The Bureau of Labor Statistics today released a report on County Employment and Wages in California for the fourth Quarter 2011 which shows much of California may be loosing ground in wages.  The report shows average weekly wages decreased in 24 of the 26 large California counties from the fourth quarter 2010 to the fourth quarter 2011.  Santa Clara County, the heart of silicon Valley, recorded the largest decline at 5.7 percent, but still had the highest average weekly wage in the state at $1,836.

All 32 smaller counties in California had average weekly wages lower than the national average of $955.  In Nevada County, the average weekly wage was $802, higher than nearby Sutter County’s $696, but lower than Yuba County’s $827.  Placer County wages were higher at $935 per week.  Sacramento County wages averaged   $1,042 in the fourth quarter 2011, which is the period covered in the report.