Full text of The Employment Situation : February 2000

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Internet address: http://stats.bls.gov/newsrels.htm
Technical information:
USDL 00-63
Household data: (202) 691-6378

Establishment data:
Media contact:

691-6555
691-5902

Transmission of material in this release is
embargoed until 8:30 A.M. (EST),
Friday, March 3, 2000.

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION:

FEBRUARY 2000

The unemployment rate was little changed in February at 4.1 percent, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.
Payroll employment edged up by 43,000 following a large increase in January
(384,000). Average hourly earnings increased by 4 cents over the month and
by 3.6 percent over the year.
Unemployment (Household Survey Data)
Both the number of unemployed persons (5.8 million) and the unemployment
rate (4.1 percent) were about unchanged in February. The jobless rate has
been below 4.2 percent for 5 consecutive months. Among the major worker
groups, the unemployment rate for teenagers increased to 14.1 percent in
February, about the same level as in December. Unemployment rates for
adult men (3.4 percent), adult women (3.5 percent), whites (3.6 percent),
blacks (7.8 percent), and Hispanics (5.7 percent) were little changed over
the month. (See tables A-1 and A-2.)
Total Employment and the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)
The number of persons in the civilian labor force was about unchanged
at 141.2 million in February, following a substantial rise in January. The
labor force participation rate was 67.6 percent, a record high. Total
employment was about unchanged in February, at 135.4 million (seasonally
adjusted). The employment-population ratio--the proportion of the
population age 16 and older with jobs--remained at a record high 64.8
percent. (See table A-1.)
About 7.7 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) held more than one
job in February. These multiple jobholders represented 5.8 percent of the
total employed, down from 6.1 percent in February 1999. (See table A-10.)
Persons Not in the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)
The number of persons who were marginally attached to the labor force in
February totaled 1.3 million (not seasonally adjusted). These people
wanted and were available to work and had looked for a job sometime in the
prior 12 months. They are not counted as unemployed because they had not
actively searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. The number
of discouraged workers was 262,000 in February, about the same as a year
earlier. Discouraged workers, a subset of the marginally attached, were
not currently looking for work specifically because they believed no jobs
were available for them. (See table A-10.)

- 2 Table A. Major indicators of labor market activity, seasonally adjusted
(Numbers in thousands)
___________________________________________________________________________
|
Quarterly
|
Monthly data
|
|
averages
|
|
|_________________|__________________________| Jan.Category
|
1999
| 1999 |
2000 1/
| Feb.
|_________________|________|_________________|change
|
III |
IV
| Dec. | Jan. | Feb. |
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
HOUSEHOLD DATA
|
Labor force status
|____________________________________________________
Civilian labor force..| 139,394| 139,880| 140,108| 140,910| 141,165|
255
Employment..........| 133,526| 134,153| 134,420| 135,221| 135,362|
141
Unemployment........|
5,868|
5,727|
5,688|
5,689|
5,804|
115
Not in labor force....| 68,650| 68,780| 68,724| 67,872| 67,742|
-130
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Unemployment rates
|____________________________________________________
All workers...........|
4.2|
4.1|
4.1|
4.0|
4.1|
0.1
Adult men...........|
3.5|
3.4|
3.3|
3.3|
3.4|
.1
Adult women.........|
3.8|
3.6|
3.6|
3.7|
3.5|
-.2
Teenagers...........|
13.8|
13.8|
13.8|
12.6|
14.1|
1.5
White...............|
3.7|
3.5|
3.5|
3.4|
3.6|
.2
Black...............|
8.2|
8.1|
7.9|
8.2|
7.8|
-.4
Hispanic origin.....|
6.4|
6.1|
5.9|
5.6|
5.7|
.1
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
ESTABLISHMENT DATA
|
Employment
|____________________________________________________
Nonfarm employment....| 128,936| 129,606| 129,898|p130,282|p130,325|
p43
Goods-producing 2/..| 25,194| 25,246| 25,283| p25,419| p25,400|
p-19
Construction......|
6,270|
6,359|
6,393| p6,509| p6,483|
p-26
Manufacturing.....| 18,398| 18,359| 18,361| p18,382| p18,387|
p5
Service-producing 2/| 103,743| 104,360| 104,615|p104,863|p104,925|
p62
Retail trade......| 22,884| 22,922| 22,973| p23,008| p23,041|
p33
Services..........| 39,172| 39,548| 39,657| p39,799| p39,805|
p6
Government........| 20,194| 20,274| 20,315| p20,368| p20,381|
p13
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Hours of work 3/
|____________________________________________________
Total private.........|
34.5|
34.5|
34.5|
p34.6|
p34.5| p-0.1
Manufacturing.......|
41.8|
41.7|
41.6|
p41.7|
p41.9|
p.2
Overtime..........|
4.7|
4.6|
4.6|
p4.6|
p4.8|
p.2
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Indexes of aggregate weekly hours (1982=100) 3/
|____________________________________________________
Total private.........|
148.3|
149.1|
149.4| p150.5| p149.9| p-0.6
|________|________|________|________|________|_______
|
Earnings 3/
|____________________________________________________
Avg. hourly earnings, |
|
|
|
|
|
total private.......| $13.31| $13.41| $13.44| p$13.49| p$13.53| p$0.04
Avg. weekly earnings, |
|
|
|
|
|
total private.......| 458.64| 462.65| 463.68| p466.75| p466.79|
p.04
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
1/ Beginning in January 2000, 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, 130.3 million, was up slightly in February,
after seasonal adjustment. This followed a large increase in January that
was due in part to unseasonably mild winter weather across most of the
country during the survey reference period. The average job gain for the
first 2 months of this year was 214,000, about in line with the average
monthly increase for 1999. (See table B-1.)
In the goods-producing sector, construction employment was down by
26,000 in February following a substantial gain (116,000) in January. It
is likely that unusually warm weather in the January survey reference
period allowed employers to delay some winter layoffs. The largest
employment declines in February occurred in the same weather-sensitive
industries that had registered large increases in January--heavy
construction and the concrete, masonry, and roofing trades.
Manufacturing employment was up by 5,000 in February and has increased
by 31,000 since October. Factory employment had declined by 527,000 from
March 1998 through October 1999. In February, the largest manufacturing
employment gains were in electrical equipment (8,000), motor vehicles
(6,000), and industrial machinery (6,000). In contrast, food products lost
10,000 jobs.
In mining, employment continued to edge up in oil and gas extraction.
Since August, the oil and gas industry has added 9,000 jobs.
In the service-producing sector, employment in the services industry
was uncharacteristically flat in February, following a rise of 142,000 in
January. In 1999, monthly job gains in services averaged 121,000.
Employment in business services was essentially unchanged over the month;
the average monthly job gain in the industry in 1999 was 47,000. Health
services added 6,000 jobs in February, only about half its average growth.
Employment declined in agricultural services and amusement and recreation
services--weather-sensitive industries that had large seasonally adjusted
job gains in January. In contrast, strong job growth continued in
engineering and management services.
Over the month, job growth in retail trade (33,000) was about in line
with its average for the prior 12 months. The largest employment gains in
the industry were in department stores, where seasonal layoffs in February
were smaller than usual, and in furniture stores. Wholesale trade
employment edged up by 8,000 over the month, about half its average monthly
gain.
Finance, insurance, and real estate added 10,000 jobs in February,
reversing a loss of 6,000 jobs in January. Within finance, the only
industry to add jobs in February was security and commodity brokerages (up
7,000), continuing its strong growth trend.
Employment in transportation and public utilities changed little for
the second consecutive month. In transportation, job losses occurred in
trucking and air transportation. Employment in public utilities declined,
but communications continued to add jobs.
Within the federal government, an additional 20,000 temporary workers
were hired in February for the decennial census.

