Average weekly wages in Allegheny County surpassed the national average for the third quarter of 2005, but the county placed only fifth among the state's 18 largest counties, behind Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Delaware counties.

Allegheny County's average weekly wage of $811 was 4.4 percent higher than the national average of $777, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Chester County exceeded the national average by 26.9 percent, with an average weekly wage of $986. Averages in Montgomery and Philadelphia counties also passed the $900 mark, with wages of $956 and $921, respectively. Delaware County's average was $813.

Even in Chester County, however, wages lagged far behind those in the nation's top-paying counties: New York County, N.Y. ($1,419); Santa Clara, Calif. ($1,268); and Washington, D.C. ($1,265).

But everything is relative, and Allegheny County wages are high compared with those at the bottom of the list of the nation's 322 largest counties: Horry, S.C. ($505); Hildago, Texas ($499); and Cameron County, Texas ($486).