California’s Santa Clara County, home of Silicon Valley, posted the highest average weekly wage among large U.S. counties at $1,800 in the third quarter of 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. New York County, N.Y., followed at $1,626. San Mateo, Calif., which is partially located in Silicon Valley, was third at $1,537.

San Mateo County also posted the biggest wage gain among the largest U.S. counties, with its average weekly wage rising 7.3 percent in the third quarter. Within San Mateo, total wages in professional and business services grew by $439.3 million, or 25.7 percent, over the year.