WASHINGTON, D.C. - Average weekly wages and employment fell throughout most of the United States for the first quarter of the year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While employment was also lower in both Larimer and Weld counties in March than in March 2008, the drop was slightly less than half the national average - and average weekly wages actually increased year-over-year.
The Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages released on Oct. 16 showed average employment nationally was 4.2 percent lower in March than it was a year ago, and the average weekly wage of $882 was 2.5 percent lower than in March 2008 - the largest year-over-year decline since 1978. The Bureau attributed the wage drop to lower bonus payments in the financial services sector centered in New York County.
However, in Larimer County, employment was only 2.6 percent lower this year than last, and the average weekly wage of $762 was 0.8 percent higher than in March 2008. Weld County's statistics were similar: Employment was 2.7 percent lower than last year, and weekly wages of $723 were 1 percent higher than in March 2008.
These figures placed both counties in the top third of the 335 counties surveyed. Larimer placed 75th for employment and 77th for wages, while Weld was 79th for employment and 68th for wages.
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