Full text of The Employment Situation : April 1998

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Technical information:
USDL 98-194
Household data: (202) 606-6378
Transmission of material in this
release is embargoed until
Establishment data:
606-6555 8:30 A.M. (EDT),
Media contact:
606-5902 Friday, May 8, 1998.

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION:

APRIL 1998

Employment increased, and unemployment fell sharply in April, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
The unemployment rate declined to 4.3 percent in April; from November
through March, the rate had been either 4.6 or 4.7 percent. Nonfarm
payroll employment grew by 262,000, following a small decline in March.
Manufacturing was weak for the third straight month.
Unemployment (Household Survey Data)
The number of unemployed persons declined from 6.5 to 5.9 million in
April, and the unemployment rate fell from 4.7 to 4.3 percent. This
improvement was widespread across the major demographic groups.
Unemployment rates in April were 3.4 percent for adult men, 4.1 percent for
adult women, 13.1 percent for teenagers, 3.6 percent for whites, 8.9
percent for blacks, and 6.5 percent for Hispanics. (See tables A-1
and A-2.)
Across the major educational attainment categories, the largest
unemployment rate declines for persons 25 years of age and over took place
for those with a high school diploma only (to 3.9 percent) and for those
with some college experience but no bachelor’s degree (to 2.7 percent).
The jobless rates were 7.0 percent for those with less than a high school
diploma and 1.7 percent for college graduates. (See table A-3.)
The number of persons unemployed for less than 5 weeks declined by
226,000 to 2.6 million in April, after rising in March. The number
unemployed for 15 weeks or longer, 1.4 million, also fell over the month
and has declined by 630,000 over the year, after adjustment is made for
changes in the composite estimation procedure. The number of unemployed
job losers on temporary layoff and the number of job leavers both fell over
the month. (See tables A-6 and A-7.)
Total Employment and the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)
Total employment rose by 389,000 in April to 131.4 million. Over the
year, employment has risen by 2.3 million, after adjusting for changes in
the composite estimation procedure. The employment-population ratio--the
proportion of the population age 16 and older with jobs--returned to its alltime high of 64.2 percent in April. (See table A-1.)
About 7.9 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) held more than one
job in April. They comprised 6.1 percent of the total employed. (See
table A-10.)

- 2 Table A. Major indicators of labor market activity, seasonally adjusted
(Numbers in thousands)
___________________________________________________________________________
|
Quarterly
|
Monthly data
|
|
averages
|
|
|_________________|__________________________| Mar.Category
|
1997 | 1998 1/|
1998 1/
| Apr.
|_________________|__________________________|change
|
IV |
I
| Feb. | Mar. | Apr. |
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
HOUSEHOLD DATA
|
Labor force status
|____________________________________________________
Civilian labor force..| 136,813| 137,524| 137,557| 137,523| 137,242|
-281
Employment..........| 130,421| 131,080| 131,163| 130,994| 131,383|
389
Unemployment........|
6,392|
6,444|
6,393|
6,529|
5,859|
-670
Not in labor force....| 67,123| 66,871| 66,844| 67,024| 67,489|
465
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Unemployment rates
|____________________________________________________
All workers...........|
4.7|
4.7|
4.6|
4.7|
4.3|
-0.4
Adult men...........|
4.0|
3.8|
3.8|
3.9|
3.4|
-.5
Adult women.........|
4.0|
4.3|
4.3|
4.3|
4.1|
-.2
Teenagers...........|
15.0|
14.6|
14.7|
15.0|
13.1|
-1.9
White...............|
4.0|
4.0|
3.9|
4.1|
3.6|
-.5
Black...............|
9.7|
9.4|
9.7|
9.2|
8.9|
-.3
Hispanic origin.....|
7.4|
6.9|
6.8|
6.9|
6.5|
-.4
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
ESTABLISHMENT DATA
|
Employment
|____________________________________________________
Nonfarm employment....| 123,487|p124,430| 124,524|p124,500|p124,762|
p262
Goods-producing 2/..| 24,899| p25,131| 25,174| p25,079| p25,100|
p21
Construction......|
5,693| p5,838|
5,878| p5,793| p5,828|
p35
Manufacturing.....| 18,633| p18,720| 18,723| p18,716| p18,706|
p-10
Service-producing 2/| 98,588| p99,299| 99,350| p99,421| p99,662|
p241
Retail trade......| 22,370| p22,465| 22,479| p22,453| p22,497|
p44
Services..........| 36,108| p36,508| 36,534| p36,572| p36,711|
p139
Government........| 19,761| p19,802| 19,812| p19,814| p19,833|
p19
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Hours of work 3/
|____________________________________________________
Total private.........|
34.6|
p34.8|
34.9|
p34.7|
p34.4| p-0.3
Manufacturing.......|
42.1|
p42.0|
42.0|
p41.8|
p40.7| p-1.1
Overtime..........|
4.9|
p4.8|
4.8|
p4.7|
p3.9|
p-.8
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Indexes of aggregate weekly hours (1982=100) 3/
|____________________________________________________
Total private.........|
142.2| p143.9|
144.5| p143.5| p142.9| p-0.6
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Earnings 3/
|____________________________________________________
Avg. hourly earnings, |
|
|
|
|
|
total private.......| $12.45| p$12.58| $12.59| p$12.63| p$12.67| p$0.04
Avg. weekly earnings, |
|
|
|
|
|
total private.......| 431.30| p437.78| 439.39| p438.26| p435.85| p-2.41
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
1/ Beginning in January 1998, household data reflect new composite
estimation procedures and revised population controls.
2/ Includes other industries, not shown separately.
3/ Data relate to private production or nonsupervisory workers.
p=preliminary.

- 3 The civilian labor force, 137.2 million (seasonally adjusted), was about
unchanged over the month. The labor force participation rate edged down to
67.0 percent. (See table A-1.)
Persons Not in the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)
About 1.3 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) were marginally
attached to the labor force in April, down about 200,000 from a year
earlier. These were people who wanted and were available for work and had
looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months but were not counted as
unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding
the survey.
The number of discouraged workers--a subset of the marginally attached
who were not currently looking for work specifically because they believed
no jobs were available for them--totaled 344,000 in April, essentially
unchanged from a year earlier. (See table A-10.)
Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey Data)
Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 262,000 in April, after seasonal
adjustment, following a small decline in March. Employment in construction,
services, and retail trade rebounded in April, after showing weakness in
the prior month. Finance, insurance, and real estate continued its strong
growth, while manufacturing payrolls edged down. (See table B-1.)
Within the goods-producing sector, construction added 35,000 jobs,
seasonally adjusted, following a weather-related decline (-85,000) in
March. Since last October, employment in this industry has expanded by
178,000.
Manufacturing employment declined by 10,000 in April. Between
September and January, factory employment rose by 169,000; in contrast,
since January, 16,000 jobs have been lost. In April, declines occurred in
electronic components (-4,000) and industrial machinery (-2,000). Until
February, both industries had shown strong and consistent growth for about
a year. The apparel industry continued to shrink, losing 6,000 jobs in
April, and employment in paper and allied products declined by 3,000 over
the month. In contrast, job growth continued in furniture, and employment
rose by 3,000 in stone, clay, and glass products, offsetting the prior
month’s decline.
In the service-producing sector, the services industry added 139,000
jobs, following a relatively small rise (38,000) in March. Help supply
services gained 30,000 jobs in April, after a decline of 21,000 in the
previous month. Employment growth remained strong in computer services
(20,000) and engineering and management services (19,000). Employment in
agricultural services rose by 10,000, after 2 consecutive months of losses.
Following weakness in March, health services showed a moderate employment
increase of 14,000 in April. Gains in hospitals and doctors’ offices were
partly offset by continuing losses in home health care.
Low mortgage rates and a strong stock market contributed to employment
gains in finance, insurance, and real estate. The number of jobs in real
estate grew by 12,000 in April, and employment in mortgage brokerages rose
by 4,000. Security brokerages continued to exhibit strong growth, adding
3,000 jobs over the month.

- 4 Wholesale trade employment grew by 11,000 over the month, with durable
goods distribution adding 7,000 jobs. In retail trade, eating and drinking
places added 33,000 jobs, recouping much of its March decline.
Employment in transportation and public utilities was relatively flat
in April. A large gain in trucking (14,000) was offset by declines in air
transportation and in local transportation (both -7,000). Government
employment was little changed over the month.
Weekly Hours (Establishment Survey Data)
The average workweek for production or nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls declined by 0.3 hour in April to 34.4 hours,
seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing workweek dropped by 1.1 hour to
40.7 hours, and factory overtime fell by 0.8 hour to 3.9 hours. These
declines reflect, in large part, the unusual timing of the Easter weekend
in relation to the survey reference period. (See table B-2.)
The index of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory
workers on private nonfarm payrolls declined by 0.4 percent to 142.9
(1982=100), seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing index declined by 2.7
percent to 106.0. (See table B-5.)
Hourly and Weekly Earnings (Establishment Survey Data)
Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls increased 4 cents in April to $12.67, seasonally
adjusted. Reflecting the decline in the workweek, average weekly earnings
decreased by 0.5 percent to $435.85. Over the year, average hourly and
weekly earnings have risen by 4.4 and 4.1 percent, respectively. (See
table B-3.)
________________________________________
The Employment Situation for May 1998 is scheduled to be released on
Friday, June 5, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).
-------------------------------------------------------------------|
Revisions in the Establishment Survey Data
|
|
With the release of May data in June, BLS will introduce
|
|revisions in the establishment-based series on nonfarm payroll
|
|employment, hours, and earnings to reflect the regular annual
|
|benchmark adjustments and updated seasonal adjustment factors.
|
|This year's benchmark process affects all unadjusted series from
|
|April 1996 forward.
|
|
BLS also will implement refinements to the seasonal adjust|
|ment process for the hours and earnings series to correct for
|
|distortions related to the method of accounting for the varying
|
|length of payroll periods across months.
|
|
All seasonally adjusted employment series will be revised
|
|from January 1993 forward. The hours and earnings series will be
|
|revised from January 1989 forward to incorporate the new method|
|ology. Seasonal adjustment factors for March through October
|
|1998 will be available on May 29, 1 week prior to the release of the|
|May estimates, on the Internet (http://stats.bls.gov/ceshome.htm). |
|Further information on these revisions is available by calling
|
|(202) 606-6555.
|
--------------------------------------------------------------------

