -1.6 168

Polk, FL........................................ 13.0 215.0 2.1 98 799 -2.2 223

Sarasota, FL................................ 15.7 169.1 2.9 48 902 -1.0 120

Seminole, FL................................ 14.8 188.1 4.2 6 897 0.0 49

Volusia, FL................................... 14.1 170.9 3.7 11 761 0.1 40

Bibb, GA....................................... 4.6 83.0 1.4 156 816 -2.6 252

Chatham, GA................................ 8.8 150.4 1.7 130 886 -3.7 301

Clayton, GA.................................. 4.5 124.1 2.2 90 1,006 11.3 1

Cobb, GA...................................... 24.2 353.4 2.6 65 1,094 -1.9 191

DeKalb, GA................................. 20.0 298.7 1.2 172 1,067 0.5 33

Fulton, GA.................................... 47.9 845.7 3.7 11 1,387 -2.0 198

Gwinnett, GA................................ 27.4 350.2 2.6 65 1,022 -1.2 138

Hall, GA....................................... 4.7 84.4 2.4 76 929 0.1 40

Muscogee, GA.............................. 5.0 94.0 0.7 223 841 -3.7 301

Richmond, GA.............................. 4.8 105.5 0.6 230 869 -1.8 183

Honolulu, HI.................................. 25.7 478.7 0.3 257 994 -1.0 120

Ada, ID......................................... 15.1 230.0 3.6 14 937 -0.4 70

Champaign, IL.............................. 4.3 89.9 -0.8 318 946 3.7 5

Cook, IL........................................ 152.6 2,590.2 0.6 230 1,250 -1.6 168

DuPage, IL................................. 37.9 616.7 -0.1 287 1,209 -2.6 252

Kane, IL........................................ 13.7 209.9 0.2 264 963 -0.9 110

Lake, IL........................................ 22.3 332.4 -0.3 302 1,376 -4.5 323

McHenry, IL.................................. 8.7 96.7 0.1 268 891 -2.0 198

McLean, IL.................................... 3.8 83.8 -0.7 316 918 -9.2 344

Madison, IL................................... 6.0 100.5 1.7 130 838 -3.8 306

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 345 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 2

County1

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Peoria, IL...................................... 4.5 100.2 -2.1 338 $990 -2.3 233

St. Clair, IL.................................... 5.4 94.4 -0.1 287 830 -2.0 198

Sangamon, IL............................... 5.2 127.6 -1.3 327 1,024 -3.5 289

Will, IL.......................................... 16.1 236.8 3.1 32 938 -2.5 242

Winnebago, IL.............................. 6.6 128.0 -1.4 330 875 -2.5 242

Allen, IN........................................ 8.8 185.5 0.6 230 848 -2.3 233

Elkhart, IN..................................... 4.7 130.3 3.3 24 918 4.0 4

Hamilton, IN.................................. 9.2 138.0 2.0 105 1,018 0.1 40

Lake, IN........................................ 10.4 188.5 -0.1 287 910 0.1 40

Marion, IN..................................... 23.9 598.0 0.7 223 1,053 -0.8 104

St. Joseph, IN............................... 5.7 124.3 0.8 211 861 0.6 29

Tippecanoe, IN............................. 3.4 83.6 0.7 223 895 -1.1 127

Vanderburgh, IN........................... 4.8 108.1 0.6 230 873 -1.4 149

Johnson, IA.................................. 4.2 84.3 2.8 50 951 0.1 40

Linn, IA......................................... 6.7 129.9 -0.7 316 1,057 -1.1 127

Polk, IA........................................ 17.2 296.5 1.8 114 1,089 -0.7 95

