Industry Productivity Series
BLS completes major expansion
of industry productivity series
Complete coverage of manufacturing
and retail trade industries
highlights a new database made possible
by increases in data availability in recent years
John Duke
and
Lisa Usher
John Duke and Lisa
Usher are supervisory
economists in the
Office of Productivity
and Technology,
Bureau of Labor
Statistics. See acknowledgment, on
page 43, for those
who constructed
measures for this
article.
T
he Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has expanded its database of labor productivity
series and, in the process, has increased
its industry coverage within most sectors of the
economy. The new data provide complete coverage in manufacturing and retail trade for all threeand four-digit industries.1 Coverage also has increased substantially in the mining and service
industries.
BLS has produced measures of labor productivity at the industry level for many years. In
1940, Congress authorized that productivity studies be conducted on a continuing basis. From
1940 to 1997, the number of industries for which
series were published increased steadily to 180.2
As recently as 1997, many industries were still
not covered by the program, due to lack of adequate basic data. However, major advances in
data collection over the last 10 to 15 years have
increased the amount of data available to measure labor productivity for industries. This provided an impetus for the major expansion.
One of the most important advances is the
large increase in the number of Producer Price
Indexes (PPI’s) developed by the BLS Industrial
Prices and Price Indexes program.3 This development greatly enhanced the industry productivity program because it made the following BLS
goals more feasible:
• provide more productivity and related data to
the public;
• present a more comprehensive data set featuring measures for all industries within as many
sectors as possible;
• incorporate aggregates of the industry series
as part of the measures for the private nonfarm business sector; and
• provide a database that can be used to research
productivity trends and the factors underlying
them
With these goals, BLS established an intensive
project to increase significantly the coverage of
its industry labor productivity series.
Coverage of the four-digit industry productivity series has expanded to include all 457 manufacturing industries, as well as 92 nonmanufacturing industries. At the three-digit level, 140
manufacturing and 62 nonmanufacturing industries are covered. Historical data on the new industry series are available from 1987 through
1996. These data were first introduced in a press
release (USDL 98-310) on July 23, 1998. Data presented here include updates and revisions that
supersede those series.
This article provides an overview of the data
in the new database and examines some highlights
of the 1987–96 productivity trends. Appendix A
explains the methodology and data employed to
construct the series.
Details on the database
The new database contains labor productivity and
the underlying output and labor input measures
for 549 four-digit industries and 202 three-digit
industries as defined in the Standard Industrial
Classification Manual (SIC).4 There are also eight
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
35
Industry Productivity Series
series available at the two-digit SIC level.5 In manufacturing,
all of the three-digit industries are aggregations of the underlying four-digit industry measures. In nonmanufacturing sectors, some of the three-digit industries were calculated directly
at that level. In addition, aggregates of two or more four-digit
or three-digit industries are available for a group of 33 combination industries. For example, red meat products (SIC
2011,13) is a combination industry that is an aggregate of the
four-digit industries—meatpacking plants (SIC 2011) and sausages and other prepared meats (SIC 2013).
Employment coverage of productivity series. With the expansion of the BLS industry productivity database, the detailed
industry series now cover 54 percent of the employment of
the private nonfarm business sector. (See table 1.) However,
the proportion of industry employment covered varies by sector. Detailed industry productivity measures now cover 73
percent of employment in the overall goods-producing sector. The coverage in manufacturing is complete, and the coverage in mining is very high (96 percent). However, the construction sector is not covered at all. Industry productivity
measures cover 47 percent of employment in the service-producing sector. Within this sector, retail trade has complete
coverage and communications has 98 percent coverage. Productivity measures cover 78 percent of utilities, while coverage in transportation is 57 percent. Coverage is lowest for
finance, insurance, and real estate (19 percent); services (16
percent); and wholesale trade (2 percent).
In the sectors that still have low coverage, the development of measures is prevented by the lack of adequate basic
data and, in some cases, serious conceptual issues. For exTable 1.
Employment coverage of BLS industry
productivity statistics by industry group,
1996
Employment
coverage
(percent)
Industry
Private nonfarm business ................................
54
Goods–producing ............................................
Mining ........................................................
Manufacturing ............................................
Contract construction .................................
73
96
100
0
Service–producing ...........................................
Transportation ............................................
Communications ........................................
Utilities .......................................................
Trade ..........................................................
Wholesale trade .....................................
Retail trade .............................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate ...........
Services .....................................................
47
57
98
78
78
2
100
19
16
NOTE: Data are for the nonfarm business sector; general government,
owner-occupied housing, and nonprofit organizations are excluded.
36
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
ample, significant impediments to the development of output
measures in some industries include the lack of consistent historical data, especially adequate price indexes, and the lack
of a well defined and measurable concept of output. Obtaining a reliable measure of output can be particularly difficult
in some service industries in which the output of the service
depends, in part, on the participation of the consumer, or in
which an increase in the number of transactions may be linked
to a decrease in the quality of service provided. Medical and
educational services are examples of areas in which it is not
always clear whether the preferred measure should focus on
the quantity of services (transactions), or on the actual outcom es ofthose services.6
Publication criteria. The industry productivity indexes are
developed from secondary data sources that have been compiled for purposes other than productivity measurement. Because ofthis,BLS staff evaluated the reliability of the productivity measures and the components of those measures.
The industry series that did not meet the criteria are not
published. The staff considered several indicators in assessing the reliability of these series. The indicators included: the
employment level for each industry; the standard deviation of
the annual percent changes in labor productivity for the 1987–
96 period for each industry; the percent of products covered
by PPI’s (for each manufacturing industry); the percent of the
value of shipments, at the product class level, that was not
reported by the Census Bureau and therefore had to be estimated (for each manufacturing industry); whether the average annual growth rate of labor productivity for the 1987–96
period was below –2.0 percent; the relative standard error of
the industry value of shipments from the Census Bureau for 4
different years; and information from the BLS Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics about industries with
potential problems in unpublished employment and hours
data.
Ultimately, BLS selected the employment size of the industry and the standard deviation of the 1987–96 annual productivity changes as the most appropriate criteria for determining if the productivity series for an industry is unreliable.7
This does not mean that all industries meeting the publication
criteria are completely free of problems. For example, some
industries that met the criteria are based on output concepts
that still are being discussed by researchers active in this field.
Further research could result in changes in the methodology
for these industries.
Most of the productivity indexes developed for each sector satisfied the publication criteria and are published. In the
nonmanufacturing sector, 61 of the 92 four-digit industries
and 47 of the 62 three-digit industries are published. In the
manufacturing sector, 294 of the 457 four-digit and 122 of
the 140 three-digit industries are published. The series for
Industry Productivity Series
Table 2.
SIC
Changes in output per hour, output, and employee hours for selected three-digit industries, 1987–96
Industry
code
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
Mining
102
104
122
131
142
Copper ores ........................................................................
Gold and silver ores ............................................................
Bituminous coal and lignite mining .....................................
Crude petroleum and natural gas .......................................
Crushed and broken stone .................................................
16
20
90
143
40
1.6
3.4
6.1
2.6
.8
4.6
7.6
1.0
–.9
1.2
2.9
4.0
–4.8
–3.5
.4
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
211
Meat products .....................................................................
Dairy products .....................................................................
Preserved fruits and vegetables .........................................
Grain mill products ..............................................................
Bakery products ..................................................................
Sugar and confectionery products ......................................
Fats and oils ........................................................................
Beverages ...........................................................................
Miscellaneous food and kindred products ...........................
Cigarettes ............................................................................
481
144
237
127
210
99
31
179
186
28
–.3
1.7
1.0
.8
–.5
1.3
1.2
3.4
.8
4.4
2.3
.5
1.7
1.3
–.7
1.6
1.0
2.2
2.2
.7
2.6
–1.1
.7
.5
–.2
.3
–.2
–1.2
1.4
–3.6
221
222
224
225
226
227
228
229
231
232
Broadwoven fabric mills, cotton ..........................................
Broadwoven fabric mills, manmade ....................................
Narrow fabric mills ..............................................................
Knitting mills ........................................................................
Textile finishing, except wool ...............................................
Carpets and rugs ................................................................
Yarn and thread mills ..........................................................
Miscellaneous textile goods ................................................
Men’s and boys’ suits and coats .........................................
