Full text of The Employment Situation : April 1999

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Technical information:
USDL 99-125
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 7, 1999.

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION:

APRIL 1999

Payroll employment rose in April, and the unemployment rate was
essentially unchanged at 4.3 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Nonfarm payroll employment
grew by 234,000. Job gains occurred throughout the service-producing
sector, but losses continued in manufacturing and mining.
Unemployment (Household Survey Data)
The number of unemployed persons, 6.0 million, and the unemployment
rate, 4.3 percent, were about unchanged in April. The rate has been at or
below 4.5 percent since April 1998. Over the month, the unemployment rates
for whites and Hispanics increased to 3.8 and 6.9 percent, respectively, at
or near where they had been in February. The jobless rates for the other
major demographic groups--adult men (3.4 percent), adult women (4.1 percent),
teenagers (14.1 percent), and blacks (7.7 percent)--were little changed
over the month. Over the year, the unemployment rate for blacks was down
1.3 percentage points, while the rate for whites was little changed.
(See tables A-1 and A-2.)
Total Employment and the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)
The civilian labor force, at 139.1 million, and the labor force
participation rate, at 67.1 percent, were little changed from March. Total
employment, at 133.1 million, was essentially unchanged from March. In
April, the employment-population ratio--the proportion of the population
age 16 and over with jobs--was 64.2 percent, also little changed from the
previous month. (See table A-1.)
About 7.6 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) held more than one
job in April. These multiple jobholders represented 5.8 percent of the
total employed, compared with 6.1 percent a year earlier. (See table A-10.)
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. 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. (See table A-10.)
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--was 245,000 in April, down from 344,000 a
year earlier. (See table A-10.)

- 2 Table A. Major indicators of labor market activity, seasonally adjusted
(Numbers in thousands)
___________________________________________________________________________
|
Quarterly
|
Monthly data
|
|
averages
|
|
|_________________|__________________________| Mar.Category
| 1998 | 1999 1/|
1999
| Apr.
|________|________|________ _________________|change
|
IV
|
I
| Feb. | Mar. | Apr. |
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
HOUSEHOLD DATA
|
Labor force status
|____________________________________________________
Civilian labor force..| 138,285| 139,144| 139,271| 138,816| 139,091|
275
Employment..........| 132,166| 133,191| 133,144| 133,033| 133,069|
36
Unemployment........|
6,120|
5,953|
6,127|
5,783|
6,022|
239
Not in labor force....| 67,813| 67,732| 67,602| 68,220| 68,145|
-75
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Unemployment rates
|____________________________________________________
All workers...........|
4.4|
4.3|
4.4|
4.2|
4.3|
0.1
Adult men...........|
3.6|
3.4|
3.7|
3.2|
3.4|
.2
Adult women.........|
4.0|
3.8|
3.8|
3.9|
4.1|
.2
Teenagers...........|
14.9|
14.6|
14.1|
14.3|
14.1|
-.2
White...............|
3.8|
3.7|
3.8|
3.6|
3.8|
.2
Black...............|
8.4|
8.0|
8.3|
8.1|
7.7|
-.4
Hispanic origin.....|
7.4|
6.4|
6.7|
5.8|
6.9|
1.1
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
ESTABLISHMENT DATA
|
Employment
|____________________________________________________
Nonfarm employment....| 126,816|p127,561| 127,670|p127,677|p127,911|
p234
Goods-producing 2/..| 25,221| p25,233| 25,266| p25,182| p25,155|
p-27
Construction......|
6,072| p6,205|
6,249| p6,196| p6,204|
p8
Manufacturing.....| 18,588| p18,487| 18,478| p18,449| p18,420|
p-29
Service-producing 2/| 101,596|p102,238| 102,404|p102,495|p102,756|
p261
Retail trade......| 22,658| p22,814| 22,855| p22,831| p22,897|
p66
Services..........| 38,031| p38,356| 38,377| p38,446| p38,577|
p131
Government........| 19,985| p20,094| 20,107| p20,129| p20,137|
p8
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Hours of work 3/
|____________________________________________________
Total private.........|
34.6|
p34.5|
34.6|
p34.4|
p34.5|
p0.1
Manufacturing.......|
41.7|
p41.6|
41.6|
p41.5|
p41.7|
p.2
Overtime..........|
4.5|
p4.5|
4.5|
p4.5|
p4.4|
p-.1
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Indexes of aggregate weekly hours (1982=100) 3/
|____________________________________________________
Total private.........|
146.0| p146.7|
147.2| p146.4| p146.8|
p0.4
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Earnings 3/
|____________________________________________________
Avg. hourly earnings, |
|
|
|
|
|
total private.......| $12.94| p$13.05| $13.05| p$13.08| p$13.11| p$0.03
Avg. weekly earnings, |
|
|
|
|
|
total private.......| 447.29| p450.34| 451.53| p449.95| p452.30| p2.35
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
1/ Beginning in January 1999, household data reflect revised population
controls used in the Current Population Survey.
2/ Includes other industries, not shown separately.
3/ Data relate to private production or nonsupervisory workers.
p=preliminary.

- 3 Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey Data)
Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 234,000 in April, following virtually
no gain in March. The April increase was in line with the average monthly
growth for the prior 12 months. Strong growth occurred in several serviceproducing industries, but job losses continued in manufacturing and mining.
Construction employment changed little in April after seasonal adjustment,
following a sharp decline in March. (See table B-1.)
The services industry added 131,000 jobs in April, somewhat above the
average gain for the prior 12 months. A large employment increase occurred
in business services (51,000), led by job gains in both help supply
services (18,000) and computer services (16,000). Employment in health
services increased by 23,000, more than twice the monthly average over the
prior year. Over-the-month job gains occurred in doctors' offices,
hospitals, and home health care services. Employment both in motion
pictures and in amusements and recreation grew in April, after changing
little in March. Job growth continued in engineering and management
services, but the gain of 11,000 in April was about half the average
increase for the prior 12 months.
Finance added 17,000 jobs in April after 2 months of small gains.
Nondepository institutions had a large increase of 8,000, and security
brokerages added 6,000 jobs after showing little net growth the prior
5 months. Employment in both insurance and real estate increased only
slightly in April. In the first 4 months of this year, average monthly
job growth in both industries has been below the average for 1998.
Transportation and public utilities employment rose by 22,000 in April.
Transportation accounted for most of the increase (20,000); the largest
gain occurred in local and interurban passenger transit (7,000).
Communications employment rose by 5,000, in line with its average for the
prior 12 months. Employment in public utilities continued its long-term
decline, losing 3,000 jobs in April.
Retail trade employment rose by 66,000 in April. Within retail trade,
employment in eating and drinking places increased by 64,000 after seasonal
adjustment; this follows a loss of about the same amount in the previous
month. In April, employment increased in furniture stores and in
automotive dealers and service stations but declined in general
merchandise stores and building materials stores.
Wholesale trade added 11,000 jobs in April, about equal to the
industry's average monthly growth over the past year. Government
employment was little changed in April. A loss in federal employment of
23,000 offset a gain in local government. The decline at the federal level
largely reflected a temporary reduction in the number of workers preparing
for the decennial census.
In the goods-producing sector, manufacturing employment continued to
decline in April, with a loss of 29,000 jobs. Part of the loss was due to
a strike of 7,000 workers in shipbuilding, which is within transportation
equipment manufacturing. (Persons on strike for the entire reference pay
period are not on payrolls and, thus, are not counted as employed in the
establishment survey.) Aircraft industry employment declined by 6,000 in
April and has fallen by 23,000 since its most recent peak last August. Job
losses continued in April in industrial machinery, fabricated metals,
instruments, apparel, and textiles.
Mining employment declined by 6,000 in April. Job losses in the
industry have totaled 26,000 for the year thus far, compared with 35,000
for all of 1998.
After seasonal adjustment, construction employment was little changed in
April, following a decline of 53,000 in March. Since October, construction
employment growth has averaged 32,000 a month, slightly above the average
for the prior 12-month period.
Weekly Hours (Establishment Survey Data)
The average workweek for production or nonsupervisory workers on private
nonfarm payrolls edged up 0.1 hour in April to 34.5 hours, seasonally
adjusted. The manufacturing workweek increased by 0.2 hour to 41.7 hours.
Factory overtime edged down 0.1 hour to 4.4 hours. (See table B-2.)
The index of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory
workers on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 0.3 percent to 146.8
(1982=100), seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing index edged up 0.1
percent to 106.3. (See table B-5.)

