Employment in half of Georgia’s 12 largest counties increased between March 2024 and March 2025, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Henry County saw the highest employment growth at 1.4 percent, while Clayton County experienced the largest decline at 2.3 percent.
Fulton County reported the highest employment among large counties in Georgia, with 944,900 jobs as of March 2025. These 12 counties together represented nearly 59 percent of all covered employment in the state. Nationally, the largest counties account for over 73 percent of total covered employment.
Average weekly wages rose in eleven out of twelve large Georgia counties during this period. DeKalb County recorded the biggest increase at 6.4 percent, while Muscogee was the only county to see a decrease, down by one percent.
Only three of Georgia’s largest counties—Fulton, Cobb, and Gwinnett—had average weekly wages above the national average of $1,589. Fulton led with an average weekly wage of $2,284; Henry had the lowest among these large counties at $1,018.
Data for smaller counties showed that most had wages below the national average. Burke County posted the highest average weekly wage among small counties at $2,054; Clay County had the lowest at $655.
Across all 159 Georgia counties, about a quarter reported average weekly wages below $875; others ranged up to more than $1,100 per week.
“Regional Commissioner Victoria G. Lee noted that Henry County had the largest over-the-year increase in employment, with a gain of 1.4 percent.”
“Clayton had the largest over-the-year decrease in employment (-2.3 percent).”
“Among the 12 largest counties in Georgia, employment was highest in Fulton (944,900) in March 2025.”
“Together, the 12 largest counties accounted for 58.7 percent of total covered employment within the state.”
“Nationwide, the 372 largest counties comprise 73.4 percent of total covered employment in the United States.”
“Eleven of Georgia’s largest counties reported average weekly wage gains over the year.”
“DeKalb had the largest gain (+6.4 percent). Over-the-year wage gains among the other 10 large Georgia counties ranged from 5.6 percent to 0.1 percent.”
“Muscogee (-1.0 percent) reported the only loss.”
“Weekly wages in 3 of the 12 largest counties in Georgia were above the national average of $1,589.”
“Average weekly wages ranged from $2,284 in Fulton to $1,018 in Henry.”
“Wage levels in 146 of the 147 smaller counties were below the national average.”
“Burke reported the highest average weekly wage ($2,054). Clay reported the lowest average weekly wage ($655) in the state.”
“Among all 159 Georgia counties, 44 reported average weekly wages of less than $875, 42 registered wages from $875 to $949, 24 had wages from $950 to $1,024, 17 had wages from $1,025 to $1,099, and 32 had average weekly wages of $1,100 or higher.”
The next release covering second quarter data is scheduled for December.