- 4 Weekly Hours (Establishment Survey Data)
The average workweek for production or nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls edged down by 0.1 hour in February to 34.5 hours,
seasonally adjusted. In manufacturing, both the average workweek and
overtime hours rose by 0.2 hour to 41.9 hours and 4.8 hours, respectively.
(See table B-2.)
The index of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory
workers on private nonfarm payrolls decreased by 0.4 percent to 149.9
(1982=100), seasonally adjusted. The manufacturing index increased 0.4
percent to 106.7. (See table B-5.)
Hourly and Weekly Earnings (Establishment Survey Data)
Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls rose by 4 cents in February to $13.53, seasonally
adjusted. This followed a gain of 5 cents (as revised) in January. Over
the month, average weekly earnings were essentially unchanged at $466.79,
seasonally adjusted. Over the year, average hourly earnings rose by 3.6
percent, and average weekly earnings increased by 3.3 percent.
(See table B-3.)
______________________________
The Employment Situation for March 2000 is scheduled to be released on
Friday, April 7, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).
------------------------------------------------------------------|
March 1999 National Benchmarks
|
|
|
|
In accordance with standard practice, BLS will release nonfarm |
|payroll employment benchmark revisions with the May data on June 2,|
|2000. The March 1999 benchmark level has been finalized and will |
|result in an upward revision of 258,000 to total nonfarm employment|
|for the March 1999 reference month, an adjustment of 0.2 percent. |
|
|
|
Also concurrent with the release of March 1999 benchmark
|
|revisions on June 2, BLS will begin implementation of a new proba- |
|bility-based sample design for the payroll survey. Estimates
|
|for the wholesale trade major industry division only will incorpo- |
|rate the new sample design with this release. Further information |
|is available on the Internet (http://stats.bls.gov/ceshome.htm) or |
|by calling (202) 691-6555.
|
-------------------------------------------------------------------

- 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 U.S. Census Bureau 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 1999,
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 0.3 percent,
ranging from zero to 0.7 percent.
Additional statistics and other information
More comprehensive statistics are contained in Employment and Earnings,
published each month by BLS. It is available for $16.00 per issue or
$40.00 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: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral
phone: 1-800-877-8339.

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

Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

TOTAL
Civilian noninstitutional population..............
Civilian labor force............................
Participation rate........................
Employed......................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Agriculture.................................
Nonagricultural industries..................
Unemployed....................................
Unemployment rate.........................
Not in labor force..............................
Persons who currently want a job..............

206,873
138,202
66.8
131,639
63.6
2,894
128,744
6,563
4.7
68,671
4,703

208,782
139,621
66.9
133,357
63.9
2,959
130,398
6,264
4.5
69,161
4,354

208,907
140,185
67.1
133,954
64.1
2,973
130,981
6,231
4.4
68,723
4,431

206,873
139,137
67.3
133,029
64.3
3,328
129,701
6,108
4.4
67,736
4,630

208,483
139,697
67.0
133,940
64.2
3,238
130,702
5,757
4.1
68,786
4,331

208,666
139,834
67.0
134,098
64.3
3,310
130,788
5,736
4.1
68,832
4,429

208,832
140,108
67.1
134,420
64.4
3,279
131,141
5,688
4.1
68,724
4,467

208,782
140,910
67.5
135,221
64.8
3,371
131,850
5,689
4.0
67,872
4,252

208,907
141,165
67.6
135,362
64.8
3,408
131,954
5,804
4.1
67,742
4,374

Men, 16 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population..............
Civilian labor force............................
Participation rate........................
Employed......................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Unemployed....................................
Unemployment rate.........................

99,279 100,266 100,330
73,718 74,414 74,808
74.3
74.2
74.6
70,084 70,981 71,311
70.6
70.8
71.1
3,634
3,433
3,497
4.9
4.6
4.7

99,279 100,088 100,179 100,264 100,266 100,330
74,462 74,680 74,728 74,930 75,304 75,594
75.0
74.6
74.6
74.7
75.1
75.3
71,230 71,623 71,732 71,927 72,358 72,473
71.7
71.6
71.6
71.7
72.2
72.2
3,232
3,057
2,996
3,003
2,946
3,121
4.3
4.1
4.0
4.0
3.9
4.1

91,189
69,746
76.5
66,730
73.2
1,953
64,777
3,016
4.3

91,189
70,111
76.9
67,527
74.1
2,231
65,296
2,584
3.7

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

92,057
70,394
76.5
67,607
73.4
2,054
65,553
2,787
4.0

92,092
70,704
76.8
67,869
73.7
2,018
65,851
2,835
4.0

91,896
70,339
76.5
67,898
73.9
2,206
65,692
2,441
3.5

91,986
70,388
76.5
68,037
74.0
2,262
65,775
2,351
3.3

92,052
70,529
76.6
68,197
74.1
2,227
65,970
2,332
3.3

92,057
70,917
77.0
68,585
74.5
2,303
66,282
2,332
3.3

92,092
71,120
77.2
68,691
74.6
2,309
66,382
2,429
3.4

Women, 16 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population.............. 107,593 108,516 108,577 107,593 108,395 108,487 108,569 108,516 108,577
Civilian labor force............................ 64,484 65,208 65,377 64,675 65,017 65,106 65,178 65,606 65,572
Participation rate........................
59.9
60.1
60.2
60.1
60.0
60.0
60.0
60.5
60.4
Employed...................................... 61,555 62,376 62,642 61,799 62,317 62,366 62,493 62,863 62,889
Employment-population ratio...............
57.2
57.5
57.7
57.4
57.5
57.5
57.6
57.9
57.9
Unemployed....................................
2,929
2,832
2,734
2,876
2,700
2,740
2,685
2,743
2,683
Unemployment rate.........................
4.5
4.3
4.2
4.4
4.2
4.2
4.1
4.2
4.1
Women, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional population..............
Civilian labor force............................
Participation rate........................
Employed......................................
Employment-population ratio...............
Agriculture.................................
Nonagricultural industries..................
Unemployed....................................
Unemployment rate.........................

99,746 100,579 100,666
60,608 61,455 61,576
60.8
61.1
61.2
58,210 59,030 59,331
58.4
58.7
58.9
757
752
804
57,452 58,278 58,526
2,398
2,425
2,245
4.0
3.9
3.6

99,746 100,458 100,573 100,666 100,579 100,666
60,591 60,955 61,052 61,154 61,576 61,575
60.7
60.7
60.7
60.7
61.2
61.2
58,261 58,800 58,838 58,958 59,280 59,398
58.4
58.5
58.5
58.6
58.9
59.0
822
800
768
791
826
871
57,439 58,000 58,070 58,167 58,454 58,526
2,330
2,155
2,214
2,196
2,297
2,178
3.8
3.5
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.5

15,939
7,849
49.2
6,699
42.0
184
6,515
1,150
14.6

15,939
8,435
52.9
7,241
45.4
275
6,966
1,194
14.2

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

16,147
7,772
48.1
6,720
41.6
153
6,566
1,052
13.5

16,149
7,905
48.9
6,754
41.8
151
6,604
1,151
14.6

16,129
8,403
52.1
7,242
44.9
232
7,010
1,161
13.8

16,107
8,394
52.1
7,223
44.8
280
6,943
1,171
14.0

16,114
8,425
52.3
7,265
45.1
261
7,004
1,160
13.8

16,147
8,416
52.1
7,356
45.6
242
7,114
1,060
12.6

16,149
8,470
52.4
7,273
45.0
228
7,046
1,197
14.1

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 2000, 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
Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

WHITE
Civilian noninstitutional population.............. 172,491 173,812 173,886 172,491 173,585 173,709 173,821 173,812 173,886
Civilian labor force............................ 115,821 116,756 117,154 116,455 116,654 116,703 117,008 117,716 117,821
Participation rate..........................
67.1
67.2
67.4
67.5
67.2
67.2
67.3
67.7
67.8
Employed...................................... 110,949 112,160 112,576 112,017 112,548 112,611 112,951 113,704 113,634
Employment-population ratio.................
64.3
64.5
64.7
64.9
64.8
64.8
65.0
65.4
65.3
Unemployed....................................
4,873
4,596
4,578
4,438
4,106
4,092
4,057
4,011
4,187
Unemployment rate...........................
4.2
3.9
3.9
3.8
3.5
3.5
3.5
3.4
3.6
Men, 20 years and over
Civilian labor force............................
Participation rate..........................
Employed......................................
Employment-population ratio.................
Unemployed....................................
Unemployment rate...........................