- 4 Hourly and Weekly Earnings (Establishment Survey Data)
Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls rose by 3 cents in April to $13.11, seasonally
adjusted. Average weekly earnings rose by 0.5 percent over the month to
$452.30, seasonally adjusted. Over the year, hourly and weekly earnings
each rose by 3.2 percent. (See table B-3.)
___________________________
The Employment Situation for May 1999 is scheduled to be released on
Friday, June 4, 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 pay- |
roll employment, hours, and earnings to reflect the annual |
benchmark adjustments for March 1998 and updated seasonal
|
adjustment factors. Unadjusted data since April 1997 and
|
seasonally adjusted data since January 1994 are subject to |
revision. Seasonal adjustment factors for March through
|
October 1999 will be available on the Internet on May 28,
|
one week prior to the release of the May estimates
|
(http://stats.bls.gov/ceshome.htm). Further information on |
these revisions is available by calling (202) 606-6555.
|
-------------------------------------------------------------

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|

- 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 1998,
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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

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

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

207,036
138,418
66.9
132,299
63.9
3,022
129,277
6,119
4.4
68,618

207,236
138,240
66.7
132,552
64.0
3,320
129,232
5,688
4.1
68,996

204,731
137,232
67.0
131,280
64.1
3,381
127,899
5,952
4.3
67,499

206,270
138,547
67.2
132,526
64.2
3,222
129,304
6,021
4.3
67,723

206,719
139,347
67.4
133,396
64.5
3,299
130,097
5,950
4.3
67,372

206,873
139,271
67.3
133,144
64.4
3,328
129,817
6,127
4.4
67,602

207,036
138,816
67.0
133,033
64.3
3,281
129,752
5,783
4.2
68,220

207,236
139,091
67.1
133,069
64.2
3,384
129,685
6,022
4.3
68,145

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

99,362
73,785
74.3
70,544
71.0
3,242
4.4

99,465
73,837
74.2
70,877
71.3
2,959
4.0

98,503
73,723
74.8
70,695
71.8
3,028
4.1

99,309
74,437
75.0
71,204
71.7
3,233
4.3

99,198
74,599
75.2
71,459
72.0
3,140
4.2

99,279
74,504
75.0
71,276
71.8
3,228
4.3

99,362
74,234
74.7
71,352
71.8
2,881
3.9

99,465
74,234
74.6
71,225
71.6
3,010
4.1

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

91,215
69,781
76.5
67,185
73.7
2,086
65,099
2,597
3.7

91,302
69,848
76.5
67,463
73.9
2,339
65,124
2,385
3.4

90,580
69,616
76.9
67,173
74.2
2,423
64,750
2,443
3.5

91,220
70,069
76.8
67,553
74.1
2,237
65,316
2,516
3.6

91,124
70,295
77.1
67,884
74.5
2,312
65,572
2,411
3.4

91,189
70,174
77.0
67,577
74.1
2,212
65,365
2,598
3.7

91,215
69,951
76.7
67,713
74.2
2,222
65,492
2,238
3.2

91,302
69,991
76.7
67,608
74.0
2,353
65,255
2,383
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.............. 106,228 107,674 107,771 106,228 106,960 107,521 107,593 107,674 107,771
Civilian labor force............................ 63,043 64,632 64,403 63,509 64,110 64,748 64,767 64,582 64,857
Participation rate........................
59.3
60.0
59.8
59.8
59.9
60.2
60.2
60.0
60.2
Employed...................................... 60,387 61,755 61,675 60,585 61,322 61,937 61,869 61,680 61,845
Employment-population ratio...............
56.8
57.4
57.2
57.0
57.3
57.6
57.5
57.3
57.4
Unemployed....................................
2,655
2,877
2,729
2,924
2,788
2,810
2,899
2,902
3,012
Unemployment rate.........................
4.2
4.5
4.2
4.6
4.3
4.3
4.5
4.5
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.........................

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

99,833
60,780
60.9
58,400
58.5
764
57,635
2,381
3.9

99,923
60,604
60.7
58,354
58.4
777
57,577
2,250
3.7

98,583
59,539
60.4
57,117
57.9
726
56,391
2,422
4.1

99,181
60,078
60.6
57,745
58.2
753
56,992
2,333
3.9

99,686
60,718
60.9
58,466
58.7
808
57,659
2,251
3.7

99,746
60,622
60.8
58,291
58.4
839
57,452
2,330
3.8

99,833
60,533
60.6
58,183
58.3
834
57,349
2,350
3.9

99,923
60,788
60.8
58,320
58.4
801
57,519
2,468
4.1

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

15,988
7,856
49.1
6,715
42.0
172
6,543
1,142
14.5

16,011
7,787
48.6
6,735
42.1
204
6,531
1,052
13.5

15,569
8,077
51.9
6,990
44.9
232
6,758
1,087
13.5

15,868
8,400
52.9
7,228
45.5
232
6,996
1,172
14.0

15,909
8,334
52.4
7,046
44.3
179
6,867
1,288
15.5

15,939
8,475
53.2
7,276
45.7
277
6,999
1,199
14.1

15,988
8,331
52.1
7,136
44.6
224
6,912
1,195
14.3

16,011
8,312
51.9
7,141
44.6
230
6,911
1,171
14.1

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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

WHITE
Civilian noninstitutional population.............. 171,141 172,597 172,730 171,141 172,197 172,394 172,491 172,597 172,730
Civilian labor force............................ 114,380 115,866 115,633 115,121 115,996 116,529 116,610 116,284 116,370
Participation rate..........................
66.8
67.1
66.9
67.3
67.4
67.6
67.6
67.4
67.4
Employed...................................... 110,343 111,414 111,439 110,858 111,560 112,135 112,189 112,144 111,917
Employment-population ratio.................
64.5
64.6
64.5
64.8
64.8
65.0
65.0
65.0
64.8
Unemployed....................................
4,037
4,451
4,194
4,263
4,436
4,394
4,420
4,140
4,454
Unemployment rate...........................
3.5
3.8
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.8
3.8
3.6
3.8
Men, 20 years and over
Civilian labor force............................
Participation rate..........................
Employed......................................
Employment-population ratio.................
Unemployed....................................
Unemployment rate...........................

