Greene County wage growth slow compared with peers

Wages in Greene County grew slower than most of the country in the fourth quarter, according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

During the last three months of 2020, Greene County's average weekly wages rose 7.9% to $989 compared with the same quarter of 2019, according to a news release. By percentage growth, Greene ranked No. 332 out of the 357 largest U.S. counties measured by the BLS.
St. Louis County posted the top wage growth in Missouri, with its average weekly figure rising 13.5% to $1,391 in the fourth quarter, according to the release.

Missouri's largest counties, ranked by fourth quarter percent increase and wage growth rank nationally, are:
• St. Louis County: $1,391, up 13.5%, No. 112;
• St. Louis City (which also is a county): $1,359, up 11.2%, No. 233;
• Jackson: $1,318, up 11.1%, tied for No. 242;
• St. Charles: $1,030, up 11.1%, tied for No. 242;
• Boone: $1,070, up 10.5%, No. 266;
• Greene: $989, up 7.9%, No. 332; and
• Clay: $1,108, up 6%, No. 345.

Greene was among 356 of the largest counties that posted an average weekly wage increase in the fourth quarter. U.S. average weekly wages rose 13% to $1,339 during the fourth quarter, according to the release.