59,443
77.0
57,078
74.0
2,365
4.0

59,795
76.8
57,726
74.2
2,069
3.5

60,043
77.1
57,927
74.4
2,116
3.5

59,731
77.4
57,769
74.9
1,962
3.3

59,777
77.0
58,043
74.7
1,734
2.9

59,761
76.9
58,067
74.7
1,694
2.8

59,889
77.0
58,221
74.8
1,668
2.8

60,179
77.3
58,487
75.2
1,693
2.8

60,387
77.6
58,631
75.3
1,756
2.9

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

49,721
60.1
48,061
58.1
1,660
3.3

50,327
60.4
48,613
58.4
1,714
3.4

50,418
60.5
48,840
58.6
1,578
3.1

49,655
60.0
48,030
58.1
1,625
3.3

49,733
59.8
48,203
58.0
1,530
3.1

49,814
59.9
48,273
58.0
1,541
3.1

50,011
60.1
48,486
58.2
1,525
3.0

50,404
60.5
48,857
58.7
1,547
3.1

50,335
60.4
48,792
58.6
1,544
3.1

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

6,657
52.7
5,809
46.0
848
12.7
13.6
11.8

6,634
52.1
5,820
45.7
814
12.3
14.7
9.7

6,693
52.6
5,808
45.6
885
13.2
15.5
10.7

7,069
55.9
6,218
49.2
851
12.0
12.6
11.4

7,144
56.1
6,302
49.5
842
11.8
11.9
11.7

7,128
56.0
6,271
49.2
857
12.0
12.8
11.2

7,108
55.8
6,244
49.0
864
12.2
13.3
10.9

7,132
56.0
6,360
50.0
772
10.8
12.4
9.1

7,099
55.8
6,211
48.8
888
12.5
14.4
10.4

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

24,697
16,004
64.8
14,622
59.2
1,381
8.6

25,047
16,392
65.4
15,033
60.0
1,359
8.3

25,076
16,542
66.0
15,164
60.5
1,378
8.3

24,697
16,250
65.8
14,924
60.4
1,326
8.2

24,985
16,489
66.0
15,124
60.5
1,365
8.3

25,019
16,508
66.0
15,187
60.7
1,321
8.0

25,051
16,513
65.9
15,204
60.7
1,309
7.9

25,047
16,622
66.4
15,254
60.9
1,368
8.2

25,076
16,785
66.9
15,471
61.7
1,314
7.8

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

7,050
71.5
6,529
66.3
521
7.4

7,285
72.7
6,688
66.7
597
8.2

7,355
73.3
6,771
67.5
584
7.9

7,137
72.4
6,662
67.6
475
6.7

7,281
72.9
6,717
67.3
564
7.7

7,277
72.8
6,767
67.7
510
7.0

7,273
72.6
6,766
67.5
507
7.0

7,386
73.7
6,839
68.2
547
7.4

7,441
74.2
6,910
68.9
532
7.1

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

8,057
65.1
7,457
60.3
600
7.4

8,286
66.0
7,707
61.4
578
7.0

8,289
66.0
7,719
61.4
570
6.9

8,112
65.6
7,542
61.0
570
7.0

8,252
65.9
7,745
61.9
507
6.1

8,305
66.3
7,757
61.9
548
6.6

8,260
65.8
7,706
61.4
554
6.7

8,315
66.3
7,715
61.5
600
7.2

8,344
66.4
7,805
62.1
539
6.5

897
36.3
637
25.8
261
29.0
31.8
26.5

822
33.2
638
25.7
184
22.4
25.5
19.3

898
36.3
673
27.2
225
25.0
21.9
28.3

1,001
40.5
720
29.1
281
28.1
31.2
25.0

956
38.5
662
26.7
294
30.8
35.3
26.1

926
37.3
663
26.7
263
28.4
31.0
25.9

980
39.5
732
29.5
248
25.3
27.5
23.0

921
37.2
701
28.3
220
23.9
24.0
23.8

999
40.4
756
30.6
243
24.3
22.3
26.6

21,355
14,466
67.7
13,420
62.8
1,046
7.2

22,047
15,142
68.7
14,208
64.4
934
6.2

22,108
15,187
68.7
14,267
64.5
921
6.1

21,355
14,520
68.0
13,536
63.4
984
6.8

21,881
14,809
67.7
13,879
63.4
930
6.3

21,947
14,887
67.8
13,979
63.7
908
6.1

22,008
14,984
68.1
14,095
64.0
889
5.9

22,047
15,251
69.2
14,395
65.3
856
5.6

22,108
15,249
69.0
14,382
65.1
868
5.7

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
2000, 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
Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

28,112
11,917
42.4
10,897
38.8
1,020
8.6

27,995
12,013
42.9
11,061
39.5
951
7.9

27,376
11,638
42.5
10,829
39.6
809
7.0

28,112
12,218
43.5
11,317
40.3
901
7.4

28,246
12,201
43.2
11,401
40.4
800
6.6

28,228
12,132
43.0
11,347
40.2
785
6.5

28,144
11,956
42.5
11,243
39.9
713
6.0

27,995
11,895
42.5
11,106
39.7
789
6.6

27,376
11,971
43.7
11,257
41.1
714
6.0

57,062
37,063
65.0
35,583
62.4
1,479
4.0

57,768
37,676
65.2
36,160
62.6
1,516
4.0

57,471
37,403
65.1
35,932
62.5
1,471
3.9

57,062
37,274
65.3
35,962
63.0
1,312
3.5

57,275
37,080
64.7
35,874
62.6
1,206
3.3

57,789
37,671
65.2
36,445
63.1
1,226
3.3

57,590
37,362
64.9
36,071
62.6
1,291
3.5

57,768
37,617
65.1
36,305
62.8
1,311
3.5

57,471
37,603
65.4
36,294
63.2
1,309
3.5

43,911
32,601
74.2
31,525
71.8
1,077
3.3

43,689
32,106
73.5
31,185
71.4
921
2.9

44,486
32,946
74.1
31,911
71.7
1,036
3.1

43,911
32,227
73.4
31,238
71.1
989
3.1

43,787
32,203
73.5
31,330
71.6
873
2.7

44,070
32,312
73.3
31,444
71.3
868
2.7

44,069
32,404
73.5
31,586
71.7
818
2.5

43,689
32,397
74.2
31,564
72.2
833
2.6

44,486
32,544
73.2
31,595
71.0
949
2.9

43,949
35,149
80.0
34,471
78.4
678
1.9

45,058
36,087
80.1
35,398
78.6
689
1.9

45,247
36,242
80.1
35,643
78.8
599
1.7

43,949
35,132
79.9
34,466
78.4
666
1.9

44,986
35,721
79.4
35,106
78.0
615
1.7

44,365
35,264
79.5
34,655
78.1
609
1.7

44,821
35,824
79.9
35,186
78.5
638
1.8

45,058
36,205
80.4
35,540
78.9
665
1.8

45,247
36,265
80.1
35,678
78.9
587
1.6

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
and
2
3

The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation, therefore, identical numbers appear in the unadjusted
seasonally adjusted columns.
Includes high school diploma or equivalent.
Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.
NOTE: Beginning in January 2000, 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

Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

CHARACTERISTIC
Total employed, 16 years and over................. 131,639 133,357 133,954 133,029 133,940 134,098 134,420 135,221 135,362
Married men, spouse present..................... 42,757 43,644 43,187 43,077 43,206 43,273 43,283 43,951 43,535
Married women, spouse present................... 33,092 34,064 33,848 33,130 33,521 33,635 33,762 34,166 33,882
Women who maintain families.....................
8,105
8,211
8,228
8,103
8,398
8,526
8,375
8,362
8,220
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..................

