Greene County wages grow at a slow pace in Q2

While Greene County’s wages were up in the second quarter, they grew slower than most other areas in the United States.

With a 1.5% increase in wages during the second quarter, Greene County ranked No. 333 in percentage growth among the 355 largest counties measured by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers in Greene County brought home $837 on average during the second quarter, according to a news release.

During the quarter, Greene County recorded the lowest wages and the second-lowest growth percentage rate among the seven largest Missouri counties.

Below are the Missouri counties, by wages, percent growth and national wage-growth rank, in second quarter 2019:
• City of St. Louis (which also is a county), $1,151, 3.6%, No. 156;
• County of St. Louis, $1,137, 0.3% decrease, No. 348;
• Jackson, $1,095, 3.4%, No. 176;
• Clay, $943, 3.3%, No. 187;
• St. Charles, $887, 4.5%, No. 71;
• Boone, $881, 5.3%, No. 25; and
• Greene, $837, 1.5%, No. 333.

While wages are lower in Greene County, Springfield is No. 2 among major Missouri cities in terms of low cost-of-living expenses, according to recently released data from the Council for Community & Economic Research. Joplin is No. 1, according to the research council.