The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in Q1 2025, employment rose 0.4% to 154.5 million, with 221 of the 372 largest counties adding jobs. Loudoun, VA, led growth (+3.4%), while McLean, IL, saw the sharpest decline (-4.2%). Average weekly wages increased 4.1% to $1,589, with Benton, AR, posting the most significant gain (+14.6%) and Westchester, NY, experiencing the largest drop (-2.1%). All 10 largest counties recorded wage growth, led by New York, NY, at +10.6%. They write:
From March 2024 to March 2025, employment increased in 221 of the 372 largest U.S. counties, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. In March 2025, national employment increased to 154.5 million, a 0.4-percent increase over the year, as measured by the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program. Loudoun, VA, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 3.4 percent. Employment data in this release are presented for March 2025, and average weekly wage data are presented for first quarter 2025.
Among the 372 largest counties, 340 had over-the-year increases in average weekly wages. In the first quarter of 2025, average weekly wages for the nation increased to $1,589, a 4.1-percent increase over the year. Benton, AR, had the largest first quarter over-the-year wage gain at 14.6 percent.
Large County Employment in March 2025
Loudoun, VA, had the largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment (+3.4 percent). Within Loudoun, the largest employment increase occurred in construction, with a gain of 3,239 (+16.4 percent). McLean, IL, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-4.2 percent). Within McLean, the largest employment decrease occurred in manufacturing, with a loss of 2,842 (-25.9 percent).Large County Average Weekly Wage in First Quarter 2025
Benton, AR, had the largest over-the-year percentage increase in average weekly wages (+14.6 percent). Within Benton, an average weekly wage gain of $860 (+19.1 percent) in professional and business services made the largest contribution to the county’s increase in average weekly wages. Westchester, NY, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in average weekly wages (-2.1 percent). Within Westchester, an average weekly wage loss of $621 (-17.0 percent) in professional and business services made the largest contribution to the county’s decrease in average weekly wages.Ten Largest Counties
Six of the 10 largest counties had over-the-year percentage increases in employment. In March 2025, Miami-Dade, FL, had the largest over-the-year employment percentage gain (+1.5 percent). Within Miami-Dade, education and health services had the largest employment increase, with a gain of 5,028 (+2.4 percent).All of the 10 largest counties had over-the-year percentage increases in average weekly wages. In the first quarter of 2025, New York, NY, experienced the largest over-the-year percentage gain in average weekly wages (+10.6 percent). Within New York, financial activities had the largest impact, with an average weekly wage increase of $1,720 (+14.9 percent).
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