Washington, Benton counties among top US counties for wage growth

Benton and Washington counties in Northwest Arkansas were in the top 5 among the nation’s largest 369 counties for average weekly wage percentage gains in the fourth quarter of 2024. Average weekly wages in the fourth quarter were up almost 6% statewide.

The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages report for the fourth quarter of 2024 is the most recent wage data available. Only three Arkansas counties — Benton, Pulaski, and Washington — made the cut of the 369 largest counties by population.

Among the 369 largest counties, 357 had over-the-year increases in average weekly wages, according to Wednesday’s (June 4) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In the fourth quarter of 2024, average weekly wages for the nation increased to $1,507, a 5% increase over the year.

Santa Clara, Calif., had the largest fourth quarter over-the-year county wage gain at 15%. Washington County was tied for second with King County (Washington), Benton County ranked fourth, and Ada County (Idaho) was ranked fifth.

At 15.5%, Benton County ranked first for percentage wage growth in the 2024 third quarter report.

Following are the estimated establishments — number of businesses — and wage numbers for Arkansas and the three Arkansas counties among the nation’s top 369.
• Arkansas
Establishments: 106,100
Fourth-quarter 2024 average weekly wage: $1,153
Percentage increase from 2023 quarter: 5.9%

• Benton County
Establishments: 8,700
Fourth-quarter 2024 average weekly wage: $1,491
Percentage increase from 2023 quarter: 12.9%
Percentage growth rank among 369 counties: 4

• Pulaski County
Establishments: 14,500
Fourth-quarter 2024 average weekly wage: $1,257
Percentage increase from 2023 quarter: 2.4%
Percentage growth rank among 369 counties: 327

• Washington County
Establishments: 7,200
Fourth-quarter 2024 average weekly wage: $1,275
Percentage increase from 2023 quarter: 13.2%
Percentage growth rank among 369 counties: 2

Among Arkansas’ contiguous states, Arkansas posted the highest percentage average weekly wage growth of 5.9%. Following are the data for the contiguous states ranked by percentage growth.

• Tennessee: $1,372, 5%
• Texas: $1,488, 4.3%
• Oklahoma: $1,168, 4.1%
• Mississippi: $1,023, 4.1%
• Missouri: $1,268, 3.8%
• Louisiana: $1,228, 2.8%

Following are the top 5 states for percentage gain in average weekly wages in the fourth quarter of 2024.

• Wyoming: 12.4%
• Washington: 8.7%
• Idaho: 8.3%
• Oregon: 6.6%
• California: 6.5%