- 5 Explanatory Note

This news release presents statistics from two major surveys, the Current
Population Survey (household survey) and the Current Employment Statistics
survey (establishment survey). The household survey provides the
information on the labor force, employment, and unemployment that appears
in the A tables, marked HOUSEHOLD DATA. It is a sample survey of about
50,000 households conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS).
The establishment survey provides the information on the employment,
hours, and earnings of workers on nonfarm payrolls that appears in the B
tables, marked ESTABLISHMENT DATA. This information is collected from
payroll records by BLS in cooperation with State agencies. In June 1997,
the sample included about 390,000 establishments employing about 48 million
people.
For both surveys, the data for a given month relate to a particular week
or pay period. In the household survey, the reference week is generally
the calendar week that contains the 12th day of the month. In the
establishment survey, the reference period is the pay period including the
12th, which may or may not correspond directly to the calendar week.
Coverage, definitions, and differences between surveys
Household survey. The sample is selected to reflect the entire
civilian noninstitutional population. Based on responses to a series of
questions on work and job search activities, each person 16 years and over
in a sample household is classified as employed, unemployed, or not in the
labor force.
People are classified as employed if they did any work at all as paid
employees during the reference week; worked in their own business,
profession, or on their own farm; or worked without pay at least 15 hours
in a family business or farm. People are also counted as employed if they
were temporarily absent from their jobs because of illness, bad weather,
vacation, labor-management disputes, or personal reasons.
People are classified as unemployed if they meet all of the following
criteria: They had no employment during the reference week; they were
available for work at that time; and they made specific efforts to find
employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference
week. Persons laid off from a job and expecting recall
need not be
looking for work to be counted as unemployed. The unemployment data
derived from the household survey in no way depend upon the eligibility for
or receipt of unemployment insurance benefits.
The civilian labor force is the sum of employed and unemployed
persons. Those not classified as employed or unemployed are not in the
labor force. The unemployment rate is the number unemployed as a percent
of the labor force. The labor force participation rate is the labor force
as a percent of the population, and the employment-population ratio is the
employed as a percent of the population.
Establishment survey. The sample establishments are drawn from private
nonfarm businesses such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as
Federal, State, and local government entities. Employees on nonfarm
payrolls are those who received pay for any part of the reference pay
period, including persons on paid leave. Persons are counted in each job
they hold. Hours and earnings data are for private businesses and relate
only to production workers in the goods-producing sector and nonsupervisory
workers in the service-producing sector.

- 6 Differences in employment estimates. The numerous conceptual and
methodological differences between the household and establishment surveys
result in important distinctions in the employment estimates derived from
the surveys. Among these are:
--The household survey includes agricultural workers, the self-employed,
unpaid family workers, and private household workers among the employed.
These groups are excluded from the establishment survey.
--The household survey includes people on unpaid leave among the
employed. The establishment survey does not.
--The household survey is limited to workers 16 years of age and older.
The establishment survey is not limited by age.
--The household survey has no duplication
individuals are counted only once, even if
the establishment survey, employees working
appearing on more than one payroll would be
appearance.

of individuals, because
they hold more than one job. In
at more than one job and thus
counted separately for each

Other differences between the two surveys are described in
"Comparing
Employment Estimates from Household and Payroll Surveys," which may be
obtained from BLS upon request.
Seasonal adjustment
Over the course of a year, the size of the nation's labor force and the
levels of employment and unemployment undergo sharp fluctuations due to
such seasonal events as changes in weather, reduced or expanded production,
harvests, major holidays, and the opening and closing of schools. The
effect of such seasonal variation can be very large; seasonal
fluctuations may account for as much as 95 percent of the month-to-month
changes in unemployment.
Because these seasonal events follow a more or less regular pattern each
year, their influence on statistical trends can be eliminated by adjusting
the statistics from month to month. These adjustments make nonseasonal
developments, such as declines in economic activity or increases in the
participation of women in the labor force, easier to spot. For example,
the large number of youth entering the labor force each June is likely to
obscure any other changes that have taken place relative to May, making it
difficult to determine if the level of economic activity has risen or
declined. However, because the effect of students finishing school in
previous years is known, the statistics for the current year can be
adjusted to allow for a comparable change. Insofar as the seasonal
adjustment is made correctly, the adjusted figure provides a more useful
tool with which to analyze changes in economic activity.
In both the household and establishment surveys, most seasonally adjusted
series are independently adjusted. However, the adjusted series for many
major estimates, such as total payroll employment, employment in most major
industry divisions, total employment, and unemployment are computed by
aggregating independently adjusted component series. For example, total
unemployment is derived by summing the adjusted series for four major agesex components; this differs from the unemployment estimate that would be
obtained by directly adjusting the total or by combining the duration,
reasons, or more detailed age categories.
The numerical factors used to make the seasonal adjustments are
recalculated twice a year. For the household survey, the factors are
calculated for the January-June period and again for the July-December

- 7 period. For the establishment survey, updated factors for seasonal
adjustment are calculated for the May-October period and introduced along
with new benchmarks, and again for the November-April period. In both
surveys, revisions to historical data are made once a year.
Reliability of the estimates
Statistics based on the household and establishment surveys are subject
to both sampling and nonsampling error. When a sample rather than the
entire population is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample estimates
may differ from the "true" population values they represent. The exact
difference, or sampling error, varies depending on the particular sample
selected, and this variability is measured by the standard error of the
estimate. There is about a 90-percent chance, or level of confidence, that
an estimate based on a sample will differ by no more than 1.6 standard
errors from the "true" population value because of sampling error. BLS
analyses are generally conducted at the 90-percent level of confidence.
For example, the confidence interval for the monthly change in total
employment from the household survey is on the order of plus or minus
376,000. Suppose the estimate of total employment increases by 100,000
from one month to the next. The 90-percent confidence interval on the
monthly change would range from -276,000 to 476,000 (100,000 +/- 376,000).
These figures do not mean that the sample results are off by these
magnitudes, but rather that there is about a 90-percent chance that the
"true" over-the-month change lies within this interval. Since this range
includes values of less than zero, we could not say with confidence that
employment had, in fact, increased. If, however, the reported employment
rise was half a million, then all of the values within the 90-percent
confidence interval would be greater than zero. In this case, it is likely
(at least a 90-percent chance) that an employment rise had, in fact,
occurred. The 90-percent confidence interval for the monthly change in
unemployment is +/- 258,000, and for the monthly change in the unemployment
rate it is +/- .21 percentage point.
In general, estimates involving many individuals or establishments have
lower standard errors (relative to the size of the estimate) than estimates
which are based on a small number of observations. The precision of
estimates is also improved when the data are cumulated over time such as
for quarterly and annual averages. The seasonal adjustment process can
also improve the stability of the monthly estimates.
The household and establishment surveys are also affected by nonsampling
error. Nonsampling errors can occur for many reasons, including the
failure to sample a segment of the population, inability to obtain
information for all respondents in the sample, inability or unwillingness
of respondents to provide correct information on a timely basis, mistakes
made by respondents, and errors made in the collection or processing of the
data.
For example, in the establishment survey, estimates for the most recent 2
months are based on substantially incomplete returns; for this reason,
these estimates are labeled preliminary in the tables. It is only after
two successive revisions to a monthly estimate, when nearly all sample
reports have been received, that the estimate is considered final.
Another major source of nonsampling error in the establishment survey is
the inability to capture, on a timely basis, employment generated by new
firms. To correct for this systematic underestimation of employment growth
(and other sources of error), a process known as bias adjustment is
included in the survey's estimating procedures, whereby a specified number
of jobs is added to the monthly sample-based change. The size of the

- 8 monthly bias adjustment is based largely on past relationships between the
sample-based estimates of employment and the total counts of employment
described below.
The sample-based estimates from the establishment survey are adjusted
once a year (on a lagged basis) to universe counts of payroll employment
obtained from administrative records of the unemployment insurance program.
The difference between the March sample-based employment estimates and the
March universe counts is known as a benchmark revision, and serves as a
rough proxy for total survey error. The new benchmarks also incorporate
changes in the classification of industries. Over the past decade, the
benchmark revision for total nonfarm employment has averaged 0.2 percent,
ranging from zero to 0.6 percent.
Additional statistics and other information
More comprehensive statistics are contained in Employment and Earnings,
published each month by BLS. It is available for $17.00 per issue or
$35.00 per year from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC
20402. All orders must be prepaid by sending a check or money order
payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or by charging to Mastercard or
Visa.
Employment and Earnings also provides measures of sampling error for the
household survey data published in this release. For unemployment and
other labor force categories, these measures appear in tables 1-B through
1-H of its "Explanatory Notes." Measures of the reliability of the data
drawn from the establishment survey and the actual amounts of revision due
to benchmark adjustments are provided in tables 2-B through 2-G of that
publication.
Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-606-STAT; TDD phone:
202-606-5897; TDD message referral phone: 1-800-326-2577.

HOUSEHOLD DATA
Table A-1.

HOUSEHOLD DATA
Employment status of the civilian population by sex and age

(Numbers in thousands)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted(1)

Employment status, sex, and age

Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

TOTAL
Civilian noninstitutional population............
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate......................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio.............
Agriculture...............................
Nonagricultural industries................
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.......................
Not in labor force............................

202,674
135,181
66.7
128,629
63.5
3,425
125,205
6,551
4.8
67,494

204,547
136,967
67.0
130,150
63.6
2,931
127,219
6,816
5.0
67,580

204,731
136,379
66.6
130,735
63.9
3,315
127,421
5,643
4.1
68,352

202,674
136,043
67.1
129,275
63.8
3,462
125,813
6,768
5.0
66,631

204,098
137,169
67.2
130,777
64.1
3,385
127,392
6,392
4.7
66,929

204,238
137,493
67.3
131,083
64.2
3,319
127,764
6,409
4.7
66,745

204,400
137,557
67.3
131,163
64.2
3,335
127,829
6,393
4.6
66,844

204,547
137,523
67.2
130,994
64.0
3,132
127,862
6,529
4.7
67,024

204,731
137,242
67.0
131,383
64.2
3,350
128,033
5,859
4.3
67,489

97,474
72,755
74.6
69,105
70.9
3,650
5.0

98,405
73,285
74.5
69,506
70.6
3,779
5.2

98,503
73,336
74.5
70,348
71.4
2,988
4.1

97,474
73,184
75.1
69,565
71.4
3,619
4.9

98,225
73,662
75.0
70,195
71.5
3,467
4.7

98,241
73,852
75.2
70,518
71.8
3,333
4.5

98,331
73,780
75.0
70,459
71.7
3,320
4.5

98,405
73,695
74.9
70,297
71.4
3,399
4.6

98,503
73,799
74.9
70,831
71.9
2,969
4.0

89,680
68,933
76.9
65,957
73.5
2,396
63,560
2,976
4.3

90,502
69,356
76.6
66,263
73.2
2,066
64,197
3,093
4.5

90,580
69,480
76.7
67,027
74.0
2,406
64,621
2,453
3.5

89,680
69,107
77.1
66,198
73.8
2,411
63,787
2,909
4.2

90,339
69,561
77.0
66,676
73.8
2,314
64,362
2,885
4.1

90,391
69,652
77.1
67,008
74.1
2,282
64,726
2,644
3.8

90,476
69,601
76.9
66,990
74.0
2,264
64,726
2,611
3.8

90,502
69,451
76.7
66,753
73.8
2,168
64,585
2,699
3.9

90,580
69,697
76.9
67,301
74.3
2,420
64,881
2,396
3.4

Men, 16 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population............
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate......................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio.............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.......................
Men, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population............
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate......................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio.............
Agriculture...............................
Nonagricultural industries................
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.......................
Women, 16 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population............ 105,200 106,141 106,228 105,200 105,873 105,997 106,070 106,141 106,228
Civilian labor force.......................... 62,426 63,682 63,043 62,859 63,507 63,641 63,777 63,827 63,443
Participation rate......................
59.3
60.0
59.3
59.8
60.0
60.0
60.1
60.1
59.7
Employed.................................... 59,525 60,644 60,387 59,710 60,582 60,565 60,704 60,697 60,553
Employment-population ratio.............
56.6
57.1
56.8
56.8
57.2
57.1
57.2
57.2
57.0
Unemployed..................................
2,901
3,038
2,655
3,149
2,925
3,076
3,073
3,130
2,890
Unemployment rate.......................
4.6
4.8
4.2
5.0
4.6
4.8
4.8
4.9
4.6
Women, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population............
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate......................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio.............
Agriculture...............................
Nonagricultural industries................
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.......................

