Employment in Mississippi’s two largest counties rose from March 2024 to March 2025, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Victoria G. Lee, Regional Commissioner, stated, “Hinds County had the larger over-the-year increase in employment (+0.3 percent).”
In March 2025, Hinds County reported higher employment with 109,200 jobs. The combined total for Hinds and Harrison counties represented 17.1 percent of all covered employment in Mississippi during this period. Nationally, the largest 372 counties account for about 73.4 percent of total covered employment across the United States.
Both large Mississippi counties saw increases in average weekly wages compared to the previous year. “Hinds had the larger increase (+5.2 percent), followed by Harrison (+3.7 percent),” according to data from the report.
Despite these increases, average weekly wages remained below the national figure of $1,589 for both counties: Hinds recorded $1,200 and Harrison $990.
Data on employment and wage levels for Mississippi’s smaller counties—those with fewer than 75,000 jobs—were also provided in the release. Among these 80 small counties, Claiborne reported the highest average weekly wage at $1,607 while Issaquena posted the lowest at $601.
Across all 82 Mississippi counties, wage distribution varied: ten reported average weekly wages under $775; twenty-three ranged from $775 to $849; twenty-two between $850 and $924; ten between $925 and $999; and seventeen at or above $1,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes quarterly data on county-level employment and wages through its Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages program (QCEW), providing details for both large urban areas as well as smaller communities nationwide via their official website.
Further technical notes about this dataset are available through related news releases published by BLS (source). The next update covering second quarter results is scheduled for December 3, 2025.
For individuals with sensory impairments who need access to this information, assistance can be requested by phone or telecommunications relay service as indicated in the release.