39,607
38,979
18,000
14,477
17,648
2,928

40,780
39,257
17,829
14,435
18,057
2,999

40,745
39,544
18,271
14,505
17,828
3,060

39,650
39,152
18,090
14,662
18,097
3,469

40,718
39,023
17,694
14,836
18,340
3,365

40,363
39,283
17,633
14,903
18,476
3,407

40,800
39,311
17,706
14,940
18,299
3,367

40,924
39,614
18,155
14,610
18,385
3,574

40,806
39,703
18,344
14,681
18,279
3,630

CLASS OF WORKER
Agriculture:
Wage and salary workers.......................
1,646
1,755
1,749
1,900
1,936
2,049
2,018
2,024
2,025
Self-employed workers.........................
1,220
1,172
1,190
1,376
1,267
1,216
1,211
1,320
1,344
Unpaid family workers.........................
28
32
33
43
42
41
36
38
51
Nonagricultural industries:
Wage and salary workers....................... 120,119 121,652 122,346 120,967 121,654 121,965 122,426 122,823 123,166
Government.................................. 19,027 19,317 19,666 18,783 18,817 18,902 18,959 19,013 19,394
Private industries.......................... 101,093 102,335 102,680 102,184 102,837 103,063 103,467 103,810 103,772
Private households........................
832
905
983
861
939
944
948
952
1,016
Other industries.......................... 100,261 101,430 101,698 101,323 101,898 102,119 102,519 102,858 102,756
Self-employed workers.........................
8,511
8,643
8,555
8,733
8,833
8,686
8,662
8,802
8,793
Unpaid family workers.........................
114
102
79
108
101
108
98
92
74
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.............

3,594
2,174
1,132
19,481

3,535
2,250
953
19,153

3,296
1,979
1,027
19,849

3,425
1,985
1,131
18,677

3,179
1,928
993
18,799

3,274
1,930
1,032
18,651

3,320
1,951
1,025
18,618

3,219
1,893
1,012
18,889

3,139
1,807
1,023
19,031

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

3,443
2,085
1,109
18,964

3,355
2,140
935
18,677

3,138
1,874
1,015
19,290

3,282
1,900
1,101
18,094

2,983
1,807
964
18,249

3,105
1,815
1,013
18,083

3,157
1,843
1,018
18,061

3,066
1,801
986
18,347

2,985
1,705
1,005
18,406

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 2000, 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
Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

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

6,108
2,584
2,330
1,194

5,689
2,332
2,297
1,060

5,804
2,429
2,178
1,197

4.4
3.7
3.8
14.2

4.1
3.5
3.5
13.8

4.1
3.3
3.6
14.0

4.1
3.3
3.6
13.8

4.0
3.3
3.7
12.6

4.1
3.4
3.5
14.1

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

1,049
959
562

891
925
554

928
897
539

2.4
2.8
6.5

2.2
2.5
6.0

2.1
2.5
6.0

2.2
2.5
6.2

2.0
2.6
6.2

2.1
2.6
6.1

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

4,893
1,202

4,554
1,112

4,595
1,191

4.3
4.9

4.0
4.7

3.9
4.9

3.9
4.9

3.9
4.6

3.9
4.9

766
1,587
661
1,171
284

767
1,382
565
1,198
178

660
1,526
644
1,185
218

1.9
3.9
4.3
6.1
7.6

1.8
3.5
4.0
6.3
5.8

1.8
3.6
3.7
6.2
6.7

1.7
3.6
4.0
6.1
5.8

1.8
3.4
3.7
6.1
4.7

1.6
3.7
4.2
6.1
5.7

4,654
1,334
40
534
760
420
340
3,320
242
1,445
195
1,438
435
229

4,575
1,162
14
494
654
344
311
3,413
284
1,427
201
1,501
402
106

4,539
1,265
20
562
682
368
315
3,274
249
1,467
230
1,328
426
140

4.4
4.7
7.1
7.4
3.7
3.3
4.3
4.2
3.1
5.2
2.4
4.1
2.3
10.8

4.2
4.5
5.0
6.7
3.7
3.5
4.0
4.1
3.1
4.9
2.3
4.0
2.1
7.7

4.2
4.2
4.6
5.7
3.7
3.7
3.7
4.1
3.3
5.3
2.3
3.9
2.0
8.3

4.1
4.4
4.1
6.6
3.6
3.6
3.5
4.0
3.0
5.2
2.1
3.8
2.1
7.1

4.2
4.1
2.6
6.4
3.2
2.8
3.9
4.3
3.7
5.1
2.5
4.2
2.1
5.0

4.2
4.4
4.0
7.5
3.3
3.0
3.8
4.1
3.2
5.3
2.9
3.7
2.2
6.5

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
2 Seasonally adjusted unemployment
is small relative to the trend-cycle
NOTE: Beginning in January 2000,

civilian labor force.
data for service occupations are not available because the seasonal component, which
and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
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
Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

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

2,497
2,386
1,681
864
816

2,985
1,865
1,414
656
758

2,517
2,313
1,401
772
629

2,585
1,925
1,539
754
785

2,545
1,811
1,434
719
715

2,601
1,760
1,401
725
676

2,620
1,694
1,388
693
695

2,447
1,754
1,372
667
705

2,603
1,864
1,277
673
604

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

13.8
7.4

12.5
5.4

12.5
6.6

13.8
6.9

13.2
6.3

13.0
6.2

12.8
5.9

13.2
5.7

12.5
6.1

100.0
38.0
36.3
25.6
13.2
12.4

100.0
47.7
29.8
22.6
10.5
12.1

100.0
40.4
37.1
22.5
12.4
10.1

100.0
42.7
31.8
25.4
12.5
13.0

100.0
44.0
31.3
24.8
12.4
12.3

100.0
45.1
30.5
24.3
12.6
11.7

100.0
45.9
29.7
24.3
12.2
12.2

100.0
43.9
31.5
24.6
12.0
12.7

100.0
45.3
32.5
22.2
11.7
10.5

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 2000, 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
Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

3,151
1,159
1,993
1,308
685
765
2,182
466

3,102
1,165
1,937
1,226
711
765
2,062
336

3,029
1,134
1,895
1,281
614
777
2,067
357

2,721
854
1,867
(1)
(1)
750
2,090
498

2,518
802
1,716
(1)
(1)
778
1,958
511

2,493
851
1,642
(1)
(1)
821
1,935
485

2,401
795
1,606
(1)
(1)
825
2,036
453

2,477
739
1,739
(1)
(1)
776
2,043
393

2,616
838
1,778
(1)
(1)
759
1,975
387

48.0
17.7
30.4
11.6
33.2
7.1

49.5
18.6
30.9
12.2
32.9
5.4

48.6
18.2
30.4
12.5
33.2
5.7

44.9
14.1
30.8
12.4
34.5
8.2

43.7
13.9
29.8
13.5
34.0
8.9

43.5
14.8
28.6
14.3
33.7
8.5

42.0
13.9
28.1
14.4
35.6
7.9

43.5
13.0
30.6
13.6
35.9
6.9

45.6
14.6
31.0
13.2
34.4
6.7

2.3
.6
1.6
.3

2.2
.5
1.5
.2

2.2
.6
1.5
.3

2.0
.5
1.5
.4

1.8
.6
1.4
.4

1.8
.6
1.4
.3

1.7
.6
1.5
.3

1.8
.6
1.4
.3

1.9
.5
1.4
.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
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 2000, 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

Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

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

1.2

1.0

1.0

1.1

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

.9

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

2.3

2.2

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.8

1.7

1.8

1.9

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

4.7

4.5

4.4

4.4

4.1

4.1

4.1

4.0

4.1

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

4.9

4.6

4.6

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

5.6

5.3

5.3

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

8.2

7.8

7.6

(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 2000, 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

Feb.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000

Feb.
2000

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

6,108
2,262
1,194
526
654
1,068
3,830
3,336
503

5,689
2,119
1,060
465
577
1,059
3,578
3,089
494

5,804
2,267
1,197
529
653
1,071
3,520
2,997
546

4.4
10.2
14.2
15.8
13.0
7.7
3.3
3.4
2.9

4.1
10.0
13.8
15.9
12.4
7.7
3.0
3.1
2.7

4.1
10.0
14.0
16.5
12.3
7.7
3.0
3.1
2.6

4.1
9.8
13.8
16.5
12.1
7.4
3.0
3.0
2.7

4.0
9.3
12.6
14.0
11.4
7.4
3.0
3.1
2.8

4.1
10.0
14.1
15.9
12.8
7.5
3.0
3.0
3.0

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

3,232
1,197
648
274
361
549
2,010
1,714
286

2,946
1,150
613
246
364
537
1,800
1,552
248

3,121
1,236
691
312
367
544
1,861
1,574
281

4.3
10.3
14.9
16.0
13.9
7.6
3.2
3.2
2.9

4.1
10.4
14.2
15.5
13.2
8.2
2.9
3.0
2.8

4.0
10.2
14.9
16.9
13.6
7.5
2.8
2.9
2.6

4.0
10.6
15.2
17.7
13.5
7.8
2.8
2.8
2.5

3.9
9.7
14.0
14.3
13.7
7.2
2.8
2.9
2.5

4.1
10.3
15.5
17.3
13.9
7.3
2.9
2.9
2.8

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

2,876
1,065
546
252
293
519
1,820
1,622
217

2,743
969
447
219
213
522
1,778
1,537
245

2,683
1,032
505
217
286
526
1,659
1,424
266

4.4
10.0
13.4
15.5
12.0
7.9
3.4
3.5
2.8

4.2
9.6
13.4
16.3
11.4
7.2
3.1
3.2
2.5

4.2
9.8
13.0
16.1
10.8
7.9
3.1
3.3
2.6

4.1
8.9
12.2
15.1
10.5
7.0
3.2
3.2
2.9

4.2
8.9
11.1
13.7
8.9
7.6
3.2
3.3
3.1

4.1
9.6
12.6
14.3
11.6
7.8
3.0
3.0
3.3

1 Unemployment as a percent of the civilian labor force.
NOTE: Beginning in January 2000, 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
Feb.
1999

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Feb.
2000

Feb.
1999

Feb.
2000

68,671
4,703
1,279

68,723
4,431
1,273

25,562
1,878
592

25,522
1,743
577

43,109
2,825
686

43,200
2,688
697

271
1,008

262
1,011

170
422

159
418

100
586

103
594

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

8,044
6.1

7,735
5.8

4,264
6.1

4,037
5.7

3,780
6.1

3,698
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........................

4,396
1,763
276
1,563

4,267
1,602
290
1,547

2,551
575
174
932

2,465
470
181
909

1,845
1,187
102
631

1,802
1,131
109
638

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 2000, 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
Feb.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

Total......................... 126,229 130,718 128,125 128,782 127,730 129,332 129,589 129,898 130,282 130,325
Total private.................... 105,872 110,046 107,843 108,096 107,676 109,095 109,320 109,583 109,914 109,944
Goods-producing.........................

24,726

25,195

24,821

24,787

25,329

25,198

25,257

25,283

25,419

25,400

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

540
49.2
87.8
301.2
101.3

529
48.2
82.7
292.6
105.3

519
48.0
80.1
291.1
99.9

520
47.6
79.2
291.9
101.2

553
50
88
306
109

528
48
82
289
109

527
49
82
288
108

529
48
82
291
108

528
48
80
292
108

530
48
79
294
109

Construction..........................
5,747
6,291
6,022
5,975
General building contractors........ 1,349.8 1,443.1 1,410.6 1,396.2
Heavy construction, except building.
740.0
832.2
761.6
755.4
Special trade contractors........... 3,657.0 4,015.9 3,850.2 3,823.2

6,238
1,426
869
3,943

6,314
1,445
861
4,008

6,369
1,450
870
4,049

6,393
1,454
878
4,061

6,509
1,475
902
4,132

6,483
1,475
884
4,124

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

18,439
12,661

18,375
12,630

18,280
12,545

18,292
12,569

18,538
12,730

18,356
12,608

18,361
12,613

18,361
12,613

18,382
12,633

18,387
12,637

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.........

10,986
7,504
812.2
535.3
552.5
694.6

10,980
7,512
827.2
545.1
568.2
690.0

10,935
7,471
819.4
543.5
555.7
687.1

10,951
7,494
817.9
544.4
553.6
688.3

11,027
7,529
827
535
571
695

10,952
7,489
829
546
568
685

10,954
7,487
829
544
571
686

10,960
7,485
828
543
574
687

10,974
7,506
829
543
575
686

10,994
7,522
831
544
572
689

223.0
222.2
221.6
221.4
1,490.3 1,494.5 1,491.6 1,492.3
2,148.9 2,120.3 2,116.5 2,123.7
360.4
357.8
355.5
353.9

(1)
1,491
2,146
362

(1)
1,487
2,116
358

(1)
1,489
2,118
358

(1)
1,489
2,120
359

(1)
1,490
2,116
357

(1)
1,492
2,122
357

1,656.7 1,671.8 1,668.6 1,674.2

1,659

1,665

1,661

1,664

1,670

1,678

635.4
645.7
645.9
649.8
1,866.7 1,841.2 1,836.0 1,839.1
986.2 1,009.8 1,005.3 1,010.4
509.9
466.5
464.9
461.7
846.8
831.9
830.0
830.9
382.3
389.3
386.4
386.8

636
1,871
989
510
847
385

643
1,838
1,001
471
830
388

643
1,834
1,000
467
833
389

645
1,831
1,001
464
833
391

646
1,841
1,010
463
832
392

651
1,843
1,016
462
832
391

7,453
5,157
1,658.8
41.1
572.1
701.9
661.9
1,555.0
1,037.2
134.8
1,014.4
75.9

7,511
5,201
1,695
40
575
707
664
1,559
1,041
139
1,015
76

7,404
5,119
1,680
38
551
666
655
1,552
1,033
136
1,021
72

7,407
5,126
1,686
39
553
663
655
1,549
1,033
136
1,022
71

7,401
5,128
1,686
38
551
662
655
1,547
1,030
135
1,026
71

7,408
5,127
1,692
42
549
658
654
1,549
1,032
136
1,025
71

7,393
5,115
1,682
42
549
658
653
1,548
1,032
135
1,024
70

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........