97,685
58,794
60.2
56,388
57.7
775
55,613
2,406
4.1

98,534
59,869
60.8
57,316
58.2
676
56,639
2,554
4.3

98,583
59,345
60.2
57,131
58.0
705
56,426
2,213
3.7

97,685
58,975
60.4
56,357
57.7
775
55,582
2,618
4.4

98,300
59,624
60.7
57,255
58.2
845
56,410
2,369
4.0

98,420
59,652
60.6
57,040
58.0
811
56,229
2,612
4.4

98,471
59,721
60.6
57,146
58.0
801
56,345
2,575
4.3

98,534
59,771
60.7
57,186
58.0
717
56,470
2,585
4.3

98,583
59,486
60.3
57,075
57.9
705
56,370
2,411
4.1

15,309
7,453
48.7
6,285
41.1
253
6,031
1,169
15.7

15,511
7,742
49.9
6,571
42.4
189
6,383
1,170
15.1

15,569
7,554
48.5
6,577
42.2
204
6,373
977
12.9

15,309
7,961
52.0
6,720
43.9
276
6,444
1,241
15.6

15,459
7,984
51.6
6,846
44.3
226
6,620
1,138
14.3

15,427
8,189
53.1
7,035
45.6
227
6,809
1,154
14.1

15,453
8,235
53.3
7,028
45.5
270
6,758
1,207
14.7

15,511
8,300
53.5
7,055
45.5
247
6,808
1,245
15.0

15,569
8,059
51.8
7,007
45.0
225
6,782
1,052
13.1

Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Civilian noninstitutional population...........
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate......................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio.............
Agriculture...............................
Nonagricultural industries................
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.......................

1 The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation; therefore, identical numbers appear in the unadjusted
and seasonally adjusted columns.
NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA
Table A-2.

HOUSEHOLD DATA
Employment status of the civilian population by race, sex, age, and Hispanic origin

(Numbers in thousands)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted(1)

Employment status, race, sex, age, and
Hispanic origin
Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

WHITE
Civilian noninstitutional population............ 169,675 171,016 171,141 169,675 170,649 170,810 170,917 171,016 171,141
Civilian labor force.......................... 113,867 114,822 114,380 114,567 115,263 115,253 115,392 115,297 115,057
Participation rate........................
67.1
67.1
66.8
67.5
67.5
67.5
67.5
67.4
67.2
Employed.................................... 109,177 109,842 110,343 109,721 110,729 110,698 110,842 110,605 110,859
Employment-population ratio...............
64.3
64.2
64.5
64.7
64.9
64.8
64.9
64.7
64.8
Unemployed..................................
4,690
4,980
4,037
4,846
4,534
4,555
4,550
4,692
4,198
Unemployment rate.........................
4.1
4.3
3.5
4.2
3.9
4.0
3.9
4.1
3.6
Men, 20 years and over
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................

58,983
77.4
56,772
74.5
2,212
3.7

59,084
77.0
56,751
73.9
2,333
3.9

59,185
77.0
57,390
74.7
1,795
3.0

59,123
77.6
56,976
74.8
2,147
3.6

59,389
77.5
57,272
74.7
2,117
3.6

59,262
77.3
57,336
74.8
1,926
3.3

59,372
77.4
57,456
74.9
1,916
3.2

59,201
77.1
57,209
74.5
1,992
3.4

59,307
77.2
57,562
74.9
1,745
2.9

Women, 20 years and over
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................

48,526
59.6
46,902
57.6
1,624
3.3

49,153
60.0
47,371
57.8
1,783
3.6

48,801
59.5
47,300
57.7
1,501
3.1

48,686
59.8
46,896
57.6
1,790
3.7

49,134
60.1
47,474
58.1
1,660
3.4

49,077
60.0
47,250
57.7
1,827
3.7

49,057
59.9
47,279
57.7
1,778
3.6

49,077
59.9
47,276
57.7
1,801
3.7

48,955
59.7
47,300
57.7
1,654
3.4

Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................
Men.....................................
Women...................................

6,357
52.4
5,503
45.4
854
13.4
14.7
12.1

6,584
53.4
5,720
46.4
864
13.1
15.8
10.3

6,394
51.7
5,653
45.7
741
11.6
12.6
10.5

6,758
55.7
5,849
48.2
909
13.5
14.6
12.2

6,740
55.0
5,983
48.8
757
11.2
11.3
11.1

6,914
56.3
6,113
49.8
802
11.6
14.2
8.8

6,963
56.6
6,107
49.6
857
12.3
14.7
9.8

7,019
56.9
6,120
49.6
899
12.8
14.9
10.6

6,795
54.9
5,996
48.5
799
11.8
12.7
10.7

BLACK
Civilian noninstitutional population............
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................

23,923
15,265
63.8
13,801
57.7
1,463
9.6

24,257
15,855
65.4
14,357
59.2
1,498
9.4

24,289
15,776
64.9
14,429
59.4
1,347
8.5

23,923
15,389
64.3
13,864
58.0
1,525
9.9

24,180
15,709
65.0
14,149
58.5
1,560
9.9

24,196
15,788
65.3
14,316
59.2
1,472
9.3

24,229
15,885
65.6
14,349
59.2
1,535
9.7

24,257
15,971
65.8
14,498
59.8
1,473
9.2

24,289
15,907
65.5
14,499
59.7
1,408
8.9

Men, 20 years and over
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................

6,796
71.3
6,221
65.3
575
8.5

7,023
72.6
6,439
66.5
584
8.3

7,050
72.7
6,527
67.4
523
7.4

6,832
71.7
6,256
65.7
576
8.4

6,957
72.0
6,356
65.8
601
8.6

7,012
72.6
6,456
66.9
556
7.9

6,974
72.1
6,428
66.5
546
7.8

7,044
72.8
6,511
67.3
533
7.6

7,097
73.2
6,573
67.8
524
7.4

Women, 20 years and over
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................

7,631
63.7
6,997
58.4
635
8.3

7,930
65.3
7,277
59.9
653
8.2

7,814
64.2
7,196
59.2
618
7.9

7,641
63.8
6,984
58.3
657
8.6

7,791
64.4
7,163
59.2
628
8.1

7,799
64.3
7,178
59.2
621
8.0

7,952
65.5
7,265
59.8
687
8.6

7,935
65.3
7,284
60.0
651
8.2

7,822
64.3
7,182
59.0
640
8.2

Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................
Men.....................................
Women...................................

838
34.7
583
24.2
254
30.4
37.4
23.4

902
37.2
641
26.4
261
28.9
30.0
28.0

912
37.4
705
29.0
207
22.7
22.7
22.7

916
37.9
624
25.8
292
31.9
37.7
26.3

961
39.8
630
26.1
331
34.4
36.2
33.1

977
40.5
683
28.3
294
30.1
31.8
28.5

959
39.6
656
27.1
302
31.5
34.7
28.4

992
40.9
703
29.0
289
29.1
27.8
30.3

988
40.6
744
30.6
244
24.7
23.9
25.3

HISPANIC ORIGIN
Civilian noninstitutional population............
Civilian labor force..........................
Participation rate........................
Employed....................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed..................................
Unemployment rate.........................

20,180
13,427
66.5
12,358
61.2
1,069
8.0

20,851
14,225
68.2
13,132
63.0
1,093
7.7

20,915
14,179
67.8
13,259
63.4
919
6.5

20,180
13,601
67.4
12,514
62.0
1,087
8.0

20,629
13,973
67.7
12,921
62.6
1,052
7.5

20,741
13,954
67.3
12,988
62.6
966
6.9

20,798
14,149
68.0
13,181
63.4
968
6.8

20,851
14,298
68.6
13,305
63.8
993
6.9

20,915
14,369
68.7
13,434
64.2
935
6.5

1 The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation; therefore, identical numbers appear in the unadjusted
and seasonally adjusted columns.
NOTE: Detail for the above race and Hispanic-origin groups will not sum to totals because data for the "other races"
group are not presented and Hispanics are included in both the white and black population groups. Beginning in January
1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-3. Employment status of the civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment, seasonally adjusted
(Numbers in thousands)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted(1)

