County Employment and Wages in California — Fourth Quarter 2023

Employment rose in 19 of the 27 largest counties in California with published data from December 2022 to December 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are those with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2022.) Regional Commissioner Chris Rosenlund noted that Solano County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 2.9 percent. (See chart 1and table 1.)

National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 318 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hays, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+5.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-6.9 percent).

Among the 29 largest counties in California, employment was highest in Los Angeles County (4,537,900) in December 2023. Within Los Angeles County's private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 29 largest California counties accounted for 93.5 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 73.0 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 29 counties in California with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 29 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. (See table 2).

Large county wage changes

All 29 large California counties reported average weekly wage gains from the fourth quarter of 2022 to the fourth quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) San Mateo County had the largest gain (+17.2 percent), followed by Santa Clara County (+11.3 percent), San Francisco County (+7.6 percent), and San Luis Obispo County (+6.9 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among California's other 25 large counties ranged from 5.0 percent to 0.7 percent.

Nationwide, wages increased by 3.6 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Snohomish, WA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+18.6 percent). Merrimack, NH, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-7.2 percent).

Large county average weekly wages

Weekly wages in 10 of the 29 largest counties in California were above the national average of $1,435 in the fourth quarter of 2023. Santa Clara County ($3,699), San Mateo County ($3,469), and San Francisco County ($3,202) led the nation, while the other 7 placed in the top 70 nationwide.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 85 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the fourth quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,699). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($842).

Average weekly wages in California's smaller counties

Among the 29 smaller counties in California-those with employment below 75,000-El Dorado County ($1,307) reported the highest average weekly wage. Alpine County ($934) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 58 counties in California were considered, 19 reported average weekly wages of less than $1,100, 15 registered wages from $1,100 to $1,199, 6 had wages from $1,200 to $1,299, 5 noted wages from $1,300 to $1,399, and 13 had average weekly wages of $1,400 or higher. (See map 1.) The higher-paying counties were located in and around the Bay Area, as well as Sacramento and Los Angeles. The lower-paying counties were concentrated in the northern and central portions of the state.

Additional statistics and other information

QCEW data for states have been included in this release in table 3. For additional information about quarterly employment and wages data, please read the Technical Note for the County Employment and Wages News Release or visit the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website.

Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online features comprehensive information by detailed industry on establishments, employment, and wages for the nation and all states. This publication is typically published in September of the following year of the reference period or shortly after the QCEW first quarter full data update.

Information in this release will be made available to individuals with sensory impairments upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Telecommunications Relay Service: 7-1-1.

The County Employment and Wages release for the first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the first quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the 29 largest counties in California, fourth quarter 2023

Area	Establishments, fourth quarter (thousands)	Employment	Average weekly wage (1)
December 2023 (thousands)	Percent change, December 2022-23 (2)	National ranking by percent change (3)	Fourth quarter 2023 ($)	National ranking by level (3)	Percent change, fourth quarter 2022-23 (2)	National ranking by percent change (3)
United States (4)	12,090.1	154,848.1	1.5	--	1,435	--	3.6	--
California	1,792.2	18,111.4	0.2	--	1,759	4	4.8	9
Alameda	71.0	798.9	0.3	291	1,812	23	0.7	341
Butte	8.6	78.6	-0.7	344	1,105	313	4.0	111
Contra Costa	38.5	373.3	0.4	281	1,641	40	3.0	221
Fresno	42.4	420.0	0.8	231	1,128	297	3.7	152
Kern	26.3	342.5	(5)	-	1,143	284	4.4	78
Los Angeles	557.3	4,537.9	-0.5	339	1,677	30	2.4	272
Marin	12.9	112.1	1.0	213	1,818	21	1.6	316
Merced	7.9	82.2	0.1	308	1,045	333	3.7	152
Monterey	15.3	177.6	-0.3	336	1,181	253	5.0	42
Napa	6.4	75.4	-0.5	339	1,400	99	2.2	286
Orange	145.3	1,659.6	0.7	246	1,551	56	4.1	105
Placer	15.5	185.3	0.8	231	1,419	92	3.6	167
Riverside	82.1	825.9	1.8	122	1,144	283	4.2	96
Sacramento	69.8	716.5	1.3	181	1,525	62	4.2	96
San Bernardino	73.6	857.0	0.2	298	1,191	250	4.0	111
San Diego	130.3	1,540.5	0.5	268	1,569	52	2.5	264
San Francisco	64.4	719.2	-3.3	354	3,202	3	7.6	7
San Joaquin	21.4	286.1	1.2	192	1,202	237	2.6	255
San Luis Obispo	11.5	118.6	1.7	137	1,263	192	6.9	12
San Mateo	30.8	422.0	-2.2	353	3,469	2	17.2	2
Santa Barbara	17.1	210.4	0.8	231	1,309	163	3.8	135
Santa Clara	81.3	1,124.9	-0.7	344	3,699	1	11.3	4
Santa Cruz	10.1	101.6	1.2	192	1,291	174	3.5	180
Solano	13.2	143.0	2.9	37	1,360	126	4.1	105
Sonoma	21.2	207.3	-0.5	339	1,428	89	1.1	328
Stanislaus	17.2	195.7	0.2	298	1,193	247	3.9	123
Tulare	14.2	175.4	(5)	-	1,030	336	4.3	89
Ventura	30.7	331.8	0.6	261	1,342	137	2.8	241
Yolo	7.7	108.5	0.1	308	1,383	109	3.4	190
Footnotes: (1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data. (2) Percent changes were computed from employment and pay data adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications. (3) Ranking does not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. (4) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. (5) Data do not meet BLS or state agency disclosure standards.
Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 2. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and all counties in California, fourth quarter 2023