Men’s and boys’ furnishings ................................................
75
66
21
180
69
61
87
51
33
224
3.6
4.7
2.7
4.7
–2.5
.1
4.3
2.5
–.4
3.3
–.1
1.2
1.3
2.2
–1.1
.3
1.2
2.2
–6.5
–.3
–3.6
–3.4
–1.4
–2.3
1.4
.2
–3.0
–.3
–6.1
–3.5
233
234
235
238
239
241
242
243
244
245
Women’s and misses’ outerwear ........................................
Women’s and children’s undergarments .............................
Hats, caps, and millinery .....................................................
Miscellaneous apparel and accessories .............................
Miscellaneous fabricated textile products ...........................
Logging ...............................................................................
Sawmills and planing mills ..................................................
Millwork, plywood, and structural members ........................
Wood containers .................................................................
Wood buildings and mobile homes .....................................
255
41
19
34
221
80
182
288
53
89
4.2
6.2
–2.3
2.2
.7
–1.7
1.5
–.9
.7
–.3
.5
–.5
.7
–.3
2.3
–2.0
.4
–.1
3.4
2.5
–3.5
–6.3
3.1
–2.4
1.6
–.4
–1.1
.8
2.6
2.9
249
251
252
253
254
259
261
262
263
265
Miscellaneous wood products .............................................
Household furniture ............................................................
Office furniture ....................................................................
Public building and related furniture ...................................
Partitions and fixtures .........................................................
Miscellaneous furniture and fixtures ...................................
Pulp mills ............................................................................
Paper mills ..........................................................................
Paperboard mills .................................................................
Paperboard containers and boxes ......................................
89
275
62
43
85
38
13
161
50
218
1.5
2.3
.7
6.7
–.3
1.4
3.2
1.3
1.9
.7
1.7
.8
–.6
11.8
1.4
1.7
1.3
.5
1.2
1.6
.2
–1.5
–1.3
4.7
1.7
.3
–1.8
–.8
–.7
.9
267
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
Miscellaneous converted paper products ...........................
Newspapers ........................................................................
Periodicals ..........................................................................
Books ..................................................................................
Miscellaneous publishing ....................................................
Commercial printing ............................................................
Manifold business forms .....................................................
Greeting cards ....................................................................
Blankbooks and bookbinding ..............................................
Printing trade services ........................................................
240
442
132
125
86
564
44
27
66
52
1.5
–2.8
–1.1
.1
–.8
.9
–3.2
–.9
1.6
2.7
1.8
–3.5
–.4
1.4
.5
1.9
–4.4
.9
.8
1.3
.3
–.7
.7
1.4
1.2
.9
–1.2
1.9
–.7
–1.3
281
282
283
284
285
Industrial inorganic chemicals .............................................
Plastics materials and synthetics ........................................
Drugs ..................................................................................
Soaps, cleaners, and toilet goods .......................................
Paints and allied products ...................................................
83
159
259
154
53
1.1
2.5
1.4
2.2
2.4
.7
2.0
3.4
2.2
.6
–.4
–.5
2.1
.1
–1.8
Manufacturing
38
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
Table 2. Continued—Changes in output per hour, output, and employee hours for selected three-digit industries, 1987–96
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Industry
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
286
287
289
291
295
Industrial organic chemicals ...............................................
Agricultural chemicals .........................................................
Miscellaneous chemical products .......................................
Petroleum refining ...............................................................
Asphalt paving and roofing materials ..................................
144
52
93
100
27
–0.2
1.2
1.1
4.0
1.5
–0.4
1.7
.9
1.3
1.7
–0.2
.5
–.1
–2.5
.2
299
301
305
306
308
314
316
317
321
322
Miscellaneous petroleum and coal products ......................
Tires and inner tubes ..........................................................
Hose and belting and gaskets and packing ........................
Fabricated rubber products, n.e.c. ......................................
Miscellaneous plastics products, n.e.c. ..............................
Footwear, except rubber .....................................................
Luggage ..............................................................................
Handbags and personal leather goods ...............................
Flat glass ............................................................................
Glass and glassware, pressed or blown .............................
14
80
68
113
714
45
11
11
16
72
–1.6
3.7
.8
2.1
2.5
2.6
.9
–1.9
.5
2.2
.5
2.8
3.3
2.9
4.8
–4.6
.6
–6.5
.8
.4
2.1
–.9
2.5
.8
2.2
–7.0
–.3
–4.7
.4
–1.8
323
324
325
326
327
329
331
332
333
335
Products of purchased glass ..............................................
Cement, hydraulic ...............................................................
Structural clay products ......................................................
Pottery and related products ...............................................
Concrete, gypsum, and plaster products ............................
Miscellaneous nonmetallic mineral products ......................
Blast furnace and basic steel products ...............................
Iron and steel foundries ......................................................
Primary nonferrous metals ..................................................
Nonferrous rolling and drawing ...........................................
60
17
33
40
212
74
240
129
40
168
2.5
2.8
2.0
2.0
.8
1.2
4.9
1.6
1.2
.4
4.4
1.4
.4
2.9
1.0
1.3
3.7
2.0
1.0
–.1
1.8
–1.4
–1.6
.9
.2
.1
–1.1
.3
–.2
–.5
336
339
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
Nonferrous foundries (castings) ..........................................
Miscellaneous primary metal products ...............................
Metal cans and shipping containers ...................................
Cutlery, handtools, and hardware .......................................
Plumbing and heating, except electric ................................
Fabricated structural metal products ...................................
Screw machine products, bolts, etc. ...................................
Metal forgings and stampings .............................................
Metal services, n.e.c. ..........................................................
Ordnance and accessories, n.e.c. ......................................
89
29
39
125
58
439
101
253
133
48
2.3
4.6
5.0
1.8
1.9
.7
1.1
1.4
2.7
–1.5
3.0
6.1
.7
1.2
1.2
1.5
2.2
2.8
4.8
–6.6
.7
1.5
–4.1
–.6
–.7
.8
1.1
1.4
2.0
–5.2
349
351
352
353
354
355
356
358
359
361
Miscellaneous fabricated metal products ............................
Engines and turbines ..........................................................
Farm and garden machinery ...............................................
Construction and related machinery ...................................
Metalworking machinery .....................................................
Special industry machinery ................................................
General industrial machinery ..............................................
Refrigeration and service machinery ..................................
Industrial machinery, n.e.c. .................................................
Electric distribution equipment ............................................
254
84
99
232
346
178
257
205
349
82
.9
3.6
3.5
2.4
1.5
3.4
1.1
1.5
4.0
4.2
2.7
2.6
4.3
3.8
3.0
5.3
2.6
3.6
5.7
1.7
1.7
–.9
.7
1.3
1.4
1.8
1.5
2.0
1.7
–2.4
362
363
364
366
369
371
372
373
374
375
Electrical industrial apparatus .............................................
Household appliances ........................................................
Electric lighting and wiring equipment ................................
Communications equipment ...............................................
Miscellaneous electrical equipment and supplies ...............
Motor vehicles and equipment ............................................
Aircraft and parts ................................................................
Ship and boat building and repairing ..................................
Railroad equipment .............................................................
Motorcycles, bicycles, and parts .........................................
156
121
178
269
153
963
460
157
36
22
4.9
2.7
1.8
7.4
2.3
.4
1.3
.1
4.3
2.4
3.5
1.6
1.1
7.1
1.5
2.2
–2.9
–1.6
8.4
9.7
–1.3
–1.1
–.7
–.3
–.8
1.8
–4.1
–1.7
3.9
7.2
376
381
382
384
385
386
391
393
394
Guided missiles, space vehicles, parts ...............................
Search and navigation equipment ......................................
Measuring and controlling devices .....................................
Medical instruments and supplies ......................................
Ophthalmic goods ...............................................................
Photographic equipment and supplies ................................
Jewelry, silverware, and plated ware ..................................
Musical instruments ............................................................
Toys and sporting goods .....................................................
90
161
297
268
36
85
49
16
114
2.7
4.0
4.6
3.8
7.3
2.9
.4
–2.6
2.0
–6.2
–4.1
4.2
6.2
6.7
.2
–.5
–.4
4.0
–8.7
–7.7
–.4
2.3
–.6
–2.6
–.8
2.3
1.9
SIC
code
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
39
Industry Productivity Series
Table 2. Continued—Changes in output per hour, output, and employee hours for selected three-digit industries, 1987–96
SIC
Industry
code
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
395
Pens, pencils, office, and art supplies .................................
