County Employment And Wages: Third Quarter 2006 — 2007-04-11

In September 2006, Jefferson County, La., had the largest over-the- year percentage increase in employment among the largest counties in the U.S., according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. Jefferson County, a New Or- leans suburb, experienced an over-the-year employment gain of 22.4 percent, compared with national job growth of 1.5 percent. Employment gains in Jef- ferson County reflected significant recovery from substantial job losses that occurred in September 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina. In contrast, Or- leans County, which also was affected by Hurricane Katrina, continued to show an over-the-year employment decline (-12.3 percent). Kent County, R.I., had the largest over-the-year gain in average weekly wages in the third quarter of 2006, with an increase of 18.4 percent. The U.S. average weekly wage rose by 0.9 percent over the same time span.