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MONTHLY LABOR
REVIEW
Volume 131, Number 7
July 2008
Producer inflation accelerates in 2007 due to rising prices for energy and foods
3
Prices for energy goods surged in 2007, after falling in 2006, while food prices
increased more than they had a year earlier
Joseph Kowal, Antonio Lombardozzi, Scott Sager, and William Snyders
Price measures of new vehicles: a comparison
19
The CPI, PPI, and IPP all analyze price changes in new vehicles; however,
these indexes’ movements are only weakly correlated
Maria Bustinza, Daniel Chow, Thaddious Foster, Tod Reese, and David Yochum
A hedonic model for Internet access service in the Consumer Price Index
33
A hedonic model is presented for use in making direct quality adjustments
to prices for Internet access service collected for the Consumer Price Index
Brendan Williams
Departments
Labor month in review 2
Précis 49
Current labor statistics 50
Editor-in-Chief: Michael D. Levi Executive Editor: William Parks II Managing Editor: Leslie Brown Joyner Editors: Brian
I. Baker, Casey P. Homan Book Review Editor: James Titkemeyer Design and Layout: Catherine D. Bowman, Edith W.
Peters Contributing Editor: Lawrence H. Leith
Labor Month In Review
The July Review
Prices and their measurement are the
central focus of this latest issue of the
Monthly Labor Review.
Quite often in the July issue, we
publish a retrospective look at changes in the prices of goods and materials as measured by the BLS Producer
Price Index. Joseph Kowal, Antonio
Lombardozzi, Scott Sager, and William Snyders assess the trends in producer prices for calendar year 2007
and find inflation was notably on the
rise. Prices for finished goods rose
sharply—more than 6 percent—after
having grown by only about 1 percent
in 2006. The index for intermediate
materials, which reflects the prices of
goods produced at an earlier stage of
processing, increased by about 7 percent in 2007, more than double the
previous year’s rate. The prices for
crude materials rose steeply—nearly 20 percent—after having fallen
slightly less than 5 percent in 2006.
Much of these noticeable upturns were due to higher prices for
energy and foods. Prices for refined
petroleum products, and especially
for crude petroleum, moved up more
than they had the year before, and, at
each stage of processing, overall energy goods and materials accelerated
well into the double digits. Similarly,
prices for foods at each level of processing were up much more than in
2006.
How the prices for new vehicles are
measured across the Bureau’s various
price measurement programs is the
subject of a comparative study by five
BLS economists. There are few industries in the world that receive as much
attention as auto manufacturing and
sales, especially as vehicle production
and consumer purchasing continue to
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
become ever more global. This article
is designed to elucidate the differences among the Consumer, Producer, and International Price Programs
in methods of index calculation and
how such differences might explain
differentials in price trends for new
vehicles.
For those analysts with particular
interests in price index construction,
Brendan Williams provides a look
into the development of a hedonic
model for making quality adjustments to a very visible service industry, namely, access to Internet services.
The practice of making hedonic-based
price adjustments to remove the effects of quality changes in goods and
services that enter into the calculation of the Consumer Price Index has
been in effect for some time now, but
thus far has focused mainly on such
items as consumer electronics, appliances, housing, and apparel. Williams
explores some alternative pathways to
hedonic adjustments for Internet access services and recommends that a
hedonically adjusted index be considered.
Redesigned BLS Web site
The Bureau first began publishing
reports—with good old ink and paper—in the 1880s. Over time, BLS
has worked hard to keep abreast of
the latest styles and modes of communication. Since widespread public use of the Internet began in the
1990s, BLS, like other private- and
public-sector organizations, has
had to adapt quickly to utilize the
Net’s vast potential. For an agency
in the information collection and
dissemination business, developing
and maintaining an informative and
user-friendly World Wide Web site
has been an ongoing priority. The
Bureau first launched a Web site in
1995, with a few dozen pages, and issued a major redesign in 2001.
In July 2008, after more than 2
years of significant testing and sifting
of alternative designs, BLS launched
its latest sweeping redesign of its Web
site (found at www.bls.gov). Primary
features of the newly redesigned site
include improved BLS and program
office home pages, each with new
user-tested navigation paths to make
browsing as convenient as possible;
fresh content on the Bureau home
page each working day; an upgraded
search engine; new tailored resources for different visitors (such as the
news media, students, investors, and
so on); a new “Guide to Geographic
Data,” intended to help data users to
quickly determine what types of data
are available from BLS at every level
of geographic detail; a more comprehensive calendar of release dates for
BLS news releases; an expanded index; an enhanced section on careers at
BLS; and our initial foray into audio
files, the first accompanying a new
Spotlight on Statistics feature focusing
on older workers.
BLS has developed multiple tutorials to guide Web site users through
the new features, including the use
of video, audio, and text. (To access
these multimedia tools, simply go to
the “tutorials” tab in the upper right
section of the BLS home page.) For
those of you who may have had different sections of our previous site
bookmarked, relax: the vast majority of Web addresses are unchanged.
We hope that all of our visitors will
find the new design helpful. It will
be interesting to see what changes
might be made to the site in future
years, as customer needs and expectations, as well as technology, continue
to evolve.
PPI Highlights, 2007
Producer inflation accelerates in 2007
due to rising prices for energy and foods
Prices for energy goods surged in 2007, after falling in 2006,
while food prices increased more than they had a year earlier;
in contrast, the stage-of-processing indexes for goods excluding foods
and energy advanced in 2007 at rates similar to those of 2006
Joseph Kowal,
Antonio
Lombardozzi , Scott
Sager, and William
Snyders
Joseph Kowal,
Antonio Lombardozzi,
Scott Sager, and
William Snyders are
economists in the
Office of Prices and
Living Conditions,
Bureau of Labor
Statistics. E-mail:
ppi-info@bls.gov
T
he Producer Price Index (PPI) for
Finished Goods climbed 6.2 percent
in 2007, after inching up 1.1 percent
in 2006. Finished goods are commodities
that are ready for sale to final-demand users, either as durable or nondurable goods for
consumers or as capital equipment for business firms. The index for intermediate materials, supplies, and components, reflecting the
prices of goods produced at an earlier stage
of processing, increased 7.1 percent in 2007,
after rising 2.8 percent in 2006. Intermediate goods consist of material and component
inputs to manufacturing and construction,
as well as supplies for all types of businesses.
The index for crude materials for further processing—unprocessed goods and raw materials—jumped 19.8 percent in 2007, after falling 4.7 percent in 2006. The larger advances in
2007 for the finished goods and intermediate
goods indexes, as well as the upturn in prices
for crude goods, are attributable primarily to
a reversal in prices for energy goods, which
moved up in 2007, after declining in 2006,
and secondarily to prices for foods, which increased at faster rates in 2007 than they had
a year earlier. (See table 1.)
Prices for energy goods jumped in 2007, after moving down in 2006. Among crude materials, prices for crude petroleum, which were
nearly unchanged in 2006, surged 51.7 percent
in 2007, while prices for wellhead natural gas
edged down after dropping 26.2 percent in the
preceding year. Further along the production
path, prices for refined petroleum products and
utility electric power moved up more in 2007
than they had a year earlier, while the index for
utility natural gas fell less than it had in 2006.
Within finished goods, the index for finished
energy goods advanced 17.8 percent in 2007,
following a 2.0-percent decline a year earlier.
Similarly, prices for intermediate energy goods
climbed 19.8 percent, after decreasing 3.3 percent in 2006, and the index for crude energy
materials rose 16.2 percent in 2007, compared
with a 15.7-percent drop a year earlier. (See
table 2.)
In addition to energy products, also contributing to the faster rates of increase for
finished and intermediate goods, as well as the
reversal in the crude goods index, price gains
for farm products and for processed foods and
feeds accelerated in 2007. These increases were
generally broad based; however, steep upturns
in prices for raw fluid milk, as well as processed
dairy products, led the acceleration. The indexes for finished consumer foods, intermediate foods and feeds, and crude foodstuffs and
feedstuffs each rose more in 2007 than they
had in 2006. For finished consumer foods, the
7.6-percent increase in 2007 was the largest
since a 7.7-percent advance in 2003. At the
earlier stages of processing, the 17.2-percent
jump in prices for intermediate foods and
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
PPI Highlights, 2007
Table 1.
Annual percentage changes in Producer Price Indexes for selected stages of processing, 2002–07
Index
Finished goods . ...........................................................
Finished consumer foods.......................................
Finished energy goods............................................
Finished goods less foods and energy...............
Finished consumer goods, excluding
foods and energy..................................................
Capital equipment...............................................
2002
2003
2004
1.2 4.0 4.2
–.6
7.7 3.1
12.3
11.4
13.4
–.5
1.0
2.3
–.5
–.6
1.1
.8
Intermediate materials, supplies, and
components . ............................................................ 3.2 3.9
Intermediate foods and feeds............................... 4.2
12.9
Intermediate energy goods...................................
12.0
10.9
Intermediate materials less foods and
energy.......................................................................
1.5
2.1
Materials for nondurable manufacturing.... 4.2 4.9
Materials for durable manufacturing............ 3.1 4.0
Materials and components for construction .
.8 3.0
2.2
2.4
9.2
–2.3
15.8
2005
2006
2007
5.4
1.7
23.9
1.4
1.1
1.7
–2.0
2.0
6.2
7.6
17.8
2.0
1.6
1.2
1.8
2.3
2.4
1.4
8.6
2.8
2.4 4.7
26.2
–3.3
7.1
17.2
19.8
8.3 4.8 4.5 3.3
13.7
8.9
1.2
12.8
18.3
5.9
12.5
1.7
10.1
6.1 4.3
2.0
Crude materials for further processing ...........
24.7
Foodstuffs and feedstuffs....................................... 4.5
Crude energy materials . ........................................
61.5
Crude nonfood materials less energy ...............
12.6
19.5
17.4
21.1
24.1
–2.6
1.6
14.4 35.9 42.2
21.6
20.5
5.2
Special groupings
Finished goods less energy....................................
Intermediate materials less energy.....................
Crude materials less energy...................................
2.7
2.6
23.3
–.5
1.6
7.1
feeds was the fastest annual rate of increase since 1974, when
prices climbed 31.1 percent. For crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs, the 24.9-percent surge in 2007 was the largest since a
31.7-percent rise in 1973.
In contrast, the index for finished goods other than
foods and energy increased at the same rate in 2007 as
in the previous year, 2.0 percent. The index for consumer
nondurable goods excluding foods and energy advanced
more in 2007 than in the prior year, while prices for consumer durable goods and capital equipment rose less than
in 2006. At the earlier stages of processing, prices for intermediate goods other than foods and energy moved up
less than they had in 2006, and the index for crude nonfood materials less energy increased slightly less in 2007
than it had in the preceding year.1
Energy goods
The indexes for energy goods at all three stages of processing turned up in 2007, after falling a year earlier. The
finished energy goods index increased 17.8 percent, following a 2.0-percent decline in 2006. Among finished
energy goods, prices for gasoline, home heating oil, diesel
fuel, and residential electric power jumped in 2007, after
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
–4.7
2.8
–15.7
17.0
19.8
24.9
16.2
15.6
2.5
1.5
1.9 3.5
7.8 4.6 4.5 4.0
5.2 3.0
8.3
21.4
advancing at slower rates in the preceding year. The index for liquefied petroleum gas surged following a decline
in 2006. Prices for residential natural gas edged down in
2007, after steep declines a year earlier. Similar to finished
energy goods, the 2007 upturn in the index for intermediate energy goods was led by accelerating price increases for
refined petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, jet
fuel, and home heating oil. The indexes for commercial
and industrial electric power also rose more in 2007 than
they did in 2006. The indexes for liquefied petroleum gas
and residual fuel surged in 2007, after falling in the prior
year. Utility natural gas prices declined at much smaller
rates than they did in 2006. At the earliest stage of processing, the index for crude energy materials moved up
16.2 percent in 2007, following a 15.7-percent decrease a
year earlier. Crude petroleum prices increased more than
50 percent in 2007, after inching up in the preceding year,
while natural gas prices moved down 4.9 percent, after
dropping sharply in 2006.
Petroleum products. In 2007, the crude petroleum index
climbed 51.7 percent, compared with a 0.1-percent rise
a year earlier. In 2007, large price increases occurred over
the course of the entire year: February, 7.4 percent; April,
Table 2.
Annual percentage changes in Producer Price Indexes for selected energy goods, 2003–07
Index
2003
2004
2005
Finished energy goods . .......................................................
11.4
13.4
23.9
Residential natural gas........................................................
19.9
15.9
28.3
Gasoline....................................................................................
14.9
27.4 41.5
Home heating oil...................................................................
13.9 42.0 41.8
Liquefied petroleum gas.....................................................
21.0
28.5 44.3
Residential electric power.................................................. 4.9
2.3
6.8
2006
2007
–2.0
17.8
–11.6
–.9
1.8 36.1
5.2 30.9
–15.1
59.1
2.3 4.5
Intermediate energy goods . .............................................
10.9
15.8
26.2
–3.3
19.8
Industrial natural gas...........................................................
20.3
20.1 31.5
–13.2
–2.8
Commercial natural gas......................................................
19.9
17.5 30.3
–13.6
–.9
Natural gas to electric utilities..........................................
17.4
20.4
25.0
–16.1
–3.8
Diesel fuel.................................................................................
13.0 37.9 46.7
2.3 33.9
Jet fuel.......................................................................................
10.2 45.5 41.3
6.6 41.3
Residual fuel............................................................................ 39.1
1.0
80.4
–23.5 38.2
Industrial electric power.....................................................
2.4
2.3
10.4 4.0
7.3
Commercial electric power................................................
2.7 3.1
6.6 3.4 3.8
Crude energy goods ..............................................................
Natural gas...............................................................................
Crude petroleum...................................................................
Coal.............................................................................................
14.4 35.9 42.2
17.2 44.3 43.7
14.3 30.5 49.6
2.1
10.0
9.7
7.4 percent; June, 4.4 percent; July, 13.0 percent; September, 8.4 percent; October, 4.1 percent; and November, 13.1
percent.2 On the supply front, U.S. field production of
crude petroleum was nearly flat compared with 2006 levels, roughly 1.862 billion barrels, while imports declined
1.0 percent overall, to 3.656 billion barrels. Internationally, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
(OPEC) cut its official output target by 1.2 million barrels
per day on November 1, 2006, and by another 500,000
barrels per day on March 15, 2007—a 6.2-percent drop
in its production target—to 25.8 million barrels per day.
The actual production curtailment was estimated to be
1.3 million barrels per day—a 4.7-percent decline.3 OPEC
production edged up over the remainder of 2007, but by
year-end, production had decreased roughly 1.5 percent
in 2007, compared with a year earlier.4 Geopolitical uncertainty in the Persian Gulf, as well as in Venezuela, Algeria, and Nigeria, also contributed to crude oil price increases in 2007. As of December 2007, about 19.6 percent
of crude oil imports came from the Persian Gulf, while
11.9, 5.1, and 11.0 percent came from Venezuela, Nigeria,
and Algeria, respectively.5 Back in the United States, allocations of crude oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
(SPR) increased 1.2 percent in 2007 to 697 million barrels;
however, ending stocks excluding the SPR fell 3.2 percent
to 3.887 billion barrels.6
The substantial acceleration in crude petroleum prices
during 2007 passed through to refined petroleum products:
–15.7
16.2
–26.2
–4.9
.1
51.7
5.5 3.2
prices for gasoline, home heating oil, diesel fuel, and jet fuel
rose at much faster rates in 2007 than they did in 2006.
As was the case with crude petroleum, these advances were
spread across the entire calendar year; however, particularly
large gains were observed in early spring and in November. For example, in March 2007 prices for gasoline, home
heating oil, diesel fuel, and jet fuel jumped 17.4, 8.5, 13.8,
and 11.7 percent, respectively. In November, these indexes
increased 15.7, 17.4, 18.9, and 17.0 percent.7
Over two periods in 2007, the rate of operable capacity utilization at U.S. refineries fell noticeably. From early
January through early March, capacity utilization fell from
91.0 percent to 85.7 percent, and from mid-August to
early November, it fell from 92.1 percent to 86.7 percent.8
During these slowdowns, finished gasoline production
fell 7.0 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively. Similarly, jet
fuel production dropped 7.6 percent and 0.2 percent, and
distillate fuel production9 declined 8.8 percent and 2.0
percent. Imports of crude petroleum, not allocated to the
SPR, declined 2.7 percent in 2007, and imports of refined
petroleum products declined 0.5 percent over the same
period.10
Natural gas products. Prices for wellhead natural gas
fell 4.9 percent in 2007, compared with a 26.2-percent
drop in 2006. Similarly, the indexes for utility natural
gas—residential, commercial, industrial, and natural gas
to electric utilities—also declined at significantly slower
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
PPI Highlights, 2007
rates in 2007 than they did a year earlier. Although wellhead natural gas prices tend to be more volatile than those
for utility natural gas, prices received by these two sectors
generally display similar directional movements over the
long term.
In terms of supply, marketed production of wellhead
natural gas in the United States increased nearly 4.0 percent in 2007, from roughly 19.38 million of million cubic
feet (MMcf) for the 12-month period ended December
2006 to 20.15 million MMcf for the comparable period in
2007. This rise was relatively consistent over the course of
the year. Imports of natural gas (wellhead and liquefied)
also grew during 2007. In calendar year 2006 U.S. imports
were about 4.19 million MMcf; in 2007, total imports were
roughly 4.60 million MMcf, which is nearly a 10-percent
jump. At the same time, an increase of nearly 12 percent in
U.S. exports—from 724 thousand MMcf to 809 thousand
MMcf—partially offset the rise in domestic supply.11
From a storage standpoint, the volume of working
natural gas in underground storage decreased in 2007,
after a large net injection gain in 2006 was not replicated
in 2007.12 Total working gas in underground storage increased 16.5 percent in 2006, to 3.07 million MMcf, but the
measure fell 6.2 percent in 2007, to 2.88 million MMcf.13
This lower figure for December 2007, however, still was 7.9
percent higher than the 5-year historical average of 2.67
million MMcf. The downturn in underground storage for
2007 can be traced to increased consumption. Total U.S.
natural gas consumption rose 6.6 percent in 2007, rising
to 21.27 million MMcf from 19.94 million MMcf in 2006.
Residential consumption grew 8.1 percent, commercial
consumption expanded 6.1 percent, industrial consumption inched up 2.1 percent, and consumption by electric
utilities for power generation jumped 10.5 percent.14
combination of increasing coal stocks and rising demand.
During 2007, stocks (coal inventory stored for future use)
grew 1.3 percent, to 189 million short tons, but total coal
consumption edged up 1.5 percent, to 1.229 billion short
tons.16 The PPI for electric power moved up 4.9 percent
in 2007, after rising 3.2 percent a year earlier, as prices
for residential, commercial, and industrial electric power
each rose more than they had in 2006.17 Coal,18 which
generates a little less than 50 percent of electric power
domestically, has increased in price roughly 50 percent in
the last 7 years.19 About 20 percent of electric power is
generated from natural gas,20 and in 2007, prices for both
wellhead natural gas and utility natural gas sold to electric
utilities declined at much slower rates than they did in the
preceding year.
Foods and related products
Liquefied petroleum gas. The PPI for liquefied petroleum
gas surged 59.1 percent in 2007, after falling 15.1 percent in 2006. The category for liquefied petroleum gases
includes products such as propane, ethane, butane, and
isobutane. Liquefied petroleum gases can be derived from
either natural gas or crude petroleum, and the steep acceleration in crude oil prices, along with the much slower
rate of decrease in prices for wellhead natural gas, contributed to this reversal. In addition, year-end stocks for liquefied petroleum gases, which were 113.1 million barrels
in 2006, dropped to roughly 95.2 million barrels in 2007,
a 15.8-percent decline.15
The PPI for finished consumer foods advanced 7.6 percent in 2007, following gains of 1.7 percent in both 2006
and 2005. Accounting for this acceleration, prices for
dairy products, fresh and dry vegetables, and beef and veal
turned up in 2007, while the indexes for eggs for fresh
use and processed young chickens rose more than they
did in 2006. On the other hand, price increases slowed
from 2006 to 2007 for fresh fruits and melons and for
processed fruits and vegetables. The pork index fell more
than it had in the prior year. (See table 3.)
At the earlier stages of processing, prices for intermediate foods and feeds jumped 17.2 percent in 2007, subsequent to a 4.7-percent increase in the previous year. The
indexes for prepared animal feeds, flour, and for shortening
and cooking oils rose more rapidly than they did in 2006,
and prices for fluid milk products; natural, processed, and
imitation cheese; and for beef and veal turned up in 2007.
By contrast, the indexes for refined sugar and byproducts
and for pork fell at faster rates than in 2006.
The PPI for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs climbed
24.9 percent in 2007, compared with a 2.8-percent gain
in 2006. This acceleration can be traced primarily to surging prices for raw fluid milk, which jumped 52.4 percent
in 2007, after falling 4.7 percent in 2006. The index for
slaughter cattle turned up in 2007, while prices for soybeans and wheat rose at faster rates than they had in 2006.
In contrast, rising prices for corn and for fresh fruits and
melons slowed in 2007, and the index for slaughter hogs
fell more than in the previous year.
Coal and electric power. The PPI for coal advanced 3.2
percent in 2007. Coal prices in 2007 were influenced by a
Raw fluid milk and processed dairy products. Raw fluid
milk prices reached record levels in 2007, rising 52.4 per-
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
Table 3.
Annual percentage changes in Producer Price Indexes for selected foods and related products,
2003–07
Index
2003
2004
2005
Finished consumer foods.....................................................
7.7 3.1
1.7
Dairy products........................................................................
6.8
9.1
–2.6
Fresh and dry vegetables................................................... 37.9
–13.9 34.3
Beef and veal...........................................................................
27.1
–3.8 3.2
Eggs for fresh use.................................................................. 40.5
–29.4
5.0
Processed young chickens.................................................
19.9
–.9
–3.1
Fresh fruits and melons....................................................... 30.5
18.0
–12.2
Processed fruits and vegetables......................................
.4 3.1 3.4
Pork.............................................................................................
6.8
22.1
–8.2
Intermediate foods and feeds...........................................
Prepared animal feeds . ......................................................
Fluid milk products ..............................................................
Flour...........................................................................................
Natural, processed, and imitation cheese....................
Shortening and cooking oils.............................................
Refined sugar and byproducts.........................................
12.9
–2.3
14.7
–11.1
9.3
5.0
5.0 4.9
8.6
14.0
16.1
.2
.8
–.8
Crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs.......................................
24.1
–2.6
Fluid milk..................................................................................
16.1
19.1
Slaughter cattle...................................................................... 35.4
–10.9
Soybeans.................................................................................. 40.7
–29.7
Wheat......................................................................................... 4.0
–5.0
Corn............................................................................................
6.8
–22.9
Slaughter hogs.......................................................................
20.7 48.7
cent, after falling 4.7 percent in 2006. This resulted from
a combination of higher demand and lower supplies, as
well as from higher production costs for milk. In 2007,
expanding economies in China, India, and other developing nations caused an increased demand for milk proteins,
while a drought in Australia reduced world milk supplies.
Furthermore, the weakened dollar resulted in increased
export demand for domestically produced milk and milkrelated products throughout the year. Milk production
costs were higher for farmers, as the price for dairy cattle
feeds such as alfalfa hay, corn, and soybeans all rose significantly in 2007.
The increase in raw fluid milk costs were consequently
passed on to manufacturers of processed fluid milk products and of natural, processed, and imitation cheese. The
index for processed fluid milk products moved up 25.9
percent in 2007, after edging down 1.4 percent in the
previous year. Prices for natural, processed, and imitation
cheese advanced 32.1 percent in 2007, subsequent to a
3.1-percent decline in 2006.
Vegetables and fruits. The index for fresh and dry vegetables advanced 20.0 percent in 2007, following an 11.9percent decline a year earlier. Prices rose over the first four
months of 2007 but then plummeted in May to nearly
2006
2007
1.7
7.6
–.5
23.7
–11.9
20.0
–8.3
2.6
22.2
56.4
2.6
7.0
29.5
6.5
8.3 3.3
–.6
–2.7
2.4 4.7
17.2
5.6
11.8
20.1
1.0
–1.4
25.9
2.6
11.9
55.6
–7.7
–3.1 32.1
–3.3
11.0
25.4
18.5
–.5
–9.4
1.6
–9.8
9.5
7.0
–1.0
.7
–14.7
2.8
–4.7
–9.8
7.9
22.3
79.2
–4.4
24.9
52.4
8.2
76.8
109.0
21.5
–12.4
their lowest level of the year as supplies became plentiful
for eastern and western based crops. By October, however,
vegetable prices had rebounded 29.0 percent due to a reduction in planted acreage for the fall broccoli and cauliflower crop in California, as well as to increased demand
for lettuce.
The index for fresh fruits and melons increased 6.5
percent, after jumping 29.5 percent in 2006. Fruit prices
in 2007 were affected by a combination of seasonal factors
and weather conditions. The start of 2007 experienced
low prices for citrus fruits due to seasonally high supplies.
However, this trend was almost immediately reversed
when California and Arizona were hit by an extended
deep freeze that began January 11 and destroyed crops
throughout these states. When the freeze hit, the state of
California estimated that about $960 million in citrus was
still on the trees and that 75 percent of it may have been
lost.21 These losses were even more devastating to supply
levels and prices due to the fact that the forecasted 2006–
07 citrus crop for oranges, lemons, and specialty fruits
such as tangerines and tangelos was smaller than in years
past.22 California’s 2006–07 orange crop was forecasted at
1.7 million tons, 20 percent lower than the prior season
and potentially the smallest crop since 1998–99.23
Rising prices for processed fruits and vegetables slowed
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
PPI Highlights, 2007
from 8.3 percent in 2006 to 3.3 percent in 2007. Price
increases were spread over the entire year, as per capita
net domestic use (a proxy for consumption) of processing vegetables (excluding potatoes, sweet potatoes, and
mushrooms) increased 3 percent to about 119 pounds in
2007.24
Grains, soybeans, and prepared animal feeds. Prices for
overall grains have risen steadily in 2006 and 2007, increasing 59.2 and 40.8 percent, respectively. Higher prices
in 2007 were primarily the result of a 109.0-percent surge
in wheat prices and a 21.5-percent gain in corn prices.
Wheat prices jumped as a result of inclement weather.
Also, U.S. wheat ending stocks projections for 2007–08
were lowered 32 million bushels reflecting higher expected domestic use and exports.25 At 280 million bushels,
the projected 2007–08 ending stocks were the lowest in
60 years.26 The value of the declining dollar against other
major currencies also has made U.S. agricultural products
attractive in foreign markets. According to U.S. Export
Sales, accumulated exports of U.S. wheat were up 67.2
percent in 2007, compared with a year earlier.27 Corn prices also were higher in 2007 due to high demand for ethanol, animal feed, and exports. Corn is the major source of
ethanol in the United States and has become increasingly
popular as it has transformed from a simple grain used
primarily to feed livestock into the desired commodity
used to produce alternative fuels.
The soybean index surged 76.8 percent in 2007, after
rising 7.9 percent a year earlier. Prices rose in 2007 as
farmers displaced soybean acreage for that of corn which
was seen as more financially rewarding.28 Farmers generally rotate their acres between corn and soybeans. However, once corn was established as a high-profit crop due
to the boom in ethanol demand, farmers changed their
planting behavior and planted more corn at the expense of
soybean acreage, decreasing soybean production and further increasing the price of soybean meal. Soybean prices
were also pushed higher due to increased demand, as soybean oil has become a major input to bio-diesel production. Furthermore, world trade for soybeans has increased
37 percent since 2001 and imports by China, the world’s
leading soybean importer, have accounted for all of the
increase including an offset of a small decline in the rest of
the world.29 China’s soybean imports have increased by 24
million tons in the last 6 years, reflecting a sharp growth
in protein meal consumption.30 China now accounts for
almost one-half of global soybean imports.31
The prepared animal feeds index advanced 20.1 percent in 2007, after an 11.8-percent gain in 2006. Higher
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
input prices—for corn, soybeans, and wheat—were passed
through to prices for prepared animal feeds throughout
the year. Animal feed prices also were affected by poor
weather in 2007 that limited the use of pasture for livestock grazing, which in turn increased feed demand.
Slaughter cattle and beef and veal. The index for slaughter cattle turned up 8.2 percent in 2007, following a 9.8percent decline a year earlier. The cattle industry in 2007
was mainly affected by two factors: high feed costs and
increased slaughter rates, which led to an end of herd expansions. In late 2006, corn prices skyrocketed as the demand for ethanol increased substantially. Consequently,
prices of substitute feed crops such as soybeans, hay, and
barley also rose. Increased feed costs led to higher slaughter rates, as the margins per head of cattle drastically
shrunk to the point that cattlemen were losing money on
each animal and were better off sending them to slaughter than continuing to feed them. Slaughter cattle prices
remained strong through much of 2007, despite increased
slaughter rates, as higher feed costs were partially passed
through when fed cattle reached market. According to
Joel L. Greene, livestock analyst for the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA), “The U.S. cattle herd expansion
that began in 2004 came to a halt during 2007.” He cites
the annual Cattle report, which “estimated that the number of cattle and calves on January 1, 2008 was 96.7 million head, down 0.3 percent from a year earlier.” Moreover, the beef cow herd was down to nearly 32.6 million
head, a drop of about 1 percent from the previous year,
and “the smallest beef cow herd since 1991.”32 The 2007
calf crop was 37.2 million head, slightly smaller than the
2006 calf crop, signaling that the total number of cattle is
set to decrease over the next several years.33
Following a story similar to that of slaughter cattle, prices for beef and veal rose 2.6 percent in 2007, after moving
down 8.3 percent in 2006. Beef production increased as a
result of higher slaughter rates. In 2007, the slaughter rate
was 34,274 thousand head, up 1.7 percent from 2006.34
As a result, commercial beef production increased to an
estimated 26,345 million pounds, up 0.8 percent from
the 2006 total of 26,153 million pounds.35 Despite the
increase of beef supply, prices rose in 2007 due to renewed
foreign demand. U.S. beef and veal exports increased 24.5
percent from 2006 and are up 105 percent from 2005.36
Poultry products. The index for processed young chickens
rose 7.0 percent in 2007, after increasing 2.6 percent in
the preceding year. Prices for eggs for fresh use surged
56.4 percent following a 22.2-percent rise in 2006. Poul-
try product price increases in 2007 were primarily due to
higher feed costs, which resulted from higher corn and
soybean prices. Another factor was increased fuel costs associated with transporting poultry products to markets,
costs that ultimately were passed on to buyers.
Slaughter hogs and processed pork. The indexes for slaughter hogs and processed pork were major decliners in 2007,
falling 12.4 and 2.7 percent, respectively. Hog producers
had been expanding their breeding herds over the last few
years due to favorable breeding conditions, so unlike the
livestock and poultry sectors, an increase in slaughter rates
negatively affected prices for slaughter hogs and processed
pork.37 Additionally, a flood of Canadian swine entered
American slaughterhouses during the year resulting in a
supply glut that pushed prices lower.38
Flour. The index for flour increased 55.6 percent in
2007, after an 11.9-percent gain in 2006. Flour prices rose
throughout most of 2007, and they accelerated during the
final quarter of the year as demand increased in preparation for the fall baking season. The advance in flour prices
was ultimately the result of higher acquisition and storage
costs of wheat. Flour mills not adjacent to large wheat
growing areas needed to store millions of dollars worth
of their purchased wheat. To finance the storage, millers
Table 4.
Cooking oils. Prices for shortening and cooking oils
climbed 25.4 percent in 2007, after rising 11.0 percent in
the previous year. Oilseeds, which are inputs to oils and
shortenings, shot up dramatically during the year. These
products include soybeans, cottonseeds, peanuts, and sunflowers. To take advantage of historically high corn prices,
farmers diverted precious acreage usually reserved for oilseeds to corn, which significantly depleted supplies of oilseeds. The supply situation was worsened by a prolonged
drought in the Southeast that negatively affected peanut
production.
Finished goods other than foods and energy
The PPI for finished goods other than foods and energy,
commonly known as the finished core index, advanced 2.0
percent in 2007, the same rate as in 2006. (See table 4.) In
2007, rising prices for pharmaceutical products, cigarettes,
civilian aircraft, pet food, cosmetics and other toilet preparations, commercial furniture, heavy motor trucks, communication and related equipment, and book publishing
Annual percentage changes in Producer Price Indexes for selected finished goods other than foods and
energy, 2003–07
Index
Finished goods other than foods and energy............
needed to borrow money and run a line of credit. Hence,
production costs for millers were compounded by a combination of interest paid on borrowed money in conjunction with the higher prices paid for wheat.
2003
2004
2005
1.0
2.3
1.4
2006
2007
2.0
2.0
Cigarettes.................................................................................
–.8
1.1 4.8
.8
9.2
Jewelry, platinum and karat gold.................................... 3.2
2.0 3.5 4.4
6.4
Pet food.....................................................................................
.4
7.3
1.0 3.3
6.0
Pharmaceutical preparations............................................ 4.7 4.4
6.0 3.6
5.1
Civilian aircraft........................................................................
6.1
7.1 3.9
5.3 3.3
Heavy motor trucks..............................................................
–1.9 3.4
5.3 4.7
2.9
Book publishing..................................................................... 4.0 4.6 3.7 4.6
2.9
Aircraft and aircraft equipment........................................ 3.6 4.3 3.3 4.2
2.9
Sporting and athletic goods..............................................
–2.2
1.3
.5
2.1
2.8
Commercial furniture...........................................................
.7 3.8 3.4
2.3
2.3
Household furniture.............................................................
.3 3.5 3.7
2.1
1.2
Cosmetics and other toilet preparations......................
.7
.7
1.7
1.7
1.4
Communication and related equipment......................
–.9
–2.1
–.7
–.2
1.2
Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and industrial molds............
–.9
.1
2.5
1.0
–.2
Home electronic equipment.............................................
–1.5
–4.8
–4.7
–2.5
–4.7
Light motor trucks.................................................................
2.3
1.0
–5.9
1.5
–.7
Passenger cars........................................................................
2.0
1.7
–3.4
–.3
–1.5
X-ray and electromedical equipment............................
–.7
–3.4
–1.6
–.4
–2.8
Electronic computers...........................................................
–17.1
–12.3
–23.2
–22.8
–23.1
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
PPI Highlights, 2007
outweighed falling prices for electronic computers, light
motor trucks, passenger cars, home electronic equipment,
and x-ray and electromedical equipment.
processing, and labeling for pet food,42 which has led to
increased demand for higher priced domestic grain and
meat byproducts.
Pharmaceutical preparations. Prices for pharmaceutical
preparations advanced 5.1 percent in 2007, after rising 3.6
percent a year earlier. Pharmaceutical companies hiked
prices on patent protected drugs to regain margin as their
non-protected portfolios experienced lower demand due
to an increased presence of generic substitutes. Pharmaceutical companies also raised prices in order to generate
positive revenue comparisons in 2007 relative to those in
2006, when revenues were driven by the positive effect of
the increased volume from the implementation of Medicare Part D, the retirees’ prescription drug plan. Also impacting this index in 2007 were the costs associated with
a number of high profile drug recalls and withdrawals
along with the negative effects of a limited number of
novel drug approvals.
Intermediate materials less foods and energy
Cigarettes. The cigarettes index advanced 9.2 percent
in 2007, following a 0.8-percent gain in the preceding
year. The impetus for this price movement was higher
mandated Master Settlement Arrangement (MSA) payments—the money tobacco companies must pay to help
Federal and state governments pay for their tobacco related health care costs and in smoking prevention efforts.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates the total annual health care expenditures caused
by cigarette smoking at $75 billion.39
Civilian aircraft. After rising 5.3 percent in 2006, prices
for civilian aircraft advanced 3.3 percent in 2007. This index has risen at an average annual rate of 4.1 percent over
the last 10 years. Civilian aircraft sales grew 16 percent in
2007, as the expanding worldwide economy led to solid
demand for commercial transport and business jets.40
Shipments of general aviation aircraft totaled 4,272 units
in 2007, the most in 25 years, as shipments of business
jets topped 1,000 units for the first time in history.41
Pet food. Prices for pet food moved up 6.0 percent in
2007, following a 3.3-percent gain a year earlier. Pet food
consists mainly of grain, oilseed, and of grain and meat
byproducts—inputs that all rose in price over the year.
This industry was severely affected in 2007 when pet food
with melamine-contaminated wheat gluten from China
caused the illness and death of many dogs and cats in
the United States. In response to this scandal, new regulations were passed requiring standards for ingredients,
10
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
The PPI for intermediate materials less foods and energy
rose 3.3 percent in 2007, compared with a 4.5-percent
increase in 2006. Leading the deceleration in the intermediate core index, the rate of advance for the materials
for durable manufacturing index slowed to 1.7 percent in
2007, following an increase of 12.5 percent a year earlier.
Contributing to a lesser extent, the index for materials
and components for construction moved up 2.0 percent,
after rising 4.3 percent in the prior year. By contrast, prices for materials for nondurable manufacturing advanced
12.8 percent compared with a 1.2-percent gain in 2006.
(See table 5.) Over the last 4 years, prices for intermediate goods other than foods and energy have advanced
22.5 percent—more than 80 percent of the index’s 27.3
percent gain over the 10-year period going back to 1997.
Materials for durable manufacturing. The PPI for materials for durable manufacturing rose 1.7 percent in 2007,
after climbing 12.5 percent in 2006. Leading this price
deceleration, the primary nonferrous metals index moved
up 3.9 percent in 2007, following a 32.7-percent surge in
the prior year. Prices for cold rolled steel sheet and strip,
copper and brass mill shapes, and aluminum mill shapes,
all of which increased dramatically in 2006, turned down
in 2007, as a slowing U.S. economy and ample supplies
negatively affected pricing.
Pricing for primary nonferrous metals is mainly determined by two components of this index—copper cathode
and primary aluminum—both of which exhibited divergent price activity in 2007. The index for copper cathode
rose 15.7 percent, subsequent to a 39.3-percent gain in
2006; this index has more than tripled since 2002. Copper
demand had benefited from the housing boom—a typical 2,100-square-foot house uses 439 pounds of copper.43
In 2007, depleted commodity exchange copper inventories and lower copper production due to labor unrest in
Canada, Chile, Mexico, and Peru led to supply concerns
and higher prices.44 Demand from China, currently the
world’s largest copper consumer, grew 13 percent in 2007
to 3.99 million tons.45 Price increases for copper cathode were moderated by lower demand for construction
purposes due to the domestic housing market downturn
and the increased use of less expensive plastic substitutes.
The index for primary aluminum declined 12.9 percent
Table 5.
Annual percentage changes in Producer Price Indexes for selected intermediate materials other than
foods and energy, 2003–07
Index
Intermediate goods other than foods and
energy .................................................................................
2003
2.1
2004
2005
2006
2007
8.3 4.8 4.5 3.3
Materials for durable manufacturing....................... 4.0
18.3
5.9
12.5
1.7
Primary nonferrous metals............................................
13.5
24.9
29.9 32.7 3.9
Copper cathode.............................................................
29.5 46.8
50.0 39.3
15.7
Primary aluminum, except extrusion billet..........
10.4
20.1
18.0
18.1
–12.9
Steel mill products...........................................................
1.7 48.8
–3.8
11.6
.9
Cold rolled steel sheet and strip...............................
–.2 35.5
–1.2 41.2
–9.1
Aluminum mill shapes....................................................
–.5
9.9
5.0
12.7
–1.7
Copper and brass mill shapes......................................
11.6
29.6 31.0 44.4
–3.0
Construction materials and components................ 3.0
10.1
6.1 4.3
2.0
Nonferrous wire and cable............................................
5.7
13.5
21.1
21.8
2.3
Plywood............................................................................... 31.3
–3.4
–2.9
–8.3
7.3
Fabricated structural metal products........................
.6
17.6
2.9 4.7
2.3
Concrete products............................................................
1.5
7.6
10.1
8.1 3.8
Paving mixtures and blocks.......................................... 3.7 4.3
14.3
27.6
1.6
Asphalt felts and coatings.............................................
6.3 4.1
15.3
5.0
1.4
Treated wood.....................................................................
9.4 3.3 3.8
–6.6
1.1
Softwood lumber..............................................................
8.3
9.9
–.4
–15.2
–4.0
Building paper and board............................................. 38.6
–1.0
1.0
–13.6
–13.6
Gypsum products.............................................................
2.8
20.0
18.8
5.5
–22.1
Materials for nondurable manufacturing............... 4.9
13.7
Industrial chemicals.........................................................
8.1
24.6
Basic organic chemicals..............................................
9.3 30.3
Basic inorganic chemicals...........................................
2.9
7.3
Fats and oils, inedible......................................................
29.4
–15.6
Fertilizer materials............................................................
20.9
15.2
Plastic resins and materials...........................................
6.4
28.6
Paperboard.........................................................................
–4.1
12.3
in 2007, following an 18.1-percent advance a year earlier. Aluminum is a plentiful resource produced through
an energy intensive process. With a 50-percent advance
in aluminum prices between 2003 and 2006, restarts of
domestic aluminum smelters drove a 14-percent increase
in production in 2007 (about 300 million tons), which
combined with a decrease in consumption, led to lower
prices.46
Materials and components for construction. Prices for materials and components for construction moved up 2.0 percent
in 2007, compared with a 4.3-percent gain in 2006. The indexes for paving mixtures and blocks, nonferrous wire and
cable, concrete products, fabricated structural metal products, and steel mill products rose less than they had a year
earlier, in response to a weaker construction environment.
The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the annual value of residential construction put in place declined
18 percent in 2007 to $532.6 billion, the lowest amount
8.9
1.2
12.8
13.6 4.0
16.3
12.6
.4
17.3
17.7
16.4
10.4
11.9
12.4 48.9
15.6
–8.3 43.4
10.8
–7.8
9.7
–3.0
13.6
6.0
since 2003. Residential construction accounts for roughly
one half of total construction in the United States.47
Despite a slowdown in construction, prices for plywood
advanced 7.3 percent in 2007, after decreasing 8.3 percent
a year earlier. Plywood pricing is volatile and can be affected by factors outside of residential construction such
as mill operations, dollar valuation, and regional weather
patterns. The weak dollar supported domestic plywood
prices in 2007 by limiting the price competitiveness of
imported products; rainy weather in the southern half of
the United States also led to reduced plywood supplies.
Materials for nondurable manufacturing. The index for
materials for nondurable manufacturing jumped 12.8
percent in 2007, following a 1.2-percent gain in the previous year. Prices for basic organic chemicals surged 17.3
percent, after edging up 0.4 percent in 2006. The index for
fertilizer materials climbed in 2007, as soaring food prices
drove demand for fertilizer as a means of improving crop
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 11
PPI Highlights, 2007
yield. Prices for plastic resins and materials turned up in
2007, while the index for inedible fats and oils advanced
more than it had a year earlier. By contrast, the paperboard
index moved up 6.0 percent following a 13.6-percent gain
in the preceding year. Prices for basic inorganic chemicals,
paper, and synthetic rubber also advanced at slower rates
than in 2006.
Similar to their aggregate, components of the basic
organic chemicals index increased over the course of the
year, as prices for primary, intermediate, and miscellaneous
basic organic chemicals rose 27.8 percent, 8.8 percent,
and 5.4 percent, respectively. This broad-based advance
was driven by the rising price of crude oil. Basic organic
chemicals are separated from crude at petrochemical refineries through a variety of extraction processes termed
cracking; thus, higher prices for oil have adversely affected
chemical production costs—resulting in increased prices
for basic organics.
29.4 percent in 2007, following a 2.9-percent rise in 2006,
primarily due to increased foreign demand. The International Iron and Steel Institute reported that although U.S.
steel production declined 4.9 percent in 2007, world steel
production still grew 7.5 percent.48 Buyers in the Middle
East—Turkey and Dubai—have stepped up purchases of
U.S. iron and steel scrap, as their previous supplier, Russia,
has limited exports to service internal demand.49 The weak
dollar also has supported the domestic scrap market by
increasing the price of imports.
Crude nonfood materials less energy
Wastepaper. The wastepaper index jumped 53.4 percent
in 2007 led by a 62.5-percent surge in wastepaper exports
prices. Wastepaper export volume rose by 9 percent to 15.6
million metric tons (mmt), with China accounting for 52
percent of the total volume.51 China’s surging economy
grew 11.4 percent in 2007, the fifth consecutive year of
greater than 10 percent growth.52 Paperboard is a necessary component in economic growth, because it is used to
package manufactured products; China is dependent on
paper imports, because it does not have sufficient amounts
of natural forestland.
The PPI for crude nonfood materials less energy surged
15.6 percent in 2007, following a 17.0-percent climb in
2006. (See table 6.) Prices for basic industrial materials
have increased at an average rate of 16.0 percent over the
last 5 years. On average, this index rose at a 5.1-percent
annual rate over the previous 25 years. Despite a slowing domestic economy, basic materials prices moved up
steadily in 2007 as investors sought relative safety from
inflation fears and the weaker dollar sparked higher export demand for commodities.
Iron and steel scrap. Prices for iron and steel scrap jumped
Table 6.
Gold ores. Prices for gold ores soared 24.9 percent in
2007 building on a 21.3-percent gain a year earlier. Gold
demand has turned inelastic—higher prices had little effect on demand, as investors viewed gold as a safe haven
against a declining dollar, inflation, and geopolitical risk.
Additionally, gold production has declined, because no
new major deposits have been found in the last 5 years.50
Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone. The construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone index advanced
Annual percentage changes in Producer Price Indexes for selected crude nonfood materials less energy,
2003–07
Index
Crude nonfood materials less energy............................
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
21.6
20.5
5.2
17.0
15.6
Wastepaper.................................................................................
8.7
17.3
–9.1
Iron and steel scrap.................................................................
64.9
50.8
–10.8
Gold ore.......................................................................................
24.2
8.8
17.9
Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone..............
2.4 4.3
7.7
Copper base scrap................................................................... 30.7 34.5
51.9
Iron ore.........................................................................................
1.6
6.7
15.5
Copper ores................................................................................ 37.4
65.1 39.3
Softwood logs, bolts, and timber.......................................
–.1
5.3
2.3
Aluminum base scrap.............................................................
11.5
12.9
12.8
12
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
19.1
53.4
2.9
29.4
21.3
24.9
9.3
8.4
50.0 3.1
7.5
1.3
53.1
–1.7
–7.4
–5.3
23.7
–5.8
8.4 percent in 2007 as lower supplies and increased transport charges drove prices higher despite a slowdown in
U.S. construction demand. In 2007, U.S. construction
spending declined 2.6 percent—the largest decrease since
2002—leading to a 16-percent decline in production for
both crushed stone and for construction sand and gravel.53
Nevertheless, prices still rose for this commodity due to
higher transport charges, an important component in aggregate pricing, as well as the impact of a ruling in a Florida court case that limited Florida aggregate production
and sent builders scrambling for alternative supplies.54
Services
Trade industries. The index for total trade industries
rose 3.9 percent in 2007. Trade indexes measure changes
in margins received by wholesalers and retailers. Higher
margins received by gasoline stations; merchant wholesalers of durable goods; grocery stores; merchant wholesalTable 7
ers of nondurable goods; automobile dealers; department
stores; automotive parts, accessories, and tire stores; and
health and personal care stores outweighed lower margins
received by electronics and appliance stores. (See table 7.)
The margin index for gasoline stations jumped 26.9
percent in 2007, after increasing 8.7 percent in 2006. Gasoline margins typically represent only pennies per gallon
that consumers purchase at the pumps. Large changes in
the index are usually indicative of retailers either trying
to maintain market share (by decreasing margins) as supplier prices rise or recouping lost revenue (by increasing
margins) as supplier prices fall. Long-term price change
is the result of increases in the cost of doing business for
retailers. Gasoline retailers were hit particularly hard in
2007 as supplier fuel prices increased to sustained levels
not previously seen. For example, as the result of consumers increasingly using credit cards to pay for higher
priced gasoline, retailers faced much higher costs of doing business for credit card fees.55 Short-term fluctuations
Annual percentage changes in Producer Price Indexes for selected services industries, 2003–07
Index
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Total trade industries ...........................................................
Wholesale trade.....................................................................
Durable goods...................................................................
Nondurable goods...........................................................
Retail trade...............................................................................
Gasoline stations...............................................................
Grocery stores....................................................................
Automobile dealers.........................................................
Department stores...........................................................
Automotive parts and accessories, tire stores........
Health and personal care stores..................................
Electronics and appliance stores.................................
–
–
–
– 3.9
–
–
–
– 3.0
–
–
1.7
5.8 4.0
–
– 4.6
7.6
1.6
–
–
–
– 4.5
7.2
24.8
–19.2
8.7
26.9
–
7.4
6.3
–.4 4.5
–
2.3 4.0 4.4 4.1
– 4.7
–1.0
–.1 4.2
1.6
10.4
–.3 4.7
9.5
–
7.2 4.4
6.8 3.6
–
–6.4
1.8
–1.7
–4.7
Transportation and warehousing....................................
Couriers.....................................................................................
Scheduled passenger air transportation......................
Inland water freight transportation................................
Line-haul railroads................................................................
U.S. Postal Service..................................................................
Truck transportation.............................................................
Freight transportation arrangement..............................
Coastal and Great Lakes freight transportation.........
Deep sea freight transportation......................................