31
4.2
3.5
–0.7
396
399
Costume jewelry and notions ..............................................
Miscellaneous manufactures ..............................................
24
153
4.0
1.4
.3
2.5
–3.6
1.1
856
.5
1.7
1.2
898
243
171
5.5
.5
–2.3
5.7
1.2
3.2
.1
.6
5.7
Transportation
3
431
U.S. Postal Service ...........................................................
Communications
481
483
484
Telephone communications ................................................
Radio and television broadcasting stations ........................
Cable and other pay television stations ..............................
Trade
521
523
525
526
531
533
539
541
542
546
Lumber and other building materials dealers ......................
Paint, glass, and wallpaper stores ......................................
Hardware stores .................................................................
Retail nurseries, lawn and garden supply stores ................
Department stores ..............................................................
Variety stores ......................................................................
Miscellaneous general merchandise stores ........................
Grocery stores ....................................................................
Meat and fish (seafood) markets ........................................
Retail bakeries ....................................................................
546
70
181
98
2,388
140
208
3,141
59
213
1.6
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.3
6.4
5.6
–1.3
–1.6
–2.8
4.0
1.0
1.9
1.2
4.2
–.6
5.4
.0
–3.4
–1.8
2.3
–1.0
–.1
–.7
2.8
–6.6
–.2
1.3
–1.9
1.0
551
553
554
561
562
565
566
569
571
572
New and used car dealers ..................................................
Auto and home supply stores .............................................
Gasoline service stations ....................................................
Men’s and boys' wear stores ...............................................
Women’s clothing stores .....................................................
Family clothing stores .........................................................
Shoe stores .........................................................................
Miscellaneous apparel and accessory stores .....................
Furniture and homefurnishings stores ................................
Household appliance stores ...............................................
1,032
411
698
85
314
349
200
102
570
87
.8
.6
1.5
2.9
3.0
3.0
3.1
1.6
1.9
2.8
1.9
2.3
1.1
–.6
–.4
6.0
1.1
5.1
2.6
1.3
1.1
1.7
–.4
–3.3
–3.3
2.9
–2.0
3.4
.7
–1.4
573
581
591
592
593
594
596
598
599
Radio, television, computer, and music stores ....................
Eating and drinking places ..................................................
Drug and proprietary stores ................................................
Liquor stores .......................................................................
Used merchandise stores ...................................................
Miscellaneous shopping goods stores ................................
Nonstore retailers ...............................................................
Fuel dealers ........................................................................
Retail stores, n.e.c. .............................................................
444
7,737
624
137
175
1,135
558
103
635
7.1
–.2
.6
1.1
–.4
1.8
2.9
–1.1
2.7
11.9
1.7
1.2
–1.6
3.7
3.6
4.7
–2.1
4.4
4.5
1.9
.6
–2.6
4.1
1.8
1.8
–1.1
1.7
602
701
721
722
723
724
726
753
783
Commercial banks ..............................................................
Hotels and motels ...............................................................
Laundry, cleaning, and garment services ...........................
Photographic studios, portrait .............................................
Beauty shops ......................................................................
Barber shops ......................................................................
Funeral services and crematories ......................................
Automotive repair shops .....................................................
Motion picture theaters .......................................................
1,466
1,694
524
91
716
58
104
891
121
3.1
1.0
.9
2.3
.5
2.3
–.3
1.4
.1
2.1
2.7
1.4
6.1
1.9
–1.6
1.4
3.2
1.5
–.9
1.7
.5
3.7
1.4
–3.8
1.7
1.8
1.5
12
13
14
211,2,3
211,3
221,2
261,2,3
491,2,3
491,3(PT)
492,3(PT)
Coal mining .........................................................................
Oil and gas extraction .........................................................
Nonmetallic minerals, except fuels .....................................
Tobacco products ................................................................
Cigarettes, chewing and smoking tobacco .........................
Cotton and synthetic broadwoven fabrics ...........................
Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills ......................................
Gas and electric utilities ......................................................
Electric utilities4 ...................................................................
Gas utilities 5 ........................................................................
96
317
106
34
31
141
223
697
519
178
6.0
1.1
.5
4.0
4.1
4.3
1.8
3.6
4.3
1.5
1.1
–.9
.4
.5
.5
.7
.9
2.0
2.6
.2
–4.7
–2.0
.0
–3.3
–3.4
–3.5
–.8
–1.6
–1.6
–1.3
Finance and services
Combination industries
40
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
Table 2. Continued—Changes in output per hour, output, and employee hours for selected three-digit industries, 1987–96
SIC
code
54
56
57
572,3
58
723,4
Industry
Food stores .........................................................................
Apparel and accessory stores ............................................
Home furniture, furnishings, and equipment stores ............
Appliance, radio, television, and computer stores ...............
Eating and drinking places ..................................................
Beauty and barber shops ....................................................
1
Employment figures are based primarily on data from the BLS Current
Employment Statistics (CES) program and the Current Population Survey
(CPS).
2
Output per hour of all persons is used for all trade and services industries
except SIC 531 and SIC 551. "All persons" include self-employed and unpaid
family workers as well as employees.
3
Employee hours in SIC 431 are based on the number of full-time-equivalent
employee years, as reported in the U.S. Postal Service budget. Full-time-equiva-
industries not passing the publication criteria are available
from BLS upon request.
Productivity trends, 1987–96
Overall database. The wide range of productivity performance among all the industries for which BLS produces productivity series is depicted in chart 1. The chart shows the
distribution of productivity growth rates for the 1987–96 period for all nonduplicated industries in the database (that is,
all four-digit industries and all three-digit industries for which
component four-digit series have not been computed). Despite
the wide range of performance, a strong central tendency can
be seen; almost half the industries had growth rates in the range
between 0.0 and 3.0 percent.
The productivity trend for the 1987–96 period was positive for the majority of industries. Industries with rising productivity accounted for 68 percent of the employment of the
industries measured. However, the proportion of industries
experiencing productivity growth varied by sector. Chart 2
shows the percent of employment in industries with rising
productivity.
For example, in the mining sector and the transportation
sector, productivity rose in industries accounting for 99 percent of employment. In communications and utilities and in
finance and services, 85 percent of employment was in industries in which productivity rose over the period. In the manufacturing sector, industries with rising productivity accounted
for 78 percent of employment, while only 49 percent of the
employment in the trade sector was in industries recording
productivity gains.
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Output per hour2
Output
3,610
1,156
1,101
531
7,737
774
–1.3
2.9
4.0
6.4
–.2
.7
–0.1
2.3
5.9
9.8
1.7
1.5
Employee
hours
1.2
–.5
1.8
3.2
1.9
.8
lent employee years are computed by dividing total hours of full-time, part-time,
and intermittent workers by the number of hours in a standard work year. The
output and hours indexes for SIC 431 reflect the Federal fiscal year.
4
Only the part of the combination utilities (SIC 493) supplying electric services is included here.
5
Only the part of the combination utilities (SIC 493) supplying gas services is
included here.
NOTE: n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.
The analysis that follows pertains only to the industries with
published productivity series. Data for the three-digit industries are presented in tables 2 and 3. (Data for the four-digit
industries are presented in appendix B, table B-1.)
Three-digit industries. During the 1987–96 period, the productivity of workers in the U.S. nonfarm business sector increased at an average annual rate of 1.0 percent. Productivity
for the manufacturing sector advanced at a much faster rate of
2.8 percent per year. Examining the industries within various
sectors can provide some insights into the sources of these
differences.
While labor productivity grew in all sectors of the economy
during the 1987–96 period, the manufacturing industries overall performed better than did the nonmanufacturing industries.
Manufacturing industries with positive productivity change
during the period accounted for 87 percent of the employment
of published industries in that sector. In contrast, nonmanufacturing industries with rising productivity accounted
for only 62 percent of employment of that sector. It should
be emphasized, however, that the nonmanufacturing industries
presented in this analysis might not be representative of the
entire sector, as several subsectors—business services, contract construction, and wholesale trade—have little or no
coverage.