Scott, IA........................................ 5.6 91.5 0.2 264 876 -3.1 275

Johnson, KS................................. 23.7 344.2 1.4 156 1,065 -2.9 268

Sedgwick, KS............................... 12.8 250.1 0.0 281 903 -5.5 337

Shawnee, KS................................ 5.2 98.5 1.2 172 843 -1.4 149

Wyandotte, KS............................. 3.6 91.9 2.2 90 1,035 -0.3 67

Boone, KY................................... 4.4 87.4 2.4 76 905 -2.0 198

Fayette, KY................................... 10.9 196.5 -0.3 302 968 3.5 7

Jefferson, KY................................ 25.4 469.7 1.9 110 1,026 -2.2 223

Caddo, LA.................................... 7.3 114.6 -1.2 324 859 -1.9 191

Calcasieu, LA............................... 5.2 94.7 1.0 194 922 -4.2 317

East Baton Rouge, LA.................. 15.4 269.1 -0.2 296 1,005 -1.0 120

Jefferson, LA................................ 13.8 194.8 -0.8 318 957 -2.2 223

Lafayette, LA................................ 9.4 129.8 -5.1 344 913 -8.0 342

Orleans, LA.................................. 12.4 194.5 -0.2 296 996 -2.1 213

St. Tammany, LA.......................... 8.1 88.8 -0.2 296 906 -2.2 223

Cumberland, ME.......................... 13.9 180.4 1.1 184 981 -2.3 233

Anne Arundel, MD........................ 15.1 271.8 1.4 156 1,159 0.9 18

Baltimore, MD............................... 21.3 380.8 0.0 281 1,085 -0.6 84

Frederick, MD............................... 6.4 101.0 0.3 257 971 -3.6 294

Harford, MD.................................. 5.8 93.6 -0.4 308 982 -5.4 336

Howard, MD................................. 10.0 169.1 0.7 223 1,298 -1.6 168

Montgomery, MD.......................... 32.9 471.7 0.8 211 1,422 -0.8 104

Prince George's, MD.................... 16.0 322.1 2.4 76 1,094 -1.1 127

Baltimore City, MD....................... 13.7 341.0 0.6 230 1,307 0.5 33

Barnstable, MA............................. 9.5 91.0 0.9 205 940 -1.8 183

Bristol, MA.................................... 17.5 228.3 1.6 139 941 -4.4 319

Essex, MA.................................... 24.8 324.4 0.4 250 1,124 -2.5 242

Hampden, MA.............................. 18.1 210.2 1.0 194 952 -4.1 315

Middlesex, MA.............................. 54.3 900.3 1.2 172 1,529 -2.0 198

Norfolk, MA................................... 25.2 354.2 1.1 184 1,307 -1.4 149

Plymouth, MA............................... 15.7 190.9 1.5 146 1,013 -2.1 213

Suffolk, MA................................... 28.9 669.9 2.1 98 1,888 -3.2 282

Worcester, MA.............................. 24.8 344.8 0.8 211 1,046 -3.6 294

Genesee, MI................................. 6.9 135.4 0.6 230 889 -3.6 294

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 345 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 2

County1

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Ingham, MI................................... 6.0 151.9 2.2 90 $1,032 0.1 40

Kalamazoo, MI............................. 5.0 118.2 1.4 156 985 -1.4 149

Kent, MI....................................... 14.3 398.0 1.6 139 936 -1.4 149

Macomb, MI.................................. 17.6 322.8 1.0 194 1,069 -2.7 259

Oakland, MI.................................. 39.2 731.9 1.5 146 1,201 -1.7 181

Ottawa, MI.................................... 5.6 122.5 1.7 130 952 0.4 37

Saginaw, MI.................................. 3.9 85.7 -0.3 302 865 -0.9 110

Washtenaw, MI............................. 8.1 211.3 1.5 146 1,100 -1.4 149

Wayne, MI.................................... 30.5 722.7 1.7 130 1,188 -1.8 183

Anoka, MN.................................... 6.8 121.9 1.3 164 988 -4.6 325

Dakota, MN.................................. 9.5 188.3 1.0 194 1,010 -3.9 309

Hennepin, MN.............................. 41.1 920.7 2.2 90 1,290 -1.1 127

Olmsted, MN................................ 3.3 96.1 1.1 184 1,073 0.9 18

Ramsey, MN................................. 12.8 328.5 -0.1 287 1,166 -1.6 168

St. Louis, MN................................ 5.1 96.9 -0.1 287 870 0.1 40

Stearns, MN................................. 4.2 86.1 0.5 242 868 -1.8 183

Washington, MN........................... 5.2 82.1 0.5 242 899 -0.2 60

Harrison, MS................................ 4.6 84.9 0.1 268 731 0.0 49

Hinds, MS..................................... 5.9 121.9 -0.2 296 870 -2.1 213

Boone, MO................................... 4.9 93.5 0.6 230 841 1.9 11

Clay, MO...................................... 5.6 104.0 3.4 20 921 -8.3 343

Greene, MO.................................. 8.6 165.7 1.0 194 807 -1.1 127

Jackson, MO................................ 21.2 367.4 1.8 114 1,070 -2.2 223

St. Charles, MO............................ 9.1 145.6 1.3 164 839 -3.6 294

St. Louis, MO................................ 36.9 604.3 0.1 268 1,131 -1.6 168

St. Louis City, MO........................ 13.5 225.2 0.0 281 1,124 -1.6 168

Yellowstone, MT........................... 6.5 81.0 -0.5 312 916 -0.8 104

Douglas, NE................................. 19.6 340.7 0.7 223 986 -0.8 104

Lancaster, NE............................... 10.5 169.5 0.1 268 853 0.0 49

Clark, NV..................................... 56.4 952.7 2.6 65 909 -1.2 138

Washoe, NV................................. 15.0 215.3 3.4 20 942 -1.4 149

Hillsborough, NH.......................... 12.3 204.2 1.0 194 1,202 -4.9 327

Merrimack, NH............................. 5.1 77.5 1.0 194 1,017 -2.7 259

Rockingham, NH.......................... 10.9 149.1 1.2 172 1,064 -4.9 327

Atlantic, NJ................................... 6.6 122.7 -1.7 335 885 -1.3 144

Bergen, NJ................................... 33.2 458.7 0.8 211 1,289 -2.7 259

Burlington, NJ............................... 11.1 208.1 3.0 39 1,077 -4.2 317

Camden, NJ................................. 12.2 205.5 1.7 130 1,076 -1.1 127

Essex, NJ.................................... 20.7 343.9 0.9 205 1,297 -0.2 60

Gloucester, NJ.............................. 6.4 109.6 3.0 39 918 -2.4 237

Hudson, NJ................................... 15.2 260.6 3.3 24 1,355 -1.6 168

Mercer, NJ.................................... 11.2 252.0 0.4 250 1,346 -0.1 55

Middlesex, NJ.............................. 22.4 430.4 3.0 39 1,240 -2.2 223

Monmouth, NJ.............................. 20.2 260.2 0.6 230 1,068 -2.1 213

Morris, NJ..................................... 17.1 290.9 0.1 268 1,524 -5.0 332

