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News Release Information

24-540-ATL
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Contacts Technical information: Media contact:
  • (404) 893-4220

County Employment and Wages in Florida — Third Quarter 2023

Employment increased in all 26 of Florida’s largest counties from September 2022 to September 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 Victoria G. Lee noted that St. Johns County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment at 5.0 percent. (See chart 1 and table 1.)


National employment increased 1.5 percent over the year, with 309 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Hall, GA, had the largest over-the-year percentage increase in employment (+5.4 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-7.3 percent).

Among the 26 largest counties in Florida, employment was highest in Miami-Dade County (1,233,200) in September 2023. Within Miami-Dade County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the 26 largest Florida counties accounted for 87.3 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 360 largest counties made up 72.9 percent of total U.S. employment.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 41 counties in Florida with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 41 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Large county wage changes

Fifteen of Florida’s 26 largest counties reported average weekly wage losses from the third quarter of 2022 to the third quarter of 2023. (See chart 2.) Sarasota County reported the largest loss (-3.1 percent), followed by Escambia County (-3.0 percent). Among Florida’s 11 other largest counties, 9 reported wage gains ranging from 1.7 percent to 0.1 percent.


Nationwide, wages increased by 0.1 percent over the year. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 169 had over-the-year wage increases. Clayton, GA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+7.7 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-6.0 percent).

Large county average weekly wages

Among Florida’s 26 largest counties, only Miami-Dade County ($1,339) reported an average weekly wage above the national average of $1,334 in the third quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in Florida’s other 25 large counties ranged from $1,330 in Palm Beach to $937 in Osceola.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 92 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the third quarter of 2023. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,288). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 268 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($793).

Average weekly wages in Florida’s smaller counties

Among the 41 smaller counties in Florida—those with employment below 75,000—Monroe ($1,059) reported the highest average weekly wage. Calhoun County ($744) reported the lowest average weekly wage in the state.

When all 67 counties in Florida were considered, 12 reported average weekly wages of less than $850, 20 had average weekly wages from $850 to $949, 16 registered wages from $950 to $1,049, 7 had wages from $1,050 to $1,149, and 12 had average weekly wages of $1,150 or higher. (See map 1.)

Map 1. Average weekly wages by county in Florida, third quarter 2023

(U.S. Average = $1,334)

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 fourth quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). The County Employment and Wages full data update for the fourth quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. (ET).

Table 1. Covered establishments, employment, and wages in the United States and the 26 largest counties in Florida, third quarter 2023
Area Establishments,
third quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
September 2023
(thousands)
Percent change,
September
2022–23 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)
Third quarter
2023 ($)
National ranking
by level (3)
Percent change,
third quarter
2022–23 (2)
National ranking
by percent change (3)

United States (4)