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

59,541
77.1
57,546
74.5
1,995
3.4

59,548
77.1
57,758
74.8
1,790
3.0

59,324
77.2
57,538
74.9
1,786
3.0

59,712
77.2
57,813
74.8
1,899
3.2

59,751
77.5
57,920
75.1
1,831
3.1

59,799
77.5
57,830
75.0
1,969
3.3

59,698
77.3
58,010
75.1
1,688
2.8

59,664
77.2
57,874
74.9
1,790
3.0

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

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

49,729
60.1
48,078
58.1
1,650
3.3

49,486
59.8
47,862
57.8
1,624
3.3

48,972
59.8
47,304
57.7
1,668
3.4

49,230
59.8
47,585
57.8
1,645
3.3

49,759
60.2
48,110
58.2
1,650
3.3

49,721
60.1
48,109
58.2
1,612
3.2

49,602
59.9
47,983
58.0
1,620
3.3

49,672
60.0
47,862
57.8
1,811
3.6

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

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

6,596
52.1
5,790
45.8
806
12.2
13.7
10.7

6,599
52.1
5,819
45.9
780
11.8
12.2
11.4

6,825
55.2
6,016
48.6
809
11.9
12.9
10.7

7,054
56.1
6,162
49.0
892
12.6
14.5
10.6

7,019
55.6
6,105
48.4
913
13.0
14.1
11.9

7,090
56.1
6,250
49.5
840
11.8
12.2
11.4

6,984
55.2
6,151
48.6
833
11.9
12.7
11.1

7,034
55.5
6,181
48.8
853
12.1
12.6
11.6

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

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

24,729
16,125
65.2
14,798
59.8
1,327
8.2

24,765
16,159
65.2
14,979
60.5
1,180
7.3

24,289
15,901
65.5
14,477
59.6
1,424
9.0

24,561
16,157
65.8
14,884
60.6
1,273
7.9

24,665
16,356
66.3
15,085
61.2
1,271
7.8

24,697
16,242
65.8
14,900
60.3
1,342
8.3

24,729
16,212
65.6
14,904
60.3
1,308
8.1

24,765
16,286
65.8
15,029
60.7
1,257
7.7

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

7,050
72.7
6,527
67.4
523
7.4

7,031
71.2
6,583
66.7
448
6.4

7,092
71.7
6,661
67.4
431
6.1

7,077
73.0
6,548
67.6
529
7.5

7,063
72.0
6,588
67.2
475
6.7

7,210
73.3
6,782
68.9
428
5.9

7,160
72.7
6,682
67.8
477
6.7

7,065
71.6
6,656
67.4
409
5.8

7,118
72.0
6,681
67.6
437
6.1

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

7,814
64.2
7,196
59.2
618
7.9

8,166
65.9
7,575
61.2
590
7.2

8,222
66.3
7,681
61.9
541
6.6

7,830
64.4
7,192
59.1
638
8.1

8,035
65.4
7,474
60.8
561
7.0

8,114
65.7
7,579
61.3
535
6.6

8,082
65.3
7,509
60.7
573
7.1

8,129
65.6
7,545
60.9
584
7.2

8,241
66.4
7,681
61.9
560
6.8

912
37.4
705
29.0
207
22.7
22.7
22.7

928
37.6
639
25.9
289
31.1
34.7
27.5

845
34.1
637
25.7
208
24.6
30.2
19.7

994
40.8
737
30.3
257
25.9
26.0
25.7

1,059
43.0
822
33.4
237
22.4
27.3
17.6

1,032
41.8
725
29.3
307
29.8
34.2
25.0

1,000
40.5
708
28.6
293
29.2
31.6
27.0

1,018
41.2
702
28.4
316
31.0
32.9
29.1

927
37.5
667
26.9
260
28.1
33.0
23.5

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

21,414
14,523
67.8
13,595
63.5
929
6.4

21,483
14,434
67.2
13,474
62.7
960
6.7

20,915
14,289
68.3
13,332
63.7
957
6.7

21,405
14,488
67.7
13,383
62.5
1,105
7.6

21,296
14,511
68.1
13,550
63.6
960
6.6

21,355
14,591
68.3
13,610
63.7
980
6.7

21,414
14,570
68.0
13,732
64.1
838
5.8

21,483
14,543
67.7
13,541
63.0
1,002
6.9

Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Civilian labor force............................
Participation rate..........................
Employed......................................
Employment-population ratio.................
Unemployed....................................
Unemployment rate...........................
Men.......................................
Women.....................................
HISPANIC ORIGIN
Civilian noninstitutional population..............
Civilian labor force............................
Participation rate..........................
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.
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
1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

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

28,442
12,119
42.6
11,265
39.6
854
7.0

27,991
11,971
42.8
11,170
39.9
802
6.7

29,638
12,624
42.6
11,729
39.6
895
7.1

29,094
12,500
43.0
11,626
40.0
874
7.0

28,901
12,379
42.8
11,459
39.7
920
7.4

28,112
12,164
43.3
11,257
40.0
907
7.5

28,442
12,094
42.5
11,356
39.9
739
6.1

27,991
11,753
42.0
10,972
39.2
781
6.6

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

57,805
37,734
65.3
36,302
62.8
1,432
3.8

57,945
37,551
64.8
36,253
62.6
1,297
3.5

57,484
37,412
65.1
35,935
62.5
1,477
3.9

57,115
37,296
65.3
35,873
62.8
1,423
3.8

57,477
37,590
65.4
36,291
63.1
1,299
3.5

57,062
37,261
65.3
35,979
63.1
1,282
3.4

57,805
37,740
65.3
36,448
63.1
1,292
3.4

57,945
37,577
64.8
36,253
62.6
1,324
3.5

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

43,028
31,826
74.0
30,835
71.7
991
3.1

43,059
31,889
74.1
30,953
71.9
936
2.9

42,303
31,435
74.3
30,572
72.3
863
2.7

43,022
31,800
73.9
30,911
71.8
889
2.8

43,154
32,399
75.1
31,470
72.9
929
2.9

43,911
32,465
73.9
31,462
71.6
1,003
3.1

43,028
31,892
74.1
30,989
72.0
903
2.8

43,059
32,160
74.7
31,202
72.5
958
3.0

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

43,859
35,124
80.1
34,483
78.6
641
1.8

44,289
35,418
80.0
34,776
78.5
642
1.8

42,197
34,039
80.7
33,456
79.3
583
1.7

43,484
34,838
80.1
34,205
78.7
633
1.8

43,516
34,950
80.3
34,325
78.9
624
1.8

43,949
35,040
79.7
34,368
78.2
673
1.9

43,859
34,997
79.8
34,345
78.3
652
1.9

44,289
35,493
80.1
34,742
78.4
752
2.1

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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

CHARACTERISTIC
Total employed, 16 years and over................. 130,735 132,299 132,552 131,280 132,526 133,396 133,144 133,033 133,069
Married men, spouse present..................... 42,780 42,941 43,104 42,860 43,227 43,542 43,016 43,114 43,190
Married women, spouse present................... 33,006 33,300 33,351 32,919 33,093 33,652 33,092 33,134 33,285
Women who maintain families.....................
7,938
8,254
8,163
7,829
8,087
8,076
8,113
8,148
8,050
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..................

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

40,138
38,854
17,965
14,543
17,763
3,035

40,526
38,711
17,779
14,533
17,550
3,454

38,617
38,568
17,527
14,566
18,374
3,494

39,729
38,307
17,976
14,685
18,480
3,396

39,836
38,846
18,070
14,751
18,476
3,422

39,531
39,254
18,163
14,742
18,021
3,490

39,900
38,893
18,074
14,661
18,177
3,417

40,504
38,866
17,868
14,518
17,656
3,539

CLASS OF WORKER
Agriculture:
Wage and salary workers.......................
2,003
1,721
1,925
1,990
1,912
1,987
1,895
1,893
1,908
Self-employed workers.........................
1,281
1,267
1,367
1,345
1,304
1,298
1,381
1,376
1,439
Unpaid family workers.........................
31
34
28
33
34
30
44
39
31
Nonagricultural industries:
Wage and salary workers....................... 118,217 120,509 120,331 118,705 120,380 121,115 121,066 121,005 120,785
Government.................................. 18,475 18,867 18,952 18,231 18,686 18,913 18,782 18,699 18,709
Private industries.......................... 99,742 101,642 101,379 100,474 101,694 102,202 102,283 102,306 102,076
Private households........................
952
929
899
996
943
881
849
917
941
Other industries.......................... 98,790 100,713 100,479 99,478 100,751 101,321 101,434 101,389 101,135
Self-employed workers.........................
9,087
8,642
8,839
9,064
8,814
8,830
8,658
8,650
8,813
Unpaid family workers.........................
117
126
62
119
122
121
114
125
63
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.............

