Baltimore Area Economic Summary
Updated May 31, 2017
This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are
not seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.
Unemployment rates for the Baltimore area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Baltimore area, 3rd quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,027; Area = $1,103)
Unemployment rates
4.7
United States
4.1
4.1
Baltimore area
4.1
3.4
Anne Arundel
Co.
3.5
6.1
Baltimore city
6.1
4.2
Baltimore Co.
4.2
2.9
Howard Co.
0.0
2.9
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
Apr-16
Apr-17
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.
Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector
12-month percent changes in employment
Percent
Baltimore area employment
(numbers in thousands)
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Apr-14
Baltimore area
Apr-15
United States
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Apr-17
Total nonfarm
Mining, logging, and construction
Manufacturing
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Information
Financial activities
Professional and business services
Education and health services
Leisure and hospitality
Other services
Government
Change from Apr.
Apr. 2017
2016 to Apr. 2017
Number
Percent
10.8
-0.6
-0.5
-5.7
-0.4
-1.9
8.2
9.6
1.6
-0.7
1.2
0.8
-0.8
-0.9
-2.3
-2.4
-2.4
3.6
3.6
1.2
-1.2
0.5
1,407.1
76.3
53.1
238.8
16.4
77.4
238.4
279.8
136.0
56.7
234.2
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
• www.bls.gov/ro6
Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
producers for selected industries nationwide
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban
consumers for selected categories
12-month percent change in CPI-U, March 2017
12.0
10.9
Percent
4.0
10.9
2.0
Washington-Baltimore area
U.S. city average
1.0
6.0
0.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Computer & electronic product mfg
3.0
10.0
8.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
-1.0
2.4
1.3
0.1
All Items
-2.0
0.5
Food
-3.0
Energy
-4.0
Apr-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Baltimore area average annual expenditures 2014-15
Apr-15
Healthcare
$4,683
6.8%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$9,953
14.5%
Food
$7,780
11.4%
Transportation
$10,783
15.8%
Total:
$68,441
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$26.41
$23.86
Administrative services managers
54.58
47.56
Lawyers
54.11
67.25
Management analysts
45.32
44.19
Accountants and auditors
38.26
36.89
Registered nurses
36.43
34.70
Electricians
25.03
27.24
Court reporters
20.44
27.37
Billing and posting clerks
18.22
18.06
Construction laborers
16.26
18.22
Security guards
14.77
14.29
Retail salespersons
12.34
13.07
Cooks, fast food
10.49
9.89
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2015.
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Private industry, December
2016
Baltimore
area
Total, all occupations
Housing
$23,908
34.9%
Apr-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$11,334
16.6%
Apr-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
South Atlantic
(1)
$30.90
21.81
9.09
2.23
1.15
0.83
2.44
1.28
2.31
(1) South Atlantic includes DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, and WV.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$32.76
22.83
9.93
2.28
1.17
1.15
2.63
1.31
2.56
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
3.0
12-month percent changes in ECI
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
Washington area
Mar-15
United States
Mar-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Mid-Atlantic Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/mid-atlantic • 215-597-3282
Mar-17