Report: Greene County wages rise at slow pace

While wages in Greene County were up in the first quarter, they increased at a slower rate than most of the counties nationwide, according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Greene County’s average weekly wages increased 1.4%, ranking it No. 291 out of the 357 largest U.S. counties in terms of percentage growth, according to a news release. The BLS factors full- and part-time employees, as well as workers covered by unemployment insurance.

Local wages were $859 per week during the first three months of 2020. Comparatively, the average weekly wage across the country rose 3.3% to $1,222 per week during the first quarter. The data reflect wages before the coronavirus pandemic fully took effect in the United States.

Missouri's largest counties, ranked by percent change in first quarter average weekly wages, are:
• Boone, $909, up 6.4% from first quarter 2019;
• Clay, $1,000, up 4.1%;
• Jackson, $1,155, up 4%;
• St. Louis City (which also is a county) $1,315, up 2.3%;
• St. Louis County, $1,263, up 1.7%;
• Greene, $859, up 1.4%; and
• St. Charles, $993, down 0.1%.

Of the 357 largest U.S. counties, 335 reported higher weekly wages in the first quarter, according to the release.