From March 2010 to March 2011, employment increased in 256 of the 322 largest U.S. counties, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this past week. Elkhart, Ind., posted the largest percentage increase, with a gain of 6.2 percent over the year, compared with national job growth
of 1.3 percent.
Escambia County has 0.8 percent increase over the period, which is a strong as the other large counties (Rank 180), but the county finished in top half of the group for percentage weekly average wage increase.
The Escambia County average weekly wage increased over the year by 4.2 percent to $690 in the first quarter of 2011–placing the county 148 out of the 322 largest U.S. counties.
However, we are still significantly below the national average weekly wage of $935. The U.S. average weekly wage increased over the year by 5.2 percent to $935 in the first quarter of 2011.