CWS 3.0: October 3, 2012

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Where Are Wages Growing Fastest?

The average weekly wage in the 328 largest U.S. counties rose by 5.4 percent year-over-year in the first quarter to $984, according to data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

However, a number of areas recorded much faster percentage increases in wages. And the highest percentage increase took place in Williamson County, Texas, near the city of Austin. The average weekly wage in Williamson County rose 27.4 percent to $1,213 in the first quarter of the year compared to the first quarter of 2011.

Williamson County also posted the highest overall gain of $261. The county includes most of the city of Round Rock, Texas, which is home to Dell.

Among the 328 largest counties in the U.S., here are the 10 with the fastest wage growth in the first quarter (click image to enlarge):

 

On the other end of the spectrum, New York County, N.Y., posted the largest percentage decrease in average weekly wage, down 6.3 percent, among all large U.S. counties in the first quarter. However, it still posted the highest average weekly wage of all counties at $2,464. New York County is the home to Manhattan.

The county with the lowest average weekly wage in the first quarter was Horry County, S.C., at $559.