Bureau of Labor Statistics
Current Employment Statistics
Highlights
February 2011
Bureau of Labor Statistics
March 4, 2011
Employment in total nonfarm
2000-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
140,000
137,500
135,000
132,500
130,000
127,500
February 2011
125,000
Level: 130,515
Change: +192
122,500
120,000
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
Employment in total nonfarm
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
600
458
450
277
300
192
171
150
0
-150
-300
-450
-600
93
13
-39 -35
-55
-130
-83 -72
-185 -178
-233 -231
-267
-231-236-221
-300
63
-49 -59 -29
-192
-386
-434
-509
-502
-619
-750
-900
192
152
-802
-660
-726
-796
-820
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 192,000 in February. Since a recent low in
February 2010, employment has grown by 1.3 million, or an average 106,000 per month.
1 Employment in total private
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
450
300
229
144
150
0
-150
-300
-450
-600
48 65
4
167
143128
93 110109
222
68
-34
-42 -21
-102
-87
-128
-186
-240-217
-265
-317
-215-213
-250
-326
-434
-491
-287
-438
-636
-750
-787
-900
-721
-787-773
-841
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
Employment in total nonfarm
Over-the-month change, February 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Mining and logging
4
Construction
33
Manufacturing
33
Wholesale trade
12
Retail trade
-8
Transportation and warehousing
22
Utilities
1
Information
0
Financial activities
3
Professional and business services
47
Education and health services
40
Leisure and hospitality
21
Other services
Total nonfarm:
+192
14
Government
-30
-50
-25
0
25
50
75
100
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
•
Employment in the private sector rose by 222,000 in February. In the past 12 months, the
private sector has added 1.5 million jobs – an average of 127,000 per month.
•
In February, job gains occurred in construction, manufacturing, transportation and
warehousing, healthcare, and professional and business services.
2 Average weekly hours, total private
2000-11
Seasonally adjusted
35.0
35.0
All employees
Level: 34.2
Change: 0.0
34.5
34.5
34.0
34.0
33.5
33.5
Production employees
Level: 33.5
33.0
33.0
Change: +0.1
32.5
32.5
32.0
32.0
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
Index of total private aggregate weekly hours
of all employees
2006-11
105
Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100
100
95
90
February 2011
Level: 92.8
Percent change: +0.2
85
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
During February, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls
was unchanged at 34.2 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory
employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 33.5 hours.
•
The index of aggregate weekly hours for all employees rose by 0.2 percent over the
month. Since reaching a low point in October 2009, the index has increased by 2.4
percent.
3 Over-the-year percent change in average hourly earnings
of all employees and CPI-U (1982-84), 2007-11
Seasonally adjusted
8.0
Over-the-year percent changes
6.0
February 2011 AHE: 1.7
January 2011 CPI-U: 1.7
4.0
2.0
AHE
0.0
-2.0
CPI-U
-4.0
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Indexes program and Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
Index of total private aggregate weekly
payrolls of all employees
2006-11
105
Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100
100
95
90
February 2011
Level: 101.2
Percent change: +0.2
85
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Average hourly earnings of all employees in the private sector were changed little in
February, following a 9-cent gain in January. Hourly earnings are up 1.7 percent over the
year.
•
Between January 2010 and January 2011, the consumer price index for all urban
consumers (CPI-U) increased by 1.7 percent.
•
In February, the index of aggregate weekly payroll for all employees rose by 0.2 percent.
Since reaching a low in June 2009, the index has increased by 5.0 percent.
4 Employment in construction
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
50
33
20
17 16
0
-15
-50
-18
-39
-30
-31
-42
-65
-69
-56
-57
-73 -75
-78 -79
-100
-68
-6 -2 -8 -6
-22
-37
-44
-55
-56
-11
-62
-52
-96
-101
-113
-150
-154
-144
-138
-162
-200
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Construction employment rose by 33,000 in February, following a decline of 22,000 in
January. The January figure may have been impacted by severe weather.
•
Average weekly hours of construction workers grew by 0.9 hour in February to 38.5,
partially offsetting a decrease of 1.0 in January.
5 Employment in construction
Over-the-month change, February 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
20
16.7
February 2011
15
Prior 12-mo. avg.