–
–
–
9.1
1.9
–1.5
–.2
7.6
2.3
7.4
0
0
–
5.5
.3
.9
–
2.6
8.7 3.1
–
–
6.6
8.2 3.0
12.3
7.7
–1.1
9.0
20.0
14.0 4.2
13.1
1.9
9.2
0
6.3
6.6
5.4
2.1 3.8
.8
–1.8
1.9
11.4
7.2
10.6
.3
.2
–.2
Total traditional services......................................................
–
–
–
–
1.8
General medical and surgical hospitals......................... 4.9 4.6 4.2 3.9 3.8
Offices of physicians (except mental health)...............
2.2
1.5
1.9
1.1 4.0
Direct health and medical insurance.............................
8.7 4.0 4.8 3.7 3.3
Portfolio management........................................................
11.8
9.9
10.1
5.8
9.8
Offices of lawyers...................................................................
2.8 4.3
6.1 4.9
5.6
Hotels and motels (except casino)..................................
–
2.9
7.4 4.1
6.3
Nursing care facilities........................................................... 4.3 3.9 3.6
2.9
5.6
Commercial banking............................................................
–
1.3
11.5
1.3
–5.5
NOTE: Dashes indicate data unavailable.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 13
PPI Highlights, 2007
throughout the year are usually the result of supply and
demand circumstances. In 2007, gasoline margins were
volatile early in the year before starting their upward
climb in the spring, when demand increased as the driving season commenced. Between March and June, gasoline station margins increased nearly 31 percent, reflecting
an increase in gasoline demand of about three percent,56
while inventories fell 0.4 percent from their first quarter
levels.57 Throughout the second half of the year, margins
were volatile, although they trended downward, reflecting
a 2.0-percent decrease in demand,58 in combination with
a 1.5-percent increase in inventory levels.59
Margins received by grocery stores turned up 4.5 percent in 2007, following a 0.4-percent decline in 2006.
A major factor influencing grocers’ margins are energy
prices, because grocers use significant amounts of energy
for both refrigeration of perishable inventory and climate
control in their stores. During 2007, commercial electric
power prices rose 3.8 percent,60 closely reflecting the increase in grocery store margins.
The index for total wholesale trade industries rose 3.0
percent in 2007, as margins received by merchant wholesalers of durable goods advanced 4.0 percent, and margins
received by merchant wholesalers of nondurable goods
rose 1.6 percent in 2007.
The index for durable goods wholesalers followed its
historical pattern with a large January increase that reflected wholesalers’ traditional attempts to push price
increases through at the start of the year to retailers, in
combination with the removal of holiday promotions. In
December, margins jumped 2.6 percent due to strong demand for industrial machinery and equipment and lower
supplies of computers and related products.61
The margin index for wholesalers of nondurable goods
declined in early spring as clothing wholesalers attempted
to clear out relatively high inventories prior to receiving
shipments for the summer season,62 and alcohol wholesalers received lower margins as increased demand for lowermargin malt beverages outweighed demand for other types
of higher-margin alcoholic products.63 Margins dropped
another 2 percent in June due to decreased demand for
chemical products coupled with higher inventories for
farm products, grocery items, and apparel.64 August saw
a spike of 3.6 percent due to increased margins for motor oil, pharmaceuticals, and food products, particularly
poultry and cheese. Margins remained volatile until late in
the year, when they fell 2.6 percent in December. The drop
was mainly a result of lower margins received for chemicals, prescription pharmaceuticals, plastics, and motor oils
due to the high prices of petroleum-derived products that
14 Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
wholesalers were unable to pass on to retailers.65
The index for automobile dealers rose 4.1 percent in
2007, following a 4.4-percent increase in 2006. This index measures changes in margins collected by automobile
dealers for vehicle sales and also through their service and
parts operations. In 2007, the index for automobile dealers advanced 1.2 percent in January as a result of dealers
receiving a large boost in revenue for their roles as intermediaries for financing and insurance services provided
during 2006. The index fell 1.4 percent between June and
October reflecting lower margin on vehicle sales due to
automobile dealers discounting efforts to increase sales of
current model-year vehicles prior to the introduction of
the 2008 models. The index jumped 2.6 percent in December, as automobile dealers raised prices for service
labor and parts in anticipation of upcoming cost of living
increases for employees and for increases in parts costs,
which typically take effect at the start of the year.
Transportation and warehousing industries. The index for
transportation and warehousing industries advanced 6.6
percent in 2007. The index for total transportation and
warehousing industries measures changes in prices received by companies identified as providing transportation services, as well as delivery and warehousing services.
Higher prices received by the industries for couriers, air
transportation, inland water freight transportation, linehaul railroads, the U.S. Postal Service, truck transportation, freight transportation arrangement, coastal and
Great Lakes freight transportation, and for warehousing
and storage more than offset lower prices received by the
industry for deep sea freight transportation.
The increase in the index for couriers accelerated to
12.3 percent in 2007, after advancing 3.0 percent in 2006.
Prices spiked 8.1 percent in January 2007 as courier companies folded their 2006 fuel surcharges into their 2007
base rates, while reducing, although not eliminating, fuel
surcharges going forward. For most of the remainder of
the year, couriers modified their fuel surcharges based on
changes in diesel fuel prices, typically with a two-month
lag. Prices increased late in the year, reflecting increased
demand for delivery of holiday purchases.
The index for the scheduled passenger air transportation industry turned up 9.0 percent in 2007, after falling
1.1 percent in 2006. Prices increased in the first quarter
of the year due to a combination of strong demand and
higher fuel costs, as North American passenger air traffic
increased 6.1 percent while capacity rose only 5.2 percent over previous year levels,66 and jet fuel prices ended
the quarter 6.7 percent higher than their previous year’s
levels.67 Prices for air transportation spiked again in the
summer, reflecting a further reduction in capacity as airlines shifted to smaller planes, while demand continued to
increase with the summer travel season.68 Prices remained
volatile for the rest of the year, as lower air travel demand
was offset by higher fuel prices.
The increase in the index for inland water freight transportation slowed to 4.2 percent in 2007, after jumping
14.0 percent in 2006. The first quarter of 2007 saw lower
prices received as poor winter weather closed a number of
inland waterways. Once shipping was able to consistently
resume following the spring thaw, stagnant market conditions for steel and agriculture resulted in lower demand.
Prices spiked in the summer and early autumn due to increased demand for farm and related products. Inland water freight prices reversed course again in November and
December as the worsening economy resulted in lower
demand for many domestically produced products.69
Traditional service industries. The index for total traditional service industries increased 1.8 percent in 2007.
Traditional service industries include industries related
to the dissemination of information, selected providers
of health care services, as well as other assorted service
industries. In 2007, increasing prices received by the industries for general medical and surgical hospitals, offices
of physicians (excluding mental health), direct health and
medical insurance carriers, portfolio management, offices
of lawyers, non-casino hotels and motels, and nursing care
facilities outweighed lower prices received by the commercial banking industry.
The index for general medical and surgical hospitals
increased 3.8 percent in 2007, nearly matching its 3.9 percent rise in 2006. This index consistently reflects two major increases each year which account for a majority of the
annual movement. Most of the movement in this index in
2007 occurred in January and October, which coincides
with the start of the new calendar year and the start of the
Federal government fiscal year, respectively. In January, an
increase of 0.8 percent reflected annual increases in hospital charges and renegotiations with insurance companies
for reimbursements. In October, an advance of 2.1 percent was the result of changes in Medicare and Medicaid
reimbursement rates which take effect at the start of the
government’s fiscal year. The effect of these rate increases
was offset somewhat by a new set of rules penalizing hospitals that declined to participate in Hospital Compare
reporting by reducing their Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements by 2 percent.70
The index for offices of physicians (excluding mental
health) advanced 4.0 percent in 2007, after rising 1.1 percent in 2006. Similar to the general medical and surgical
hospital index, there are principally two months which account for a majority of the price change for the offices of
physicians index. In January, prices received by physicians’
offices jumped 3.3 percent, reflecting changes in reimbursement rates for Medicare patients. In 2007, in an effort to encourage physician consultations and preventative
care, Medicare changed its reimbursement formulary to
be based on the amount of time the physicians spend with
individual patients.71 Additionally, offices often change
their fee schedules in January for self-paying patients, and
many offices increased their fees to offset higher liability
insurance rates and increased operating expenses incurred
throughout 2006. In September 2007, prices increased
0.6 percent reflecting the renegotiation of reimbursement
rates with private insurance companies.
Prices received by the direct health and medical insurance industry increased 3.3 percent in 2007, after
climbing 3.7 percent in 2006. With 2007 increases of 3.8
percent and 4.0 percent for general medical and surgical
hospitals and for physicians’ offices, respectively, the 3.3
percent increase for the direct health and medical insurance industry in 2007 reflects insurance companies attempts to keep pace with the cost of medical inflation.
Insurance rate increases were slightly lower than those for
the medical services areas reflecting attempts by employers to contain their insurance cost increases by negotiating for larger co-payments in lieu of substantially higher
insurance rates.
The index for portfolio management increased 9.8 percent in 2007, following a 5.8-percent rise in 2006. Prices
received by firms in the portfolio management industry
are partially determined by the appreciation of portfolios
of equities and debt securities. Most firms are typically
priced on a one quarter lag, with prices reported to the PPI
in the month following the end of each quarter. In 2007,
large increases of 4.4 percent, 1.3 percent, and 2.0 percent
were reported in January, April, and July, respectively, coinciding with the reports for the fourth quarter of 2006
and the first and second quarters of 2007. These increases
were partially caused by advances in the equity markets, as
illustrated by the Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 index, which
rose 16.2 percent from the beginning of the fourth quarter
of 2006 through the end of the second quarter of 2007.
Changes in the portfolio management index are typically
less volatile than those of the equity indexes due to the
inclusion of debt securities and cash in the portfolios. Following the autumn credit meltdown, the equity markets
turned lower, which was reflected by a 1.1-percent decline
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 15
PPI Highlights, 2007
for those firms that reported data for December.
The index for commercial banking turned down 5.5
percent in 2007, after advancing 1.3 percent in 2006. This
downturn was driven by a 21.5-percent decline in revenue
received for loan services in 2007. Noteworthy decreases
were observed for the following types of loan services: home
equity loans were down 24.6 percent; commercial, industrial, and agriculture loans, except real estate dropped 23.8
percent; and residential real estate loans were down 12.8
percent. By contrast, the deposit services index increased
11.5 percent for the year. Prices in the PPI banking indus-
tries reflect the difference between the revenue generated
and the sum of its implicit and explicit costs for a specific
type of banking activity such as commercial loans or auto
loans. To measure these costs, interest is allocated between
loans and deposits by means of a reference rate. Because
most of these loans have interest rates that are fixed at the
time the loan originates, most of the price movement in the
index is the result of the change in the reference rate. The
reference rate is based on the monetary policy of the Federal
Reserve. The Federal Reserve’s easing of monetary policy in
2007 had a dramatic effect on the reference rate.
Notes
1
The stage-of-processing indexes for finished, intermediate, and
crude goods other than foods and energy are commonly referred to as
the indexes for finished core, intermediate core, and crude core. Also, the
index for crude goods other than foods and energy often is referred to
as the index for crude nonfood materials less energy and basic industrial
materials.
To locate PPI data on the BLS Web site, visit data.bls.gov/cgibin/srgate and enter the series identifiers in question; for example, the
series identifier for the crude petroleum index is WPU056.
2
3
Oil Daily, Mar. 16, 2007, p. 1.
Annual Report, 2007 (Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries), pp. 6-9; on the Internet at http://www.opec.org/library/
Annual%20Reports/pdf/AR2007.pdf (visited May 22, 2008).
4
OPEC
5
“U.S. Total Crude Oil and Products Imports by Country of Origin”
(Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Navigator), on the
Internet at http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_impcus_
a2_nus_ep00_im0_mbbl_m.htm (visited March 28, 2008).
“U.S. Crude Oil Supply & Disposition” (Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Navigator), on the Internet at http://tonto.
eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_sum_crdsnd_adc_mbbl_m.htm (visited
March 28, 2008). The Energy Information Administration Web site is
located at http://www.eia.doe.gov.
6
The series identifiers for gasoline, home heating oil, diesel
fuel, and jet fuel are WPU0571, WPU057302, WPU057303, and
WPU057203.
7
8
“U.S. Total Weekly Inputs, Utilization, & Production” (Energy
Information Administration, Petroleum Navigator), on the Internet at
http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pnp_wiup_dcu_nus_w.htm
(visited March 28, 2008).
For collection purposes, the Energy Information Administration
(EIA) collects data for distillate fuel oil as a group. EIA defines distillate
fuel oil as a general classification for one of the petroleum fractions
produced in conventional distillation operations. It includes diesel
fuels and fuel oils. Products known as No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 diesel
fuel are used in on-highway diesel engines, such as those in trucks and
automobiles, as well as off-highway engines, such as those in railroad
locomotives and agricultural machinery. Products known as No. 1, No.
2, and No. 4 fuel oils are used primarily for space heating and electric
power generation. For more information, visit the Energy Information
Administration Web site at http://www.eia.doe.gov/glossary/index.
9
16
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
html (visited Apr. 28, 2008).
10
“U.S. Weekly Imports & Exports” (Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Navigator), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.
doe.gov/dnav/pet/pet_move_wkly_dc_NUS-Z00_mbblpd_w.htm
(visited March 28, 2008).
“U.S. Natural Gas Summary” (Energy Information Administration, Natural Gas Navigator), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.
doe.gov/dnav/ng/ng_sum_lsum_dcu_nus_m.htm (visited Apr. 11,
2008).
11
Working gas in underground storage is defined by the Energy Information Administration as the volume of gas in a reservoir that is in
addition to the cushion or base gas required for the reservoir to function. Base (cushion) gas is the volume of gas needed as a permanent
inventory to maintain adequate reservoir pressures and deliverability
rates. For more information, visit the Energy Information Administration Web site at http://www.eia.doe.gov.
12
“U.S. Natural Gas Summary” (Energy Information Administration, Natural Gas Navigator), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.
doe.gov/dnav/ng/ng_sum_lsum_dcu_nus_m.htm (visited Apr. 11,
2008).
13
14
Ibid.
“U.S. Total Stocks, 2002–2007” (Energy Information Administration, Petroleum Navigator), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.doe.
gov/dnav/pet/pet_stoc_typ_d_nus_SAE_mbbl_a.htm (visited Apr.
11, 2008).
15
“U.S. Coal Stocks, 2001–2007” (Energy Information Administration), table 29; on the Internet at http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/
coal/quarterly/html/t29p01p1.html (visited Apr. 15, 2008).
16
17
18
The series identifier for electric power is WPU054.
The series identifier for coal is WPU051.
“Net Generation by Energy Source by Type of Producer” (Energy
Information Administration, October 27, 2007), on the Internet at
http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epa/epat1p1.html (visited
Apr. 15, 2008).
19
20
Ibid.
Patricia Miller, “The Big Chill” (USDA Rural Development), on
the Internet at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/pub/mar07/big.
htm (visited May 21, 2008).
21
Susan Pollack and Agnes Perez, “Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook,
2006/07 U.S. Citrus Crop Forecast Smaller Than A Season Ago”
(USDA Economic Research Service, Report FTS-325), on the Internet
at http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/fts/2006/11Nov/FTS325.
pdf (visited May 21, 2008).
www.aia-aerospace.org/stats/yr_ender/yr_ender.cfm (visited July 2,
2008).
Gary Lucier and Rachael Dettmann, “Vegetables and Melons
Outlook, Domestic Use of Vegetables and Melons Rose in 2007”
(USDA Economic Research Service, Report VGS-326), on the Internet at http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/VGS/ (visited May 21,
2008).
42
“Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007,”
Public Law 110-85, on the Internet at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.
gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_public_laws&docid=f:
publ085.110 (visited July 2, 2008).
22
23
24
Ibid.
Gary Vocke and Edward Allen, “Wheat Outlook, 2007/08
Ending Stocks Down, Price Up” (USDA Economic Research Service,
Report WHS-07k), on the Internet at http://usda.mannlib.cornell.
edu/usda/ers/WHS//2000s/2007/WHS-12-13-2007.pdf
(visited
May 21, 2008).
25
26
Ibid.
27
U.S. Export Sales, Export Sales Weekly Historical Data, on the
Internet at http://www.fas.usda.gov/export-sales/h107.htm (visited
May 21, 2008).
Jeff Cox, “Corn: The inflation crop” (CNNMoney.com, March 28,
2007), on the Internet at http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/27/news/
economy/corn_prices/index.htm (visited May 21, 2008).
28
29
Gerald A. Bange, “The Situation and Outlook for World Corn,
Soybean, and Cotton Markets,” Presentation to National Grain and
Oils Information Center, Beijing, China, July 2, 2007; on the Internet at http://www.usda.gov/oce/speeches/2007/GeraldBange-ChinaNGOIC2007.doc (visited May 21, 2008).
30
31
Ibid.
Ibid.
32
Joel L. Greene, “Outlook for Livestock and Poultry.” Paper
presented at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2008 Agricultural
Outlook Forum, Feb. 22, 2008; on the Internet at http://www.usda.
gov/oce/forum/2008Speeches/Commodity/Livestock.pdf (visited
May 21, 2008).
33
Ibid.
“U.S. red meat and poultry forecasts” (World Agricultural
Supply and Demand Estimates and Supporting Materials, U.S. Department of Agriculture), on the Internet at http://www.ers.usda.
gov/Publications/LDP/2007/12Dec/ldpm162tables.pdf (visited
May 21, 2008)
34
35
36
Ibid.
Ibid.
“ Too Much Pork; Too High Costs,” Weekly Outlook (Purdue University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, October 1,
2007), on the Internet at http://www.farmdoc.uiuc.edu/marketing/
weekly/pdf/100107.pdf (visited May 21, 2008).
37
“Canada Livestock and Products Annual 2007,” on the Internet at
http://www.thepigsite.com/articles/7/markets-and-economics/2056/
canada-livestock-and-products-annual-2007 (visited May 21, 2008).
38
39
Fact Sheet: Economic Facts about U.S. Tobacco Use and Tobacco Production, (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), on the Internet at
http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/Factsheets/economic_
facts.htm (visited May 21, 2008).
40
2007 Year-End Review and 2008 Forecast: An Analysis (Aerospace
Industries Association, December 6, 2007), on the Internet at http://
41
“2007 Another Record Year For General Aviation Manufacturers” (General Aviation Manufacturers Association), Feb. 12, 2008; on
the Internet at http://www.gama.aero/mediaCenter/pr.php?id=161
(visited July 2, 2008).
43
Copper Facts, Copper in the Home (Copper Development Association), on the Internet at http://www.copper.org/education/c-facts/chome.html (visited May 21, 2008).
Mineral Commodity Summaries (U.S. Geological Survey, January
2008), pp. 54–55.
44
45
China’s Copper and Aluminum Consumption Grows Strongly in 2007
(China Mining Association), Feb. 29, 2008; on the Internet at http://
www.chinamining.org/News/2008-02-29/1204270429d11500.html
(visited March 5, 2008).
46
Mineral Commodity Summaries (U.S. Geological Survey, January
2008), pp. 22–23.
47
New Residential Construction in December 2007 (joint news release
from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development) Jan. 17, 2008.
“ World crude steel output increases by 7.5 percent in 2007”(International Iron and Steel Institute,Jan.23,2008);on the Internet at http://www.
worldsteel.org/?action=newsdetail&id=228&latest=0&jaar=2008
(visited Jan. 24, 2008).
48
49
“Problems of Russian scrap export” (Rusmet.com), Feb. 18, 2008;
on the Internet at http://rusmet.com/news.php?id=13026 (visited
Feb. 18, 2008).
50
“India, China to drive demand for gold,” The Economic Times, Nov.
22, 2007; on the Internet at http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/
articleshow/msid-2561290,prtpage-1.cms (visited Jan. 23, 2008).
51
The Friday Report (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc.,
Dec. 13, 2007), p. 4; on the Internet at http://www.isri.org/AM/
Template.cfm?Section=Home§ion=l_December7&template=/
CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentFileID=6230 (visited Jan. 23,
2008).
China 2007 economic report: National Bureau of Statistics official report 24 January 2008 (Chinability.com), on the Internet at http://www.
chinability.com/2007%20economic%20report.htm (visited Jan. 24,
2008).
52
53
Crushed Stone and sand and gravel in the fourth quarter 2007,
(U.S. Geological Survey, March 2008).
54
Cynthia Barnett, “Rock and a Hard Place” (Florida Trend.com),
September 1, 2007; on the Internet at http://www.floridatrend.com/
print_article.asp?aID=47392 (visited July 21, 2008).
Margaret Webb Pressler, “Card Companies are Filling Up at the Station,” The Washington Post, Sept. 25, 2005, p. F1, on the Internet at http://
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/24/
AR2005092400255.html (visited May 23, 2008).
55
“U.S. Weekly Finished Motor Gasoline Product Supplied” (Energy Information Administration), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.
doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/wgfupus24.htm (visited Jan. 16, 2008).
56
57
“U.S. Weekly Total Gasoline Ending Stocks” (Energy Information Administration), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 17
PPI Highlights, 2007
dnav/pet/hist/wgtstus1w.htm (visited Jan. 16, 2008).
“U.S. Weekly Finished Motor Gasoline Product Supplied” (Energy Information Administration), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.
doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/wgfupus24.htm (visited Jan. 16, 2008).
58
59
“U.S. Weekly Total Gasoline Ending Stocks” (Energy Information Administration), on the Internet at http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/
dnav/pet/hist/wgtstus1w.htm (visited Jan. 16, 2008).
The series identifier for the
WPU0542.
60
PPI
for commercial electric power is
61
U.S. Census Bureau, table 2, “Revised (Adjusted) Estimates of
Monthly Sales, Inventories, and Inventory/Sales ratio of Merchant
Wholesalers, except Manufacturers’ Sales Branches and Offices:
2007,” on the Internet at http://www2.census.gov/wholesale/
pdf/mwts/historic/new_benchmarks/2008_mwts_revised_sa_
salesinv_nomsbo.pdf (visited Apr. 1, 2008).
“March 2007 Manufacturing ISM Report on Business” (Institute for Supply Management), on the Internet at
http://www.ism.ws/about/MediaRoom/NewsReleaseDetail.
cfm?ItemNumber=16263 (visited Apr. 1, 2008).
62
As measured by removals of inventory. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax
Trade Bureau, Monthly Statistics; on the Internet at http://www.ttb.
gov/alcohol/index.htm (visited Apr. 2, 2008).
63
18
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
64
U.S. Census Bureau, table 2, “Revised (Adjusted) Estimates.”
“NACS 2007 Gas Price Kit,” (Association for Convenience & Petroleum Retailing); for more information, visit NACS Online at http://www.
nacsonline.com/NACS/Pages/default.aspx (visited July 2, 2008).
65
66
“Passenger Demand on the Rise, Cargo Sluggish” (International
Air Transport Association), on the Internet at http://www.iata.org/
pressroom/facts_figures/traffic_results/2007-04-30-01 (visited Feb.
12, 2008).
67
The series identifier for the PPI for jet fuels is WPU057203.
Kelly Yamanouchi, “Summer Air Travel May Get Bumpy,” Denver Post, Apr. 25, 2007, on the Internet at http://www.denverpost.
com/business/ci_5742663 (visited Apr. 2, 2008).
68
“Economy Barely Budges in Fourth Quarter of 2007,” News and
Observer, on the Internet at http://www.newsobserver.com/business/
story/973431.html (visited Apr. 28, 2008).
69
70
CMS Announces Payment Reforms for Inpatient Hospital Services in
2008 (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Press Release), on
the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.
asp?Counter=2335 (visited May 23, 2008).
71
CMS Announces Proposed Changes to Physician Fee Schedule Methodology (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Press Release), on
the Internet at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/apps/media/press/release.
asp?Counter=1887 (visited Apr. 11, 2008).
Price Measures of New Vehicles
Price measures of new vehicles:
a comparison
The Consumer Price Index, the Producer Price Index,
and the International Price Program all analyze price changes
in new vehicles; however, these indexes’ movements are only weakly
correlated because of methodological differences in sampling, pricing,
the analysis of incentives, and other aspects of survey design
Maria Bustinza
Daniel Chow
Thaddious Foster
Tod Reese
David Yochum
Maria Bustinza,
Thaddious Foster,
Tod Reese, and David
Yochum are
economists in the
Office of Prices
and Living Conditions
and Daniel Chow is
an economist in the
Office of Field
Operations, Bureau
of Labor Statistics.
E-mail:
chow.daniel@bls.gov,
foster.thaddious@bls.
gov,
reese.tod@bls.gov,
yochum.david@bls.gov
T
he automobile industry is a vital and
dynamic component of the U.S. and
global economies. Faced with competition spurred by technological advances
and global demand, the industry has attracted significant attention from policymakers,
the media, unions, and businesses in the
last several years. In the United States, the
automobile industry employed more than 1
million workers in 2006.1 U.S. production
during this period was 11.4 million units,2
and U.S. consumers purchased 16.5 million
cars and trucks. At the same time, foreign
manufacturers with factories in the United
States have significantly increased their
presence in this country.3 In recent years,
U.S. automakers have been facing restructuring, financial stresses, and competitive
challenges to their traditional market shares.
Furthermore, U.S. consumers, exposed to
record high gasoline prices, are being offered a growing choice of hybrid-fueled
vehicles. As the range of vehicle models,
features, and options has grown, consumers
have been gaining access to more and better information about these characteristics
via the Internet. In this competitive market,
price incentives offered by both domestic
and foreign automakers to U.S. consumers
have become the industry norm.
The automobile industry presents many
challenges to anyone trying to measure accurately the average price change of new ve-
hicles. Over the years, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) has often been asked why its
three programs that measure changes in new
vehicle prices—the Producer Price Index
(PPI), Consumer Price Index (CPI), and International Price Program (IPP)—have often
trended differently despite the fact that they
measure the same industry.
This article explains the differences among
the three programs’ methods of index calculation, analyzes these differences, and elucidates the implications of the new passenger
car price indexes. Through detailed examples,
the article conveys how sampling, pricing,
consumer and dealer incentives, exchange
rates, and model year changeover with quality
adjustments are handled differently by each
program. This article shows that the discrepancies among the indexes are largely the result of methodological differences among the
programs; however, the article also emphasizes that these methodological differences have
an economic basis and are usually a product
of differences in the scope and measurement
objective of each index.
Overview of recent price trends
Chart 1 offers a graphical overview of the
Bureau’s new vehicle price index series from
January 2000 to June 2007. Visual analysis
of the chart reveals the striking variation in
the behavior of these indexes. Specifically, the
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 19
Price Measures of New Vehicles
Chart 1.
BLS new vehicle indexes, not seasonally adjusted, January 2000–June 2007
[Rebased, Jan 2000 = 100]
Index
108
106
104
PPI Passenger cars
CPI New cars
IPP Export Series Automobiles and other motor
vehicles including minivans, 4-dr speciality vehicles
IPP Import Series Motor vehicles
designed to transport people
106
104
102
102
100
100
98
98
96
96
94
94
92
92
90
Jan
Oct
Oct
Oct
2000
2001
2002
2003
NOTE: PPI data March 2007–June 2007 are preliminary.
Oct
chart shows that the two IPP series did not experience the
same degree of annual price volatility as the PPI and CPI, and
that the two IPP series increased during this period while
the PPI and CPI slightly decreased. These variations are attributable to the different measurement objectives among
the price indexes, to the different program methodologies,
and to the prevailing economics of the new vehicles market
during this period.
The relative stability of the IPP new vehicle export and
import series can be explained by the absence of rebates and
incentives offered to consumers of new model vehicles. The
IPP series strictly measure prices between overseas agents,
domestic producers, and importers. These prices do not
reflect the price decreases used for promotions by dealerships and, therefore, they produce relatively steady monthly
changes. The PPI and CPI include rebates and incentives,
along with the price increases that accompany the introduction of new model year vehicles towards the latter half
of the year, and these contribute to more volatility from
month to month.
Comparing the PPI and CPI new-vehicle price indexes,
the PPI series is more volatile than the CPI series because
its sample transitions completely to the new year’s mod20
Index
108
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
2004
Oct
2005
Oct
2006
Oct
Jun
2007
90
els in October, typically resulting in a large, spiking price
increase. The CPI’s transition to the newer models is done
over a span of months, producing smoother increases in
the index while the transition is occurring. The impact
of the transition to the new models is less pronounced
in the IPP series because it is not affected by changes in
incentives and, as a result, does not exhibit the associated
rise and fall of prices.
The divergence in the long-term trends of the IPP indexes (which have increased) compared with the PPI and
CPI (which have decreased) is also the result of the inclusion of incentives in the PPI and CPI. Because of the highly
competitive nature of markets for new vehicles during the
period of the study, the value of manufacturer-offered incentives hit record levels about a dozen times prior to leveling off in 2005. These attempts to appeal to the marketplace
through lower prices mean that as the value of the incentives increased, the true prices of new vehicles fell, resulting in end-of-year prices that were lower than the previous year’s prices. Compounded, these decreases produced
downward trends in the PPI and CPI, while the IPP indexes
remained insulated from the competitive pricing seen at
the manufacturer-to-dealer and the consumer levels. The
types of vehicles included in the various measures, as well
as the number of models tracked in the respective market segments, also contribute to the trend differences. The
IPP Import Index includes a larger proportion of luxury
vehicles and the IPP Export Index includes a larger proportion of sport utility vehicles (SUVs), both of which are
relatively more expensive types and models of vehicles
and contribute to the upward trends of those indexes. The
balance of this article explains in more detail these differences among the new vehicle indexes.
Methodological differences among the programs
Differences in the types of prices that each program tries
to measure contribute to a disparity in price index movement among the indexes. Chart 1 displays this disparity,
showing that it is especially strong in the short run. The
PPI measures the average change over time in the selling
price received by domestic producers, the CPI measures
changes in the estimated transaction price consumers pay
to auto dealers, and the IPP measures changes in import
and export prices paid at the U.S. border minus shipping
and customs fees. Cars manufactured abroad but sold in
the United States are in scope for the IPP Import Index
and the CPI, but out of scope for the PPI. Cars manufactured and sold in the United States are in scope for the
PPI and CPI, but not for the IPP. Cars manufactured in the
U.S. and sold abroad are in scope for the PPI and the IPP
Export Index, but not for the CPI. Before examining the
movements of the new-car indexes, this article describes
differences among them in sampling, pricing, treatment
of model year changeover, quality adjustment, and price
incentives. Such differences help explain the differences
in the movements of the indexes and are referenced in
the section that discusses index movements. A complete
comparison of index methods for the three programs is
shown in the appendix.
The indexes chosen for this study were selected because
the types of vehicles covered by each index are similar,
although there are some differences. The PPI’s passenger
cars index and CPI’s new cars index provide a similar
comparison. The closest match in the IPP’s export series
is Automobiles and other motor vehicles including minivans, 4-dr specialty vehicles. The IPP import series closest
match is Motor vehicles designed to transport people.4
Although the IPP indexes include a wider variety of vehicles, all of these indexes include cars, and the PPI and
CPI include cars exclusively. Therefore, this article refers to
them as “car” indexes and not “vehicle” indexes.
Sampling. The scope of the PPI includes automobile manufacturers with factories located in the United States. Every 5
years, the pool of available manufacturers is resampled, and
BLS representatives visit the sampled companies to request
their participation in the survey. All of the manufacturers’
domestically produced vehicles are in the sample universe.
Vehicles with the highest revenue have a higher probability
of selection using the probability-proportional-to-size sampling technique. Selection of the vehicle options is based on
the percentage of customers selecting an option installed on
the model, which is known as the penetration rate. The PPI
sample is generally smaller than the CPI sample.
The CPI new car pricing area universe is the entire urban
United States. Its area sample consists of 87 geographic
primary sampling units (PSUs), which are urban areas across
the Nation. The Telephone Point-of-Purchase Survey asks
households in each PSU about their new vehicle expenditures to establish which dealerships to visit for pricing.
Selected dealers are visited by a BLS representative to disaggregate the universe of new cars5 sold to consumers on
the basis of dollar volume sales in order to identify and
choose cars for data collection from the sampled dealerships. Specifically, this is done by selecting a unique car
make, followed by a model within that make, and lastly a
unique trim level within the model. Given that car models tend to have various styles with different equipment,
the trim level is used to distinguish among the available
performance levels or equipment package options. For
example the “EX” and “LX” are trim levels for a Honda
Accord model. Once a trim level is selected, the dealer
is asked to reference the invoice of the last car sold with
that trim level in order to complete the vehicle description
including options. The CPI sampling process usually yields
three distinct vehicles with equipment options to price in
each sampled dealership. In total, about 1,500 vehicles are
priced at 500 dealerships; about half of the vehicles are
cars. The sample of dealerships is replaced at the rate of 25
percent each year.
The sample of exports for the IPP is derived from U.S.
Census Bureau data from shippers’ export declarations,
and the sample of imports is derived from consumption
entry documents.6 The IPP employs the probability-proportional-to-size technique to determine which companies compose the sample. After companies are selected,
the IPP chooses individual vehicles for pricing by disaggregating according to model, trim level, and options.
Each vehicle stratum is sampled every 2 years on an ongoing basis. This ensures that the IPP’s sample captures
current market trends. The IPP’s motor vehicle index is
different from both the CPI’s and PPI’s motor vehicle inMonthly Labor Review • July 2008 21
Price Measures of New Vehicles
dexes because it includes a broader category of vehicles.7
Comparison of the sampling methods reveals three
distinctions. The first is the types of vehicles included in
the samples. The CPI and PPI only include cars, whereas
the IPP includes cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles, and
trucks. The second involves manufacturing location; the
CPI includes both U.S.- and foreign-produced cars, the
PPI sample represents U.S.-produced cars, the IPP Export
Index represents U.S.-produced cars, and the IPP Import
Index represents foreign-produced cars. The third factor is
the smaller sample sizes of the PPI and IPP compared with
the CPI’s sample size. This is due to the extent of manufacturers’ participation, which determines for how many
vehicles manufacturers will provide data and how often
they provide those data.
Pricing. The PPI measures prices received by manufacturers for the new cars they produce and sell. The price
data are net prices, which are prices paid to the manufacturer inclusive of the manufacturer’s discounts to the
buyer. The PPI national office collects prices from manufacturers via a monthly survey, and the prices reflect sales
for the Tuesday of the week containing the 13th of the
month.
The type of price usually collected for the car index is
a dealer net price (that is, what the dealer pays for the
Table 1.
vehicle). The dealer net price reflects sales from the manufacturer to the dealer and deducts rebates and low rate
financing given by the manufacturer. If these incentives
are only available in some regions or on some transactions, a national average value for all sales of that model
is calculated. Price or discount information received after
an index is first published is incorporated into the final
index released four months after original publication. If
discount information is not available before the index is
calculated, then a first-published index is released based
on all data available at the time. Table 1 provides an example of the types of prices and price adjustments applicable to each of the price indexes and shows how they
are used to estimate reported prices.
The CPI measures the price of a new car to the consumer at the retail level. Typically, new car prices are
negotiated between the buyer and the dealer, so the CPI
reflects the negotiated price by estimating a transaction
price on the basis of recent sales including markups,
rebates, and/or concessions. Also included in CPI pricing but not included in IPP and PPI pricing are charges
for the new vehicle’s transportation to the dealer, dealer
preparation of the vehicle, and sales taxes as shown in
table 1.
Prices in the CPI are collected bimonthly in most metropolitan areas. However, prices in New York, Los Angeles,
New vehicle pricing comparison
Prices and price adjustments
PPI
CPI
IPP Export
IPP Import
Domestically
produced cars
Domestically and
foreign-produced cars
Cars, golf carts,
SUVs, mobile homes,
minivans
Cars, golf carts,
SUVs, mobile homes,
minivans
Reported price......................................................
$18,750
$21,550
Prices
1
Border price....................................................
()
(1)
Dealer net price.............................................
20,000
(1)
Retail base price............................................
(1)
22,000
Transportation charge................................
(1)
800
Dealer preparation.......................................
(1)
100
Optional equipment...................................
1,000
1,100
Subtotal................................................
21,000
24,000
Price adjustments
2
2
Consumer rebate..........................................
(1,000)
(1,000)
2
Low rate financing.......................................
(500)
(1)
2
Dealer rebate
(750)
(3)
2
Concession......................................................
(1)
(2,000)
Duty . ..........................................................…
(1)
(1)
Taxes . ..........................................................…
(1)
550
Freight..............................................................
(1)
(1)
1
2
3
22
Not applicable.
This figure is subtracted from the subtotal.
Included in concession.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
$20,600
$20,075
20,000
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
1,000
21,000
20,000
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
1,000
21,000
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
2
(400)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
2
(525)
(1)
2
(400)
and Chicago are obtained monthly. Price data collection
occurs throughout the entire month and is done by BLS
representatives assigned to various dealerships. Typically,
three distinct cars are priced in a sampled dealership. If a
particular model and trim level was not sold in the past 30
days, it is deemed temporarily unavailable for pricing. If at
least one car of a particular model and trim level was sold,
the estimated transaction price is based on sales of that car
over the past 30 days; average markup, rebate, and/or concession are estimated. The CPI’s use of the 30-day pricing
reference period and pricing throughout the month are
techniques that may contribute to a lag in the reflection
of price change that does not apply to the PPI and IPP, for
which prices collected reflect one specific reference day.
The concession is the negotiated segment of the consumer transaction price with the dealer; concessions are
common, which means that consumers typically do not
pay list price for a new car. Typically, list prices do not
change from month to month. An example of the impact
a concession has on a new car price in the CPI versus the
impact it has on a new car price in the other car indexes
is illustrated in table 1. Pricing starts with the retail base
price and then adds transportation charges, options, and
dealer preparation charges. Then the price is adjusted for
additional markup and discounting due to concession
and/or rebate. These markups, concessions, and rebates are
all estimated on the basis of sales over the past 30 days for
the model and trim level in question.
Rebates and concessions are major contributors to the
monthly CPI car price index movements. These two price
discounts work hand-in-hand; if the rebate spikes up the
concession may fall, and if the rebate is reduced, the concession may rise. This tends to offset the impact of new
rebate offers.
The International Price Program produces measures
of price change for goods and services imported into the
United States and exported from the United States. By
conceptual definition, the IPP seeks to capture import
prices at the port of entry and export prices at the port
of exit. A variety of types of prices are eligible for inclusion, including intrafirm prices as well as trade between
unrelated parties.
These import and export price indexes are utilized to
deflate various foreign statistics produced by the Census
Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In order
to be compatible with these measures, IPP price data are
adjusted for duty and freight costs. As illustrated in table
1, these adjustments are unique to these measures and are
not used for the CPI or PPI price data. Another factor that
applies to the IPP and not to the PPI or CPI is the use of
exchange rates. Although the majority of manufacturers
who trade overseas price their products in U.S. dollars,
some traders price vehicles in local currencies. To convert
foreign currencies to U.S. dollars, the IPP receives exchange rate conversion factors for the major foreign currencies from the University of British Columbia Pacific
Exchange Rate Service each month. Although exchange
rates fluctuate over the course of the month, the IPP uses
the average monthly exchange rates from this source.
The IPP national office collects prices monthly directly
from U.S. international traders and manufacturers. Data
used in these indexes are collected via mailed forms or
via the Internet. The reference date for data used in IPP
indexes is the first day of each month. The IPP revises its
data 4 months after the initial release in order to account
for data that were not collected in time for index calculation but have since been collected. Although the IPP collects prices on the first day of each month, late data that
arrive within the 4 month time frame are used in calculating revised measures. Table 1 shows that the CPI and PPI
prices are subject to more adjustments than are the IPP
indexes, which helps to explain the differences in volatility
and long-term trends among the indexes described in the
earlier discussion of chart 1.
Model year changeover and adjusting for quality change. The
CPI and PPI programs both began making price adjustments to account for quality changes in new vehicles with
the introduction of the new vehicle models in 1966 (1967
models). Every year, typically in late summer and early
fall, automobile and truck manufacturers introduce updated models to the market. In most cases, the new cars
are similar enough to the previous models that the prices
of both models can be compared with each other without
the application of an adjustment. However, if a manufacturer significantly changes the quality or functionality of a
new car, BLS applies an adjustment to factor out the price
change associated with the change in quality.8
The three BLS price programs use information gathered
directly from car manufacturers and secondary sources to
estimate the values for quality change adjustments. Each
program follows the same basic guidelines for new model
introduction; however, there are a few differences in how
certain quality changes are handled. BLS places new car
quality characteristics into five categories. All three programs make adjustments for the changes in each of the
categories, with one exception noted in the second category. The first category includes changes in the safety of
a car that are either federally mandated or proven to be
effective. These include airbags, seatbelts, brake systems,
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 23
Price Measures of New Vehicles
seat designs, back-up alerts, and crumple/crash zones.
The second category covers mandated changes that
affect the healthfulness of the outside environment,
such as emissions improvements as legislated by State
governments or the Federal government. In this category, there is one notable difference among the programs—the treatment of mandated pollution control
measures by the CPI. Whereas the PPI and IPP make
quality adjustments for changes arising from air-pollution mandates, beginning in 1999 the CPI stopped
making such adjustments. The basis for the decision
was that price changes that derive from mandated
product changes and that affect only public goods, like
air quality, are essentially taxes levied on the purchasers of new cars and should be reflected as price increases in the index. This is consistent with the CPI’s
practice of including changes in taxes when they affect
the prices paid by consumers for market goods.9
The third category pertains to changes made to mechanical or electrical features. This category includes
changes in steering, braking, engine efficiency, and transmission systems, among others. The fourth category includes changes in design or materials that affect the durability or strength of an item. Examples include the switch
to halogen headlamps, to platinum tipped spark plugs,
and to flexible body panels.
The final category encompasses changes that affect
comfort or convenience. These upgrades include redesigned seat belts, remote door locks, navigation systems,
and flexible body panels, as well as changes in storage
capacity. BLS does not make quality adjustments for style
changes, such as pin striping or leather-wrapped steering
wheels. Adjustments also are not made for manufacturer
quality claims that are improvements of failed or defective components.
The quality adjustment values provided by the
manufacturers are based on resource costs. BLS defines
resource costs as all direct and indirect costs, including research and development, incurred in the manufacture or purchase of components and the assembly
and installation associated with an equipment change,
including the manufacturer’s mark-up. Resource cost
factors into both the PPI and IPP. For the CPI, this value is marked up to the retail price level. In general, a
quality change tends to be a small portion of the entire
new vehicle price. Based on the model year changeovers from 2000 to 2007, the yearly average per-car
retail quality adjustment ranged from $25 to $310,
with an average of $125.
Chart 1 illustrates that October is typically the
24
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
month when the PPI and the IPP export samples switch
completely to the new model year and in which the
quality adjustments are applied.10 Note that the IPP
introduces the majority of the new model year export
vehicles into the Export Index in October. In some
cases, however, new model introduction occurs when
more than half of the cars sold are the new model.
Import vehicles are introduced when more than half
of the cars imported are the new model. The introduction period for IPP import vehicles is typically August through November. The similar average October
increase between the Import and Export indexes is
purely coincidental given the typical 2-month interval
between the times when new vehicles are introduced
in each respective index. The CPI always introduces
new models into the index when more than half of the
cars sold are the new model. The introduction period
for the CPI is typically from September in the current
year to February the following year.
Although the three price programs employ different
methodologies for introducing new vehicle models into
the index, new model introduction generally results in
price increases for each program. The following table
illustrates 1-month percent changes from September
to October for the PPI, CPI, and IPP indexes. The PPI
shows much larger percentage increases each October
than do the CPI and the IPP indexes. The PPI showed
an average October increase of 5.6 percent from 2000
to 2006.
Year
Average..............
2000................
2001 ..............
2002 ..............
2003 ..............
2004 ..............
2005 ..............
2006 ..............
PPI
CPI
5.6
6.1
1.4
9.0
8.4
6.6
3.0
3.5
0.5
-.3
.6
.9
.4
1.1
1.5
.6
IPP
Export
0.4
.2
.3
1.0
.4
.2
.3
.3
IPP
Import
0.4
.4
.4
.7
.9
.1
.2
.4
During the years listed in the table, the increases in
the PPI ranged from 1.4 percent in 2001 to 9.0 percent
in 2002. The CPI increased an average of 0.5 percent.
During the study period, both IPP export and import
motor vehicles increased 0.4 percent on average. The
larger magnitude of the PPI October increases is due
to the complete model year changeover to new models
with few or no incentives. For the CPI, the sample of
cars priced in October is a mix of current and newer
model years. For example, in 2006, the CPI car sample
mix was 42 percent 2007 models and 58 percent 2006
models. The newer model year cars reflect price increases, whereas the older models reflect price decreases caused by discounting to clear out the older models.
The only exception to the October increases from
2000 through 2006 was the slight 0.3-percent decline
in the CPI in October 2000, which reflected how the
CPI prices a larger portion of the older models during
October, a month known for heavy discounts. The 1month percent changes for a program may be larger
in one year than the next year because of an array of
issues. However, the differences among the programs
in a given year are primarily due to each program applying quality adjustments at its own time.
Incentives. Understanding the use of incentives in the
passenger cars indexes is important because incentives are
responsible for most of the monthly changes in price other than model year change. Incentives are tracked by the
CPI and PPI but not by the IPP, thus contributing to the
differences in the long-term trends seen in chart 1. In the
context of this article, incentives are programs offered by
the car manufacturers to stimulate sales. The three most
common programs are consumer rebates, dealer rebates,
and low interest rate financing. Some manufacturers also
provide additional rebates for specific customer segments
such as first-time buyers, students, and the military.
Consumer rebates are provided by manufacturers as an
incentive directly to the customer at the point of sale to
reduce the net price of the car. Consumers normally elect
to credit this consumer cash rebate as a down payment
against the new car’s purchase price. Manufacturers may
also provide cash incentives directly to dealers, known as
dealer rebates. The dealers may or may not choose to pass
some part of this rebate on to their customers.
There are many instances in which customers are allowed to choose either a cash rebate or a low interest financing offer. In still other cases, customers may benefit
from both the cash rebate and the low interest financing offer in combination. It is important to note that the
low interest rate financing quoted in the offer is normally
based on the top customer credit tier, and as a result not
all consumers are eligible for this best rate.
The PPI includes consumer rebates and dealer cash rebates as well as low interest financing offered by manufacturers. Ideally, the PPI would include only the incentives
in effect on the pricing date. However, some data may
only be available as monthly averages for each vehicle line.
Manufacturers provide the PPI program with information
on their cost of providing low interest financing loans,
the value of cash rebates, and the acceptance rate for the
incentives. In cases when incentives are offered on only
some vehicles for sale, such as when regional incentives
or programs allowing the customer to choose either low
interest rate financing or a cash rebate are offered, the PPI
program calculates a national average value for the incentives on the vehicle in question.
The CPI includes an estimated average of the consumer
rebates available over the past 30 days for each model in
the sample. An estimated average is used because rebate
amounts may vary over the collection period and different
types of rebates may be offered, such as those for the military or recent graduates. Beginning in January 1999, the
CPI stopped measuring finance charges on vehicle loans.
This change was made on conceptual grounds.11
The CPI is the ratio of the cost of a set of items in one
period to its cost in another period. Financing the consumption of an item indicates the purchaser has decided
to consume that good today by forgoing the consumption
of other goods in the future. This “price” the consumer pays
in order to choose current consumption over future consumption is the interest rate on the loan. Forgoing future
consumption in exchange for consumption today causes
the financed good to become, in a sense, a financial debt or
liability. However, the CPI is principally focused on estimating actual consumption at retail prices in the most current
period only; this gives a clearer picture of the cash-value
prices consumers would pay at the retail outlet.12
Financing motor vehicles is arguably different from other forms of retail financing because vehicle financing terms
can influence negotiations over the final purchase price. On
rare occasions a dealer will offer “special financing” terms
without explicitly offering a reduced price alternative. In
these cases dealers would presumably be willing to negotiate an equivalent price concession to purchasers who either
do not select or do not qualify for the financing deal. The
CPI respondents are asked to provide an estimate of this
concession.
The IPP does not include incentives in its index calculation. The primary reason is that companies providing
vehicle price data to the IPP are principally multinational
companies that trade from one subsidiary to another. For
example, a sedan may be produced in Japan by a Japanese manufacturer and then traded to a subsidiary in the
United States. In this case, it is more cost effective for one
subsidiary simply to adjust prices rather than offer incentives, which are much more costly to implement.
Whether incentives are included in the prices used by
the price indexes is ultimately a question of scope. The
PPI reflects consumer rebates, dealer rebates, and low inMonthly Labor Review • July 2008 25
Price Measures of New Vehicles
terest rate financing because these incentives affect the
prices producers receive for their vehicles. The CPI does
not directly reflect low interest rate financing, but it does
include an average of consumer rebates and dealer rebates
in the negotiated price because these incentives directly
affect the prices consumers pay for an automobile. The
IPP does not include any incentives because they are not
a factor in the derivation of prices paid at the border for
imports and exports.
Index comparisons
This section examines historical index data from 2000
to 2007 to reveal trends and statistical relationships in
the BLS new passenger car indexes. To measure how the
programs’ indexes diverge from or track each other, the
indexes are analyzed using three approaches. The first approach is a graphical treatment describing the movements
and trends across each program. The second approach uses
qualitative explanations highlighting key methodological
issues, industry events, and shifts in consumer demand,
rebates, or dealer incentives. The third approach is a comparison of correlations between the data series.
