County Employment and Wages News Release — 2014-09-18

From March 2013 to March 2014, employment increased in 281 of the 339 largest U.S. counties, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Weld, Colo., had the largest increase, with a gain of 7.5 percent over the year, compared with national job growth of 1.7 percent. Within Weld, the largest employment increase occurred in natural resources and mining, which gained 2,145 jobs over the year (24.1 percent). Peoria, Ill., had the largest over-the-year decrease in employment among the largest counties in the U.S. with a loss of 2.6 percent. County employment and wage data are compiled under the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) program, which produces detailed information on county employment and wages within 6 months after the end of each quarter. The U.S. average weekly wage increased 3.8 percent over the year, growing to $1,027 in the first quarter of 2014.