Ocean, NJ.................................... 13.1 162.5 1.4 156 871 -3.1 275

Passaic, NJ.................................. 12.6 170.1 1.1 184 1,042 -6.0 340

Somerset, NJ............................... 10.2 187.6 1.3 164 1,563 -0.7 95

Union, NJ..................................... 14.5 221.9 1.1 184 1,362 -0.4 70

Bernalillo, NM............................... 18.3 327.8 1.2 172 895 -1.4 149

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 345 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 2

County1

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Albany, NY................................... 10.4 237.1 1.2 172 $1,094 -1.5 164

Bronx, NY..................................... 18.8 302.7 -0.3 302 1,007 0.6 29

Broome, NY.................................. 4.6 88.0 0.1 268 799 -4.1 315

Dutchess, NY............................... 8.5 112.7 -0.2 296 1,010 -2.7 259

Erie, NY........................................ 24.9 473.8 0.2 264 941 -2.1 213

Kings, NY..................................... 62.3 705.6 3.0 39 906 -1.4 149

Monroe, NY.................................. 19.1 390.0 0.5 242 973 -3.5 289

Nassau, NY.................................. 54.5 640.4 1.7 130 1,220 -1.4 149

New York, NY............................... 129.8 2,471.6 0.7 223 2,212 -1.1 127

Oneida, NY................................... 5.4 105.7 1.6 139 811 -3.0 272

Onondaga, NY.............................. 13.1 248.1 0.5 242 972 -2.1 213

Orange, NY.................................. 10.5 144.1 1.8 114 886 -2.5 242

Queens, NY.................................. 53.0 664.0 2.4 76 1,019 -0.9 110

Richmond, NY.............................. 9.8 118.3 2.2 90 940 -2.4 237

Rockland, NY............................... 10.9 124.1 2.8 50 1,037 -3.2 282

Saratoga, NY................................ 6.0 84.5 -0.1 287 945 -2.9 268

Suffolk, NY................................... 53.3 661.4 0.9 205 1,147 -3.5 289

Westchester, NY.......................... 36.8 431.1 1.2 172 1,395 -3.7 301

Buncombe, NC............................. 9.1 130.3 3.1 32 837 -0.7 95

Catawba, NC................................ 4.4 87.3 3.1 32 818 -1.3 144

Cumberland, NC........................... 6.2 120.4 0.1 268 799 -1.8 183

Durham, NC................................. 8.2 198.7 1.2 172 1,254 -1.6 168

Forsyth, NC.................................. 9.2 184.8 0.4 250 953 -2.2 223

Guilford, NC.................................. 14.3 283.9 0.8 211 898 -3.1 275

Mecklenburg, NC.......................... 37.3 674.2 2.1 98 1,193 -0.7 95

New Hanover, NC........................ 8.0 110.5 2.7 58 865 -0.2 60

Wake, NC..................................... 33.7 541.5 3.2 28 1,085 0.7 25

Cass, ND...................................... 7.2 117.8 0.6 230 961 -1.7 181

Butler, OH..................................... 7.6 154.1 1.1 184 925 -2.5 242

Cuyahoga, OH.............................. 35.8 723.3 0.1 268 1,088 -0.7 95

Delaware, OH............................... 5.1 86.2 2.6 65 996 -0.6 84

Franklin, OH................................. 31.7 759.2 2.8 50 1,023 -4.4 319

Hamilton, OH................................ 23.8 514.8 1.4 156 1,119 -2.0 198

Lake, OH...................................... 6.3 94.2 -1.0 323 865 -2.9 268

Lorain, OH.................................... 6.2 97.8 0.8 211 825 -2.5 242

Lucas, OH.................................... 10.1 211.0 -0.4 308 903 -4.0 311

Mahoning, OH.............................. 5.9 98.7 -0.5 312 746 -2.2 223

Montgomery, OH.......................... 11.9 255.6 0.3 257 896 -3.0 272

Stark, OH..................................... 8.6 158.7 0.1 268 795 -3.2 282

Summit, OH................................. 14.3 268.6 0.6 230 944 -1.4 149

Warren, OH................................. 4.8 89.8 1.5 146 946 -1.3 144

Cleveland, OK.............................. 5.6 80.5 -1.2 324 766 -1.9 191

Oklahoma, OK.............................. 27.8 449.7 -1.4 330 975 -4.9 327

Tulsa, OK..................................... 22.1 353.4 -0.6 314 942 -3.6 294

Clackamas, OR............................ 14.6 159.6 2.4 76 987 -1.0 120

Jackson, OR................................ 7.3 87.3 2.4 76 803 1.5 12

Lane, OR...................................... 11.9 153.9 2.4 76 845 0.8 24

Marion, OR................................... 10.4 149.4 2.8 50 861 0.7 25

Multnomah, OR............................ 34.2 498.8 1.8 114 1,099 -0.1 55

Washington, OR........................... 19.0 288.2 2.8 50 1,209 -5.8 339

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 345 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 2