7,395
5,118
1,673.8
41.7
551.2
658.9
655.1
1,555.1
1,030.4
133.8
1,023.5
71.3

7,345
5,074
1,654.2
44.2
546.7
650.0
652.6
1,546.2
1,027.8
131.3
1,021.6
70.7

7,341
5,075
1,648.9
43.2
546.4
652.9
651.2
1,544.7
1,028.6
131.3
1,024.2
69.5

Service-producing....................... 101,503 105,523 103,304 103,995 102,401 104,134 104,332 104,615 104,863 104,925
Transportation and public utilities...
6,661
6,949
6,828
6,833
Transportation......................
4,316
4,557
4,437
4,445
Railroad transportation...........
229.6
226.3
226.5
226.7
Local and interurban passenger
transit........................
487.5
503.2
498.2
500.8
Trucking and warehousing.......... 1,749.7 1,842.4 1,805.7 1,804.8
Water transportation..............
173.0
176.4
172.5
172.5
Transportation by air............. 1,202.1 1,322.6 1,253.5 1,258.0
Pipelines, except natural gas.....
13.8
13.1
13.0
12.9
Transportation services...........
460.4
472.8
467.5
468.8
Communications and public utilities.
2,345
2,392
2,391
2,388
Communications.................... 1,501.1 1,550.9 1,553.8 1,553.9
Electric, gas, and sanitary
services.......................
844.3
841.1
837.1
833.7

6,723
4,367
233

6,841
4,458
227

6,862
4,474
226

6,897
4,501
227

6,902
4,504
230

6,894
4,497
230

475
1,789
181
1,213
14
462
2,356
1,507

486
1,828
182
1,251
13
471
2,383
1,541

487
1,839
180
1,257
13
472
2,388
1,546

487
1,845
182
1,273
13
474
2,396
1,553

490
1,849
180
1,272
13
470
2,398
1,556

489
1,845
181
1,268
13
471
2,397
1,559

849

842

842

843

842

838

7,058
4,196
2,862
22,490

6,937
4,100
2,837
22,648

7,064
4,188
2,876
22,891

7,070
4,194
2,876
22,902

7,088
4,204
2,884
22,973

7,107
4,213
2,894
23,008

7,115
4,217
2,898
23,041

923.4
992.3
960.2
958.7
2,678.3 3,095.5 2,809.2 2,719.2
2,383.4 2,754.4 2,500.7 2,425.1
3,457.7 3,544.3 3,468.7 3,450.7

979
2,781
2,475
3,492

1,001
2,756
2,455
3,481

1,004
2,753
2,450
3,480

1,007
2,793
2,479
3,482

1,011
2,798
2,476
3,485

1,015
2,822
2,517
3,484

2,359.7 2,420.0 2,411.3 2,416.2
1,060.7 1,093.8 1,092.5 1,098.5
1,129.6 1,293.6 1,188.5 1,142.8

2,390
1,065
1,167

2,420
1,092
1,200

2,424
1,096
1,198

2,432
1,097
1,177

2,444
1,100
1,179

2,446
1,104
1,181

1,060.2 1,147.5 1,111.8 1,107.7
7,598.6 7,922.4 7,653.3 7,710.2
2,895.7 3,205.5 3,014.4 2,984.1

1,064
7,855
2,920

1,099
7,925
3,009

1,095
7,943
3,005

1,102
7,986
2,994

1,102
7,982
3,007

1,112
7,969
3,012

Finance, insurance, and real estate...
7,519
7,664
7,618
7,623
Finance.............................
3,670
3,725
3,712
3,713
Depository institutions........... 2,043.2 2,042.1 2,036.4 2,030.6
Commercial banks................ 1,464.5 1,460.0 1,455.5 1,450.7
Savings institutions............
256.4
252.2
249.6
248.1
Nondepository institutions........
707.1
710.1
703.9
702.9
Mortgage bankers and brokers....
362.3
354.3
350.1
349.4
Security and commodity brokers....
658.2
700.9
701.3
707.0
Holding and other investment
offices........................
261.0
272.0
270.4
272.9
Insurance...........................
2,379
2,418
2,401
2,400
Insurance carriers................ 1,622.1 1,640.2 1,628.5 1,625.5
Insurance agents, brokers, and
service........................
757.1
777.7
772.5
774.2
Real estate.........................
1,470
1,521
1,505
1,510

7,581
3,681
2,051
1,470
258
708
365
661

7,668
3,719
2,047
1,464
254
711
358
691

7,675
3,723
2,044
1,460
254
711
357
697

7,685
3,727
2,040
1,458
252
713
357
702

7,679
3,723
2,039
1,457
250
707
353
704

7,689
3,726
2,037
1,455
249
705
353
711

261
2,386
1,628

270
2,414
1,641

271
2,411
1,636

272
2,416
1,639

273
2,404
1,630

273
2,408
1,632

758
1,514

773
1,535

775
1,541

777
1,542

774
1,552

776
1,555

38,458
751
1,786
1,201
8,922
971
3,331
2,954

39,433
766
1,806
1,210
9,303
1,003
3,490
3,099

39,554
774
1,812
1,214
9,336
1,003
3,501
3,097

39,657
765
1,807
1,225
9,392
1,000
3,513
3,108

39,799
786
1,795
1,229
9,422
1,000
3,513
3,110

39,805
779
1,797
1,224
9,421
1,006
3,524
3,127

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

6,882
4,080
2,802
22,103

37,981
636.0
1,696.5
1,268.8
8,731.3
959.5
3,169.1
2,800.8

7,082
4,201
2,881
23,621

39,535
717.9
1,728.6
1,201.6
9,468.7
998.3
3,605.3
3,193.6

7,048
4,189
2,859
22,617

38,911
664.5
1,694.5
1,273.7
9,190.5
987.0
3,358.1
2,969.3

39,305
660.8
1,705.0
1,293.9
9,224.2
993.4
3,357.9
2,968.8

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

1,725.5
1,168.5
387.4
584.5
1,456.5
9,893.0

1,855.8
1,199.0
401.3
610.1
1,536.4
10035.7

1,724
1,175
392
582
1,656
9,919

1,823
1,196
400
612
1,730
10,009

1,829
1,197
400
613
1,734
10,026

1,842
1,198
405
609
1,725
10,038

1,852
1,203
404
615
1,757
10,058

1,855
1,205
406
609
1,750
10,064

1,839.0 1,890.2 1,890.0 1,891.2

1,844

1,880

1,885

1,886

1,894

1,897

1,748.7
3,952.7
647.1
986.0
2,369.6
2,729.1
636.5
764.5

1,756.8
3,983.9
652.9
1,010.1
2,433.2
2,868.9
667.1
801.6

1,755
3,959
651
992
2,237
2,734
625
768

1,756
3,978
658
1,009
2,288
2,817
634
792

1,756
3,978
658
1,012
2,298
2,840
646
796

1,759
3,985
659
1,015
2,304
2,850
650
801

1,761
3,992
657
1,018
2,297
2,870
656
803

1,763
3,990
657
1,017
2,296
2,873
655
805

86.2
93.1
87.8
88.2
2,366.3 2,404.4 2,382.0 2,400.9
3,329.1 3,498.0 3,499.5 3,540.8

94
2,389
3,335

95
2,409
3,487

96
2,411
3,496

95
2,418
3,515

96
2,420
3,532

96
2,423
3,547

917.5
959.1
959.2
962.1
1,103.4 1,207.4 1,203.7 1,209.8
54.7
58.7
58.9
59.4

930
1,111
(1)

954
1,193
(1)

959
1,196
(1)

964
1,213
(1)

972
1,222
(1)

975
1,218
(1)

20,054
2,713
1,834
4,670
1,941
2,729
12,671
7,181
5,490

20,237
2,643
1,780
4,722
1,960
2,762
12,872
7,305
5,567

20,269
2,648
1,780
4,729
1,967
2,762
12,892
7,318
5,574

20,315
2,645
1,780
4,730
1,969
2,761
12,940
7,351
5,589

20,368
2,666
1,800
4,727
1,967
2,760
12,975
7,368
5,607

20,381
2,686
1,819
4,730
1,962
2,768
12,965
7,353
5,612

20,357
2,697
1,824.0
4,765
2,057.1
2,707.9
12,895
7,526.9
5,367.9

1,843.8
1,195.6
402.5
614.4
1,563.0
10052.0

1,761.3
3,986.2
661.5
1,013.6
2,427.9
2,857.0
658.9
799.1

20,672
2,677
1,762.7
4,814
2,078.6
2,735.8
13,181
7,688.8
5,491.9

1,849.5
1,189.2
398.3
606.8
1,501.6
10025.7

1,755.2
3,984.5
650.4
1,010.6
2,243.7
2,846.1
659.4
796.9

20,282
2,644
1,780.2
4,642
1,907.9
2,734.3
12,996
7,527.0
5,469.2

20,686
2,672
1,809.6
4,827
2,079.2
2,747.7
13,187
7,701.2
5,485.4

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
Feb.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

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

34.3

34.6

34.4

34.2

34.6

34.5

34.5

34.5

34.6

34.5

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

40.5

41.5

40.8

40.9

41.0

41.1

41.3

40.9

41.2

41.4

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

42.7

44.4

44.4

44.3

43.0

44.1

44.2

44.2

45.0

44.8

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

38.0

38.7

38.3

38.6

39.2

39.1

40.0

38.9

39.4

39.9

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

41.3
4.2

42.5
5.1

41.6
4.5

41.6
4.5

41.6
4.5

41.8
4.7

41.7
4.6

41.6
4.6

41.7
4.6

41.9
4.8

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

41.9
4.4

43.1
5.3

42.2
4.6

42.2
4.7

42.2
4.6

42.3
4.8

42.2
4.7

42.1
4.8

42.3
4.7

42.4
4.9

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.........

