Employment in California’s largest counties saw modest changes from March 2024 to March 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The report indicates that out of the state’s 29 largest counties, 11 recorded employment growth during this period.
Chris Rosenlund, Regional Commissioner for the BLS, stated, “San Joaquin County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 1.2 percent.”
Los Angeles County reported the highest employment numbers among these large counties with 4,504,700 jobs as of March 2025. The 29 largest counties together represented 93.1 percent of all covered employment in California. On a national scale, the largest counties make up more than two-thirds of total covered employment across the United States.
The report also found that all twenty-seven large California counties with available data experienced an increase in average weekly wages compared to the previous year. “San Mateo had the largest increase (+11.4 percent),” according to Rosenlund. Wage gains in other large counties ranged from 6.9 percent to 1.5 percent.
In terms of wage levels, ten out of California’s biggest counties posted average weekly wages above the national average of $1,589. San Mateo led with an average weekly wage of $4,379, while Tulare registered $1,035.
For smaller counties—those with fewer than 75,000 employees—employment and wage levels are also tracked but not year-over-year changes. All small counties reported lower-than-average wages compared to national figures; Yuba County had the highest among them at $1,335 per week and Alpine had the lowest at $837 per week.
Across all 58 California counties: eighteen reported average weekly wages below $1,100; fourteen fell between $1,100 and $1,199; seven were between $1,200 and $1,299; three between $1,300 and $1,399; and sixteen reported averages at or above $1,400.
Statewide QCEW data are provided in accompanying tables for further detail on county-by-county performance. National comparisons can be found through BLS resources such as their County Employment and Wages news release and Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website.
The next update on county employment and wages for California is scheduled for December 3, 2025.