County1

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Allegheny, PA............................... 35.8 693.9 0.3 257 $1,140 -1.1 127

Berks, PA..................................... 9.0 172.6 0.5 242 941 -3.1 275

Bucks, PA..................................... 20.0 263.1 1.5 146 1,021 -1.8 183

Butler, PA..................................... 5.0 85.3 -0.3 302 1,004 0.7 25

Chester, PA.................................. 15.5 251.2 0.8 211 1,308 -3.5 289

Cumberland, PA........................... 6.5 134.0 0.5 242 921 -3.6 294

Dauphin, PA................................ 7.5 180.6 0.4 250 1,030 -4.9 327

Delaware, PA............................... 14.1 224.1 1.1 184 1,111 -3.0 272

Erie, PA........................................ 7.0 121.8 -2.2 340 809 -4.0 311

Lackawanna, PA.......................... 5.8 99.1 1.0 194 797 -1.6 168

Lancaster, PA............................... 13.4 237.2 1.5 146 877 -3.1 275

Lehigh, PA.................................... 8.8 189.1 -0.2 296 1,051 -2.1 213

Luzerne, PA.................................. 7.5 144.6 -1.9 337 816 -0.5 76

Montgomery, PA........................... 27.7 493.5 1.3 164 1,288 -3.1 275

Northampton, PA.......................... 6.8 115.4 4.4 5 896 -3.7 301

Philadelphia, PA........................... 35.1 676.1 2.1 98 1,235 -3.9 309

Washington, PA............................ 5.5 85.3 -1.3 327 1,110 4.9 2

Westmoreland, PA....................... 9.3 133.3 -1.6 334 833 -4.0 311

York, PA....................................... 9.1 178.5 0.8 211 909 -2.0 198

Providence, RI.............................. 18.0 287.7 0.1 268 1,077 -2.2 223

Charleston, SC............................. 14.9 245.0 1.7 130 937 0.9 18

Greenville, SC.............................. 13.9 266.6 1.3 164 932 -0.5 76

Horry, SC..................................... 8.7 117.9 3.1 32 654 0.0 49

Lexington, SC............................... 6.3 119.3 1.8 114 794 -0.4 70

Richland, SC................................ 10.1 219.7 0.9 205 885 -2.6 252

Spartanburg, SC........................... 6.1 136.7 3.3 24 877 -2.1 213

York, SC....................................... 5.4 91.7 4.6 2 851 0.5 33

Minnehaha, SD............................. 7.2 126.1 1.8 114 921 -0.9 110

Davidson, TN................................ 21.8 481.3 3.0 39 1,163 -0.9 110

Hamilton, TN................................ 9.4 199.6 1.3 164 1,004 -2.7 259

Knox, TN...................................... 12.0 239.6 1.5 146 959 -2.0 198

Rutherford, TN.............................. 5.4 121.0 2.6 65 947 -0.6 84

Shelby, TN.................................... 20.3 500.3 0.0 281 1,087 -0.8 104

Williamson, TN............................. 8.5 127.8 5.1 1 1,208 -2.0 198

Bell, TX......................................... 5.2 118.0 0.1 268 883 -0.5 76

Bexar, TX..................................... 40.4 855.8 2.2 90 956 -1.1 127

Brazoria, TX................................. 5.6 107.3 1.7 130 1,049 -3.8 306

Brazos, TX.................................... 4.5 102.5 1.5 146 785 0.9 18

Cameron, TX................................ 6.5 140.4 1.2 172 640 -2.0 198

Collin, TX...................................... 23.9 389.5 3.4 20 1,222 -0.7 95

Dallas, TX..................................... 75.6 1,688.4 2.8 50 1,279 -0.9 110

Denton, TX.................................. 14.4 232.4 3.7 11 969 -0.9 110

El Paso, TX.................................. 14.8 302.3 1.8 114 729 -2.0 198

Fort Bend, TX............................... 12.7 177.2 1.8 114 976 -5.2 335

Galveston, TX............................... 6.2 110.0 4.0 8 918 -1.6 168

Gregg, TX..................................... 4.3 74.1 -3.5 343 862 -5.1 333

Harris, TX..................................... 113.7 2,272.0 -1.3 327 1,319 -4.7 326

Hidalgo, TX................................... 12.2 256.1 3.0 39 648 -2.0 198

Jefferson, TX................................ 5.8 121.4 -1.5 332 1,081 -2.8 266

Lubbock, TX................................. 7.5 140.1 2.2 90 835 -0.4 70

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 345 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 2