40.3
39.8
42.3
43.7

41.3
41.1
43.3
45.3

40.7
40.1
42.5
44.7

40.5
39.7
42.4
44.5

41.1
40.3
43.4
43.8

41.1
40.2
43.4
44.3

41.1
39.9
43.9
44.3

40.9
40.0
43.3
44.4

41.1
40.2
43.7
44.6

41.1
40.3
43.5
44.6

43.7
41.8
42.1

46.0
43.2
43.2

45.4
42.2
42.5

45.5
42.2
42.4

43.8
42.1
42.1

45.0
42.1
42.4

45.3
42.1
42.2

45.5
41.9
42.2

45.2
42.2
42.5

45.7
42.5
42.4

41.1
43.9
45.0
41.5
39.6

42.4
44.9
46.2
42.5
40.4

41.5
43.8
45.0
41.4
39.1

41.7
44.0
45.0
41.3
39.3

41.2
44.0
45.0
41.3
39.7

41.6
43.9
45.3
41.5
39.8

41.4
43.5
44.7
41.5
39.6

41.2
43.3
44.4
41.6
39.9

41.3
43.8
45.2
41.2
39.4

41.9
44.1
45.1
41.2
39.5

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

40.5
4.0

41.6
4.7

40.7
4.2

40.6
4.2

40.8
4.3

41.0
4.5

41.0
4.4

40.9
4.5

40.9
4.4

41.0
4.6

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........

41.1
37.2
40.2
37.3
43.0
37.7
42.7
43.3
41.4
37.2

42.4
44.2
41.8
38.0
44.2
38.9
43.8
43.1
42.3
37.4

41.3
41.6
40.9
37.2
43.3
37.9
42.9
43.0
41.5
36.9

41.1
41.8
41.1
37.6
43.0
37.9
43.0
43.2
41.3
37.4

41.7
38.5
40.6
37.5
43.5
38.1
42.8
(2)
41.7
37.7

42.0
41.0
41.3
37.5
43.5
38.4
43.1
(2)
41.5
37.5

41.9
42.8
41.2
37.3
43.5
38.3
43.1
(2)
41.5
37.6

41.6
43.5
41.2
37.4
43.2
38.2
43.1
(2)
41.3
36.8

41.6
43.0
40.9
37.6
43.2
38.3
43.0
(2)
41.8
37.5

41.7
43.3
41.6
37.8
43.5
38.2
43.2
(2)
41.5
38.0

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

32.7

32.8

32.8

32.6

33.0

32.8

32.8

32.9

33.0

32.8

Transportation and public utilities...

39.0

38.4

38.3

38.1

39.2

38.5

38.2

38.5

38.5

38.3

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

38.3

38.5

38.5

38.1

38.5

38.6

38.4

38.5

38.6

38.3

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

28.6

29.3

28.5

28.6

29.2

28.9

28.9

29.1

29.2

29.1

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

36.3

36.2

36.8

36.1

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

(2)

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

32.5

32.6

32.8

32.5

32.7

32.7

32.8

32.7

32.8

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
Feb.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

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

$13.10
13.06

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

Feb.
1999

$13.47
13.44

$13.58
13.49

$13.56
13.53

$449.33
451.88

14.45

15.09

15.04

15.04

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

17.08

17.13

17.25

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

16.66

17.42

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

13.66

14.21

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.........

14.12
11.26
11.06
13.64
15.41

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........

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

$466.06
463.68

$467.15
466.75

$463.75
466.79

585.23

626.24

613.63

615.14

17.18

729.32

760.57

765.90

761.07

17.33

17.37

633.08

674.15

663.74

670.48

14.19

14.18

564.16

603.93

590.30

589.89

14.73
11.63
11.46
14.00
16.19

14.71
11.68
11.44
13.97
16.20

14.70
11.64
11.44
13.96
16.19

591.63
453.78
440.19
576.97
673.42

634.86
480.32
471.01
606.20
733.41

620.76
475.38
458.74
593.73
724.14

620.34
471.42
454.17
591.90
720.46

18.50
13.29
14.72

19.16
13.70
15.36

19.20
13.68
15.35

19.17
13.63
15.35

808.45
555.52
619.71

881.36
591.84
663.55

871.68
577.30
652.38

872.24
575.19
650.84

13.25
17.50
17.71
13.94
11.17

13.70
18.78
19.29
14.40
11.57

13.73
18.64
19.07
14.37
11.56

13.72
18.62
19.07
14.43
11.58

544.58
768.25
796.95
578.51
442.33

580.88
843.22
891.20
612.00
467.43

569.80
816.43
858.15
594.92
452.00

572.12
819.28
858.15
595.96
455.09

12.97
11.91
17.80
10.60
8.65
15.70
13.67
17.20
21.43
12.16
9.56

13.41
12.29
17.97
10.84
9.03
16.15
14.11
17.79
21.83
12.51
9.92

13.40
12.24
18.16
10.83
9.02
16.08
14.11
17.82
21.65
12.56
9.98

13.38
12.21
18.14
10.83
8.98
16.01
14.15
17.84
22.14
12.53
9.83

525.29
489.50
662.16
426.12
322.65
675.10
515.36
734.44
927.92
503.42
355.63

557.86
521.10
794.27
453.11
343.14
713.83
548.88
779.20
940.87
529.17
371.01

545.38
505.51
755.46
442.95
335.54
696.26
534.77
764.48
930.95
521.24
368.26

543.23
501.83
758.25
445.11
337.65
688.43
536.29
767.12
956.45
517.49
367.64

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

12.68

12.96

13.12

13.11

414.64

425.09

430.34

427.39

Transportation and public utilities...

$15.56

$15.94

$15.94

$15.99

$606.84

$612.10

$610.50

$609.22

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

14.38

14.91

15.05

14.93

550.75

574.04

579.43

568.83

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

8.98

9.25

9.31

9.32

256.83

271.03

265.34

266.55

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

14.55

14.75

14.98

14.92

528.17

533.95

551.26

538.61

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

13.32

13.69

13.81

13.79

432.90

446.29

452.97

448.18

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:
Jan. 2000Feb. 2000

Industry

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

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

$13.06
7.84

$13.39
7.87

$13.40
7.86

$13.44
7.87

$13.49
7.88

$13.53
N.A.

0.3
(3)

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

14.56
16.97
16.83
13.67
12.97

14.97
17.09
17.27
14.07
13.33

14.99
16.93
17.31
14.06
13.32

15.03
17.01
17.42
14.09
13.35

15.10
17.02
17.43
14.15
13.42

15.16
17.09
17.55
14.20
13.44

.4
.4
.7
.4
.1

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

12.58

12.89

12.90

12.95

12.98

13.01

.2

15.51
14.36
8.95

15.76
14.80
9.18

15.81
14.81
9.20

15.94
14.88
9.26

15.86
14.98
9.24

15.95
14.92
9.29

.6
-.4
.5

14.49
13.22

14.72
13.55

14.73
13.55

14.75
13.60

14.89
13.64

14.85
13.68

-.3
.3

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 December 1999 to January 2000, 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
Feb.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

Feb.
1999

Oct.
1999

Nov.
1999

Dec.
1999

Jan.
2000p

Feb.
2000p

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

143.2

150.6

146.2

146.0

147.3

148.8

149.2

149.4

150.5

149.9

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

110.2

115.8

111.5

111.5

115.0

114.7

115.5

114.5

116.3

116.4

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

49.1

50.9

49.7

49.1

51.0

50.6

50.4

50.8

51.5

51.0

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

150.6

170.5

159.4

158.9

171.9

173.2

179.0

174.5

181.6

180.8

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

105.5

108.2

105.2

105.4

106.8

106.2

106.0

105.7

106.3

106.7

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.........

