Employment rose in 7 of the 8 largest counties in Minnesota from September 2023 to September 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. (Large counties are the 369 U.S. counties or county equivalents with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Acting Regional Commissioner Julie Wilson noted that Olmsted County and Stearns County had the largest over-the-year increases in employment at 1.1 percent each. (See chart 1 and table 1.)

  

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Chart 1. Over-the-year percent change in covered employment among the largest counties in Minnesota, September 2024

County	Percent change, September 2024
Olmsted	1.1
Stearns	1.1
Washington	0.8
Ramsey	0.7
St. Louis	0.7
Anoka	0.5
Hennepin	0.3
Dakota	0.0

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 264 of the 369 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.9 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-2.7 percent).

Among the eight largest counties in Minnesota, employment was highest in Hennepin (917,400) in September 2024. Within Hennepin County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the eight largest Minnesota counties accounted for 66.2 percent of total covered employment within the state. Nationwide, the 369 largest counties comprised 73.1 percent of total covered employment in the United States.

Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 79 counties in Minnesota with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all 79 smaller counties were below the national average of $1,394 in the third quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

All eight large Minnesota counties reported average weekly wage gains from the third quarter of 2023 to the third quarter of 2024. (See chart 2.) Anoka County had the largest gain (+5.2 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among Minnesota’s other seven large counties ranged from 5.1 percent to 3.4 percent.

  

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Chart 2. Over-the-year percent change in covered average weekly wages among the largest counties in Minnesota, third quarter 2024

County	Percent change, third quarter 2024
Anoka	5.2
Stearns	5.1
Dakota	5.0
Ramsey	5.0
Olmsted	4.8
Hennepin	4.5
St. Louis	3.9
Washington	3.4

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.5 percent over the year. Among the 365 largest counties in the United States with published data, 363 had over-the-year wage increases. Benton, AR, had the largest percentage wage increase (+15.5 percent). Weld, CO, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-1.3 percent).

Weekly wages in 3 of the 8 largest counties in Minnesota were above the national average of $1,394 in the third quarter of 2024. Average weekly wages in Hennepin County were $1,674 and ranked 25^th nationwide.

Among the 369 largest U.S. counties, 94 reported average weekly wages at or above the U.S. average in the third quarter of 2024. San Mateo, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,557). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 275 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($819).

Among the 79 smaller counties in Minnesota—those with employment below 75,000—Dodge ($1,259) reported the highest average weekly wage in the state and Red Lake ($831) reported the lowest.

When all 87 counties in Minnesota were considered, 21 reported average weekly wages of less than $950, 29 registered wages from $950 to $1,049, 23 had wages from $1,050 to $1,149, and 14 had average weekly wages of $1,150 or higher. (See map 1.)

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 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the fourth quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.