County1

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-163

Ranking by

percent

change

McLennan, TX.............................. 5.2 112.8 2.1 98 $859 -1.0 120

Midland, TX.................................. 5.4 84.8 -2.9 342 1,297 2.4 9

Montgomery, TX........................... 10.9 171.3 1.1 184 1,024 -1.8 183

Nueces, TX.................................. 8.3 162.6 0.1 268 901 -2.7 259

Potter, TX..................................... 4.0 79.8 0.0 281 874 0.0 49

Smith, TX..................................... 6.1 103.1 0.8 211 865 -2.0 198

Tarrant, TX................................... 42.3 876.2 2.5 71 1,027 -5.7 338

Travis, TX..................................... 39.5 717.2 2.4 76 1,244 1.1 17

Webb, TX..................................... 5.3 100.0 1.4 156 683 -3.5 289

Williamson, TX............................. 10.2 162.5 4.5 3 1,007 -0.7 95

Davis, UT..................................... 8.3 122.8 3.6 14 862 -0.2 60

Salt Lake, UT................................ 44.3 682.1 2.7 58 1,028 -0.7 95

Utah, UT....................................... 15.6 225.1 4.5 3 858 -1.2 138

Weber, UT.................................... 5.9 103.2 1.4 156 791 0.6 29

Chittenden, VT............................. 6.8 102.0 -0.6 314 1,033 -3.6 294

Arlington, VA................................ 9.4 174.3 0.8 211 1,677 -1.4 149

Chesterfield, VA........................... 9.1 138.7 -1.5 332 901 0.7 25

Fairfax, VA.................................... 37.9 604.5 1.0 194 1,610 -0.6 84

Henrico, VA.................................. 11.7 192.6 0.6 230 1,009 -1.1 127

Loudoun, VA................................ 12.2 161.8 2.2 90 1,233 -0.1 55

Prince William, VA........................ 9.4 128.4 1.8 114 931 -0.5 76

Alexandria City, VA...................... 6.6 94.9 -1.2 324 1,497 -0.8 104

Chesapeake City, VA................... 6.1 100.2 1.0 194 808 -2.1 213

Newport News City, VA................ 3.9 97.3 -1.7 335 1,017 0.6 29

Norfolk City, VA........................... 5.9 141.8 -0.8 318 1,072 -3.1 275

Richmond City, VA....................... 7.8 155.1 2.4 76 1,139 -1.1 127

Virginia Beach City, VA................ 12.3 176.2 0.3 257 836 -1.9 191

Benton, WA.................................. 5.7 84.3 3.8 10 1,013 -4.4 319

Clark, WA..................................... 14.5 151.5 3.2 28 985 1.4 13

King, WA...................................... 86.4 1,340.4 3.3 24 1,479 3.5 7

Kitsap, WA.................................... 6.6 87.1 0.9 205 969 -1.4 149

Pierce, WA................................... 21.9 301.3 3.6 14 932 -1.2 138

Snohomish, WA............................ 20.8 285.1 1.1 184 1,114 -1.9 191

Spokane, WA............................... 15.7 217.6 2.7 58 882 -0.3 67

Thurston, WA............................... 8.2 111.8 4.0 8 934 1.4 13

Whatcom, WA.............................. 7.3 88.4 2.5 71 852 0.1 40

Yakima, WA................................. 7.8 102.3 2.7 58 736 -0.1 55

Kanawha, WV............................... 5.8 101.7 -2.2 340 881 -1.6 168

Brown, WI..................................... 6.8 155.7 1.0 194 956 -2.1 213

Dane, WI...................................... 15.2 334.0 1.8 114 1,033 -4.4 319

Milwaukee, WI.............................. 26.1 487.8 -0.1 287 1,041 -0.6 84

Outagamie, WI............................. 5.2 107.3 0.4 250 920 -0.6 84

Waukesha, WI.............................. 12.9 239.6 0.1 268 1,073 -1.4 149

Winnebago, WI............................. 3.7 93.9 1.6 139 1,005 -2.7 259

San Juan, PR............................... 10.7 255.8 -0.2 (5) 672 -0.7 (5)

1 Includes areas not officially designated as counties. See Technical Note.

2 Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.

3 Percent changes were computed from employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications. See Technical Note.

4 Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

5 This county was not included in the U.S. rankings.

Note: Data are preliminary. Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees

(UCFE) programs. These 344 U.S. counties comprise 72.8 percent of the total covered workers in the U.S.
Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 10 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016

Employment Average weekly wage 1

County by NAICS supersector

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-162

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-162

United States3................................................................. 9,869.9 143,749.9 1.2 $1,067 -1.5

 Private industry............................................................. 9,570.8 121,881.5 1.3 1,070 -1.7

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 138.1 1,741.7 -4.7 1,106 -5.1

 Construction............................................................... 784.5 6,677.4 2.0 1,234 0.1

 Manufacturing............................................................ 345.7 12,298.6 -0.4 1,285 -3.1

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 1,924.2 27,968.1 1.1 880 -2.2

 Information................................................................. 159.2 2,809.0 0.0 1,884 -1.5

 Financial activities...................................................... 865.0 8,034.0 1.5 1,706 -0.4

 Professional and business services........................... 1,779.7 20,259.2 1.0 1,419 -1.4

 Education and health services................................... 1,626.7 21,994.4 2.2 973 -2.0