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

3,703
2,160
1,269
19,398

3,316
1,926
1,082
19,788

3,755
2,095
1,308
18,296

3,417
1,927
1,148
18,674

3,562
2,093
1,115
18,485

3,426
1,984
1,141
18,642

3,564
2,045
1,208
18,545

3,408
1,920
1,124
18,882

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

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

3,499
2,055
1,225
18,841

3,130
1,835
1,051
19,181

3,606
2,010
1,282
17,653

3,257
1,841
1,116
18,155

3,413
1,989
1,094
17,921

3,298
1,906
1,108
18,061

3,374
1,955
1,159
17,944

3,224
1,831
1,092
18,320

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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

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

5,952
2,443
2,422
1,087

5,783
2,238
2,350
1,195

6,022
2,383
2,468
1,171

4.3
3.5
4.1
13.5

4.3
3.6
3.9
14.0

4.3
3.4
3.7
15.5

4.4
3.7
3.8
14.1

4.2
3.2
3.9
14.3

4.3
3.4
4.1
14.1

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

988
961
637

907
913
585

1,010
1,006
623

2.3
2.8
7.5

2.3
2.8
6.3

2.3
2.8
6.1

2.4
2.8
6.5

2.1
2.7
6.7

2.3
2.9
7.2

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

4,763
1,192

4,617
1,191

4,805
1,214

4.2
4.9

4.2
5.2

4.1
5.2

4.3
4.9

4.0
4.9

4.2
4.9

728
1,487
580
1,256
228

765
1,516
550
1,147
254

796
1,584
580
1,220
278

1.9
3.7
3.8
6.4
6.1

1.8
3.7
3.2
6.7
7.5

1.8
3.8
3.5
5.9
7.7

1.9
3.9
4.4
6.0
7.8

1.9
3.8
3.6
5.9
6.9

1.9
3.9
3.8
6.5
7.3

4,632
1,286
18
462
806
432
374
3,346
242
1,440
181
1,483
380
174

4,534
1,218
32
490
697
369
328
3,316
219
1,469
157
1,471
397
200

4,645
1,257
56
520
682
390
292
3,387
211
1,455
264
1,458
473
205

4.4
4.5
2.9
6.6
3.9
3.4
4.5
4.4
3.2
5.4
2.3
4.3
2.0
8.0

4.4
4.6
4.3
6.4
4.0
3.4
4.9
4.4
3.2
5.5
2.8
4.1
2.0
8.3

4.3
4.6
7.4
7.3
3.5
3.4
3.8
4.2
2.5
5.2
2.4
4.1
2.2
9.6

4.3
4.7
7.7
7.5
3.7
3.3
4.3
4.2
3.2
5.2
2.4
4.0
2.3
11.3

4.2
4.3
5.3
6.7
3.4
2.9
4.1
4.2
2.9
5.4
1.9
4.2
2.1
9.5

4.4
4.5
9.3
7.4
3.3
3.1
3.7
4.3
2.8
5.4
3.2
4.1
2.5
9.7

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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

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

2,250
1,734
1,660
754
906

2,253
2,190
1,676
929
747

2,378
1,671
1,638
928
711

2,626
1,929
1,461
605
856

2,614
1,839
1,578
754
824

2,353
2,071
1,469
753
716

2,601
1,944
1,550
766
784

2,478
1,891
1,434
736
697

2,788
1,867
1,446
773
673

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

15.6
8.1

14.1
8.0

14.0
7.4

14.5
6.6

14.1
6.7

13.4
6.9

13.8
7.0

13.5
6.9

13.1
6.1

100.0
39.9
30.7
29.4
13.4
16.1

100.0
36.8
35.8
27.4
15.2
12.2

100.0
41.8
29.4
28.8
16.3
12.5

100.0
43.7
32.1
24.3
10.1
14.2

100.0
43.3
30.5
26.2
12.5
13.7

100.0
39.9
35.1
24.9
12.8
12.1

100.0
42.7
31.9
25.4
12.6
12.9

100.0
42.7
32.6
24.7
12.7
12.0

100.0
45.7
30.6
23.7
12.7
11.0

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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

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

2,888
1,047
1,841
1,295
547
788
2,048
395

2,633
835
1,797
1,263
534
754
1,874
427

2,706
723
1,983
(1)
(1)
641
2,115
518

2,754
841
1,913
(1)
(1)
709
2,031
504

2,696
864
1,832
(1)
(1)
699
1,993
537

2,738
849
1,889
(1)
(1)
751
2,110
509

2,563
812
1,751
(1)
(1)
780
1,988
431

2,700
838
1,862
(1)
(1)
841
2,044
469

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

46.9
12.8
34.1
10.3
34.4
8.5

47.2
17.1
30.1
12.9
33.5
6.5

46.3
14.7
31.6
13.3
33.0
7.5

45.3
12.1
33.2
10.7
35.4
8.7

45.9
14.0
31.9
11.8
33.9
8.4

45.5
14.6
30.9
11.8
33.6
9.1

44.8
13.9
30.9
12.3
34.5
8.3

44.5
14.1
30.4
13.5
34.5
7.5

44.6
13.9
30.8
13.9
33.8
7.7

1.9
.4
1.4
.4

2.1
.6
1.5
.3

1.9
.5
1.4
.3

2.0
.5
1.5
.4

2.0
.5
1.5
.4

1.9
.5
1.4
.4

2.0
.5
1.5
.4

1.8
.6
1.4
.3

1.9
.6
1.5
.3

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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

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

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.1

1.0

1.0

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

1.9

2.1

1.9

2.0

2.0

1.9

2.0

1.8

1.9

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

4.1

4.4

4.1

4.3

4.3

4.3

4.4

4.2

4.3

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

4.4

4.6

4.3

(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........................................

5.0

5.3

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.........................

7.7

7.9

7.4

(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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999

Apr.
1999

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.............................

5,952
2,122
1,087
521
576
1,035
3,815
3,365
434

5,783
2,223
1,195
554
640
1,028
3,573
3,087
504

6,022
2,217
1,171
572
608
1,046
3,792
3,271
513

4.3
9.8
13.5
15.7
12.1
7.6
3.3
3.4
2.6

4.3
9.8
14.0
16.9
12.1
7.2
3.3
3.4
3.0

4.3
10.1
15.5
18.4
13.1
6.9
3.2
3.3
2.9

4.4
10.2
14.1
15.5
13.1
7.7
3.3
3.4
2.9

4.2
10.0
14.3
16.6
12.8
7.4
3.1
3.1
2.9

4.3
10.0
14.1
16.9
12.3
7.6
3.2
3.3
2.9

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...........................

3,028
1,135
585
269
329
550
1,898
1,640
250

2,881
1,151
643
286
354
508
1,721
1,481
252

3,010
1,192
627
332
310
565
1,827
1,562
258

4.1
10.0
14.2
15.9
13.5
7.6
3.0
3.1
2.7

4.3
10.8
16.4
19.9
14.0
7.3
3.2
3.2
3.1

4.2
10.7
16.9
19.7
14.7
7.1
3.0
3.1
2.8

4.3
10.1
14.6
15.3
14.1
7.5
3.2
3.3
3.0

3.9
9.9
15.0
16.9
13.6
7.0
2.7
2.8
2.6

4.1
10.5
14.8
19.2
12.2
8.0
2.9
2.9
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...........................