Educational attainment
Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

30,086
12,733
42.3
11,672
38.8
1,061
8.3

29,251
12,568
43.0
11,535
39.4
1,033
8.2

29,638
12,857
43.4
11,938
40.3
920
7.2

30,086
12,543
41.7
11,513
38.3
1,030
8.2

29,566
12,555
42.5
11,606
39.3
949
7.6

29,981
12,682
42.3
11,771
39.3
911
7.2

29,228
12,555
43.0
11,676
39.9
879
7.0

29,251
12,392
42.4
11,500
39.3
891
7.2

29,638
12,664
42.7
11,773
39.7
891
7.0

57,239
37,706
65.9
36,116
63.1
1,590
4.2

57,885
37,873
65.4
36,113
62.4
1,760
4.6

57,484
37,374
65.0
35,921
62.5
1,453
3.9

57,239
37,687
65.8
36,098
63.1
1,589
4.2

57,631
37,827
65.6
36,287
63.0
1,540
4.1

57,606
37,787
65.6
36,303
63.0
1,485
3.9

57,418
37,807
65.8
36,302
63.2
1,505
4.0

57,885
37,931
65.5
36,331
62.8
1,600
4.2

57,484
37,340
65.0
35,885
62.4
1,454
3.9

41,528
30,890
74.4
29,853
71.9
1,037
3.4

42,313
31,424
74.3
30,319
71.7
1,105
3.5

42,303
31,177
73.7
30,331
71.7
846
2.7

41,528
31,192
75.1
30,153
72.6
1,039
3.3

42,085
31,506
74.9
30,484
72.4
1,022
3.2

41,718
31,440
75.4
30,429
72.9
1,011
3.2

42,527
31,505
74.1
30,538
71.8
967
3.1

42,313
31,515
74.5
30,471
72.0
1,043
3.3

42,303
31,517
74.5
30,669
72.5
848
2.7

41,099
33,125
80.6
32,547
79.2
578
1.7

42,085
33,957
80.7
33,344
79.2
614
1.8

42,197
33,986
80.5
33,485
79.4
501
1.5

41,099
33,135
80.6
32,477
79.0
658
2.0

41,822
33,678
80.5
33,083
79.1
595
1.8

41,974
33,685
80.3
33,040
78.7
645
1.9

42,238
33,672
79.7
33,029
78.2
643
1.9

42,085
33,777
80.3
33,145
78.8
632
1.9

42,197
33,989
80.5
33,419
79.2
571
1.7

Less than a high school diploma
Civilian noninstitutional population....
Civilian labor force..................
Percent of population.............
Employed............................
Employment-population ratio.......
Unemployed..........................
Unemployment rate.................
High school graduates, no college (2)
Civilian noninstitutional population....
Civilian labor force..................
Percent of population.............
Employed............................
Employment-population ratio.......
Unemployed..........................
Unemployment rate.................
Less than a bachelor's degree(3)
Civilian noninstitutional population....
Civilian labor force..................
Percent of population.............
Employed............................
Employment-population ratio.......
Unemployed..........................
Unemployment rate.................
College graduates
Civilian noninstitutional population....
Civilian labor force..................
Percent of population.............
Employed............................
Employment-population ratio.......
Unemployed..........................
Unemployment rate.................

1 The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation, therefore, identical numbers appear in the unadjusted and
seasonally adjusted columns.
2 Includes high school diploma or equivalent.
3 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.
NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the
household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-4. Selected employment indicators
(In thousands)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted

Category

Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

CHARACTERISTIC
Total employed, 16 years and over............... 128,629 130,150 130,735 129,275 130,777 131,083 131,163 130,994 131,383
Married men, spouse present................... 42,371 42,608 42,780 42,426 42,952 42,977 42,915 42,779 42,865
Married women, spouse present................. 32,603 33,003 33,006 32,549 32,975 32,793 32,821 32,872 32,973
Women who maintain families...................
7,908
7,901
7,938
7,790
7,822
7,784
7,884
7,776
7,813
OCCUPATION
Managerial and professional specialty.........
Technical, sales, and administrative support..
Service occupations...........................
Precision production, craft, and repair.......
Operators, fabricators, and laborers..........
Farming, forestry, and fishing................

37,565
37,998
17,319
14,087
18,183
3,478

38,661
38,577
17,698
14,421
17,831
2,962

38,631
38,431
17,460
14,556
18,253
3,404

37,571
38,143
17,326
14,216
18,382
3,572

38,205
38,562
17,890
14,299
18,394
3,472

38,099
38,382
18,162
14,285
18,622
3,355

38,164
38,491
17,950
14,456
18,632
3,436

38,454
38,693
17,752
14,656
18,179
3,269

38,643
38,585
17,478
14,673
18,447
3,495

CLASS OF WORKER
Agriculture:
Wage and salary workers.....................
1,965
1,733
2,003
1,952
1,844
1,949
1,928
1,866
1,987
Self-employed workers.......................
1,393
1,168
1,281
1,438
1,496
1,348
1,324
1,242
1,324
Unpaid family workers.......................
67
30
31
62
54
44
41
32
28
Nonagricultural industries:
Wage and salary workers..................... 115,947 118,294 118,217 116,515 118,403 118,529 118,961 119,131 118,774
Government................................ 18,307 18,289 18,475 18,048 18,248 18,421 18,378 18,072 18,202
Private industries........................ 97,640 100,005 99,742 98,467 100,155 100,108 100,583 101,058 100,571
Private households......................
871
1,010
952
923
946
985
1,035
1,022
1,014
Other industries........................ 96,769 98,994 98,790 97,544 99,209 99,123 99,547 100,037 99,557
Self-employed workers.......................
9,132
8,819
9,087
9,124
8,886
8,964
8,761
8,784
9,069
Unpaid family workers.......................
126
106
117
133
99
131
117
102
124
PERSONS AT WORK PART TIME
All industries:
Part time for economic reasons..............
Slack work or business conditions.........
Could only find part-time work............
Part time for noneconomic reasons...........

4,244
2,419
1,571
19,139

4,011
2,300
1,467
19,260

3,649
2,099
1,256
18,808

4,360
2,402
1,625
18,155

3,855
2,230
1,323
18,386

4,082
2,282
1,400
18,515

3,882
2,123
1,455
18,407

3,902
2,188
1,445
18,448

3,735
2,074
1,300
18,084

Nonagricultural industries:
Part time for economic reasons..............
Slack work or business conditions.........
Could only find part-time work............
Part time for noneconomic reasons...........

4,066
2,279
1,547
18,562

3,834
2,166
1,448
18,736

3,496
2,010
1,232
18,204

4,204
2,279
1,599
17,588

3,654
2,113
1,291
17,791

3,865
2,162
1,373
17,898

3,743
2,025
1,433
17,786

3,726
2,057
1,416
17,929

3,608
1,998
1,276
17,470

NOTE: Persons at work excludes employed persons who were absent from their jobs during the entire reference week for
reasons such as vacation, illness, or industrial dispute. Part time for noneconomic reasons excludes persons who usually
work full time but worked only 1 to 34 hours during the reference week for reasons such as holidays, illness, and bad
weather. Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-5. Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted

Number of
unemployed persons
(in thousands)

Unemployment rates(1)

Category
Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Total, 16 years and over.......................
Men, 20 years and over.......................
Women, 20 years and over.....................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years...................

6,768
2,909
2,618
1,241

6,529
2,699
2,585
1,245

5,859
2,396
2,411
1,052

5.0
4.2
4.4
15.6

4.7
4.1
4.0
14.3

4.7
3.8
4.4
14.1

4.6
3.8
4.3
14.7

4.7
3.9
4.3
15.0

4.3
3.4
4.1
13.1

Married men, spouse present..................
Married women, spouse present................
Women who maintain families..................

1,178
1,060
665

1,111
1,114
642

974
958
640

2.7
3.2
7.9

2.6
2.8
7.7

2.6
3.1
7.6

2.5
3.1
7.6

2.5
3.3
7.6

2.2
2.8
7.6

Full-time workers............................
Part-time workers............................

5,375
1,394

5,126
1,409

4,690
1,170

4.8
5.6

4.6
5.0

4.5
5.4

4.5
5.2

4.5
5.7

4.2
4.8

772
1,689
718
1,460
260

702
1,634
686
1,340
248

734
1,473
562
1,188
216

2.0
4.2
4.8
7.4
6.8

1.9
4.0
4.7
7.0
7.2

2.0
4.2
4.6
5.9
6.8

2.0
4.0
4.1
6.5
6.3

1.8
4.1
4.5
6.9
7.1

1.9
3.7
3.7
6.1
5.8

5,228
1,568
14
621
933
464
469
3,660
213
1,654
249
1,544
452
205

4,975
1,443
22
612
809
455
354
3,532
254
1,457
209
1,613
536
201

4,534
1,263
14
447
802
436
366
3,271
236
1,396
178
1,461
362
172

5.0
5.4
2.3
8.8
4.4
3.6
5.5
4.9
2.9
6.2
3.3
4.6
2.4
9.5

4.8
5.0
3.3
8.9
3.8
3.1
4.9
4.7
3.3
5.8
2.8
4.5
2.1
9.7

4.7
4.8
4.0
7.9
3.9
3.4
4.5
4.7
3.8
5.9
2.6
4.3
2.4
10.6

4.7
4.7
2.6
7.8
3.7
2.9
5.0
4.7
3.2
5.8
2.6
4.7
2.3
8.6

4.7
5.0
3.7
8.6
3.8
3.6
4.2
4.6
3.3
5.4
2.6
4.7
2.9
9.7

4.3
4.4
2.3
6.3
3.9
3.5
4.4
4.3
3.1
5.2
2.2
4.3
2.0
8.0

CHARACTERISTIC

OCCUPATION(2)
Managerial and professional specialty........
Technical, sales, and administrative support.
Precision production, craft, and repair......
Operators, fabricators, and laborers.........
Farming, forestry, and fishing...............
INDUSTRY
Nonagricultural private wage and salary
workers......................................
Goods-producing industries.................
Mining...................................
Construction.............................
Manufacturing............................
Durable goods..........................
Nondurable goods.......................
Service-producing industries...............
Transportation and public utilities......
Wholesale and retail trade...............
Finance, insurance, and real estate......
Services.................................
Government workers...........................
Agricultural wage and salary workers.........

1 Unemployment as a percent of the civilian labor force.
2 Seasonally adjusted unemployment data for service occupations are not available because the seasonal component, which
is small relative to the trend-cycle and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-6. Duration of unemployment
(Numbers in thousands)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted

Duration
Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Less than 5 weeks..............................
5 to 14 weeks..................................
15 weeks and over..............................
15 to 26 weeks..............................
27 weeks and over...........................

2,131
1,981
2,439
1,293
1,147

2,524
2,274
2,019
1,055
964

2,250
1,734
1,660
754
906

2,471
2,177
2,088
1,033
1,055

2,531
1,922
1,964
936
1,028

2,488
1,971
1,811
773
1,038

2,622
1,909
1,830
855
974

2,858
1,979
1,731
841
891

2,632
1,901
1,417
584
833

Average (mean) duration, in weeks..............
Median duration, in weeks......................

16.7
10.2

15.2
8.0

15.6
8.1

15.4
8.1

16.3
7.7

15.6
7.4

15.6
7.2

14.3
6.8

14.3
6.4

100.0
32.5
30.2
37.2
19.7
17.5

100.0
37.0
33.4
29.6
15.5
14.1

100.0
39.9
30.7
29.4
13.4
16.1

100.0
36.7
32.3
31.0
15.3
15.7

100.0
39.4
30.0
30.6
14.6
16.0

100.0
39.7
31.4
28.9
12.3
16.6

100.0
41.2
30.0
28.8
13.4
15.3

100.0
43.5
30.1
26.4
12.8
13.6

100.0
44.2
31.9
23.8
9.8
14.0

NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED

PERCENT DISTRIBUTION
Total unemployed...............................
Less than 5 weeks............................
5 to 14 weeks................................
15 weeks and over............................
15 to 26 weeks.............................
27 weeks and over..........................

NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-7. Reason for unemployment
(Numbers in thousands)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted

Reason
Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

3,050
988
2,062
1,453
609
723
2,239
540

3,311
1,238
2,073
1,511
562
755
2,246
505

2,647
723
1,923
1,381
542
579
1,939
479

3,038
958
2,080
(1)
(1)
776
2,422
569

2,991
961
2,030
(1)
(1)
692
2,170
552

2,807
860
1,947
(1)
(1)
808
2,229
518

2,795
821
1,975
(1)
(1)
786
2,266
543

2,980
980
2,000
(1)
(1)
744
2,215
549

2,631
696
1,935
(1)
(1)
625
2,096
511

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

46.6
15.1
31.5
11.0
34.2
8.2

48.6
18.2
30.4
11.1
32.9
7.4

46.9
12.8
34.1
10.3
34.4
8.5

44.6
14.1
30.6
11.4
35.6
8.4

46.7
15.0
31.7
10.8
33.9
8.6

44.1
13.5
30.6
12.7
35.0
8.1

43.7
12.8
30.9
12.3
35.5
8.5

45.9
15.1
30.8
11.5
34.1
8.5

44.9
11.9
33.0
10.7
35.7
8.7

2.3
.5
1.7
.4

2.4
.6
1.6
.4

1.9
.4
1.4
.4

2.2
.6
1.8
.4

2.2
.5
1.6
.4

2.0
.6
1.6
.4

2.0
.6
1.6
.4

2.2
.5
1.6
.4

1.9
.5
1.5
.4

NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED
Job losers and persons who completed temporary
jobs.........................................
On temporary layoff...........................
Not on temporary layoff.......................
Permanent job losers........................
Persons who completed temporary jobs........
Job leavers.....................................
Reentrants......................................
New entrants....................................
PERCENT DISTRIBUTION
Total unemployed................................
Job losers and persons who completed temporary
jobs.........................................
On temporary layoff..........................
Not on temporary layoff......................
Job leavers....................................
Reentrants.....................................
New entrants...................................
UNEMPLOYED AS A PERCENT OF THE
CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE
Job losers and persons who completed temporary
jobs.........................................
Job leavers....................................
Reentrants.....................................
New entrants...................................

1 Not available.
NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-8. Range of alternative measures of labor underutilization
(Percent)

Not seasonally
adjusted

Seasonally adjusted

Measure

Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

U-1 Persons unemployed 15 weeks or longer, as a percent of
the civilian
labor force..............................................

1.8

1.5

1.2

1.5

1.4

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.0

U-2 Job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs, as
a percent of the
civilian labor force.....................................

2.3

2.4

1.9

2.2

2.2

2.0

2.0

2.2

1.9

U-3 Total unemployed, as a percent of the civilian labor
force
(official unemployment rate).............................

4.8

5.0

4.1

5.0

4.7

4.7

4.6

4.7

4.3

U-4 Total unemployed plus discouraged workers, as a percent
of the civilian
labor force plus discouraged workers....................

5.1

5.2

4.4

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

U-5 Total unemployed, plus discouraged workers, plus all
other marginally
attached workers, as a percent of the civilian labor
force plus all marginally
attached workers........................................

5.9

6.0

5.0

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

U-6 Total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers,
plus total employed
part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the
civilian labor force plus
all marginally attached workers.........................

9.0

8.9

7.7

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

1 Not available.
NOTE: This range of alternative measures of labor underutilization replaces the U1-U7 range published in table A-7 of
this release prior to 1994. Marginally attached workers are persons who currently are neither working nor looking for work
but indicate that they want and are available for a job and have looked for work sometime in the recent past. Discouraged
workers, a subset of the marginally attached, have given a job-market related reason for not currently looking for a job.
Persons employed part time for economic reasons are those who want and are available for full-time work but have had to
settle for a part-time schedule. For further information, see "BLS introduces new range of alternative unemployment
measures," in the October 1995 issue of the Monthly Labor Review. Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite
estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-9. Unemployed persons by sex and age, seasonally adjusted

Number of
unemployed persons
(in thousands)

Unemployment rates(1)

Age and sex

Apr.
1997

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998

Apr.
1998

Total, 16 years and over..........................
16 to 24 years..................................
16 to 19 years................................
16 to 17 years..............................
18 to 19 years..............................
20 to 24 years................................
25 years and over...............................
25 to 54 years................................
55 years and over.............................

6,768
2,434
1,241
610
632
1,193
4,287
3,767
479

6,529
2,335
1,245
579
670
1,090
4,184
3,712
486

5,859
2,063
1,052
506
546
1,011
3,751
3,293
426

5.0
11.3
15.6
18.4
13.6
8.8
3.7
3.8
2.9

4.7
10.6
14.3
17.7
11.7
8.5
3.6
3.7
2.8

4.7
10.8
14.1
17.3
11.6
8.9
3.5
3.6
2.7

4.6
10.8
14.7
18.5
11.3
8.5
3.5
3.6
2.7

4.7
10.7
15.0
16.9
13.7
8.0
3.6
3.8
2.9

4.3
9.5
13.1
15.2
11.6
7.4
3.2
3.3
2.5

Men, 16 years and over..........................
16 to 24 years................................
16 to 19 years..............................
16 to 17 years............................
18 to 19 years............................
20 to 24 years..............................
25 years and over.............................
25 to 54 years..............................
55 years and over...........................

3,619
1,334
710
341
371
624
2,272
1,994
262

3,399
1,282
700
330
374
582
2,102
1,828
285

2,969
1,105
573
253
320
532
1,854
1,602
244

4.9
11.8
17.4
20.2
15.5
8.7
3.7
3.8
2.9

4.7
11.1
14.2
18.4
11.1
9.3
3.5
3.6
3.4

4.5
11.2
16.4
18.3
14.9
8.1
3.3
3.4
3.1

4.5
11.7
17.0
21.0
13.1
8.7
3.2
3.2
2.9

4.6
11.2
16.5
18.5
15.2
8.1
3.4
3.5
3.1

4.0
9.7
14.0
14.9
13.3
7.3
3.0
3.0
2.6

Women, 16 years and over........................
16 to 24 years................................
16 to 19 years..............................
16 to 17 years............................
18 to 19 years............................
20 to 24 years..............................
25 years and over.............................
25 to 54 years..............................
55 years and over...........................

3,149
1,100
531
269
261
569
2,015
1,773
217

3,130
1,053
545
249
296
508
2,082
1,884
201

2,890
958
479
253
226
479
1,897
1,692
182

5.0
10.8
13.7
16.6
11.6
9.0
3.8
3.9
3.0

4.6
10.2
14.3
17.0
12.4
7.6
3.6
3.9
2.1

4.8
10.4
11.6
16.3
8.2
9.7
3.7
3.9
2.3

4.8
9.8
12.3
16.0
9.5
8.3
3.8
4.1
2.4

4.9
10.1
13.4
15.2
12.2
7.9
3.9
4.1
2.6

4.6
9.2
12.1
15.5
9.8
7.5
3.6
3.7
2.4

1 Unemployment as a percent of the civilian labor force.
NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
in the household survey.

HOUSEHOLD DATA

HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table A-10. Persons not in the labor force and multiple jobholders by sex, not seasonally adjusted
(Numbers in thousands)

Total

Men

Women

Category
Apr.
1997

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1997

Apr.
1998

67,494
4,836
1,480

68,352
4,901
1,278

24,719
2,070
700

25,167
2,111
588

42,775
2,766
780

43,185
2,790
690

379
1,101

344
934

206
494

198
390

173
606

146
544

Total multiple jobholders(4)....................................
Percent of total employed...................................

7,874
6.1

7,930
6.1

4,123
6.0

4,204
6.0

3,751
6.3

3,726
6.2

Primary job full time, secondary job part time..............
Primary and secondary jobs both part time...................
Primary and secondary jobs both full time...................
Hours vary on primary or secondary job......................

4,445
1,826
221
1,351

4,523
1,610
266
1,480

2,631
559
162
762

2,631
519
181
839

1,814
1,267
59
590

1,892
1,091
85
641

NOT IN THE LABOR FORCE

Total not in the labor force....................................
Persons who currently want a job..............................
Searched for work and vailable to work now(1)..............
Reason not currently looking:
Discouragement over job prospects(2)..................
Reasons other than discouragement(3)...............
MULTIPLE JOBHOLDERS

1 Data refer to persons who have searched for work during the prior 12 months and were available to take a job during the
reference week.
2 Includes thinks no work available, could not find work, lacks schooling or training, employer thinks too young or old, and other
types of discrimination.
3 Includes those who did not actively look for work in the prior 4 weeks for such reasons as child-care and transportation
problems, as well as a small number for which reason for nonparticipation was not determined.
4 Includes persons who work part time on their primary job and full time on their secondary job(s), not shown separately.
NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the
household survey.

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

Table B-1. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry
(In thousands)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted

Industry
Apr.
1997

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Total......................... 121,436 122,940 123,596 124,623 121,671 123,866 124,265 124,524 124,500 124,762
Total private.................... 101,483 102,838 103,382 104,404 102,092 104,096 104,484 104,712 104,686 104,929
Goods-producing.........................

24,413

24,508

24,580

24,847

24,667

24,995

25,139

25,174

25,079

25,100

Mining................................
Metal mining........................
Coal mining.........................
Oil and gas extraction..............
Nonmetallic minerals, except fuels..

567
53.6
92.6
313.8
106.7

559
50.8
89.1
319.9
99.3

559
50.8
89.0
316.2
102.6

560
50.8
88.3
314.1
106.7

573
54
93
319
107

574
53
90
323
108

574
52
90
324
108

573
52
90
324
107

570
52
90
321
107

566
52
89
318
107

Construction..........................
5,437
5,341
5,395
5,659
General building contractors........ 1,260.1 1,285.0 1,291.9 1,330.4
Heavy construction, except building.
746.7
654.1
682.2
756.4
Special trade contractors........... 3,430.1 3,401.9 3,420.8 3,572.3

5,599
1,297
767
3,535

5,747
1,343
774
3,630

5,843
1,363
782
3,698

5,878
1,369
792
3,717

5,793
1,365
769
3,659

5,828
1,370
785
3,673

Manufacturing.........................
Production workers................

18,409
12,712

18,608
12,858

18,626
12,873

18,628
12,864

18,495
12,774

18,674
12,913

18,722
12,944

18,723
12,946

18,716
12,937

18,706
12,922

Durable goods........................
Production workers................
Lumber and wood products............
Furniture and fixtures..............
Stone, clay, and glass products.....
Primary metal industries............
Blast furnaces and basic steel
products.......................
Fabricated metal products...........
Industrial machinery and equipment..
Computer and office equipment.....
Electronic and other electrical
equipment........................
Electronic components and
accessories....................
Transportation equipment............
Motor vehicles and equipment......
Aircraft and parts................
Instruments and related products....
Miscellaneous manufacturing.........