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 827.9 15,365.3 1.8 461 -0.2

 Other services............................................................ 840.2 4,387.5 1.1 719 -0.7

 Government.................................................................. 299.1 21,868.4 0.8 1,049 -0.2

Los Angeles, CA.............................................................. 472.0 4,415.7 1.1 1,256 -0.6

 Private industry............................................................. 465.8 3,838.1 1.1 1,246 -0.8

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.5 8.7 0.3 1,411 -7.0

 Construction............................................................... 13.9 133.2 1.5 1,276 0.7

 Manufacturing............................................................ 12.3 350.9 -3.3 1,385 1.2

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 53.3 844.4 0.9 961 -0.1

 Information................................................................. 9.6 225.9 -0.3 2,306 -8.5

 Financial activities...................................................... 25.3 219.9 0.5 1,932 0.8

 Professional and business services........................... 47.9 605.5 -0.1 1,631 0.9

 Education and health services................................... 218.5 758.7 1.9 929 -0.1

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 32.6 512.7 2.8 986 0.4

 Other services............................................................ 26.8 148.0 0.8 736 -0.1

 Government.................................................................. 6.2 577.6 1.6 1,325 0.1

Cook, IL........................................................................... 152.6 2,590.2 0.6 1,250 -1.6

 Private industry............................................................. 151.3 2,289.0 0.6 1,255 -1.7

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.1 1.0 -7.9 1,324 -1.3

 Construction............................................................... 12.2 71.5 0.4 1,625 -0.1

 Manufacturing............................................................ 6.3 185.5 -1.0 1,355 -3.6

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 29.7 491.9 0.6 980 0.4

 Information................................................................. 2.7 55.7 4.6 1,705 -5.3

 Financial activities...................................................... 15.1 193.2 0.4 2,284 -0.8

 Professional and business services........................... 32.4 473.4 -0.3 1,669 -1.6

 Education and health services................................... 16.3 441.1 1.2 1,028 -2.0

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 14.2 273.5 0.9 526 -2.6

 Other services............................................................ 17.3 96.3 -0.4 955 -1.1

 Government.................................................................. 1.3 301.3 0.8 1,207 -1.1

New York, NY.................................................................. 129.8 2,471.6 0.7 2,212 -1.1

 Private industry............................................................. 128.9 2,202.4 0.8 2,319 -1.4

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.0 0.2 9.1 2,094 4.8

 Construction............................................................... 2.2 40.2 -1.0 2,343 1.1

 Manufacturing............................................................ 2.1 26.3 -5.0 1,649 -1.1

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 19.3 265.9 -1.7 1,474 -1.3

 Information................................................................. 4.8 162.9 0.4 2,808 0.5

 Financial activities...................................................... 19.2 371.5 -0.2 4,587 -0.4

 Professional and business services........................... 27.4 564.9 1.4 2,599 -3.3

 Education and health services................................... 9.9 346.8 0.3 1,390 0.8

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 13.7 303.8 1.4 1,014 -1.6

 Other services............................................................ 20.3 103.3 0.5 1,195 -1.0

 Government.................................................................. 0.8 269.2 0.5 1,335 2.6

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 10 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 1

County by NAICS supersector

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-162

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-162

Harris, TX........................................................................ 113.7 2,272.0 -1.3 $1,319 -4.7

 Private industry............................................................. 113.2 1,993.6 -1.8 1,344 -5.1

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 1.8 72.9 -13.4 3,416 -3.3

 Construction............................................................... 7.2 155.9 -4.1 1,477 -2.6

 Manufacturing............................................................ 4.8 166.3 -8.3 1,652 -2.3

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 25.0 477.2 -0.8 1,121 -5.5

 Information................................................................. 1.2 27.3 0.7 1,478 -2.4

 Financial activities...................................................... 11.9 124.5 1.4 1,768 -3.3

 Professional and business services........................... 23.2 384.1 -3.7 1,693 -5.2

 Education and health services................................... 15.9 292.3 2.7 1,080 -1.3

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 9.8 226.8 2.1 470 -0.6

 Other services............................................................ 11.7 64.8 -0.5 822 -1.8

 Government.................................................................. 0.6 278.4 2.4 1,142 -0.5

Maricopa, AZ.................................................................... 96.5 1,926.9 2.4 994 -2.3

 Private industry............................................................. 95.7 1,713.5 2.6 995 -2.1

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.4 8.3 0.4 935 -1.6

 Construction............................................................... 6.9 103.1 4.0 1,116 -0.7

 Manufacturing............................................................ 3.1 115.7 -1.3 1,375 -5.0

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 18.5 386.8 2.5 893 -2.3

 Information................................................................. 1.5 34.4 -1.1 1,386 1.5

 Financial activities...................................................... 10.8 173.2 5.7 1,316 0.5

 Professional and business services........................... 20.9 331.7 1.0 1,108 -1.3

 Education and health services................................... 10.7 289.8 3.0 993 -4.2

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 7.6 207.9 2.0 477 -2.3

 Other services............................................................ 6.0 49.6 -0.5 722 0.7

 Government.................................................................. 0.7 213.4 0.7 985 -4.1