2,924
987
502
252
247
485
1,917
1,725
184

2,902
1,071
551
267
286
520
1,852
1,606
251

3,012
1,025
544
240
298
481
1,965
1,709
256

4.6
9.5
12.6
15.5
10.6
7.6
3.6
3.8
2.4

4.3
8.7
11.3
13.8
10.2
7.1
3.5
3.6
2.8

4.3
9.5
13.9
16.9
11.5
6.7
3.4
3.5
3.1

4.5
10.2
13.7
15.7
12.1
8.0
3.3
3.5
2.7

4.5
10.0
13.6
16.2
11.9
7.8
3.4
3.5
3.2

4.6
9.5
13.4
14.5
12.5
7.1
3.6
3.7
3.3

1 Unemployment as a percent of the civilian labor force.
NOTE: Beginning in January 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1999

Apr.
1998

Apr.
1999

68,352
4,901
1,278

68,996
4,797
1,257

25,167
2,111
588

25,628
2,052
625

43,185
2,790
690

43,368
2,745
632

344
934

245
1,012

198
390

156
468

146
544

88
544

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

7,930
6.1

7,648
5.8

4,204
6.0

4,012
5.7

3,726
6.2

3,635
5.9

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........................

4,523
1,610
266
1,480

4,269
1,615
282
1,446

2,631
519
181
839

2,442
496
214
841

1,892
1,091
85
641

1,827
1,119
67
605

NOT IN THE LABOR FORCE

Total not in the labor force......................................
Persons who currently want a job................................
Searched for work and available 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 1999, data reflect 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.
1998

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

Total......................... 125,088 126,092 126,690 127,775 125,234 127,118 127,335 127,670 127,677 127,911
Total private.................... 104,958 105,690 106,168 107,266 105,470 107,096 107,290 107,563 107,548 107,774
Goods-producing.........................

25,084

24,638

24,680

24,929

25,339

25,269

25,251

25,266

25,182

25,155

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

577
50.2
92.1
327.4
107.2

527
49.6
87.4
289.4
100.4

528
49.4
86.4
289.5
102.7

526
49.0
85.2
284.3
107.9

582
51
92
332
107

557
50
90
308
109

547
51
89
299
108

539
51
88
292
108

537
50
87
293
107

531
50
85
288
108

Construction..........................
5,758
5,725
5,778
6,045
General building contractors........ 1,346.8 1,376.3 1,382.1 1,413.4
Heavy construction, except building.
791.3
726.5
746.7
829.0
Special trade contractors........... 3,620.2 3,622.0 3,649.2 3,802.6

5,930
1,385
819
3,726

6,153
1,433
861
3,859

6,170
1,448
862
3,860

6,249
1,460
864
3,925

6,196
1,458
846
3,892

6,204
1,446
855
3,903

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

18,749
12,946

18,386
12,631

18,374
12,635

18,358
12,613

18,827
13,007

18,559
12,763

18,534
12,740

18,478
12,700

18,449
12,684

18,420
12,658

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.........

11,153
7,661
790.9
523.3
559.0
717.2

10,912
7,459
803.3
528.0
552.1
694.2

10,915
7,475
804.6
528.8
556.1
693.3

10,909
7,466
806.7
529.2
567.6
692.1

11,170
7,666
802
524
561
718

10,996
7,519
813
527
571
698

10,974
7,494
818
527
568
694

10,948
7,478
819
528
571
694

10,935
7,480
819
529
568
693

10,917
7,464
817
529
569
693

234.2
224.1
224.0
223.4
1,494.2 1,478.1 1,476.3 1,473.1
2,206.8 2,134.9 2,129.8 2,124.6
376.4
356.8
355.3
356.9

(1)
1,498
2,201
377

(1)
1,480
2,152
367

(1)
1,484
2,133
359

(1)
1,480
2,131
358

(1)
1,478
2,123
356

(1)
1,475
2,119
358

1,714.5 1,652.0 1,652.4 1,648.8

1,720

1,664

1,657

1,653

1,654

1,653

676.7
642.1
643.3
641.4
1,891.6 1,856.7 1,862.0 1,854.0
1,004.9
984.9
991.2
995.0
523.7
508.9
508.2
501.8
866.3
838.2
835.6
832.5
389.2
374.7
376.4
379.9

678
1,890
1,004
525
867
389

646
1,871
990
518
842
378

642
1,874
996
516
841
378

642
1,856
985
509
839
377

643
1,858
988
509
836
377

642
1,850
993
503
833
379

7,596
5,285
1,663.2
39.5
603.9
784.7
682.2
1,564.0
1,032.1
135.6
1,006.4
84.5

7,657
5,341
1,708
42
605
787
686
1,565
1,035
137
1,008
84

7,563
5,244
1,718
39
581
734
673
1,561
1,035
136
1,008
78

7,560
5,246
1,723
40
578
727
672
1,563
1,032
134
1,014
77

7,530
5,222
1,718
39
573
714
672
1,560
1,033
134
1,012
75

7,514
5,204
1,715
39
570
711
670
1,559
1,030
134
1,012
74

7,503
5,194
1,714
37
565
705
670
1,557
1,031
134
1,017
73

Nondurable goods.....................
Production workers................
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........

7,474
5,172
1,680.3
40.5
570.7
710.7
669.6
1,556.9
1,029.2
130.0
1,011.3
75.0

7,459
5,160
1,676.2
38.0
568.0
708.3
667.5
1,554.6
1,028.4
130.5
1,012.4
74.7

7,449
5,147
1,671.9
35.9
565.1
702.5
666.5
1,555.5
1,027.8
133.0
1,016.6
73.9

Service-producing....................... 100,004 101,454 102,010 102,846
Transportation and public utilities...
6,484
6,593
6,614
6,653
Transportation......................
4,153
4,228
4,245
4,281
Railroad transportation...........
230.9
230.9
230.8
232.1
Local and interurban passenger
transit........................
467.0
480.8
484.4
486.9
Trucking and warehousing.......... 1,674.8 1,701.8 1,710.0 1,726.0
Water transportation..............
180.2
180.6
178.8
185.5
Transportation by air............. 1,139.8 1,166.7 1,172.4 1,178.7
Pipelines, except natural gas.....
14.0
14.0
14.0
14.0
Transportation services...........
446.2
453.0
454.6
458.0
Communications and public utilities.
2,331
2,365
2,369
2,372
Communications.................... 1,477.3 1,520.2 1,522.2 1,528.2
Electric, gas, and sanitary
services.......................
853.5
844.4
846.3
844.2

99,895 101,849 102,084 102,404 102,495 102,756
6,513
4,173
231

6,627
4,262
233

6,644
4,273
236

6,653
4,276
234

6,665
4,287
234

6,687
4,307
232

453
1,702
181
1,147
14
445
2,340
1,484

468
1,730
191
1,169
14
457
2,365
1,512

467
1,741
190
1,168
14
457
2,371
1,522

469
1,740
189
1,176
14
454
2,377
1,528

470
1,746
185
1,183
14
455
2,378
1,528

477
1,751
188
1,187
14
458
2,380
1,533

856

853

849

849

850

847

6,917
4,134
2,783
22,643

6,798
4,050
2,748
22,335

6,882
4,104
2,778
22,712

6,907
4,116
2,791
22,755

6,917
4,129
2,788
22,855

6,923
4,131
2,792
22,831

6,934
4,137
2,797
22,897

979.7
952.3
978.1 1,019.8
2,674.6 2,738.2 2,747.6 2,739.6
2,355.9 2,417.6 2,428.7 2,423.3
3,489.0 3,526.5 3,516.8 3,524.8