Index trend analysis. As seen in chart 1, the PPI trended
downward from 2000 to 2007, while the CPI trended
downward from 2000 through mid-2003 and then began
an upward trend. The PPI is characterized by relatively
sharp monthly movements. There are visible short-term
co-movements in both series; in fact, the evidence indicates that the two series also trend together in the long
run but are weakly correlated.
Chart 2, which presents the 1-month percent changes
in the new cars indexes from February 2000 to June 2007,
more clearly shows the sharper PPI movements compared with the movements of the other data series. The
PPI spikes coincide with model changeover each October.
This is followed by sharp drops each November representing the resumption of incentives offered from manufacturers to dealers. Unlike the PPI, the CPI monthly percentage movements generally stay within the 1-percent
range. Furthermore, the CPI October percentage increases
tend to lag behind the PPI increases in time because of the
CPI’s gradual phase-in of new model introductions with
less generous incentives and rebates.
As shown in chart 1, the long-term trends of the IPP
export and import vehicle series diverge from the PPI
and CPI series during the sample period. The CPI and PPI
trend downward, whereas the IPP indexes exhibit upward
trends. These divergences can be partially attributed to dif26
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
ferences in the product compositions among the indexes.
The IPP Import Index is composed of a higher proportion
of luxury vehicles in comparison with the CPI and PPI
new vehicle indexes. Recent trends indicate that import
nameplate manufacturers (foreign firms producing in the
United States) prefer to build lower cost vehicles in the
United States and import luxury vehicles from overseas.
The sales of higher priced vehicles in this market segment
have grown each year since 2000. This demand level appears to be less elastic and has allowed import manufacturers to regularly raise prices on most import models in
this class of vehicle.
In an analogous trend, a noteworthy factor affecting
export price movement during this period has been strong
demand in foreign markets for domestically produced
sport utility vehicles. Domestic SUV production and sales
to both domestic and international customers have risen
steadily from 2000 to 2007 and contributed to the longterm rise in the export price index.
Also contributing to the differences in long-term
trends between the IPP indexes and the PPI and CPI is inclusion of incentives in the PPI and CPI but not in the IPP.
As mentioned in the “Overview of recent price trends”
section, the highly competitive nature of markets for new
vehicles during the period of the study has resulted in
substantial incentives being offered at the manufacturerto-dealer and the consumer levels, and these incentives
are reflected in the PPI and CPI indexes. The IPP index,
in contrast, does not include incentives, because companies providing vehicle price data to the IPP are principally
multinational companies that trade from one subsidiary
to another.
Chart 2 illustrates that in the short term the IPP
import and export indexes often exhibit differing index
movements. These short-term differences can be partially
attributed to differences in how new models are introduced into the import and export indexes. For the Import Index, few new vehicles are introduced over a longer
period of time, resulting in modest index changes during new model introduction. In contrast, for the Export
Index, 100 percent of new model introduction occurs in
October. This produces generally smaller increases in the
Import Index and less frequent but larger increases in the
Export Index.
Qualitative analysis. In 2001, the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States and start of the war in
Afghanistan affected the PPI. The typical October spike
for the PPI was nearly absent due to extensive special low
finance deals intended to offset slumping sales over this
Chart 2.
Events occuring among 1-month percent changes for new vehicles indexes, February 2000–June 2007
[Rebased, January 2000 = 0]
Index
8.0
PPI
CPI
IPP Exports
IPP Imports
Index
8.0
7.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
Impact of
9/11,
Afghanistan
war begins
5.0
4.0
Iraq war
begins
March
2003
5.0
4.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
–1.0
–1.0
–2.0
Record
incentives
July 2004
–3.0
–4.0
Employee
discounts
June 2005
Feb
2000
Oct Feb
2001
Oct Feb
2002
Oct Feb
2003
Oct Feb
2004
period. The CPI, by contrast, which does not reflect low
finance incentives, registered a relatively normal increase
for the new 2002 models. The IPP also increased slightly
because of the introduction of new models.
The PPI’s large October 2002 spike occurred as automakers
sought to return to aggressive model year switchovers, after a
relatively weak previous year, by raising 2003 model prices and
offering fewer incentives compared with the summer months.
This was followed in November by a sharp price decline of
2.6 percent in the PPI, whereas the CPI moved up to its November peak. Both the IPP Import Index and the IPP Export
Index rose nearly 1 percent in October 2002, reflecting the
new model switchovers, but the imports series moved slightly
higher at this time. This reflected an increase of approximately
0.5 percent by the Euro versus the dollar.
The March 2003 spikes in the PPI and CPI were attributed to the start of the Iraq war, and they reflected
economic uncertainty among manufacturers, dealers, and
consumers. In April of that year, the PPI fell as incentives
were reinstated. Car importers and exporters kept prices
stable because their shipments were not affected.
In April 2004, the IPP Export Index exhibited its largest
upward movement of the year, reflecting vehicle exporters’
Oct Feb
2005
–2.0
Value
pricing
August
2005
Oct Feb
2006
–3.0
Oct Feb Jun
2007
–4.0
general ability to raise prices during the year for current models. Record incentives were introduced in July 2004, causing
both the PPI and CPI to decline substantially. This record incentives level was exceeded in September. Automakers, however, were able to quickly cut incentives and raise prices on
new models between September and October 2004, resulting
in the PPI’s highest level since January 2000. (See chart 1.) In
January 2005, the PPI rose to an even higher level as manufacturers again raised prices and cut incentives.
In 2005, employee discounts were offered to all consumers. These discounts were later replaced with “value pricing”13 as another means to attract consumers. As a result
automakers were able to clear out the 2005 model year cars,
and this in turn contributed to the drop in the CPI prior to
the model year changeover. Later in 2005, automakers chose
to move up some model year introductions from October
to September. These early model year introductions caused
both the CPI and PPI to increase in September. The following October, however, the normally large PPI spike was
diminished because of the shift in introduction month.
During 2006 and 2007, the new car market continued
to be very price competitive. Demand for fuel-efficient cars
was strong because gasoline prices remained high. The generMonthly Labor Review • July 2008 27
Price Measures of New Vehicles
ally unchanging trend of the CPI appeared to hold. The July
2006 PPI decline was due to summer low interest financing
promotions, which the CPI does not reflect. In September
2006, the PPI posted an upward movement attributed to a
drop in incentives unusual for that time of the year. The following October, the PPI experienced greater-than-normal
incentives offered by manufacturers to dealers on new 2007
models, moderating the expected October spike.
Correlation analysis. Previous discussions and graphical
analyses indicate that there are substantial differences among
the methodologies and also among the movements of the
new vehicle price indexes. These differences are primarily the
result of each program’s unique measurement objective. In
spite of these methodological differences, graphical analysis
indicates that the new vehicle indexes often exhibit similar
movements. Correlation analysis can be used to determine
the degrees of similarity or difference between the new car
indexes. If strong positive correlations exist, then the indexes
reflect common industry dynamics despite their unique
methodologies. Weak or non-existent correlations would be
evidence that the differing index methods result in largely
dissimilar data movements. It is possible for correlations to
be spurious or coincidental, however. Strong correlations that
persist for long periods are more strongly indicative of a true
relationship than are weaker correlations.
The table below presents correlations between the 1month percent changes of the PPI, CPI, and IPP indexes
calculated using data from January 2000 to June 2007, not
seasonally adjusted. Statistically, the relationships between
the PPI, CPI, and IPP indexes do not appear to be strong.
The correlation coefficient for the PPI and CPI is about 0.38,
which is less than the correlation between the PPI and the
IPP Export Index (0.44) and also less than the correlation
between the PPI and the IPP Import Index (0.49). The correlation coefficients between the CPI and IPP are the weakest. This indicates that the CPI and IPP series diverge more
in their monthly movements than do the PPI and IPP series,
which often use similar data.
Index
PPI
CPI
PPI.................
CPI. ...............
IPP Export.....
IPP Import.....
28
1 …
.379
.439
.487
…
1
.221
.053
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
IPP
Export
…
…
1
.442
IPP
Import
1
…
…
To further detect whether strong relationships exist
among the series, the indexes were seasonally adjusted
to remove regularly occurring cycles throughout the
year that might obscure the relationships between the
indexes.14 When correlations of the 1-month percent
changes from the resulting seasonally adjusted indexes
are compared—as illustrated in the following table—the
correlations among the series are weak. For example,
the PPI–CPI correlation falls from 0.38 to 0.08, and the
relatively weak 0.49 correlation between the PPI and IPP
Import Index drops by more than half to 0.22 after seasonal adjustment. Evidenced by the larger values in the
previous table, it is clear that cyclical movements, such as
the regular October model year changeovers, account for
much of the correlations in the not seasonally adjusted
data. In summary, the correlations provide statistical
evidence that significant data divergences exist among
the car indexes but that the indexes share some common
features.
Index
PPI
CPI
PPI.................
CPI. ...............
IPP Export.....
IPP Import.....
1 …
.083
.165
.22
…
1
.082
–.136
IPP
Export
…
…
1
.25
IPP
Import
1
…
…
THE THREE BLS PRICE PROGRAMS—the PPI, CPI, and
IPP—all publish price indexes for new cars. It is often
assumed that these indexes trend similarly, but this article has shown that this assumption is not accurate. A
graphical comparison of the indexes shows differences
in both month-to-month volatility and in long-term
trends for the 2000 to 2007 period. The article explains
these graphical differences by outlining the differences
in scope and measurement objectives among the indexes.
Where these differences in scope translate into methodological differences, the article discusses how the differing methods in areas such as sampling, data collection,
the treatment of rebates and incentives, and adjusting for
quality change may produce indexes that differ greatly in
both the short and the long term. Major economic and
political events are cited and their impact on the indexes
is discussed. Finally, correlation analysis is employed in
order to show that the correlations between all pairs of
indexes are weak.
Notes
1
This study uses the automobile manufacturing industry classifications 3361, 2, and 3 from the North American Industrial Classification
System. For employment data in this industry, see Current Employment Statistics, U.S., all employees, on the Internet at http://data.bls.
gov/cgi-bin/srgate (visited July 22, 2008). To retrieve the data, type the
code CEU3133600101 into the series id(s) box.
See www.census.gov/mtis/www/mtis.html (visited June 10,
2008).
2
3
For the purpose of this article, import vehicles are those that are
built outside U.S. borders.
Codes for the four indexes are: PPI Passenger cars (Commodity
code 1411031), CPI New cars (SS45011, CPI-U, U.S. city average), IPP
Export Series, Automobiles and other motor vehicles including minivans, 4-dr specialty vehicles (HICP code 8703), and IPP Import Series
Motor vehicles designed to transport people (HICP code 8703).
4
The CPI includes new motorcycles, though they represent a minor
weight.
5
The IPP employs the Harmonized Classification System (by industry); BEA Classification (by end use); and the NAICS System (by industry). For more information, see the BLS Handbook of Methods, chapter 15, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/opub/hom/homch15_a.htm
(visited July 15, 2008).
6
7
The IPP universe of vehicles includes automobiles, SUVs, golf carts,
all terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motor homes. The IPP vehicle sample,
like the PPI sample, utilizes the probability-proportional-to-size sampling technique.
8
The three price programs follow the BLS procedures called “Guide-
lines for Quality Adjustment of New Vehicle Prices,” on the Internet at
www.bls.gov/cpi/cpiautoqaguide.pdf (visited July 15, 2008).
See Dennis Fixler, “Treatment of Mandated Pollution Control
Measures in the CPI,” CPI Detailed Report (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Sept. 1998).
9
In instances when new model introduction does not occur in October, each price index will include the new model vehicle when data
is received from the manufacturer. This is commonly referred to as a
mid-model year launch.
10
“Changing the Item Structure of the Consumer Price Index,”
Oct. 16, 2001, on the Internet at www.bls.gov/cpi/cpiwl001.htm (visited June 10, 2008).
11
Examples for which the CPI normally does not seek to measure
interest payments include houses, items whose prices are based on layaway plans, or any other financial transaction or instrument.
12
13
A pricing discount is provided by the manufacturer and lowers
the listed sticker prices; these are often offset by a reduction in dealerto-consumer incentives.
14
BLS publishes seasonally adjusted indexes for the PPI and CPI
vehicles series cited here but does not produce seasonally adjusted estimates for the corresponding IPP indexes. Published seasonally adjusted
data from the PPI and CPI are estimated using the Census Bureau’s
X-12-ARIMA method. The seasonal data are subject to strict production requirements and are revised over several years. Thus, a simplified
seasonal adjustment analysis was applied in this study to compare all
four series. For more information on seasonal adjustment in BLS, see
http://stats.bls.gov/cpi/cpisameth.htm (visited June 10, 2008).
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 29
Price Measures of New Vehicles
Appendix: Detailed comparison of the PPI, CPI, and IPP
Consumer Price Index
(CPI)
Product objective
Measure changes in producer
selling prices.
Measure changes in consumer
prices.
Measure changes in import
and export prices.
Product coverage
Passenger cars and light trucks
(14,000 lbs. or less) produced in
the United States
New passenger cars and light
trucks purchased by consumers
for personal use. Included are
both domestic and import manufacturers. The number of vehicles
in the sample fluctuates. In
December 2006 the sample included 539 dealerships pricing
762 cars and 729 trucks.
Harmonized 8703–automobiles, SUVs, golf carts, and
ATVs, both diesel and gasoline.
Classification
system(s)
Industry-based indexes are classified
according to the North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS). Commodity-based indexes are
classified according to an internal
BLS system.
Internal BLS system
Samples are based on the Harmonized System (HS). Indexes are
published on the basis of HS, Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
End Use, and North American
Industry Classification System
(NAICS).
Calculation
Modified Laspeyres formula
Hybrid Index—Laspeyres and Geo- Modified Laspeyres formula
metric Means
Sampling frequency
Every 5 years
Outlet sample is updated every
year by 20–25%
Every 2 years
Sample universe
All motor vehicle producers with
manufacturing plants in the
United States
All new vehicles sold in the U.S. for
personal use. The geographic areas
for sampling are 87 primary sample
units (PSUs).
Vehicle importers and exporters
(primarily marketing units and
manufacturers)
Includes vehicles
manufactured
outside the U.S.
No
Yes, if sold in the United States
Import index: yes. Export
index: yes given item clears
U.S. customs first.
Weighting
Index divided into cells using
census value of shipment data
for each cell.
Within cells, vehicles are weighted
by manufacturer.
Reflects expenditures reported by
households for the Consumer Expenditure Survey for the years 1993–1995.
A 2-year rotation beginning in 2002.
New vehicle weight in CPI is 4.983%.
Based on trade dollar values
provided by U.S. Customs (imports) and U.S. Census Bureau
(exports)
Vehicle discontinued
Vehicles are not substituted midsample unless they are discontinued.
Vehicles are not substituted unless
they are no longer available for sale.
Vehicles are not substituted midsample unless they are discontinued or phased out.
Transitioning to a
new model year
Transition to the new model year
starts when the new vehicles are
first shipped to dealers. This usually occurs in October.
The transition occurs when the new
model year vehicle’s dollar volume
sales exceed those of the old model
year for the tracked vehicle. This is
determined separately for each vehicle at each dealer. This roll-over
usually starts in September and can
last 4 to 6 months.
For exports, the transition occurs in October in some cases or
when new models exceed 50 percent of models exported in the
remainder of cases. For imports,
transition occurs when over 50%
of the vehicles are new.
OVERVIEW
SAMPLE
30
International Price Program
(IPP)
Producer Price Index
(PPI)
Category
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
Consumer Price Index
(CPI)
Producer Price Index
(PPI)
Category
International Price Program
(IPP)
Net price that dealers pay to motor
vehicle manufacturers. Net price reported does not include discounts or
holdback (manufacturer’s payment
to assist with dealer financing). Discounts are reported separately.
Price consumers pay to dealers. The For imports and exports: net
reported price is estimated based prices paid at the border
on sales over the past 30 days. The
reported price includes: base price,
transportation charge, dealer preparation charges, options, markup,
concession (haggling), rebate, nonsales taxes (e.g. luxury taxes) and
sales tax.
Discounts applied
in index
Yes. Dealer and customer incentives, including cash rebates and
financing incentives that are paid
by the manufacturer
Yes. Includes estimated averages for
concessions and consumer and dealer
rebates based on sales for the model
in question over the past 30 days. CPI
has not included special financing
rates since 1998.
No
Taxes
No
Yes
No
Pricing frequency
Price used in index is the price on
one specific day in the middle of
the month (the Tuesday of the week
containing the 13th).
Prices are collected throughout the First day of each month.
entire month. Prices are collected bimonthly in the majority of PSUs and
monthly in New York, Los Angeles
and Chicago.
Quality adjustment
data used
Change in production cost (direct
and indirect costs plus manufacturer’s
mark-up) due to change in quality.
Same as
retail.
Quality adjustment
formula
New base price = (new price × old
base price) ÷ (new price – value of
quality adjustment)
Quality adjusted price = old price
× quality adjustment factor ÷ (1
– quality adjustment factor)
QUALITY ADJUSTMENT PROCESS
PRICES
Type of price collected
PPI,
plus markup to
Same as PPI
Same as PPI
Procedure used when Link using net prices so the index
a tracked vehicle is shows no change.
discontinued, and no
comparable vehicle is
available
If it is an uncomparable model year Same as PPI
changeover, the quote weight is imputed by the price change of other
model year changeover quotes in the
geographic area in question.
Obtaining quality
adjustment data
Detailed QA data is obtained directly from the manufacturers for every
vehicle in the sample and applied
directly to each vehicle.
PPI
detailed QA information used
as proxies are applied. Research and
secondary sources are also used to
estimate other QA changes not captured in the PPI data.
Same as PPI
Quality adjust for
emissions
Yes
No, since January 1999.
Yes
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 31
Price Measures of New Vehicles
International Price Program
(IPP)
Types of indexes
published
Indexes by industry and by commodity. The motor vehicle index
includes indexes for passenger cars,
light trucks (14,000 lbs. or less),
motorcycles, and heavy trucks.
New Vehicle Index
New Cars and Trucks Index
New Cars Index
New Trucks Index
BEA
Prices not reported
by deadline
Prices not reported are estimated
by cell relatives; that is, their movement is estimated to be the same as
that of the weighted average of all
valid prices in the cell.
The quote weight is imputed by the
price change of the other new vehicle quotes in the same geographic
area.
Same as PPI
Revision period
Final index is published 4 months
after first published index
None. Indexes are final when pub- Final index is published 3 months
lished.
after the first published index.
Regional data
published
No
Yes, by region and city
No
Seasonally adjusted
data published
Yes
Yes
No
INDEX
32
Consumer Price Index
(CPI)
Producer Price Index
(PPI)
Category
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
auto includes: autos, SUVs,
golfcarts.
BEA trucks include: light and
heavy duty.
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
A hedonic model for Internet access
service in the Consumer Price Index
A hedonic model is presented for use in making direct
quality adjustments to prices for Internet access service
collected for the Consumer Price Index; the Box-Cox
methodology for functional form selection improves
the specification of the model
Brendan Williams
Brendan Williams is an
economist in the Transportation and Household Commodities
Section, Office of Prices
and Living Conditions,
Bureau of Labor Statistics. E-mail: williams.
brendan@bls.gov
T
he practice of making hedonic-based
price adjustments to remove the effects of quality changes in goods and
services that enter into the calculation of the
U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) has to date
focused primarily on indexes for consumer
electronics, appliances, housing, and apparel.
In an effort to expand the use of hedonic adjustments to a service-oriented area of the CPI,
this article investigates the development and
application of a hedonic regression model for
making direct price adjustments for quality
change in the index for Internet access services (known as “Internet services and electronic
information providers,” item index SEEE03).
The analysis presented builds on past research
in hedonics and makes use of a Box-Cox regression to select a functional form that allows for better estimation than that produced
by standard functional forms. Experimental1
price indexes are constructed with hedonic
regression coefficients to make direct adjustments to CPI price quotes in order to account
for changes in characteristics of Internet service access, such as improved bandwidth and
length of service contract. These experimental
indexes are compared with the official index
for Internet access service to measure the impact of hedonic-based quality adjustments on
the CPI index SEEE03.
The Internet access industry
The first commercial services allowing users
to access content with their personal computers by connecting to interhousehold networks
appeared in 1979 with the debut of CompuServe and The Source, an online service
provider bought by Reader’s Digest soon after
the service was launched. The same year also
marked the beginning of Usenet, a newsgroup
and messaging network. Early online services
proliferated during the 1980s, and each allowed users to access a limited network, but
not the Internet.
The U.S. Government’s ARPANET is commonly cited as the beginning of what we
now know as the Internet. The project that
developed ARPANET started in the 1960s
and provided much of the technological and
physical infrastructure for the early Internet.
In 1990, ARPANET shut down, and a National
Science Foundation network took over where
it left off. Taking the final steps to create the
Internet, the National Science Foundation
expanded the network to commercial traffic
and privatized the Internet backbone in the
1990s.
The early Internet lacked a convenient interface. In 1990, researchers at the European
Organization for Nuclear Research (Conseil
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 33
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire, or CERN) developed the World Wide Web, a hypertext-based graphical
interface. The World Wide Web provided an easy way to
display and organize information that resided on the Internet. With the 1993 introduction of Mosaic, the first
popular Web browser, the Internet went mainstream.
Many online service providers began including Internet
access with their services, and Americans rapidly signed
on for such access, mostly through dial-up connections.
In the late 1990s, Internet service providers began to
offer high-speed cable and digital subscriber line (DSL)
Internet access to consumers. Cable had a significant market share advantage at first, but, according to a May 2006
report by Pew/Internet, DSL has become the broadband
access method of choice, with about 50 percent of the
broadband market, compared with 41 percent for cable.2
The same report states that 73 percent of Americans have
Internet access in their homes and 42 percent of Americans have broadband Internet access.
Prior hedonic studies of Internet access
Several researchers have developed hedonic models for Internet access. Generally, these models either were focused
on dial-up access or were based on a data set that consisted
largely of observations on dial-up access. Greg Stranger and
Shane Greenstein showed that a hedonic price index for Internet access from November 1993 to January 1999 declines
much more than an index that does not account for quality
change.3 Stranger and Greenstein constructed a model with
dummy variables for time-limited monthly access, several
different levels of hourly limits, different types of speed and
forms of access, and each period. Following the time dummy
hedonic index method, the coefficients on the time dummy
variables are interpreted to represent the quality-adjusted
price change. Stranger and Greenstein’s hedonic price index
covers a timeframe that is too early to include any of the
usual forms of consumer broadband access, such as cable or
DSL. The closest they come is 1 year of data on T1 access, a
technology used predominantly by businesses. Stranger and
Greenstein also have data on 64-kbs and 128-kbs Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines that, while faster
than dial-up, do not qualify as broadband.
A paper by Kam Yu and Marc Prud’homme similar to
Stranger and Greenstein’s produced a hedonic index for Internet access in Canada.4 The model included variables for
speed, dedicated lines, hourly limits, 24-hour technical support, roaming hours, prepaid bulk hours, number of free offpeak hours, number of e-mail addresses, amount of Web storage, and installation fees. Yu’ and Prud’homme’s index pooled
34
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
all available types of Internet access, but even in 2000, the last
year of the sample, the index was composed primarily of observations for dial-up access. Although the authors utilized time
dummy variables, they did not make a straight time dummy
index; rather, they used the coefficients from these variables
to adjust prices and then computed indexes with the use of
the adjusted prices. Like Stranger and Greenstein, Yu and
Prud’homme found that the hedonic index decreased faster
than nonhedonic indexes; however, Stranger and Greenstein
did not use a matched model, whereas Yu and Prud’homme
constructed a matched model with few matches, which they
acknowledged likely biased their index.5 Despite the methodological differences between the two papers, both showed
that quality-adjusted price indexes for Internet services exhibit larger price declines than those of unadjusted indexes.
Past recommendations for the BLS
The BLS added an elementary price index for Internet access to the CPI in 1997. The Bureau of Economic Analysis
funded a 2002 report by Greenstein that made a number
of recommendations for improving the Internet access
price index.6 The analysis that follows addresses several of
the concerns raised in that report. Greenstein identified six
areas in which Internet access issues should be addressed:
speed, availability, contract features, reliability, network effects, and other features of users’ experiences.7 The subsequent analysis covers the use of hedonic methods to make
direct quality adjustments to prices used in the calculation
of the index and so specifically addresses issues within two
of Greenstein’s areas: speed and contract features. Greenstein also raises weighting, sampling, and other issues that
cannot be addressed by a hedonic regression.
Greenstein identifies a number of issues that, though
amenable to a hedonic regression, are nonetheless hard to
assess. For instance, while consumers benefit from having a larger number of choices in accessing the Internet,
there is little reliable data available on local or regional
Internet penetration and availability of service. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) releases data on
the number of broadband service providers within a given
zip code, but the methods it uses has many critics, including the General Accountability Office, which took issue
with those methods in a May 2006 report. As Greenstein
wrote, assessing exactly how much a consumer benefits
from additional choices, even with good data on service
availability, cannot be easily accomplished. Likewise, according to Greenstein, quality change related to service
reliability, network effects, and features such as additional
e-mail addresses, pop-up ad-blocking software, and in-
stant messaging cannot be reliably estimated. Moreover,
many of the extra features that once came as part of a
service agreement can now be obtained for free. For example, users can get e-mail accounts with large—even unlimited—data storage limits for free from companies like
Google, AOL, and Yahoo. Services for instant messaging,
online file storage, picture sharing, and antivirus software
also can be had free of charge. With many services now
offered free of charge, the aforementioned features do not
play as large a role as price-determining characteristics as
they once did.
Greenstein also recommended that the CPI use broadband as a comparable replacement item for dial-up once a
quality adjustment is applied to account for the improved
speed of broadband. Although this issue is amenable to
a hedonic regression, making the necessary adjustments
would involve creating a hedonic model that covers both
broadband and dial-up, and such a model would estimate
dial-up and broadband speed with the same continuous
function. Past research suggests that dial-up and broadband Internet access can be considered different goods;8
therefore, their components should not be treated equally.
Another of Greenstein’s recommendations was that the
CPI should do a better job of taking into account contract features. Greenstein focuses mainly on the issue of
contracts with hourly limits; however, he notes that, although such limits were an important feature of Internet
contracts in the 1990s, these sorts of agreements have become rare and are probably no longer relevant.9 Moreover,
while some dial-up agreements in the CPI sample from
late 2006 still have hourly limits, none of the broadband
agreements impose these restrictions.
Although hourly limits no longer play much of a role
as a contract feature, broadband service plans often come
with set contract lengths. Service agreements in the sample range from 1 to 15 months. Consumers benefit from
the greater flexibility of shorter term agreements that do
not lock them into one form of service and preclude other
options. They also pay a premium for shorter term service agreements. Hedonic quality adjustments for changes
in service contract lengths allow the index to reflect the
changes in contract value from changes in term-length
agreements.
As Greenstein acknowledged, there is no consensus on
how to measure Internet access speed.10 Most Internet users are familiar with bandwidth measures such as 56 kilobits per second or 5 megabits per second. These measures
do not fully represent the speed of an Internet connection. Bandwidth indicates only a connection’s throughput;
it does not give any indication of the connection’s latency.
Although throughput measures the amount of information that can be transferred, latency represents the actual
speed at which information travels. A frequently used
analogy compares Internet access to plumbing. A service
with high throughput can be likened to a pipe with a large
diameter. Such a pipe can move a large amount of water
at once, but the rate of flow might be slow. In order to
move a large amount of water quickly, the pipe must both
be wide and have a high rate of flow. Similarly, in order to
move information quickly, an Internet connection needs
to have both high throughput (a larger pipe) and low latency (a fast rate of flow). While most consumers place
their focus on throughput, having a low latency connection can be particularly important for certain applications,
such as Voice over Internet Protocol (Internet telephony),
remote computer access, and gaming, in which the quick
relay of information is very important.
Despite the inadequacy of bandwidth as a measure of
Internet access speed, no other measures can be readily
obtained. For the models estimated and described in this
article, bandwidth will serve as a proxy measure for speed.
While technically questionable, bandwidth seems a reasonable proxy because Internet service providers generally use
estimated upper bandwidth rates when advertising their
services, and consumers make their decisions with bandwidth as their primary measure of Internet access speed.
Dial-up and broadband: comparable services?
Although Greenstein recommends that the CPI treat dialup and broadband as equivalent services (in terms of the
value of their bandwidth), a debate has grown over whether the two can be compared as substitutes for each other.
Jerry A. Hausman, J. Gregory Sidak, and Hal J. Singer
argued that, in the context of government market power
regulation, dial-up and broadband are distinct goods
that cannot be directly compared.11 To support treating
broadband and dial-up as distinct items, they estimated a
regression with the logarithm of cable broadband price as
the dependent variable and the logarithm of narrowband
price as one of the independent variables. The regression
failed to find any statistically significant impact of the
price of narrowband on the price of cable broadband in
the same area. The authors assert that this finding implies
that the two types of Internet access are distinct goods.12
A 2002 report by Pew/Internet also concluded that
broadband and dial-up users have different Internet usage patterns. Broadband users not only spend more time
doing a variety of basic activities online, but are far more
likely to use high-bandwidth features such as gaming and
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 35
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
streaming media.13
Treating the value of bandwidth as equivalent across
dial-up and broadband would disregard the empirical
and theoretical evidence indicating that the two Internet
services are distinct. Users would be expected to value an
increase in broadband bandwidth differently than they
would an increase in dial-up bandwidth. Internet users
also have different uses for different levels of bandwidth.
While lower levels of bandwidth, like those available to
dial-up users, may be sufficient for certain activities (such
as e-mail, online banking, online shopping, and checking weather reports), users with broadband bandwidth
can employ their higher speeds to access content (such
as streaming audio-video and gaming) that dial-up users cannot access—at least not without prohibitively
long waiting periods. Consumers can be expected to
give different values to the different uses of high and low
bandwidth. Estimating the value of bandwidth with the
same continuous linear function across two distinct levels
of bandwidth would likely provide a flawed estimate of
bandwidth’s value.
Another problem is that dial-up and broadband market structures differ. Tom Downes and Shane Greenstein
found that 92 percent of people in the United States live
in areas with competitive dial-up markets.14 In contrast,
the market for broadband tends towards a duopoly, with
consumers facing the choice between one cable provider
and one DSL provider.15 Although competition among
suppliers may not be classified as a consumer preference,
such competition will at least affect the price data used in
data analysis. Nestor M. Arguea, Cheng Hsiao, and Grant
A. Taylor argued that arbitrage would create linear pricing
in competitive markets, so a hedonic model can be expected to have a linear functional form.16 Sherwin Rosen
also noted that a hedonic model will be linear if arbitrage
in the characteristics is possible.17 Jack Triplett, by contrast, cautions against the assumption of linearity, because
characteristics in hedonic models are rarely truly open to
competitive arbitrage. Triplett uses the example of a car
and its engine; hypothetically, the two could be bought
separately, but such a purchase would be impractical and
expensive.18 Setting the specifics of these arguments aside,
past research has shown that market structure relates to
functional form in hedonic models. Attempting to fit
price data produced in two different market structures
with a regression that accommodates only one functional
form will lead to misspecification.
In addition, combining dial-up and broadband Internet service into a single model does not make practical
sense for the BLS. Setting aside theoretical arguments
36
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
against quality adjusting for a change from dial-up to
broadband service, a regression model covering both
types of service would make such an adjustment technically possible; however, the opportunity to make this type
of adjustment might never come. There were no cases of
substitution between dial-up and broadband services in
the 2 years of data examined for this study. Of course, such
a result could be expected because the BLS computes the
CPI with a “matched-model” method in which prices are
collected for the same unique good or service from the
same outlet on a repeated basis. Many dial-up providers
have no broadband offering, and others offer broadband
only within certain geographic areas. Given the tendency
of Internet service providers to focus on either dial-up or
broadband service, few changes in type of service would
be expected within the CPI sample.
Given, then, the differences in market structure of
broadband and dial-up (with broadband in a duopolistic
market and dial-up in a relatively competitive one), as well
as the differences in the way consumers use the two services,
combining them into a single model would be theoretically
problematic. A combined dial-up and broadband model
would have a weaker theoretical foundation and offer little, if any, practical benefit. For these reasons, dial-up and
broadband are treated as entirely distinct services in this
article, with all analysis focusing on broadband services.
Functional form and the Box-Cox transformation
The theory behind hedonic regression has offered little
guidance in selecting the functional form for hedonic
models. As mentioned in the previous section, a competitive market implies a linear model if arbitrage is not hindered by bundling, but few markets are truly competitive.
Without standards derived from theory, the BLS has generally employed a semilog functional form in the hedonic
models it uses to directly adjust prices in the CPI. Other
researchers have used goodness of fit as the standard for
selecting functional form in hedonic models.19 In hedonics research, Box-Cox regression has been a particularly
popular method of finding an appropriate functional form
based on goodness of fit.
Various Box-Cox transformations have been recommended as the preferred functional form for hedonic regressions, in part because they allow for some flexibility.
For Y(Ȝ), a basic Box-Cox transformation on a single variable, the transformation is defined as
Y (Ȝ)
Y
(Ȝ)
Y Ȝ 1
for Ȝ 0 or
Ȝ
ln Y for Ȝ = 0.
(1)
A more complex version transforms both sides of the
equation with different parameters. In this article, denotes
the Box-Cox transformation parameter on the dependent
variable while denotes the Box-Cox transformation parameter on independent variables. Such a transformation
for nonzero values, with logarithms providing the transformation when is zero, can be represented as20
Y Ȝ 1
Ȝ
K
Į ¦ ȕi
i 1
X iș 1 J
¦ Ȗ s D s İ for Ȝ and ș 0.
ș
s 1
(2)
Equation (2) will be referred to as an unrestricted Box-Cox
(uBC) model, to distinguish it from three other transformations. A restricted Box-Cox (rBC) model requires that
both sides of the equation, excluding dummy variables,
be transformed by the same parameter (that is, rBC = uBC
with the restriction that = ):
Y Ȝ 1
Ȝ
ln Y
K
Į ¦ ȕi
i 1
X iȜ 1 J
¦ Ȗ s D s İ for Ȝ 0 or
Ȝ
s 1
K
J
i 1
s 1
(3)
Į ¦ ȕ i ln X i ¦ Ȗ s D s İ for Ȝ = 0.
A left-hand Box-Cox (lhBC) model transforms only the
dependent variable and leaves the independent variables
unaltered:
J
K
Y Ȝ −1
= Į + ¦ ȕ i X i + ¦ Ȗ s Ds + İ for Ȝ 0 or
s =1
i =1
Ȝ
K
J
i =1
s =1
ln Y = Į + ¦ ȕ i X i + ¦ Ȗ s Ds + İ for Ȝ = 0.
(4)
A right-hand Box-Cox (rhBC) model transforms only the
continuous independent variables:
K
Y = Į +¦ ȕi
i =1
K
X iș − 1 J
+ ¦ Ȗ s Ds + İ for ș 0 or
s =1
ș
J
Y = Į + ¦ ȕ i ln X i + ¦ Ȗ s Ds + İ for ș = 0.
i =1
(5)
s =1
In each of these models, the statistical software uses
an iterative process to select the Box-Cox parameter values with the best fit, based on maximum likelihood. The
Box-Cox form accommodates data in multiple functional
forms, and certain Box-Cox parameter values are associated with basic functional forms, including the linear, loglog, and semilog forms. An rBC model represents a linear
model when the transformation parameter equals 1 ( =
1); an rBC model is equivalent to a log-log equation when
the transformation parameter equals 0 ( = 0). An lhBC
model is equivalent to a left-side semilog model when =
0; an lhBC model represents a linear form when = 1. An
rhBC model represents a linear form when = 1; an rhBC
model is equivalent to a right-side semilog model when
= 0. An rhBC represents a reciprocal functional form
when = –1. A uBC model, the most general Box-Cox
form used here, can represent any model represented by
a uBC, an lhBC, or an rhBC model. As mentioned earlier,
a uBC model is an rBC model when it has the restriction
that must be equal to . A uBC model represents an
lhBC model when = 1; a uBC model represents an rhBC
model when = 1.
Box-Cox regression can be used both as a test of functional form and as a form in itself. Because the Box-Cox
regression can represent the standard functional forms,
it can find whether any of these forms are appropriate
and, if so, the one that works the best. For instance, if
the Box-Cox regression returns values of 0 for both and
, then a log-log model is indicated. In his handbook on
hedonic price indexes, Triplett offers further discussion
of the Box-Cox regression as a test of functional form in
hedonic models.21
If the Box-Cox regression rejects all the parameter
values associated with the standard functional forms, the
parameter values it returns can still be used to represent
alternative forms. The use of Box-Cox transformations as
the functional form of choice (and not just a test) in hedonic regression generally receives strong support in the
literature. The 1988 work by Maureen L. Cropper, Leland
(4) and Kenneth E. McConnell has often been cited
B. Deck,
for its recommendation of a Box-Cox transformation in
hedonic models. In this work, the authors found that a linear Box-Cox function performs better than linear, semilog,
double-log, quadratic, and quadratic Box-Cox functions.
They also found that a linear Box-Cox function performs
well in estimating marginal attribute prices, even in the
case
(5) of specification error. In contrast, the quadratic BoxCox form has similar goodness of fit, but provides biased
results in the presence of specification error.22 Cropper
and her colleagues attempted only one form of the linear Box-Cox transformation, the uBC,23 and therefore do
not offer any insight into whether the uBC, rBC, or some
similar form is the best linear Box-Cox transformation.
Without a clear, preferred Box-Cox form defined in the
literature, the study described herein uses best-fit criteria
to determine the appropriate functional form.
Data
Data for this study were extracted from the official CPI
database during November 2006. Data from that month
and bimonthly sampled quotes from October were combined into a preliminary data set for the index category
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 37
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
“Internet services and electronic information providers”
(formerly known as “other information services”). These
data were then pared down into a data set of 139 broadband price quotes covering three types of Internet access.
Cable Internet access, with 94 quotes, accounted for 67.6
percent of the data. DSL followed with 41 quotes, or 29.5
percent, and the remaining 4 quotes were for satellite Internet access. In comparison, when the Pew Internet Project first surveyed relative cable and DSL Internet usage
in March 2003, it found that 28 percent of broadband
subscribers used DSL and 67 percent used cable. In March
2006, the same survey found that DSL’s market share had
increased to 50 percent while cable’s share had fallen to 41
percent.24 These numbers suggest that the CPI data may be
a bit out of step with current trends, but quite representative of the market a few years ago. The close relationship
between the CPI sample and the market several years ago
should be expected, because the CPI sample rotates continually over a 4-year cycle, so some quotes may be based
on expenditure data from several years earlier. Also, the
time needed to complete expenditure surveys and incorporate their results into the sample extends this lag.
The four satellite Internet service quotes were dropped
from the data set because satellite service does not seem
to compete directly with the other forms of broadband.
Satellite Internet is more expensive and slower than both
DSL and cable broadband. Its market is generally limited
to rural areas that lack access to other methods of fast Internet service. Given the differences in market and market
structure, the satellite Internet quotes were dropped from
the sample used for hedonic regression, leaving 135 quotes
in the final data set slated for regression modeling.
The data included several variables in addition to each
service plan’s price, which in turn included additional
fees for services such as modem rental and installation.
Each quote had information on a number of service plan
characteristics: connection speed, length of the contract,
promotional pricing, whether the plan came as part of
a bundled package that included cable television and/or
telephone service, and more. If information on any of
these characteristics was missing or suspicious—such as
listing an extremely slow or fast connection speed—the
information was verified by going to the service provider’s
Web page and collecting the proper data value.
The variable “bandwidth” is a continuous measure of
the reported download bandwidth in kilobytes per second. In the sample, reported bandwidth ranged from 256
kbps for low-level DSL plans to 10 mbps for the fastest
cable connections. Although cable tends to be faster than
DSL, it is not always so. The fastest DSL observation was 5
38
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
mbps, while the slowest cable observation was 300 kbps.
Many broadband providers offer Internet service in
packages bundled with various combinations of television,
landline telephone, and mobile telephone services. Observations in the sample were considered to be bundled
if the price listed for Internet service was a component
of an explicit package offer or if the price was listed at a
discount for customers who subscribed to another service. The sample contained no observations bundled with
mobile telephone service. Of the paired-service packages,
whenever Internet service was bundled with either telephone or subscription television services, all of the observations bundled with television services were from cable
broadband providers and all of the observations with telephone service bundling were from DSL providers. Only
two “triple-play” packages (packages with Internet, television, and telephone services in a single bundle) were in
the sample, and both were from cable companies.
A dummy variable represented television bundling in the
regression models. No variable for telephone bundling was
used. Preliminary models showed that bundling an Internet
service with telephone service did not have a significant impact on the listed price of the Internet service. This finding
may be explained in part by the fact that, in order to get DSL
service, customers must also pay for a telephone line with their
DSL provider. At the time this article was written, very few
companies offered stand-alone DSL, known as “naked DSL,”
and there were no such packages in the sample. Even when
not explicitly sold as part of a bundle, DSL service essentially
came in tandem with telephone service. Thus, even limiting a
dummy variable to representing the telephone service in the
triple-play packages did not produce statistically significant
results, so only the dummy variable representing bundling
with television service was used in the regressions that were
carried out for this study.
Most of the observations in the sample represented Internet service from either cable television companies or large
telephone companies. A few companies lease communications
infrastructure from major broadband providers and sell their
own Internet service. The dummy variable “other ISP” indicates
an observation with service from one of these providers.
Several different semilog models were specified, and the
results from these models are presented in table 1. First,
Model 1, consisting of only the theoretical model variables, was estimated. Second, control variables for Census
Bureau region and city size, wherever the data were collected, were added to Model 1 to produce Model 2. Finally,
after the results of Model 2 were reviewed, Model 3 was
specified, using the theoretical model variables and the
only significant control variable: the dummy variable for
the Western region.
Four different forms of the Box-Cox transformation
were attempted with the variables from Model 3: a transformation on the dependent variable alone (lhBC); a transformation on the continuous, independent variables alone
(rhBC); transformations using the same value on both sides
of the equation (rBC); and transformations using different
values on both sides of the equation (uBC). The results of
these transformations are presented in table 2.
The statistical software tests null hypotheses that the
Box-Cox parameter(s) for an estimated model is/are equal
to –1, 0, or 1. The results from these hypothesis tests can
act as tests for functional form. The rBC and uBC results
Table 1. Regression results: semilog models
Variable
Model 1
Constant............................
3.837417
(80.27)
2
Bandwidth........................
.000017
(2.10)
1
Promotional price..........
–.3865237
(–9.77 )
1
Bundled television........
–.1637662
(–4.05)
1
Contract months............
–.0147753
(–2.98)
1
DSL. .....................................
–.3636489
(–7.61)
1
Other ISP. ..........................
–.2381208
(–3.13)
West....................................
—
Midwest.............................
—
South..................................
—
Bsize....................................
—
Csize....................................
—
R-squared..........................
.7073
Adjusted R-squared .....
.6936
F-statistic...........................
51.56
1
Model 2
Model 3
3.816153
(53.76)
2
.0000188
(2.14)
1
–.4407197
(–11.08)
1
–.1638882
(–4.03)
1
–.0126181
(–2.58)
1
–.4271105
(–8.62 )
1
–.234327
(–3.09)
1
.1847002
(3.19)
.0082532
(.17)
.0656907
(1.12)
–.0741243
(–1.57)
–.0316996
(–.48)
.7456
.7229
32.78
3.820113
(84.06)
1
.0000185
(2.42)
1
–.4366383
(–11.06)
1
–.1677243
(–4.39)
1
–.0132862
(–2.82)
1
–.4137092
(–8.82 )
1
–.2100399
(–2.90)
1
.1676677
(3.99)
—
1
1
—
—
—
.74
.7256
51.63
1
Significant at the 1-percent level (two-tailed test for control variables,
one-tailed test for others).
2
Significant at the 5-percent level (two-tailed test for control variables,
one-tailed test for others).
NOTE: t-statistics are in parentheses. West, Midwest, and South are census regions. Dash indicates variable not used in model.
rejected Box-Cox transformation parameters of –1, 0, and
1. Because a parameter value of 1 represents a linear model
and a parameter value of 0 represents a log-log model, the
rBC and uBC regression results indicate that the linear and
log-log transformations would not be appropriate here. The
tests for the lhBC model also rejected values of –1, 0, and
1. Because a value of 0 represents a semilog model, such a
model also can be eliminated as an appropriate functional
form. The significance tests for the rhBC transformation
model failed to reject any of the parameter values, so that
model provided no useful tests of functional form.
As tests of functional form, these Box-Cox regressions
eliminated the standard linear, log-log, and semilog forms.
While Box-Cox regressions can be used to test functional
form, they also can be used as functional forms themselves.
Standard functional forms are usually preferred for the
sake of parsimony, but the simpler forms were all rejected.
Though more complex, the estimated Box-Cox models
provide transformations that fit the data best. To help select the appropriate Box-Cox model from the four discussed earlier, the Akaike information criterion (AIC) and
the Bayesian information criterion (BIC) were used.25 As
shown in the following tabulation, the rBC had the lowest
AIC and BIC values, suggesting that it provides the best
transformation:
Model
AIC result
Right-hand (rhBC) ............
Left-hand (lhBC) ...............
Restricted (rBC) .................
Unrestricted (uBC) .............
877.95950
870.44479
868.84819
869.89652
BIC result
880.86478
873.35006
871.75346
875.70707
However, these information criteria are sensitive to differing functional forms, so comparing the values across models is not entirely accurate. The rBC found a significant
value for a parameter that transformed both sides of the
equation, but the uBC value for the right-hand parameter
was not significant. Thus, the rBC seems preferable because it transforms both sides of the equation and does
not have an insignificant transformation parameter, as the
uBC does.
Table 2. Hypothesis tests for Box-Cox transformations
Transformation
λ
θ
H0 equation
Chi2 statistic for rejecting H0 when X =
1
0
–1
lhBC. ...............
rhBC................
rBC. .................
uBC. ................
1
0.4610551
…
2
.401735
2
.4210553
1
Significant at the 1-percent level.
…
–1.724741
2
.401735
–.3620293
λ=X
θ=X
λ=θ=X
λ=θ=X
8.72
1.21
1
10.32
1
11.27
1
2
7.55
.05
2
5.73
2
6.68
1
81.41
.07
78.82
1
79.77
Standard functional
forms rejected
1
Semilog and linear
1
Log-log and linear
Log-log and linear
Significant at the 5-percent level.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 39
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
As noted in table 2, the rBC selected 0.401735 as the
value of that produced the best transformation. The
Box-Cox procedure also produced probability values for
the coefficients on the basis of chi-square tests, because
using ordinary least squares estimates of coefficient variances produces inaccurate measures of significance.26 The
results of this regression are presented in the following
tabulation (superscript 1 indicates significance at the 1percent level, superscript 2 at the 5-percent level):
Variable
Regression result,
final model
Constant ............................ 8.575593
Bandwidth ..........................
1.0117482
Promotional price ............... 1–1.7730443
Bundeled television ............ 1–.7251095
Contract months ................ 2–.1189097
DSL .....................................
1–1.675438
Other ISP ............................ 1–.8505007
West ................................... 1.6512617
.........................................
p-value for .......................
.401735
.022
2
No probability test was run on the constant, but all coefficient values were significant at the 1-percent level except
for the coefficient for contract months, which was significant at the 5-percent level.
This estimated rBC model can be used to find implicit
prices for the characteristics of an Internet service plan.
The price of a characteristic is estimated with the implicit
price derived from a hedonic equation. Let
K
X ș −1 J
Y Ȝ −1
= Į + ¦ȕz z
+ ¦ Ȗ s Ds + İ for ș and Ȝ 0
s =1
z =1
ș
Ȝ
(6)
be an equation for a uBC. Then the implicit price for a
continuous characteristic XZ is calculated by taking the
partial derivative of the price Y with respect to XZ:
∂Y
= ȕ z X zș −1Y 1− Ȝ .
∂X z
(7)
Or, similarly, for partial derivatives with respect to dummy
variable characteristics,
∂Y
∂D s
= Ȗ s Y 1− Ȝ .
(8)
These formulas can be applied to an rBC model by invoking the restriction = . Based on the partial-derivative
formula for a continuous variable, the marginal price of
bandwidth is
40
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
∂Y
= .0.011748 X 0.401735 −1Y 1− 0.401735 .
∂X z
(9)
This formula incorporates the original item’s price and
bandwidth. One can visualize the formula by plotting the
marginal price curve of bandwidth (the cost of an increase
of 1 kilobit per second) and observing how the resulting
curve varies with changes in initial price and bandwidth
in a two-dimensional representation. Chart 1 illustrates
how the marginal price of bandwidth in this rBC model
depends on both the initial price and the initial bandwidth. In the model, the marginal price of bandwidth is
higher at lower initial bandwidths and higher at higher
initial prices. In contrast, chart 2 illustrates how marginal
price in a semilog model (with a logged dependent variable) is dependent upon the initial price only and does
not vary with the initial speed. Together, the two charts
highlight how the estimated rBC model accommodates
the diminishing marginal price of bandwidth while the
semilog model does not.
Experimental price index estimation
The theoretical literature on hedonic regression and price
indexes presents a variety of methods for incorporating hedonic methods into price indexes. Some of these
methods involve creating an entire price index through a
hedonic regression, but the BLS uses hedonic regressions
to make direct adjustments to prices only when an item
(or, in this article, a service) is replaced by a new item (or
service).