Dallas, TX........................................................................ 75.6 1,688.4 2.8 1,279 -0.9

 Private industry............................................................. 75.0 1,514.5 3.1 1,290 -1.3

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.6 8.6 -6.4 4,042 13.5

 Construction............................................................... 4.5 86.3 5.1 1,368 2.5

 Manufacturing............................................................ 2.7 110.0 1.1 1,420 -6.2

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 16.0 355.8 3.2 1,079 -3.1

 Information................................................................. 1.4 48.9 0.9 1,821 -0.1

 Financial activities...................................................... 9.3 161.1 4.4 1,759 -0.7

 Professional and business services........................... 17.0 342.1 2.7 1,574 0.2

 Education and health services................................... 9.4 197.5 2.5 1,153 -1.1

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 6.7 160.3 4.3 542 -1.8

 Other services............................................................ 7.0 42.7 2.1 808 -1.3

 Government.................................................................. 0.6 174.0 0.3 1,184 2.7

Orange, CA...................................................................... 116.3 1,588.8 2.0 1,200 -0.6

 Private industry............................................................. 114.9 1,442.2 2.2 1,201 -0.8

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.2 2.7 3.8 965 4.2

 Construction............................................................... 6.7 96.5 1.7 1,390 0.9

 Manufacturing............................................................ 4.9 157.1 -0.1 1,493 -0.9

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 16.8 265.6 -0.6 1,044 -0.5

 Information................................................................. 1.3 25.8 2.8 2,069 1.6

 Financial activities...................................................... 10.9 118.1 0.9 2,038 1.8

 Professional and business services........................... 20.6 304.7 4.0 1,407 -3.8

 Education and health services................................... 30.5 204.6 3.1 996 -3.7

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 8.5 210.9 2.1 529 7.5

 Other services............................................................ 6.8 46.5 2.7 734 0.1

 Government.................................................................. 1.5 146.6 1.0 1,189 1.4

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the 10 largest counties,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 1

County by NAICS supersector

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-162

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-162

San Diego, CA................................................................ 107.8 1,427.5 1.6 $1,170 -1.5

 Private industry............................................................. 105.9 1,194.0 1.5 1,145 -2.2

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.6 7.9 -8.3 744 1.6

 Construction............................................................... 6.7 77.1 5.4 1,272 0.7

 Manufacturing............................................................ 3.2 106.5 -0.9 1,586 -10.4

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 14.1 229.0 0.3 846 -2.5

 Information................................................................. 1.1 23.5 -1.5 1,759 0.6

 Financial activities...................................................... 9.7 72.8 1.7 1,548 0.2

 Professional and business services........................... 18.0 232.9 -0.7 1,764 0.3

 Education and health services................................... 30.0 195.1 2.0 1,007 -2.8

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 8.1 190.2 3.6 513 3.2

 Other services............................................................ 7.3 50.5 1.0 647 1.6

 Government.................................................................. 1.9 233.5 1.8 1,295 1.3

King, WA......................................................................... 86.4 1,340.4 3.3 1,479 3.5

 Private industry............................................................. 85.9 1,171.5 3.4 1,501 3.9

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.4 2.9 -3.0 1,208 -9.3

 Construction............................................................... 6.5 68.2 6.2 1,386 0.3

 Manufacturing............................................................ 2.5 102.0 -3.9 1,662 0.0

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 14.5 261.7 4.7 1,484 20.2

 Information................................................................. 2.2 99.8 9.2 2,865 -1.7

 Financial activities...................................................... 6.6 67.9 3.0 1,773 2.0

 Professional and business services........................... 17.5 220.5 1.7 1,828 0.2

 Education and health services................................... 19.5 169.7 4.1 1,055 -0.3

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 7.2 134.5 3.8 572 0.5

 Other services............................................................ 9.1 44.4 3.6 858 1.7

 Government.................................................................. 0.5 168.9 2.4 1,326 0.8

Miami-Dade, FL............................................................... 97.5 1,132.9 1.3 1,029 -2.5

 Private industry............................................................. 97.2 993.1 1.2 1,016 -1.7

 Natural resources and mining.................................... 0.5 9.0 -6.7 684 4.7

 Construction............................................................... 6.4 44.6 7.0 986 -1.9

 Manufacturing............................................................ 2.9 40.5 1.2 968 -2.0

 Trade, transportation, and utilities.............................. 26.4 289.3 -0.1 911 -2.4

 Information................................................................. 1.5 18.1 2.1 1,682 0.2

 Financial activities...................................................... 10.6 75.3 0.5 1,636 -1.2

 Professional and business services........................... 21.5 158.1 1.8 1,314 -1.2

 Education and health services................................... 10.4 176.0 2.4 1,036 -2.1

 Leisure and hospitality............................................... 7.2 141.0 0.5 606 -2.1

 Other services............................................................ 8.3 40.1 1.3 634 -2.3

 Government.................................................................. 0.3 139.8 1.8 1,119 -7.3

1 Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.

2 Percent changes were computed from quarterly employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications. See Technical Note.