971
2,784
2,447
3,533

997
2,823
2,490
3,561

1,003
2,847
2,514
3,548

1,012
2,842
2,510
3,561

1,014
2,860
2,527
3,565

1,008
2,838
2,515
3,572

2,327.9 2,365.9 2,374.0 2,393.3
1,056.5 1,073.4 1,078.3 1,084.7
1,076.3 1,088.8 1,088.7 1,091.6

2,337
1,058
1,105

2,377
1,073
1,101

2,384
1,074
1,108

2,398
1,078
1,125

2,397
1,081
1,123

2,403
1,087
1,120

1,035.3 1,098.1 1,097.1 1,103.1
7,677.0 7,599.4 7,661.1 7,853.8
2,825.3 2,929.1 2,899.9 2,916.6

1,045
7,681
2,879

1,084
7,854
2,915

1,094
7,838
2,933

1,103
7,860
2,954

1,108
7,800
2,964

1,117
7,864
2,975

Finance, insurance, and real estate...
7,261
7,431
7,454
7,496
Finance.............................
3,514
3,620
3,630
3,646
Depository institutions........... 2,035.0 2,043.9 2,047.2 2,049.5
Commercial banks................ 1,457.2 1,455.0 1,455.2 1,456.2
Savings institutions............
263.0
264.4
265.7
264.8
Nondepository institutions........
605.4
660.1
664.4
671.8
Mortgage bankers and brokers....
278.8
314.6
320.1
323.2
Security and commodity brokers....
634.3
662.5
664.4
669.9
Holding and other investment
offices........................
239.2
253.9
254.3
255.2
Insurance...........................
2,309
2,358
2,365
2,369
Insurance carriers................ 1,572.1 1,606.3 1,609.6 1,611.1
Insurance agents, brokers, and
service........................
737.1
751.8
755.2
758.1
Real estate.........................
1,438
1,453
1,459
1,481

7,289
3,521
2,041
1,463
263
605
278
636

7,458
3,615
2,046
1,457
264
652
313
666

7,488
3,628
2,051
1,460
266
659
314
667

7,495
3,632
2,052
1,461
266
661
316
665

7,501
3,638
2,053
1,460
266
664
320
667

7,524
3,655
2,056
1,461
265
672
322
673

239
2,312
1,574

251
2,360
1,610

251
2,363
1,613

254
2,365
1,612

254
2,369
1,614

254
2,372
1,613

738
1,456

750
1,483

750
1,497

753
1,498

755
1,494

759
1,497

38,628
762.5
1,731.0
1,242.8
8,839.7
1,002.9
3,201.6
2,849.4

37,196
706
1,767
1,186
8,422
965
3,140
2,806

38,148
751
1,776
1,186
8,756
991
3,202
2,857

38,245
758
1,780
1,186
8,792
1,000
3,218
2,866

38,377
763
1,778
1,176
8,846
999
3,245
2,890

38,446
754
1,779
1,175
8,874
998
3,250
2,897

38,577
755
1,776
1,183
8,925
1,003
3,269
2,915

1,560.6 1,725.1 1,738.5 1,752.3
1,144.1 1,181.5 1,185.9 1,185.5
383.1
389.2
391.2
395.2
561.7
571.1
569.2
576.3

1,561
1,146
383
563

1,691
1,177
393
564

1,709
1,183
396
559

1,725
1,189
395
569

1,734
1,188
395
567

1,750
1,188
396
579

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............
Computer and data processing
services.......................
Auto repair, services, and parking..
Miscellaneous repair services.......
Motion pictures.....................

6,781
4,047
2,734
22,085

37,263
709.6
1,720.5
1,242.9
8,356.9
966.3
3,080.6
2,746.7

6,862
4,108
2,754
22,298

37,868
640.0
1,689.8
1,242.2
8,648.9
985.4
3,077.5
2,733.3

6,884
4,118
2,766
22,363

38,173
667.9
1,706.2
1,234.4
8,740.4
991.1
3,141.2
2,793.7

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............

1,637.1 1,534.0 1,590.5 1,734.3
9,859.7 9,950.4 9,975.0 9,998.9

1,660
9,873

1,742
9,955

1,748
9,959

1,746
9,976

1,746
9,990

1,759
10,013

1,797.4 1,853.7 1,859.5 1,865.6

1,801

1,845

1,856

1,859

1,864

1,869

1,756.0
3,932.2
687.8
968.0
2,329.7
2,612.7
594.1
745.2

1,744.5
3,989.6
665.1
1,000.1
2,416.3
2,742.1
615.0
777.9

1,760
3,938
687
972
2,192
2,595
577
746

1,751
3,980
661
997
2,252
2,686
589
766

1,753
3,978
652
997
2,240
2,697
592
770

1,751
3,985
660
1,000
2,262
2,711
597
774

1,749
3,988
662
1,001
2,270
2,718
598
776

1,748
3,995
665
1,005
2,271
2,727
598
778

90.4
85.7
88.3
92.4
2,252.6 2,270.6 2,283.9 2,286.6
3,199.1 3,373.4 3,406.0 3,426.2

92
2,265
3,178

94
2,283
3,338

94
2,290
3,367

94
2,293
3,380

94
2,298
3,399

94
2,298
3,410

901.6
928.8
933.3
938.0
1,015.2 1,111.3 1,125.7 1,137.8
51.7
53.9
53.7
54.2

910
1,011
(1)

934
1,098
(1)

937
1,113
(1)

942
1,119
(1)

943
1,132
(1)

946
1,136
(1)

19,764
2,674
1,814
4,620
1,925
2,695
12,470
7,023
5,447

20,022
2,706
1,818
4,690
1,957
2,733
12,626
7,133
5,493

20,045
2,702
1,825
4,685
1,947
2,738
12,658
7,155
5,503

20,107
2,712
1,836
4,711
1,969
2,742
12,684
7,171
5,513

20,129
2,709
1,832
4,716
1,971
2,745
12,704
7,189
5,515

20,137
2,686
1,810
4,725
1,977
2,748
12,726
7,198
5,528

20,130
2,668
1,814.4
4,747
2,059.5
2,687.6
12,715
7,364.7
5,350.3

1,744.5
3,979.7
655.5
994.1
2,396.1
2,703.6
606.8
769.6

20,402
2,697
1,824.0
4,804
2,082.4
2,721.8
12,901
7,514.6
5,386.6

1,745.0
3,985.8
660.2
996.8
2,413.6
2,726.1
611.8
774.4

20,522
2,697
1,824.5
4,839
2,110.7
2,727.8
12,986
7,576.2
5,409.3

20,509
2,681
1,810.0
4,850
2,110.8
2,739.0
12,978
7,544.3
5,433.6

1 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.
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.
1998

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

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

34.2

34.3

34.2

34.3

34.5

34.6

34.5

34.6

34.4

34.5

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

40.1

40.5

40.5

40.9

40.8

41.2

41.1

41.0

40.7

40.9

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

43.4

42.7

42.3

43.5

44.1

43.4

42.7

43.0

42.9

43.8

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

38.0

37.9

37.6

38.6

38.7

39.5

39.7

39.3

38.3

38.6

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

40.8
4.0

41.3
4.2

41.4
4.4

41.6
4.5

41.4
4.5

41.7
4.5

41.6
4.6

41.6
4.5

41.5
4.5

41.7
4.4

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

41.3
4.1

41.9
4.4

42.0
4.5

42.3
4.7

41.9
4.6

42.3
4.6

42.1
4.7

42.2
4.6

42.0
4.6

42.2
4.5

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.........