10,836
7,434
786.3
506.1
538.8
708.5

11,052
7,595
791.6
519.1
530.1
720.0

11,069
7,613
793.8
521.1
534.7
719.9

11,082
7,619
798.2
523.0
547.7
717.8

10,856
7,440
799
506
541
710

11,048
7,593
806
513
543
717

11,093
7,623
808
516
550
719

11,101
7,629
808
519
550
720

11,097
7,627
809
521
547
720

11,100
7,624
810
524
550
718

234.8
236.1
235.8
234.7
1,463.8 1,492.5 1,491.4 1,492.0
2,145.7 2,198.5 2,200.6 2,198.6
373.4
385.1
384.0
382.3

(1)
1,468
2,142
375

(1)
1,489
2,188
387

(1)
1,496
2,194
387

(1)
1,497
2,195
387

(1)
1,494
2,194
385

(1)
1,495
2,192
383

1,638.3 1,683.2 1,682.4 1,676.8

1,643

1,678

1,685

1,686

1,686

1,683

617.0
653.1
652.7
648.4
1,809.5 1,876.5 1,878.5 1,881.1
960.3
990.9
992.3
993.2
495.1
529.5
526.7
527.9
853.4
858.3
861.3
860.3
385.8
382.4
385.0
386.3

618
1,804
957
495
855
388

651
1,868
988
526
861
385

655
1,874
992
527
864
387

654
1,880
993
530
860
386

654
1,878
991
528
862
386

650
1,880
993
529
861
387

Nondurable goods.....................
7,573
7,556
7,557
7,546
Production workers................
5,278
5,263
5,260
5,245
Food and kindred products........... 1,648.4 1,669.2 1,668.6 1,666.1
Tobacco products....................
38.5
42.3
40.7
39.6
Textile mill products...............
608.9
595.8
594.5
594.2
Apparel and other textile products..
820.7
778.6
778.7
773.6
Paper and allied products...........
672.9
675.3
674.8
672.4
Printing and publishing............. 1,538.7 1,553.6 1,552.5 1,553.9
Chemicals and allied products....... 1,026.0 1,024.2 1,026.3 1,025.0
Petroleum and coal products.........
138.1
130.6
132.0
134.0
Rubber and misc. plastics products..
987.4
999.6 1,002.5 1,001.5
Leather and leather products........
92.9
86.9
86.1
85.4

7,639
5,334
1,699
41
609
822
677
1,541
1,029
140
988
93

7,626
5,320
1,706
41
604
795
676
1,553
1,029
138
996
88

7,629
5,321
1,710
40
601
792
678
1,558
1,027
134
1,002
87

7,622
5,317
1,710
41
598
783
679
1,558
1,028
135
1,002
88

7,619
5,310
1,711
42
595
782
679
1,557
1,028
135
1,004
86

7,606
5,298
1,712
42
595
776
676
1,555
1,027
135
1,003
85

99,776

97,004

98,871

99,126

99,350

99,421

99,662

Transportation and public utilities...
6,384
6,479
6,508
6,528
Transportation......................
4,151
4,219
4,236
4,253
Railroad transportation...........
225.0
227.9
228.0
229.6
Local and interurban passenger
transit........................
471.0
476.3
480.5
474.7
Trucking and warehousing.......... 1,651.7 1,683.2 1,690.2 1,709.5
Water transportation..............
175.7
170.3
173.3
176.4
Transportation by air............. 1,179.5 1,205.5 1,205.5 1,204.4
Pipelines, except natural gas.....
14.2
14.1
14.1
14.1
Transportation services...........
434.2
441.9
443.9
444.2
Communications and public utilities.
2,233
2,260
2,272
2,275
Communications.................... 1,363.3 1,402.4 1,412.9 1,419.0
Electric, gas, and sanitary
services.......................
869.8
858.0
859.2
856.3

6,421
4,179
225

6,478
4,221
230

6,516
4,247
233

6,544
4,270
232

6,559
4,277
231

6,557
4,273
230

460
1,676
177
1,192
14
435
2,242
1,369

462
1,699
175
1,201
14
440
2,257
1,396

463
1,713
172
1,210
14
442
2,269
1,406

466
1,721
177
1,216
14
444
2,274
1,411

468
1,723
179
1,218
14
444
2,282
1,418

461
1,737
177
1,211
14
443
2,284
1,425

Service-producing.......................

97,023

98,432

99,016

873

861

863

863

864

859

6,798
4,056
2,742
22,247

6,622
3,900
2,722
22,029

6,746
4,006
2,740
22,450

6,780
4,024
2,756
22,462

6,791
4,041
2,750
22,479

6,805
4,052
2,753
22,453

6,816
4,059
2,757
22,497

936.9
893.1
917.5
956.4
2,682.2 2,760.8 2,763.3 2,776.5
2,355.5 2,423.4 2,426.1 2,439.0
3,438.9 3,501.0 3,492.1 3,496.2

931
2,799
2,446
3,480

934
2,874
2,520
3,522

945
2,866
2,531
3,533

948
2,862
2,506
3,539

952
2,876
2,521
3,541

949
2,884
2,532
3,540

2,309.0 2,309.5 2,319.9 2,339.1
1,053.5 1,057.9 1,059.8 1,063.2
1,075.3 1,067.9 1,062.4 1,069.2

2,319
1,055
1,105

2,338
1,061
1,106

2,339
1,061
1,111

2,339
1,062
1,102

2,341
1,062
1,095

2,347
1,064
1,094

1,015.3 1,070.8 1,069.8 1,068.6
7,550.3 7,444.1 7,519.6 7,689.4
2,741.8 2,878.0 2,844.4 2,851.6

1,026
7,571
2,798

1,070
7,688
2,918

1,073
7,694
2,901

1,076
7,711
2,902

1,081
7,663
2,904

1,080
7,696
2,907

Finance, insurance, and real estate...
6,985
7,131
7,175
7,219
Finance.............................
3,370
3,481
3,500
3,513
Depository institutions........... 2,032.2 2,055.4 2,059.4 2,062.1
Commercial banks................ 1,477.5 1,493.9 1,495.9 1,497.2
Savings institutions............
253.2
251.0
251.6
252.7
Nondepository institutions........
539.0
569.0
578.6
583.6
Mortgage bankers and brokers....
243.3
258.6
266.1
270.6
Security and commodity brokers....
580.1
621.0
625.7
629.3
Holding and other investment
offices........................
218.5
235.3
236.5
238.1
Insurance...........................
2,217
2,255
2,264
2,269
Insurance carriers................ 1,499.3 1,524.9 1,533.0 1,539.2
Insurance agents, brokers, and
service........................
717.7
730.2
730.6
730.0
Real estate.........................
1,398
1,395
1,411
1,437

7,019
3,381
2,041
1,486
253
539
243
583

7,151
3,472
2,064
1,502
253
561
253
614

7,170
3,479
2,061
1,500
252
563
252
619

7,190
3,490
2,063
1,501
252
568
260
623

7,218
3,508
2,066
1,502
252
578
266
628

7,248
3,520
2,069
1,503
253
583
270
631

218
2,221
1,502

233
2,257
1,529

236
2,257
1,527

236
2,262
1,530

236
2,266
1,535

237
2,272
1,541

719
1,417

728
1,422

730
1,434

732
1,438

731
1,444

731
1,456

35,334
664
1,756
1,193
7,594
902
2,752
2,419

36,276
682
1,759
1,185
7,918
908
2,868
2,520

36,417
687
1,772
1,187
7,970
912
2,872
2,515

36,534
684
1,765
1,192
8,029
914
2,923
2,572

36,572
680
1,767
1,193
8,031
920
2,900
2,551

36,711
690
1,768
1,195
8,091
924
2,931
2,581

Wholesale trade.......................
Durable goods.......................
Nondurable goods....................
Retail trade..........................
Building materials and garden
supplies.........................
General merchandise stores..........
Department stores.................
Food stores.........................
Automotive dealers and service
stations.........................
New and used car dealers..........
Apparel and accessory stores........
Furniture and home furnishings
stores...........................
Eating and drinking places..........
Miscellaneous retail establishments.

Services2.............................
Agricultural services...............
Hotels and other lodging places.....
Personal services...................
Business services...................
Services to buildings.............
Personnel supply services.........
Help supply services............

6,601
3,895
2,706
21,750

35,350
668.9
1,707.5
1,253.4
7,489.6
899.3
2,670.7
2,338.6

6,735
4,019
2,716
21,925

36,060
574.1
1,679.0
1,263.9
7,843.9
903.5
2,757.9
2,416.4

6,765
4,039
2,726
21,989

36,365
608.5
1,698.7
1,257.2
7,927.9
913.2
2,806.8
2,462.3

36,765
697.7
1,724.2
1,255.2
8,008.1
923.2
2,851.1
2,501.6

Computer and data processing
services.......................
Auto repair, services, and parking..
Miscellaneous repair services.......
Motion pictures.....................
Amusement and recreation services...
Health services.....................
Offices and clinics of medical
doctors........................
Nursing and personal care
facilities.....................
Hospitals.........................
Home health care services.........
Legal services......................
Educational services................
Social services.....................
Child day care services...........
Residential care..................
Museums and botanical and zoological
gardens...........................
Membership organizations............
Engineering and management services.
Engineering and architectural
services.......................
Management and public relations...
Services, nec.......................
Government............................
Federal.............................
Federal, except Postal Service....
State...............................
Education.........................
Other State government............
Local...............................
Education.........................
Other local government............

1,308.6
1,131.9
380.6
529.4
1,489.6
9,627.2

1,489.1
1,160.1
391.6
559.6
1,599.1
9,824.8

1,306
1,132
382
528
1,503
9,644

1,421
1,157
390
561
1,600
9,795

1,435
1,163
392
559
1,606
9,801

1,451
1,159
393
569
1,615
9,815

1,469
1,159
392
562
1,618
9,822

1,489
1,162
393
561
1,625
9,836

1,723.1 1,784.2 1,790.0 1,796.2

1,728

1,780

1,786

1,789

1,795

1,800

1,753.9
3,852.3
681.7
945.5
2,191.2
2,471.8
597.6
691.7

1,762.0
3,942.2
660.0
979.4
2,294.2
2,572.2
625.3
726.3

1,760
3,857
684
951
2,062
2,458
581
694

1,769
3,917
681
975
2,121
2,521
598
716

1,766
3,927
673
975
2,132
2,529
605
717

1,769
3,930
670
979
2,141
2,535
604
720

1,767
3,934
665
982
2,149
2,545
607
724

1,765
3,948
659
983
2,157
2,556
609
728

85.4
81.6
84.4
89.0
2,185.5 2,193.4 2,203.0 2,207.0
2,976.9 3,128.9 3,158.5 3,186.5

87
2,199
2,965

89
2,209
3,096

88
2,214
3,125

90
2,216
3,134

90
2,218
3,147

91
2,220
3,166

862.7
897.0
903.9
910.2
934.7 1,004.0 1,009.5 1,016.7
48.0
48.9
48.5
48.7

869
936
(1)

901
993
(1)

907
1,009
(1)

909
1,013
(1)

912
1,012
(1)

918
1,015
(1)

19,579
2,708
1,856
4,635
1,938
2,697
12,236
6,858
5,378

19,770
2,689
1,818
4,665
1,964
2,701
12,416
6,965
5,451

19,781
2,674
1,825
4,664
1,960
2,704
12,443
6,985
5,458

19,812
2,676
1,820
4,663
1,960
2,703
12,473
7,006
5,467

19,814
2,671
1,816
4,674
1,968
2,706
12,469
7,003
5,466

19,833
2,672
1,813
4,676
1,970
2,706
12,485
7,009
5,476

19,953
2,700
1,852.5
4,760
2,074.1
2,685.8
12,493
7,206.5
5,286.9

1,455.1
1,152.9
386.9
566.0
1,413.3
9,788.5

1,761.4
3,925.3
666.1
973.4
2,265.7
2,532.0
614.0
716.8

20,102
2,661
1,808.4
4,762
2,078.0
2,684.2
12,679
7,337.1
5,342.2

1,475.5
1,159.1
388.3
565.7
1,472.5
9,810.4

1,763.7
3,933.7
663.6
977.7
2,281.6
2,554.9
621.4
722.6

20,214
2,662
1,809.4
4,796
2,105.8
2,690.6
12,756
7,391.2
5,364.4

20,219
2,666
1,812.0
4,807
2,107.9
2,699.3
12,746
7,362.4
5,383.8

1 This series is not published seasonally adjusted because the seasonal component, which is small relative to the
trend-cycle and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
2 Includes other industries, not shown separately.
p = preliminary.

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

Table B-2. Average weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls by industry

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted

Industry
Apr.
1997

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Total private....................

34.4

34.6

34.5

34.3

34.5

34.6

34.8

34.9

34.7

34.4

Goods-producing.........................

41.1

40.9

40.8

40.2

41.4

41.4

41.6

41.4

40.9

40.1

Mining................................

45.1

43.9

43.3

43.4

45.3

45.0

45.5

44.0

43.4

43.5

Construction..........................

38.7

37.9

37.8

37.9

38.9

38.8

39.8

39.3

38.3

38.0

Manufacturing.........................
Overtime hours....................

41.8
4.6

41.7
4.5

41.7
4.6

40.8
4.0

42.1
4.9

42.2
4.9

42.1
4.9

42.0
4.8

41.8
4.7

40.7
3.9

Durable goods........................
Overtime hours....................

42.7
5.0

42.5
4.9

42.5
4.9

41.4
4.2

43.0
5.3

43.0
5.2

42.8
5.2

42.7
5.1

42.4
5.0

41.1
3.9

Lumber and wood products............
Furniture and fixtures..............
Stone, clay, and glass products.....
Primary metal industries............
Blast furnaces and basic steel
products.......................
Fabricated metal products...........
Industrial machinery and equipment..
Electronic and other electrical
equipment........................
Transportation equipment............
Motor vehicles and equipment......
Instruments and related products....
Miscellaneous manufacturing.........

41.2
39.5
42.9
44.7

40.5
40.5
42.6
44.7

40.8
40.4
42.4
44.6

40.9
39.8
42.8
43.4

41.2
40.1
43.0
45.1

41.0
40.7
43.9
45.3

41.3
41.2
43.9
45.4

41.2
41.5
43.8
44.7

41.1
40.7
43.0
44.5

40.8
40.0
42.8
43.1

44.9
42.4
43.6

45.2
42.3
43.5

45.2
42.2
43.5

44.2
40.9
42.0

45.2
42.9
43.9

45.5
42.9
43.6

46.2
42.7
43.5

45.3
42.6
43.3

45.3
42.3
43.2

44.1
40.6
41.6

41.8
44.7
45.4
41.7
40.2

41.6
43.5
43.5
42.1
40.2

41.4
43.8
43.9
41.7
40.3

40.3
42.1
42.3
40.9
39.3

42.3
44.8
45.3
41.9
40.5

42.0
44.7
45.0
41.8
40.7

41.9
43.8
43.8
41.7
40.2

41.8
43.7
43.7
42.1
40.7

41.3
43.6
43.6
41.5
40.2

40.2
41.4
41.3
41.0
39.0

Nondurable goods.....................
Overtime hours....................

40.5
4.1

40.6
4.0

40.6
4.2

40.0
3.8

40.9
4.4

41.1
4.5

41.2
4.4

40.9
4.3

40.8
4.4

40.1
3.9

Food and kindred products...........
Tobacco products....................
Textile mill products...............
Apparel and other textile products..
Paper and allied products...........
Printing and publishing.............
Chemicals and allied products.......
Petroleum and coal products.........
Rubber and misc. plastics products..
Leather and leather products........

40.4
38.4
41.3
37.2
43.4
38.3
43.0
42.4
41.7
38.1

40.9
37.4
41.1
37.1
43.0
38.2
43.3
42.2
41.6
37.9

40.9
37.1
41.2
37.2
43.1
38.4
43.4
43.2
41.5
37.7

40.4
37.2
40.0
36.4
42.3
37.9
42.9
42.5
40.9
36.1

41.1
39.0
41.7
37.5
43.9
38.5
43.1
(2)
42.0
38.5

41.7
39.1
41.7
37.5
43.8
38.6
43.1
(2)
42.1
38.3

41.9
38.4
41.8
37.6
43.6
38.5
43.5
(2)
42.0
38.3

41.4
38.7
41.7
37.4
43.4
38.5
43.5
(2)
41.8
38.8

41.4
37.5
41.2
37.1
43.4
38.3
43.4
(2)
41.5
37.8

41.0
37.4
39.8
36.4
42.3
37.9
43.1
(2)
40.5
36.3

Service-producing.......................

32.6

33.0

32.9

32.8

32.7

32.8

32.9

33.1

33.0

33.0

Transportation and public utilities...

39.2

39.8

39.3

39.3

39.3

39.7

39.8

40.0

39.5

39.6

Wholesale trade.......................

38.3

38.5

38.4

38.3

38.4

38.2

38.4

38.6

38.5

38.4

Retail trade..........................

28.6

28.7

28.7

28.8

28.9

28.9

29.0

29.1

29.0

29.1

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

35.9

37.1

36.9

36.5

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

Services..............................

32.4

32.8

32.7

32.6

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

1 Data relate to production workers in mining and manufacturing; construction workers in construction; and
nonsupervisory workers in transportation and public utilities; wholesale and retail trade; finance, insurance, and real
estate; and services. These groups account for approximately four-fifths of the total employees on private nonfarm
payrolls.
2 These series are not published seasonally adjusted because the seasonal component, which is small relative to the
trend-cycle and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
p = preliminary.

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

Table B-3. Average hourly and weekly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls by
industry

Average hourly earnings

Average weekly earnings

Industry
Apr.
1997

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Apr.
1997

Total private....................
Seasonally adjusted.............

$12.17
12.14

$12.63
12.59

$12.66
12.63

$12.68
12.67

$418.65
418.83

Goods-producing.........................

13.77

14.11

14.18

14.26

Mining................................

16.05

16.85

17.06

Construction..........................

15.75

16.18

Manufacturing.........................

13.09

13.42

Durable goods........................
Lumber and wood products............
Furniture and fixtures..............
Stone, clay, and glass products.....
Primary metal industries............
Blast furnaces and basic steel
products.......................
Fabricated metal products...........
Industrial machinery and equipment..
Electronic and other electrical
equipment........................
Transportation equipment............
Motor vehicles and equipment......
Instruments and related products....
Miscellaneous manufacturing.........

13.64
10.64
10.42
13.06
15.15

Nondurable goods.....................
Food and kindred products...........
Tobacco products....................
Textile mill products...............
Apparel and other textile products..
Paper and allied products...........
Printing and publishing.............
Chemicals and allied products.......
Petroleum and coal products.........
Rubber and misc. plastics products..
Leather and leather products........

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

$437.00
439.39

$436.77
438.26

$434.92
435.85

565.95

577.10

578.54

573.25

17.10

723.86

739.72

738.70

742.14

16.27

16.34

609.53

613.22

615.01

619.29

13.48

13.51

547.16

559.61

562.12

551.21

13.98
10.90
10.77
13.45
15.46

14.04
10.96
10.80
13.48
15.51

14.03
10.99
10.82
13.67
15.72

582.43
438.37
411.59
560.27
677.21

594.15
441.45
436.19
572.97
691.06

596.70
447.17
436.32
571.55
691.75

580.84
449.49
430.64
585.08
682.25

17.88
12.80
13.94

18.31
13.02
14.36

18.26
13.05
14.35

18.78
12.94
14.33

802.81
542.72
607.78

827.61
550.75
624.66

825.35
550.71
624.23

830.08
529.25
601.86

12.55
17.48
18.01
13.47
10.53

12.97
17.81
18.35
13.72
10.80

13.07
17.96
18.55
13.78
10.79

13.17
17.91
18.58
13.78
10.74

524.59
781.36
817.65
561.70
423.31

539.55
774.74
798.23
577.61
434.16

541.10
786.65
814.35
574.63
434.84

530.75
754.01
785.93
563.60
422.08

12.27
11.45
20.32
9.94
8.21
15.00
12.99
16.42
19.97
11.53
8.87

12.58
11.64
18.10
10.25
8.38
15.23
13.33
16.94
20.92
11.78
9.25

12.64
11.71
18.42
10.28
8.42
15.32
13.37
16.97
21.15
11.79
9.31

12.73
11.78
18.48
10.38
8.50
15.50
13.35
17.17
20.88
11.86
9.25

496.94
462.58
780.29
410.52
305.41
651.00
497.52
706.06
846.73
480.80
337.95

510.75
476.08
676.94
421.28
310.90
654.89
509.21
733.50
882.82
490.05
350.58

513.18
478.94
683.38
423.54
313.22
660.29
513.41
736.50
913.68
489.29
350.99

509.20
475.91
687.46
415.20
309.40
655.65
505.97
736.59
887.40
485.07
333.93

Service-producing.......................

11.63

12.16

12.17

12.17

379.14

401.28

400.39

399.18

Transportation and public utilities...

$14.77

$15.23

$15.16

$15.24

$578.98

$606.15

$595.79

$598.93

Wholesale trade.......................

13.33

13.84

13.85

13.91

510.54

532.84

531.84

532.75

Retail trade..........................

8.28

8.62

8.66

8.69

236.81

247.39

248.54

250.27

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

13.09

13.92

13.96

13.95

469.93

516.43

515.12

509.18

Services..............................

12.20

12.75

12.77

12.74

395.28

418.20

417.58

415.32

1 See footnote 1, table B-2.
p = preliminary.

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

Table B-4. Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm
payrolls by industry, seasonally adjusted

Percent
change
from:
Mar. 1998Apr. 1998

Apr.
1997

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Total private:
Current dollars..............
Constant (1982) dollars2.....

$12.14
7.49

$12.48
7.62

$12.52
7.64

$12.59
7.69

$12.63
7.72

$12.67
N.A.

0.3
(3)

Goods-producing...............
Mining......................
Construction................
Manufacturing...............
Excluding overtime4.......

13.80
15.96
15.86
13.07
12.38

14.17
16.41
16.36
13.39
12.64

14.15
16.42
16.22
13.38
12.64

14.21
16.73
16.29
13.43
12.70

14.25
17.03
16.41
13.47
12.75

14.28
17.04
16.46
13.47
12.84

.2
.1
.3
.0
.7

Service-producing.............
Transportation and public
utilities................
Wholesale trade.............
Retail trade................
Finance, insurance, and real
estate...................
Services....................

11.58

11.92

11.97

12.06

12.10

12.16

.5

14.76
13.27
8.26

15.09
13.69
8.51

15.26
13.67
8.57

15.23
13.80
8.59

15.19
13.87
8.63

15.28
13.90
8.69

.6
.2
.7

13.00
12.16

13.59
12.48

13.63
12.52

13.84
12.62

13.89
12.68

13.95
12.75

.4
.6

Industry

1 See footnote 1, table B-2.
2 The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is used to
deflate this series.
3 Change was .4 percent from February 1998 to March 1998, the latest month available.
4 Derived by assuming that overtime hours are paid at the rate of time and one-half.
N.A. = not available.
p = preliminary.

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

Table B-5. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls by
industry
(1982=100)

Not seasonally adjusted

Seasonally adjusted

Industry
Apr.
1997

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Apr.
1997

Feb.
1998

Mar.
1998p

Apr.
1998p

Total private....................

138.2

140.4

140.8

141.5

143.6

144.5

143.5

142.9

Goods-producing.........................

111.2

110.5

110.9

115.0

116.4

115.9

114.0

111.7

Mining................................

54.9

53.1

55.8

56.0

56.7

54.8

54.5

54.1

Construction..........................

147.2

Manufacturing.........................

107.2

149.9

153.2

156.7

164.3

163.5

155.9

155.6

105.9

108.5

109.9

110.0

109.7

108.9

106.0

Durable goods........................
Lumber and wood products............
Furniture and fixtures..............
Stone, clay, and glass products.....
Primary metal industries............
Blast furnaces and basic steel
products.......................
Fabricated metal products...........
Industrial machinery and equipment..
Electronic and other electrical
equipment........................
Transportation equipment............
Motor vehicles and equipment......
Instruments and related products....
Miscellaneous manufacturing.........

112.8
140.6
132.0
106.9
95.5

110.0
141.9
130.3
110.8
92.8

111.7
143.3
126.7
109.2
94.5

113.9
144.2
130.5
112.8
96.5

113.9
145.9
133.1
114.4
97.2

113.8
145.1
134.7
114.4
95.6

112.9
144.7
132.7
111.0
95.3

109.4
143.5
131.4
111.3
92.1

74.3
118.7
111.4

74.1
118.2
111.8

71.8
114.6
107.6

73.8
118.0
109.2

74.3
119.8
110.8

75.9
119.8
110.9

74.4
119.9
110.7

74.4
118.7
110.2

71.6
113.9
105.9

107.7
127.0
166.1
74.7
102.4

110.0
128.1
163.3
76.6
101.3

109.2
129.6
165.2
76.2
102.3

106.0
124.5
158.8
74.7
100.3

109.1
126.5
164.4
75.1
103.3

111.1
131.4
169.6
75.6
103.4

111.0
128.6
164.5
76.1
102.2

110.4
128.8
164.3
76.7
103.4

109.1
128.8
163.1
75.9
102.5

105.9
122.1
154.7
75.0
99.8

Nondurable goods.....................
Food and kindred products...........
Tobacco products....................
Textile mill products...............
Apparel and other textile products..
Paper and allied products...........
Printing and publishing.............
Chemicals and allied products.......
Petroleum and coal products.........
Rubber and misc. plastics products..
Leather and leather products........

102.1
110.8
54.9
88.8
73.2
108.4
123.9
99.4
73.6
144.8
41.5

102.0
113.9
61.6
86.4
68.7
108.0
123.8
102.0
67.9
146.3
38.1

102.2
113.7
58.2
86.5
68.8
108.1
124.3
102.4
70.3
146.4
37.8

100.2
112.0
56.9
83.9
66.7
106.0
122.2
101.1
70.4
144.2
35.7

104.2
117.0
59.9
89.6
73.9
110.4
124.7
99.9
73.6
145.9
42.0

104.4
119.0
60.0
88.7
71.2
110.2
125.9
101.3
72.4
147.2
38.8

104.7
119.9
60.9
88.4
70.8
110.1
125.3
102.4
74.6
147.8
38.8

104.0
118.7
61.3
88.0
69.6
109.6
125.3
102.7
70.8
147.3
39.3

103.5
118.8
61.3
86.6
68.9
109.4
123.7
102.5
72.9
146.6
37.7

101.5
117.5
61.1
83.5
66.7
106.8
122.2
102.0
70.9
143.1
35.7

Service-producing.......................

150.3

153.9

154.2

155.4

151.3

154.9

155.8

157.3

156.8

156.8

Transportation and public utilities...

129.0

130.7

129.6

130.0

130.1

131.1

132.0

132.8

131.3

131.8

Wholesale trade.......................

124.9

127.3

127.4

127.6

125.7

126.9

128.1

129.0

128.6

128.5

Retail trade..........................

134.6

136.0

136.3

138.2

137.9

140.5

140.8

141.6

141.0

141.3

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

126.2

133.7

133.9

133.5

126.7

129.3

130.3

134.8

135.2

134.2

Services..............................

182.0

187.1

188.1

189.6

181.7

187.5

188.8

190.4

190.0

190.1

1 See footnote 1, table B-2.
p = preliminary.

Dec.
1997

Jan.
1998

139.6

142.5

110.6

113.3

53.3

53.5

139.4

140.8

108.1

108.3

110.9
140.8
124.6
108.8
93.8

112.6
139.5
131.5
106.3
95.8

72.8
116.3
108.8

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

Table B-6.

ESTABLISHMENT DATA

Diffusion indexes of employment change, seasonally adjusted

(Percent)

Time span

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Private nonfarm payrolls, 356 industries1

Over 1-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

57.6
62.4
51.7
59.3
64.5

61.9
60.1
64.3
59.1
58.3

67.1
54.5
60.1
59.0
p55.2

64.5
55.6
54.9
61.1
p54.1

57.7
48.0
62.9
57.4

63.9
53.9
60.5
50.7

62.5
54.1
56.5
58.8

62.6
59.8
59.3
58.7

61.4
57.0
54.4
56.5

60.3
54.9
62.6
64.2

63.8
57.2
58.1
61.7

62.4
57.9
61.0
61.4

Over 3-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

65.3
65.4
62.6
64.6
66.4

69.5
62.5
63.6
62.2
p64.5

70.4
58.7
62.6
64.2
p56.7

68.7
53.2
61.2
65.6

67.1
54.6
62.1
59.7

67.0
52.4
63.1
58.7

69.1
57.9
62.6
59.1

69.7
59.6
58.8
65.0

65.7
59.7
62.8
65.3

65.6
59.0
60.4
67.3

67.0
57.0
64.7
68.4

66.2
56.3
65.0
69.9

Over 6-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

71.1
66.9
62.2
67.6
p69.5

69.8
61.4
63.5
66.6

69.8
58.1
63.5
64.5

70.9
56.6
63.5
64.6

70.1
58.1
62.6
64.3

69.8
58.1
61.2
66.7

69.7
56.7
65.3
67.0

69.4
59.8
63.6
68.3

69.4
60.3
62.6
70.2

67.4
59.1
64.5
72.9

67.7
61.5
64.2
73.0

66.2
63.3
67.4
p71.3

70.2
63.6
63.5
67.3

71.6
62.4
64.7
66.2

71.8
62.6
62.4
69.4

71.8
63.3
62.9
70.4

72.1
61.7
64.7
70.1

71.8
61.9
64.2
69.5

71.5
58.7
65.0
71.3

72.1
62.2
63.1
71.6

70.1
62.2
63.8
p72.2

69.5
61.1
66.7
p71.3

66.6
62.2
65.7

65.0
63.3
65.0

Over 12-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

Manufacturing payrolls, 139 industries1

Over 1-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

55.8
54.3
45.7
54.0
60.8

59.0
56.1
54.3
50.4
50.0

60.4
44.2
47.8
52.9
p47.5

58.6
51.4
39.2
52.9
p47.1

52.9
42.1
52.2
51.4

58.6
42.8
52.2
49.3

59.4
43.5
44.2
51.8

56.1
52.2
52.9
49.6

52.9
47.1
44.2
54.3

55.0
50.0
50.7
57.6

58.6
47.5
49.6
59.4

58.3
50.7
52.2
57.2

Over 3-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

61.9
59.7
47.5
53.2
60.4

64.7
50.4
47.8
51.4
p56.5

65.5
47.5
42.1
50.7
p45.0

59.7
40.3
38.5
52.5

57.6
42.4
43.2
48.6

60.1
36.3
45.0
48.9

62.2
38.5
48.9
48.6

57.9
43.9
43.2
53.6

55.0
49.3
50.4
55.8

55.4
46.4
46.4
62.9

60.1
45.3
52.5
64.0

59.4
43.9
52.5
67.3

Over 6-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

62.2
55.8
41.4
53.2
p60.8

62.2
48.6
41.7
53.2

62.6
43.9
41.0
50.4

63.3
38.8
38.1
49.3

59.4
39.2
39.6
48.6

56.5
39.6
40.6
52.2

56.5
38.8
47.5
55.0

58.6
39.6
46.8
58.3

58.6
43.9
45.3
60.8

55.0
45.0
50.4
65.1

58.3
44.2
48.2
68.0

55.0
44.6
53.2
p63.7

57.9
46.0
39.6
51.4

58.6
44.2
42.8
47.8

60.8
46.0
39.2
52.2

60.8
47.8
39.6
55.0

60.8
41.0
42.4
57.6

63.3
41.7
40.3
55.8

59.4
38.5
43.5
57.2

60.1
38.8
40.3
58.3

57.2
36.3
43.5
p60.4

56.5
37.4
46.8
p60.1

50.4
38.1
46.4

49.6
39.9
47.1

Over 12-month span:
1994..............
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............

1 Based on seasonally adjusted data for 1-, 3-, and 6-month spans and unadjusted data for the 12-month span. Data are
centered within the span.
p = preliminary.
NOTE: Figures are the percent of industries with employment increasing plus one-half of the industries with
unchanged employment, where 50 percent indicates an equal balance between industries with increasing and decreasing
employment.