3 Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Counties selected are based on 2015 annual average employment. Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance

(UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.
Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state,

fourth quarter 2016

Employment Average weekly wage 1

State

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-16

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-16

United States2.......................................... 9,869.9 143,749.9 1.2 $1,067 -1.5

Alabama.................................................... 123.6 1,932.6 0.7 901 -1.3

Alaska........................................................ 22.3 310.0 -1.9 1,038 -5.2

Arizona...................................................... 156.9 2,760.1 2.1 945 -2.2

Arkansas................................................... 89.4 1,205.4 0.4 827 -1.4

California................................................... 1,509.9 16,923.3 1.9 1,271 -0.3

Colorado.................................................... 192.6 2,588.6 2.0 1,086 -1.5

Connecticut............................................... 117.7 1,685.5 0.0 1,289 -3.4

Delaware................................................... 31.5 441.2 -0.1 1,055 -2.9

District of Columbia................................... 39.5 760.9 0.5 1,763 0.6

Florida....................................................... 673.4 8,538.9 2.7 942 -1.8

Georgia...................................................... 305.5 4,349.3 2.4 993 -0.9

Hawaii........................................................ 40.7 658.3 0.7 954 -0.3

Idaho......................................................... 59.7 691.6 3.2 800 -0.4

Illinois........................................................ 404.3 5,947.6 0.4 1,122 -2.0

Indiana....................................................... 162.7 3,021.7 0.9 883 -0.9

Iowa........................................................... 101.7 1,542.0 0.1 911 -1.0

Kansas...................................................... 90.8 1,384.5 0.1 877 -2.2

Kentucky.................................................... 123.8 1,894.2 0.6 874 -1.4

Louisiana................................................... 129.7 1,907.4 -1.6 914 -2.9

Maine......................................................... 54.1 602.6 0.8 855 -2.1

Maryland.................................................... 170.5 2,666.7 1.0 1,169 -0.4

Massachusetts.......................................... 249.2 3,530.4 1.3 1,352 -2.4

Michigan.................................................... 242.0 4,283.0 1.5 1,026 -1.6

Minnesota.................................................. 164.2 2,839.7 1.2 1,062 -1.1

Mississippi................................................. 74.4 1,134.0 0.0 756 -1.8

Missouri..................................................... 196.4 2,783.2 0.9 918 -1.7

Montana.................................................... 46.6 456.5 0.7 822 0.5

Nebraska................................................... 74.2 972.4 0.0 876 -0.5

Nevada...................................................... 82.7 1,307.8 2.7 924 -1.2

New Hampshire......................................... 52.3 656.9 1.3 1,092 -4.1

New Jersey............................................... 271.6 4,042.1 1.4 1,239 -1.9

New Mexico............................................... 58.3 811.4 0.0 844 -2.5

New York.................................................. 647.2 9,332.5 1.2 1,342 -2.3

North Carolina........................................... 269.9 4,326.3 1.8 932 -0.7

North Dakota............................................. 32.2 414.4 -3.2 978 -4.2

Ohio........................................................... 294.0 5,365.6 0.7 943 -2.3

Oklahoma.................................................. 109.7 1,587.7 -1.2 864 -3.5

Oregon...................................................... 149.2 1,860.7 2.4 970 -1.0

Pennsylvania............................................. 356.9 5,799.8 0.7 1,039 -2.3

Rhode Island............................................. 37.1 478.3 0.0 1,027 -1.6

South Carolina.......................................... 126.7 2,024.3 1.8 855 -0.6

South Dakota............................................ 33.2 419.9 0.5 828 -0.5

Tennessee................................................. 155.5 2,947.5 1.8 970 -1.1

Texas......................................................... 662.5 11,974.7 1.2 1,072 -2.5

Utah........................................................... 98.4 1,415.1 2.9 910 -0.3

Vermont..................................................... 25.3 312.6 0.1 897 -2.4

Virginia...................................................... 270.2 3,831.6 0.6 1,091 -0.3

Washington............................................... 240.2 3,227.9 2.8 1,150 1.7

West Virginia............................................. 50.7 693.1 -1.6 809 -2.5

Wisconsin.................................................. 172.7 2,842.4 0.5 924 -2.0

 See footnotes at end of table.
Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state,

fourth quarter 2016 - Continued

Employment Average weekly wage 1

State

Establishments,

fourth quarter

2016

(thousands)

December

2016

(thousands)

Percent

change,

December

2015-16

Fourth

quarter

2016

Percent

change,

fourth quarter

2015-16

Wyoming................................................... 26.1 265.8 -3.9 $894 -4.7

Puerto Rico............................................... 45.7 928.2 -0.3 555 -1.9

Virgin Islands............................................ 3.4 38.5 0.2 769 -1.8

1 Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.

2 Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.

Note: Data are preliminary. Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for

Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.
Chart 3. Percent change in employment in counties with 75,000 or more employees,

December 2015-16 (U.S. average = 1.2 percent)

 Higher than U.S. average

 U.S. average or lower 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Chart 4. Percent change in average weekly wage in counties with 75,000 or more

employees, fourth quarter 2015-16 (U.S. average = -1.5 percent)

Higher than U.S. average

U.S. average or lower

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics