Marion County recorded the highest average weekly wage among eight northeast Missouri counties during the fourth quarter of 2024, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The report, based on employment covered by unemployment insurance programs, showed Marion County leading the region with an average weekly wage of $1,030. Sullivan County followed closely with $977.
At the other end, Clark County reported the lowest average weekly wage in the group at $711—well below the Missouri state average of $1,268 and the national average of $1,507.
Here’s how the counties ranked in Q4 2024:
Marion County — $1,030
Sullivan County — $977
Shelby County — $922
Lewis County — $888
Knox County — $865
Scotland County — $862
Schuyler County — $821
Clark County — $711
While Marion and Sullivan counties posted comparatively higher wages, the remaining counties fell below both state and national averages—highlighting a persistent wage gap between rural and urban areas of Missouri.
These findings come from the bureau’s Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, which monitors pay trends nationwide. For the quarter, Missouri ranked 35th in average weekly wages.
The next report, covering the first quarter of 2025, will be released on Sept. 9, 2025.
