Weld employment increase ranks county No. 1 in nation again

Job growth in the natural resources and mining sector led Weld County to see the largest percentage increase in employment in the nation from March 2013 to March 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday.

Employment in Weld grew by 7.5 percent to 94,700 over the year, according to a report from the bureau.

Weld’s natural resources and mining sector, which includes oil and natural-gas, gained 2,145 jobs over the year, the largest percentage increase within the county at 24 percent. The increase in employment comes amid an ongoing oil boom in the county, which produced 80 percent of the state’s oil last year.

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Nationwide, employment grew by 1.7 percent. Employment increased in 281 of the 339 largest U.S. counties, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Boulder County saw a 2.6 percent increase in employment during the year, ranking the county No. 83. Larimer County saw a 2.7 percent uptick, ranking the county No. 80. Denver County ranked No. 31 with a 3.9 percent increase.

The average weekly wage in Weld rose 5.6 percent, ranking the county No. 23 in the nation.

Employment statewide increased 3.1 percent over the year, while the average weekly wage increased 4.2 percent.

Weld County employment also led the nation when it increased 6 percent from December 2012 to December 2013.

Weld’s employment increased 6 percent in that 12-month period, compared with a growth rate of 1.8 percent nationally. The construction sector accounted for the county’s largest percentage increase, adding 1,864 jobs for a 25.5 percent gain.