Bureau of Labor Statistics
Current Employment Statistics
Highlights
October 2011
Bureau of Labor Statistics
November 4, 2011
Employment in total nonfarm
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
140,000
138,000
136,000
134,000
132,000
130,000
128,000
126,000
October 2011
Level: 131,516
Change: 80
124,000
122,000
120,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 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, January 2008–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
235
194
217
53
20
68
152
13
93
200
171
192
277
400
127
104
158
80
458
600
-192
-39
-35
-130
-55
-386
-802
-800
-820
-726
-796
-660
-619
-600
-502
-434
-509
-400
-300
-231
-236
-221
-185
-233
-178
-231
-267
-83
-72
-200
-49
-59
-29
0
-1,000
Jan-08
Jul-08
Jan-09
Jul-09
Jan-10
Jul-10
Jan-11
Jul-11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Nonfarm payroll employment continued to trend up at a modest pace in October (+80,000).
•
Over the past 12 months, payroll employment has increased by an average of 125,000 per month.
•
Since an employment trough in February 2010, nonfarm employment has expanded by 2.3
million.
2 Employment in total nonfarm
Total nonfarm:
80
Over-the-month change, October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Mining and logging
5
Construction
-20
Manufacturing
5
Wholesale trade
8
Retail trade
18
Transportation and warehousing
9
Utilities
-1
Information
-5
Financial activities
4
Professional and business services
32
Education and health services
28
Leisure and hospitality
22
Other services
-2
Government
-24
-40
-20
0
20
40
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
Employment in total private
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
120,000
118,000
116,000
114,000
112,000
110,000
108,000
106,000
October 2011
Level: 109,537
Change: 104
104,000
102,000
100,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
•
In October, a job gain in private-sector employment (+104,000) was partially offset by a loss in
government (-24,000). No major private-sector industry stood out with significant employment
changes over the month. However, employment growth continued in professional and business
services, leisure and hospitality, health care, and mining. Since total nonfarm employment
reached a trough in February 2010, the private sector has added 2.8 million jobs, while
government has cut about one-half million jobs.
•
The private sector has now recovered 31 percent of jobs lost in the peak-to-trough period of
January 2008 to February 2010.
3 Average weekly hours, total private
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted
35.0
All employees
Level: 34.3
Change: 0.0
34.5
34.0
33.5
Production employees
Level: 33.7
Change: 0.1
33.0
32.5
32.0
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 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 aggregate weekly hours
Total private, all employees
March 2006–October 2011
102
Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100
100
98
96
94
October 2011
Level: 94.2
Change: 0.1%
92
90
Mar-06
Mar-07
Mar-08
Mar-09
Mar-10
Mar-11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
In October, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged
at 34.3 hours. The all-employee workweek is now 0.6 hour longer than when it reached its low in
June 2009.
•
The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm
payrolls edged up 0.1 hour to 33.7 hours in October. The production and nonsupervisory
employee workweek has grown 0.7 hour since reaching a trough in October 2009, but is still 0.2
hour below its June 2007 peak.
•
The index of aggregate weekly hours for all employees in the private sector rose 0.1 percent in
October. Since reaching a low point in October 2009, the index has increased by 4.0 percent.
4 Average hourly earnings, all employees, and CPI–U*
March 2007–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted
6.0
October 2011 Earnings: 1.8
September 2011 CPI-U: 3.9
Over-the-year percent change
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
-1.0
-2.0
Total private earnings
-3.0
Mar-07
Sep-07
Mar-08
Sep-08
CPI–U
Mar-09
Sep-09
Mar-10
Sep-10
Mar-11
Sep-11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
* 1982–84=100
Index of aggregate weekly payrolls
Total private, all employees
March 2006–October 2011
106
Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100
104
102
100
98
October 2011
Level: 104.1
Change: 0.3%
96
94
92
Mar-06
Mar-07
Mar-08
Mar-09
Mar-10
Mar-11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
Average hourly earnings for all employees in the private sector increased by 5 cents to $23.19 in
October.
•
Over the past year, average hourly earnings of all employees have increased 1.8 percent. The
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was up 3.9 percent from September
2010 to September 2011.
•
The index of aggregate weekly payrolls of all private sector employees rose 0.3 percent over the
month. Since reaching a low point in June 2009, the index has increased by 8.0 percent.
