Employment rose in Rhode Island’s largest county, Providence, from June 2023 to June 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. In Kent County, Rhode Island’s only other large county, employment fell over the year. (Large counties are the 369 U.S. counties or county equivalents with annual average employment levels of 75,000 or more in 2023.) Regional Commissioner William J. Sibley noted that Providence County’s 1.2-percent employment increase ranked 98^th among the 355 large U.S. counties with percent change in employment available. (See table 1.)

National employment increased 0.8 percent over the year, with 259 of the 355 largest U.S. counties with published data reporting gains. Kings, NY, had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 4.0 percent. Elkhart, IN, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease in employment (-3.0 percent).

Employment in Providence County was 290,000 in June 2024; Kent County reported 76,400 employed. Within Providence County’s private industry, health care and social assistance accounted for the largest employment. Together, the two largest Rhode Island counties accounted for 72.6 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 three counties in Rhode Island with employment below 75,000. Wage levels in all three smaller counties were below the national average of $1,390 in the second quarter of 2024. (See table 2.)

The two large Rhode Island counties reported average weekly wage gains from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. Kent County had the largest gain (+4.6 percent), followed by Providence County (+2.2 percent).

Nationwide, wages increased by 4.4 percent over the year. Among the 351 largest counties in the United States with published wage changes, 348 had over-the-year wage increases. Hamilton, IN, had the largest percentage wage increase (+33.4 percent). Essex, MA, had the largest over-the-year percentage decrease (-2.1 percent).

Providence County’s average weekly wage of $1,257 was below the national average of $1,390 and ranked 160^th among the 360 large U.S. counties in the second quarter of 2024. Kent County’s average weekly wage of $1,169 ranked 228^th.

Among the 360 largest U.S. counties with published data, 87 reported average weekly wages above the U.S. average in the second quarter of 2024. Santa Clara, CA, had the highest average weekly wage ($3,632). Average weekly wages were below the national average in the remaining 273 counties. Hidalgo, TX, had the lowest average weekly wage ($820).

Average weekly wages in the three smaller counties in Rhode Island—those with employment below 75,000—were below the national average: Newport ($1,262), Washington ($1,187), and Bristol ($1,123).

When all five counties in Rhode Island were considered, one reported an average weekly wage of less than $1,150, two registered wages from $1,150 to $1,199, and two had average weekly wages of $1,200 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 third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. The County Employment and Wages full data update for the third quarter 2024 is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.