Table 2 presents the 1987–96 average annual rates of
growth in output per hour, output, and employee hours for
169 three-digit industries. Over the 1987–96 period, labor productivity increased in 142 (84 percent) of these industries. For
more than 61 percent of the three-digit industries, labor productivity grew at an annual average rate that was between 0.0
percent and 3.0 percent.
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
41
Industry Productivity Series
Table 3.
SIC
Changes in output per hour and related data, 1987–96, for three-digit industries with 1996 employment greater than
400,000
1996
employment
(thousands)1
581
541
531
701
602
594
551
371
481
753
Eating and drinking places ..................................................
Grocery stores ....................................................................
Department stores3 .............................................................
Hotels and motels ...............................................................
Commercial banks3 .............................................................
Miscellaneous shopping goods stores ................................
New and used car dealers3 .................................................
Motor vehicles and equipment3 ...........................................
Telephone communications3 ...............................................
Automotive repair shops .....................................................
7,737
3,141
2,388
1,694
1,466
1,135
1,032
963
898
891
–0.2
–1.3
1.3
1.0
3.1
1.8
.8
.4
5.5
1.4
1.7
.0
4.2
2.7
2.1
3.6
1.9
2.2
5.7
3.2
1.9
1.3
2.8
1.7
–.9
1.8
1.1
1.8
.1
1.8
431
723
308
554
599
591
571
275
596
521
U.S. Postal Service4 ............................................................
Beauty shops ......................................................................
Miscellaneous plastics products, n.e.c.3 .............................
Gasoline service stations ....................................................
Retail stores, n.e.c. .............................................................
Drug and proprietary stores ................................................
Furniture and homefurnishings stores ................................
Commercial printing3 ...........................................................
Nonstore retailers ...............................................................
Lumber and other building materials dealers ......................
856
716
714
698
635
624
570
564
558
546
.5
.5
2.5
1.5
2.7
.6
1.9
.9
2.9
1.6
1.7
1.9
4.8
1.1
4.4
1.2
2.6
1.9
4.8
4.0
1.2
1.4
2.2
–.4
1.7
.6
.7
.9
1.8
2.3
721
201
372
573
271
344
553
Laundry, cleaning, and garment services ...........................
Meat products3 ....................................................................
Aircraft and parts3 ...............................................................
Radio, television, computer, and music stores ....................
Newspapers3 .......................................................................
Fabricated structural metal products3 .................................
Auto and home supply stores .............................................
524
481
460
444
442
439
411
.9
–.3
1.3
7.1
–2.8
.7
.6
1.4
2.3
–2.9
11.9
–3.5
1.5
2.3
.5
2.6
–4.1
4.5
–.7
.8
1.7
1
Employment is based primarily on data from the BLS Current Employment
Statistics (CES) program and the Current Population Survey (CPS).
2
Output per hour of all persons including self-employed as well as employees, except as noted.
3
Output per employee hour.
For most industries, there is a positive relationship between
output growth and productivity growth. In general, industries
with expanding output were more likely to exhibit increasing
labor productivity. Almost 92 percent of the three-digit industries with expanding output had labor productivity growth
during the 1987–96 period, compared with about 55 percent
of industries with declining output.
The overall upward trend in productivity during the period
was reflected in the productivity performance of the largest
industries. Table 3 shows the 1987–96 average annual change
in output per hour and related measures for the three-digit industries with employment greater than 400,000, in order of
employment size. Most of the largest industries are serviceproducing rather than goods-producing industries. Only 7 of
the 27 industries listed in table 3 are manufacturing industries, and none are mining industries. The remaining 20 industries in table 3 come from the retail trade, transportation, utilities, and finance and services sectors.
Of the large industries shown in table 3, those with the fastest average annual growth in productivity for the period were
radio, television, and computer stores (7.1 percent); telephone
42
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Industry
code
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
4
Employee hours in SIC 431 are based on the number of full-time-equivalent
employee years, as reported in the U.S. Postal Service budget. Full-time-equivalent employee years are computed by dividing total hours of full-time, part-time,
and intermittent workers by the number of hours in a standard work year. The
output and hours indexes for SIC 431 reflect the Federal fiscal year.
NOTE: n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.
communications (5.5 percent); and commercial banks (3.1 percent). The manufacturing industry with the fastest productivity growth was miscellaneous plastics products, not elsewhere
classified (2.5 percent).
While most large industries recorded rising labor productivity, 4 of the 27 suffered productivity losses. Among the four
were the two largest industries, both in retail trade. Eating and
drinking places (SIC 581, with 7.7 million employees in 1996)
declined by 0.2 percent. Grocery stores (SIC 541, with 3.1 million employees in 1996) fell by 1.3 percent. The productivity
performance of these two industries had a major effect on the
overall productivity performance of retail trade.
THE PUBLISHED INDEXES and rates of change in productivity,
output, and hours are available from the BLS Industry Productivity web site.8 Underlying data for production workers, production worker hours, nonproduction workers, nonproduction
worker hours, the number of employees, the number of all
employee hours, and the value of net production are available
upon request. Unpublished data, supplied in print or by e-mail
or diskette, also are available upon request.
Industry Productivity Series
Törnqvist aggregation method is used in calculating the output index for most industries; one notable exception is commercial banking, in which the annual changes in different outputs are
combined using employment weights that are changed every
5 years.
Annual output indexes based on deflated values of production. For
manufacturing industries, value of shipments data are divided by
price indexes for each five-digit product class in the industry. The
price indexes are mostly BLS Producer Price Indexes. After aggregation of the product class data, adjustments are made to include the
value of secondary products, exclude the value of primary products
made in other industries, and include the value of inventory change.
In the benchmark indexes, an adjustment also is made to remove
double counting of intraindustry shipments, that is, shipments between plants in the same industry.
For industries in communications, retail trade, and services (and
for a few transportation industries), data on the value of sales
for each year are divided by price indexes to derive measures of changes
in the industries’ real output. These price indexes are, for the most
part, Producer and Consumer Price Indexes developed by BLS.
Annual output indexes based on physical quantities of production.
Physical quantity output indexes are, in all possible cases, a Törnqvist
aggregation of quantities of component products. Examples of such
products include tons of steel, BTU’s of electricity, or revenue passenger miles and freight-ton miles. The finest level of detail available is used. The output measure for utilities, wholesale trade, and
most transportation industries are physical quantity measures. The
output measures for a few industries in manufacturing also are based
on physical quantities.
44
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
Benchmark indexes. To make maximum use of the comprehensive data from the economic censuses, output indexes were also derived, where possible, from data for two consecutive quinquennial
censuses; these indexes are referred to as benchmark indexes. Annual indexes for intercensal years are adjusted to the benchmark levels for the census years. For years following the most recent census
year (1992), annual indexes are linked to the benchmark index.
For manufacturing industries, benchmark indexes are computed
from value of shipments and inventory data reported in the Census
of Manufactures. For retail trade industries, the indexes are computed from sales data reported in the Census of Retail Trade. Benchmark indexes for the service industries are computed from data reported in the Census of Service Industries. The output indexes for
industries in transportation, communications, utilities, and wholesale trade are not benchmarked.
Indexes of labor input. The indexes of labor input, used as the denominator in the productivity formula, are employee-hour indexes or
all-person-hour indexes. These are developed primarily from basic
data compiled by BLS and the Bureau of the Census. BLS data are from
the Current Employment Statistics survey (a monthly establishment
survey in which 390,000 representative establishments report employment, hours, and earnings data to BLS and supportive State agencies) and the Current Population Survey (a monthly household survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census for BLS). Bureau of
the Census data are from the economic censuses and the Census of
Population. The hours indexes are developed by dividing the aggregate hours for each year by the base-period aggregate. Because of
data limitations, employee hours are treated as homogeneous and
additive with no distinction made between hours of different groups
of employees.
Appendix B: Changes in output per hour, output, and employee hours for selected
industries, 1987–96
Table B–1.
SIC
code
Productivity and related measures for four-digit industries, 1987–96
Industry
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
1021
1041
1311
Copper mining, recoverable metal ......................................
Gold ores ............................................................................
Crude petroleum and natural gas production .....................
16
18
143
1.6
2.5
2.6
4.6
8.0
–.9
2.9
5.4
–3.5
2011
2013
2015
2022
2023
2024
2026
2032
2033
2037
Manufacturing
Meat packing plants ............................................................
