Greene County wage growth outpaces Mo., US

Greene County wages grew faster in the third quarter than Missouri’s six other largest counties, as well as the state and national averages, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The local weekly wage average climbed 3.9 percent to $753 during the three-month period, according to a news release.

Rounding out the top three were Boone County at 3.7 percent and Clay County at 3 percent. Missouri’s average increase during the quarter was 2.2 percent compared to third-quarter 2015. The national average was 2.6 percent during the quarter.

However, Greene County’s average weekly wage was the lowest among Missouri’s top counties. The seven largest Missouri counties by third-quarter average weekly wages were:
    •   St. Louis City, $1,045;
    •   St. Louis County, $1,004;
    •   Jackson, $989;
    •   Clay, $856;
    •   Boone, $795;
    •   St. Charles, $774; and
    •   Greene, $753.

In terms of employment gains, Clay County led the state with a 5.1 percent increase to 99,200 employees, according to the release.

During the quarter, 162,000 were employed in Greene County.