12,026.4 153,772.8 1.5 -- 1,334 -- 0.1 --

Florida

894.2 9,668.6 2.5 -- 1,218 25 -0.1 31

Alachua

8.4 138.4 0.3 285 1,168 202 1.7 39

Bay

6.9 80.8 1.5 140 982 340 0.0 170

Brevard

19.2 239.7 2.7 42 1,218 171 0.6 110

Broward

84.3 855.7 2.2 82 1,269 131 -0.7 227

Collier

18.6 162.6 3.2 22 1,196 183 -0.9 240

Duval

36.3 556.6 0.9 216 1,259 138 0.7 97

Escambia

9.9 147.3 2.4 59 1,038 316 -3.0 342

Hillsborough

60.7 782.3 2.7 42 1,312 101 -0.4 197

Lake

11.0 115.0 4.5 3 973 344 1.2 60

Lee

29.2 292.8 1.5 140 1,103 260 0.8 85

Leon

11.5 160.2 0.9 216 1,098 266 -1.1 259

Manatee

14.7 139.4 3.9 9 1,091 272 -0.5 207

Marion

10.3 116.8 2.4 59 942 352 0.2 153

Miami-Dade

125.2 1,233.2 2.6 49 1,339 89 -1.2 267

Okaloosa

7.8 90.5 0.6 253 1,137 231 -1.2 267

Orange

57.6 941.1 3.0 29 1,197 182 0.6 110

Osceola

10.7 110.8 2.8 38 937 353 -0.6 217

Palm Beach

73.9 652.4 2.1 87 1,330 94 0.0 170

Pasco

14.9 141.9 3.5 14 1,003 330 -0.5 207

Pinellas

42.1 451.5 0.2 296 1,170 200 0.1 164

Polk

18.7 259.3 1.8 108 1,001 331 -0.4 197

St. Johns

10.9 96.7 5.0 2 1,062 302 -2.7 332

St. Lucie

8.8 89.7 2.8 38 961 346 -2.1 314

Sarasota

22.1 186.2 2.4 59 1,154 215 -3.1 346

Seminole

18.5 211.4 0.2 296 1,155 213 -1.2 267

Volusia

17.1 187.2 1.6 123 973 344 1.2 60

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.

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 Florida, third quarter 2023
Area Establishments Employment September 2023 Average weekly wage ($) (1)

United States (2)

12,026,378 153,772,811 1,334

Florida

894,231 9,668,552 1,218

Alachua

8,377 138,359 1,168

Baker

502 7,536 789

Bay

6,857 80,769 982

Bradford

568 6,487 854

Brevard

19,153 239,656 1,218

Broward

84,275 855,663 1,269

Calhoun

271 3,134 744

Charlotte

5,999 52,774 968

Citrus

3,687 34,086 873

Clay

5,510 56,537 973

Collier

18,560 162,611 1,196

Columbia

1,849 24,517 934

De Soto

767 9,686 871

Dixie

285 2,948 839

Duval

36,284 556,598 1,259

Escambia

9,850 147,271 1,038

Flagler

3,423 27,800 903

Franklin

422 3,553 769

Gadsden

971 17,369 875

Gilchrist

400 3,746 826

Glades

201 1,907 966

Gulf

537 4,507 930

Hamilton

248 2,908 981

Hardee

602 7,307 855

Hendry

1,072 12,325 918

Hernando

4,606 49,749 890

Highlands

2,625 28,173 882

Hillsborough

60,685 782,266 1,312

Holmes

398 3,690 789

Indian River

5,930 55,931 1,028

Jackson

1,047 14,950 855

Jefferson

381 2,884 810

Lafayette

153 1,350 832

Lake

10,959 115,021 973

Lee

29,208 292,836 1,103

Leon

11,530 160,195 1,098

Levy

1,149 9,357 764

Liberty

135 1,847 885

Madison

452 4,901 790

Manatee

14,672 139,441 1,091

Marion

10,289 116,780 942

Martin

7,711 76,835 1,056

Miami-Dade

125,196 1,233,151 1,339

Monroe

5,112 44,665 1,059

Nassau

2,885 27,021 966

Okaloosa

7,808 90,507 1,137

Okeechobee

1,119 11,954 899

Orange

57,584 941,140 1,197

Osceola

10,702 110,798 937

Palm Beach

73,903 652,399 1,330

Pasco

14,922 141,882 1,003

Pinellas

42,085 451,476 1,170

Polk

18,676 259,331 1,001

Putnam

1,611 16,937 932

St. Johns

10,923 96,686 1,062

St. Lucie

8,803 89,695 961

Santa Rosa

4,614 43,738 895

Sarasota

22,140 186,218 1,154

Seminole

18,472 211,428 1,155

Sumter

2,629 39,283 1,033

Suwannee

948 11,814 839

Taylor

533 6,805 905

Union

234 3,475 976

Volusia

17,072 187,211 973

Wakulla

632 6,514 864

Walton

4,017 34,432 998

Washington

559 6,155 820

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, third quarter 2023
State Establishments,
third quarter
(thousands)
Employment Average weekly wage (1)
September 2023
(thousands)
Percent change,
September
2022–23
Third quarter
2023 ($)
National ranking
by level
Percent change,
third quarter
2022–23
National ranking
by percent change

United States (2)