Sausages and other prepared meats .................................
Poultry slaughtering and processing ...................................
Cheese, natural and processed ..........................................
Dry, condensed, and evaporated dairy products ................
Ice cream and frozen desserts ...........................................
Fluid milk .............................................................................
Canned specialties .............................................................
Canned fruits and vegetables .............................................
Frozen fruits and vegetables ...............................................
147
96
238
41
17
22
62
20
77
48
–.5
–.4
2.1
1.9
–.9
3.3
1.3
2.5
.6
2.4
.6
2.0
6.0
2.1
–.4
3.7
–1.4
1.4
.6
2.3
1.1
2.4
3.8
.2
.5
.4
–2.6
–1.0
.0
–.1
2038
2041
2043
2045
2047
2048
2051
2052
2064
2066
Frozen specialties, n.e.c. ....................................................
Flour and other grain mill products .....................................
Cereal breakfast foods ........................................................
Prepared flour mixes and doughs .......................................
Dog and cat food .................................................................
Prepared feeds, n.e.c. .........................................................
Bread, cake, and related products ......................................
Cookies and crackers .........................................................
Candy and other confectionery products ............................
Chocolate and cocoa products ...........................................
52
19
20
13
19
41
149
51
59
13
.3
2.3
–1.7
1.4
–2.7
1.8
–1.8
.5
1.6
.0
4.2
.4
–.6
5.4
1.8
.8
–2.5
1.5
2.6
–.9
3.9
–1.9
1.1
3.9
4.7
–1.0
–.7
1.0
.9
–.9
2082
2084
2086
2087
2092
2096
2099
2111
2211
2221
Malt beverages ....................................................................
Wines, brandy, and brandy spirits .......................................
Bottled and canned soft drinks ...........................................
Flavoring extracts and syrups, n.e.c. ..................................
Fresh or frozen prepared fish ..............................................
Potato chips and similar snacks ..........................................
Food preparations, n.e.c. ....................................................
Cigarettes ............................................................................
Broadwoven fabrics mills, cotton .........................................
Broadwoven fabrics mills, manmade fiber and silk .............
37
20
93
20
47
33
72
28
75
66
1.9
1.1
5.6
.1
–2.2
4.8
–.1
4.4
3.6
4.7
1.3
4.0
2.9
3.4
.8
4.8
2.8
.7
–.1
1.2
–.5
2.9
–2.5
3.3
3.1
–.1
2.9
–3.6
–3.6
–3.4
2241
2251
2252
2253
2261
2262
2273
2281
2282
2297
Narrow fabrics mills .............................................................
Women’s hosiery, except socks ..........................................
Hosiery, n.e.c. .....................................................................
Knit outerwear mills .............................................................
Finishing plants, cotton .......................................................
Finishing plants, manmade .................................................
Carpets and rugs ................................................................
Yarn spinning mills ..............................................................
Throwing and winding mills .................................................
Nonwoven fabrics ................................................................
21
21
40
54
32
22
61
65
16
12
2.7
4.7
3.4
9.0
.3
–1.8
.1
4.7
3.2
.4
1.3
–1.3
4.0
5.9
3.7
–2.3
.3
.9
2.6
4.1
–1.4
–5.7
.5
–2.9
3.3
–.5
.2
–3.6
–.6
3.7
2311
2321
2325
2326
2329
2331
2337
2341
2353
2391
Men’s and boys’ suits and coats .........................................
Men’s and boys’ shirts .........................................................
Men’s and boys’ trousers and slacks ..................................
Men’s and boys’ work clothing ............................................
Men’s and boys’ clothing, n.e.c. ..........................................
Women’s, misses’, and juniors’ blouses and shirts .............
Women’s, misses’, and juniors’ suits and coats ..................
Women’s and children’s underwear ....................................
Hats, caps, and millinery .....................................................
Curtains and draperies .......................................................
33
47
76
33
44
26
25
30
19
20
–.4
6.1
2.6
5.1
1.0
3.9
2.6
4.6
–2.3
–3.2
–6.5
–.3
.4
.1
–.2
–2.6
–2.3
–3.4
.7
–5.8
–6.1
–6.0
–2.1
–4.8
–1.3
–6.3
–4.7
–7.6
3.1
–2.7
2392
2394
2395
2396
2399
2411
2421
Housefurnishings, n.e.c. .....................................................
Canvas and related products ..............................................
Pleating and stitching ..........................................................
Automotive and apparel trimmings .....................................
Fabricated textile products, n.e.c. .......................................
Logging ...............................................................................
Sawmills and planing mills, general ....................................
55
19
19
62
30
80
145
1.5
–2.4
–5.8
–.3
5.2
–1.7
1.7
2.1
–1.1
–3.3
4.2
5.8
–2.0
.3
.6
1.3
2.7
4.5
.5
–.4
–1.3
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
45
Industry Productivity Series
Table B-1.
SIC
46
Continued—Productivity and related measures for four-digit industries, 1987–96
Industry
code
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
2426
2431
2434
Hardwood dimension and flooring mills ..............................
Millwork ...............................................................................
Wood kitchen cabinets ........................................................
36
114
79
1.6
–1.6
.0
1.9
–1.1
1.0
0.3
.5
1.0
2435
2436
2439
2448
2451
2452
2491
2493
2499
2511
Hardwood veneer and plywood ..........................................
Softwood veneer and plywood ............................................
Structural wood members, n.e.c. ........................................
Wood pallets and skids .......................................................
Mobile homes ......................................................................
Prefabricated wood buildings ..............................................
Wood preserving .................................................................
Reconstituted wood products .............................................
Wood products, n.e.c. .........................................................
Wood household furniture ...................................................
28
31
37
41
68
21
12
21
56
124
–2.1
–.7
2.4
–.4
.0
–.8
1.7
1.2
.7
1.1
–.3
–2.5
5.7
3.8
4.8
–2.4
.7
4.0
.2
–.4
1.9
–1.8
3.3
4.2
4.8
–1.6
–1.0
2.8
–.5
–1.5
2512
2514
2515
2521
2522
2531
2541
2542
2591
2599
Upholstered household furniture .........................................
Metal household furniture ...................................................
Mattresses and bedsprings .................................................
Wood office furniture ...........................................................
Office furniture, except wood ..............................................
Public building and related furniture ...................................
Wood partitions and fixtures ...............................................
Partitions and fixtures, except wood ...................................
Drapery hardware and blinds and shades ..........................
Furniture and fixtures, n.e.c. ...............................................
86
21
33
29
33
43
49
37
21
17
4.4
–.3
1.4
.3
.7
6.7
–1.7
1.2
.2
1.7
2.4
–2.8
2.8
–1.4
–.3
11.8
.5
2.2
–.6
3.4
–1.9
–2.5
1.4
–1.7
–1.0
4.7
2.2
1.0
–.8
1.7
2611
2621
2631
2653
2655
2656
2657
2671
2672
2673
Pulp mills ............................................................................
Paper mills ..........................................................................
Paperboard mills .................................................................
Corrugated and solid fiber boxes ........................................
Fiber cans, drums, and similar products .............................
Sanitary food containers .....................................................
Folding paperboard boxes ..................................................
Paper coated and laminated, packaging .............................
Paper coated and laminated, n.e.c. ....................................
Bags: plastics, laminated, and coated ................................
13
161
50
130
15
18
48
22
47
38
3.2
1.3
1.9
.2
–.3
–3.2
2.7
3.0
1.3
.2
1.3
.5
1.2
2.2
–.9
–1.8
2.0
4.4
2.9
2.0
–1.8
–.8
–.7
2.0
–.6
1.5
–.6
1.3
1.5
1.8
2674
2675
2676
2677
2679
2711
2721
2731
2732
2741
Bags: uncoated paper and multiwall ...................................
Die-cut paper and board .....................................................
Sanitary paper products ......................................................
Envelopes ...........................................................................
Converted paper products, n.e.c. ........................................
Newspapers ........................................................................
Periodicals ..........................................................................
Book publishing ...................................................................
Book printing .......................................................................
Miscellaneous publishing ....................................................