Price (6)
indexes generally use a price relative—the ratio
of the current-period price (Pa,t) for an item a to its price
(Pa,t-1) in the previous period—to measure the change in
the price of the item. If item a is phased out and replaced
in the current period by an item b, the price of b must be
adjusted for the difference in the value of features between
a and b. For example, if b is identical to a, except that it in(7) an improved characteristic Z, then the unadjusted
cludes
price relative, Pb,t/Pa,t-1, would not take the improvement
in b into account. To account for the difference in characteristics, a hedonic model is used to estimate what the
price of a in the previous period would have been had a
included characteristic Z. This model allows prices from
(8)
the two periods to be compared as if the same item were
being priced in both periods. The adjusted price relative
is the ratio of the current-period price of item b to the
previous-period price of item a, adjusted by the imputed
value, Pz,t-1, an estimate of the value of characteristic Z.
This new price relative can be represented as Pb,t /(Pa,t-1 +
Chart 1. Marginal price of bandwidth for a given initial price, Box-Cox model
Price of 1 kbps (dollars)
Price of 1 kbps (dollars)
0.0070
0.0070
$75
0.0060
0.0060
$65
$55
$45
0.0050
0.0050
$35
$25
0.0040
0.0040
$15
$5
0.0030
0.0030
0.0020
0.0020
0.0010
0.0010
0.0000
0.0000
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000 11,000 12,000
13,000 14,000 15,000
Initial bandwidth (kbps)
Chart 2. Marginal price of bandwidth for a given initial price, semilog model
$5
$15
$25
$35
$45
Price of 1 kbps (dollars)
0.0014
$55
$65
$75
Price of 1 kbps (dollars)
0.0014
0.0012
0.0012
0.001
0.001
0.0008
0.0008
0.0006
0.0006
0.0004
0.0004
0.0002
0.0002
0
0
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000 10,000 11,000 12,000 13,000 14,000 15,000
Initial bandwidth (kbps)
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 41
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
Pz,t-1). In order to calculate an adjusted price relative, Pz,t-1,
the previous-period value for the new characteristic must
be calculated.
The regression coefficient for a variable can be interpreted by taking the partial derivative of the dependent
variable with respect to a given independent variable. In
a hedonic model, the partial derivative of a characteristic
can be used to find an implicit price for a characteristic.
One method of incorporating quality adjustments involves
using such implicit prices. For dummy variables, the quality adjustment for the addition of a characteristic would
simply be the value of the partial derivative (equation 8).
For continuous variables, the implicit price is found by
calculating the partial derivative (equation 7) and multiplying it by the change in value of a characteristic between
an old and a new item:
Pz ,t −1 =
∂y t −1
( x z ,t − x z ,t −1 ).
∂x z ,t −1
(10)
The total quality adjustment is calculated by adding the
quality adjustments for each characteristic:
¦P
z ,t −1
∂Yt −1
∂Yt −1
( x z ,t − x z ,t −1 ) + ¦
( Ds ,t − Ds ,t −1 ). (11)
z =1 ∂x z ,t −1
s =1 ∂D s ,t −1
K
J
=¦
An experimental index was created with this method, with
the implicit prices derived from the estimated rBC model
presented in the tabulation on page 00. This index will be
referred to as the marginal Box-Cox index.
A second experimental price index, referred to as the
semilog index, was created on the basis of the predicted
price from Model 3 of table 1. The BLS usually calculates
an adjusted price (Padjusted) by taking the item’s previousperiod price (Pprevious) and multiplying it by the mathematical constant e to the power of the difference of the sum of
the product of the replacement item’s characteristics (Xz,t)
and their respective coefficients and the sum of the product of the previous item’s characteristics (Xz,t-1) and their
respective coefficients:
k
k
¦ ȕ z X z ,t −¦ ȕ z X z ,t −1
Padjusted = Pprevious e z =1
z =1
.
(12)
Equation (12) is derived by dividing the model equation
for the predicted price of the replacement item, Preplacement
= ezXz,t++, by the model equation of the previous price,
Pprevious = ezXz,t-1++. The result is an estimated value for
the price of the replacement item, based on the previous
price. The process can be viewed as effectively adjusting
42
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
the previous-period price for the changes in characteristics. The quality adjustment, which is the sum of the individual values for the changes in characteristics, can be
found by subtracting the price of the previous item from
the adjusted price, which is the same as the predicted price
of the replacement item:
¦P
z ,t −1
= Padjusted − Pprevious .
(13)
The formula for the semilog index can be used only when
the dependent variable (the price in a hedonic regression
model) is transformed by a natural logarithm.
A third experimental index, referred to as the predictedprice Box-Cox index, was created by developing a formula,
similar to equation (12), that relates the previous-period
price of an item to the predicted price from a Box-Cox
model (note that () denotes a Box-Cox transformation
by the parameter , while is simply the value of the parameter ):
1
Padjusted
K
K
Ȝ
ºȜ
= ªȜ ( ¦ ȕ z X z(ș,t) − ¦ ȕ z X z(ș,t)−1 ) + Pprevious
(14)
«¬ z =1
»¼ for Ȝ 0. (14)
z =1
Equation (14) was derived by taking the model equation
K
(Ȝ)
(ș )
for the replacement item, Preplacemen
t = ¦ ȕ z X z ,t + Į + İ , and subz =1
tracting the model equation for the previous-period price,
K
(Ȝ)
Pprevious
= ¦ ȕ z X z(ș,t)−1 + Į + İ . With the observed previous-period
z =1
price and the characteristic information for both items
substituted into the formula, the formula predicts a price,
denoted Padjusted, that represents the previous-period price
had the item included the replacement item’s characteristics.
The predicted-price method of calculating adjustments provides a more accurate estimate of quality-adjusted prices than does the marginal-price method. The
latter calculates the value of a characteristic at an initial
point and assumes that the value remains the same. For
example, in the rBC model, the value of an additional 1
kbps for a $30/month service plan that already offers 1
mbps (1,000 kbps) can be estimated with equation (9).
Substituting
30 for the value of the initial price Y and
(12)
1,000 for the value of the initial bandwidth X results
in an estimate of $0.001441738 for the marginal value
of the bandwidth. If the same plan were increased by
1,000 kbps instead of 1 kbps, the estimated quality adjustment for the increased speed would be 1,000 times
$0.001441738, or $1.441738. This calculation assumes
that the one-thousandth additional kbps is valued the
same as the first additional one. However, the model
predicts that the value of an additional kbps added to a
$30/month service with a speed of 1,999 kbps would be
$0.000952622, about a third less than the value assumed
under a marginal price adjustment.
The Box-Cox predicted-price method (equation 14)
avoids the problem of dynamic marginal values, because
it is based on undifferentiated Box-Cox models instead
of the differentiated version (equation 11) used to calculate marginal prices. These adjustments could be made by
taking the model equation and substituting the characteristics of the new item into each variable to find the
predicted price of the new item, doing the same to find
the predicted value of the old item, and then determining the quality adjustment by taking the difference of the
two predicted values. By combining the formulas for the
predicted prices of the old and new items, the calculations
can be simplified so that only the variables for characteristics that change between the old and new items need to
be entered into the price adjustment formula.
Although a predicted-price formula is used to calculate
the quality adjustments on the basis of the semilog model,
the adjustments will not reflect changes in the value of
characteristics, because the semilog model itself assumes
that the value of one unit of a characteristic will remain
constant no matter the value of a characteristic variable.
Going back to the earlier example and using semilog
Model 3 indicates that a 1-kbps increase in a $30/month
service will be valued at $0.000555 (that is, 0.0000185
× 30), but, unlike the Box-Cox model adjustments, the
value for 1 kbps will be the same whether it is added to a
100-kbps service or a 5,000-kbps service.
All item replacements within the item index category
“Internet services and electronic information providers”
between December 2004 and January 2007 were revaluated in light of the findings of the hedonic models. Fortyfour item replacements qualified for adjustment. The coefficients from the Box-Cox (see tabulation on page 40)
and semilog (table 1, Model 3) models were utilized to
calculate quality-adjusted prices. The results of these adjustments were then used to calculate three experimental
indexes corresponding to the three methods of adjustment discussed here: the marginal Box-Cox, predictedprice semilog, and predicted-price Box-Cox adjustments.
The difference between the experimental indexes and
the official CPI for this index category is interpreted as
a measure of the impact of adjusting for quality change.
Table 3 summarizes the three experimental indexes by
the type of regression model and the method used for
quality adjustment.
The overall impact of these changes was small. The
official CPI for the category “Internet services and electronic information providers” fell 24.451 percent between
December 2004 and January 2007. In comparison, the
marginal Box-Cox, the semilog predicted price, and the
predicted-price Box-Cox indexes fell 24.594, 24.612, and
24.575 percent, respectively, over the same period.
The difference between the percent change of the experimental indexes and the percent change of the official
index is referred to as a discrepancy. The discrepancies
produced by the three experimental indexes are listed in
table 3. Compared with the official index, the semilog index displayed the largest absolute difference, a downward
discrepancy of 0.1613 percentage point over the 2-year
period. The marginal Box-Cox index produced a slightly
smaller downward discrepancy of 0.1429 percentage point,
while the predicted-price Box-Cox index had a slightly
smaller discrepancy with the official index, falling 0.1239
percentage point more than the published number.
The experimental indexes decreased more than the official index because they took account of quality change
that the official index missed. Of the 44 item replacements that were selected for reevaluation, 40 were originally deemed comparable to the official index. In such
cases of comparable replacements, the price change from
the old to the new item is treated as if the old item had
not been replaced. No quality adjustment was made for
these replacements, and the price relative was calculated
under the assumption that none of the price change was
attributable to quality change. Twenty-nine of the comparable replacements had improvements in bandwidth. In
these cases, the price relatives, and thus the official price
index, exhibited an upward bias because they did not take
into account quality improvements in bandwidth.
Three of the four noncomparable replacements had
price relatives imputed by cell-relative imputation, meaning that they were essentially dropped from index calcu-
Table 3. Summary of experimental indexes
Experimental index
(1) BCmarg................................................................
(2) Semilog................................................................
(3) BCpred.................................................................
Model for quality
adjustment
Quality adjustment
method
Box-Cox
Semilog
Box-Cox
Marginal price
Predicted price
Predicted price
Discrepancy with official
index over 2 years
–0.1429
–0.1613
–0.1239
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 43
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
lations for one period. When a price change is dropped
from an index, the price change is basically imputed from
the price change in similar items that either were not
replaced or had comparable replacements. The remaining replacement had a price change imputed through the
class-mean method, an imputation method that uses the
price changes from comparable or quality-adjusted replacements to estimate a noncomparable replacement’s
price change.27 In his handbook on price indexes, Triplett
notes that both class-mean and cell-relative imputation
can lead to bias, although the direction of the bias may not
be clear and depends on the particular circumstances.28
Thus, even though the preceding replacements were not
treated as comparable, they may still have contributed bias
to the official index.
The item replacements in the sample generally show a
trend of improvements in service quality in the form of
increased bandwidth rates. The official index missed most
of this trend because faster service was often treated as
comparable to slower service. Using the hedonic adjustments to reevaluate these replacements produces an index
that decreases faster than the official index by alleviating
at least some of the upward bias created by ignoring the
improving quality of Internet service.
Comparing the three experimental indexes reveals that
the semilog index, falling more than the other indexes,
produces the largest downward discrepancy with the official index. The semilog regression does not accommodate
the diminishing marginal price of bandwidth, so the semilog model will produce price estimates that are too low
at slow bandwidth rates and too high at high bandwidth
rates. Under this model, adjustments are made without
regard to the initial amount of bandwidth. For example,
given the same initial price, the quality adjustment for
increasing a 1-mbps service to 2 mbps will be the same
dollar value as the adjustment for increasing a 14-mbps
service to 15 mbps. Adjustments to faster services appear
to be overestimated, and the semilog index falls too fast
as a result.
Similarly, the marginal Box-Cox method seems to be
biased downward. Although it does allow for the marginal price to vary with the initial bandwidth rate, it does
not account for changes in marginal price in going from
one bandwidth rate to another. When there is diminishing marginal price, which is suggested by the model for
the bandwidth of interest here, the marginal Box-Cox
method will overestimate the price change associated
with increased bandwidth.
The predicted-price Box-Cox index decreases faster
than the official index because it incorporates many of
44
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
the quality improvements missed in the official index.
However, it decreases less rapidly than the other experimental indexes because it accommodates the diminishing
marginal price of bandwidth, whereas the semilog index
does not, and the marginal Box-Cox index accommodates
diminishing marginal price only in the initial bandwidth.
By fully accommodating changes in marginal value, the
predicted-price Box-Cox index avoids the downward bias
of the other two experimental indexes.
Chart 3 shows the running discrepancies between the
experimental indexes and the official index. The discrepancies are given by the percentage-point change in the
official index from December 2004 to the given month,
subtracted from the percentage-point change in the experimental index over the same period. After several
months of consistent downward discrepancies compared
with the official index, the experimental indexes began
to move higher, closer to the official index. Adjustments
made in these months demonstrate why hedonic adjustments will not always push an index downward.
In December 2006, all the experimental indexes increased relative to the official index. The December 2006
change is due entirely to a single replacement wherein
the estimated value of increasing a $35-per-month plan’s
connection speed to 3 mbps from 384 kbps was imputed
as $12.27 by the marginal Box-Cox adjustment, $8.48 by
the predicted-price Box-Cox adjustment, and $6.69 by
the semilog model. The marginal Box-Cox adjustment
was the largest because it uses the estimated marginal
value of bandwidth at 384 kbps as the estimated value
for each 1-kbps increase. The predicted-price Box-Cox
adjustment is less than the marginal Box-Cox adjustment
because the value of bandwidth is estimated as the estimated difference between bandwidths at 3 mbps and 384
kbps. The semilog adjustment gives the lowest estimated
value because it holds the value of bandwidth fixed and
does not account for the fact that the value of increased
bandwidth added to a very low connection speed will be
relatively high. However, none of the models attributes all
of the real-world price difference between the two services to the value of greater bandwidth. The faster service
was $15 more than the original service it was replacing.
Although this replacement was deemed noncomparable
in the official index, and its price change was imputed, in
the experimental indexes the foregoing estimated values
were subtracted from the $15 increase and the remaining
price differences were shown as price increases.
In the next month, January 2007, the experimental indexes had another large increase relative to the official index. The increase came from a single replacement in which
Chart 3. Running discrepancy: difference between experimental and official index, cumulative percent changes
Percent discrepancy
Percent discrepancy
0.000
Jan
Apr
2005
Jul
Oct
Jan
Apr
2006
Jul
Oct
Jan
0.000
Marginal Box-Cox
Predicted Box-Cox
Semilog
–0.100
–0.100
–0.200
–0.200
–0.300
–0.300
–0.400
–0.400
–0.500
–0.500
–0.600
–0.600
an Internet service package bundled with cable television
replaced an à la carte offering. In the official index, this
change was considered comparable, so the $17 price decline from the à la carte service to the cheaper, bundled
service was reflected in the index. In the experimental
indexes, the regression models were used to offset some
of this price decline by estimating the expected price difference between Internet service sold à la carte and Internet service bundled with television service. The marginal
Box-Cox, semilog, and predicted-price Box-Cox models
respectively estimated $8.39, $9.26, and $8.05 price declines. In each case, the associated experimental indexes
reflected price decreases by the portion of the $17 decline
not offset by these estimates. The official index showed the
entire $17 as a price decline, so the hedonic adjustments
effectively pushed the experimental indexes upward relative to the official one.
Depending on the circumstances, hedonic adjustments
can move an index in either direction. The adjustments
used to create the experimental indexes generally showed
more downward price movement than the methods used
to create the official index, but there were also cases in
which adjustment moved the indexes upward compared
with the movement of the official index. A look at the
data used to compute the indexes shows that a large number of item replacements with quality improvements were
treated as comparable in the official index, so the official
index effectively ignored these improvements. The downward movement from incorporating them more than
offset the upward adjustments, resulting in all three experimental indexes having downward discrepancies with
the official index.
A trio of Monthly Labor Review articles compared indexes calculated with and without hedonic adjustments. In
one, Paul R. Liegey and Nicole Shepler investigated the
effects of hedonic adjustments on indexes for VCR prices
from December 1996 to December 1997.29 They found
that the quality-adjusted index fell 8.0 percent over this
period, while an unadjusted index fell 8.1 percent, meaning
that the quality adjustment actually produced a 0.1-percent upward discrepancy. In another article, Craig Brown
and Anya Stockburger looked at the impact of quality adjustments on the CPI apparel indexes. Comparing the official index, which uses direct hedonic-based adjustments,
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 45
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
with an experimental index that lacked these adjustments,
they found that the unadjusted experimental index had an
upward discrepancy of about 0.2 percent annually.30
In a third article, David S. Johnson, Stephen B. Reed,
and Kenneth J. Stewart presented a table of the estimated
yearly impacts from hedonic models in 10 categories to
which the BLS had applied hedonic adjustment since 1998.
Instead of using discrepancies, these authors used the
percent difference between the hedonic and nonhedonic
index levels.31 The effects of hedonic adjustment ranged
from –3.81 percent for computers to 1.89 percent for
VCR’s, but 6 of the 10 categories had differences between
–1.0 percent and 1.0 percent: televisions (–0.11 percent),
camcorders (0.15 percent), refrigerators (0.02 percent),
clothes washers (–0.78 percent), dryers (0.06 percent),
and microwave ovens (–0.17 percent).32 In comparison,
hedonic adjustment for Internet access had an annual effect of approximately –0.06 percent to –0.08 percent (depending upon which model was used), about as much of
an absolute effect as that from adjusting dryers.
The adjusted Internet access index changed so little, in
part because broadband makes up only a portion of the
index. As of November 2006, broadband quotes accounted for about 36 percent of the quotes used to calculate this
index. Broadband quotes make up only a portion of the
sample used in the adjusted Internet access index, so the
effects of broadband quality adjustments are dampened.
Another factor that could be contributing to the absence of any major differences between the quality-adjusted experimental and official indexes is that the quality
adjustments are based on a hedonic model developed with
data from the end of the period used to create the experimental indexes. The pricing structure of broadband access
in November 2006, represented by the model, probably
differed significantly from the pricing structure in December 2004. Bandwidth was more expensive in earlier
periods and probably had a higher marginal price. If so,
using a model based on more recent data underestimated
the marginal price of bandwidth and gave low estimates
of quality change.
Future developments
The technology behind Internet access has been in constant change since users first signed onto the service in
the early 1990s, and this trend will likely continue for the
near future. Specifically, two growing forms of Internet
access—fiber optics and wireless broadband—will probably radically alter the state of the Internet access market.
Optical fiber has long been used in the Internet backbone,
46
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
but consumers could connect to these high-speed lines
only through their slow, household connections. Some
service providers have begun running fiber directly to the
consumer—a service known as fiber to the home (FTTH).
Fiber connections offer speeds much faster than those
available through cable or DSL.
Whereas fiber offers speed, wireless offers flexibility.
Wireless Internet access has been available for several
years, but emerging technologies, such as WiMAX, may
enable wireless to be competitive as a mainstream form of
Internet access. WiMAX cuts the binds of wired Internet
by providing a wireless broadband network spread over a
large area. WiMAX technology includes both mobile and
fixed wireless technologies. Some providers have focused
on stationary applications, in which the user would have
a stationary connection to a WiMAX router. Stationary
WiMAX could be particularly useful to those in rural areas
who do not have the wired infrastructure for broadband.
Some communication companies have explored the possibilities of mobile WiMAX and have begun deploying
WiMAX by installing routers on cell phone towers to create
a broadband network with coverage comparable to that afforded by cell phone networks. WiMAX is also only one of
several emerging wide-area, wireless broadband technologies. WiMAX has received more attention than the other
technologies, but its dominance is not guaranteed.
The impact of new technologies such as FTTH and
wireless broadband remains unclear. Depending on pricing and the reliability of service, wireless broadband could
compete directly with DSL and cable, or it may be relegated to certain niche markets. Wireless broadband may
also reshape the market structure for broadband Internet.
Instead of choosing between one cable provider and one
DSL provider, consumers may have the added choice of
one or more wireless broadband providers. If wireless
broadband can compete with current broadband technologies, another hedonic regression model will have to
be developed to address the benefit of mobility and the
changing marketplace. The expansion of FTTH could also
alter the validity of the hedonic model presented in this
article. FTTH probably will alter the pricing structure for
bandwidth and allow access to higher levels of bandwidth
than are currently available to most consumers. The model
will then have to be revisited to account for these and
other changes in the Internet access market.
BUILDING OFF OF PAST RESEARCH on hedonic regression
modeling, this article has developed a model to explain the
monthly price of Internet access as a composite of several
factors. Coefficients from the model can be used to make
direct price adjustments for changes in quality. Making
such adjustments will help account for improvements and
other changes to the services in the sample. Given the rapid
changes in the Internet access industry, the model will need
to be updated periodically, especially as new technology
changes the way the Internet is accessed and used.
Past research has indicated that Box-Cox regression
provides a better estimation of hedonic models than do
more restrictive functional forms. The Box-Cox method
offers a relatively easy way to find a suitable transformation
for data without having to run many regressions to find the
best way to specify the functional form of the model. Of
the various Box-Cox forms, a restricted Box-Cox model
was found to provide the best fit in this particular case.
Estimates from the restricted Box-Cox model were used
to create two experimental price indexes utilizing two different price adjustment methods, one based on the change
in predicted price with a change in Internet service characteristics and another based on derived implicit prices. A
third experimental index was calculated with the current
BLS methodology that favors using semilog prices with
predicted price adjustments. This article recommends that
the BLS adopt, of the experimental methods presented,
price adjustments using the predicted-price method based
on the Box-Cox model. This model provides the best es-
timation of a hedonic model for Internet service, and the
predicted-price adjustment method is preferable to the alternative methods because it does not assume a fixed marginal price. The Box-Cox model produces more accurate
estimates than the semilog model, and adjustments based
on the predicted-price method allow the marginal price
of a characteristic to vary, unlike adjustments made in
accordance with the marginal-price adjustment method,
which assumes that the marginal price of a characteristic
remains fixed.
The experimental indexes initially showed large downward discrepancies compared with the official index. The
experimental indexes accounted for quality improvements
that had not been accounted for in the official index, which
treated improved, faster Internet service as if it were comparable to slower service. Later observations happened
to push the experimental indexes higher. Over the long
run, given improving quality, a hedonically adjusted index
should decline more than an index that does not account
for these quality improvements. It is recommended that hedonic adjustments be made to the official index for Internet
service in order to help account for improving quality. Also,
the Box-Cox functional form should be adopted in other
CPI hedonic regressions, along with predicted price adjustments based on estimated Box-Cox models.
Notes
Greenstein, “Is the Price Right?” p. 20.
1
The BLS uses the term “experimental” to denote statistics produced outside
the regular production systems used for “official” statistics. The experimental
indexes are not considered to be of the same quality as the official indexes.
9
10
Ibid., p. 14.
2
John B. Horrigan, “Home Broadband Adoption 2006,” Pew Internet and
American Life Project, May 28, 2006, on the Internet at www.pewinternet.org/
pdfs/PIP_Broadband_trends2006.pdf.
11
Hausman, Sidak, and Singer, “Cable Modems and DSL.”
12
Ibid., p. 340.
3
Greg Stranger and Shane Greenstein, “Pricing at the On-ramp to the
Internet: Price Indexes for ISP’s during the 1990s,” on the Internet at www.
nber.org/~confer/2003/CRIWf03/greenstein.pdf.
4
Kam Yu and Marc Prud’homme, “Econometric Issues in Hedonic Price
Indices: The Case of Internet Service Providers,” Oct. 12, 2007, on the Internet
at flash.lakeheadu.ca/%7Ekyu/Papers/ISP.pdf (visited July 15, 2008).
5
Ibid.
6
Shane Greenstein, “Is the Price Right? The CPI for Internet Access,” Report for the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Dec. 20, 2002, on the Internet at
www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/faculty/greenstein/images/htm/Research/
WP/Is_the_price_right.pdf.
7
Ibid., p. 9.
8
See, for example, Jerry A. Hausman, J. Gregory Sidak, and Hal J. Singer,
“Cable Modems and DSL: Broadband Internet Access for Residential Customers,” Papers and Proceedings of the Hundred Thirteenth Annual Meeting of
the American Economic Association, American Economic Review, May 2001,
pp. 302–07.
13
John B. Horrigan and Lee Rainie, “The Broadband Difference: How online Americans’ behavior changes with high-speed Internet connection at home,”
Pew Internet and American Life Project, on the Internet at www.pewinternet.
org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_Report.pdf.
14
Tom Downes and Shane Greenstein, “Universal Access and Local Internet Markets in the U.S.,” Research Policy, September 2002, pp. 1035–52.
15
“Does the Residential Broadband Market Need Fixing?” (Congressional
Budget Office, December 2003), on the Internet at www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/
48xx/doc4868/12–03-Broadband.pdf.
16
Nestor M. Arguea, Cheng Hsiao, and Grant A. Taylor, “Estimating Consumer Preferences Using Market Data—an Application to U.S. Automobile
Demand,” Journal of Applied Econometrics, January–March 1994, pp. 1–18.
17
Sherwin Rosen, “Hedonic Prices and Implicit Markets: Product Differentiation in Pure Competition,” Journal of Political Economy, January–February
1974, pp. 34–55.
18
Jack Triplett, Handbook on Hedonic Indexes and Quality Adjustments
in Price Indexes: Special Application to Information Technology Products, STI
Working Paper 2004/09, Oct. 8, 2004, on the Internet at www.oecd.org/
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 47
Hedonic Model for Internet Access
dataoecd/37/31/33789552.pdf; see especially pp. 185–86.
can Statistical Association, December 1982, pp. 760–66; see especially p. 760.
19
Maureen L. Cropper, Leland B. Deck, and Kenneth E. McConnell, “On
the Choice of Functional Form for Hedonic Price Functions,” Review of Economics and Statistics, November 1988), pp. 668–75.
27
For more on these imputation methods, see BLS Handbook of Methods, June
2007, chapter 17, “The Consumer Price Index,” on the Internet at www.bls.
gov/opub/hom/pdf/homch17.pdf.
20
In cases where a transformation parameter equals 0, the logarithmic
transformation is used instead of the usual Box-Cox transformation by that
parameter.
21
Triplett, Handbook on Hedonic Indexes, p. 182.
Cropper, Deck, and McConnell, “On the Choice of Functional Form,”
p. 668.
22
23
Ibid., p. 671.
24
Horrigan, “Home Broadband,” p. ii.
Yu and Prudhomme, “Econometric Issues in Hedonic Price Indices,” also
used these two criteria to help select functional form.
25
26
John J. Spitzer, “A Fast and Efficient Algorithm for the Estimation of Parameters in Models with the Box-and-Cox Transformation,” Journal of the Ameri-
48
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
28
Triplett, Handbook on Hedonic Indexes, p. 26.
29
Paul R. Liegey and Nicole Shepler, “Adjusting VCR prices for quality change:
a study using hedonic methods,” Monthly Labor Review, September 1999, pp.
22–37; on the Internet at www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/1999/09/art3full.pdf.
30
Craig Brown and Anya Stockburger, “Item replacement and quality
change in apparel price indexes,” Monthly Labor Review, December 2006, pp.
35–45; on the Internet at www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2006/12/art3full.pdf.
31
The formula for the discrepancy between the experimental (adjusted) index
and the official (unadjusted) index is (AdjustedIndext – UnadjustedIndext-1). In
comparison, David S. Johnson, Stephen B. Reed, and Kenneth J. Stewart, “Price
measurement in the United States: a decade after the Boskin Report, Monthly
Labor Review, May 2006, pp 10–19 (on the Internet at www.bls.gov/opub/
mlr/2006/05/art2full.pdf), compared indexes with the formula (AdjustedIndext
– UnadjustedIndext)/UnadjustedIndext.
32
Ibid.
Précis
Précis
The optimal inflation rate
a New-Keynesian model in order to
take the next step and estimate the
“What is the Optimal Inflation Rate?” optimal inflation rate. The model atask Roberto M. Billi and George A. tempts to keep inflation as low as posKahn in a recent article in the Federal sible while still hitting the zero bound
Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Econom- infrequently and remaining there for
ic Review. Billi and Kahn are certainly only a short period of time.
If his model is completely accunot the first people to ask this question,
but they have made a rare attempt to rate and its underlying assumptions
answer it using quantitative analysis. are correct, the optimal inflation rate
Many central banks target specific is 0.7 percent per year. However, one
rates of inflation; ideally, according to must take “model uncertainty” into
Billi and Kahn, the goal is to attain the account, because greater uncertainty
level of inflation that maximizes the regarding the model leads to greater
public’s economic well-being. Inflation uncertainty about the economy’s recan be harmful to the economy because sponse to shocks. Bearing in mind
it generally hurts creditors, discourages varying degrees of model certainty,
saving, and increases tax burdens. It can Billi estimates an optimal inflation
also distort prices because most com- rate between 0.7 percent (no model
uncertainty) and 1.4 percent (extreme
panies change prices infrequently.
Nevertheless, there are reasons to model uncertainty). Under this policy,
keep inflation above zero. First, main- the Federal funds rate is expected to
taining some inflation decreases the reach the zero bound between 3.5 perpossibility of deflation, which is gener- cent and 7.5 percent of the time and
ally considered by policymakers to be stay there for about two consecutive
a more serious problem than inflation quarters.
because it increases the real value of
the money owed by debtors. Second, Surging oil prices
low inflation leads to low interest
rates. When nominal interest rates As nearly everyone knows, crude oil
reach zero—a phenomenon known as prices have risen rapidly in the last
hitting the zero lower bound—con- few years. Early in 2008, they rose to
ventional monetary policy no longer record levels—considerably more than
works. These two reasons constitute $100 per barrel. Even after adjusting
policymakers’ primary rationale for for inflation, the price of a barrel of oil
targeting an inflation rate above zero. recently surpassed its peak, reached in
A third possible reason to aim for a 1980. After more than two decades
positive inflation rate is that Billi and of relative stability, oil prices began
Kahn, among other economists, believe to increase sharply in 2004, and they
that most measures of inflation tend to have continued their steep ascent ever
overstate it.
since. According to the lead article in
Economists David Reifschneider this issue of the Review (pp. 3–18),
and John C. Williams have found in the Producer Price Index for crude
econometric analyses that when zero petroleum increased 51.7 percent in
percent inflation is targeted, the Federal 2007. Although sharp increases in
funds rate is expected to reach the zero prices for many goods and services
bound 14 percent of the time; when the can be jarring to consumers, surges in
inflation target is 4 percent, the funds oil prices are particularly disruptive.
rate is expected to hit zero less than 1 Rising oil prices have a direct effect
percent of the time. Billi has simulated on prices for finished energy goods
such as gasoline, home heating oil, diesel fuel, and residential electric power.
What are the factors leading to the
sharp increase in oil prices? Stephen
P.A. Brown, Raghav Virmani, and
Richard Alm examine this question in
“Crude Awakening: Behind the Surge
in Oil Prices” (Economic Letter, Federal
Reserve Bank of Dallas, May 2008).
Brown and his coauthors argue
that much of the recent increase in
crude oil prices can be attributed to
“the fundamentals of supply and demand.” In turn, they examine each of
the following factors: increased global
demand for oil, the role played by expectations about future oil prices, the
weakness of the dollar relative to other
world currencies, and concerns about
supply disruptions due to political
instability in the regions where much
of the world’s oil supply is located. As
the authors observe, modern industrial economies are heavily dependent
upon oil. As per capita income rises,
economies consume more energy—for
transportation, for heating and cooling, and for goods and services production—and global demand increases. In
addition, demand for oil is relatively
inelastic in the short term; it does not
react quickly to changing prices. Thus,
even small changes in the supply of
oil can have a strong effect on prices.
The authors predict that the same
factors will continue to play the predominant role in the determination
of oil prices in the future. On the one
hand, if oil production has reached
a plateau—or even its peak—prices
are likely to increase further. They are
likely to remain high if what the authors call “oil nationalism” continues
to slow the development of new oil
resources. On the other hand, if the
oil-producing nations shift their recent
strategy and increase their output, oil
prices are likely to fall. Prices are also
likely to fall if new oil resources are
explored and developed aggressively.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 49
Current Labor Statistics
Monthly Labor Review
July 2008
NOTE: Many of the statistics in the
following pages were subsequently
revised. These pages have not been
updated to reflect the revisions.
To obtain BLS data that reflect all revisions, see
http://www.bls.gov/data/home.htm
For the latest set of "Current Labor Statistics,"
see http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/curlabst.htm
Current Labor Statistics
Notes on current labor statistics . ..............
51
Comparative indicators
1. Labor market indicators..................................................... 63
2. Annual and quarterly percent changes in
compensation, prices, and productivity........................... 64
3. Alternative measures of wages and
compensation changes.................................................... 64
Labor force data
4. Employment status of the population,
seasonally adjusted.........................................................
5. Selected employment indicators, seasonally adjusted.........
6. Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted.....
7. Duration of unemployment, seasonally adjusted................
8. Unemployed persons by reason for unemployment,
seasonally adjusted.........................................................
9. Unemployment rates by sex and age,
seasonally adjusted .........................................................
10. Unemployment rates by State, seasonally adjusted.............
11. Employment of workers by State,
seasonally adjusted..........................................................
12. Employment of workers by industry,
seasonally adjusted..........................................................
13. Average weekly hours by industry, seasonally adjusted.......
14. Average hourly earnings by industry,
seasonally adjusted..........................................................
15. Average hourly earnings by industry..................................
16. Average weekly earnings by industry.................................
17. Diffusion indexes of employment change,
seasonally adjusted ......................................................
18. Job openings levels and rates, by industry and regions,
seasonally adjusted........................................................
19. Hires levels and rates by industry and region,
seasonally adjusted........................................................
20. Separations levels and rates by industry and region,
seasonally adjusted.........................................................
21. Quits levels and rates by industry and region,
seasonally adjusted........................................................
65
66
67
67
Employment Cost Index, compensation .......................... 92
Employment Cost Index, wages and salaries .................... 94
Employment Cost Index, benefits, private industry .......... 96
Employment Cost Index, private industry workers,
by bargaining status, and region..................................... 97
34. National Compensation Survey, retirement benefits,
private industry ............................................................. 98
35. National Compensation Survey, health insurance,
private industry............................................................... 101
36. National Compensation Survey, selected benefits,
private industry.............................................................. 103
37. Work stoppages involving 1,000 workers or more............. 103
Price data
74
75
76
77
Productivity data
78
47. Indexes of productivity, hourly compensation,
and unit costs, data seasonally adjusted.......................... 113
48. Annual indexes of multifactor productivity........................ 114
49. Annual indexes of productivity, hourly compensation,
unit costs, and prices...................................................... 115
50. Annual indexes of output per hour for select industries..... 116
68
69
69
70
73
78
79
79
24. Annual data: Quarterly Census of Employment
and Wages, by ownership............................................... 83
25. Annual data: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages,
establishment size and employment, by supersector....... 84
26. Annual data: Quarterly Census of Employment and
Wages, by metropolitan area ......................................... 85
27. Annual data: Employment status of the population.......... 90
28. Annual data: Employment levels by industry ................. 90
29. Annual data: Average hours and earnings level,
by industry..................................................................... 91
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
30.
31.
32.
33.
38. Consumer Price Index: U.S. city average, by expenditure
category and commodity and service groups.................. 104
39. Consumer Price Index: U.S. city average and
local data, all items ........................................................ 107
40. Annual data: Consumer Price Index, all items
and major groups........................................................... 108
41. Producer Price Indexes by stage of processing................... 109
42. Producer Price Indexes for the net output of major
industry groups.............................................................. 110
43. Annual data: Producer Price Indexes
by stage of processing..................................................... 111
44. U.S. export price indexes by end-use category................... 111
45. U.S. import price indexes by end-use category................... 112
46. U.S. international price indexes for selected
categories of services...................................................... 112
68
22. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages,
10 largest counties . ....................................................... 80
23. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, by State... 82
50
Labor compensation and collective
bargaining data
International comparisons data
51. Unemployment rates in 10 countries,
seasonally adjusted......................................................... 120
52. Annual data: Employment status of the civilian
working-age population, 10 countries........................... 121
53. Annual indexes of productivity and related measures,
16 economies................................................................ 122
Injury and Illness data
54. Annual data: Occupational injury and illness..................... 124
55. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure ................ 126
Notes on Current Labor Statistics
This section of the Review presents the
principal statistical series collected and
calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
series on labor force; employment; unemployment; labor compensation; consumer,
producer, and international prices; productivity; international comparisons; and injury
and illness statistics. In the notes that follow,
the data in each group of tables are briefly
described; key definitions are given; notes
on the data are set forth; and sources of additional information are cited.
General notes
The following notes apply to several tables
in this section:
Seasonal adjustment. Certain monthly
and quarterly data are adjusted to eliminate
the effect on the data of such factors as climatic conditions, industry production schedules, opening and closing of schools, holiday
buying periods, and vacation practices, which
might prevent short-term evaluation of the
statistical series. Tables containing data that
have been adjusted are identified as “seasonally adjusted.” (All other data are not seasonally adjusted.) Seasonal effects are estimated
on the basis of current and past experiences.
When new seasonal factors are computed
each year, revisions may affect seasonally
adjusted data for several preceding years.
Seasonally adjusted data appear in tables
1–14, 17–21, 48, and 52. Seasonally adjusted
labor force data in tables 1 and 4–9 and seasonally adjusted establishment survey data
shown in tables 1, 12–14, and 17 are revised
in the March 2007 Review. A brief explanation of the seasonal adjustment methodology
appears in “Notes on the data.”
Revisions in the productivity data in table
54 are usually introduced in the September
issue. Seasonally adjusted indexes and percent changes from month-to-month and
quarter-to-quarter are published for numerous Consumer and Producer Price Index
series. However, seasonally adjusted indexes
are not published for the U.S. average AllItems CPI. Only seasonally adjusted percent
changes are available for this series.
Adjustments for price changes. Some
data—such as the “real” earnings shown in
table 14—are adjusted to eliminate the effect
of changes in price. These adjustments are
made by dividing current-dollar values by
the Consumer Price Index or the appropriate
component of the index, then multiplying
by 100. For example, given a current hourly
wage rate of $3 and a current price index
number of 150, where 1982 = 100, the hourly
rate expressed in 1982 dollars is $2 ($3/150
x 100 = $2). The $2 (or any other resulting
values) are described as “real,” “constant,” or
“1982” dollars.
Sources of information
Data that supplement the tables in this section are published by the Bureau in a variety
of sources. Definitions of each series and
notes on the data are contained in later sections of these Notes describing each set of
data. For detailed descriptions of each data
series, see BLS Handbook of Methods, Bulletin
2490. Users also may wish to consult Major
Programs of the Bureau of Labor Statistics,
Report 919. News releases provide the latest statistical information published by the
Bureau; the major recurring releases are
published according to the schedule appearing on the back cover of this issue.
More information about labor force,
employment, and unemployment data and
the household and establishment surveys
underlying the data are available in the
Bureau’s monthly publication, Employment
and Earnings. Historical unadjusted and
seasonally adjusted data from the household
survey are available on the Internet:
www.bls.gov/cps/
Historically comparable unadjusted and seasonally adjusted data from the establishment
survey also are available on the Internet:
www.bls.gov/ces/
Additional information on labor force data
for areas below the national level are provided in the BLS annual report, Geographic
Profile of Employment and Unemployment.
For a comprehensive discussion of the
Employment Cost Index, see Employment
Cost Indexes and Levels, 1975–95, BLS Bulletin 2466. The most recent data from the
Employee Benefits Survey appear in the following Bureau of Labor Statistics bulletins:
Employee Benefits in Medium and Large Firms;
Employee Benefits in Small Private Establishments; and Employee Benefits in State and Local
Governments.
More detailed data on consumer and
producer prices are published in the monthly
periodicals, The CPI Detailed Report and Producer Price Indexes. For an overview of the
1998 revision of the CPI, see the December
1996 issue of the Monthly Labor Review. Additional data on international prices appear
in monthly news releases.
Listings of industries for which productivity indexes are available may be found on
the Internet:
www.bls.gov/lpc/
For additional information on international comparisons data, see Interna-
tional Comparisons of Unemployment, Bulletin
1979.
Detailed data on the occupational injury
and illness series are published in Occupational Injuries and Illnesses in the United States,
by Industry, a BLS annual bulletin.
Finally, the Monthly Labor Review carries
analytical articles on annual and longer term
developments in labor force, employment,
and unemployment; employee compensation
and collective bargaining; prices; productivity; international comparisons; and injury
and illness data.
Symbols
n.e.c. =
n.e.s. =
p =
r =
not elsewhere classified.
not elsewhere specified.
preliminary. To increase
the timeliness of some series,
preliminary figures are issued
based on representative but
incomplete returns.
revised. Generally, this revision
reflects the availability of later
data, but also may reflect other
adjustments.
Comparative Indicators
(Tables 1–3)
Comparative indicators tables provide an
overview and comparison of major bls statistical series. Consequently, although many
of the included series are available monthly,
all measures in these comparative tables are
presented quarterly and annually.
Labor market indicators include employment measures from two major surveys
and information on rates of change in
compensation provided by the Employment
Cost Index (ECI) program. The labor force
participation rate, the employment-population ratio, and unemployment rates for major
demographic groups based on the Current
Population (“household”) Survey are presented, while measures of employment and
average weekly hours by major industry sector are given using nonfarm payroll data. The
Employment Cost Index (compensation),
by major sector and by bargaining status, is
chosen from a variety of BLS compensation
and wage measures because it provides a
comprehensive measure of employer costs for
hiring labor, not just outlays for wages, and it
is not affected by employment shifts among
occupations and industries.
Data on changes in compensation, prices, and productivity are presented in table 2.
Measures of rates of change of compensation
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
51
Current Labor Statistics
and wages from the Employment Cost Index
program are provided for all civilian nonfarm
workers (excluding Federal and household
workers) and for all private nonfarm workers.
Measures of changes in consumer prices for
all urban consumers; producer prices by stage
of processing; overall prices by stage of processing; and overall export and import price
indexes are given. Measures of productivity
(output per hour of all persons) are provided
for major sectors.
Alternative measures of wage and compensation rates of change, which reflect the
overall trend in labor costs, are summarized
in table 3. Differences in concepts and scope,
related to the specific purposes of the series,
contribute to the variation in changes among
the individual measures.
Employment and
Unemployment Data
4 weeks. Persons who did not look for work
because they were on layoff are also counted
among the unemployed. The unemployment
rate represents the number unemployed as a
percent of the civilian labor force.
The civilian labor force consists of all
employed or unemployed persons in the civilian noninstitutional population. Persons not
in the labor force are those not classified as
employed or unemployed. This group includes
discouraged workers, defined as persons who
want and are available for a job and who
have looked for work sometime in the past
12 months (or since the end of their last job
if they held one within the past 12 months),
but are not currently looking, because they
believe there are no jobs available or there are
none for which they would qualify. The civilian noninstitutional population comprises
all persons 16 years of age and older who are
not inmates of penal or mental institutions,
sanitariums, or homes for the aged, infirm,
or needy. The civilian labor force participation rate is the proportion of the civilian
noninstitutional population that is in the
labor force. The employment-population
ratio is employment as a percent of the civilian noninstitutional population.
(Tables 1; 4–29)
Notes on the data
Household survey data
From time to time, and especially after a decennial census, adjustments are made in the
Current Population Survey figures to correct
for estimating errors during the intercensal
years. These adjustments affect the comparability of historical data. A description of
these adjustments and their effect on the
various data series appears in the Explanatory Notes of Employment and Earnings. For
a discussion of changes introduced in January
2003, see “Revisions to the Current Population Survey Effective in January 2003” in
the February 2003 issue of Employment and
Earnings (available on the BLS Web site at
www.bls.gov/cps/rvcps03.pdf).
Effective in January 2003, BLS began
using the X-12 ARIMA seasonal adjustment
program to seasonally adjust national labor
force data. This program replaced the X-11
ARIMA program which had been used since
January 1980. See “Revision of Seasonally
Adjusted Labor Force Series in 2003,” in
the February 2003 issue of Employment and
Earnings (available on the BLS Web site at
www.bls.gov/cps/cpsrs.pdf) for a discussion
of the introduction of the use of X-12 ARIMA
for seasonal adjustment of the labor force
data and the effects that it had on the data.
At the beginning of each calendar year,
historical seasonally adjusted data usually
are revised, and projected seasonal adjustment factors are calculated for use during the
Notes on the data
Definitions of each series and notes on the
data are contained in later sections of these
notes describing each set of data.
Description of the series
Employment data in this section are obtained from the Current Population Survey,
a program of personal interviews conducted
monthly by the Bureau of the Census for
the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The sample
consists of about 60,000 households selected
to represent the U.S. population 16 years of
age and older. Households are interviewed
on a rotating basis, so that three-fourths of
the sample is the same for any 2 consecutive
months.
Definitions
Employed persons include (1) all those who
worked for pay any time during the week
which includes the 12th day of the month or
who worked unpaid for 15 hours or more in a
family-operated enterprise and (2) those who
were temporarily absent from their regular
jobs because of illness, vacation, industrial
dispute, or similar reasons. A person working
at more than one job is counted only in the
job at which he or she worked the greatest
number of hours.
Unemployed persons are those who did
not work during the survey week, but were
available for work except for temporary illness
and had looked for jobs within the preceding
52
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
January–June period. The historical seasonally adjusted data usually are revised for only
the most recent 5 years. In July, new seasonal
adjustment factors, which incorporate the
experience through June, are produced for
the July–December period, but no revisions
are made in the historical data.
F OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on
national household survey data, contact the
Division of Labor Force Statistics: (202)
691–6378.
Establishment survey data
Description of the series
Employment, hours, and earnings data in this
section are compiled from payroll records
reported monthly on a voluntary basis to
the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its cooperating State agencies by about 160,000
businesses and government agencies, which
represent approximately 400,000 individual
worksites and represent all industries except
agriculture. The active CES sample covers
approximately one-third of all nonfarm
payroll workers. Industries are classified in
accordance with the 2002 North American
Industry Classification System. In most
industries, the sampling probabilities are
based on the size of the establishment; most
large establishments are therefore in the
sample. (An establishment is not necessarily
a firm; it may be a branch plant, for example,
or warehouse.) Self-employed persons and
others not on a regular civilian payroll are
outside the scope of the survey because they
are excluded from establishment records.
This largely accounts for the difference in
employment figures between the household
and establishment surveys.
Definitions
An establishment is an economic unit which
produces goods or services (such as a factory
or store) at a single location and is engaged
in one type of economic activity.
Employed persons are all persons who
received pay (including holiday and sick pay)
for any part of the payroll period including
the 12th day of the month. Persons holding
more than one job (about 5 percent of all
persons in the labor force) are counted in
each establishment which reports them.
Production workers in the goodsproducing industries cover employees, up
through the level of working supervisors,
who engage directly in the manufacture or
construction of the establishment’s product.
In private service-providing industries, data
are collected for nonsupervisory workers,
which include most employees except those
in executive, managerial, and supervisory
positions. Those workers mentioned in tables
11–16 include production workers in manufacturing and natural resources and mining;
construction workers in construction; and
nonsupervisory workers in all private service-providing industries. Production and
nonsupervisory workers account for about
four-fifths of the total employment on private nonagricultural payrolls.
Earnings are the payments production
or nonsupervisory workers receive during
the survey period, including premium pay
for overtime or late-shift work but excluding irregular bonuses and other special
payments. Real earnings are earnings
adjusted to reflect the effects of changes
in consumer prices. The deflator for this
series is derived from the Consumer Price
Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
Workers (CPI-W).
Hours represent the average weekly
hours of production or nonsupervisory
workers for which pay was received, and are
different from standard or scheduled hours.
Overtime hours represent the portion of
average weekly hours which was in excess
of regular hours and for which overtime
premiums were paid.
The Diffusion Index represents the
percent of industries in which employment
was rising over the indicated period, plus
one-half of the industries with unchanged
employment; 50 percent indicates an equal
balance between industries with increasing
and decreasing employment. In line with
Bureau practice, data for the 1-, 3-, and 6month spans are seasonally adjusted, while
those for the 12-month span are unadjusted.
Table 17 provides an index on private nonfarm employment based on 278 industries,
and a manufacturing index based on 84
industries. These indexes are useful for measuring the dispersion of economic gains or
losses and are also economic indicators.
Notes on the data
Establishment survey data are annually
adjusted to comprehensive counts of employment (called “benchmarks”). The March
2003 benchmark was introduced in February
2004 with the release of data for January
2004, published in the March 2004 issue of
the Review. With the release in June 2003,
CES completed a conversion from the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system to
the North American Industry Classification
System (naics) and completed the transition
from its original quota sample design to a
probability-based sample design. The industry-coding update included reconstruction
of historical estimates in order to preserve
time series for data users. Normally 5 years
of seasonally adjusted data are revised with
each benchmark revision. However, with this
release, the entire new time series history for
all CES data series were re-seasonally adjusted
due to the NAICS conversion, which resulted
in the revision of all CES time series.
Also in June 2003, the CES program introduced concurrent seasonal adjustment for
the national establishment data. Under this
methodology, the first preliminary estimates
for the current reference month and the
revised estimates for the 2 prior months will
be updated with concurrent factors with each
new release of data. Concurrent seasonal
adjustment incorporates all available data,
including first preliminary estimates for
the most current month, in the adjustment
process. For additional information on all of
the changes introduced in June 2003, see the
June 2003 issue of Employment and Earnings
and “Recent changes in the national Current
Employment Statistics survey,” Monthly Labor Review, June 2003, pp. 3–13.