11.0
10
4.5
5
2.2
1.7
0
-0.3
-2.3
-2.0
-3.0
-5
-5.1
-10
Residential building
Nonresidential
building
Heavy and civil
engineering
Residential specialty
trades
Nonresidential
specialty trades
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
Employment in selected construction industries
2001-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
3,000
8,000
7,000
2,000
1,500
6,500
Residential specialty trade
contractors
Nonresidential specialty trade
contractors
6,000
Construction employment
Specialty trade employment
7,500
2,500
5,500
Construction
5,000
1,000
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
•
Over the month, employment increased in both residential and nonresidential specialty
trade contractors.
•
Employment in nonresidential specialty trade contractors peaked in February 2008 and
fell by 619,000 jobs through February 2010; since then, employment has remained
unchanged.
•
Employment in residential specialty trade contractors peaked 2 years ahead of
nonresidential specialty trade contractors and fell by nearly 1 million through October
2010. Employment in residential specialty trade contractors is up 21,000 over the past 4
months.
6 Employment in manufacturing
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
100
38
50
9
0
-100
53
27
32
15 11
12
-3
-12
-50
9
-34 -38
-33
-56
-56
-68
-54
-46 -49 -51 -44
-28
33
-6 -6
-29
-85 -88
-121
-131
-150
-140
-175
-200
-171-175-173-172
-250
-300
-284
-350
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
Average weekly hours, manufacturing
2000-11
Seasonally adjusted
42.5
42.0
41.5
42.5
Production employees
42.0
Level: 41.2
41.5
Change: +0.1
41.0
41.0
40.5
40.5
40.0
40.0
39.5
All employees
Level: 40.5
39.0
Change: +0.1
38.5
38.0
39.5
39.0
38.5
38.0
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
•
Manufacturing employment continued to increase in February (+33,000). Since reaching
an employment low in December 2009, manufacturers have added 195,000 positions.
•
Average weekly hours of all employees in manufacturing rose by 0.1 hour in February.
The factory workweek for production employees also increased by 0.1 hour in February.
7 Employment in durable goods manufacturing
Over-the-month change, February 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Wood products
3
Nonmetallic mineral products
Durable goods:
30
2
Primary metals
4
Fabricated metal products
7
Machinery
9
Computer and electronic products
1
Electrical equipment and appliances
0
Transportation equipment
3
Furniture and related products
-1
Miscellaneous manufacturing
1
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
Employment in nondurable goods manufacturing
Over-the-month change, February 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Food manufacturing
4
Beverage and tobacco
2
Textile mills
1
Textile product mills
0
Apparel
-1
Leather products
1
Paper products
Nondurable goods:
3
0
Printing
-2
Petroleum and coal products
1
Chemicals
1
Plastics and rubber
-2
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
•
Durable goods manufacturing boosted employment by 30,000 in February. Employment
gains in February were concentrated in machinery (+9,000) and fabricated metal products
(+7,000).
•
Since a recent employment trough in December 2009, durable goods industries have
added 233,000 jobs to payrolls.
•
Employment in nondurable goods industries changed little in February.
8 Employment in retail trade
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
90
60
35.1
24.9
15.9
30
-8.0
-30
-60
-90
6.2
0.4
0
-13.2
-18.7
-19.9
-47.2
-34.7
-44.7
-60.8
-68.1
-13.8
-41.0
-50.4
-16.5-19.2
-3.3
-12.5
30.6
26.3
17.7
10.8
-6.7
-15.6
-8.1
-47.6-47.1
-63.3 -60.0
-68.8
-90.8
-78.2
-86.4
-103.8
-120
-130.4
-150
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Retail trade employment changed little in February. Since reaching an employment
trough in December 2009, the industry has added 122,000 jobs.
9 Employment in transportation and warehousing
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
60
50.1
40
1.5 0.4
0
-4.3
-20
22.1
19.2
20
8.3
5.6
1.0
-2.9
-5.4
-13.1
-14.0
-12.1
-12.1
-17.1
-18.6
-20.2
-23.7
4.8
-2.8
9.010.59.0
8.3
22.0
3.8
-0.7
-12.5
-14.8
-27.3
-33.9
-40
-41.0
-40.3
-39.5
-39.5
-45.1
-44.4
-60
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Transportation and warehousing employment grew by 22,000 in February. Over the past
12 months, this industry has added 103,000 jobs.
•
In February, half of the employment increase in transportation and warehousing can be
attributed to growth in truck transportation.