Area	Establishments	Employment December 2023	Average weekly wage ($) (1)
United States (2)	12,090,132	154,848,113	1,435
California	1,792,205	18,111,429	1,759
Alameda	70,985	798,885	1,812
Alpine	86	1,022	934
Amador	1,297	12,367	1,118
Butte	8,557	78,555	1,105
Calaveras	1,522	10,155	1,059
Colusa	1,028	9,124	1,222
Contra Costa	38,515	373,324	1,641
Del Norte	797	8,036	1,030
El Dorado	6,428	58,229	1,307
Fresno	42,405	420,013	1,128
Glenn	1,260	9,544	1,080
Humboldt	6,574	50,708	1,055
Imperial	8,859	64,813	1,059
Inyo	848	7,655	1,198
Kern	26,326	342,488	1,143
Kings	5,043	50,498	1,096
Lake	3,339	16,488	1,021
Lassen	765	9,058	1,171
Los Angeles	557,332	4,537,940	1,677
Madera	5,327	56,390	1,104
Marin	12,932	112,134	1,818
Mariposa	628	5,772	1,008
Mendocino	4,360	31,956	1,041
Merced	7,898	82,209	1,045
Modoc	419	2,609	1,061
Mono	740	8,160	1,038
Monterey	15,318	177,591	1,181
Napa	6,354	75,437	1,400
Nevada	4,430	35,031	1,221
Orange	145,261	1,659,631	1,551
Placer	15,522	185,336	1,419
Plumas	980	6,155	1,198
Riverside	82,101	825,876	1,144
Sacramento	69,761	716,468	1,525
San Benito	1,852	16,962	1,144
San Bernardino	73,565	857,048	1,191
San Diego	130,282	1,540,509	1,569
San Francisco	64,426	719,246	3,202
San Joaquin	21,369	286,115	1,202
San Luis Obispo	11,472	118,558	1,263
San Mateo	30,791	421,978	3,469
Santa Barbara	17,079	210,430	1,309
Santa Clara	81,291	1,124,886	3,699
Santa Cruz	10,076	101,629	1,291
Shasta	8,327	69,234	1,169
Sierra	141	569	954
Siskiyou	1,829	13,637	1,056
Solano	13,171	143,033	1,360
Sonoma	21,187	207,308	1,428
Stanislaus	17,165	195,720	1,193
Sutter	4,035	32,092	1,082
Tehama	2,166	20,134	1,095
Trinity	472	2,769	1,095
Tulare	14,224	175,446	1,030
Tuolumne	1,872	17,380	1,141
Ventura	30,739	331,796	1,342
Yolo	7,723	108,494	1,383
Yuba	2,025	20,799	1,268
Footnotes: (1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data. (2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands.
Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

Table 3. Covered establishments, employment, and wages by state, fourth quarter 2023