Revisions in State data (table 11) occurred with the publication of January 2003
data. For information on the revisions for
the State data, see the March and May 2003
issues of Employment and Earnings, and “Recent changes in the State and Metropolitan
Area CES survey,” Monthly Labor Review,
June 2003, pp. 14–19.
Beginning in June 1996, the BLS uses
the X-12-ARIMA methodology to seasonally adjust establishment survey data. This
procedure, developed by the Bureau of the
Census, controls for the effect of varying
survey intervals (also known as the 4- versus
5-week effect), thereby providing improved
measurement of over-the-month changes
and underlying economic trends. Revisions
of data, usually for the most recent 5-year
period, are made once a year coincident with
the benchmark revisions.
In the establishment survey, estimates
for the most recent 2 months are based on
incomplete returns and are published as preliminary in the tables (12–17 in the Review).
When all returns have been received, the
estimates are revised and published as “final”
(prior to any benchmark revisions) in the
third month of their appearance. Thus, December data are published as preliminary in
January and February and as final in March.
For the same reasons, quarterly establishment data (table 1) are preliminary for the
first 2 months of publication and final in the
third month. Fourth-quarter data are published as preliminary in January and February
and as final in March.
F OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on
establishment survey data, contact the Division of Current Employment Statistics:
(202) 691–6555.
Unemployment data by State
Description of the series
Data presented in this section are obtained
from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, which is conducted in
cooperation with State employment security
agencies.
Monthly estimates of the labor force,
employment, and unemployment for States
and sub-State areas are a key indicator of local economic conditions, and form the basis
for determining the eligibility of an area for
benefits under Federal economic assistance
programs such as the Job Training Partnership Act. Seasonally adjusted unemployment
rates are presented in table 10. Insofar as possible, the concepts and definitions underlying
these data are those used in the national
estimates obtained from the CPS.
Notes on the data
Data refer to State of residence. Monthly
data for all States and the District of Columbia are derived using standardized procedures
established by BLS. Once a year, estimates are
revised to new population controls, usually
with publication of January estimates, and
benchmarked to annual average CPS levels.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on data
in this series, call (202) 691–6392 (table 10)
or (202) 691–6559 (table 11).
Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages
Description of the series
Employment, wage, and establishment data
in this section are derived from the quarterly
tax reports submitted to State employment
security agencies by private and State and
local government employers subject to State
unemployment insurance (ui) laws and from
Federal, agencies subject to the Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees
(ucfe) program. Each quarter, State agencies edit and process the data and send the
information to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Quarterly Census of Employment
and Wages (QCEW) data, also referred as ES202 data, are the most complete enumeration
of employment and wage information by
industry at the national, State, metropolitan
area, and county levels. They have broad
economic significance in evaluating labor
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
53
Current Labor Statistics
market trends and major industry developments.
Definitions
In general, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages monthly employment data
represent the number of covered workers
who worked during, or received pay for, the
pay period that included the 12th day of
the month. Covered private industry employment includes most corporate officials,
executives, supervisory personnel, professionals, clerical workers, wage earners, piece
workers, and part-time workers. It excludes
proprietors, the unincorporated self-employed, unpaid family members, and certain
farm and domestic workers. Certain types
of nonprofit employers, such as religious
organizations, are given a choice of coverage
or exclusion in a number of States. Workers
in these organizations are, therefore, reported
to a limited degree.
Persons on paid sick leave, paid holiday,
paid vacation, and the like, are included.
Persons on the payroll of more than one
firm during the period are counted by each
ui-subject employer if they meet the employment definition noted earlier. The employment count excludes workers who earned no
wages during the entire applicable pay period
because of work stoppages, temporary layoffs,
illness, or unpaid vacations.
Federal employment data are based on
reports of monthly employment and quarterly wages submitted each quarter to State
agencies for all Federal installations with
employees covered by the Unemployment
Compensation for Federal Employees (ucfe)
program, except for certain national security
agencies, which are omitted for security reasons. Employment for all Federal agencies
for any given month is based on the number
of persons who worked during or received
pay for the pay period that included the 12th
of the month.
An establishment is an economic unit,
such as a farm, mine, factory, or store, that
produces goods or provides services. It is
typically at a single physical location and
engaged in one, or predominantly one, type
of economic activity for which a single industrial classification may be applied. Occasionally, a single physical location encompasses
two or more distinct and significant activities.
Each activity should be reported as a separate
establishment if separate records are kept
and the various activities are classified under
different NAICS industries.
Most employers have only one establishment; thus, the establishment is the
predominant reporting unit or statistical
54
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
entity for reporting employment and wages
data. Most employers, including State and
local governments who operate more than
one establishment in a State, file a Multiple
Worksite Report each quarter, in addition
to their quarterly ui report. The Multiple
Worksite Report is used to collect separate
employment and wage data for each of the
employer’s establishments, which are not
detailed on the ui report. Some very small
multi-establishment employers do not file a
Multiple Worksite Report. When the total
employment in an employer’s secondary
establishments (all establishments other
than the largest) is 10 or fewer, the employer
generally will file a consolidated report for all
establishments. Also, some employers either
cannot or will not report at the establishment
level and thus aggregate establishments into
one consolidated unit, or possibly several
units, though not at the establishment level.
For the Federal Government, the reporting unit is the installation: a single location
at which a department, agency, or other government body has civilian employees. Federal
agencies follow slightly different criteria than
do private employers when breaking down
their reports by installation. They are permitted to combine as a single statewide unit: 1)
all installations with 10 or fewer workers,
and 2) all installations that have a combined
total in the State of fewer than 50 workers.
Also, when there are fewer than 25 workers
in all secondary installations in a State, the
secondary installations may be combined and
reported with the major installation. Last, if a
Federal agency has fewer than five employees
in a State, the agency headquarters office
(regional office, district office) serving each
State may consolidate the employment and
wages data for that State with the data reported to the State in which the headquarters
is located. As a result of these reporting rules,
the number of reporting units is always larger
than the number of employers (or government agencies) but smaller than the number
of actual establishments (or installations).
Data reported for the first quarter are
tabulated into size categories ranging from
worksites of very small size to those with
1,000 employees or more. The size category
is determined by the establishment’s March
employment level. It is important to note that
each establishment of a multi-establishment
firm is tabulated separately into the appropriate size category. The total employment level
of the reporting multi-establishment firm is
not used in the size tabulation.
Covered employers in most States report
total wages paid during the calendar quarter,
regardless of when the services were performed. A few State laws, however, specify
that wages be reported for, or based on the
period during which services are performed
rather than the period during which compensation is paid. Under most State laws or
regulations, wages include bonuses, stock
options, the cash value of meals and lodging,
tips and other gratuities, and, in some States,
employer contributions to certain deferred
compensation plans such as 401(k) plans.
Covered employer contributions for
old-age, survivors, and disability insurance
(oasdi), health insurance, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and private
pension and welfare funds are not reported as
wages. Employee contributions for the same
purposes, however, as well as money withheld
for income taxes, union dues, and so forth, are
reported even though they are deducted from
the worker’s gross pay.
Wages of covered Federal workers represent the gross amount of all payrolls for all
pay periods ending within the quarter. This
includes cash allowances, the cash equivalent
of any type of remuneration, severance pay,
withholding taxes, and retirement deductions. Federal employee remuneration generally covers the same types of services as for
workers in private industry.
Average annual wage per employee for
any given industry are computed by dividing total annual wages by annual average
employment. A further division by 52 yields
average weekly wages per employee. Annual
pay data only approximate annual earnings
because an individual may not be employed
by the same employer all year or may work for
more than one employer at a time.
Average weekly or annual wage is affected by the ratio of full-time to part-time
workers as well as the number of individuals
in high-paying and low-paying occupations.
When average pay levels between States and
industries are compared, these factors should
be taken into consideration. For example,
industries characterized by high proportions
of part-time workers will show average wage
levels appreciably less than the weekly pay
levels of regular full-time employees in these
industries. The opposite effect characterizes
industries with low proportions of part-time
workers, or industries that typically schedule
heavy weekend and overtime work. Average
wage data also may be influenced by work
stoppages, labor turnover rates, retroactive
payments, seasonal factors, bonus payments,
and so on.
Notes on the data
Beginning with the release of data for 2001,
publications presenting data from the Covered Employment and Wages program have
switched to the 2002 version of the North
American Industry Classification System
(NAICS) as the basis for the assignment and
tabulation of economic data by industry.
NAICS is the product of a cooperative effort on the part of the statistical agencies
of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Due to difference in NAICS and Standard
Industrial Classification ( SIC) structures,
industry data for 2001 is not comparable to the SIC-based data for earlier years.
Effective January 2001, the program
began assigning Indian Tribal Councils and
related establishments to local government
ownership. This BLS action was in response
to a change in Federal law dealing with the
way Indian Tribes are treated under the
Federal Unemployment Tax Act. This law
requires federally recognized Indian Tribes
to be treated similarly to State and local
governments. In the past, the Covered Employment and Wage (CEW) program coded
Indian Tribal Councils and related establishments in the private sector. As a result of the
new law, CEW data reflects significant shifts
in employment and wages between the private sector and local government from 2000
to 2001. Data also reflect industry changes.
Those accounts previously assigned to civic
and social organizations were assigned to
tribal governments. There were no required
industry changes for related establishments
owned by these Tribal Councils. These
tribal business establishments continued to
be coded according to the economic activity
of that entity.
To insure the highest possible quality
of data, State employment security agencies
verify with employers and update, if necessary, the industry, location, and ownership
classification of all establishments on a 3-year
cycle. Changes in establishment classification codes resulting from the verification
process are introduced with the data reported
for the first quarter of the year. Changes
resulting from improved employer reporting
also are introduced in the first quarter. For
these reasons, some data, especially at more
detailed geographic levels, may not be strictly
comparable with earlier years.
County definitions are assigned according
to Federal Information Processing Standards
Publications as issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Areas
shown as counties include those designated
as independent cities in some jurisdictions
and, in Alaska, those areas designated by the
Census Bureau where counties have not been
created. County data also are presented for
the New England States for comparative
purposes, even though townships are the
more common designation used in New
England (and New Jersey).
The Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) defines metropolitan areas for use
in Federal statistical activities and updates
these definitions as needed. Data in this table
use metropolitan area criteria established
by OMB in definitions issued June 30, 1999
(OMB Bulletin No. 99-04). These definitions
reflect information obtained from the 1990
Decennial Census and the 1998 U.S. Census
Bureau population estimate. A complete list
of metropolitan area definitions is available
from the National Technical Information
Service (NTIS), Document Sales, 5205 Port
Royal Road, Springfield, Va. 22161, telephone 1-800-553-6847.
OMB defines metropolitan areas in terms
of entire counties, except in the six New England States where they are defined in terms of
cities and towns. New England data in this
table, however, are based on a county concept
defined by OMB as New England County
Metropolitan Areas (NECMA) because county-level data are the most detailed available
from the Quarterly Census of Employment
and Wages. The NECMA is a county-based
alternative to the city- and town-based
metropolitan areas in New England. The
NECMA for a Metropolitan Statistical Area
(MSA) include: (1) the county containing
the first-named city in that MSA title (this
county may include the first-named cities of
other MSA, and (2) each additional county
having at least half its population in the
MSA in which first-named cities are in the
county identified in step 1. The NECMA is
officially defined areas that are meant to be
used by statistical programs that cannot use
the regular metropolitan area definitions in
New England.
For additional information on the
covered employment and wage data, contact
the Division of Administrative Statistics and
Labor Turnover at (202) 691–6567.
Job Openings and Labor
Turnover Survey
Description of the series
Data for the Job Openings and Labor
Turnover Survey (JOLTS) are collected and
compiled from a sample of 16,000 business
establishments. Each month, data are collected for total employment, job openings,
hires, quits, layoffs and discharges, and other
separations. The JOLTS program covers all
private nonfarm establishments such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as Federal,
State, and local government entities in the
50 States and the District of Columbia. The
JOLTS sample design is a random sample
drawn from a universe of more than eight
million establishments compiled as part of
the operations of the Quarterly Census of
Employment and Wages, or QCEW, program.
This program includes all employers subject to
State unemployment insurance (UI) laws and
Federal agencies subject to Unemployment
Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE).
The sampling frame is stratified by ownership, region, industry sector, and size class.
Large firms fall into the sample with virtual
certainty. JOLTS total employment estimates
are controlled to the employment estimates
of the Current Employment Statistics (CES)
survey. A ratio of CES to JOLTS employment
is used to adjust the levels for all other JOLTS
data elements. Rates then are computed from
the adjusted levels.
The monthly JOLTS data series begin with
December 2000. Not seasonally adjusted
data on job openings, hires, total separations, quits, layoffs and discharges, and other
separations levels and rates are available for
the total nonfarm sector, 16 private industry
divisions and 2 government divisions based
on the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), and four geographic
regions. Seasonally adjusted data on job
openings, hires, total separations, and quits
levels and rates are available for the total
nonfarm sector, selected industry sectors, and
four geographic regions.
Definitions
Establishments submit job openings infor-mation for the last business day of the
reference month. A job opening requires
that (1) a specific position exists and there
is work available for that position; and (2)
work could start within 30 days regardless
of whether a suitable candidate is found;
and (3) the employer is actively recruiting
from outside the establishment to fill the
position. Included are full-time, part-time,
permanent, short-term, and seasonal openings. Active recruiting means that the establishment is taking steps to fill a position by
advertising in newspapers or on the Internet,
posting help-wanted signs, accepting applications, or using other similar methods.
Jobs to be filled only by internal transfers,
promotions, demotions, or recall from layoffs
are excluded. Also excluded are jobs with
start dates more than 30 days in the future,
jobs for which employees have been hired but
have not yet reported for work, and jobs to be
filled by employees of temporary help agencies, employee leasing companies, outside
contractors, or consultants. The job openings
rate is computed by dividing the number of
job openings by the sum of employment and
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
55
Current Labor Statistics
job openings, and multiplying that quotient
by 100.
Hires are the total number of additions
to the payroll occurring at any time during
the reference month, including both new and
rehired employees and full-time and parttime, permanent, short-term and seasonal
employees, employees recalled to the location
after a layoff lasting more than 7 days, on-call
or intermittent employees who returned to
work after having been formally separated,
and transfers from other locations. The hires
count does not include transfers or promotions within the reporting site, employees returning from strike, employees of temporary
help agencies or employee leasing companies,
outside contractors, or consultants. The hires
rate is computed by dividing the number of
hires by employment, and multiplying that
quotient by 100.
Separations are the total number of
terminations of employment occurring at
any time during the reference month, and
are reported by type of separation—quits,
layoffs and discharges, and other separations.
Quits are voluntary separations by employees
(except for retirements, which are reported
as other separations). Layoffs and discharges
are involuntary separations initiated by the
employer and include layoffs with no intent
to rehire, formal layoffs lasting or expected
to last more than 7 days, discharges resulting
from mergers, downsizing, or closings, firings
or other discharges for cause, terminations
of permanent or short-term employees, and
terminations of seasonal employees. Other
separations include retirements, transfers
to other locations, deaths, and separations
due to disability. Separations do not include
transfers within the same location or employees on strike.
The separations rate is computed by dividing the number of separations by employment, and multiplying that quotient by 100.
The quits, layoffs and discharges, and other
separations rates are computed similarly,
dividing the number by employment and
multiplying by 100.
Notes on the data
The JOLTS data series on job openings, hires,
and separations are relatively new. The full
sample is divided into panels, with one panel
enrolled each month. A full complement of
panels for the original data series based on
the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) system was not completely enrolled in
the survey until January 2002. The supplemental panels of establishments needed to
56
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
create NAICS estimates were not completely
enrolled until May 2003. The data collected
up until those points are from less than a
full sample. Therefore, estimates from earlier months should be used with caution, as
fewer sampled units were reporting data at
that time.
In March 2002, BLS procedures for
collecting hires and separations data were
revised to address possible underreporting.
As a result, JOLTS hires and separations estimates for months prior to March 2002 may
not be comparable with estimates for March
2002 and later.
The Federal Government reorganization
that involved transferring approximately
180,000 employees to the new Department
of Homeland Security is not reflected in
the JOLTS hires and separations estimates
for the Federal Government. The Office of
Personnel Management’s record shows these
transfers were completed in March 2003. The
inclusion of transfers in the JOLTS definitions
of hires and separations is intended to cover
ongoing movements of workers between
establishments. The Department of Homeland Security reorganization was a massive
one-time event, and the inclusion of these
intergovernmental transfers would distort
the Federal Government time series.
Data users should note that seasonal
adjustment of the JOLTS series is conducted
with fewer data observations than is customary. The historical data, therefore, may
be subject to larger than normal revisions.
Because the seasonal patterns in economic
data series typically emerge over time, the
standard use of moving averages as seasonal
filters to capture these effects requires longer
series than are currently available. As a result,
the stable seasonal filter option is used in the
seasonal adjustment of the JOLTS data. When
calculating seasonal factors, this filter takes
an average for each calendar month after
detrending the series. The stable seasonal
filter assumes that the seasonal factors are
fixed; a necessary assumption until sufficient
data are available. When the stable seasonal
filter is no longer needed, other program features also may be introduced, such as outlier
adjustment and extended diagnostic testing.
Additionally, it is expected that more series,
such as layoffs and discharges and additional
industries, may be seasonally adjusted when
more data are available.
JOLTS hires and separations estimates
cannot be used to exactly explain net changes
in payroll employment. Some reasons why it
is problematic to compare changes in payroll
employment with JOLTS hires and separations, especially on a monthly basis, are: (1)
the reference period for payroll employment
is the pay period including the 12th of the
month, while the reference period for hires
and separations is the calendar month; and
(2) payroll employment can vary from month
to month simply because part-time and oncall workers may not always work during
the pay period that includes the 12th of the
month. Additionally, research has found that
some reporters systematically underreport
separations relative to hires due to a number of factors, including the nature of their
payroll systems and practices. The shortfall
appears to be about 2 percent or less over a
12-month period.
F OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on
the Job Openings and Labor Turnover
Survey, contact the Division of Administrative Statistics and Labor Turnover at (202)
961–5870.
Compensation and
Wage Data
(Tables 1–3; 30–37)
The National Compensation Survey (NCS)
produces a variety of compensation data.
These include: The Employment Cost Index
(ECI) and NCS benefit measures of the incidence and provisions of selected employee
benefit plans. Selected samples of these
measures appear in the following tables. NCS
also compiles data on occupational wages and
the Employer Costs for Employee Compensation (ECEC).
Employment Cost Index
Description of the series
The Employment Cost Index (ECI) is a
quarterly measure of the rate of change in
compensation per hour worked and includes
wages, salaries, and employer costs of employee benefits. It is a Laspeyres Index that
uses fixed employment weights to measure
change in labor costs free from the influence
of employment shifts among occupations
and industries.
The ECI provides data for the civilian
economy, which includes the total private
nonfarm economy excluding private households, and the public sector excluding the
Federal government. Data are collected each
quarter for the pay period including the
12th day of March, June, September, and
December.
Sample establishments are classified by
industry categories based on the 2002 North
American Classification System (NAICS).
Within a sample establishment, specific job
categories are selected and classified into
about 800 occupations according to the 2000
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)
System. Individual occupations are combined to represent one of ten intermediate
aggregations, such as professional and related
occupations, or one of five higher level aggregations, such as management, professional,
and related occupations.
Fixed employment weights are used
each quarter to calculate the most aggregate
series—civilian, private, and State and local
government. These fixed weights are also
used to derive all of the industry and occupational series indexes. Beginning with the
March 2006 estimates, 2002 fixed employment weights from the Bureau’s Occupational Employment Statistics survey were
introduced. From March 1995 to December
2005, 1990 employment counts were used.
These fixed weights ensure that changes in
these indexes reflect only changes in compensation, not employment shifts among
industries or occupations with different levels
of wages and compensation. For the series
based on bargaining status, census region
and division, and metropolitan area status,
fixed employment data are not available. The
employment weights are reallocated within
these series each quarter based on the current eci sample. The indexes for these series,
consequently, are not strictly comparable
with those for aggregate, occupational, and
industry series.
Definitions
Total compensation costs include wages,
salaries, and the employer’s costs for employee benefits.
Wages and salaries consist of earnings
before payroll deductions, including production bonuses, incentive earnings, commissions, and cost-of-living adjustments.
Benefits include the cost to employers
for paid leave, supplemental pay (including nonproduction bonuses), insurance,
retirement and savings plans, and legally
required benefits (such as Social Security,
workers’ compensation, and unemployment
insurance).
Excluded from wages and salaries and
employee benefits are such items as paymentin-kind, free room and board, and tips.
Notes on the data
The ECI data in these tables reflect the
con-version to the 2002 North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) and
the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The NAICS and SOC data
shown prior to 2006 are for informational
purposes only. ECI series based on NAICS
and SOC became the official BLS estimates
starting in March 2006.
The ECI for changes in wages and salaries
in the private nonfarm economy was published beginning in 1975. Changes in total
compensation cost—wages and salaries and
benefits combined—were published beginning in 1980. The series of changes in wages
and salaries and for total compensation in
the State and local government sector and
in the civilian nonfarm economy (excluding
Federal employees) were published beginning in 1981. Historical indexes (December
2005=100) are available on the Internet:
www.bls.gov/ect/
A DDITIONAL INFORMATION on the
Employment Cost Index is available at www.
bls.gov/ncs/ect/home.htm or by telephone
at (202) 691–6199.
National Compensation Survey
Benefit Measures
Description of the series
NCS benefit measures of employee benefits are published in two separate reports.
The annual summary provides data on the
incidence of (access to and participation
in) selected benefits and provisions of paid
holidays and vacations, life insurance plans,
and other selected benefit programs. Data on
percentages of establishments offering major
employee benefits, and on the employer and
employee shares of contributions to medical
care premiums also are presented. Selected
benefit data appear in the following tables. A
second publication, published later, contains
more detailed information about health and
retirement plans.
Definitions
Employer-provided benefits are benefits
that are financed either wholly or partly by
the employer. They may be sponsored by a
union or other third party, as long as there
is some employer financing. However, some
benefits that are fully paid for by the employee also are included. For example, long-term
care insurance paid entirely by the employee
are included because the guarantee of insurability and availability at group premium
rates are considered a benefit.
Employees are considered as having access to a benefit plan if it is available for their
use. For example, if an employee is permitted
to participate in a medical care plan offered
by the employer, but the employee declines to
do so, he or she is placed in the category with
those having access to medical care.
Employees in contributory plans are
considered as participating in an insurance
or retirement plan if they have paid required
contributions and fulfilled any applicable
service requirement. Employees in noncontributory plans are counted as participating
regardless of whether they have fulfilled the
service requirements.
Defined benefit pension plans use predetermined formulas to calculate a retirement
benefit (if any), and obligate the employer to
provide those benefits. Benefits are generally
based on salary, years of service, or both.
Defined contribution plans generally
specify the level of employer and employee
contributions to a plan, but not the formula
for determining eventual benefits. Instead,
individual accounts are set up for participants, and benefits are based on amounts
credited to these accounts.
Tax-deferred savings plans are a type of
defined contribution plan that allow participants to contribute a portion of their salary
to an employer-sponsored plan and defer
income taxes until withdrawal.
Flexible benefit plans allow employees
to choose among several benefits, such as life
insurance, medical care, and vacation days,
and among several levels of coverage within
a given benefit.
Notes on the data
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NCS
benefit measures is available at www.bls.
gov/ncs/ebs/home.htm or by telephone at
(202) 691–6199.
Work stoppages
Description of the series
Data on work stoppages measure the number
and duration of major strikes or lockouts
(involving 1,000 workers or more) occurring
during the month (or year), the number of
workers involved, and the amount of work
time lost because of stoppage. These data are
presented in table 37.
Data are largely from a variety of published sources and cover only establishments
directly involved in a stoppage. They do not
measure the indirect or secondary effect of
stoppages on other establishments whose
employees are idle owing to material shortages or lack of service.
Definitions
Number of stoppages: The number of
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
57
Current Labor Statistics
strikes and lockouts involving 1,000 workers or more and lasting a full shift or longer.
Workers involved: The number of workers directly involved in the stoppage.
Number of days idle: The aggregate
number of workdays lost by workers
involved in the stoppages.
Days of idleness as a percent of estimated working time: Aggregate workdays
lost as a percent of the aggregate number of
standard workdays in the period multiplied
by total employment in the period.
Notes on the data
This series is not comparable with the one
terminated in 1981 that covered strikes involving six workers or more.
A DDITIONAL INFORMATION on work
stop-pages data is available at www. bls.
gov/cba/home.htm or by telephone at (202)
691–6199.
Price Data
(Tables 2; 38–46)
Price data are gathered by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics from retail and primary markets in the United States. Price
indexes are given in relation to a base period—December 2003 = 100 for many Producer Price Indexes (unless otherwise noted),
1982–84 = 100 for many Consumer Price
Indexes (unless otherwise noted), and 1990
= 100 for International Price Indexes.
Consumer Price Indexes
Description of the series
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure
of the average change in the prices paid by
urban consumers for a fixed market basket
of goods and services. The CPI is calculated
monthly for two population groups, one
consisting only of urban households whose
primary source of income is derived from
the employment of wage earners and clerical
workers, and the other consisting of all urban
households. The wage earner index (CPI-W) is
a continuation of the historic index that was
introduced well over a half-century ago for
use in wage negotiations. As new uses were
developed for the CPI in recent years, the need
for a broader and more representative index
became apparent. The all-urban consumer
index (CPI-U), introduced in 1978, is representative of the 1993–95 buying habits of about
87 percent of the noninstitutional population
of the United States at that time, compared
58
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
with 32 percent represented in the CPI-W. In
addition to wage earners and clerical workers,
the CPI-U covers professional, managerial, and
technical workers, the self-employed, shortterm workers, the unemployed, retirees, and
others not in the labor force.
The CPI is based on prices of food, clothing, shelter, fuel, drugs, transportation fares,
doctors’ and dentists’ fees, and other goods
and services that people buy for day-to-day
living. The quantity and quality of these items
are kept essentially unchanged between major revisions so that only price changes will be
measured. All taxes directly associated with
the purchase and use of items are included
in the index.
Data collected from more than 23,000
retail establishments and 5,800 housing units
in 87 urban areas across the country are used
to develop the “U.S. city average.” Separate
estimates for 14 major urban centers are
presented in table 39. The areas listed are as
indicated in footnote 1 to the table. The area
indexes measure only the average change in
prices for each area since the base period,
and do not indicate differences in the level of
prices among cities.
Notes on the data
In January 1983, the Bureau changed the
way in which homeownership costs are
meaured for the CPI-U. A rental equivalence
method replaced the asset-price approach
to homeownership costs for that series. In
January 1985, the same change was made
in the CPI-W. The central purpose of the
change was to separate shelter costs from the
investment component of homeownership so
that the index would reflect only the cost of
shelter services provided by owner-occupied
homes. An updated CPI-U and CPI-W were
introduced with release of the January 1987
and January 1998 data.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, contact the Division of Prices and Price Indexes:
(202) 691–7000.
Producer Price Indexes
Description of the series
Producer Price Indexes (PPI) measure average changes in prices received by domestic
producers of commodities in all stages of
processing. The sample used for calculating
these indexes currently contains about 3,200
commodities and about 80,000 quotations
per month, selected to represent the movement of prices of all commodities produced
in the manufacturing; agriculture, forestry,
and fishing; mining; and gas and electricity
and public utilities sectors. The stage-of-processing structure of PPI organizes products by
class of buyer and degree of fabrication (that
is, finished goods, intermediate goods, and
crude materials). The traditional commodity structure of PPI organizes products by
similarity of end use or material composition.
The industry and product structure of PPI
organizes data in accordance with the 2002
North American Industry Classification
System and product codes developed by the
U.S. Census Bureau.
To the extent possible, prices used in
calculating Producer Price Indexes apply to
the first significant commercial transaction
in the United States from the production
or central marketing point. Price data are
generally collected monthly, primarily by
mail questionnaire. Most prices are obtained directly from producing companies
on a voluntary and confidential basis. Prices
generally are reported for the Tuesday of
the week containing the 13th day of the
month.
Since January 1992, price changes for
the various commodities have been averaged
together with implicit quantity weights representing their importance in the total net
selling value of all commodities as of 1987.
The detailed data are aggregated to obtain
indexes for stage-of-processing groupings,
commodity groupings, durability-of-product
groupings, and a number of special composite groups. All Producer Price Index data are
subject to revision 4 months after original
publication.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, contact the Division of Industrial Prices and
Price Indexes: (202) 691–7705.
International Price Indexes
Description of the series
The International Price Program produces
monthly and quarterly export and import
price indexes for nonmilitary goods and
services traded between the United States
and the rest of the world. The export price
index provides a measure of price change
for all products sold by U.S. residents to
foreign buyers. (“Residents” is defined as in
the national income accounts; it includes
corporations, businesses, and individuals, but
does not require the organizations to be U.S.
owned nor the individuals to have U.S. citizenship.) The import price index provides a
measure of price change for goods purchased
from other countries by U.S. residents.
The product universe for both the import
and export indexes includes raw materials,
agricultural products, semifinished manu-
factures, and finished manufactures, including both capital and consumer goods. Price
data for these items are collected primarily
by mail questionnaire. In nearly all cases,
the data are collected directly from the exporter or importer, although in a few cases,
prices are obtained from other sources.
To the extent possible, the data gathered
refer to prices at the U.S. border for exports
and at either the foreign border or the U.S.
border for imports. For nearly all products,
the prices refer to transactions completed
during the first week of the month. Survey
respondents are asked to indicate all discounts, allowances, and rebates applicable to
the reported prices, so that the price used in
the calculation of the indexes is the actual
price for which the product was bought or
sold.
In addition to general indexes of prices
for U.S. exports and imports, indexes are also
published for detailed product categories of
exports and imports. These categories are
defined according to the five-digit level of
detail for the Bureau of Economic Analysis
End-use Classification, the three-digit level
for the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC), and the four-digit level of
detail for the Harmonized System. Aggregate
import indexes by country or region of origin
are also available.
BLS publishes indexes for selected categories of internationally traded services,
calculated on an international basis and on a
balance-of-payments basis.
Notes on the data
The export and import price indexes are
weighted indexes of the Laspeyres type. The
trade weights currently used to compute both
indexes relate to 2000.
Because a price index depends on the
same items being priced from period to
period, it is necessary to recognize when a
product’s specifications or terms of transaction have been modified. For this reason,
the Bureau’s questionnaire requests detailed
descriptions of the physical and functional
characteristics of the products being priced,
as well as information on the number of
units bought or sold, discounts, credit terms,
packaging, class of buyer or seller, and so
forth. When there are changes in either
the specifications or terms of transaction of
a product, the dollar value of each change
is deleted from the total price change to
obtain the “pure” change. Once this value is
determined, a linking procedure is employed
which allows for the continued repricing of
the item.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, con-
tact the Division of International Prices:
(202) 691–7155.
Productivity Data
(Tables 2; 47–50)
Business and major sectors
Description of the series
The productivity measures relate real output
to real input. As such, they encompass a family of measures which include single-factor
input measures, such as output per hour,
output per unit of labor input, or output per
unit of capital input, as well as measures of
multifactor productivity (output per unit
of combined labor and capital inputs). The
Bureau indexes show the change in output
relative to changes in the various inputs.
The measures cover the business, nonfarm
business, manufacturing, and nonfinancial
corporate sectors.
Corresponding indexes of hourly compensation, unit labor costs, unit nonlabor
payments, and prices are also provided.
Definitions
Output per hour of all persons (labor
productivity) is the quantity of goods and
services produced per hour of labor input.
Output per unit of capital services (capital
productivity) is the quantity of goods and
services produced per unit of capital services input. Multifactor productivity is the
quantity of goods and services produced per
combined inputs. For private business and
private nonfarm business, inputs include labor
and capital units. For manufacturing, inputs
include labor, capital, energy, nonenergy
materials, and purchased business services.
Compensation per hour is total compensation divided by hours at work. Total
compensation equals the wages and salaries
of employees plus employers’ contributions
for social insurance and private benefit
plans, plus an estimate of these payments for
the self-employed (except for nonfinancial
corporations in which there are no selfemployed). Real compensation per hour
is compensation per hour deflated by the
change in the Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers.
Unit labor costs are the labor compensation costs expended in the production of a
unit of output and are derived by dividing
compensation by output. Unit nonlabor
payments include profits, depreciation,
interest, and indirect taxes per unit of output.
They are computed by subtracting compensa-
tion of all persons from current-dollar value
of output and dividing by output.
Unit nonlabor costs contain all the components of unit nonlabor payments except
unit profits.
Unit profits include corporate profits
with inventory valuation and capital consumption adjustments per unit of output.
Hours of all persons are the total hours
at work of payroll workers, self-employed
persons, and unpaid family workers.
Labor inputs are hours of all persons
adjusted for the effects of changes in the
education and experience of the labor force.
Capital services are the flow of services
from the capital stock used in production. It
is developed from measures of the net stock
of physical assets—equipment, structures,
land, and inventories—weighted by rental
prices for each type of asset.
Combined units of labor and capital
inputs are derived by combining changes in
labor and capital input with weights which
represent each component’s share of total
cost. Combined units of labor, capital, energy,
materials, and purchased business services are
similarly derived by combining changes in
each input with weights that represent each
input’s share of total costs. The indexes for
each input and for combined units are based
on changing weights which are averages of
the shares in the current and preceding year
(the Tornquist index-number formula).
Notes on the data
Business sector output is an annually-weighted index constructed by excluding from real
gross domestic product (GDP) the following
outputs: general government, nonprofit
institutions, paid employees of private households, and the rental value of owner-occupied
dwellings. Nonfarm business also excludes
farming. Private business and private nonfarm business further exclude government
enterprises. The measures are supplied by
the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau
of Economic Analysis. Annual estimates of
manufacturing sectoral output are produced
by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Quarterly manufacturing output indexes from the
Federal Reserve Board are adjusted to these
annual output measures by the BLS. Compensation data are developed from data of the
Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau
of Labor Statistics. Hours data are developed
from data of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The productivity and associated cost
measures in tables 47–50 describe the relationship between output in real terms and
the labor and capital inputs involved in its
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
59
Current Labor Statistics
production. They show the changes from
period to period in the amount of goods and
services produced per unit of input.
Although these measures relate output
to hours and capital services, they do not
measure the contributions of labor, capital,
or any other specific factor of production.
Rather, they reflect the joint effect of many
influences, including changes in technology;
shifts in the composition of the labor force;
capital investment; level of output; changes
in the utilization of capacity, energy, material,
and research and development; the organization of production; managerial skill; and
characteristics and efforts of the work force.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on this
productivity series, contact the Division of
Productivity Research: (202) 691–5606.
Industry productivity measures
Description of the series
The BLS industry productivity indexes measure the relationship between output and
inputs for selected industries and industry
groups, and thus reflect trends in industry efficiency over time. Industry measures include
labor productivity, multifactor productivity,
compensation, and unit labor costs.
The industry measures differ in methodology and data sources from the productivity
measures for the major sectors because the
industry measures are developed independently of the National Income and Product
Accounts framework used for the major
sector measures.
Definitions
Output per hour is derived by dividing an
index of industry output by an index of labor
input. For most industries, output indexes
are derived from data on the value of industry output adjusted for price change. For
the remaining industries, output indexes are
derived from data on the physical quantity
of production.
The labor input series is based on the
hours of all workers or, in the case of some
transportation industries, on the number of
employees. For most industries, the series
consists of the hours of all employees. For
some trade and services industries, the series
also includes the hours of partners, proprietors, and unpaid family workers.
Unit labor costs represent the labor compensation costs per unit of output produced,
and are derived by dividing an index of labor
compensation by an index of output. Labor
60
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
compensation includes payroll as well as
supplemental payments, including both
legally required expenditures and payments
for voluntary programs.
Multifactor productivity is derived by
dividing an index of industry output by an index of combined inputs consumed in producing that output. Combined inputs include
capital, labor, and intermediate purchases.
The measure of capital input represents the
flow of services from the capital stock used
in production. It is developed from measures
of the net stock of physical assets—equipment, structures, land, and inventories. The
measure of intermediate purchases is a
combination of purchased materials, services,
fuels, and electricity.
Notes on the data
The industry measures are compiled from
data produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau, with additional
data supplied by other government agencies,
trade associations, and other sources.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on this
series, contact the Division of Industry Productivity Studies: (202) 691–5618, or visit
the Web site at: www.bls.gov/lpc/home.
htm
International Comparisons
(Tables 51–53)
Labor force and unemployment
Description of the series
Tables 51 and 52 present comparative
measures of the labor force, employment,
and unemployment approximating U.S.
concepts for the United States, Canada,
Australia, Japan, and six European countries.
The Bureau adjusts the figures for these
selected countries, for all known major
definitional differences, to the extent that
data to prepare adjustments are available.
Although precise comparability may not
be achieved, these adjusted figures provide
a better basis for international comparisons than the figures regularly published
by each country. For further information
on adjustments and comparability issues,
see Constance Sorrentino, “International
unemployment rates: how comparable are
they?” Monthly Labor Review, June 2000,
pp. 3–20, available on the Internet at www.
bls.gov/opub/mlr/2000/06/art1full.pdf.
Definitions
For the principal U.S. definitions of the labor
force, employment, and unemployment, see
the Notes section on Employment and Unemployment Data: Household survey data.
Notes on the data
Foreign country data are adjusted as closely
as possible to the U.S. definitions. Primary
areas of adjustment address conceptual differences in upper age limits and definitions of employment and unemployment,
provided that reliable data are available to
make these adjustments. Adjustments are
made where applicable to include employed
and unemployed persons above upper age
limits; some European countries do not
include persons older than age 64 in their
labor force measures, because a large portion
of this population has retired. Adjustments
are made to exclude active duty military
from employment figures, although a small
number of career military may be included
in some European countries. Adjustments
are made to exclude unpaid family workers
who worked fewer than 15 hours per week
from employment figures; U.S. concepts do
not include them in employment, whereas
most foreign countries include all unpaid
family workers regardless of the number
of hours worked. Adjustments are made
to include full-time students seeking work
and available for work as unemployed when
they are classified as not in the labor force.
Where possible, lower age limits are based
on the age at which compulsory schooling
ends in each country, rather than based on
the U.S. standard of 16. Lower age limits
have ranged between 13 and 16 over the years
covered; currently, the lower age limits are
either 15 or 16 in all 10 countries.
Some adjustments for comparability are
not made because data are unavailable for
adjustment purposes. For example, no adjustments to unemployment are usually made for
deviations from U.S. concepts in the treatment of persons waiting to start a new job
or passive jobseekers. These conceptual differences have little impact on the measures.
Furthermore, BLS studies have concluded
that no adjustments should be made for persons on layoff who are counted as employed
in some countries because of their strong
job attachment as evidenced by, for example,
payment of salary or the existence of a recall
date. In the United States, persons on layoff
have weaker job attachment and are classified
as unemployed.
The annual labor force measures are obtained from monthly, quarterly, or continuous household surveys and may be calculated
as averages of monthly or quarterly data.
Quarterly and monthly unemployment rates
are based on household surveys. For some
countries, they are calculated by applying annual adjustment factors to current published
data and, therefore, are less precise indicators
of unemployment under U.S. concepts than
the annual figures. The labor force measures
may have breaks in series over time due to
changes in surveys, sources, or estimation
methods. Breaks are noted in data tables.
For up-to-date information on adjustments and breaks in series, see the Technical
Notes of Comparative Civilian Labor Force
Statistics, 10 Countries, on the Internet at
www.bls.gov/fls/flscomparelf.htm, and the
Notes of Unemployment rates in 10 countries,
civilian labor force basis, approximating U.S.
concepts, seasonally adjusted, on the Internet
at www.bls.gov/fls/flsjec.pdf.
F OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on
this series, contact the Division of Foreign
Labor Statistics: (202) 691-5654 or flshelp@
bls.gov.
Manufacturing Productivity
and Labor Costs
Description of the series
Table 53 presents comparative indexes of
manufacturing output per hour (labor productivity), output, total hours, compensation
per hour, and unit labor costs for the United
States, Australia, Canada, Japan, The Republic
of Korea, Taiwan, and 10 European countries.
These measures are trend comparisons—that
is, series that measure changes over time—
rather than level comparisons. BLS does
not recommend using these series for level
comparisons because of technical problems.
BLS constructs the comparative indexes
from three basic aggregate measures—output, total labor hours, and total compensation. The hours and compensation measures
refer to employees (wage and salary earners)
in Belgium and Taiwan. For all other economies, the measures refer to all employed
persons, including employees, self-employed
persons, and unpaid family workers.
Definitions
Output. For most economies, the output
measures are real value added in manufacturing from national accounts. However,
output for Japan prior to 1970 and for the
Netherlands prior to 1960 are indexes of
industrial production. The manufacturing
value-added measures for the United King-
dom are essentially identical to their indexes
of industrial production.
For the United States, the output measure for the manufacturing sector is a
chain-weighted index of real gross product
originating (deflated value added) produced
by the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the
U.S. Department of Commerce. Most of
the other economies now also use chainweighted as opposed to fixed-year weights
that are periodically updated.
The data for recent years are based on
the United Nations System of National Accounts 1993 (SNA 93). Manufacturing is generally defined according to the International
Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC). For
the United States and Canada, it is defined
according to the North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS 97).
To preserve the comparability of the U.S.
measures with those of other economies,
BLS uses gross product originating in manufacturing for the United States. The gross
product originating series differs from the
manufacturing output series that BLS publishes in its quarterly news releases on U.S.
productivity and costs (and that underlies the
measures that appear in tables 48 and 50 in
this section). The quarterly measures are on
a “sectoral output” basis, rather than a valueadded basis. Sectoral output is gross output
less intrasector transactions.
Total hours refer to hours worked in all
economies. The measures are developed from
statistics of manufacturing employment and
average hours. For most other economies, recent years’ aggregate hours series are obtained
from national statistical offices, usually from
national accounts. However, for some economies and for earlier years, BLS calculates the
aggregate hours series using employment
figures published with the national accounts,
or other comprehensive employment series,
and data on average hours worked.
Hourly compensation is total compensation divided by total hours. Total compensation includes all payments in cash or in-kind
made directly to employees plus employer
expenditures for legally required insurance
programs and contractual and private benefit plans. For Australia, Canada, France,
and Sweden, compensation is increased
to account for important taxes on payroll
or employment. For the United Kingdom,
compensation is reduced between 1967 and
1991 to account for subsidies.
Unit labor costs are defined as the costs
of labor input required to produce one unit of
output. They are computed as compensation
in nominal terms divided by real output. Unit
labor costs can also be computed by dividing
hourly compensation by output per hour, that
is, by labor productivity.
Notes on the data
In general, the measures relate to total manufacturing as defined by the International Standard Industrial Classification. However, the measures for
France include parts of mining as well.
The measures for recent years may be
based on current indicators of manufacturing output (such as industrial production
indexes), employment, average hours, and
hourly compensation until national accounts
and other statistics used for the long-term
measures become available.
For additional information on these
series, go to www.bls.gov/news.release/
prod4.toc.htm or contact the Division of
Foreign Labor Statistics: (202) 691–5654.
Occupational Injury
and Illness Data
(Tables 54–55)
Survey of Occupational Injuries
and Illnesses
Description of the series
The Survey of Occupational Injuries and
Illnesses collects data from employers about
their workers’ job-related nonfatal injuries
and illnesses. The information that employers provide is based on records that they
maintain under the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970. Self-employed individuals, farms with fewer than 11 employees,
employers regulated by other Federal safety
and health laws, and Federal, State, and local government agencies are excluded from
the survey.
The survey is a Federal-State cooperative
program with an independent sample selected for each participating State. A stratified
random sample with a Neyman allocation
is selected to represent all private industries
in the State. The survey is stratified by Standard Industrial Classification and size of
employment.
Definitions
Under the Occupational Safety and Health
Act, employers maintain records of nonfatal
work-related injuries and illnesses that involve one or more of the following: loss of
consciousness, restriction of work or motion,
transfer to another job, or medical treatment
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
61
Current Labor Statistics
other than first aid.
Occupational injury is any injury such
as a cut, fracture, sprain, or amputation that
results from a work-related event or a single,
instantaneous exposure in the work environment.
Occupational illness is an abnormal
condition or disorder, other than one resulting from an occupational injury, caused by
exposure to factors associated with employment. It includes acute and chronic illnesses
or disease which may be caused by inhalation,
absorption, ingestion, or direct contact.
Lost workday injuries and illnesses are
cases that involve days away from work, or
days of restricted work activity, or both.
Lost workdays include the number of
workdays (consecutive or not) on which the
employee was either away from work or at
work in some restricted capacity, or both,
because of an occupational injury or illness.
BLS measures of the number and incidence
rate of lost workdays were discontinued
beginning with the 1993 survey. The number
of days away from work or days of restricted
work activity does not include the day of injury
or onset of illness or any days on which the
employee would not have worked, such as a
Federal holiday, even though able to work.
Incidence rates are computed as the
number of injuries and/or illnesses or lost
work days per 100 full-time workers.
Notes on the data
The definitions of occupational injuries and
illnesses are from Recordkeeping Guidelines
for Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (U.S.
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 1986).
Estimates are made for industries and employment size classes for total recordable cases,
lost workday cases, days away from work cases,
and nonfatal cases without lost workdays. These
data also are shown separately for injuries.
Illness data are available for seven categories:
occupational skin diseases or disorders, dust
diseases of the lungs, respiratory conditions
due to toxic agents, poisoning (systemic
effects of toxic agents), disorders due to
physical agents (other than toxic materials),
disorders associated with repeated trauma,
and all other occupational illnesses.
The survey continues to measure the
number of new work-related illness cases
which are recognized, diagnosed, and reported during the year. Some conditions, for
example, long-term latent illnesses caused
62
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
by exposure to carcinogens, often are difficult to relate to the workplace and are not
adequately recognized and reported. These
long-term latent illnesses are believed to be
understated in the survey’s illness measure. In
contrast, the overwhelming majority of the
reported new illnesses are those which are
easier to directly relate to workplace activity
(for example, contact dermatitis and carpal
tunnel syndrome).
Most of the estimates are in the form
of incidence rates, defined as the number
of injuries and illnesses per 100 equivalent
full-time workers. For this purpose, 200,000
employee hours represent 100 employee years
(2,000 hours per employee). Full detail on the
available measures is presented in the annual
bulletin, Occupational Injuries and Illnesses:
Counts, Rates, and Characteristics.
Comparable data for more than 40 States
and territories are available from the bls
Office of Safety, Health and Working Conditions. Many of these States publish data
on State and local government employees in
addition to private industry data.
Mining and railroad data are furnished to
BLS by the Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration. Data from these organizations are
included in both the national and State data
published annually.
With the 1992 survey, BLS began publishing details on serious, nonfatal incidents
resulting in days away from work. Included
are some major characteristics of the injured
and ill workers, such as occupation, age, gender, race, and length of service, as well as the
circumstances of their injuries and illnesses
(nature of the disabling condition, part of
body affected, event and exposure, and the
source directly producing the condition). In
general, these data are available nationwide
for detailed industries and for individual
States at more aggregated industry levels.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on occupational injuries and illnesses, contact the
Office of Occupational Safety, Health and
Working Conditions at (202) 691–6180, or
access the Internet at: www.bls. gov/iif/
Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries
The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
compiles a complete roster of fatal job-related injuries, including detailed data about the
fatally injured workers and the fatal events.
The program collects and cross checks fatality
information from multiple sources, including
death certificates, State and Federal workers’
compensation reports, Occupational Safety
and Health Administration and Mine Safety
and Health Administration records, medical
examiner and autopsy reports, media accounts, State motor vehicle fatality records,
and follow-up questionnaires to employers.
In addition to private wage and salary
workers, the self-employed, family members, and Federal, State, and local government workers are covered by the program.
To be included in the fatality census, the
decedent must have been employed (that is
working for pay, compensation, or profit)
at the time of the event, engaged in a legal
work activity, or present at the site of the
incident as a requirement of his or her job.
Definition
A fatal work injury is any intentional or
unintentional wound or damage to the body
resulting in death from acute exposure to
energy, such as heat or electricity, or kinetic
energy from a crash, or from the absence of
such essentials as heat or oxygen caused by a
specific event or incident or series of events
within a single workday or shift. Fatalities
that occur during a person’s commute to or
from work are excluded from the census,
as well as work-related illnesses,which can
be difficult to identify due to long latency
periods.
Notes on the data
Twenty-eight data elements are collected,
coded, and tabulated in the fatality program,
including information about the fatally
injured worker, the fatal incident, and the
machinery or equipment involved. Summary worker demographic data and event
characteristics are included in a national news
release that is available about 8 months after
the end of the reference year. The Census
of Fatal Occupational Injuries was initiated in 1992 as a joint Federal-State effort.
Most States issue summary information
at the time of the national news release.
F OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION on
the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries
contact the BLS Office of Safety, Health,
and Working Conditions at (202) 691–
6175, or the Internet at: www.bls.gov/iif/
1. Labor market indicators
Selected indicators
2006
2006
2007
I
II
2007
III
IV
I
II
2008
III
IV
I
Employment data
Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional
population (household survey):
1
Labor force participation rate........................................................
Employment-population ratio........................................................
Unemployment rate………………………………………………….…
Men………………………………………………..…….….…………
16 to 24 years...........................................................................
25 years and older....................................................................