18
20
30
24
35
442
132
86
39
86
–1.3
–1.5
2.2
1.8
4.7
–2.8
–1.1
.8
–1.2
–.8
–2.0
.7
1.7
.4
2.9
–3.5
–.4
1.2
2.5
.5
–.7
2.3
–.5
–1.3
–1.7
–.7
.7
.4
3.7
1.2
2752
2754
2759
2761
2771
2782
2789
2791
2796
2813
Commercial printing, lithographic ........................................
Commercial printing, gravure ..............................................
Commercial printing, n.e.c. .................................................
Manifold business forms .....................................................
Greeting cards ....................................................................
Blankbooks and looseleaf binders ......................................
Bookbinding and related work ............................................
Typesetting ..........................................................................
Platemaking services ..........................................................
Industrial gases ...................................................................
367
20
177
44
27
38
28
19
32
24
.9
–1.2
.9
–3.2
–.9
2.1
.9
5.3
–.3
–1.7
1.9
3.0
1.4
–4.4
.9
.6
1.4
–1.5
3.1
.1
1.0
4.2
.5
–1.2
1.9
–1.5
.4
–6.4
3.4
1.8
2816
2819
2821
2822
2824
2834
2841
2842
2844
2851
Inorganic pigments ..............................................................
Industrial inorganic chemicals, n.e.c. ..................................
Plastics materials and resins ..............................................
Synthetic rubber ..................................................................
Organic fibers, noncellulosic ...............................................
Pharmaceutical preparations ..............................................
Soap and other detergents .................................................
Polishes and sanitation goods ............................................
Toilet preparations ...............................................................
Paints and allied products ...................................................
12
37
76
17
49
206
41
34
72
53
.5
2.6
2.4
.7
3.4
–.4
2.5
2.3
2.4
2.4
2.0
.5
2.6
2.7
.8
1.6
1.3
1.9
3.3
.6
1.5
–2.1
.2
1.9
–2.5
2.0
–1.1
–.5
.9
–1.8
2865
Cyclic crudes and intermediates .........................................
26
2.4
1.4
–1.0
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
Table B-1.
SIC
code
Continued—Productivity and related measures for four-digit industries, 1987–96
Industry
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
2869
2879
2891
2893
2899
2911
2951
2952
2992
Industrial organic chemicals, n.e.c. .....................................
Agricultural chemicals, n.e.c. ..............................................
Adhesives and sealants ......................................................
Printing ink ..........................................................................
Chemical preparations, n.e.c. .............................................
Petroleum refining ...............................................................
Asphalt paving mixtures and blocks ...................................
Asphalt felts and coatings ...................................................
Lubricating oils and greases ...............................................
116
24
25
16
42
100
14
13
12
–0.8
–.3
–.9
.7
.9
4.0
.2
2.9
–1.3
–0.6
2.3
.0
3.1
1.4
1.3
1.2
2.3
.6
0.2
2.5
1.0
2.4
.6
–2.5
1.0
–.6
1.9
3011
3052
3053
3061
3069
3081
3082
3083
3084
3085
Tires and inner tubes ..........................................................
Rubber and plastics hose and belting .................................
Gaskets, packing, and sealing devices ...............................
Mechanical rubber goods ...................................................
Fabricated rubber products, n.e.c. ......................................
Unsupported plastics film and sheet ...................................
Unsupported plastics profile shapes ...................................
Laminated plastics plate, sheet, and profile shapes ...........
Plastics pipe ........................................................................
Plastics bottles ....................................................................
80
28
40
50
63
63
24
24
17
32
3.7
.1
1.4
3.2
1.4
1.4
7.0
–3.6
3.0
5.4
2.8
1.3
5.0
3.5
2.7
3.9
5.2
–1.0
5.1
7.1
–.9
1.2
3.6
.3
1.3
2.5
–1.7
2.7
2.0
1.6
3086
3087
3088
3089
3143
3144
3161
3211
3221
3229
Plastics foam products ........................................................
Custom compounding of purchased plastics resins ...........
Plastics plumbing fixtures ...................................................
Plastics products, n.e.c. ......................................................
Men’s footwear, except athletic ...........................................
Women’s footwear, except athletic ......................................
Luggage ..............................................................................
Flat glass ............................................................................
Glass containers .................................................................
Pressed and blown glass, n.e.c. .........................................
56
26
18
454
23
13
11
16
28
44
2.9
7.8
4.5
2.1
2.9
–2.4
.9
.5
1.9
3.1
4.2
8.2
11.3
4.7
–2.4
–11.2
.6
.8
–2.7
3.8
1.3
.3
6.5
2.6
–5.1
–9.1
–.3
.4
–4.5
.6
3231
3241
3251
3269
3271
3272
3273
3275
3291
3295
Products of purchased glass ..............................................
Cement, hydraulic ...............................................................
Brick and structural clay tile ................................................
Pottery products, n.e.c. .......................................................
Concrete block and brick ....................................................
Concrete products, n.e.c. ....................................................
Ready-mixed concrete ........................................................
Gypsum products ................................................................
Abrasive products ...............................................................
Minerals, ground or treated .................................................
60
17
14
14
18
70
106
13
20
13
2.5
2.8
2.4
–1.1
2.6
2.5
–.7
3.1
1.4
.9
4.4
1.4
–.5
1.5
1.2
2.5
.1
1.8
.5
1.7
1.8
–1.4
–2.8
2.6
–1.4
.1
.8
–1.2
–.9
.8
3296
3312
3315
3316
3317
3321
3324
3325
3334
3351
Mineral wool ........................................................................
Blast furnaces and steel mills .............................................
Steel wire and related products ..........................................
Cold finishing of steel shapes .............................................
Steel pipe and tubes ...........................................................
Gray and ductile iron foundries ...........................................
Steel investment foundries ..................................................
Steel foundries, n.e.c. .........................................................
Primary aluminum ...............................................................
Copper rolling and drawing .................................................
24
169
21
17
27
82
16
27
23
22
1.9
5.8
1.7
1.5
3.2
1.7
–1.5
1.9
.7
.4
1.3
3.9
3.0
2.0
4.7
2.3
.2
2.4
.8
.4
–.6
–1.8
1.3
.6
1.5
.6
1.7
.6
.1
.0
3353
3354
3356
3357
3363
3365
3398
3399
3411
3421
Aluminum sheet, plate, and foil ...........................................
Aluminum extruded products ..............................................
Nonferrous rolling and drawing, n.e.c. ................................
Nonferrous wiredrawing and insulating ...............................
Aluminum die-castings ........................................................
Aluminum foundries ............................................................
Metal heat treating ..............................................................
Primary metal products, n.e.c. ............................................
Metal cans ..........................................................................
Cutlery ................................................................................
22
32
14
73
37
24
18
11
32
12
1.2
–.8
1.7
2.0
–1.1
4.9
6.1
3.4
5.3
2.1
–1.3
–1.0
1.0
1.5
3.5
3.4
8.9
3.3
1.0
3.5
–2.5
–.2
–.7
–.5
4.7
–1.4
2.6
–.1
–4.1
1.4
3423
3429
3432
3433
3441
Hand and edge tools, n.e.c. ................................................
Hardware, n.e.c. ..................................................................
Plumbing fixture fittings and trim .........................................
Heating equipment, except electric .....................................
Fabricated structural metal .................................................
36
69
23
20
75
.7
1.6
3.0
2.8
1.4
.5
.4
1.1
1.7
1.3
–.2
–1.2
–1.8
–1.1
.0
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
47
Industry Productivity Series
Table B-1.
SIC
48
Continued—Productivity and related measures for four-digit industries, 1987–96
Industry
code
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
3442
3443
3444
3446
3448
Metal doors, sash, and trim .................................................
Fabricated plate work (boiler shops) ...................................
Sheet metal work ................................................................
Architectural metal work .....................................................
Prefabricated metal buildings ..............................................
76
101
116
30
28
–0.1
1.0
–.5
1.1
.1
–0.4
2.6
1.9
.7
1.1
–0.3
1.6
2.4
–.4
1.0
3449
3451
3452
3462
3465
3469
3471
3479
3483
3484
Miscellaneous metal work ...................................................
Screw machine products ....................................................
Bolts, nuts, rivets, and washers ..........................................
Iron and steel forgings ........................................................
Automotive stampings .........................................................
Metal stampings, n.e.c. .......................................................
Plating and polishing ...........................................................
Metal coating and allied services ........................................
Ammunition, except for small arms, n.e.c. ..........................
