Omaha Area Economic Summary
Updated June 28, 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 Omaha area,
selected area counties, and the nation
Average weekly wages for all industries by county
Omaha area, 4th quarter 2016
(U.S. = $1,067; Area = $946)
Unemployment rates
4.5
United States
4.1
3.1
Omaha area
2.9
3.2
Douglas Co., NE
3.0
3.1
Pottawattamie
Co., IA
2.6
2.8
Sarpy Co., NE
2.7
3.2
Washington
Co., NE
0.0
3.0
2.0
4.0
May-16
6.0
May-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
Omaha area employment
(numbers in thousands)
2.5
2.0
1.0
0.5
0.0
May-14
Omaha area
May-15
United States
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
May-17
May 2017
2016 to May 2017
Number
Percent
508.4
8.1
1.6
Mining, logging, and construction
29.1
2.3
8.6
Manufacturing
32.5
-0.2
-0.6
Trade, transportation, and utilities
98.3
1.6
1.7
Information
12.0
0.3
2.6
Financial activities
44.2
0.9
2.1
Professional and business services
75.6
1.3
1.7
Education and health services
80.8
2.2
2.8
Leisure and hospitality
51.0
0.5
1.0
Other services
18.0
0.3
1.7
Government
66.9
-1.1
-1.6
Total nonfarm
1.5
Change from May
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, May 2017
6.0
5.4
Midwest region
U.S. city average
General freight trucking
Hospitals
Data processing and related services
3.0
4.1
4.0
12-month percent changes in PPI
Percent
4.0
2.0
1.0
2.0
1.9
0.0
1.4
0.9
-1.0
0.4
0.0
All Items
Food
-2.0
Energy
-3.0
May-14
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index.
Average annual spending and percent distribution for
selected categories
Midwest Region average annual expenditures 2015
May-15
Healthcare
$4,616
8.4%
Personal
insurance &
pensions
$6,260
11.4%
Food
$7,090
12.9%
Transportation
$9,597
17.4%
Total:
$55,071
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey.
Total compensation
Wages and salaries
Total benefits
Paid leave
Vacation
Supplemental pay
Insurance
Retirement and savings
Legally required benefits
United
States
$22.35
$23.86
Medical and health services managers
50.44
52.58
Software developers, applications
43.57
50.14
Accountants and auditors
33.44
36.89
Registered nurses
30.01
34.70
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
20.15
20.96
Customer service representatives
16.35
16.91
Construction laborers
15.09
18.22
Retail salespersons
13.80
13.07
Social and human service assistants
13.60
16.41
Telemarketers
12.23
13.06
Waiters and waitresses
10.44
11.73
Cooks, fast food
10.23
9.89
Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2016.
Employer costs per hour worked for wages and
selected employee benefits by geographic division
Private industry, March 2017
Omaha area
Total, all occupations
Housing
$17,370
31.5%
May-17
Average hourly wages for selected occupations
Occupation
All other
$10,138
18.4%
May-16
Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.
West North
Central (1)
$29.86
20.97
8.90
2.02
1.10
0.78
2.47
1.22
2.40
(1) West North Central includes IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, and SD.
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation.
United
States
$33.11
23.06
10.06
2.30
1.18
1.17
2.65
1.34
2.60
Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
Percent
4.0
12-month percent changes in ECI
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
Mar-14
West North Central
Mar-15
Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.
Midwest Information Office • [email protected] • https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/ • 312-353-1880
United States
Mar-16
Mar-17