Women……………………………………………….….……………
16 to 24 years...........................................................................
25 years and older....................................................................
Employment, nonfarm (payroll data), in thousands:
66.2
63.1
4.6
4.6
11.2
3.5
4.6
9.7
3.7
66.0
63.0
4.6
4.7
11.6
3.6
4.5
9.4
3.6
66.0
62.9
4.7
4.7
11.3
3.5
4.8
9.7
3.9
66.2
63.1
4.7
4.7
11.2
3.6
4.6
9.3
3.8
66.2
63.1
4.7
4.6
11.4
3.5
4.7
10.1
3.8
66.3
63.4
4.4
4.5
11.0
3.3
4.4
9.7
3.5
66.2
63.2
4.5
4.6
10.8
3.6
4.4
9.0
3.5
66.0
63.0
4.5
4.6
11.5
3.5
4.4
9.0
3.6
66.0
62.9
4.7
4.8
11.8
3.6
4.6
9.8
3.7
66.0
62.8
4.8
4.9
12.2
3.7
4.7
9.9
3.8
66.0
62.7
4.9
5.0
12.7
3.8
4.8
10.0
3.9
1
Total nonfarm…………………….................................................... 136,086
Total private....................................................................... 114,113
137,626
115,423
135,647
113,748
135,910
113,996
136,528
114,472
136,982
114,899
137,310
115,167
137,625
115,423
137,837
115,610
138,078
115,759
137,838
115,462
22,531
Manufacturing………….………………..………………………… 14,155
22,221
13,883
22,563
14,208
22,570
14,200
22,564
14,138
22,436
14,033
22,362
13,953
22,267
13,890
22,138
13,822
21,976
13,772
21,728
13,642
Service-providing……………………………………………….…………..…113,556
115,405
113,084
113,340
113,964
114,546
114,948
115,358
115,699
116,102
116,110
Goods-producing ……………………………………………….…………..
Average hours:
Total private........................................…………..........................
Manufacturing………...……………………………………………
Overtime……..………….………………...………………………
33.9
41.1
4.4
33.8
41.2
4.2
33.8
41.0
4.5
33.9
41.2
4.5
33.8
41.3
4.4
33.9
41.1
4.2
33.9
41.2
4.1
33.9
41.4
4.1
33.8
41.4
4.2
33.8
41.1
4.0
33.8
41.2
4.0
Civilian nonfarm ……………………………….…………………………….……
3.3
3.3
.7
.9
1.1
.6
.9
.8
1.0
.6
.8
Private nonfarm……………...............………...............................
3.2
3.0
.8
.9
.8
.7
.8
.9
.8
.6
.9
2.5
2.4
.3
1.0
.7
.5
.4
1.0
.5
.6
1.0
1, 2, 3
Employment Cost Index
Total compensation:
4
5
Goods-producing ……………………………………………….…………
5
Service-providing ……………………………………………….…………
State and local government ……………….………………………
Workers by bargaining status (private nonfarm):
Union……………………………………………………………………
Nonunion…………………………………………………………………
1
3.4
3.2
1.0
.8
.9
.7
.9
.9
.9
.6
.9
4.1
4.1
.5
.4
2.3
.9
1.0
.6
1.8
.7
.5
3.0
3.2
2.0
3.2
.5
.9
1.3
.8
.6
.9
.6
.6
-.3
1.0
1.2
.9
.5
.8
.7
.6
.8
.9
Quarterly data seasonally adjusted.
Annual changes are December-to-December changes. Quarterly changes
are calculated using the last month of each quarter.
3
The Employment Cost Index data reflect the conversion to the 2002 North
American Classification System (NAICS) and the 2000 Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC) system. The NAICS and SOC data shown prior to 2006 are
for informational purposes only. Series based on NAICS and SOC became the
official BLS estimates starting in March 2006.
2
4
Excludes Federal and private household workers.
Goods-producing industries include mining, construction, and manufacturing. Serviceproviding industries include all other private sector industries.
5
NOTE: Beginning in January 2003, household survey data reflect revised population
controls. Nonfarm data reflect the conversion to the 2002 version of the North
American Industry Classification System (NAICS), replacing the Standard Industrial
Classification (SIC) system. NAICS-based data by industry are not comparable with SIC
based data.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 63
Current Labor Statistics: Comparative Indicators
2. Annual and quarterly percent changes in compensation, prices, and productivity
Selected measures
2006
2006
2007
I
II
2007
III
IV
I
II
2008
III
IV
I
1, 2, 3
Compensation data
Employment Cost Index—compensation:
Civilian nonfarm...................................................................
Private nonfarm...............................................................
Employment Cost Index—wages and salaries:
Civilian nonfarm……………………………………………….
Private nonfarm...............................................................
Price data
3.3
3.2
3.3
3.0
0.7
.8
0.9
.9
1.1
.8
0.6
.7
0.9
.8
0.8
.9
1.0
.8
0.6
.6
0.8
.9
3.2
3.2
3.4
3.3
.7
.7
.8
1.0
1.1
.8
.6
.7
1.1
1.1
.7
.8
1.0
.9
.7
.6
.8
.9
3.2
2.8
1.5
1.6
.0
-.5
1.8
1.5
.1
.7
1.7
3.0
3.5
1.6
6.5
1.4
3.9
4.5
1.8
4.0
12.2
.3
.2
.8
.9
-11.1
1.7
2.1
.2
3.0
1.8
-.9
-1.3
.0
-.4
1.2
.1
-.2
1.3
-.8
4.0
2.2
2.8
.3
3.6
5.7
1.9
2.5
-.1
3.2
3.8
.1
.2
-.1
.1
-2.4
1.9
2.1
1.1
1.8
12.7
2.8
3.3
1.0
5.0
15.2
1.0
1.0
1.6
1.6
2.5
2.5
.8
.8
-1.5
-1.6
1.2
1.8
.2
.7
3.6
2.2
6.4
6.0
.9
1.8
1.9
2.2
1.3
-
3.1
-1.8
3.1
1.3
.7
2.1
2.9
.9
-
1
Consumer Price Index (All Urban Consumers): All Items......
Producer Price Index:
Finished goods.....................................................................
Finished consumer goods.................................................
Capital equipment……………………………………………
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components…………
Crude materials.....................................................................
4
Productivity data
Output per hour of all persons:
Business sector.....................................................................
Nonfarm business sector.......................................................
5
Nonfinancial corporations ……………….…………...………………
1
Annual changes are December-to-December changes. Quarterly changes are
calculated using the last month of each quarter. Compensation and price data are not
seasonally adjusted, and the price data are not compounded.
2
Excludes Federal and private household workers.
3
The Employment Cost Index data reflect the conversion to the 2002 North American
Classification System (NAICS) and the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)
system. The NAICS and SOC data shown prior to 2006 are for informational purposes
only. Series based on NAICS and SOC became the official BLS estimates starting in
March 2006.
4
Annual rates of change are computed by comparing annual averages. Quarterly
percent changes reflect annual rates of change in quarterly indexes. The data are
seasonally adjusted.
5
Output per hour of all employees.
3. Alternative measures of wage and compensation changes
Quarterly change
Components
Four quarters ending—
2007
I
II
2008
III
IV
I
2007
I
II
2008
III
IV
I
1
Average hourly compensation:
All persons, business sector..........................................................
All persons, nonfarm business sector...........................................
Employment Cost Index—compensation:
2.4
1.3
3.7
3.3
3.7
4.6
4.2
4.4
4.7
4.9
5.4
5.3
6.0
5.8
4.0
3.9
3.5
3.4
.9
.8
-.3
1.0
1.0
.8
.9
1.2
.9
.6
1.0
.8
.5
.8
1.8
.6
.6
.7
.6
.7
.8
.9
.8
.9
.5
3.5
3.2
2.2
3.3
4.6
3.3
3.1
2.1
3.3
4.8
3.3
3.1
2.0
3.2
4.3
3.3
3.0
2.0
3.2
4.1
3.3
3.2
3.1
3.2
3.6
1.1
1.1
.5
1.2
.6
.7
.8
.9
.8
.5
1.0
.9
.7
.9
1.7
.7
.6
.3
.7
.7
.8
.9
.8
.9
.6
3.6
3.6
2.5
3.7
3.8
3.4
3.3
2.5
3.4
3.8
3.3
3.4
2.7
3.4
3.5
3.4
3.3
2.3
3.5
3.5
3.2
3.2
2.6
3.3
3.5
2
3
Civilian nonfarm ……….………………………………………….…………..…
Private nonfarm….......................................................................
Union…………..........................................................................
Nonunion…………....................................................................
State and local government….....................................................
Employment Cost Index—wages and salaries:
3
6.2
6.4
2
Civilian nonfarm ……….………………………………………….…………..…
Private nonfarm….......................................................................
Union…………..........................................................................
Nonunion…………....................................................................
State and local government….....................................................
1
Seasonally adjusted. "Quarterly average" is percent change from a
quarter ago, at an annual rate.
2
The Employment Cost Index data reflect the conversion to the 2002
North American Classification System (NAICS) and the 2000 Standard
64
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The NAICS and SOC data shown
prior to 2006 are for informational purposes only. Series based on NAICS
and SOC became the official BLS estimates starting in March 2006.
3
Excludes Federal and private household workers.
4. Employment status of the population, by sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
Employment status
2007
Annual average
2006
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
2008
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
TOTAL
Civilian noninstitutional
1
population ……………………. 228,815
Civilian labor force.............. 151,428
66.2
Participation rate...........
Employed........................ 144,427
Employment-pop63.1
ulation ratio 2……………
7,001
Unemployed...................
4.6
Unemployment rate.....
Not in the labor force........ 77,387
231,867 231,480 231,713 231,958 232,211 232,461 232,715 232,939 233,156 232,616 232,809 232,995 233,198 233,405
153,124 152,776 153,085 153,182 152,886 153,506 153,306 153,828 153,866 153,824 153,374 153,784 153,957 154,534
66.0
66.0
66.1
66.0
65.8
66.0
65.9
66.0
66.0
66.1
65.9
66.0
66.0
66.2
146,047 145,913 146,087 146,045 145,753 146,260 146,016 146,647 146,211 146,248 145,993 145,969 146,331 146,046
63.0
7,078
4.6
78,743
63.0
6,863
4.5
78,704
63.0
6,997
4.6
78,628
63.0
7,137
4.7
78,776
62.8
7,133
4.7
79,325
62.9
7,246
4.7
78,955
62.7
7,291
4.8
79,409
63.0
7,181
4.7
79,111
62.7
7,655
5.0
79,290
62.9
7,576
4.9
78,792
62.7
7,381
4.8
79,436
62.6
7,815
5.1
79,211
62.7
7,626
5.0
79,241
62.6
8,487
5.5
78,872
Men, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional
1
population ……………………. 102,145
Civilian labor force.............. 77,562
75.9
Participation rate...........
Employed........................ 74,431
Employment-pop72.9
ulation ratio 2……………
3,131
Unemployed...................
4.0
Unemployment rate.....
Not in the labor force……… 24,584
103,555 103,361 103,477 103,598 103,723 103,847 103,973 104,087 104,197 103,866 103,961 104,052 104,152 104,258
78,596
78,497
78,503
78,619
78,526
78,689
78,664
79,075
79,004
78,864
78,748
78,838
78,776
78,878
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.9
75.7
75.8
75.7
76.0
75.8
75.9
75.7
75.8
75.6
75.7
75,337
75,343
75,292
75,324
75,274
75,332
75,274
75,834
75,499
75,427
75,362
75,197
75,148
75,001
72.8
3,259
4.1
24,959
72.9
3,154
4.0
24,864
72.8
3,212
4.1
24,973
72.7
3,295
4.2
24,979
72.6
3,252
4.1
25,197
72.5
3,357
4.3
25,158
72.4
3,389
4.3
25,309
72.9
3,240
4.1
25,012
72.5
3,505
4.4
25,193
72.6
3,437
4.4
25,002
72.5
3,386
4.3
25,213
72.3
3,641
4.6
25,214
72.2
3,628
4.6
25,376
71.9
3,877
4.9
25,380
Women, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional
1
population ……………………. 109,992
Civilian labor force.............. 66,585
60.5
Participation rate...........
Employed........................ 63,834
Employment-pop58.0
ulation ratio 2……………
2,751
Unemployed...................
4.1
Unemployment rate.....
Not in the labor force……… 43,407
111,330 111,157 111,259 111,367 111,479 111,590 111,703 111,805 111,903 111,739 111,822 111,902 111,990 112,083
67,516
67,318
67,481
67,566
67,616
67,795
67,623
67,776
67,866
67,982
67,816
68,159
68,176
68,390
60.6
60.6
60.7
60.7
60.7
60.8
60.5
60.6
60.6
60.8
60.6
60.9
60.9
61.0
64,799
64,710
64,828
64,792
64,826
65,033
64,827
64,980
64,912
65,098
64,950
65,055
65,260
65,138
58.2
2,718
4.0
43,814
58.2
2,608
3.9
43,839
58.3
2,653
3.9
43,778
58.2
2,774
4.1
43,801
58.2
2,790
4.1
43,863
58.3
2,762
4.1
43,795
58.0
2,796
4.1
44,080
58.1
2,796
4.1
44,029
58.0
2,954
4.4
44,037
58.3
2,885
4.2
43,756
58.1
2,865
4.2
44,006
58.1
3,104
4.6
43,743
58.3
2,916
4.3
43,814
58.1
3,252
4.8
43,693
16,982
7,012
41.3
5,911
16,962
6,961
41.0
5,860
16,977
7,100
41.8
5,968
16,993
6,997
41.2
5,930
17,009
6,744
39.7
5,653
17,024
7,021
41.2
5,895
17,040
7,020
41.2
5,914
17,048
6,977
40.9
5,832
17,056
6,996
41.0
5,801
17,012
6,978
41.0
5,724
17,027
6,810
40.0
5,681
17,041
6,787
39.8
5,717
17,056
7,005
41.1
5,923
17,064
7,266
42.6
5,907
34.8
1,101
15.7
9,970
34.5
1,101
15.8
10,001
35.2
1,133
16.0
9,877
34.9
1,067
15.3
9,996
33.2
1,092
16.2
10,264
34.6
1,126
16.0
10,003
34.7
1,105
15.7
10,020
34.2
1,145
16.4
10,071
34.0
1,196
17.1
10,059
33.6
1,254
18.0
10,034
33.4
1,130
16.6
10,216
33.5
1,070
15.8
10,254
34.7
1,082
15.4
10,051
34.6
1,358
18.7
9,798
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Civilian noninstitutional
1
population ……………………. 16,678
7,281
Civilian labor force..............
43.7
Participation rate...........
6,162
Employed........................
Employment-pop36.9
ulation ratio 2……………
1,119
Unemployed...................
15.4
Unemployment rate.....
Not in the labor force……… 9,397
White3
Civilian noninstitutional
1
population ……………………. 186,264
Civilian labor force.............. 123,834
66.5
Participation rate...........
Employed........................ 118,833
Employment-pop63.8
ulation ratio 2……………
5,002
Unemployed...................
4.0
Unemployment rate.....
Not in the labor force……… 62,429
188,253 187,993 188,148 188,312 188,479 188,644 188,813 188,956 189,093 188,787 188,906 189,019 189,147 189,281
124,935 124,639 124,918 124,945 124,596 125,316 125,151 125,430 125,460 125,340 124,940 125,190 125,171 125,762
66.4
66.3
66.4
66.3
66.1
66.4
66.3
66.4
66.3
66.4
66.1
66.2
66.2
66.4
119,792 119,711 119,835 119,713 119,340 119,992 119,883 120,194 119,889 119,858 119,534 119,574 119,667 119,661
63.6
5,143
4.1
63,319
63.7
4,928
4.0
63,355
63.7
5,083
4.1
63,230
63.6
5,232
4.2
63,368
63.3
5,256
4.2
63,883
63.6
5,324
4.2
63,329
63.5
5,268
4.2
63,662
63.6
5,235
4.2
63,526
63.4
5,571
4.4
63,633
63.5
5,482
4.4
63,447
63.3
5,406
4.3
63,966
63.3
5,616
4.5
63,829
63.3
5,504
4.4
63,975
63.2
6,101
4.9
63,519
27,485
17,496
63.7
16,051
27,422
17,405
63.5
15,939
27,459
17,456
63.6
15,989
27,498
17,593
64.0
16,172
27,541
17,524
63.6
16,176
27,584
17,483
63.4
16,046
27,627
17,430
63.1
15,946
27,666
17,453
63.1
15,980
27,704
17,538
63.3
15,961
27,640
17,713
64.1
16,090
27,675
17,632
63.7
16,169
27,709
17,702
63.9
16,116
27,746
17,753
64.0
16,234
27,780
17,742
63.9
16,029
58.4
1,445
8.3
9,989
58.1
1,466
8.4
10,017
58.2
1,467
8.4
10,003
58.8
1,421
8.1
9,905
58.7
1,347
7.7
10,017
58.2
1,437
8.2
10,101
57.7
1,483
8.5
10,197
57.8
1,473
8.4
10,212
57.6
1,577
9.0
10,165
58.2
1,623
9.2
9,927
58.4
1,463
8.3
10,043
58.2
1,586
9.0
10,007
58.5
1,520
8.6
9,992
57.7
1,713
9.7
10,038
Black or African American3
Civilian noninstitutional
1
population ……………………. 27,007
Civilian labor force.............. 17,314
64.1
Participation rate...........
Employed........................ 15,765
Employment-pop58.4
ulation ratio 2……………
1,549
Unemployed...................
8.9
Unemployment rate.....
Not in the labor force……… 9,693
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 65
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
4. Continued—Employment status of the population, by sex, age, race, and Hispanic origin, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
2007
Annual average
Employment status
2006
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
31,383
21,602
68.8
20,382
31,238
21,434
68.6
20,197
31,329
21,460
68.5
20,245
31,423
21,613
68.8
20,345
31,520
21,781
69.1
20,578
64.9
1,220
5.6
9,781
64.7
1,237
5.8
9,804
64.6
1,216
5.7
9,869
64.7
1,269
5.9
9,809
65.3
1,204
5.5
9,738
2008
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
31,617
21,872
69.2
20,619
31,714
21,778
68.7
20,554
31,809
21,872
68.8
20,623
31,903
21,888
68.6
20,517
31,643
21,698
68.6
20,320
31,732
21,755
68.6
20,401
31,820
21,775
68.4
20,269
31,911
21,917
68.7
20,404
31,998
22,102
69.1
20,573
65.2
1,253
5.7
9,745
64.8
1,224
5.6
9,936
64.8
1,249
5.7
9,938
64.3
1,371
6.3
10,016
64.2
1,378
6.3
9,946
64.3
1,354
6.2
9,977
63.7
1,507
6.9
10,045
63.9
1,512
6.9
9,994
64.3
1,529
6.9
9,896
Hispanic or Latino
ethnicity
Civilian noninstitutional
1
population ……………………. 30,103
Civilian labor force.............. 20,694
68.7
Participation rate...........
Employed........................ 19,613
Employment-pop65.2
ulation ratio 2……………
1,081
Unemployed...................
5.2
Unemployment rate.....
Not in the labor force ………… 9,409
1
The population figures are not seasonally adjusted.
Civilian employment as a percent of the civilian noninstitutional population.
Beginning in 2003, persons who selected this race group only; persons who
selected more than one race group are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who
reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main
race.
NOTE: Estimates for the above race groups (white and black or African American) do not
sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. In addition, persons whose
ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified
by ethnicity as well as by race. Beginning in January 2003, data reflect revised population
controls used in the household survey.
2
3
5. Selected employment indicators, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[In thousands]
Selected categories
Annual average
2006
2007
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
2008
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Characteristic
Employed, 16 years and older.. 144,427 146,047 145,913 146,087 146,045 145,753 146,260 146,016 146,647 146,211 146,248 145,993 145,969 146,331 146,046
Men....................................... 77,502
78,254
78,277
78,243
78,237
78,066
78,229
78,177
78,604
78,260
78,157
78,113
77,948
78,038
77,954
Women............................…… 66,925
67,792
67,637
67,845
67,808
67,687
68,030
67,838
68,043
67,951
68,091
67,880
68,021
68,293
68,092
Married men, spouse
45,700
46,314
46,472
46,448
46,307
46,193
46,235
46,189
46,339
46,213
46,063
46,136
45,961
45,964
45,862
35,272
35,832
36,126
36,111
35,938
35,794
35,712
35,449
35,689
35,565
35,536
35,648
35,749
36,177
36,171
4,162
4,401
4,469
4,311
4,332
4,517
4,499
4,401
4,513
4,665
4,769
4,884
4,914
5,220
5,233
2,658
2,877
2,952
2,803
2,751
2,955
2,991
2,788
3,008
3,174
3,247
3,291
3,323
3,558
3,595
1,189
1,210
1,248
1,197
1,210
1,175
1,166
1,215
1,223
1,236
1,163
1,222
1,362
1,323
1,281
reasons……………………… 19,591
19,756
19,610
20,076
19,957
19,779
19,812
19,337
19,539
19,526
19,613
19,348
19,409
19,809
19,428
4,071
4,317
4,391
4,210
4,259
4,466
4,397
4,302
4,453
4,577
4,677
4,790
4,797
5,125
5,164
2,596
2,827
2,893
2,736
2,711
2,916
2,922
2,745
2,981
3,120
3,174
3,231
3,238
3,513
3,531
1,178
1,199
1,246
1,198
1,205
1,152
1,153
1,207
1,205
1,219
1,149
1,216
1,354
1,331
1,288
reasons.................………… 19,237
19,419
19,192
19,734
19,569
19,469
19,451
19,157
19,224
19,225
19,296
19,019
19,072
19,456
19,047
present................................
Married women, spouse
present................................
Persons at work part time1
All industries:
Part time for economic
reasons…………………….…
Slack work or business
conditions………….........
Could only find part-time
work………………………
Part time for noneconomic
Nonagricultural industries:
Part time for economic
reasons…………………….…
Slack work or business
conditions.......................
Could only find part-time
work………………………
Part time for noneconomic
1
Excludes persons "with a job but not at work" during the survey period for such reasons as vacation, illness, or industrial disputes.
NOTE: Beginning in January 2003, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.
66
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
6. Selected unemployment indicators, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[Unemployment rates]
Annual average
Selected categories
2006
2007
2007
2008
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Characteristic
Total, 16 years and older............................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years.....................
Men, 20 years and older.........................
Women, 20 years and older...................
4.6
15.4
4.0
4.1
4.6
15.7
4.1
4.0
4.5
15.8
4.0
3.9
4.6
16.0
4.1
3.9
4.7
15.3
4.2
4.1
4.7
16.2
4.1
4.1
4.7
16.0
4.3
4.1
4.8
15.7
4.3
4.1
4.7
16.4
4.1
4.1
5.0
17.1
4.4
4.4
4.9
18.0
4.4
4.2
4.8
16.6
4.3
4.2
5.1
15.8
4.6
4.6
5.0
15.4
4.6
4.3
5.5
18.7
4.9
4.8
White, total 1………………………………
4.0
13.2
14.6
11.7
3.5
3.6
4.1
13.9
15.7
12.1
3.7
3.6
4.0
13.9
15.2
12.5
3.5
3.4
4.1
14.2
16.3
12.0
3.6
3.5
4.2
13.8
15.5
12.0
3.8
3.6
4.2
14.4
16.5
12.2
3.8
3.7
4.2
14.3
16.4
12.2
3.9
3.5
4.2
14.0
15.9
12.0
3.8
3.6
4.2
14.7
17.8
11.8
3.7
3.7
4.4
14.4
16.8
12.1
3.9
4.0
4.4
15.6
19.0
12.3
3.9
3.8
4.3
14.4
17.1
11.8
3.9
3.8
4.5
13.2
14.7
11.7
4.1
4.1
4.4
13.8
15.2
12.4
4.1
3.7
4.9
16.4
17.7
14.9
4.4
4.1
8.9
29.1
32.7
25.9
8.3
7.5
8.3
29.4
33.8
25.3
7.9
6.7
8.4
30.1
35.4
24.8
8.2
6.7
8.4
31.0
33.5
28.7
8.3
6.4
8.1
27.0
31.1
23.5
7.6
6.9
7.7
31.2
33.2
29.4
6.8
6.5
8.2
28.9
33.9
24.2
7.5
7.1
8.5
27.9
36.0
20.1
8.2
7.1
8.4
29.7
34.6
24.9
7.9
7.0
9.0
34.7
39.5
30.1
8.4
7.0
9.2
35.7
41.3
28.5
8.3
7.3
8.3
31.7
32.6
30.9
7.9
6.5
9.0
31.3
38.9
25.4
8.4
7.5
8.6
24.5
27.9
21.9
8.4
7.4
9.7
32.3
40.1
25.2
8.9
8.2
5.2
2.4
2.9
4.5
5.1
5.6
2.5
2.8
4.6
4.9
5.8
2.6
2.8
4.4
4.9
5.7
2.4
2.7
4.5
4.7
5.9
2.7
2.9
4.6
5.1
5.5
2.5
3.1
4.6
4.9
5.7
2.5
2.9
4.7
4.7
5.6
2.6
2.9
4.7
5.0
5.7
2.6
3.0
4.6
5.0
6.3
2.7
3.1
4.9
5.6
6.3
2.7
3.1
4.8
5.4
6.2
2.7
3.1
4.8
5.0
6.9
2.8
3.3
5.0
5.3
6.9
2.8
3.0
5.0
4.9
6.9
2.9
3.1
5.5
5.5
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years................
Men, 16 to 19 years........................
Women, 16 to 19 years..................
Men, 20 years and older....................
Women, 20 years and older..............
Black or African American, total 1………
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years................
Men, 16 to 19 years........................
Women, 16 to 19 years..................
Men, 20 years and older....................
Women, 20 years and older..............
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity………………
Married men, spouse present................
Married women, spouse present...........
Full-time workers...................................
Part-time workers..................................
Educational attainment2
Less than a high school diploma................
6.8
7.1
6.7
6.8
7.2
6.7
7.5
7.4
7.6
7.6
7.7
7.3
8.2
7.8
8.3
Some college or associate degree………..
4.3
3.6
4.4
3.6
4.5
3.4
4.1
3.5
4.5
3.6
4.4
3.7
4.6
3.4
4.6
3.5
4.5
3.3
4.7
3.7
4.6
3.6
4.7
3.7
5.1
3.8
5.0
3.9
5.2
4.3
Bachelor's degree and higher 4…………….
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.1
2.2
2.2
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.1
2.2
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
High school graduates, no college 3………
1
Beginning in 2003, persons who selected this race group only; persons who
selected more than one race group are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who
reported more than one race were included in the group they identified as the main
race.
2
Data refer to persons 25 years and older.
7. Duration of unemployment, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
Weeks of
unemployment
Less than 5 weeks...........................
5 to 14 weeks..................................
15 weeks and over..........................
15 to 26 weeks.............................
27 weeks and over.......................
Mean duration, in weeks...................
Median duration, in weeks...............
Annual average
2006
2,614
2,121
2,266
1,031
1,235
16.8
8.3
2007
2,542
2,232
2,303
1,061
1,243
16.8
8.5
2007
May
2,467
2,187
2,236
1,099
1,137
16.6
8.3
June
2,505
2,140
2,296
1,136
1,159
16.8
8.3
July
2,496
2,220
2,402
1,091
1,311
17.3
8.9
Aug.
2,610
2,201
2,375
1,124
1,252
16.9
8.6
2008
Sept.
2,537
2,330
2,392
1,112
1,280
16.6
8.9
Oct.
2,508
2,454
2,367
1,052
1,315
17.0
8.7
Nov.
2,633
2,157
2,398
1,014
1,384
17.2
8.7
2,793
2,330
2,520
1,182
1,338
16.6
8.4
2,634
2,396
2,503
1,124
1,380
17.5
8.8
2,639
2,396
2,377
1,079
1,299
16.8
8.4
Mar.
2,767
2,525
2,400
1,118
1,282
16.2
8.1
Apr.
2,484
2,495
2,626
1,272
1,353
16.9
9.3
May
3,244
2,469
2,773
1,223
1,550
16.6
8.3
NOTE: Beginning in January 2003, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 67
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
8. Unemployed persons by reason for unemployment, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[Numbers in thousands]
Reason for
unemployment
Job losers 1…………………….…
On temporary layoff..............
Not on temporary layoff........
Job leavers..............................
Reentrants...............................
New entrants...........................
Annual average
2006
2007
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
2008
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
3,321
921
2,400
827
2,237
616
3,515
976
2,539
793
2,142
627
3,375
997
2,379
768
2,149
557
3,418
862
2,555
810
2,125
628
3,629
983
2,646
823
2,082
602
3,632
981
2,652
794
2,076
603
3,622
963
2,660
839
2,154
685
3,731
1,064
2,668
790
2,103
709
3,609
979
2,630
783
2,160
669
3,857
975
2,882
798
2,343
697
3,796
1,040
2,756
830
2,201
667
3,854
971
2,883
769
2,112
648
4,154
1,056
3,098
781
2,117
681
4,014
1,099
2,915
850
2,134
624
4,282
1,113
3,169
870
2,460
828
47.4
13.2
34.3
11.8
32.0
8.8
49.7
13.8
35.9
11.2
30.3
8.9
49.3
14.6
34.7
11.2
31.4
8.1
49.0
12.4
36.6
11.6
30.4
9.0
50.8
13.8
37.1
11.5
29.2
8.4
51.1
13.8
37.3
11.2
29.2
8.5
49.6
13.2
36.4
11.5
29.5
9.4
50.9
14.5
36.4
10.8
28.7
9.7
50.0
13.6
36.4
10.8
29.9
9.3
50.1
12.7
37.5
10.4
30.4
9.1
50.7
13.9
36.8
11.1
29.4
8.9
52.2
13.2
39.0
10.4
28.6
8.8
53.7
13.7
40.1
10.1
27.4
8.8
52.7
14.4
38.2
11.2
28.0
8.2
50.7
13.2
37.5
10.3
29.1
9.8
2.2
.5
1.4
.4
2.2
.5
1.4
.4
2.4
.5
1.4
.4
2.4
.5
1.4
.4
2.4
.5
1.4
.4
2.4
.5
1.4
.5
2.3
.5
1.4
.4
2.5
.5
1.5
.5
2.5
.5
1.4
.4
2.5
.5
1.4
.4
2.7
.5
1.4
.4
2.6
.6
1.4
.4
2.8
.6
1.6
.5
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
May
Percent of unemployed
Job losers 1…………………….…
On temporary layoff...............
Not on temporary layoff.........
Job leavers...............................
Reentrants................................
New entrants............................
Percent of civilian
labor force
2.2
2.3
Job losers 1…………………….…
.5
.5
Job leavers...............................
1.5
1.4
Reentrants................................
.4
.4
New entrants............................
1
Includes persons who completed temporary jobs.
NOTE: Beginning in January 2003, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.
9. Unemployment rates by sex and age, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[Civilian workers]
Sex and age
Annual average
2007
2006
2007
Total, 16 years and older..................
16 to 24 years...............................
16 to 19 years............................
16 to 17 years.........................
18 to 19 years.........................
20 to 24 years............................
25 years and older........................
25 to 54 years.........................
55 years and older..................
4.6
10.5
15.4
17.2
14.1
8.2
3.6
3.8
3.0
4.6
10.5
15.7
17.5
14.5
8.2
3.6
3.7
3.1
4.5
10.1
15.8
16.8
15.3
7.4
3.5
3.6
3.2
4.6
10.6
16.0
17.0
15.7
8.1
3.5
3.6
3.1
Men, 16 years and older.................
16 to 24 years.............................
16 to 19 years..........................
16 to 17 years.......................
18 to 19 years.......................
20 to 24 years..........................
25 years and older......................
25 to 54 years.......................
55 years and older................
4.6
11.2
16.9
18.6
15.7
8.7
3.5
3.6
3.0
4.7
11.6
17.6
19.4
16.5
8.9
3.6
3.7
3.2
4.6
11.4
17.5
18.7
17.1
8.7
3.5
3.5
3.4
Women, 16 years and older...........
16 to 24 years.............................
16 to 19 years..........................
16 to 17 years…………………
18 t0 19 years…………………
20 to 24 years..........................
25 years and older......................
25 to 54 years.......................
55 years and older 1…………
4.6
9.7
13.8
15.9
12.4
7.6
3.7
3.9
4.5
9.4
13.8
15.7
12.5
7.3
3.6
3.8
2.9
3.0
1
May
June
July
2008
Aug.
Sept.
Mar.
Apr.
4.7
10.6
15.3
17.0
14.0
8.5
3.7
3.8
3.2
4.7
10.8
16.2
18.6
14.6
8.4
3.6
3.8
3.2
4.7
11.0
16.0
18.6
14.3
8.8
3.7
3.8
3.1
4.8
10.8
15.7
17.5
14.3
8.6
3.7
3.8
3.1
4.7
10.7
16.4
19.0
14.4
8.0
3.7
3.8
3.0
5.0
11.8
17.1
19.6
15.4
9.4
3.9
4.1
3.2
4.9
11.7
18.0
20.4
15.9
8.7
3.8
3.9
3.2
4.8
11.3
16.6
18.3
15.5
8.9
3.8
3.9
3.2
5.1
11.3
15.8
18.6
14.0
9.3
4.0
4.2
3.4
5.0
11.0
15.4
19.7
13.2
8.9
3.9
4.2
3.0
5.5
13.0
18.7
21.2
17.5
10.4
4.1
4.4
3.3
4.7
11.9
18.0
18.5
18.5
9.3
3.4
3.5
3.1
4.7
11.5
16.9
19.3
15.4
9.2
3.6
3.7
3.4
4.7
11.6
18.0
21.7
15.2
8.9
3.6
3.7
3.4
4.9
12.2
18.3
21.9
16.2
9.5
3.7
3.8
3.3
4.9
12.0
18.1
19.0
16.8
9.3
3.7
3.8
3.1
4.7
11.8
19.5
21.4
17.8
8.6
3.6
3.7
3.1
5.1
12.8
19.8
22.1
18.4
9.8
3.8
4.0
3.2
5.1
13.1
21.8
24.0
19.5
9.4
3.8
4.0
3.2
4.9
12.5
18.7
20.5
18.0
9.9
3.7
3.8
3.2
5.2
12.5
17.8
22.0
15.2
10.3
4.0
4.1
3.3
5.1
12.0
16.9
22.2
14.5
9.9
4.0
4.3
3.0
5.6
14.1
20.7
23.3
19.6
11.0
4.2
4.4
3.4
4.4
8.6
14.1
15.0
13.2
5.9
3.6
3.8
4.4
9.2
13.9
15.6
12.6
6.8
3.6
3.7
4.6
9.6
13.6
14.8
12.6
7.7
3.8
3.9
4.6
10.0
14.4
15.5
13.9
7.9
3.7
3.9
4.5
9.8
13.7
15.6
12.3
7.9
3.7
3.8
4.6
9.6
13.3
16.1
11.6
7.7
3.7
3.9
4.6
9.4
13.4
17.1
10.7
7.4
3.8
4.0
4.9
10.7
14.4
17.3
12.3
8.8
3.9
4.1
4.7
10.1
14.2
17.2
12.1
8.0
3.8
3.9
4.7
9.9
14.5
16.2
12.8
7.7
3.8
4.0
5.0
10.0
13.8
15.5
12.8
8.1
4.1
4.2
4.8
9.8
14.0
17.5
11.8
7.7
3.9
4.0
5.3
11.9
16.6
19.0
15.2
9.6
4.1
4.4
2.7
3.2
3.5
3.4
3.0
3.0
2.8
2.9
3.4
3.3
3.4
2.8
2.8
Data are not seasonally adjusted.
NOTE: Beginning in January 2003, data reflect revised population controls used in the household survey.
68
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
Oct.
10. Unemployment rates by State, seasonally adjusted
Mar.
Apr.
2007
State
2007p
Apr.
2008p
Mar.
Apr.
2007
State
Apr.
2007p
2008p
Alabama............................…………………
Alaska........................................................
Arizona............................……………………
Arkansas....................................................
California............................…………………
3.4
6.0
3.7
5.3
5.2
4.1
6.7
4.0
4.9
6.2
4.0
6.6
3.9
4.7
6.2
Missouri………………………………………
Montana.....................................................
Nebraska............................…………………
Nevada......................................................
New Hampshire............................…………
4.7
3.1
2.8
4.6
3.7
5.7
3.6
3.0
5.8
3.9
5.2
3.8
3.1
5.7
3.8
Colorado....................................................
Connecticut............................………………
Delaware...................................................
District of Columbia............................……
Florida........................................................
3.6
4.4
3.4
5.7
3.8
4.4
5.3
3.7
6.1
4.9
4.4
4.7
3.7
6.0
5.0
New Jersey................................................
New Mexico............................………………
New York...................................................
North Carolina............................……………
North Dakota.............................................
4.3
3.6
4.4
4.7
3.2
4.8
3.7
4.8
5.2
3.1
4.9
3.5
4.7
5.4
3.1
Georgia............................…………………
Hawaii........................................................
Idaho............................………………………
Illinois.........................................................
Indiana............................……………………
4.3
2.5
2.7
4.8
4.6
5.3
3.1
3.0
5.5
5.1
5.3
3.3
3.1
5.4
4.8
Ohio............................………………………
Oklahoma..................................................
Oregon............................……………………
Pennsylvania.............................................
Rhode Island............................……………
5.6
4.4
5.0
4.3
5.0
5.8
3.1
5.6
4.9
6.1
5.6
3.2
5.4
5.0
6.1
Iowa............................………………………
Kansas.......................................................
Kentucky............................…………………
Louisiana...................................................
Maine............................……………………
3.7
4.1
5.5
4.0
4.7
3.4
4.1
5.7
4.5
5.0
3.5
4.0
5.6
4.1
4.7
South Carolina............................…………
South Dakota.............................................
Tennessee............................………………
Texas.........................................................
Utah............................………………………
5.7
3.1
4.5
4.4
2.5
5.7
2.5
5.5
4.3
3.3
5.9
2.6
5.4
4.1
3.1
Maryland............................…………………
Massachusetts...........................................
Michigan............................…………………
Minnesota..................................................
Mississippi............................………………
3.5
4.6
7.1
4.7
6.4
3.6
4.4
7.2
4.7
6.0
3.6
4.1
6.9
4.8
5.9
Vermont............................…………………
Virginia.......................................................
Washington............................………………
West Virginia.............................................
Wisconsin............................………………
Wyoming....................................................
4.1
2.9
4.4
4.5
5.1
3.0
4.6
3.7
4.8
4.7
4.8
3.1
4.4
3.5
4.7
5.0
4.3
2.6
p
= preliminary
11. Employment of workers on nonfarm payrolls by State, seasonally adjusted
State
Apr.
2007
Mar.
2007p
Apr.
2008p
State
Apr.
2007
Mar.
2007p
Apr.
2008p
Alabama............................………… 2,178,162 2,204,599 2,204,064
Alaska.............................................
351,433
356,646
358,408
Arizona............................…………… 3,011,558 3,076,582 3,063,765
Arkansas........................................ 1,367,254 1,368,760 1,372,525
California............................………… 18,137,910 18,332,051 18,386,553
Missouri……………………………… 3,022,280
Montana.........................................
500,109
Nebraska............................…………
979,022
Nevada........................................... 1,325,805
New Hampshire............................…
738,000
3,022,821
504,839
990,785
1,384,761
743,473
3,011,857
504,689
994,675
1,387,381
746,047
Colorado......................................... 2,684,885
Connecticut............................……… 1,857,736
Delaware........................................
442,254
District of Columbia........................
326,020
Florida............................................ 9,111,097
2,767,276
1,885,198
445,279
333,529
9,216,291
2,766,345
1,878,210
446,742
332,430
9,230,108
New Jersey.....................................
New Mexico............................……
New York........................................
North Carolina............................…
North Dakota..................................
4,468,092
941,340
9,494,982
4,507,645
364,935
4,495,254
950,059
9,531,973
4,544,121
370,133
4,511,868
951,024
9,579,215
4,556,974
370,711
Georgia............................………… 4,796,816
Hawaii.............................................
649,934
Idaho............................……………
752,126
Illinois............................................. 6,669,156
Indiana............................…………… 3,212,545
4,887,760
658,069
756,234
6,807,686
3,227,874
4,901,170
662,706
753,153
6,812,673
3,218,708
Ohio............................………………
Oklahoma.......................................
Oregon............................……………
Pennsylvania..................................
Rhode Island............................……
5,976,610
1,732,782
1,920,649
6,275,086
575,907
5,989,549
1,721,702
1,952,691
6,324,453
572,793
5,996,475
1,723,558
1,948,481
6,370,068
573,241
Iowa............................………………
Kansas...........................................
Kentucky............................…………
Louisiana........................................
Maine............................……………
1,657,532
1,476,973
2,043,737
1,995,693
703,570
1,672,820
1,487,175
2,039,908
2,017,129
707,948
1,675,438
1,485,051
2,045,644
2,019,333
708,753
South Carolina............................… 2,126,323 2,140,693 2,139,049
South Dakota..................................
441,447
444,708
445,772
Tennessee............................……… 3,021,108 3,055,455 3,068,363
Texas.............................................. 11,460,972 11,632,844 11,675,906
Utah............................……………… 1,351,194 1,394,043 1,384,786
Maryland............................…………
Massachusetts...............................
Michigan............................…………
Minnesota.......................................
Mississippi............................………
2,972,633
3,410,792
5,031,370
2,924,943
1,310,951
2,998,684
3,410,761
4,996,256
2,937,255
1,332,628
3,003,939
3,404,114
4,981,639
2,948,103
1,336,807
Vermont............................…………
354,566
Virginia........................................... 4,038,804
Washington............................……… 3,388,915
West Virginia..................................
807,684
Wisconsin............................……… 3,094,003
Wyoming........................................
286,896
351,989
4,114,709
3,465,783
814,324
3,105,386
292,489
352,161
4,116,639
3,466,809
817,836
3,096,698
291,045
NOTE: Some data in this table may differ from data published elsewhere because of the continual updating of the database.
p
= preliminary
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 69
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
12. Employment of workers on nonfarm payrolls by industry, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[In thousands]
Industry
Annual average
2006
TOTAL NONFARM................. 136,086
TOTAL PRIVATE........................ 114,113
2007
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
2008
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.p
Mayp
137,623 137,518 137,625 137,682 137,756 137,837 137,977 138,037 138,078 138,002 137,919 137,831 137,764 137,702
115,420 115,332 115,423 115,512 115,544 115,610 115,715 115,759 115,745 115,666 115,557 115,454 115,363 115,272
22,531
22,221
22,272
22,267
22,242
22,176
22,138
22,101
22,049
21,976
21,907
21,816
21,737
21,628
21,574
684
64.4
619.7
134.5
220.3
Mining, except oil and gas 1……
78.0
Coal mining……………………
Support activities for mining……
264.9
7,691
Construction................................
Construction of buildings........... 1,804.9
985.1
Heavy and civil engineering……
Speciality trade contractors....... 4,901.1
Manufacturing.............................. 14,155
Production workers................ 10,137
8,981
Durable goods...........................
6,355
Production workers................
558.8
Wood products..........................
509.6
Nonmetallic mineral products
464.0
Primary metals..........................
Fabricated metal products......... 1,553.1
1,183.2
Machinery……….....................
Computer and electronic
723
60.8
662.1
146.0
224.5
77.6
291.6
7,614
1,761.0
1,001.2
4,851.9
13,884
9,979
8,816
6,257
519.7
503.4
456.0
1,563.3
1,188.2
719
60.7
658.4
143.8
224.0
76.8
290.6
7,643
1,773.6
1,003.9
4,865.7
13,910
9,992
8,832
6,267
522.5
505.5
458.3
1,559.6
1,186.1
721
61.2
659.6
144.8
225.0
76.9
289.8
7,656
1,778.1
1,008.1
4,870.1
13,890
9,980
8,816
6,257
520.4
505.5
454.3
1,563.3
1,189.6
726
59.9
666.3
146.3
225.4
77.4
294.6
7,632
1,765.3
1,002.3
4,863.9
13,884
9,985
8,817
6,258
523.4
504.4
456.4
1,564.2
1,192.5
727
59.5
667.2
147.0
226.4
77.6
293.8
7,605
1,751.2
999.0
4,854.7
13,844
9,956
8,792
6,239
518.5
501.2
452.7
1,562.8
1,187.5
727
59.7
667.4
147.3
226.7
78.0
293.4
7,589
1,749.4
998.8
4,840.3
13,822
9,958
8,778
6,245
513.1
501.0
451.6
1,565.0
1,186.2
727
59.1
667.8
148.9
226.9
78.1
292.0
7,577
1,736.6
999.5
4,841.3
13,797
9,934
8,761
6,232
511.8
500.9
451.5
1,568.0
1,189.0
735
59.9
675.0
152.3
226.0
78.7
296.7
7,520
1,716.4
999.0
4,804.8
13,794
9,944
8,763
6,242
509.0
499.5
452.6
1,565.6
1,189.9
739
60.6
677.9
153.1
225.2
78.3
299.6
7,465
1,702.4
993.8
4,768.4
13,772
9,933
8,739
6,220
507.2
496.4
452.2
1,562.7
1,191.0
744
60.7
683.2
154.5
227.0
78.6
301.7
7,426
1,690.2
984.6
4,750.8
13,737
9,922
8,718
6,214
503.5
494.4
452.3
1,560.9
1,193.8
744
60.2
684.0
153.8
225.7
78.7
304.5
7,382
1,673.0
977.6
4,731.8
13,690
9,879
8,685
6,182
498.6
492.2
451.4
1,557.1
1,191.7
750
60.1
689.7
155.2
226.2
79.2
308.3
7,343
1,668.2
976.9
4,697.5
13,644
9,847
8,652
6,152
492.9
487.7
451.3
1,556.9
1,195.1
752
60.8
690.9
154.2
225.8
79.3
310.9
7,284
1,648.2
967.4
4,668.0
13,592
9,799
8,607
6,112
490.9
486.3
450.1
1,544.1
1,193.1
757
59.5
697.6
156.8
228.5
80.5
312.3
7,247
1,632.3
964.9
4,649.7
13,570
9,786
8,593
6,101
482.3
482.0
448.2
1,543.0
1,192.3
products 1……………………… 1,307.5
Computer and peripheral
1,271.9
1,275.0
1,270.8
1,268.3
1,265.6
1,260.5
1,256.5
1,260.5
1,257.6
1,256.3
1,251.9
1,254.1
1,253.8
1,250.5
GOODS-PRODUCING………………
Natural resources and
mining…………..……….......……
Logging....................................
Mining..........................................
Oil and gas extraction……………
equipment..............................
Communications equipment…
196.2
136.2
186.9
128.6
187.8
127.2
185.5
127.4
186.2
127.5
186.1
128.5
185.9
128.5
185.1
128.1
185.5
129.5
185.4
129.0
184.9
129.5
185.9
128.7
186.0
129.4
186.7
130.9
186.0
131.1
Semiconductors and
electronic components..........
Electronic instruments……….
457.9
444.5
444.5
444.0
447.3
445.2
446.0
444.5
443.7
443.1
439.9
442.5
437.4
442.0
435.8
441.9
437.0
443.0
434.9
443.7
433.5
444.3
429.7
442.9
428.7
446.2
426.7
445.7
423.7
445.8
Electrical equipment and
appliances...............................
Transportation equipment.........
432.7
1,768.9
427.2
1,710.9
427.7
1,716.1
427.1
1,711.6
427.7
1,704.7
426.1
1,705.7
426.0
1,706.1
427.2
1,689.3
426.6
1,693.5
423.8
1,684.7
421.6
1,678.1
420.8
1,672.0
419.9
1,651.1
421.5
1,630.6
422.1
1,638.7
Furniture and related
products.....……………………… 560.1
Miscellaneous manufacturing
643.7
Nondurable goods.....................
5,174
Production workers................
3,782
Food manufacturing.................. 1,479.4
534.5
641.0
5,068
3,723
1,481.3
538.7
642.4
5,078
3,725
1,480.5
534.4
638.9
5,074
3,723
1,484.9
536.1
639.5
5,067
3,727
1,488.8
533.0
638.8
5,052
3,717
1,480.6
530.6
637.6
5,044
3,713
1,476.0
528.3
638.2
5,036
3,702
1,478.6
527.0
638.8
5,031
3,702
1,477.9
523.8
639.9
5,033
3,713
1,486.3
520.4
636.4
5,019
3,708
1,483.2
516.0
633.3
5,005
3,697
1,482.7
511.2
632.0
4,992
3,695
1,477.0
506.4
630.2
4,985
3,687
1,473.8
504.3
629.1
4,977
3,685
1,472.8
Beverages and tobacco
products…………………………
Textile mills………………………
Textile product mills...................
Apparel………………………….
Leather and allied products.......
Paper and paper products.........
194.2
195.0
166.7
232.4
36.8
470.5
195.7
169.9
158.4
213.0
33.9
460.6
196.2
171.2
158.3
215.3
33.9
461.0
197.9
170.5
158.1
212.2
33.8
460.3
197.0
168.1
157.1
212.8
33.1
459.8
196.1
166.4
156.9
211.3
33.3
459.1
195.7
164.8
156.3
209.2
34.0
459.0
195.2
164.9
155.9
206.8
33.7
459.2
194.3
164.9
157.2
206.4
34.1
458.6
192.0
163.0
155.7
204.8
33.7
460.3
191.1
162.0
154.0
202.0
34.5
459.0
189.3
161.4
153.0
200.6
33.5
457.8
190.8
158.7
153.3
198.1
33.5
457.9
193.3
156.4
152.2
198.0
33.9
458.4
192.4
155.1
151.6
196.5
33.9
458.2
Printing and related support
activities…………………………
Petroleum and coal products.....