Small arms ..........................................................................
13
52
49
30
117
93
81
52
24
11
6.2
3.1
–.1
1.8
1.2
2.1
.7
3.9
–7.7
1.4
2.8
4.8
.4
2.1
3.4
2.9
1.9
7.4
–13.2
–1.7
–3.2
1.6
.5
.4
2.1
.8
1.2
3.3
–6.0
–3.1
3491
3492
3495
3496
3498
3499
3511
3519
3523
3524
Industrial valves ..................................................................
Fluid power valves and hose fittings ...................................
Wire springs ........................................................................
Miscellaneous fabricated wire products ..............................
Fabricated pipe and fittings .................................................
Fabricated metal products, n.e.c. ........................................
Turbines and turbine generator sets ...................................
Internal combustion engines, n.e.c. ....................................
Farm machinery and equipment .........................................
Lawn and garden equipment ..............................................
26
33
14
55
29
61
25
59
73
26
3.1
2.6
1.7
3.3
2.7
–2.5
3.5
3.6
4.5
2.1
3.5
4.8
2.4
3.9
6.6
1.7
3.1
2.4
5.5
2.2
.4
2.2
.7
.6
3.8
4.3
–.3
–1.1
1.0
.1
3531
3535
3537
3541
3544
3545
3546
3548
3552
3554
Construction machinery ......................................................
Conveyors and conveying equipment .................................
Industrial trucks and tractors ...............................................
Machine tools, metal cutting types ......................................
Special dies, tools, jigs, and fixtures ...................................
Machine tool accessories ...................................................
Power-driven handtools ......................................................
Welding apparatus ..............................................................
Textile machinery ................................................................
Paper industries machinery ................................................
86
40
30
41
165
53
23
21
15
22
2.6
.5
3.3
.7
1.7
2.8
2.1
–1.3
4.8
.4
3.5
2.9
5.5
–.2
3.8
3.2
3.1
1.5
1.4
3.6
.9
2.4
2.2
–.8
2.1
.4
1.0
2.8
–3.2
3.2
3556
3559
3561
3562
3563
3564
3565
3567
3568
3569
Food products machinery ...................................................
Special industry machinery, n.e.c. ......................................
Pumps and pumping equipment .........................................
Ball and roller bearings .......................................................
Air and gas compressors ....................................................
Blowers and fans ................................................................
Packaging machinery ..........................................................
Industrial furnaces and ovens .............................................
Power transmission equipment, n.e.c. ................................
General industrial machinery, n.e.c. ....................................
25
81
30
40
26
35
22
19
22
46
.2
3.9
–.1
.5
1.6
1.9
2.7
3.7
–2.1
.9
–.1
8.5
1.4
.2
4.4
4.0
3.9
5.1
.8
3.2
–.3
4.4
1.5
–.3
2.7
2.1
1.1
1.3
2.9
2.3
3585
3589
3592
3593
3599
3612
3613
3621
3624
3625
Refrigeration and heating equipment ..................................
Service industry machinery, n.e.c. ......................................
Carburetors, pistons, rings, and valves ...............................
Fluid power cylinders and actuators ...................................
Industrial machinery, n.e.c. .................................................
Transformers, except electronic ..........................................
Switchgear and switchboard apparatus ..............................
Motors and generators ........................................................
Carbon and graphite products ............................................
Relays and industrial controls .............................................
143
43
23
19
274
40
41
76
10
60
1.6
1.2
4.3
1.0
4.6
4.6
3.9
4.7
2.7
5.0
3.6
4.8
.9
1.0
7.5
2.1
1.5
3.2
2.9
3.3
2.0
3.6
–3.3
–.1
2.8
–2.5
–2.3
–1.4
.2
–1.7
3632
3634
3635
3641
3643
3644
3645
3646
3647
3648
Household refrigerators and freezers .................................
Electric housewares and fans .............................................
Household vacuum cleaners ..............................................
Electric lamp bulbs and tubes .............................................
Current-carrying wiring devices ..........................................
Noncurrent-carrying wiring devices ....................................
Residential lighting fixtures .................................................
Commercial lighting fixtures ................................................
Vehicular lighting equipment ...............................................
Lighting equipment, n.e.c. ...................................................
30
28
11
23
62
17
20
25
18
13
3.8
2.6
4.0
–.1
3.9
–.9
.2
–1.3
2.2
2.4
4.3
.0
4.8
–1.5
1.6
.5
–2.8
1.6
2.9
4.9
.5
–2.5
.8
–1.4
–2.2
1.4
–3.0
2.9
.8
2.4
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
Table B-1. Continued—Productivity and related measures for four-digit industries, 1987–96
SIC
code
Industry
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
3652
3663
3675
3676
3677
3678
3679
3691
3695
3699
Prerecorded records and tapes ..........................................
Radio and television communications equipment ...............
Electronic capacitors ...........................................................
Electronic resistors .............................................................
Electronic coils and transformers ........................................
Electronic connectors .........................................................
Electronic components, n.e.c. .............................................
Storage batteries .................................................................
Magnetic and optical recording media ................................
Electrical equipment and supplies, n.e.c. ...........................
28
127
20
11
19
19
137
27
17
28
–1.0
7.1
3.4
–2.9
1.2
–4.3
9.3
1.1
6.6
4.5
2.0
8.4
1.0
–4.3
–.6
–.5
8.5
1.5
5.3
.4
3.1
1.2
–2.3
–1.5
–1.8
3.9
–.7
.4
–1.2
–3.9
3711
3714
3715
3721
3724
3728
3731
3732
3743
3751
Motor vehicles and car bodies ............................................
Motor vehicle parts and accessories ..................................
Truck trailers ........................................................................
Aircraft .................................................................................
Aircraft engines and engine parts .......................................
Aircraft parts and equipment, n.e.c. ....................................
Ship building and repairing .................................................
Boat building and repairing .................................................
Railroad equipment .............................................................
Motorcycles, bicycles, and parts .........................................
342
528
34
244
95
121
101
56
36
22
2.0
1.8
–.1
4.0
–1.4
.9
.5
–.7
4.3
2.4
1.5
5.7
1.5
–.3
–6.6
–2.2
–1.2
–2.2
8.4
9.7
–.4
3.8
1.6
–4.2
–5.3
–3.1
–1.8
–1.5
3.9
7.2
3761
3812
3821
3822
3823
3825
3826
3827
3829
3841
Guided missiles and space vehicles ...................................
Search and navigation equipment ......................................
Laboratory apparatus and furniture ....................................
Environmental controls .......................................................
Process control instruments ...............................................
Instruments to measure electricity ......................................
Analytical instruments .........................................................
Optical instruments and lenses ...........................................
Measuring and controlling devices, n.e.c. ...........................
Surgical and medical instruments .......................................
63
161
10
42
66
75
30
20
41
104
3.0
4.0
–1.5
3.0
1.5
6.9
5.4
2.7
3.4
6.1
–6.8
–4.1
.4
3.0
3.7
3.2
7.2
4.1
2.4
7.4
–9.5
–7.7
2.0
.0
2.1
–3.5
1.8
1.3
–.9
1.2
3842
3843
3845
3851
3861
3911
3931
3944
3949
3961
Surgical appliances and supplies .......................................
Dental equipment and supplies ..........................................
Electromedical equipment ..................................................
Ophthalmic goods ...............................................................
Photographic equipment and supplies ................................
Jewelry, precious metal .......................................................
Musical instruments ............................................................
Games, toys, and children’s vehicles ..................................
Sporting and athletic goods, n.e.c. .....................................
Costume jewelry .................................................................
93
15
43
36
85
37
16
35
73
14
2.3
4.0
.3
7.3
2.9
–.6
–2.6
2.1
2.0
4.6
4.0
4.8
8.4
6.7
.2
–.7
–.4
1.3
5.7
.1
1.7
.8
8.1
–.6
–2.6
–.2
2.3
–.8
3.6
–4.2
3965
3991
3993
3999
Fasteners, buttons, needles, and pins ................................
Brooms and brushes ...........................................................
Signs and advertising specialties .......................................
Manufacturing industries, n.e.c. ..........................................
10
14
66
58
3.2
1.9
1.7
1.2
.6
2.7
3.2
2.6
–2.6
.8
1.5
1.5
4011
4213
4311
Railroad transportation .......................................................