10 Employment in financial activities
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
15
5
0
0
0
0
-2
-6
-7
-15
-11
-11
-7
-12
-13
-17
-30
-45
-20
-23
-30
-33
-25
-12
-14
-8
-9
-16
-14
-12
-10
1
3
1
-1
-12
-25
-34
-42
-45
-52 -53
-51
-60
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
In February, employment in financial activities changed little. The industry’s
employment trend has shown relative improvement, with average monthly job losses
decelerating from 7,000 in the 6 months ending in August 2010 to essentially no change
in the past 6 months.
11 Employment in professional and business services
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
125
85
7
3
-6
-125
40
30
25
35
47
8
2
-6
-2
-29 -26
-34
-75
58
43
26 31 31
25
-25
69
66
75
-59
-45
-71
-64
-77
-61
-68
-113
-108
-110
-130
-151
-175
-181
-150
-183
-225
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Employment in professional and business services expanded by 47,000 over the month,
and has increased by 601,000 since reaching a trough in September 2009.
12 Employment in selected professional and
business services
Over-the-month change, February 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Professional
and
technical*
Professional
and
technical*
10
Accounting and bookkeeping
Professional and business
services: +47
-2.3
Architectural and engineering
3.1
Computer systems design
4.2
Management and technical consulting
6.6
Management
of companies
Management
of companies
0.9
Administrative
Administrativeand
andwaste
wasteservices*
services*
36.4
Employment services
28.6
Services to buildings
-1.5
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.
Employment in temporary help services
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
120
90
59.3
56.6
47.5
60
38.0
30
-4.9
-30
-60
-7.0
-15.5
-28.7
-34.6
-120
-2.8
15.5
-4.9
-17.3
-24.0
-29.8 -32.3 -28.6
-34.5
-40.6
-66.9
-90
27.226.8
16.919.9
6.7
3.0
0
43.1
30.2
30.0
22.7
21.1
18.6
-54.7-56.2
-66.6
-73.4
-77.9
-113.8
-150
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
In February, job gains in professional and business services were concentrated in
employment services.
•
Since September 2009, employment growth in professional and business services has
been driven primarily by temporary help services.
13 Employment in selected health care industries
Over-the-month change, February 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
16.9
Ambulatory health care services*
13.3
1.5
Offices
Officesofofphysicians
physicians
2.1
February 2011: +34.3
2.6
Outpatient
care
centers
Outpatient care
centers
Prior 12-mo. avg.: 21.7
2.4
7.5
Homehealth
health care
care services
Home
services
3.8
2.1
Hospitals
2.8
15.3
Nursing and residential care facilities
5.6
-10
0
10
20
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.
•
Health care employment continued to increase in February (+34,000). Over the past 12
months, health care has added 278,000 jobs, or an average of 23,000 jobs per month.
•
In February, employment gains in health care were concentrated in ambulatory health
care services (+17,000) and nursing and residential care facilities (+15,000).
14 Employment in leisure and hospitality
Over-the-month change, 2008-11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
75
52
50
39
31
38
35
23
25
2
2
1
0
-1
-3
-25
-9
-22
-29
-50
-75
21
17
-12
-3
-5
-15
-31
-34 -35 -34
-51
-3
-14
-24
-24
-28 -30
-8
-17
-55
-51
-56
-50
-63
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Leisure and hospitality employment edged up by 21,000 in February. Since reaching a
low in January 2010, employment in leisure and hospitality has increased by 161,000,
with food services accounting for most of the job gains during this period.
15 Employment in selected government industries
Over-the-month change, February 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
7.5
Federal, except U.S. Postal Service*
1.9
-7.3
U.S. Postal Service
U.S. Postal Service
-2.8
-5
State
State government
government education
education
3.5
-6.3
State, government, excluding education
-3.6
-11.7
Local government
government education
education
Local
-9.8
February 2011: -30
-6.3
Local government, excluding education
Prior 12-mo. avg.: -20
-9.4
-15
-5
5
15
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.
Employment in state and local government
2007-2011
15,000
5,400
14,800
Local
14,600
5,300
14,400
5,200
Local government
State government
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
5,500
State
5,100
14,200
5,000
14,000
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 4, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
•
Government payroll employment edged down in February (-30,000). In the past 12
months, employment in government has decreased by 257,000.
•
Over the month, the majority of the employment losses were concentrated in local
government (-18,000). Since a recent peak in September 2008, local government
employment has declined by 377,000.
16