40.8
39.7
42.9
43.4

40.3
39.8
42.2
43.7

40.9
40.0
42.2
43.8

41.3
40.3
43.2
43.9

41.2
40.7
43.3
43.9

41.6
40.2
43.8
43.7

41.8
40.5
44.0
43.7

41.0
40.3
43.4
43.7

41.3
40.3
42.8
43.8

41.2
40.6
43.2
43.8

44.8
40.9
41.9

43.7
41.8
42.1

44.0
41.8
42.1

44.2
42.1
42.2

44.9
41.8
42.6

43.2
42.2
42.1

43.9
41.9
42.1

43.8
42.1
42.1

44.0
42.0
41.9

44.1
42.1
42.0

40.4
41.4
41.2
40.6
39.4

41.1
43.9
45.0
41.5
39.5

40.8
44.0
45.1
41.4
39.9

41.1
44.4
45.9
41.4
39.8

41.1
42.1
42.0
41.3
40.1

41.1
44.6
45.2
41.0
39.4

41.1
43.3
44.1
41.2
39.5

41.3
44.1
45.3
41.4
39.7

40.9
43.8
44.8
41.3
39.8

41.2
44.0
45.4
41.6
39.6

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

40.0
3.8

40.5
4.0

40.6
4.2

40.7
4.2

40.7
4.2

40.9
4.3

40.8
4.4

40.8
4.4

40.8
4.4

40.9
4.3

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
37.0
40.1
36.5
42.5
37.8
42.9
42.8
41.0
36.5

41.2
37.1
40.2
37.3
42.9
37.7
42.7
43.4
41.4
37.2

41.1
38.1
40.4
37.4
43.4
37.9
42.9
44.2
41.7
37.4

41.1
37.4
40.8
37.5
43.5
38.0
42.6
43.4
41.8
37.4

41.3
38.2
41.0
37.7
43.0
38.2
43.1
(2)
41.7
37.3

42.0
36.3
40.9
37.3
43.4
38.1
42.6
(2)
41.7
37.5

42.0
38.0
40.9
36.9
43.4
38.3
42.8
(2)
41.3
37.1

41.8
38.2
40.6
37.6
43.4
38.0
42.8
(2)
41.6
37.9

41.7
39.0
40.4
37.4
43.7
37.9
42.9
(2)
41.8
37.5

41.8
38.1
40.9
37.5
43.6
38.1
42.9
(2)
41.6
37.8

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

32.6

32.7

32.6

32.7

32.9

32.9

32.9

33.0

32.8

32.9

Transportation and public utilities...

39.1

39.0

38.9

38.7

39.6

39.1

39.5

39.2

39.2

39.0

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

38.1

38.3

38.3

38.4

38.3

38.4

38.4

38.5

38.5

38.5

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

28.7

28.6

28.6

28.8

29.0

29.0

29.0

29.2

29.0

29.1

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

36.1

36.3

36.1

36.0

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

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

32.4

32.5

32.4

32.5

32.6

32.7

32.6

32.7

32.6

32.6

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.
1998

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

Apr.
1998

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

$12.69
12.70

$13.09
13.05

$13.09
13.08

$13.12
13.11

$434.00
438.15

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

14.23

14.44

14.51

14.63

570.62

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

$448.99
451.53

$447.68
449.95

$450.02
452.30

584.82

587.66

598.37

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

16.84

17.13

17.09

17.01

730.86

731.45

722.91

739.94

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

16.34

16.63

16.76

16.83

620.92

630.28

630.18

649.64

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

13.46

13.66

13.72

13.80

549.17

564.16

568.01

574.08

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.........

13.96
10.99
10.85
13.63
15.66

14.13
11.27
11.05
13.65
15.40

14.20
11.32
11.09
13.70
15.50

14.26
11.38
11.13
13.77
15.58

576.55
448.39
430.75
584.73
679.64

592.05
454.18
439.79
576.03
672.98

596.40
462.99
443.60
578.14
678.90

603.20
469.99
448.54
594.86
683.96

18.66
12.89
14.32

18.49
13.31
14.71

18.51
13.36
14.79

18.60
13.40
14.80

835.97
527.20
600.01

808.01
556.36
619.29

814.44
558.45
622.66

822.12
564.14
624.56

13.09
17.71
18.35
13.75
10.76

13.26
17.54
17.78
13.90
11.16

13.30
17.63
18.03
13.95
11.18

13.38
17.82
18.24
13.94
11.19

528.84
733.19
756.02
558.25
423.94

544.99
770.01
800.10
576.85
440.82

542.64
775.72
813.15
577.53
446.08

549.92
791.21
837.22
577.12
445.36

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........

12.71
11.75
18.94
10.39
8.47
15.44
13.32
17.15
20.99
11.84
9.28

12.96
11.91
17.94
10.60
8.65
15.68
13.65
17.21
21.42
12.16
9.57

13.02
11.94
19.27
10.61
8.78
15.77
13.71
17.20
21.79
12.20
9.54

13.10
12.06
20.36
10.65
8.85
15.83
13.72
17.37
21.92
12.24
9.57

508.40
474.70
700.78
416.64
309.16
656.20
503.50
735.74
898.37
485.44
338.72

524.88
490.69
665.57
426.12
322.65
672.67
514.61
734.87
929.63
503.42
356.00

528.61
490.73
734.19
428.64
328.37
684.42
519.61
737.88
963.12
508.74
356.80

533.17
495.67
761.46
434.52
331.88
688.61
521.36
739.96
951.33
511.63
357.92

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

12.20

12.66

12.65

12.65

397.72

413.98

412.39

413.66

Transportation and public utilities...

$15.27

$15.59

$15.54

$15.63

$597.06

$608.01

$604.51

$604.88

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

13.90

14.33

14.23

14.18

529.59

548.84

545.01

544.51

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

8.70

9.00

8.98

8.96

249.69

257.40

256.83

258.05

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

13.98

14.55

14.53

14.62

504.68

528.17

524.53

526.32

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

12.77

13.32

13.33

13.34

413.75

432.90

431.89

433.55

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. 1999Apr. 1999

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

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

$12.70
7.73

$12.98
7.81

$13.03
7.83

$13.05
7.84

$13.08
7.85

$13.11
N.A.

0.2
(3)

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

14.25
16.72
16.45
13.44
12.76

14.50
17.26
16.82
13.58
12.89

14.51
17.09
16.74
13.63
12.93

14.54
16.98
16.76
13.66
12.97

14.59
17.04
16.89
13.71
12.99

14.66
16.93
16.94
13.78
13.03

.5
-.6
.3
.5
.3

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

12.19

12.49

12.56

12.57

12.60

12.62

.2

15.32
13.88
8.70

15.53
14.26
8.91

15.55
14.35
8.96

15.55
14.30
8.97

15.56
14.30
8.95

15.66
14.17
8.95

.6
-.9
.0

14.00
12.76

14.43
13.09

14.49
13.18

14.50
13.22

14.52
13.27

14.61
13.32

.6
.4

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 .1 percent from February 1999 to March 1999, 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.
1998

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

Apr.
1998

Dec.
1998

Jan.
1999

Feb.
1999

Mar.
1999p

Apr.
1999p

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

141.8

142.9

143.2

145.4

144.0

146.4

146.4

147.2

146.4

146.8

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

111.6

109.7

110.0

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

54.1

47.9

47.5

112.4

114.9

48.6

55.4

115.3

114.8

115.1

113.4

113.7

52.4

50.1

49.4

49.1

49.6

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

153.3

149.5

149.9

162.3

161.5

171.1

171.3

174.3

166.3

167.6

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

106.4

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.........

