Employment rose in West Virginia’s only large county from June 2022 to June 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 Alexandra Hall Bovee noted that employment in Kanawha County increased 2.9 percent over the year. (See table 1.)

National employment increased 2.4 percent over the year, with 337 of the 360 largest U.S. counties reporting gains. Midland, TX, had the largest increase in employment (+7.0 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-7.7 percent).

Employment in Kanawha County was at 96,300 in June 2023. Within Kanawha County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Kanawha County accounted for 13.8 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 54 counties in West Virginia with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all the smaller counties were below the national average of $1,332 in the second quarter of 2023. (See table 2.)

Average weekly wages in Kanawha County increased 6.3 percent from the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2023, above the national rate of 3.2 percent. Among the 360 largest counties in the United States, 332 had over-the-year wage increases. Clayton, GA, had the largest percentage wage increase (+17.2 percent). Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-13.2 percent).

Weekly wages in Kanawha County, at $1,118, were below the national average of $1,332 in the second quarter of 2023. Average weekly wages in the county ranked 235^th among the 360 largest counties.

Among the largest U.S. counties, 88 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2023. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,321). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 272 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($795).

Among the 54 smaller counties in West Virginia—those with employment below 75,000— Doddridge County ($1,268) and Marshall County ($1,253) reported the highest weekly wages in the state. Pendleton County ($744) and Pocahontas County ($772) reported the lowest average weekly wages in the state.

When all 55 counties in West Virginia were considered, 3 reported average weekly wages of less than $800, 12 registered wages from $800 to $899, 17 had wages from $900 to $999, 10 had average weekly wages from $1,000 to $1,099, and 13 had wages of $1,100 or higher.

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 or visit www.bls.gov/cew.

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. The Employment and Wages Annual Averages Online is available at www.bls.gov/cew/publications/employment-and-wages-annual-averages/.

The County Employment and Wages release for the third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 6, 2024.