Chemicals..................................
Plastics and rubber products..
634.4
113.2
865.9
785.5
624.2
113.4
862.9
754.0
624.7
116.0
862.4
758.5
624.3
114.2
863.3
754.3
623.3
112.5
862.5
752.4
621.0
112.5
864.2
750.2
623.0
112.9
864.3
748.4
622.2
112.6
860.7
745.9
622.0
112.1
860.5
743.0
619.5
111.7
862.0
744.2
620.1
112.2
861.2
739.7
614.6
112.5
861.0
738.7
614.2
112.2
860.5
735.6
611.7
112.2
861.3
734.1
607.9
113.5
862.4
732.5
SERVICE-PROVIDING...................
113,556
115,402 115,246 115,358 115,440 115,580 115,699 115,876 115,988 116,102 116,095 116,103 116,094 116,136 116,128
PRIVATE SERVICEPROVIDING……………………… 91,582
Trade, transportation,
and utilities................................
Wholesale trade.........................
Durable goods…………………..
Nondurable goods……………
26,276
5,904.5
3,074.8
2,041.3
93,199
93,060
93,156
93,270
93,368
93,472
93,614
93,710
93,769
93,759
93,741
93,717
93,735
93,698
26,608
6,028.3
3,130.7
2,069.3
26,593
6,011.7
3,127.2
2,058.1
26,600
6,030.0
3,135.2
2,066.3
26,617
6,040.7
3,140.2
2,069.2
26,640
6,047.1
3,141.9
2,072.7
26,649
6,055.6
3,143.4
2,078.5
26,644
6,069.8
3,147.4
2,086.5
26,693
6,075.0
3,152.4
2,086.6
26,658
6,072.9
3,145.0
2,089.3
26,631
6,067.3
3,138.0
2,090.9
26,579
6,057.6
3,127.3
2,088.4
26,552
6,054.3
3,127.8
2,087.5
26,496
6,043.9
3,118.1
2,086.9
26,458
6,040.0
3,111.5
2,089.4
Electronic markets and
agents and brokers……………
788.5
828.4
826.4
828.5
831.3
832.5
833.7
835.9
836.0
838.6
838.4
841.9
839.0
838.9
839.1
Retail trade................................. 15,353.3 15,490.7 15,500.3 15,483.9 15,489.1 15,502.3 15,487.3 15,469.1 15,513.1 15,487.8 15,472.2 15,428.8 15,401.4 15,355.7 15,333.1
Motor vehicles and parts
dealers 1………………………
Automobile dealers..................
1,909.7
1,246.7
1,913.1
1,245.3
1,916.4
1,247.1
1,913.9
1,245.7
1,911.9
1,244.7
1,914.7
1,245.6
1,916.0
1,246.6
1,911.9
1,247.4
1,911.0
1,244.9
1,909.3
1,244.6
1,910.2
1,244.0
1,905.1
1,236.2
1,901.5
1,233.7
1,897.6
1,228.8
1,894.1
1,224.6
Furniture and home
furnishings stores....................
586.9
581.0
580.5
578.1
577.7
579.2
576.2
577.3
584.9
584.5
579.9
575.9
570.6
569.0
569.7
Electronics and appliance
stores.......................................
541.1
543.7
546.5
543.9
545.0
542.7
540.1
537.1
542.6
540.4
534.3
533.6
535.0
534.7
537.9
See notes at end of table.
70
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
12. Continued—Employment of workers on nonfarm payrolls by industry, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[In thousands]
Annual average
Industry
2007
2008
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr. p
Mayp
1,305.3
2,848.5
1,317.8
2,839.4
1,313.7
2,845.3
1,307.3
2,847.1
1,315.6
2,852.2
1,291.9
2,856.0
1,285.4
2,859.6
1,279.9
2,871.9
1,271.6
2,871.9
1,266.0
2,880.1
1,258.5
2,885.7
1,250.8
2,890.1
1,240.5
2,882.4
1,239.1
2,881.1
961.1
864.1
988.6
861.2
987.5
863.2
987.7
862.2
985.6
861.5
989.4
860.8
990.1
864.2
991.0
862.0
998.6
859.1
999.9
850.5
1,000.6
853.8
993.5
854.2
993.9
852.6
993.4
847.4
992.5
841.1
Clothing and clothing
accessories stores …………………1,450.9
1,500.4
1,493.6
1,489.7
1,496.7
1,501.5
1,502.4
1,500.9
1,524.5
1,508.6
1,498.2
1,496.3
1,498.9
1,495.4
1,494.4
Sporting goods, hobby,
book, and music stores…………… 645.5
General merchandise stores1………2,935.0
Department stores………………… 1,557.2
Miscellaneous store retailers……… 881.0
Nonstore retailers…………………… 432.8
658.2
2,984.6
1,576.7
868.7
437.6
656.4
2,994.3
1,585.8
868.0
436.7
656.2
2,987.6
1,581.0
869.8
435.8
660.5
2,987.0
1,580.1
871.3
437.5
661.8
2,978.9
1,573.0
869.7
435.8
665.1
2,976.5
1,570.5
873.3
435.5
664.0
2,975.8
1,568.5
869.0
435.1
664.0
2,968.2
1,560.6
868.3
440.1
661.6
2,976.7
1,568.4
866.3
446.5
667.2
2,971.1
1,564.3
869.4
441.4
661.9
2,955.7
1,543.3
865.3
443.1
658.6
2,943.9
1,534.3
862.8
442.7
651.5
2,939.0
1,528.1
863.3
441.5
654.3
2,927.3
1,514.6
860.6
441.0
Transportation and
warehousing................................. 4,469.6
Air transportation…………….……… 487.0
Rail transportation……...…………… 227.5
62.7
Water transportation………...………
Truck transportation………..……… 1,435.8
4,536.0
492.6
234.4
64.3
1,441.2
4,527.6
484.2
235.1
63.4
1,450.2
4,531.8
493.0
233.8
64.5
1,445.2
4,533.0
493.4
234.4
65.0
1,437.4
4,535.4
494.6
234.4
65.1
1,438.2
4,551.2
494.5
234.6
65.0
1,440.6
4,548.7
495.2
234.0
64.9
1,433.6
4,549.0
503.0
233.8
65.0
1,428.7
4,539.9
502.1
232.5
64.4
1,423.1
4,534.5
504.7
233.8
63.8
1,422.5
4,535.5
508.2
233.7
62.5
1,417.4
4,537.7
507.5
233.7
61.6
1,420.4
4,538.3
504.5
233.5
62.3
1,415.2
4,527.4
502.7
233.2
62.0
1,411.6
2006
Building material and garden
supply stores................................ 1,324.1
Food and beverage stores............. 2,821.1
Health and personal care
stores………………………………
Gasoline stations……………………
Transit and ground passenger
transportation………...……………
Pipeline transportation………...……
399.3
38.7
410.0
40.1
407.3
39.9
405.3
39.9
411.0
40.0
413.3
40.1
417.8
40.1
417.4
40.3
411.5
40.6
411.8
40.8
411.9
40.6
413.5
40.9
412.9
41.2
418.3
41.3
412.2
42.3
Scenic and sightseeing
transportation…….…………………
27.5
29.4
28.8
28.6
28.9
29.3
29.8
30.3
30.9
31.3
31.0
31.5
31.7
31.3
31.2
Support activities for
transportation………………..……
Couriers and messengers……...……
Warehousing and storage…………
Utilities ………………………….……….....
Information…………………...….
570.6
582.4
638.1
548.5
3,038
582.9
582.5
658.7
553.4
3,029
580.8
578.3
659.6
553.5
3,037
583.0
579.8
658.7
554.5
3,033
583.7
580.1
659.1
554.3
3,027
583.7
579.2
657.5
555.1
3,024
586.5
580.3
662.0
554.8
3,031
589.9
577.9
665.2
556.1
3,027
589.2
584.4
661.9
555.5
3,022
587.1
588.1
658.7
557.1
3,018
584.9
585.5
655.8
557.1
3,014
585.9
586.0
655.9
557.0
3,016
586.3
585.3
657.1
558.2
3,013
588.2
585.0
658.7
557.7
3,007
587.0
586.8
658.4
557.5
3,004
Publishing industries, except
Internet…………………...…………
902.4
898.2
901.4
899.4
898.7
897.0
893.7
894.6
892.2
889.7
889.2
886.8
882.9
882.8
879.5
Motion picture and sound
recording industries……...………… 375.7
Broadcasting, except Internet.
328.3
380.0
326.4
385.2
326.6
384.4
326.4
377.9
325.1
376.3
325.2
384.3
327.0
380.5
324.8
376.3
325.0
376.3
321.9
372.9
323.0
380.1
322.1
383.0
322.5
382.5
320.8
382.5
321.1
Internet publishing and
broadcasting………………...………
Telecommunications………….…… 1,047.6
1,028.3
1,027.8
1,027.1
1,026.6
1,025.1
1,024.4
1,023.6
1,026.4
1,026.8
1,025.3
1,022.0
1,020.1
1,018.0
1,018.3
270.5
125.7
8,308
6,146.6
271.1
124.6
8,322
6,155.4
270.3
125.7
8,317
6,153.0
272.8
126.3
8,331
6,165.8
272.3
127.6
8,312
6,148.4
273.1
128.8
8,294
6,136.0
273.2
130.0
8,283
6,124.5
272.6
129.5
8,260
6,115.5
273.5
129.3
8,252
6,111.2
273.0
130.5
8,244
6,106.2
274.2
131.2
8,231
6,102.2
272.3
131.9
8,231
6,103.4
272.2
130.7
8,229
6,103.8
272.2
130.1
8,226
6,099.7
21.2
21.1
21.7
21.4
20.8
21.1
20.9
20.8
20.7
20.7
20.7
20.9
20.9
21.1
21.0
related activities1………………… 2,924.9
Depository credit
2,881.6
2,896.9
2,886.4
2,892.3
2,870.4
2,856.7
2,844.8
2,834.3
2,829.2
2,825.0
2,820.4
2,811.8
2,807.9
2,801.7
intermediation1…………………… 1,802.0
Commercial banking..…………… 1,322.9
1,822.5
1,345.8
1,818.8
1,343.9
1,818.2
1,343.0
1,823.8
1,346.7
1,825.8
1,347.3
1,831.0
1,350.1
1,829.3
1,350.1
1,823.4
1,344.7
1,824.6
1,345.9
1,821.5
1,342.2
1,823.3
1,344.9
1,821.6
1,343.4
1,822.9
1,344.2
1,821.2
1,344.3
818.3
847.9
846.2
849.5
851.2
852.6
853.2
855.0
856.9
856.7
859.2
862.5
865.8
867.2
866.9
Insurance carriers and
related activities………………...… 2,303.7
2,308.1
2,303.2
2,308.4
2,314.2
2,315.4
2,317.0
2,315.3
2,315.6
2,316.8
2,313.9
2,311.1
2,318.4
2,319.7
2,322.6
87.9
87.8
87.4
87.3
87.3
88.9
88.2
88.6
88.0
87.8
87.4
87.3
86.5
87.9
87.5
Real estate and rental
and leasing………………………..… 2,172.5
Real estate……………………….… 1,499.0
Rental and leasing services………
645.5
2,161.7
1,491.9
640.3
2,166.2
1,497.2
640.0
2,163.8
1,494.7
639.2
2,165.4
1,493.8
641.4
2,163.3
1,493.9
638.9
2,157.7
1,489.8
637.8
2,158.6
1,489.1
639.7
2,144.7
1,477.1
637.4
2,140.6
1,476.4
633.6
2,138.0
1,471.4
635.2
2,128.6
1,466.0
631.0
2,127.8
1,465.0
631.1
2,124.9
1,465.7
627.4
2,126.4
1,466.9
628.2
28.1
29.5
29.0
29.9
30.2
30.5
30.1
29.8
30.2
30.6
31.4
31.6
31.7
31.8
31.3
17,566
17,962
17,938
17,935
17,958
17,979
18,000
18,070
18,079
18,131
18,101
18,073
18,014
18,031
17,982
services1…………………………… 7,356.7
Legal services……………..……… 1,173.2
7,662.0
1,176.4
7,627.8
1,180.7
7,645.4
1,178.5
7,664.2
1,173.7
7,688.0
1,174.2
7,729.7
1,178.6
7,759.3
1,179.7
7,784.8
1,175.2
7,820.5
1,173.9
7,819.2
1,173.0
7,829.2
1,174.9
7,823.5
1,172.6
7,845.6
1,172.5
7,840.0
1,172.0
889.0
947.2
932.5
938.6
947.8
954.0
964.5
971.3
979.4
993.3
992.3
991.9
983.3
986.1
975.4
Architectural and engineering
services…………………………… 1,385.7
1,436.0
1,429.8
1,433.6
1,436.5
1,439.0
1,443.2
1,451.1
1,453.9
1,460.4
1,460.5
1,463.0
1,461.8
1,464.9
1,464.3
ISPs, search portals, and
data processing………..…………
Other information services…………
263.2
120.8
Financial activities ………………..… 8,328
Finance and insurance……………..…6,156.0
Monetary authorities—
central bank…………………..……
Credit intermediation and
Securities, commodity
contracts, investments……………
Funds, trusts, and other
financial vehicles…………….……
Lessors of nonfinancial
intangible assets………………..…
Professional and business
services…………………………...…
Professional and technical
Accounting and bookkeeping
services……………………………
.
See notes at end of table
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 71
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
12. Continued—Employment of workers on nonfarm payrolls by industry, monthly data seasonally adjusted
[In thousands]
Industry
Annual average
2007
2008
2006
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.p
Mayp
1,284.6
1,359.8
1,353.5
1,358.3
1,366.8
1,371.2
1,375.5
1,380.0
1,387.5
1,391.4
1,391.6
1,393.5
1,391.3
1,403.9
1,408.7
886.4
952.8
943.8
945.4
946.6
956.3
967.2
974.8
985.1
994.3
989.2
992.7
997.0
1,001.3
1,006.1
1,810.9
1,846.0
1,842.3
1,842.6
1,845.0
1,849.2
1,854.7
1,860.9
1,850.0
1,847.8
1,845.5
1,844.7
1,839.7
1,841.0
1,840.9
Administrative and waste
services…………………………… 8,398.3
Administrative and support
8,453.6
8,468.1
8,446.8
8,448.6
8,441.3
8,415.3
8,449.6
8,444.1
8,462.8
8,436.2
8,398.6
8,351.2
8,344.4
8,301.2
8,096.7
3,600.9
2,605.1
805.5
8,113.0
3,629.7
2,614.6
806.2
8,090.8
3,602.5
2,603.3
804.1
8,092.2
3,584.6
2,596.5
805.5
8,083.4
3,570.2
2,589.4
803.8
8,057.4
3,533.0
2,565.1
802.7
8,092.2
3,567.7
2,592.0
798.5
8,081.4
3,563.9
2,583.7
798.9
8,099.3
3,566.9
2,578.5
803.7
8,070.8
3,562.1
2,574.6
797.4
8,036.1
3,531.6
2,536.8
796.6
7,987.3
3,483.7
2,506.0
794.1
7,978.9
3,462.2
2,487.1
792.8
7,934.7
3,421.2
2,455.2
788.0
Computer systems design
and related services…………
Management and technical
consulting services……………
Management of companies
and enterprises……..……….....
services 1……………………… 8,050.2
Employment services 1……… 3,680.9
Temporary help services…… 2,637.4
792.9
Business support services……
Services to buildings
and dwellings…………………
1,801.4
1,851.2
1,846.8
1,851.4
1,854.9
1,858.0
1,863.2
1,866.3
1,861.1
1,872.0
1,861.3
1,859.7
1,857.3
1,864.6
1,867.7
Waste management and
remediation services………….
348.1
356.9
355.1
356.0
356.4
357.9
357.9
357.4
362.7
363.5
365.4
362.5
363.9
365.5
366.5
17,826
2,900.9
18,327
2,949.1
18,247
2,928.2
18,314
2,952.9
18,360
2,962.7
18,422
2,981.3
18,451
2,967.7
18,490
2,974.9
18,522
2,975.5
18,568
2,984.5
18,617
3,003.4
18,665
3,009.6
18,709
3,018.6
18,757
3,030.5
18,801
3,037.7
Educational and health
services………………...……….
Educational services…….………
Health care and social
assistance……….……………… 14,925.3 15,377.6 15,319.2 15,361.4 15,396.8 15,440.8 15,483.0 15,515.1 15,546.7 15,583.2 15,613.6 15,655.0 15,690.5 15,726.1 15,763.5
Ambulatory health care
services 1……………………… 5,285.8
Offices of physicians…………… 2,147.8
Outpatient care centers………
492.6
Home health care services……
865.6
Hospitals………………………… 4,423.4
5,477.1
2,204.0
507.1
913.3
4,517.3
5,451.8
2,196.0
505.0
904.9
4,499.6
5,462.1
2,194.8
505.2
911.7
4,513.4
5,484.7
2,204.7
505.0
917.7
4,524.2
5,504.4
2,211.7
507.2
923.0
4,533.4
5,523.1
2,219.1
509.3
925.2
4,541.6
5,547.3
2,226.1
511.4
930.3
4,549.7
5,554.8
2,232.2
511.0
929.1
4,558.8
5,566.0
2,235.6
513.0
930.9
4,572.4
5,581.7
2,240.8
511.5
934.7
4,579.3
5,600.0
2,248.2
512.0
939.5
4,592.8
5,612.5
2,251.7
511.9
943.3
4,606.4
5,632.8
2,259.6
514.9
946.1
4,616.2
5,643.6
2,265.4
515.8
947.9
4,632.8
2,952.0
1,600.8
2,431.2
849.2
13,474
2,945.9
1,597.7
2,421.9
847.8
13,428
2,955.3
1,597.6
2,430.6
849.1
13,461
2,954.9
1,602.2
2,433.0
847.7
13,476
2,960.0
1,604.8
2,443.0
850.7
13,494
2,962.8
1,604.3
2,455.5
857.4
13,552
2,963.1
1,603.1
2,455.0
853.3
13,604
2,967.5
1,605.9
2,465.6
856.7
13,628
2,971.2
1,608.2
2,473.6
857.1
13,635
2,974.6
1,608.8
2,478.0
859.2
13,644
2,979.9
1,613.3
2,482.3
858.6
13,660
2,983.4
1,609.6
2,488.2
861.8
13,676
2,987.3
1,610.7
2,489.8
858.1
13,690
2,988.3
1,611.0
2,498.8
862.6
13,699
Nursing and residential
care facilities 1………………… 2,892.5
Nursing care facilities………… 1,581.4
Social assistance 1……………… 2,323.5
Child day care services………
818.3
Leisure and hospitality………..
13,110
Arts, entertainment,
and recreation……….…….……
1,928.5
1,977.5
1,970.8
1,975.0
1,968.8
1,970.5
1,985.3
1,996.4
2,001.4
2,010.3
2,016.1
2,019.1
2,025.7
2,021.1
2,020.4
Performing arts and
spectator sports…………………
398.5
412.4
409.2
412.1
405.8
409.2
414.3
419.0
426.4
429.9
429.5
431.0
433.9
436.4
439.4
Museums, historical sites,
zoos, and parks…………………
123.8
130.2
129.6
130.6
131.9
131.1
131.6
131.9
131.6
131.5
132.6
131.7
133.4
132.6
133.7
1,406.3
1,434.9
1,432.0
1,432.3
1,431.1
1,430.2
1,439.4
1,445.5
1,443.4
1,448.9
1,454.0
1,456.4
1,458.4
1,452.1
1,447.3
Amusements, gambling, and
recreation………………………
Accommodations and
food services…………………… 11,181.1 11,496.3 11,457.6 11,486.1 11,507.0 11,523.6 11,567.0 11,607.5 11,626.8 11,624.7 11,628.0 11,640.7 11,650.7 11,668.7 11,678.3
Accommodations………………. 1,832.1
1,856.4 1,856.3 1,853.2 1,853.6 1,844.1 1,856.4 1,863.6 1,870.3 1,858.1 1,854.9 1,854.4 1,849.4 1,853.0 1,850.4
Food services and drinking
places…………………………… 9,349.0
Other services……………………
5,438
Repair and maintenance……… 1,248.5
Personal and laundry services
1,288.4
9,639.9
5,491
1,257.0
1,305.2
9,601.3
5,495
1,261.0
1,307.8
9,632.9
5,496
1,261.3
1,304.3
9,653.4
5,501
1,257.8
1,307.9
9,679.5
5,497
1,259.6
1,305.7
9,710.6
5,495
1,262.5
1,304.4
9,743.9
5,496
1,260.1
1,303.4
9,756.5
5,506
1,258.0
1,309.7
9,766.6
5,507
1,255.5
1,306.9
9,773.1
5,508
1,252.9
1,306.6
9,786.3
5,517
1,255.2
1,306.4
9,801.3
5,522
1,254.8
1,308.5
9,815.7
5,525
1,254.0
1,309.9
9,827.9
5,528
1,253.1
1,310.3
Membership associations and
organizations…………………… 2,901.2
Government..................................
Federal........................................
Federal, except U.S. Postal
Service....................................
U.S. Postal Service………………
State...........................................
Education................................
Other State government..........
Local...........................................
Education................................
Other local government...........
2,928.8
2,925.9
2,930.8
2,935.4
2,931.2
2,927.6
2,932.8
2,938.0
2,944.4
2,948.9
2,955.6
2,959.0
2,961.4
2,964.9
21,974
2,732
22,203
2,727
22,186
2,727
22,202
2,720
22,170
2,726
22,212
2,724
22,227
2,721
22,262
2,722
22,278
2,728
22,333
2,735
22,336
2,717
22,362
2,725
22,377
2,726
22,401
2,734
22,430
2,741
1,962.6
769.7
5,075
2,292.5
2,782.0
14,167
7,913.0
6,253.8
1,964.6
762.3
5,125
2,318.4
2,806.6
14,351
7,976.6
6,374.5
1,962.3
764.6
5,119
2,314.7
2,804.2
14,340
7,976.6
6,363.7
1,957.0
762.5
5,126
2,319.7
2,806.2
14,356
7,973.7
6,382.4
1,964.3
761.6
5,123
2,313.8
2,808.8
14,321
7,938.2
6,382.5
1,963.4
760.6
5,123
2,313.6
2,809.5
14,365
7,972.0
6,393.4
1,961.4
759.3
5,138
2,327.7
2,810.3
14,368
7,970.6
6,397.5
1,963.5
758.3
5,138
2,325.9
2,812.4
14,402
7,994.6
6,406.9
1,966.7
761.7
5,131
2,314.3
2,816.5
14,419
7,999.6
6,419.2
1,972.3
763.1
5,153
2,332.5
2,820.9
14,445
8,016.5
6,428.2
1,977.3
739.7
5,159
2,335.1
2,824.0
14,460
8,018.0
6,441.5
1,982.9
741.6
5,158
2,332.9
2,824.9
14,479
8,031.9
6,447.5
1,986.6
739.1
5,157
2,332.9
2,823.8
14,494
8,035.7
6,457.8
1,996.0
737.9
5,170
2,340.8
2,829.1
14,497
8,032.1
6,465.0
2,007.5
733.3
5,171
2,342.5
2,828.9
14,518
8,044.3
6,473.8
1
Includes other industries not shown separately.
NOTE: See "Notes on the data" for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.
p = preliminary.
72
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
13. Average weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls, by industry, monthly
data seasonally adjusted
Industry
Annual average
2006
2007
2007
2008
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.p
Mayp
33.7
TOTAL PRIVATE…………………………
33.9
33.8
33.8
33.9
33.8
33.8
33.8
33.8
33.8
33.8
33.7
33.7
33.8
33.8
GOODS-PRODUCING………………………
40.5
40.6
40.5
40.7
40.6
40.6
40.6
40.6
40.7
40.5
40.4
40.4
40.5
40.4
40.2
Natural resources and mining……………
45.6
45.9
45.8
46.0
45.9
45.7
46.2
46.0
46.2
45.8
45.7
45.7
46.2
44.9
44.8
Construction…………………………………
39.0
39.0
38.9
39.1
38.9
38.8
38.9
39.0
39.1
39.0
38.8
38.7
38.9
38.9
38.6
Manufacturing…………………….............
Overtime hours..................................
41.1
4.4
41.2
4.2
41.1
4.1
41.4
4.3
41.4
4.2
41.3
4.2
41.4
4.2
41.2
4.1
41.3
4.1
41.1
4.0
41.1
4.0
41.1
4.0
41.2
4.0
41.0
4.0
40.9
3.9
Durable goods..…………………............
Overtime hours..................................
Wood products.....................................
Nonmetallic mineral products...............
Primary metals.....................................
Fabricated metal products...................
Machinery…………………………………
Computer and electronic products……
Electrical equipment and appliances…
Transportation equipment....................
Furniture and related products………..
Miscellaneous manufacturing..............
41.4
4.4
39.8
43.0
43.6
41.4
42.4
40.5
41.0
42.7
38.8
38.7
41.5
4.2
39.4
42.3
42.9
41.6
42.6
40.6
41.2
42.8
39.2
38.9
41.3
4.1
39.5
42.2
42.8
41.4
42.3
40.4
41.0
42.9
39.0
38.6
41.6
4.4
39.7
42.4
43.3
41.6
42.6
40.5
41.6
43.4
39.1
39.1
41.6
4.2
39.9
42.6
43.2
41.7
42.5
40.3
41.4
43.3
39.2
39.2
41.7
4.2
39.6
42.8
43.0
41.7
42.6
40.6
41.2
43.1
39.7
39.4
41.6
4.2
39.7
42.7
42.6
41.9
42.7
40.6
41.2
42.8
39.4
39.7
41.5
4.1
39.5
42.6
42.6
41.7
42.9
40.6
40.7
42.7
39.1
39.0
41.5
4.1
39.0
42.9
42.7
41.7
42.9
40.9
41.2
42.6
38.9
38.8
41.3
4.0
39.2
41.5
42.2
41.6
42.9
40.5
41.6
42.1
39.1
38.8
41.4
4.1
39.0
42.2
42.5
41.6
43.1
40.4
41.4
42.6
38.3
39.0
41.4
4.1
39.0
42.1
42.4
41.7
43.0
40.5
41.1
42.9
38.2
38.8
41.5
4.0
38.7
43.1
42.9
41.7
42.7
41.0
41.3
42.3
38.7
39.3
41.3
4.0
38.8
42.2
42.4
41.6
42.5
41.1
41.1
42.3
38.7
39.3
41.2
3.9
39.0
42.1
42.2
41.4
42.2
41.0
41.1
42.0
38.9
39.2
Nondurable goods..................................
Overtime hours..................................
Food manufacturing............................…
Beverage and tobacco products..........
Textile mills………………………………
Textile product mills……………………
Apparel.................................................
Leather and allied products..................
Paper and paper products………………
40.6
4.4
40.1
40.8
40.6
39.8
36.5
38.9
42.9
40.8
4.1
40.7
40.8
40.3
39.7
37.2
38.1
43.2
40.8
4.1
40.6
40.6
40.3
39.7
37.3
38.9
42.8
40.9
4.2
40.6
40.9
40.5
40.4
37.8
38.0
43.0
40.9
4.1
40.8
40.7
40.2
40.8
37.5
37.5
43.0
40.8
4.1
40.6
41.0
39.9
39.9
37.2
37.7
43.1
40.9
4.1
40.7
40.8
40.4
39.9
37.2
37.9
43.2
40.8
4.1
40.8
40.6
40.2
39.2
36.6
37.7
43.3
40.9
4.1
40.6
40.5
39.9
39.1
36.9
38.1
43.7
40.8
4.0
40.4
40.8
40.2
39.9
37.5
39.1
44.0
40.6
3.9
40.5
40.5
38.7
38.6
36.7
38.2
44.0
40.6
3.9
40.6
40.1
38.8
39.3
36.8
38.2
43.9
40.7
3.9
40.7
40.4
38.8
39.3
36.7
38.7
43.6
40.5
3.9
40.8
39.6
38.4
38.3
36.6
38.6
43.3
40.5
3.9
40.8
39.8
38.9
38.7
36.1
38.5
42.6
Printing and related support
activities.............................................
Petroleum and coal products……………
Chemicals…………………………………
Plastics and rubber products……………
39.2
45.0
42.5
40.6
39.1
44.2
41.9
41.3
39.1
44.4
42.0
41.1
39.1
44.4
42.0
41.5
38.8
44.0
42.2
41.5
39.1
43.7
42.1
41.3
38.9
43.4
42.0
41.6
38.8
42.9
41.7
41.7
39.0
43.8
42.1
42.1
38.8
44.0
41.5
41.4
38.4
43.8
41.6
41.1
38.2
43.6
41.4
41.2
38.6
43.5
41.9
41.1
38.5
43.2
41.3
41.0
38.4
44.0
41.2
41.0
PRIVATE SERVICEPROVIDING………………………………
32.5
32.4
32.5
32.5
32.4
32.4
32.4
32.4
32.4
32.4
32.4
32.3
32.4
32.4
32.4
Trade, transportation, and
utilities.......……………….......................
Wholesale trade........……………….......
Retail trade…………………………………
Transportation and warehousing………
Utilities………………………………………
Information…………………………………
Financial activities…………………………
33.4
38.0
30.5
36.9
41.4
36.6
35.7
33.3
38.2
30.2
36.9
42.4
36.5
35.9
33.3
38.4
30.1
36.9
42.4
36.4
35.9
33.4
38.3
30.2
36.9
42.5
36.3
36.0
33.2
38.1
30.1
36.8
42.6
36.6
35.9
33.3
38.2
30.1
36.9
42.4
36.4
35.8
33.3
38.2
30.2
36.9
42.5
36.5
35.7
33.2
38.1
30.1
36.7
42.2
36.2
35.7
33.3
38.1
30.2
36.8
42.5
36.2
35.8
33.3
38.3
30.1
36.8
42.8
36.3
35.8
33.4
38.4
30.2
36.6
43.1
36.3
35.8
33.3
38.2
30.1
36.7
42.8
36.2
35.8
33.4
38.4
30.2
36.7
43.3
36.6
35.8
33.4
38.3
30.2
36.7
42.6
36.5
35.9
33.3
38.3
30.1
36.5
42.5
36.6
36.0
Professional and business
services……………………………………
Education and health services……………
Leisure and hospitality……………………
Other services……………........................
34.6
32.5
25.7
30.9
34.8
32.6
25.5
30.9
34.8
32.6
25.6
31.1
34.8
32.6
25.6
30.9
34.8
32.6
25.3
30.9
34.7
32.6
25.4
30.8
34.8
32.6
25.4
30.9
34.8
32.6
25.4
30.8
34.7
32.6
25.3
30.9
34.8
32.6
25.3
30.8
34.7
32.6
25.3
30.8
34.6
32.6
25.3
30.8
34.8
32.7
25.3
30.9
34.8
32.6
25.4
30.8
34.8
32.7
25.4
30.8
1
Data relate to production workers in natural resources and mining and
manufacturing, construction workers in construction, and nonsupervisory workers
in the service-providing industries.
NOTE: See "Notes on the data" for a description of the most recent benchmark
revision.
p = preliminary.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 73
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
14. Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls, by industry,
monthly data seasonally adjusted
Industry
Annual average
2007
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.p
Mayp
TOTAL PRIVATE
Current dollars………………………
Constant (1982) dollars……………
$16.76
8.24
$17.42
8.32
$17.34
8.31
$17.41
8.32
$17.47
8.33
$17.51
8.35
$17.57
8.35
$17.59
8.34
$17.64
8.27
$17.70
8.27
$17.75
8.26
$17.81
8.29
$17.87
8.28
$17.89
8.27
$17.95
8.24
GOODS-PRODUCING...............................
18.02
18.67
18.63
18.68
18.69
18.73
18.78
18.77
18.84
18.90
18.98
19.04
19.12
19.12
19.17
19.90
20.02
16.81
15.96
17.68
15.33
20.96
20.95
17.26
16.43
18.19
15.67
20.86
20.91
17.23
16.41
18.16
15.64
20.89
20.94
17.28
16.43
18.23
15.65
20.95
20.94
17.30
16.46
18.23
15.70
21.09
21.01
17.33
16.49
18.27
15.71
20.99
21.12
17.34
16.50
18.28
15.74
21.05
21.07
17.34
16.52
18.28
15.73
21.02
21.20
17.40
16.58
18.31
15.85
21.54
21.30
17.41
16.60
18.33
15.86
21.75
21.38
17.49
16.68
18.41
15.92
21.69
21.47
17.55
16.74
18.49
15.94
22.01
21.56
17.61
16.79
18.54
16.03
21.61
21.60
17.62
16.80
18.58
15.99
21.64
21.69
17.66
16.86
18.61
16.05
PRIVATE SERVICE-PRIVATE SERVICEPROVIDING..........………………..............
16.42
17.10
17.01
17.08
17.15
17.19
17.26
17.28
17.33
17.39
17.44
17.50
17.55
17.58
17.64
Trade,transportation, and
utilities…………………………………....
Wholesale trade....................................
Retail trade...........................................
Transportation and warehousing………
Utilities……………………………………
Information..............................................
Financial activities..................................
15.39
18.91
12.57
17.28
27.40
23.23
18.80
15.79
19.59
12.76
17.73
27.87
23.94
19.64
15.70
19.39
12.73
17.62
27.69
23.87
19.59
15.77
19.55
12.75
17.73
27.75
23.94
19.67
15.82
19.58
12.79
17.78
27.82
23.92
19.67
15.85
19.66
12.80
17.79
27.99
23.97
19.75
15.90
19.72
12.83
17.86
28.14
24.01
19.76
15.94
19.77
12.86
17.86
28.32
24.10
19.78
15.93
19.86
12.81
17.93
28.18
24.11
19.87
16.00
19.93
12.81
18.07
28.52
24.18
19.91
16.02
19.97
12.80
18.10
28.61
24.33
20.00
16.07
20.00
12.84
18.21
28.58
24.41
20.05
16.11
20.03
12.86
18.25
28.77
24.53
20.11
16.11
20.05
12.85
18.33
28.56
24.50
20.16
16.17
20.06
12.89
18.42
28.87
24.66
20.22
Professional and business
services.................................................
19.13
20.13
20.02
20.11
20.19
20.25
20.36
20.31
20.42
20.46
20.53
20.63
20.74
20.84
20.90
Education and health
services.................................................
Leisure and hospitality..........................
Other services.........................................
17.38
9.75
14.77
18.11
10.41
15.42
17.99
10.32
15.33
18.06
10.39
15.40
18.14
10.46
15.46
18.20
10.50
15.51
18.29
10.55
15.55
18.34
10.60
15.59
18.43
10.61
15.66
18.48
10.65
15.71
18.54
10.67
15.74
18.59
10.73
15.76
18.61
10.74
15.77
18.64
10.79
15.79
18.70
10.83
15.82
Natural resources and mining...............
Construction...........................................
Manufacturing.........................................
Excluding overtime...........................
Durable goods……………………………
Nondurable goods………………………
1
Data relate to production workers in natural resources and mining and
manufacturing, construction workers in construction, and nonsupervisory
workers in the service-providing industries.
74
2008
2006
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
NOTE: See "Notes on the data" for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.
p = preliminary.
15. Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls, by industry
Industry
Annual average
2006
TOTAL PRIVATE……………………………… $16.76
Seasonally adjusted…………………….
–
2007
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
2008
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.p
Mayp
2007
May
$17.42
–
$17.30 $17.32 $17.44 $17.42 $17.64 $17.60 $17.63 $17.75 $17.80 $17.85 $17.92 $17.91 $17.90
17.34 17.41 17.47 17.51 17.57 17.59 17.64 17.70 17.75 17.81 17.87 17.89 17.95
GOODS-PRODUCING......................................
18.02
18.67
18.62
18.70
18.72
18.81
18.91
18.86
18.88
18.96
18.90
18.94
19.03
19.06
19.13
Natural resources and mining……………..
19.90
20.96
20.86
20.80
20.87
20.97
20.93
21.02
20.99
21.68
21.96
21.87
22.26
21.77
21.51
Construction.…………..................................
20.02
20.95
20.85
20.92
21.02
21.13
21.32
21.25
21.26
21.38
21.24
21.35
21.43
21.48
21.59
Manufacturing…………………………………… 16.81
17.26
17.21
17.28
17.22
17.31
17.39
17.34
17.42
17.51
17.53
17.55
17.60
17.63
17.64
Durable goods..…………………..................
Wood products .........................................
Nonmetallic mineral products ………………
Primary metals .........................................
Fabricated metal products …....................
Machinery …………..………………………
Computer and electronic products ...........
Electrical equipment and appliances ........
Transportation equipment ........................
Furniture and related products .................
Miscellaneous manufacturing ...................
17.68
13.39
16.59
19.36
16.17
17.20
18.94
15.54
22.41
13.80
14.36
18.19
13.67
16.93
19.66
16.53
17.72
19.95
15.94
23.02
14.32
14.66
18.14
13.60
16.98
19.63
16.49
17.63
19.88
16.09
22.89
14.35
14.42
18.23
13.71
17.15
19.70
16.46
17.60
19.96
16.10
23.17
14.40
14.74
18.10
13.62
17.04
19.85
16.52
17.82
20.08
16.09
22.67
14.36
14.82
18.27
13.61
16.88
19.72
16.58
17.69
20.06
16.03
23.33
14.31
14.77
18.35
13.65
16.94
19.83
16.61
17.79
20.20
16.10
23.42
14.36
14.78
18.30
13.81
16.94
19.81
16.69
17.68
20.28
15.80
23.20
14.36
14.70
18.36
13.82
17.05
19.69
16.70
17.74
20.22
15.68
23.41
14.35
14.72
18.46
13.88
16.94
19.73
16.82
17.95
20.33
15.73
23.46
14.50
15.00
18.43
13.90
16.99
20.04
16.77
17.72
20.51
15.70
23.34
14.38
14.91
18.50
13.82
16.86
19.99
16.78
17.81
20.60
15.73
23.48
14.37
14.95
18.53
13.89
16.80
20.21
16.85
17.85
20.80
15.66
23.46
14.42
15.08
18.56
13.96
17.12
20.20
16.81
17.88
20.90
15.76
23.52
14.45
14.97
18.58
14.08
16.89
20.23
16.84
18.00
21.06
15.71
23.53
14.46
14.97
Nondurable goods………………………......
Food manufacturing ...........................……
Beverages and tobacco products .............
15.33
13.13
18.18
15.67
13.54
18.49
15.62
13.52
18.58
15.64
13.52
18.20
15.74
13.57
18.61
15.69
13.61
17.78
15.77
13.65
18.40
15.71
13.61
18.69
15.83
13.63
19.54
15.90
13.70
19.69
15.99
13.87
19.55
15.93
13.74
19.64
16.01
13.83
19.59
16.03
13.86
19.26
16.04
13.89
19.24
12.55
11.86
10.65
11.44
18.01
15.80
24.11
19.60
14.97
13.00
11.78
11.05
12.04
18.43
16.15
25.26
19.56
15.38
12.89
11.70
11.01
11.87
18.46
15.92
24.87
19.53
15.31
12.98
11.83
10.96
11.98
18.47
16.00
24.54
19.62
15.40
13.13
11.89
11.15
12.18
18.68
16.19
25.12
19.70
15.31
13.21
11.74
11.12
12.10
18.30
16.28
25.43
19.47
15.45
13.16
11.73
11.17
12.24
18.54
16.37
25.95
19.52
15.45
12.93
11.75
11.16
12.10
18.50
16.48
24.92
19.35
15.41
13.06
11.67
11.20
12.50
18.47
16.33
26.95
19.52
15.49
13.13
11.75
11.28
12.12
18.71
16.65
25.52
19.57
15.65
13.29
11.68
11.43
12.78
18.78
16.51
26.55
19.46
15.56
13.35
11.62
11.46
12.68
18.61
16.49
26.51
19.40
15.58
13.45
11.78
11.35
12.81
18.66
16.65
27.22
19.35
15.69
13.45
11.78
11.51
12.63
18.58
16.64
27.12
19.39
15.77
13.50
11.85
11.42
13.05
18.70
16.65
26.99
19.37
15.72
Textile mills ..............................................
Textile product mills .................................
Apparel .....................................................
Leather and allied products ………………
Paper and paper products …………………
Printing and related support activities…...
Petroleum and coal products ………………
Chemicals ……………………………………
Plastics and rubber products ....................
PRIVATE SERVICEPROVIDING …………………………………….
16.42
17.10
16.95
16.96
17.10
17.05
17.31
17.27
17.31
17.45
17.52
17.58
17.65
17.62
17.59
Trade, transportation, and
utilities…….……..........................................
Wholesale trade ………………………………
Retail trade ……………………………………
Transportation and warehousing ……………
Utilities ………..…..….………..………………
15.39
18.91
12.57
17.28
27.40
15.79
19.59
12.76
17.73
27.87
15.67
19.29
12.73
17.51
27.70
15.74
19.44
12.75
17.74
27.47
15.89
19.70
12.84
17.90
27.70
15.81
19.58
12.78
17.84
27.73
16.00
19.85
12.91
17.96
28.27
15.94
19.75
12.85
17.89
28.44
15.84
19.89
12.70
17.94
28.17
15.89
20.10
12.64
18.04
28.61
16.02
20.01
12.78
18.08
28.62
16.08
20.03
12.82
18.14
28.61
16.16
20.08
12.90
18.19
28.88
16.16
20.01
12.90
18.28
28.69
16.14
19.92
12.90
18.35
28.84
Information………………………………….....
23.23
23.94
23.81
23.71
23.77
23.85
24.22
24.15
24.11
24.34
24.44
24.44
24.58
24.52
24.62
Financial activities……..………....................
18.80
19.64
19.53
19.53
19.66
19.65
19.88
19.79
19.83
19.97
19.96
20.07
20.18
20.22
20.20
19.13
20.13
19.95
19.96
20.26
20.01
20.34
20.19
20.33
20.67
20.65
20.77
20.93
20.84
20.81
services………………………………………… 17.38
Professional and business
services…………………………………………
Education and health
18.11
17.95
18.02
18.18
18.20
18.33
18.33
18.42
18.51
18.61
18.58
18.62
18.63
18.63
Leisure and hospitality ………………………
9.75
10.41
10.33
10.30
10.33
10.39
10.53
10.61
10.67
10.77
10.73
10.82
10.76
10.80
10.83
Other services…………………......................
14.77
15.42
15.38
15.36
15.39
15.43
15.58
15.55
15.61
15.75
15.74
15.78
15.84
15.82
15.85
1 Data relate to production workers in natural resources and mining and
manufacturing, construction workers in construction, and nonsupervisory
workers in the service-providing industries.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 75
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
16. Average weekly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls, by industry
Industry
Annual average
2006
TOTAL PRIVATE………………… $567.87
Seasonally adjusted..........
–
GOODS-PRODUCING……………
Natural resources
and mining………………………..
CONSTRUCTION
Manufacturing……………………
2007
2007
May
2008
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.p
May.p
$589.72
–
$583.01
586.09
$588.88
590.20
$596.45
590.49
$592.28
591.84
$603.29
593.87
$594.88
594.54
$594.13
596.23
$605.28
598.26
$592.74
598.18
$596.19
600.20
$605.70
604.01
$599.99
604.68
$601.44
604.92
730.16
757.06
755.97
766.70
758.16
769.33
777.20
771.37
770.30
771.67
756.00
751.92
766.91
766.21
769.03
907.95
961.78
955.39
963.04
957.93
962.52
979.52
981.63
969.74
992.94
988.20
986.34 1,017.28
970.94
955.04
781.21
816.06
819.41
830.52
828.19
836.75
842.14
841.50
829.14
825.27
805.00
800.63
824.83
833.37
825.06
691.02
711.36
707.33
717.12
704.30
718.37
725.16
717.88
722.93
728.42
716.98
714.29
723.36
722.83
719.71
732.00
532.99
Wood products .........................
712.71
Nonmetallic mineral products....
Primary metals…………………… 843.59
668.98
Fabricated metal products.........
Machinery………………………… 728.84
754.12
539.10
716.79
843.28
687.13
753.99
751.00
541.28
719.95
838.20
682.69
745.75
763.84
553.88
737.45
853.01
686.38
749.76
743.91
546.16
729.31
849.58
682.28
753.79
763.69
543.04
732.59
844.02
693.04
750.06
770.70
548.73
735.20
848.72
699.28
761.41
763.11
548.26
730.11
841.93
700.98
762.01
763.78
534.83
731.45
842.73
701.40
762.82
771.63
546.87
696.23
844.44
708.12
780.83
759.32
530.98
696.59
851.70
695.96
763.73
758.50
523.78
686.20
847.58
693.01
762.27
767.14
531.99
715.68
869.03
702.65
763.98
766.53
538.86
722.46
852.44
699.30
761.69
763.64
550.53
717.83
849.66
697.18
759.60
766.96
809.19
801.16
812.37
801.19
812.43
828.20
827.42
833.06
841.66
822.45
826.06
852.80
854.81
861.35
636.95
957.65
656.58
985.57
656.47
668.15
986.56 1,010.21
659.69
658.83
666.54
943.07 1,012.52 1,011.74
649.38
992.96
652.29
671.67
999.61 1,006.43
649.98
638.64
994.28 1,002.60
645.19
994.70
646.16
999.60
640.97
985.91
535.90
561.03
553.91
568.80
562.91
576.69
572.96
561.48
559.65
578.55
545.00
541.75
555.17
553.44
556.71
manufacturing..........................
555.90
569.98
556.61
580.76
573.53
581.94
588.24
574.77
571.14
589.50
580.00
575.58
594.15
586.82
583.83
Nondurable goods.......................
621.97
525.99
639.99
550.65
634.17
546.21
639.68
547.56
639.04
552.30
641.72
556.65
651.30
566.48
644.11
560.73
653.78
562.92
656.67
561.70
646.00
556.19
638.79
546.85
648.41
555.97
647.61
559.94
646.41
565.32
741.34
509.39
472.24
389.20
445.47
772.39
753.80
524.47
467.96
411.52
459.43
795.20
761.78
519.47
460.98
411.77
465.30
790.09
758.94
526.99
481.48
416.48
457.64
796.06
761.15
519.95
477.98
413.67
450.66
799.50
739.65
524.44
468.43
412.55
453.75
788.73
747.04
536.93
468.03
414.41
462.67
813.91
751.34
515.91
457.08
410.69
458.59
806.60
787.46
521.09
457.46
415.52
478.75
816.37
793.51
539.64
478.23
423.00
484.80
834.47
778.09
514.32
449.68
416.05
484.36
826.32
769.89
512.64
454.34
420.58
480.57
805.81
785.56
521.86
464.13
418.82
499.59
807.98
768.47
515.14
450.00
423.57
491.31
802.66
775.37
522.45
452.67
413.40
502.43
787.27
618.92
632.08
617.70
620.80
621.70
638.18
644.98
644.37
640.14
654.35
630.68
629.92
644.36
640.64
636.03
Durable goods……………………
Computer and electronic
products..................................
Electrical equipment and
appliances...............................
Transportation equipment………
Furniture and related
products………………………..
Miscellaneous
Food manufacturing...................
Beverages and tobacco
products..................................
Textile mills………………………
Textile product mills……………
Apparel……………………………
Leather and allied products.......
Paper and paper products…….
Printing and related
support activities………………
Petroleum and coal
products………………………… 1,085.50 1,115.24 1,106.72 1,099.39 1,117.84 1,106.21 1,144.40 1,074.05 1,204.67 1,099.91 1,157.58 1,134.63 1,165.02 1,163.45 1,190.26
819.99
818.31
822.08
823.46
819.69
821.79
801.09
823.74
818.03
809.54
801.22
810.77
800.81
792.23
Chemicals………………………… 833.67
Plastics and rubber
products…………………………
PRIVATE SERVICEPROVIDING…………....................
Trade, transportation,
and utilities………………………
Wholesale trade......…………......
Retail trade…………………………
608.41
635.15
627.71
642.18
624.65
635.00
647.36
642.60
652.13
657.30
639.52
637.22
644.86
646.57
644.52
532.78
554.78
547.49
551.20
560.88
554.13
567.77
557.82
559.11
570.62
558.89
564.32
573.63
567.36
566.40
514.34
718.63
383.02
526.38
748.90
385.20
520.24
738.81
381.90
527.29
744.55
387.60
535.49
758.45
392.90
529.64
747.96
388.51
542.40
768.20
396.34
529.21
752.48
386.79
525.89
757.81
382.27
535.49
779.88
385.52
525.46
758.38
379.57
529.03
759.14
380.75
538.13
775.09
387.00
534.90
764.38
385.71
534.23
760.94
387.00
Transportation and
warehousing……………………… 636.97
654.83
642.62
656.38
664.09
663.65
668.11
656.56
661.99
678.30
650.88
654.85
667.57
663.56
666.11
Utilities……………………………… 1,135.34 1,182.17 1,177.25 1,170.22 1,180.02 1,175.75 1,215.61 1,208.70 1,194.41 1,221.65 1,222.07 1,218.79 1,241.84 1,225.06 1,219.93
Information…………………………
850.42
873.63
857.16
858.30
884.24
870.53
896.14
874.23
872.78
893.28
877.40
879.84
902.09
887.62
891.24
Financial activities………………… 672.21
705.29
693.32
699.17
717.59
699.54
721.64
702.55
705.95
726.91
708.58
716.50
730.52
721.85
721.14
Professional and
business services………………
662.27
700.15
692.27
696.60
709.10
696.35
715.97
702.61
705.45
727.58
704.17
714.49
734.64
725.23
724.19
Education and Education and
health services…………………… 564.94
590.18
581.58
585.65
598.12
593.32
603.06
595.73
600.49
607.13
604.83
603.85
608.87
603.61
605.48
Leisure and hospitality………….