12,026.4 153,772.8 1.5 1,334 -- 0.1 --

Alabama

157.7 2,079.6 1.8 1,121 35 0.4 24

Alaska

25.4 335.4 3.1 1,328 15 1.8 2

Arizona

223.1 3,163.8 2.1 1,248 20 -0.2 33

Arkansas

103.1 1,284.3 1.4 1,036 50 0.0 30

California

1,785.3 18,102.2 0.2 1,613 4 0.8 12

Colorado

261.9 2,888.7 2.3 1,431 8 -0.5 40

Connecticut

150.0 1,679.0 1.4 1,480 6 -0.6 42

Delaware

42.3 472.5 2.1 1,269 18 -1.6 51

District of Columbia

52.1 758.7 0.8 2,159 1 1.4 4

Florida

894.2 9,668.6 2.5 1,218 25 -0.1 31

Georgia

392.5 4,807.3 1.5 1,249 19 -0.2 33

Hawaii

57.4 627.9 0.7 1,226 23 1.1 8

Idaho

95.3 852.7 2.1 1,068 46 0.5 19

Illinois

411.3 6,044.1 0.8 1,346 12 -1.0 48

Indiana

192.3 3,175.6 1.0 1,115 36 -0.7 45

Iowa

110.5 1,559.7 1.0 1,112 37 -0.6 42

Kansas

99.7 1,419.7 1.3 1,087 43 0.3 25

Kentucky

152.2 1,985.4 2.0 1,092 42 1.0 11

Louisiana

155.4 1,886.6 0.5 1,107 40 0.6 15

Maine

64.9 649.1 1.5 1,129 34 1.1 8

Maryland

190.1 2,689.7 0.8 1,424 9 0.5 19

Massachusetts

295.8 3,653.5 0.5 1,643 3 -0.7 45

Michigan

325.5 4,422.2 1.9 1,228 22 -0.5 40

Minnesota

206.4 2,923.5 1.4 1,329 14 -1.3 50

Mississippi

88.3 1,163.1 0.9 927 51 -0.6 42

Missouri

250.4 2,894.1 1.5 1,152 31 0.3 25

Montana

66.9 513.2 1.5 1,072 45 1.2 6

Nebraska

78.3 1,014.0 2.3 1,111 38 -0.4 37

Nevada

107.5 1,537.8 2.8 1,201 27 -0.3 36

New Hampshire

66.3 687.6 1.4 1,350 11 -1.2 49

New Jersey

326.8 4,256.9 1.9 1,456 7 -0.4 37

New Mexico

67.9 857.2 1.6 1,096 41 1.1 8

New York

701.8 9,525.5 1.7 1,610 5 0.2 28

North Carolina

375.6 4,835.1 2.0 1,222 24 1.2 6

North Dakota

35.8 428.3 1.9 1,205 26 1.3 5

Ohio

344.4 5,488.1 1.3 1,185 30 -0.1 31

Oklahoma

131.1 1,684.9 2.1 1,052 48 0.5 19

Oregon

203.4 2,001.8 1.0 1,301 16 0.5 19

Pennsylvania

392.5 5,996.0 1.3 1,283 17 -0.9 47

Rhode Island

48.2 495.1 1.6 1,234 21 0.7 14

South Carolina

179.7 2,256.4 2.6 1,086 44 0.6 15

South Dakota

39.8 457.6 2.0 1,058 47 0.6 15

Tennessee

221.2 3,216.1 0.4 1,199 28 0.1 29

Texas

831.9 13,731.1 2.6 1,336 13 0.3 25

Utah

137.2 1,706.1 2.3 1,195 29 0.8 12

Vermont

32.4 306.5 1.4 1,141 32 -0.2 33

Virginia

315.8 4,053.6 1.8 1,383 10 0.5 19

Washington

242.6 3,618.1 1.3 1,682 2 1.5 3

West Virginia

59.1 695.3 1.8 1,044 49 0.6 15

Wisconsin

206.2 2,938.6 1.0 1,133 33 -0.4 37

Wyoming

30.6 285.2 2.1 1,111 38 2.4 1

Puerto Rico

53.6 940.2 1.6 633 (3) 2.8 (3)

Virgin Islands

3.8 35.1 1.9 953 (3) -4.0 (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.

 

Last Modified Date: Tuesday, March 19, 2024