County Employment and Wages News Release — 2016-03-09

From September 2014 to September 2015, employment increased in 312 of the 342 largest U.S. counties (counties with 75,000 or more jobs in 2014), the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Williamson, Tenn., had the largest percentage increase, with a gain of 6.5 percent over the year, above the national job growth of 1.9 percent. Within Williamson, the largest employment increase occurred in professional and business services, which gained 2,538 jobs over the year (8.8 percent). Ector, Texas, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment among the largest counties in the U.S., with a loss of 8.3 percent. Within Ector, natural resources and mining had the largest decrease in employment, with a loss of 3,752 jobs (-28.4 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.