County Employment And Wages: First Quarter 2006 — 2006-10-26

In March 2006, Collin County, Texas, 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. Collin County, a Dallas suburb, experienced an over-the-year employment gain of 7.8 percent compared with national job growth of 2.2 percent. Orleans County (New Orleans), La., had the largest over-the-year gain in average weekly wages in the first quarter of 2006, with an increase of 33.3 percent. The high average weekly wage growth rate for Orleans County was related to the disproportionate job and pay losses in lower-paid industries due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina. The U.S. average weekly wage increased by 8.1 percent over the same time span.