110.3
140.2
130.3
113.3
92.7

105.3

105.6

109.1
140.5
131.9
109.7
89.8

109.5
142.6
132.9
110.6
89.9

105.9

108.7

107.4

106.8

106.6

106.2

106.3

110.1
144.6
133.8
116.0
89.9

112.2
143.8
133.7
114.1
93.7

111.0
146.9
133.0
118.4
90.4

110.1
148.3
134.0
118.1
89.8

110.1
145.9
133.3
117.3
89.8

109.7
147.0
133.7
114.9
89.8

109.8
146.2
134.7
116.5
89.7

72.9
114.8
108.0

68.0
115.3
105.2

68.5
115.4
104.9

68.8
115.9
104.6

73.4
117.5
109.1

68.2
116.8
105.7

68.6
116.2
104.6

68.4
116.2
104.5

68.7
115.9
103.5

68.9
116.0
103.5

107.9
123.0
156.2
75.2
101.4

104.9
124.8
161.9
75.2
96.4

104.8
126.0
164.2
75.0
98.2

105.1
126.3
167.8
74.7
99.1

110.1
124.6
158.9
76.6
103.4

105.5
128.0
164.1
74.2
97.5

105.1
123.8
159.6
74.7
97.0

105.1
125.1
162.4
74.9
97.9

104.8
124.7
162.2
74.7
98.1

105.5
124.3
164.8
74.9
98.4

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........

101.1
111.8
55.8
85.5
67.8
107.6
123.5
101.8
72.5
145.1
35.8

100.0
115.8
57.2
80.6
62.1
106.1
121.2
101.0
70.1
147.3
31.8

100.2
115.4
54.3
80.8
62.1
106.8
121.5
101.1
72.1
148.3
31.8

100.0
114.3
49.3
81.3
61.9
107.0
121.5
100.8
72.6
149.4
31.3

104.0
118.3
62.5
87.4
70.0
109.9
124.7
102.7
73.1
148.1
36.7

102.4
121.0
53.9
83.4
64.2
108.1
123.0
101.3
77.5
147.5
33.4

102.3
121.5
58.3
83.1
62.9
107.9
123.9
101.6
72.4
147.0
32.5

101.9
120.8
56.8
81.6
63.0
107.7
122.5
101.4
74.3
148.1
32.6

101.5
120.3
56.0
81.1
62.2
108.0
121.7
101.3
75.3
148.4
31.7

101.5
120.0
52.8
81.4
62.1
108.0
121.9
101.7
72.9
148.9
31.4

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

155.3

157.7

158.1

160.2

157.0

160.3

160.6

161.6

161.2

161.7

Transportation and public utilities...

127.8

130.7

130.5

130.5

130.2

131.6

133.5

132.8

132.6

132.3

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

126.6

129.0

129.2

130.1

127.9

129.9

130.3

130.9

131.0

131.1

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

136.9

137.7

138.0

140.7

139.8

142.1

142.5

144.2

143.2

144.0

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

132.8

136.5

136.1

136.6

134.2

137.3

137.5

137.9

138.0

137.7

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

191.4

194.7

195.5

198.5

192.3

197.4

197.0

198.3

198.1

198.8

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

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:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

62.5
50.8
58.0
63.8
54.5

60.0
64.6
61.4
58.7
54.1

54.9
59.6
59.8
59.6
p46.5

55.6
56.6
63.6
56.9
p55.2

47.8
62.8
60.1
56.6

55.6
61.0
54.6
59.0

54.8
57.3
61.1
55.1

59.0
61.5
59.1
53.9

58.0
56.0
60.0
53.5

55.8
62.5
64.3
52.4

54.5
62.2
62.4
54.8

58.8
60.7
64.9
56.6

Over 3-month span:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

63.6
61.9
64.9
68.4
59.0

61.4
62.8
63.3
67.3
p52.5

59.4
64.0
65.6
64.2
p53.2

53.1
63.8
66.2
61.7

55.2
63.5
63.9
60.4

53.2
64.9
61.2
58.4

59.7
64.2
60.1
57.2

60.1
61.5
65.9
56.7

59.1
63.9
67.4
56.0

58.0
64.2
68.1
53.7

56.6
67.0
70.8
57.6

54.6
66.6
71.9
58.1

Over 6-month span:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

66.4
62.8
67.6
72.1
p57.2

60.1
65.4
67.0
70.9

59.1
64.7
65.3
69.4

57.3
65.7
64.9
63.5

59.0
66.2
65.6
64.5

60.1
65.0
67.3
61.8

57.6
66.4
68.0
59.0

60.4
66.0
67.3
58.1

59.7
66.2
70.6
58.1

59.3
67.6
72.3
60.8

61.1
66.9
73.3
58.3

63.2
66.3
72.6
p56.7

63.6
64.5
69.8
71.2

62.4
66.7
67.6
69.5

62.6
64.5
69.2
69.5

63.3
65.6
70.1
66.6

61.7
68.5
69.8
65.2

61.9
67.3
69.8
64.0

58.7
67.7
71.2
62.8

62.2
66.4
71.2
64.2

62.2
68.0
71.1
p61.9

61.5
69.9
73.0
p59.6

63.5
69.1
72.9

65.4
68.3
72.3

Over 12-month span:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

Manufacturing payrolls, 139 industries1

Over 1-month span:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

54.7
42.8
49.3
55.8
43.9

54.3
54.7
54.3
51.8
41.4

46.4
48.2
50.0
52.5
p36.7

53.2
42.1
56.8
48.6
p43.9

42.4
55.4
51.4
45.0

44.2
50.7
52.2
47.8

46.4
47.1
50.4
39.6

49.6
55.4
48.9
47.5

48.6
47.8
56.5
43.2

52.2
52.9
57.2
38.8

45.3
54.3
56.1
37.1

48.2
55.4
60.8
45.7

Over 3-month span:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

56.8
43.9
54.3
60.1
39.9

50.0
46.8
49.3
59.0
p32.0

47.8
46.0
54.3
50.7
p33.5

42.1
47.5
54.0
46.4

43.2
46.4
55.4
43.2

38.8
49.3
50.4
38.8

40.6
51.4
47.5
36.7

43.5
50.0
52.2
34.2

48.2
53.6
57.9
41.4

47.1
51.1
62.6
30.9

45.3
57.6
64.7
35.6

39.9
54.7
65.5
38.1

Over 6-month span:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

55.4
42.1
54.3
61.5
p29.5

46.4
45.3
54.3
56.8

42.8
46.4
51.4
52.2

40.3
47.1
52.9
39.2

41.4
48.2
51.4
40.6

42.4
48.6
55.0
34.5

41.0
51.1
56.8
30.9

41.0
50.4
57.6
28.1

43.9
52.9
60.4
31.7

43.2
52.9
64.4
38.5

43.2
53.2
67.6
33.1

45.3
52.2
65.8
p30.2

46.0
43.5
57.2
50.7

44.2
47.5
52.5
51.1

46.0
45.3
54.7
50.4

47.8
45.3
56.5
41.7

41.0
50.4
57.9
38.5

41.7
49.6
57.6
36.7

38.5
50.4
58.6
32.7

38.8
48.6
58.6
32.0

36.3
51.1
60.4
p28.8

38.5
55.0
60.4
p27.3

39.9
54.0
59.4

44.6
51.8
58.3

Over 12-month span:
1995..............
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............

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.