Employment in Florida’s largest counties increased in most areas from March 2024 to March 2025, according to new data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Out of the 25 largest counties with published figures, 20 saw employment growth during this period.
Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee highlighted that Pasco and St. Johns counties experienced the highest employment increases at 2.2 percent each. In contrast, Pinellas County recorded the largest decline in employment, falling by 1.4 percent.
Miami-Dade County reported the highest level of employment among Florida’s large counties, with a workforce of 1,283,000 as of March 2025. The state’s 27 largest counties together represented nearly 88 percent of all covered employment in Florida. On a national scale, the largest counties account for about three-quarters of total covered employment across the United States.
All major Florida counties with available data posted gains in average weekly wages over the year. Duval County led with a wage increase of 6.8 percent; other large counties saw wage growth ranging from 6.7 percent to 1.8 percent.
Only two of Florida’s largest counties—Miami-Dade and another unnamed county—reported average weekly wages above the national average of $1,589 for this period. Miami-Dade topped the list at $1,708 per week, while Marion County had one of the lowest averages at $1,032 per week.
For smaller Florida counties—those with fewer than 75,000 employees—wage levels were consistently below the national average. Indian River County had the highest weekly wage among these at $1,306; Holmes County had the lowest at $773.
Of all Florida’s 67 counties, nine reported average weekly wages under $900; twenty-one registered between $900 and $1,024; thirteen fell between $1,025 and $1,149; ten ranged from $1,150 to $1,274; and fourteen reported wages at or above $1,275.
“Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that Pasco and St. Johns counties had the largest over-the-year increases in employment, with gains of 2.2 percent each.”
Additional details are available through resources such as tables and maps on employment and wage distribution within Florida’s counties on the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages website (https://www.bls.gov/cew/).
The next release covering second quarter data for 2025 is scheduled for December 3rd at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time.
Individuals requiring information in accessible formats can contact (202) 691-5200 or use Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1.
