Greene County wage growth beats state, nation

Greene County wages grew at a quicker pace in the fourth quarter than Missouri and the United States.

During the three-month period, local wages moved up 4.9 percent to an average of $810 per week compared to the same quarter a year earlier, according to a news release from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

By percent change, Greene ranked 161st among the 342 largest U.S. counties.

Comparatively, Missouri’s average weekly wage increased 4.6 percent to $933 per week, and the U.S. rate rose 4.4 percent to $1,082, according to the release.

Greene County’s average weekly wage, however, was the lowest among the seven largest Missouri counties in the fourth quarter. The average weekly wages by county were:
    •    St. Louis, $1,148;
    •    St. Louis City, $1,144;
    •    Jackson, $1,091;
    •    Clay, $1,006;
    •    St. Charles, $870;
    •    Boone, $823; and
    •    Greene, $810.

Employment in Greene County moved up 1.1 percent during the fourth quarter to 164,100. The state’s level ticked up 1.8 percent to 2.8 million, while U.S. employment hit 141.9 million, a 1.9 percent gain.

Of the 342 U.S. counties the BLS measures, employment increased in 308 during the fourth quarter, according to the release.