5 Employment in mining and logging
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
850
October 2011
Level: 810
Change: 5
800
750
700
650
600
550
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
•
Mining and logging employment ticked up 5,000 in October. Over the past 3 months, the pace of
job growth slowed.
•
Mining employment edged up in October (+6,000); oil and gas extraction accounted for half of
the increase.
•
Since reaching a trough in October 2009, mining employment has risen by 152,000, with support
activities for mining accounting for most of the gains (+110,000).
6 Employment in construction
Over-the-month change, January 2008–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
5
4
3
10
17
16
20
27
39
50
-101
-20
-20
-14
-7
-6
-2
-8
-6
-37
-138
-113
-162
-144
-154
-150
-96
-100
-44
-62
-52
-78
-79
-68
-57
-56
-55
-73
-75
-69
-65
-56
-42
-39
-31
-50
-30
-15
-18
-11
0
-200
Jan-08
Jul-08
Jan-09
Jul-09
Jan-10
Jul-10
Jan-11
Jul-11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
Employment in construction
Construction:
-20
Over-the-month change, October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Residential building
3.3
Nonresidential building
-4.5
Heavy and civil engineering
3.7
Residential specialty trades
0.4
Nonresidential specialty trades
-22.5
-30
-20
-10
0
10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
•
Construction employment declined by 20,000 in October, largely offsetting an increase of 27,000
in September. Employment changes in both months were concentrated in nonresidential
construction.
•
Since reaching a trough in January 2011, employment in construction has remained essentially
flat and is currently 2.2 million below its April 2006 peak.
7 Employment in manufacturing
Over-the-month change, January 2008–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
5
7
14
34
37
20
28
15
11
12
9
9
50
32
38
27
53
100
-200
-1
-3
-6
-6
-171
-175
-173
-172
-140
-131
-121
-175
-150
-29
-54
-46
-49
-51
-44
-28
-12
-34
-38
-56
-33
-56
-68
-85
-88
-50
-100
-3
0
-250
-284
-300
-350
Jan-08
Jul-08
Jan-09
Jul-09
Jan-10
Jul-10
Jan-11
Jul-11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
Employment in durable goods
Over-the-month change, October 2011
Durable goods:
11
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Wood products
0.2
Nonmetallic mineral products
-0.8
Primary metals
2.3
Fabricated metal products
0.6
Machinery
3.9
Computer and electronic products
-1.1
Electrical equipment and appliances
0.5
Transportation equipment
9.5
Furniture and related products
-1.1
Miscellaneous manufacturing
-2.4
-5
0
5
10
15
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
•
Manufacturing employment remained essentially unchanged for a third consecutive month.
•
In October, a job gain of 11,000 in durable goods was partially offset by a decrease of 6,000 in
nondurable goods.
•
In October, transportation equipment manufacturers added 10,000 jobs. Motor vehicles and parts
accounted for 6,000 of this gain. This industry has added 88,000 jobs since reaching an
employment trough in 2009. Employment in motor vehicles and parts, however, remains 26
percent lower than at the start of the recent recession in December 2007.
8 Average weekly hours, manufacturing
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted
42.5
Production employees
Level: 41.5
Change: 0.2
42.0
41.5
41.0
40.5
40.0
39.5
All employees
Level: 40.5
Change: 0.2
39.0
38.5
38.0
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most
recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
In October, the factory workweek for all employees rose 0.2 hour, while overtime hours were
unchanged. Over the past year, the all-employees factory workweek has been the longest since
the series inception in 2006.
•
Flat employment combined with a longer workweek resulted in a 0.6 percent increase in the index
of aggregate weekly hours in manufacturing.
9 Employment in retail trade
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
16,000
15,800
15,600
15,400
15,200
15,000
14,800
14,600
October 2011
Level: 14,613
Change: 18
14,400
14,200
14,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 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 retail trade trended up in October (+18,000).
•
October’s retail employment gains stemmed from a 10,000-job increase in general merchandise
stores and a job increase of 6,000 in motor vehicle and parts dealers.
•
Since an employment trough in December 2009, retailers have added an average 12,000 jobs per
month.
10 Employment in transportation and warehousing
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
4,600
4,500
4,400
4,300
4,200
October 2011
Level: 4,286
Change: 9
4,100
4,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 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 transportation and warehousing edged up by 9,000 in October, roughly in line
with the recent trend.