Trucking, except local ..........................................................
U.S. Postal Service 3 ...........................................................
205
826
856
5.9
3.0
.5
3.0
3.4
1.7
–2.7
.4
1.2
115
128
171
3.3
–1.0
–2.3
2.4
.8
3.2
–.9
1.8
5.7
158
546
70
181
98
2,388
140
208
3,141
1.6
1.6
2.1
2.0
1.9
1.3
6.4
5.6
–1.3
5.0
4.0
1.0
1.9
1.2
4.2
–.6
5.4
.0
3.4
2.3
–1.0
–.1
–.7
2.8
–6.6
–.2
1.3
Transportation
Communications
4832
4833
4841
Radio broadcasting stations ...............................................
Television broadcasting stations .........................................
Cable and other pay television services .............................
5093
5211
5231
5251
5261
5311
5331
5399
5411
Scrap and waste materials .................................................
Lumber and other building materials dealers ......................
Paint, glass, and wallpaper stores ......................................
Hardware stores ..................................................................
Retail nurseries and garden stores .....................................
Department stores ..............................................................
Variety stores ......................................................................
Miscellaneous general merchandise stores ........................
Grocery stores ....................................................................
Trade
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
49
Industry Productivity Series
Table B-1. Continued—Productivity and related measures for four-digit industries, 1987–96
SIC
Industry
code
1996
employment
(thousands)1
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour2
Output
Employee
hours
5421
Meat and fish markets .........................................................
59
–1.6
–3.4
–1.9
5461
5511
5531
5541
5611
5621
5651
5661
5699
5712
Retail bakeries ....................................................................
New and used car dealers ..................................................
Auto and home supply stores .............................................
Gasoline service stations ....................................................
Men’s and boys’ clothing stores ..........................................
Women’s clothing stores .....................................................
Family clothing stores .........................................................
Shoe stores .........................................................................
Miscellaneous apparel and accessory stores .....................
Furniture stores ...................................................................
213
1,032
411
698
85
314
349
200
102
324
–2.8
.8
.6
1.5
2.9
3.0
3.0
3.1
1.6
1.5
–1.8
1.9
2.3
1.1
–.6
–.4
6.0
1.1
5.1
2.3
1.0
1.1
1.7
–.4
–3.3
–3.3
2.9
–2.0
3.4
.8
5713
5719
5722
5731
5734
5735
5812
5813
5912
5921
Floor covering stores ..........................................................
Miscellaneous home furnishings stores ..............................
Household appliance stores ...............................................
Radio, television, and electronic stores ..............................
Computer and computer software stores ............................
Record and prerecorded tape stores ..................................
Eating places ......................................................................
Drinking places ...................................................................
Drug stores and proprietary stores .....................................
Liquor stores .......................................................................
103
129
87
197
119
93
7,349
389
624
137
–.2
4.6
2.8
6.7
18.9
1.1
–.1
–2.1
.6
1.1
–.2
7.3
1.3
10.4
26.2
7.3
1.9
–2.2
1.2
–1.6
.0
2.6
–1.4
3.4
6.1
6.2
2.0
–.2
.6
–2.6
5932
5941
5942
5943
5944
5945
5947
5949
5961
5962
Used merchandise stores ...................................................
Sporting goods stores and bicycle shops ...........................
Book stores .........................................................................
Stationery stores .................................................................
Jewelry stores .....................................................................
Hobby, toy, and game shops ...............................................
Gift, novelty, and souvenir shops ........................................
Sewing, needlework, and piece goods stores ....................
Catalog and mail-order houses ...........................................
Merchandising machine operators ......................................
175
224
130
88
169
151
253
57
224
82
–.4
3.3
1.3
–5.2
2.5
1.5
.3
1.2
2.4
–2.6
3.7
5.9
5.5
–3.7
1.1
5.4
4.7
–1.5
8.1
–3.6
4.1
2.5
4.1
1.5
–1.3
3.9
4.4
–2.7
5.6
–1.0
5983
5992
Fuel oil dealers ....................................................................
Florists ................................................................................
54
161
–.8
.8
–3.0
.2
–2.3
–.6
7011
7213
7215
7216
7217
7218
7221
7231
7241
7261
Services
Hotels and motels ...............................................................
Linen supply ........................................................................
Coin-operated laundries and drycleaning ...........................
Drycleaning plants, except rug cleaning .............................
Carpet and upholstery cleaning ..........................................
Industrial launderers ...........................................................
Photographic studios, portrait .............................................
Beauty shops ......................................................................
Barber shops ......................................................................
Funeral service and crematories ........................................
1,694
68
59
190
51
54
91
716
58
104
1.0
–2.0
3.3
–1.6
2.7
.3
2.3
.5
2.3
–.3
2.7
–1.1
2.4
–.8
4.9
3.5
6.1
1.9
–1.6
1.4
1.7
.9
–.9
.9
2.2
3.1
3.7
1.4
–3.8
1.7
Combination industries
2011,13
2041,45
2047,48
2061,62,63
2111,21,31
2111,31
2211,21
2251,52
2435,36
2511,17
Red meat products ..............................................................
Flour (including flour mixes) and other grains .....................
Prepared feeds for animals and fowls .................................
Sugar ..................................................................................
Tobacco products ................................................................
Cigarettes, chewing and smoking tobacco .........................
Cotton and synthetic broadwoven fabrics ...........................
Hosiery ................................................................................
Veneer and plywood ...........................................................
Wood household furniture ...................................................
243
33
60
18
34
31
141
61
58
129
–.5
1.8
.6
3.3
4.0
4.1
4.3
4.1
–1.8
1.4
1.1
1.8
1.1
1.3
.5
.5
.7
1.9
–2.0
–.3
1.6
.0
.5
–1.9
–3.3
–3.4
–3.5
–2.2
–.3
–1.7
2611,21,31
2673,74
2823,24
3251,53,59
3271,72
3324,25
3353,54,55
3465,66,69
3491,92,94
Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills ......................................
Paper and plastic bags .......................................................
Synthetic fibers ...................................................................
Clay construction products .................................................
Concrete products ..............................................................
Steel foundries ....................................................................
Aluminum rolling and drawing .............................................
Metal stampings ..................................................................
Valves and pipe fittings .......................................................
223
56
66
26
88
43
59
215
85
1.8
–.2
2.1
3.0
2.5
.4
–.4
1.5
1.8
.9
.7
.5
.5
2.2
1.4
–1.1
3.0
2.3
–.8
.9
–1.6
–2.4
–.2
1.0
–.7
1.5
.5
50
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
Table B-1. Continued—Productivity and related measures for four-digit industries, 1987–96
SIC
Industry
code
3541,42
3561,63,94
3561,94
3631,32,33,39
3645,46,47,48
4512,13,22(PTS)
7231,41
Machine tools ....................................................................
Pumps and compressors ..................................................
Pumps and pumping equipment, including fluid power .....
Major household appliances .............................................
Lighting fixtures and equipment ........................................
Air transportation4 ..............................................................
Beauty and barber shops ..................................................
1
Employment figures are based primarily on data from the BLS Current
Employment Statistics (CES) program and the Current Population Survey
(CPS).
2
Output per employee hour is measured in all cases except: (1) output per
employee is used for SIC 4213 and SIC 4512,13,22 (PTS); and (2) output per hour
of all persons is used for all trade and services industries except SIC 5311 and
SIC 5511. "All persons" include self-employed as well as employees.
3
Employee hours in
SIC
4311 are based on the number of full-time-equiva-
1996
employment
(thousands)1
59
83
57
82
76
620
774
Average annual percent change, 1987–96
Output per hour 2
Output
1.2
1.5
1.0
2.3
1.4
1.2
.7
.7
2.3
1.1
1.6
1.9
4.3
1.5
Employee
hours
–.5
.8
.1
–.7
.5
3.1
.8
lent employee years, as reported in the U.S. Postal Service budget. Fulltime-equivalent employee years are computed by dividing total hours of fulltime, part-time, and intermittent workers by the number of hours in a standard work year. The output and hours for SIC 4311 reflect the Federal fiscal
year.
4
This measure excludes small and medium air carriers due to a lack of
data.
NOTE: n.e.c. = not elsewhere classified.
Monthly Labor Review
September 1998
51