State	Establishments, fourth quarter (thousands)	Employment	Average weekly wage (1)
December 2023 (thousands)	Percent change, December 2022-23	Fourth quarter 2023 ($)	National ranking by level	Percent change, fourth quarter 2022-23	National ranking by percent change
United States (2)	12,090.1	154,848.1	1.5	1,435	--	3.6	--
Alabama	159.1	2,101.1	2.0	1,207	35	4.2	15
Alaska	25.2	311.6	2.4	1,372	16	5.5	2
Arizona	226.4	3,231.4	2.2	1,322	21	3.8	21
Arkansas	103.2	1,294.0	1.4	1,089	50	2.1	49
California	1,792.2	18,111.4	0.2	1,759	4	4.8	9
Colorado	263.2	2,930.1	2.5	1,516	9	3.0	38
Connecticut	151.0	1,690.0	1.3	1,632	6	2.4	46
Delaware	43.2	472.9	1.3	1,373	15	2.2	47
District of Columbia	52.6	759.9	0.7	2,385	1	4.1	16
Florida	904.4	9,870.1	2.5	1,328	20	3.4	32
Georgia	391.7	4,866.4	1.3	1,331	19	3.5	30
Hawaii	58.3	643.3	0.8	1,288	24	5.0	7
Idaho	96.3	854.9	3.5	1,137	46	1.9	50
Illinois	410.6	6,051.9	0.8	1,479	12	3.4	32
Indiana	191.4	3,187.1	0.9	1,171	41	3.6	26
Iowa	110.7	1,564.0	1.0	1,199	36	4.0	18
Kansas	100.1	1,431.8	1.1	1,167	42	3.7	25
Kentucky	154.0	2,004.4	1.8	1,146	45	4.1	16
Louisiana	154.2	1,905.4	0.8	1,193	37	5.3	5
Maine	64.8	636.8	1.4	1,209	34	3.8	21
Maryland	193.8	2,730.4	2.3	1,509	10	3.1	36
Massachusetts	292.9	3,655.4	0.8	1,805	2	0.7	51
Michigan	330.9	4,407.8	1.2	1,316	22	3.3	34
Minnesota	209.2	2,909.9	1.2	1,400	14	3.1	36
Mississippi	89.1	1,170.9	0.7	983	51	3.8	21
Missouri	253.9	2,906.3	1.6	1,222	33	4.3	14
Montana	68.2	510.0	1.8	1,178	40	5.4	3
Nebraska	76.8	1,018.5	2.0	1,187	39	2.9	40
Nevada	108.5	1,556.7	3.6	1,271	28	2.2	47
New Hampshire	67.1	689.2	1.4	1,527	8	2.8	41
New Jersey	333.8	4,293.1	1.3	1,574	7	2.6	44
New Mexico	68.6	868.3	2.3	1,165	43	4.9	8
New York	699.7	9,627.1	1.7	1,783	3	2.8	41
North Carolina	383.8	4,917.9	2.5	1,280	27	3.6	26
North Dakota	36.1	427.0	2.7	1,267	29	5.2	6
Ohio	333.9	5,514.5	1.1	1,245	31	3.6	26
Oklahoma	132.6	1,697.1	1.9	1,123	49	4.7	11
Oregon	206.1	1,985.5	1.0	1,338	18	2.8	41
Pennsylvania	392.4	6,023.4	1.2	1,360	17	3.0	38
Rhode Island	48.3	492.3	1.3	1,302	23	3.3	34
South Carolina	180.8	2,278.0	2.6	1,153	44	3.8	21
South Dakota	40.0	456.0	2.5	1,136	47	3.6	26
Tennessee	225.9	3,276.9	1.6	1,285	25	2.5	45
Texas	835.1	13,905.4	2.3	1,427	13	4.0	18
Utah	139.0	1,713.5	2.1	1,285	25	4.5	13
Vermont	32.6	310.3	1.5	1,250	30	3.5	30
Virginia	316.7	4,089.8	1.7	1,482	11	4.7	11
Washington	243.0	3,590.9	1.6	1,742	5	6.7	1
West Virginia	59.9	693.5	1.2	1,126	48	5.4	3
Wisconsin	208.0	2,936.6	1.0	1,233	32	3.9	20
Wyoming	30.8	277.4	1.5	1,191	38	4.8	9
Puerto Rico	54.4	975.7	0.0	688	(3)	3.3	(3)
Virgin Islands	3.8	36.2	1.6	1,024	(3)	0.7	(3)
Footnotes: (1) Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data. (2) Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. (3) Data not included in the national ranking.
Note: Data are preliminary. Covered employment and wages includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.

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