11 Employment in professional and business services
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
19,000
October 2011
Level: 17,321
Change: 32
18,500
18,000
17,500
17,000
16,500
16,000
15,500
15,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 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 selected professional and business services
Over-the-month change, October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Professional and technical˚
3.2
- Accounting and bookkeeping
2.0
- Architectural and engineering
-2.2
- Computer systems design
2.9
- Management and technical consulting
3.8
Management of companies
4.2
Administrative and waste services˚
25.4
- Employment services
14.4
- Services to buildings
7.1
-10
Professional and
business services:
32
0
10
20
30
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
˚Includes additional component industries not shown seperately.
•
Job growth continued in professional and business services over the month (+32,000). Since a
September 2009 trough, employment in the sector has risen by an average 38,000 per month.
•
Within administrative waste services, employment growth in October (+25,000) continued at
about the same pace as the prior 12 months. Temporary help services represents about 30 percent
of employment in administrative and waste services, yet, it accounted for about 60 percent of
both the over-the-month and over-the-year job gains.
•
In October, employment was flat in professional and technical services (+3,000), following
average monthly job gains of 23,000 over the prior 12 months. Employment was flat across
professional and technical services component industries.
12 Employment in temporary help services
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
2,700
2,600
2,500
2,400
2,300
2,200
2,100
2,000
October 2011
Level: 2,306
Change: 15
1,900
1,800
1,700
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
•
Employment gains in temporary help services have picked up over the past 4 months,
averaging 18,000 per month from July to October—an improvement from the average gain of
5,000 jobs per month during the first half of 2011.
13 Employment in health care
Over-the-month change, January 2008–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
45
50
45
36
33
35
32
28
30
27
28
23
20
20
25
12
13
17
8
10
15
16
16
12
12
14
14
15
23
24
21
19
20
22
24
22
23
24
19
20
19
25
27
28
30
31
33
24
26
30
30
30
35
37
40
5
0
Jan-08
Jul-08
Jan-09
Jul-09
Jan-10
Jul-10
Jan-11
Jul-11
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
Employment in selected health care industries
Over-the-month change, October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Ambulatory health care services˚
4.8
- Offices of physicians
8.2
- Outpatient care centers
2.9
- Home health care services
2.0
Hospitals
3.3
Nursing and residential care
3.5
0
2
Health care
industries:
12
4
6
8
10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
˚Includes additional component industries not shown seperately.
•
Following a very strong 45,000-job gain in September, health care employment changed little
(+12,000) in October. Over the 2-month span, job growth was similar to the prior 12-month
average.
•
In October, weak overall employment growth in health care was the result of little change
across most component industries, although offices of physicians added 8,000 jobs.
14 Employment in leisure and hospitality
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
14,000
13,500
13,000
12,500
12,000
October 2011
Level: 13,275
Change: 22
11,500
11,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 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 food services and drinking places
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
9,800
9,600
9,400
9,200
9,000
8,800
8,600
October 2011
Level: 9,562
Change: 13
8,400
8,200
8,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2
months of data are preliminary.
•
Leisure and hospitality employment continued to trend up in October (+22,000). Job growth was
little changed throughout much of the sector.
•
Since an employment trough in January 2010, leisure and hospitality has added 344,000 jobs.
Nearly all of the job gains occurred in accommodation and food services.
15 Employment in government
January 2000–October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
23,000
22,500
22,000
21,500
21,000
October 2011
Level: 21,979
Change: -24
20,500
20,000
Jan-00
Jan-02
Jan-04
Jan-06
Jan-08
Jan-10
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 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 selected government
Over-the-month change, October 2011
Government:
-24
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Federal, except U.S. Postal Service
-4.5
U.S. Postal Service
2.7
State government education
-4.3
State government, excluding education
-15.6
Local government education
1.2
Local government, excluding education
-3.5
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Data are preliminary.
•
Government employment continued to trend down in October (-24,000). Government has lost
323,000 jobs over the past year.
•
In October, government jobs losses were concentrated in state government, excluding education,
which lost 16,000 jobs as budgets remained tight.
16 Employment in state and local government
January 2007 - October 2011
Seasonally adjusted, in thousands
14,700
5,300
14,600
Local
14,500
State government
5,200
14,400
State
5,150
14,300
5,100
Local government
5,250
14,200
5,050
14,100
5,000
Jan-07 Jul-07 Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11
14,000
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, November 04, 2011.
Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most
recent 2 months of data are preliminary.
•
State government and local government have reduced their workforce by 2.9 percent and 3.4
percent since reaching their respective employment peaks in 2008.
17