109.8
142.0
133.7
109.8
89.9

112.9
148.0
140.5
115.9
92.6

110.0
144.2
136.4
110.7
91.1

110.3
143.3
135.5
110.2
90.8

110.8
147.6
134.9
117.0
90.0

110.5
147.6
137.4
116.2
89.8

110.2
147.6
136.1
118.1
90.0

109.8
146.6
135.8
117.0
90.4

110.7
147.8
136.5
118.9
90.6

111.4
148.0
137.1
117.3
91.0

67.7
116.2
105.8

71.3
120.8
106.5

70.3
117.7
105.0

70.4
117.6
105.6

68.0
117.2
105.2

69.9
116.8
104.1

69.9
116.9
103.7

70.2
116.5
103.8

70.2
117.5
104.7

71.0
118.6
105.2

105.1
125.4
162.2
75.7
98.5

109.0
127.5
172.9
76.3
102.2

106.3
123.9
167.3
73.9
98.0

107.4
124.8
168.4
73.9
98.8

105.2
125.9
162.7
75.2
99.8

106.7
124.2
167.3
75.1
100.8

105.8
122.7
165.0
75.1
100.3

105.0
122.2
164.1
74.5
101.8

105.6
124.6
169.7
73.6
100.9

107.8
125.3
169.4
73.6
100.4

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........

99.7
114.3
58.1
80.8
61.3
105.0
121.2
101.6
72.7
147.8
32.3

101.8
119.3
65.8
80.9
58.3
107.5
124.8
105.1
69.5
152.9
29.9

98.6
114.3
65.0
78.4
56.3
104.9
120.4
102.9
66.0
149.8
29.4

98.6
113.3
63.5
78.8
57.4
104.0
120.5
103.6
64.7
149.7
28.9

101.5
118.8
57.2
82.0
62.1
106.7
122.8
102.0
77.4
148.5
33.0

100.4
118.7
54.8
80.0
58.1
105.2
122.6
102.8
73.2
149.2
30.5

100.4
119.0
57.3
80.1
57.7
105.4
122.0
103.2
72.4
149.4
30.0

100.1
118.3
58.2
79.8
57.7
105.1
121.4
103.4
72.0
149.5
29.4

100.3
118.4
61.8
78.7
57.9
104.9
121.8
103.5
69.5
151.3
30.0

100.3
117.6
62.2
80.0
58.0
105.6
121.8
104.1
68.7
150.4
29.8

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

158.0

166.2

161.8

161.4

161.8

164.1

164.4

165.0

165.8

165.0

Transportation and public utilities...

132.0

135.3

132.2

131.6

134.1

133.3

132.7

134.0

134.7

133.6

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

129.5

133.8

132.8

131.6

131.3

133.8

133.2

134.0

134.6

133.6

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

136.4

150.3

139.6

138.8

142.9

143.1

143.3

144.7

145.4

145.0

Finance, insurance, and real estate...

138.2

139.7

141.1

138.3

139.6

140.5

139.7

140.6

140.9

139.8

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

195.4

203.6

201.1

201.9

198.9

204.0

205.0

204.8

206.0

204.9

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:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

49.6
56.2
63.8
54.4
p57.9

64.9
61.0
57.9
58.3
p52.8

59.4
61.9
58.8
52.1

55.1
62.8
60.5
58.8

61.9
58.8
55.9
51.5

60.8
56.3
57.9
57.0

57.0
60.7
58.0
57.6

62.5
61.0
55.8
50.0

57.3
59.4
54.6
55.1

63.5
65.4
52.9
57.2

59.7
63.6
59.1
57.9

61.2
62.1
58.6
57.7

Over 3-month span:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

62.6
63.8
66.7
60.7
p60.8

62.5
63.6
66.2
55.9

63.3
67.7
64.5
59.6

63.1
67.3
63.9
54.6

63.1
62.6
61.4
56.3

64.3
61.7
58.7
56.2

64.3
61.4
60.0
56.2

62.2
66.2
58.4
59.0

64.6
67.3
57.6
57.4

64.2
69.9
57.6
59.6

66.2
70.8
59.0
60.8

63.2
71.2
60.4
p61.0

Over 6-month span:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

62.6
67.4
70.6
61.1

65.2
68.3
66.9
58.8

64.5
65.6
65.9
57.3

65.2
67.0
62.4
59.0

64.7
65.6
62.6
55.2

64.6
64.9
61.1
57.4

67.0
66.3
58.0
56.9

65.4
68.4
59.8
61.5

65.9
69.7
60.0
61.0

66.7
71.3
60.8
p59.0

66.9
71.3
60.8
p61.1

66.7
71.9
58.0

Over 12-month span:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

64.5
69.0
70.4
60.1

66.7
67.3
68.3
57.3

64.5
68.3
67.1
57.0

65.6
69.7
64.0
57.6

68.5
69.5
62.1
58.7

67.3
70.1
61.7
59.0

67.7
70.1
61.8
p59.4

66.4
70.4
63.8
p58.3

68.0
70.5
59.8

69.9
69.7
59.0

68.7
69.8
59.3

66.9
71.3
58.6

Manufacturing payrolls, 139 industries1

Over 1-month span:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

42.4
50.0
58.6
40.3
p52.2

55.4
52.9
51.8
42.4
p50.4

46.8
53.6
50.4
39.6

41.0
56.1
50.4
44.6

55.8
52.2
40.6
36.3

51.4
53.2
46.8
45.3

47.1
51.1
40.3
57.2

56.5
55.4
45.3
38.5

48.9
53.6
42.1
42.8

55.0
62.2
36.3
48.9

50.7
61.2
39.9
50.7

54.0
55.4
45.0
49.3

Over 3-month span:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

46.8
51.8
59.4
37.4
p50.4

46.0
51.4
57.9
31.7

43.5
57.6
51.8
37.1

46.0
56.8
44.2
30.2

48.2
54.3
41.7
33.8

51.1
51.8
34.9
43.9

51.8
53.6
37.4
43.2

49.6
55.4
37.1
44.6

53.2
59.7
38.1
38.5

52.5
68.3
34.2
46.4

55.0
65.8
35.6
50.0

50.7
64.4
35.3
p50.7

Over 6-month span:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

41.4
54.7
59.7
33.1

46.0
54.0
49.3
29.1

45.7
51.4
48.2
28.1

47.1
54.3
36.7
36.0

46.0
52.5
36.7
30.9

48.6
52.2
36.7
34.5

52.9
55.4
28.4
36.3

50.4
61.2
31.3
44.6

51.8
61.5
33.5
45.7

51.4
64.7
35.3
p40.6

52.5
66.2
32.7
p47.1

51.8
65.1
28.1

Over 12-month span:
1996..............
1997..............
1998..............
1999..............
2000..............

43.5
54.7
54.0
32.7

47.5
52.5
49.3
25.9

45.3
54.0
46.0
28.4

45.3
54.0
40.6
29.5

50.4
55.4
35.6
29.9

49.6
56.8
33.8
31.7

50.4
57.2
30.9
p35.3

48.6
57.9
32.0
p34.2

51.1
58.3
26.6

55.0
56.5
26.6

54.3
55.4
25.5

50.7
57.2
26.3

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.