250.34
265.45
263.42
266.77
271.68
270.14
269.57
268.43
266.75
272.48
262.89
269.42
272.23
272.16
274.00
Other services……………………… 456.50
476.80
476.78
476.16
480.17
478.33
484.54
478.94
480.79
488.25
480.07
482.87
489.46
485.67
486.60
1 Data relate to production workers in natural resources and mining and manufacturing,
NOTE: See "Notes on the data" for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.
construction workers in construction, and nonsupervisory workers in the service-
Dash indicates data not available.
providing industries.
p = preliminary.
76
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
17. Diffusion indexes of employment change, seasonally adjusted
[In percent]
Timespan and year
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
July
Aug. Sept. Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Private nonfarm payrolls, 278 industries
Over 1-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
50.5
52.2
65.1
51.6
45.4
50.5
60.6
60.9
51.8
41.4
64.1
54.2
64.4
52.7
47.4
62.6
58.2
59.3
51.1
45.6
61.7
55.8
53.3
56.6
45.6
58.9
58.2
52.7
50.4
56.0
58.0
60.4
52.2
50.0
61.3
58.9
51.6
56.9
54.7
53.5
56.4
56.9
53.6
55.8
54.6
51.3
62.4
57.1
48.2
51.8
54.7
56.0
48.5
Over 3-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
54.4
52.2
67.2
58.4
46.7
52.9
55.5
66.2
54.7
42.7
57.3
57.5
66.6
55.3
42.3
63.5
60.8
65.5
54.7
44.0
68.8
58.9
60.6
56.2
42.3
66.6
61.9
58.2
53.3
61.3
60.4
56.0
53.1
56.4
63.9
58.9
54.7
57.7
61.1
55.7
58.4
59.5
54.4
56.4
56.8
61.9
54.9
57.1
54.7
54.6
61.3
58.4
52.4
Over 6-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
50.0
54.6
63.1
59.1
51.5
51.6
57.3
64.4
56.4
49.8
55.3
56.8
67.2
57.5
44.7
60.9
57.5
67.0
56.8
46.5
63.7
57.5
64.4
58.8
43.2
65.1
58.2
66.4
58.2
65.1
64.4
61.5
56.2
63.9
62.8
61.7
58.0
60.4
62.0
60.4
58.2
61.7
59.3
59.7
57.1
58.2
61.5
60.8
54.6
56.0
62.0
56.0
53.8
Over 12-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
40.5
60.6
67.2
62.6
53.8
42.3
60.8
65.1
59.1
54.6
45.1
59.7
65.5
60.4
52.6
48.9
58.9
62.6
58.9
50.4
51.3
58.0
64.8
59.5
47.3
58.2
60.0
66.4
58.4
57.5
60.9
64.4
57.5
55.7
63.3
64.4
58.8
57.3
60.4
66.2
61.7
58.8
58.9
65.1
60.4
60.6
59.5
64.4
59.9
60.8
61.7
65.5
57.7
Manufacturing payrolls, 84 industries
Over 1-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
43.5
36.3
57.7
47.6
40.5
47.6
48.8
45.8
35.7
28.6
47.0
42.9
54.8
30.4
38.1
63.7
44.6
48.8
29.8
35.1
50.6
42.3
38.1
37.5
41.7
51.2
35.1
53.0
39.3
58.3
38.1
50.6
41.7
42.9
47.0
44.0
33.3
42.9
45.8
36.3
40.5
48.2
46.4
40.5
45.2
42.3
47.0
38.1
44.6
39.9
47.0
39.3
36.3
Over 3-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
41.1
38.1
54.8
33.9
35.7
40.5
39.3
52.4
28.6
27.4
43.5
42.3
47.6
32.1
26.8
56.5
44.6
48.8
27.4
29.2
58.9
36.3
44.6
29.8
27.4
61.3
37.5
50.6
32.7
57.7
33.3
42.9
31.0
47.0
39.9
47.6
34.5
46.4
45.8
36.3
32.1
41.7
41.7
37.5
39.3
44.6
38.7
32.1
44.0
38.7
49.4
34.5
41.7
Over 6-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
29.2
33.9
42.9
34.5
34.5
31.5
38.1
45.2
27.4
33.9
32.7
35.1
50.6
23.8
32.1
44.6
36.9
47.6
27.4
28.0
49.4
32.1
48.2
31.5
23.8
54.8
32.1
47.6
34.5
59.5
41.7
46.4
33.3
56.0
35.7
48.8
31.0
51.2
36.3
43.5
29.2
51.8
36.9
41.7
35.1
44.0
37.5
38.7
34.5
38.7
42.3
29.8
32.7
Over 12-month span:
2004...............................................
2005..............................................
2006..............................................
2007…………………………………
2008…………………………………
13.1
44.6
44.6
39.3
29.8
14.3
43.5
40.5
36.3
29.8
13.1
41.7
40.5
36.9
29.8
20.2
40.5
39.3
28.6
24.4
23.2
36.3
39.3
29.8
26.2
35.7
35.1
44.6
26.2
36.9
32.1
41.7
26.8
38.1
33.9
42.3
29.2
36.9
32.7
46.4
30.4
44.0
33.3
48.2
29.8
44.6
33.3
45.2
33.3
44.6
38.1
44.0
33.9
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.
See the "Definitions" in this section. See "Notes on the data"
for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.
Data for the two most recent months are preliminary.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 77
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
18. Job openings levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
1
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
2007
Nov.
2
Total ………………………………………………
Percent
2008
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
2007
Mar.
p
Apr.
Nov.
May.
2008
Dec.
2.8
Jan.
2.8
Feb.
2.7
Mar.
2.7
Apr.
2.6
2.6
p
May.
3,972
3,974
3,889
3,799
3,672
3,612
3,626
2.6
Total private 2…………………………………
3,520
3,526
3,449
3,350
3,225
3,192
3,180
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
Construction………………………………
138
140
133
123
102
99
118
1.8
1.8
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.3
1.6
Manufacturing……………………………
303
305
286
239
251
244
236
2.2
2.2
2.0
1.7
1.8
1.8
1.7
Trade, transportation, and utilities………
648
667
643
598
562
550
603
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.2
2.1
2.0
2.2
Professional and business services……
685
706
752
699
714
676
601
3.7
3.7
4.0
3.7
3.8
3.6
3.2
Education and health services…………
713
698
680
737
696
684
672
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.8
3.6
3.5
3.4
Leisure and hospitality……………………
591
574
515
530
501
491
518
4.2
4.0
3.6
3.7
3.5
3.5
3.6
454
446
439
450
441
422
453
2.0
2.0
1.9
2.0
1.9
1.8
2.0
2.3
Industry
Government…………………………………
Region 3
Northeast…………………………………
629
644
662
576
602
618
617
2.4
2.4
2.5
2.2
2.3
2.3
South………………………………………
1,620
1,574
1,536
1,485
1,386
1,364
1,373
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.9
2.7
2.7
2.7
Midwest……………………………………
755
779
749
766
781
752
719
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.4
2.4
2.3
2.2
West………………………………………
957
988
966
954
918
883
919
3.0
3.1
3.0
3.0
2.9
2.8
2.9
1
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal
adjustment of the various series.
2
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other
services, not shown separately.
3
Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas,
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland,
Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia,
West Virginia; Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
NOTE: The job openings level is the number of job openings on the last business day of the
month; the job openings rate is the number of job openings on the last business day of the month
as a percent of total employment plus job openings.
P
= preliminary.
19. Hires levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
1
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
2007
Nov.
2
Total ………………………………………………
Percent
2008
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
2007
Mar.
Apr.
p
May.
Nov.
3.4
2008
Dec.
3.4
Jan.
3.4
Feb.
3.3
Mar.
3.3
Apr.
3.4
May.p
4,672
4,717
4,639
4,586
4,569
4,715
4,301
3.1
Total private 2…………………………………
4,305
4,314
4,227
4,203
4,147
4,311
3,990
3.7
3.7
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.5
Construction………………………………
351
335
319
349
350
385
300
4.7
4.5
4.3
4.7
4.8
5.3
4.1
Manufacturing……………………………
353
350
326
285
309
300
274
2.6
2.5
2.4
2.1
2.3
2.2
2.0
Trade, transportation, and utilities………
946
970
916
882
884
943
835
3.5
3.6
3.4
3.3
3.3
3.6
3.2
Professional and business services……
902
851
897
780
893
858
799
5.0
4.7
5.0
4.3
5.0
4.8
4.4
Education and health services…………
527
460
516
522
501
510
499
2.8
2.5
2.8
2.8
2.7
2.7
2.7
Leisure and hospitality……………………
846
880
824
868
801
841
884
6.2
6.4
6.0
6.4
5.9
6.1
6.4
349
390
394
387
429
407
388
1.6
1.7
1.8
1.7
1.9
1.8
1.7
2.7
Industry
Government…………………………………
Region3
Northeast…………………………………
761
770
767
713
715
743
697
3.0
3.0
3.0
2.8
2.8
2.9
South………………………………………
1,828
1,802
1,814
1,769
1,703
1,725
1,591
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.4
3.5
3.2
Midwest……………………………………
1,027
1,045
998
944
986
986
941
3.3
3.3
3.2
3.0
3.1
3.1
3.0
West………………………………………
1,018
1,067
1,058
1,186
1,170
1,246
1,149
3.3
3.4
3.4
3.8
3.8
4.0
3.7
1
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal
adjustment of the various series.
2
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other
services, not shown separately.
Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah,
Washington, Wyoming.
3
Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia;
78
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
NOTE: The hires level is the number of hires during the entire month; the hires rate
is the number of hires during the entire month as a percent of total employment.
p
= preliminary.
20. Total separations levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
1
Levels (in thousands)
Industry and region
2007
Nov.
2
Total ………………………………………………
Percent
2008
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
2007
Mar.
Apr.
p
May.
Nov.
2008
Dec.
3.4
3.2
Jan.
Feb.
3.2
3.3
Mar.
p
Apr.
3.2
May.
4,640
4,408
4,477
4,503
4,390
4,404
4,381
3.2
3.2
Total private 2…………………………………
4,367
4,107
4,188
4,224
4,100
4,112
4,084
3.8
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.5
Construction………………………………
322
331
311
329
367
378
400
4.3
4.4
4.2
4.5
5.0
5.2
5.5
2.7
Industry
Manufacturing……………………………
400
325
348
350
304
390
362
2.9
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.2
2.9
Trade, transportation, and utilities………
1,065
981
1,005
957
941
1,003
885
4.0
3.7
3.8
3.6
3.5
3.8
3.3
Professional and business services……
878
814
790
861
806
739
718
4.9
4.5
4.4
4.8
4.5
4.1
4.0
Education and health services…………
423
417
447
459
449
429
417
2.3
2.2
2.4
2.5
2.4
2.3
2.2
Leisure and hospitality……………………
799
803
800
854
776
722
831
5.9
5.9
5.9
6.2
5.7
5.3
6.1
286
295
290
278
291
295
294
1.3
1.3
1.3
1.2
1.3
1.3
1.3
2.9
Government…………………………………
Region3
Northeast…………………………………
860
635
697
770
737
709
750
3.3
2.5
2.7
3.0
2.9
2.8
South………………………………………
1,709
1,712
1,699
1,673
1,617
1,666
1,627
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.3
3.4
3.3
Midwest……………………………………
974
980
975
902
918
949
931
3.1
3.1
3.1
2.9
2.9
3.0
3.0
1,117
1,117
1,107
1,167
1,101
1,094
1,064
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.8
3.6
3.5
3.4
West………………………………………
1
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal
adjustment of the various series.
Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington,
Wyoming.
2
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other
services, not shown separately.
3
Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West
Virginia;
NOTE: The total separations level is the number of total separations during the entire
month; the total separations rate is the number of total separations during the entire
month as a percent of total employment.
p
= preliminary
21. Quits levels and rates by industry and region, seasonally adjusted
Levels1 (in thousands)
Industry and region
2007
Nov.
Total 2………………………………………………
Percent
2008
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
2007
Mar.
Apr.
p
May.
Nov.
1.8
2008
Dec.
1.8
Jan.
Feb.
1.8
1.8
Mar.
1.7
Apr.
p
May.
2,501
2,494
2,493
2,522
2,375
2,444
2,344
1.8
1.7
Total private 2…………………………………
2,361
2,358
2,355
2,384
2,258
2,301
2,209
2.0
2.0
2.0
2.1
2.0
2.0
1.9
Construction………………………………
116
119
113
133
111
127
120
1.5
1.6
1.5
1.8
1.5
1.7
1.6
Manufacturing……………………………
187
182
183
187
157
182
167
1.4
1.3
1.3
1.4
1.2
1.3
1.2
Trade, transportation, and utilities………
572
590
598
532
535
550
499
2.1
2.2
2.2
2.0
2.0
2.1
1.9
Professional and business services……
398
367
351
492
386
385
380
2.2
2.0
1.9
2.7
2.1
2.1
2.1
Education and health services…………
269
258
276
271
279
270
230
1.5
1.4
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.4
1.2
Leisure and hospitality……………………
557
561
525
539
529
516
546
4.1
4.1
3.8
3.9
3.9
3.8
4.0
140
137
138
135
126
144
134
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
1.4
Industry
Government…………………………………
Region3
Northeast…………………………………
367
312
358
410
334
368
352
1.4
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.3
1.4
South………………………………………
996
1,008
1,045
1,021
996
1,001
948
2.0
2.0
2.1
2.1
2.0
2.0
1.9
Midwest……………………………………
529
521
502
475
491
500
477
1.7
1.6
1.6
1.5
1.6
1.6
1.5
West………………………………………
607
632
583
632
568
575
564
2.0
2.0
1.9
2.0
1.8
1.9
1.8
1
Detail will not necessarily add to totals because of the independent seasonal
adjustment of the various series.
2
Includes natural resources and mining, information, financial activities, and other
services, not shown separately.
Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin; West: Alaska, Arizona,
California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
3
Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont; South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware,
District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West
Virginia;
NOTE: The quits level is the number of quits during the entire month; the quits
rate is the number of quits during the entire month as a percent of total
employment.
p
= preliminary.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 79
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
22. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages: 10 largest counties, third quarter 2007.
County by NAICS supersector
Average weekly wage1
Employment
September
2007
(thousands)
Percent change,
September
2006-072
Third
quarter
2007
Percent change,
third quarter
2006-072
United States3 ..............................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
9,012.8
8,721.6
124.7
895.5
361.4
1,916.9
144.3
871.8
1,484.6
825.8
726.7
1,162.9
291.2
136,246.9
114,790.8
1,931.5
7,774.4
13,845.4
26,299.2
3,033.1
8,123.2
18,017.6
17,506.6
13,562.6
4,433.8
21,456.1
0.9
.9
1.7
-1.0
-2.2
1.2
.0
-.7
1.7
2.9
1.9
1.2
1.0
$818
810
820
876
987
707
1,274
1,200
998
775
348
531
859
4.3
4.5
7.8
5.7
4.3
3.2
4.6
5.9
6.4
3.6
4.2
4.1
3.2
Los Angeles, CA ..........................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
401.9
397.9
.5
14.3
15.2
55.3
8.8
25.2
43.4
28.2
27.1
179.8
4.0
4,191.6
3,626.2
12.7
160.4
444.7
811.9
216.3
243.7
608.9
480.4
401.1
246.0
565.4
.4
.1
5.0
-.9
(4)
-.1
8.5
-2.6
-.3
1.8
1.8
.0
2.3
925
901
1,095
945
961
765
1,520
1,483
1,051
851
518
439
1,080
3.4
3.1
-8.3
5.4
(4)
2.0
-.3
(4)
6.3
( 4)
2.8
5.8
(4)
Cook, IL ........................................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
138.0
136.6
.1
12.1
7.1
27.6
2.5
15.8
28.2
13.6
11.6
13.8
1.4
2,541.5
2,232.8
1.3
98.2
237.2
472.2
58.4
215.4
441.6
369.2
240.0
95.0
308.7
.0
.2
-7.7
-1.6
-1.9
-.9
.6
-1.5
.9
1.6
2.2
.7
-.9
961
958
1,063
1,207
981
776
1,402
1,547
1,179
843
430
691
985
3.3
3.6
3.5
5.5
3.0
-.5
9.1
7.8
3.1
3.7
4.6
3.0
2.3
New York, NY ...............................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
118.0
117.7
.0
2.3
3.1
22.1
4.4
18.7
24.6
8.6
11.2
17.4
.3
2,350.3
1,906.7
.1
35.8
37.5
248.2
135.6
380.0
482.2
283.3
208.5
87.2
443.5
2.0
2.3
-1.9
6.9
-4.7
1.7
1.0
2.0
2.3
2.0
3.3
1.5
.7
1,544
1,667
1,749
1,461
1,158
1,124
1,916
3,047
1,769
1,011
728
889
1,014
8.7
9.6
11.8
5.3
3.0
4.3
4.5
16.3
8.6
4.8
6.1
3.7
1.5
Harris, TX .....................................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
95.1
94.5
1.5
6.6
4.6
21.7
1.3
10.5
18.9
10.0
7.3
11.0
.5
2,028.0
1,783.4
78.4
151.5
182.2
424.7
32.8
120.7
341.2
214.7
176.2
58.4
244.6
3.8
4.3
(4)
5.5
3.5
3.9
2.6
2.0
4.9
5.4
3.2
3.9
.6
1,015
1,027
2,580
968
1,290
901
1,258
1,256
1,156
824
366
595
922
6.7
7.1
(4)
6.1
7.7
6.0
9.1
7.3
7.5
1.7
2.2
7.6
3.1
Maricopa, AZ ................................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
99.3
98.6
.5
10.6
3.6
21.6
1.6
12.7
21.8
9.7
7.2
7.2
.7
1,825.1
1,605.3
8.5
165.8
132.2
374.9
30.4
148.6
316.8
198.9
177.6
50.1
219.9
.2
-.1
2.9
-7.6
-3.7
2.0
-.7
-2.4
.3
4.4
1.4
2.2
2.8
822
811
723
834
1,116
777
1,030
1,024
825
879
387
570
908
3.8
4.1
6.0
3.9
3.2
3.5
.4
.0
9.1
5.5
5.7
5.2
1.2
See footnotes at end of table.
80
Establishments,
third quarter
2007
(thousands)
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
22. Continued—Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages: 10 largest counties, second quarter 2007.
County by NAICS supersector
Establishments,
second quarter
2007
(thousands)
Average weekly wage1
Employment
June
2007
(thousands)
Percent change,
June
2006-072
Second
quarter
2007
Percent change,
second quarter
2006-072
Orange, CA ..................................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
94.7
93.3
.2
7.1
5.4
17.8
1.4
11.4
19.2
9.8
7.0
14.0
1.4
1,519.5
1,363.2
6.2
105.6
177.1
278.2
30.1
128.1
274.6
139.6
175.1
48.4
156.3
-1.0
-1.3
-6.8
-3.5
(4)
.4
-2.2
-7.7
(4)
2.9
1.7
-.4
1.1
$952
939
588
1,016
1,150
892
1,340
1,445
1,000
833
410
561
1,062
3.4
2.8
10.7
7.2
(4)
(4)
7.5
(4)
(4)
3.3
5.1
4.1
6.7
Dallas, TX .....................................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
67.6
67.1
.6
4.4
3.2
15.0
1.7
8.7
14.4
6.6
5.2
6.4
.5
1,492.6
1,330.0
7.1
84.1
144.2
307.2
48.6
145.7
274.3
144.7
131.2
40.6
162.5
3.2
3.2
-4.7
4.4
-.4
2.3
-4.6
2.8
5.9
6.6
3.6
1.2
2.9
1,011
1,022
2,879
935
1,202
974
1,371
1,331
1,108
968
430
602
920
5.4
5.4
-1.1
1.4
8.1
6.1
7.3
5.2
5.8
6.8
2.6
2.9
5.0
San Diego, CA .............................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
91.7
90.4
.8
7.2
3.2
14.6
1.3
9.9
16.4
8.0
6.9
22.1
1.3
1,334.7
1,108.8
11.6
90.9
102.4
219.8
37.5
81.5
217.9
127.1
163.6
56.6
225.9
.2
-.1
-4.1
-6.5
(4)
.3
.5
-3.3
.6
(4)
2.8
1.1
1.7
890
868
540
916
1,190
730
1,873
1,108
1,076
812
389
482
996
4.8
4.7
4.0
6.3
6.6
5.8
1.7
3.5
6.0
4.1
3.5
2.8
4.8
King, WA ......................................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
75.9
75.4
.4
6.8
2.5
14.8
1.8
7.0
12.9
6.3
6.0
16.7
.5
1,182.2
1,027.6
3.3
72.9
112.0
219.5
75.8
76.4
188.1
120.6
113.7
45.4
154.6
2.9
3.3
3.4
11.0
1.9
2.0
5.0
-1.0
4.4
2.7
3.9
.9
.6
1,028
1,033
1,224
1,002
1,386
903
1,829
1,272
1,180
812
427
571
995
3.8
3.5
1.4
6.5
.8
6.1
4.1
3.3
1.1
4.5
2.4
7.9
6.0
Miami-Dade, FL ............................................................................
Private industry ........................................................................
Natural resources and mining ..............................................
Construction .........................................................................
Manufacturing ......................................................................
Trade, transportation, and utilities ........................................
Information ...........................................................................
Financial activities ................................................................
Professional and business services .....................................
Education and health services .............................................
Leisure and hospitality .........................................................
Other services ......................................................................
Government .............................................................................
85.9
85.6
.5
6.2
2.6
23.1
1.5
10.4
17.3
8.9
5.7
7.6
.3
1,002.1
868.2
9.2
53.5
48.0
252.6
20.7
71.6
136.4
135.4
101.8
35.7
133.9
1.0
.8
.3
1.5
-1.7
.9
-.7
-.9
-1.5
3.1
1.3
1.9
2.4
814
788
496
841
735
747
1,163
1,161
949
796
458
525
969
3.8
3.7
6.0
-1.1
1.9
2.3
4.6
5.6
7.5
4.6
2.5
5.8
4.8
1
Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
2
Percent changes were computed from quarterly employment and pay data
adjusted for noneconomic county reclassifications. See Notes on Current Labor
Statistics.
3
Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico or the
Virgin Islands.
4
Data do not meet BLS or State agency disclosure standards.
NOTE: Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI) and
Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs. Data are
preliminary.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 81
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
23. Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages: by State, second quarter 2007.
State
Establishments,
second quarter
2007
(thousands)
June
2007
(thousands)
Percent change,
June
2006-07
Second
quarter
2007
Percent change,
second quarter
2006-07
United States2 ...................................
8,945.9
137,018.2
1.2
$820
4.6
Alabama ............................................
Alaska ...............................................
Arizona ..............................................
Arkansas ...........................................
California ...........................................
Colorado ...........................................
Connecticut .......................................
Delaware ...........................................
District of Columbia ...........................
Florida ...............................................
120.1
21.1
158.9
82.7
1,291.3
179.4
112.5
29.1
31.9
604.8
1,965.4
325.8
2,612.4
1,186.5
15,832.5
2,326.9
1,714.2
430.2
683.2
7,894.2
1.1
-.5
1.2
.3
.8
2.2
.9
.0
.8
.2
697
832
786
639
935
832
1,033
870
1,357
743
3.6
5.6
4.4
4.2
5.4
4.8
6.4
2.2
4.3
3.2
Georgia .............................................
Hawaii ...............................................
Idaho .................................................
Illinois ................................................
Indiana ..............................................
Iowa ..................................................
Kansas ..............................................
Kentucky ...........................................
Louisiana ...........................................
Maine ................................................
270.4
38.6
57.1
358.6
158.2
93.4
85.7
109.8
119.9
50.0
4,091.5
631.2
679.1
5,956.3
2,933.4
1,518.6
1,370.7
1,828.2
1,880.2
619.6
1.4
1.4
3.0
.8
.5
.9
2.0
1.7
3.2
.6
792
736
626
874
702
664
702
700
711
658
6.5
4.2
2.3
4.4
2.6
3.9
4.8
4.2
4.1
4.1
Maryland ...........................................
Massachusetts ..................................
Michigan ............................................
Minnesota .........................................
Mississippi .........................................
Missouri .............................................
Montana ............................................
Nebraska ...........................................
Nevada ..............................................
New Hampshire ................................
164.0
210.1
257.1
170.7
69.7
174.7
42.3
58.7
74.7
49.0
2,584.9
3,300.7
4,252.9
2,730.9
1,137.4
2,764.6
449.8
930.9
1,297.9
643.7
.7
1.2
-1.4
.0
.9
.8
1.7
1.6
1.0
.7
899
1,008
807
834
609
727
611
654
776
823
5.3
4.8
2.9
5.6
3.6
3.4
6.3
3.5
3.7
6.3
New Jersey .......................................
New Mexico ......................................
New York ..........................................
North Carolina ...................................
North Dakota .....................................
Ohio ..................................................
Oklahoma ..........................................
Oregon ..............................................
Pennsylvania .....................................
Rhode Island .....................................
278.1
53.7
576.8
251.0
25.1
290.5
99.1
130.8
338.7
36.1
4,066.7
833.3
8,688.8
4,090.5
347.7
5,384.6
1,538.5
1,761.6
5,740.3
492.9
.4
1.1
1.3
3.0
1.5
-.1
1.6
1.7
1.1
.3
989
686
1,020
718
619
740
665
742
802
774
4.3
5.2
5.9
4.1
4.7
3.4
4.1
4.5
4.6
2.5
South Carolina ..................................
South Dakota ....................................
Tennessee ........................................
Texas ................................................
Utah ..................................................
Vermont ............................................
Virginia ..............................................
Washington .......................................
West Virginia .....................................
Wisconsin ..........................................
115.8
30.1
140.7
548.7
86.3
24.7
227.4
216.7
48.7
158.2
1,917.4
404.3
2,768.7
10,296.1
1,233.7
306.6
3,731.5
2,989.8
717.1
2,845.8
3.0
2.1
.7
3.4
4.4
-.5
1.0
2.7
.3
.4
665
590
729
827
698
698
859
835
659
709
2.9
4.8
3.6
5.9
6.6
5.0
4.4
4.6
3.6
3.7
Wyoming ...........................................
24.4
288.3
3.3
739
8.0
Puerto Rico .......................................
Virgin Islands ....................................
56.9
3.4
1,020.7
46.9
-1.6
3.4
460
707
6.0
4.1
1
Average weekly wages were calculated using unrounded data.
2
Totals for the United States do not include data for Puerto Rico
or the Virgin Islands.
82
Average weekly wage1
Employment
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
NOTE: Includes workers covered by Unemployment Insurance (UI)
and Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE)
programs. Data are preliminary.
24. Annual data: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, by ownership
Year
Average
establishments
Average
annual
employment
Total annual wages
(in thousands)
Average annual wage
per employee
Average
weekly
wage
Total covered (UI and UCFE)
1997 ..................................................
1998 ..................................................
1999 ..................................................
2000 ..................................................
2001 ..................................................
2002 ..................................................
2003 ..................................................
2004 ..................................................
2005 ..................................................
2006 ..................................................
7,369,473
7,634,018
7,820,860
7,879,116
7,984,529
8,101,872
8,228,840
8,364,795
8,571,144
8,784,027
121,044,432
124,183,549
127,042,282
129,877,063
129,635,800
128,233,919
127,795,827
129,278,176
131,571,623
133,833,834
$3,674,031,718
3,967,072,423
4,235,579,204
4,587,708,584
4,695,225,123
4,714,374,741
4,826,251,547
5,087,561,796
5,351,949,496
5,692,569,465
$30,353
31,945
33,340
35,323
36,219
36,764
37,765
39,354
40,677
42,535
$584
614
641
679
697
707
726
757
782
818
$30,058
31,676
33,094
35,077
35,943
36,428
37,401
38,955
40,270
42,124
$578
609
636
675
691
701
719
749
774
810
$30,064
31,762
33,244
35,337
36,157
36,539
37,508
39,134
40,505
42,414
$578
611
639
680
695
703
721
753
779
816
$32,521
33,605
34,681
36,296
37,814
39,212
40,057
41,118
42,249
43,875
$625
646
667
698
727
754
770
791
812
844
$29,134
30,251
31,234
32,387
33,521
34,605
35,669
36,805
37,718
39,179
$560
582
601
623
645
665
686
708
725
753
$42,732
43,688
44,287
46,228
48,940
52,050
54,239
57,782
59,864
62,274
$822
840
852
889
941
1,001
1,043
1,111
1,151
1,198
UI covered
1997 ..................................................
1998 ..................................................
1999 ..................................................
2000 ..................................................
2001 ..................................................
2002 ..................................................
2003 ..................................................
2004 ..................................................
2005 ..................................................
2006 ..................................................
7,317,363
7,586,767
7,771,198
7,828,861
7,933,536
8,051,117
8,177,087
8,312,729
8,518,249
8,731,111
118,233,942
121,400,660
124,255,714
127,005,574
126,883,182
125,475,293
125,031,551
126,538,579
128,837,948
131,104,860
$3,553,933,885
3,845,494,089
4,112,169,533
4,454,966,824
4,560,511,280
4,570,787,218
4,676,319,378
4,929,262,369
5,188,301,929
5,522,624,197
Private industry covered
1997 ..................................................
1998 ..................................................
1999 ..................................................
2000 ..................................................
2001 ..................................................
2002 ..................................................
2003 ..................................................
2004 ..................................................
2005 ..................................................
2006 ..................................................
7,121,182
7,381,518
7,560,567
7,622,274
7,724,965
7,839,903
7,963,340
8,093,142
8,294,662
8,505,496
102,175,161
105,082,368
107,619,457
110,015,333
109,304,802
107,577,281
107,065,553
108,490,066
110,611,016
112,718,858
$3,071,807,287
3,337,621,699
3,577,738,557
3,887,626,769
3,952,152,155
3,930,767,025
4,015,823,311
4,245,640,890
4,480,311,193
4,780,833,389
State government covered
1997 ..................................................
1998 ..................................................
1999 ..................................................
2000 ..................................................
2001 ..................................................
2002 ..................................................
2003 ..................................................
2004 ..................................................
2005 ..................................................
2006 ..................................................
65,352
67,347
70,538
65,096
64,583
64,447
64,467
64,544
66,278
66,921
4,214,451
4,240,779
4,296,673
4,370,160
4,452,237
4,485,071
4,481,845
4,484,997
4,527,514
4,565,908
$137,057,432
142,512,445
149,011,194
158,618,365
168,358,331
175,866,492
179,528,728
184,414,992
191,281,126
200,329,294
Local government covered
1997 ..................................................
1998 ..................................................
1999 ..................................................
2000 ..................................................
2001 ..................................................
2002 ..................................................
2003 ..................................................
2004 ..................................................
2005 ..................................................
2006 ..................................................
130,829
137,902
140,093
141,491
143,989
146,767
149,281
155,043
157,309
158,695
11,844,330
12,077,513
12,339,584
12,620,081
13,126,143
13,412,941
13,484,153
13,563,517
13,699,418
13,820,093
$345,069,166
365,359,945
385,419,781
408,721,690
440,000,795
464,153,701
480,967,339
499,206,488
516,709,610
541,461,514
Federal government covered (UCFE)
1997 ..................................................
1998 ..................................................
1999 ..................................................
2000 ..................................................
2001 ..................................................
2002 ..................................................
2003 ..................................................
2004 ..................................................
2005 ..................................................
2006 ..................................................
52,110
47,252
49,661
50,256
50,993
50,755
51,753
52,066
52,895
52,916
2,810,489
2,782,888
2,786,567
2,871,489
2,752,619
2,758,627
2,764,275
2,739,596
2,733,675
2,728,974
$120,097,833
121,578,334
123,409,672
132,741,760
134,713,843
143,587,523
149,932,170
158,299,427
163,647,568
169,945,269
NOTE: Data are final. Detail may not add to total due to rounding.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 83
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
25. Annual data: Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, establishment size and employment, private ownership, by
supersector, first quarter 2006
Size of establishments
Industry, establishments, and
employment
84
Total
Fewer than
5 workers1
5 to 9
workers
10 to 19
workers
20 to 49
workers
50 to 99
workers
100 to 249
workers
250 to 499
workers
500 to 999
workers
1,000 or
more
workers
Total all industries2
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
8,413,125
111,001,540
5,078,506
7,540,432
Natural resources and mining
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
123,076
1,631,257
69,188
111,354
23,230
153,676
15,106
203,446
9,842
296,339
3,177
216,952
1,783
267,612
516
177,858
175
115,367
59
88,653
Construction
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
861,030
7,299,087
558,318
823,891
141,743
929,155
84,922
1,140,245
52,373
1,565,409
15,118
1,027,718
6,762
994,696
1,358
454,918
337
220,788
99
142,267
Manufacturing
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
362,959
14,098,486
137,311
240,304
61,852
415,575
55,135
757,991
53,364
1,662,309
25,712
1,798,423
19,573
3,006,794
6,423
2,207,979
2,469
1,668,696
1,120
2,340,415
Trade, transportation, and utilities
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
1,880,255
25,612,515
999,688
1,663,203
380,100
2,529,630
245,926
3,293,292
158,053
4,772,401
53,502
3,695,250
33,590
5,001,143
7,071
2,419,416
1,796
1,166,322
529
1,071,858
Information
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
142,974
3,037,124
81,209
113,399
21,094
140,632
16,356
223,171
13,313
411,358
5,553
384,148
3,568
544,418
1,141
392,681
512
355,421
228
471,896
Financial activities
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
836,365
8,102,371
541,333
874,114
151,952
1,002,449
80,853
1,068,474
40,558
1,206,411
12,146
832,505
6,245
936,343
1,890
655,392
928
641,926
460
884,757
Professional and business services
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
1,403,142
17,162,560
948,773
1,333,479
192,581
1,265,155
121,585
1,639,285
80,222
2,431,806
30,997
2,148,736
20,046
3,038,221
5,849
1,995,309
2,169
1,469,170
920
1,841,399
Education and health services
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
787,747
16,838,748
375,326
684,886
175,191
1,163,519
112,455
1,512,272
72,335
2,177,055
26,364
1,835,664
18,400
2,754,731
4,106
1,400,469
1,832
1,282,903
1,738
4,027,249
Leisure and hospitality
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
699,767
12,633,387
270,143
430,588
118,147
796,935
128,663
1,802,270
131,168
3,945,588
38,635
2,583,745
10,459
1,475,115
1,602
540,014
648
437,645
302
621,487
Other services
Establishments, first quarter ..................
Employment, March ...............................
1,121,269
4,326,368
912,768
1,087,667
118,306
771,276
56,724
747,842
24,734
718,557
5,570
377,961
2,629
388,231
418
139,473
99
63,337
21
32,024
1
Includes establishments that reported no workers in March 2006.
2
Includes data for unclassified establishments, not shown separately.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
1,392,481
919,182
636,264
216,815
123,061
30,375
9,219,319 12,406,793 19,195,647 14,903,811 18,408,166 10,383,792
10,965
5,476
7,421,575 11,522,005
NOTE: Data are final. Detail may not add to total due to rounding.
26. Average annual wages for 2005 and 2006 for all covered
workers1 by metropolitan area
Average annual wages3
Metropolitan area2
2005
2006
Percent
change,
2005-06
Metropolitan areas4 ..............................................................
$42,253
$44,165
4.5
Abilene, TX ............................................................................
Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastian, PR ...................................
Akron, OH ..............................................................................
Albany, GA ............................................................................
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ..............................................
Albuquerque, NM ...................................................................
Alexandria, LA .......................................................................
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ ....................................
Altoona, PA ............................................................................
Amarillo, TX ...........................................................................
27,876
18,717
37,471
31,741
39,201
35,665
30,114
38,506
29,642
31,954
29,842
19,277
38,088
32,335
41,027
36,934
31,329
39,787
30,394
33,574
7.1
3.0
1.6
1.9
4.7
3.6
4.0
3.3
2.5
5.1
Ames, IA ................................................................................
Anchorage, AK ......................................................................
Anderson, IN ..........................................................................
Anderson, SC ........................................................................
Ann Arbor, MI ........................................................................
Anniston-Oxford, AL ..............................................................
Appleton, WI ..........................................................................
Asheville, NC .........................................................................
Athens-Clarke County, GA ....................................................
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta, GA .....................................
33,889
41,712
31,418
29,463
45,820
31,231
34,431
30,926
32,512
44,595
35,331
42,955
32,184
30,373
47,186
32,724
35,308
32,268
33,485
45,889
4.3
3.0
2.4
3.1
3.0
4.8
2.5
4.3
3.0
2.9
Atlantic City, NJ .....................................................................
Auburn-Opelika, AL ...............................................................
Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC ......................................
Austin-Round Rock, TX .........................................................
Bakersfield, CA ......................................................................
Baltimore-Towson, MD ..........................................................
Bangor, ME ............................................................................
Barnstable Town, MA ............................................................
Baton Rouge, LA ...................................................................
Battle Creek, MI .....................................................................
36,735
29,196
34,588
43,500
34,165
43,486
30,707
35,123
34,523
37,994
38,018
30,468
35,638
45,737
36,020
45,177
31,746
36,437
37,245
39,362
3.5
4.4
3.0
5.1
5.4
3.9
3.4
3.7
7.9
3.6
Bay City, MI ...........................................................................
Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX .....................................................
Bellingham, WA .....................................................................
Bend, OR ...............................................................................
Billings, MT ............................................................................
Binghamton, NY ....................................................................
Birmingham-Hoover, AL ........................................................
Bismarck, ND .........................................................................
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA ................................
Bloomington, IN .....................................................................
33,572
36,530
31,128
31,492
31,748
33,290
39,353
31,504
32,196
30,080
35,094
39,026
32,618
33,319
33,270
35,048
40,798
32,550
34,024
30,913
4.5
6.8
4.8
5.8
4.8
5.3
3.7
3.3
5.7
2.8
Bloomington-Normal, IL .........................................................
Boise City-Nampa, ID ............................................................
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH ......................................
Boulder, CO ...........................................................................
Bowling Green, KY ................................................................
Bremerton-Silverdale, WA .....................................................
Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT .........................................
Brownsville-Harlingen, TX .....................................................
Brunswick, GA .......................................................................
Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY ......................................................
39,404
34,623
54,199
49,115
31,306
36,467
71,095
24,893
30,902
35,302
41,359
36,734
56,809
50,944
32,529
37,694
74,890
25,795
32,717
36,950
5.0
6.1
4.8
3.7
3.9
3.4
5.3
3.6
5.9
4.7
Burlington, NC .......................................................................
Burlington-South Burlington, VT ............................................
Canton-Massillon, OH ...........................................................
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL ....................................................
Carson City, NV .....................................................................
Casper, WY ...........................................................................
Cedar Rapids, IA ...................................................................
Champaign-Urbana, IL ..........................................................
Charleston, WV .....................................................................
Charleston-North Charleston, SC ..........................................
31,084
38,582
32,080
35,649
38,428
34,810
37,902
33,278
35,363
33,896
32,835
40,548
33,132
37,065
40,115
38,307
38,976
34,422
36,887
35,267
5.6
5.1
3.3
4.0
4.4
10.0
2.8
3.4
4.3
4.0
Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC ....................................
Charlottesville, VA .................................................................
Chattanooga, TN-GA .............................................................
Cheyenne, WY ......................................................................
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL-IN-WI .......................................
Chico, CA ..............................................................................
Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN .........................................
Clarksville, TN-KY .................................................................
Cleveland, TN ........................................................................
Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, OH .................................................
43,728
37,392
33,743
32,208
46,609
30,007
40,343
29,870
32,030
39,973
45,732
39,051
35,358
35,306
48,631
31,557
41,447
30,949
33,075
41,325
4.6
4.4
4.8
9.6
4.3
5.2
2.7
3.6
3.3
3.4
Coeur d’Alene, ID ..................................................................
College Station-Bryan, TX .....................................................
Colorado Springs, CO ...........................................................
Columbia, MO ........................................................................
Columbia, SC ........................................................................
Columbus, GA-AL ..................................................................
Columbus, IN .........................................................................
Columbus, OH .......................................................................
Corpus Christi, TX .................................................................
Corvallis, OR .........................................................................
28,208
29,032
37,268
31,263
33,386
31,370
38,446
39,806
32,975
39,357
29,797
30,239
38,325
32,207
35,209
32,334
40,107
41,168
35,399
40,586
5.6
4.2
2.8
3.0
5.5
3.1
4.3
3.4
7.4
3.1
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 85
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
26. Average annual wages for 2005 and 2006 for all covered
workers1 by metropolitan area — Continued
Average annual wages3
Metropolitan area2
2006
Cumberland, MD-WV ............................................................
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ............................................
Dalton, GA .............................................................................
Danville, IL .............................................................................
Danville, VA ...........................................................................
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL .....................................
Dayton, OH ............................................................................
Decatur, AL ............................................................................
Decatur, IL .............................................................................
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL .........................
$28,645
45,337
32,848
31,861
28,449
35,546
37,922
33,513
38,444
29,927
$29,859
47,525
33,266
33,141
28,870
37,559
39,387
34,883
39,375
31,197
4.2
4.8
1.3
4.0
1.5
5.7
3.9
4.1
2.4
4.2
Denver-Aurora, CO ................................................................
Des Moines, IA ......................................................................
Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI ....................................................
Dothan, AL .............................................................................
Dover, DE ..............................................................................
Dubuque, IA ...........................................................................
Duluth, MN-WI .......................................................................
Durham, NC ...........................................................................
Eau Claire, WI .......................................................................
El Centro, CA .........................................................................
45,940
39,760
46,790
30,253
33,132
32,414
32,638
46,743
30,763
29,879
48,232
41,358
47,455
31,473
34,571
33,044
33,677
49,314
31,718
30,035
5.0
4.0
1.4
4.0
4.3
1.9
3.2
5.5
3.1
0.5
Elizabethtown, KY .................................................................
Elkhart-Goshen, IN ................................................................
Elmira, NY .............................................................................
El Paso, TX ............................................................................
Erie, PA .................................................................................
Eugene-Springfield, OR .........................................................
Evansville, IN-KY ...................................................................
Fairbanks, AK ........................................................................
Fajardo, PR ...........................................................................
Fargo, ND-MN .......................................................................
30,912
35,573
32,989
28,666
32,010
32,295
35,302
39,399
20,011
32,291
32,072
35,878
33,968
29,903
33,213
33,257
36,858
41,296
21,002
33,542
3.8
0.9
3.0
4.3
3.8
3.0
4.4
4.8
5.0
3.9
Farmington, NM .....................................................................
Fayetteville, NC .....................................................................
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO ...............................
Flagstaff, AZ ..........................................................................
Flint, MI ..................................................................................
Florence, SC ..........................................................................
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL ..................................................
Fond du Lac, WI ....................................................................
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO .....................................................
Fort Smith, AR-OK .................................................................
33,695
30,325
34,598
30,733
37,982
32,326
28,885
32,634
36,612
29,599
36,220
31,281
35,734
32,231
39,409
33,610
29,518
33,376
37,940
30,932
7.5
3.2
3.3
4.9
3.8
4.0
2.2
2.3
3.6
4.5
Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin, FL ..............................
Fort Wayne, IN ......................................................................
Fresno, CA ............................................................................
Gadsden, AL ..........................................................................
Gainesville, FL .......................................................................
Gainesville, GA ......................................................................
Glens Falls, NY ......................................................................
Goldsboro, NC .......................................................................
Grand Forks, ND-MN .............................................................
Grand Junction, CO ...............................................................
32,976
34,717
32,266
28,438
32,992
33,828
31,710
28,316
28,138
31,611
34,409
35,641
33,504
29,499
34,573
34,765
32,780
29,331
29,234
33,729
4.3
2.7
3.8
3.7
4.8
2.8
3.4
3.6
3.9
6.7
Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI ..................................................
Great Falls, MT ......................................................................
Greeley, CO ...........................................................................
Green Bay, WI .......................................................................
Greensboro-High Point, NC ...................................................
Greenville, NC .......................................................................
Greenville, SC .......................................................................
Guayama, PR ........................................................................
Gulfport-Biloxi, MS .................................................................
Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV .........................................
36,941
28,021
33,636
35,467
34,876
31,433
34,469
23,263
31,688
33,202
38,056
29,542
35,144
36,677
35,898
32,432
35,471
24,551
34,688
34,621
3.0
5.4
4.5
3.4
2.9
3.2
2.9
5.5
9.5
4.3
Hanford-Corcoran, CA ...........................................................
Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA ..........................................................
Harrisonburg, VA ...................................................................
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT .............................
Hattiesburg, MS .....................................................................
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC ..............................................
Hinesville-Fort Stewart, GA ...................................................
Holland-Grand Haven, MI ......................................................
Honolulu, HI ...........................................................................
Hot Springs, AR .....................................................................
29,989
39,144
30,366
50,154
28,568
30,090
30,062
36,362
37,654
27,024
31,148
39,807
31,522
51,282
30,059
31,323
31,416
36,895
39,009
27,684
3.9
1.7
3.8
2.2
5.2
4.1
4.5
1.5
3.6
2.4
Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA ......................................
Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land, TX ........................................
Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH ...........................................
Huntsville, AL .........................................................................
Idaho Falls, ID .......................................................................
Indianapolis, IN ......................................................................
Iowa City, IA ..........................................................................
Ithaca, NY ..............................................................................
Jackson, MI ...........................................................................
Jackson, MS ..........................................................................
33,696
47,157
31,415
42,401
29,795
39,830
34,785
36,457
35,879
33,099
38,417
50,177
32,648
44,659
31,632
41,307
35,913
38,337
36,836
34,605
14.0
6.4
3.9
5.3
6.2
3.7
3.2
5.2
2.7
4.5
See footnotes at end of table.
86
Percent
change,
2005-06
2005
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
26. Average annual wages for 2005 and 2006 for all covered
workers1 by metropolitan area — Continued
Average annual wages3
Metropolitan area2
Percent
change,
2005-06
2005
2006
Jackson, TN ...........................................................................
Jacksonville, FL .....................................................................
Jacksonville, NC ....................................................................
Janesville, WI ........................................................................
Jefferson City, MO .................................................................
Johnson City, TN ...................................................................
Johnstown, PA .......................................................................
Jonesboro, AR .......................................................................
Joplin, MO .............................................................................
Kalamazoo-Portage, MI .........................................................
$33,286
38,224
24,803
34,107
30,991
29,840
29,335
28,550
29,152
36,042
$34,477
40,192
25,854
36,732
31,771
31,058
29,972
28,972
30,111
37,099
3.6
5.1
4.2
7.7
2.5
4.1
2.2
1.5
3.3
2.9
Kankakee-Bradley, IL ............................................................
Kansas City, MO-KS ..............................................................
Kennewick-Richland-Pasco, WA ...........................................
Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood, TX ...............................................
Kingsport-Bristol-Bristol, TN-VA ............................................
Kingston, NY ..........................................................................
Knoxville, TN .........................................................................
Kokomo, IN ............................................................................
La Crosse, WI-MN .................................................................
Lafayette, IN ..........................................................................
31,802
39,749
38,453
30,028
33,568
30,752
35,724
44,462
31,029
35,176
32,389
41,320
38,750
31,511
35,100
33,697
37,216
45,808
31,819
35,380
1.8
4.0
0.8
4.9
4.6
9.6
4.2
3.0
2.5
0.6
Lafayette, LA .........................................................................
Lake Charles, LA ...................................................................
Lakeland, FL ..........................................................................
Lancaster, PA ........................................................................
Lansing-East Lansing, MI ......................................................
Laredo, TX .............................................................................
Las Cruces, NM .....................................................................
Las Vegas-Paradise, NV .......................................................
Lawrence, KS ........................................................................
Lawton, OK ............................................................................
34,729
33,728
32,235
35,264
38,135
27,401
28,569
38,940
28,492
28,459
38,170
35,883
33,530
36,171
39,890
28,051
29,969
40,139
29,896
29,830
9.9
6.4
4.0
2.6
4.6
2.4
4.9
3.1
4.9
4.8
Lebanon, PA ..........................................................................
Lewiston, ID-WA ....................................................................
Lewiston-Auburn, ME ............................................................
Lexington-Fayette, KY ...........................................................
Lima, OH ...............................................................................
Lincoln, NE ............................................................................
Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR ...........................................
Logan, UT-ID .........................................................................
Longview, TX .........................................................................
Longview, WA ........................................................................
30,704
29,414
31,008
36,683
32,630
32,711
34,920
25,869
32,603
33,993
31,790
30,776
32,231
37,926
33,790
33,703
36,169
26,766
35,055
35,140
3.5
4.6
3.9
3.4
3.6
3.0
3.6
3.5
7.5
3.4
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, CA .............................
Louisville, KY-IN ....................................................................
Lubbock, TX ..........................................................................
Lynchburg, VA .......................................................................
Macon, GA .............................................................................
Madera, CA ...........................................................................
Madison, WI ...........................................................................
Manchester-Nashua, NH .......................................................
Mansfield, OH ........................................................................
Mayaguez, PR .......................................................................
46,592
37,144
30,174
32,025
33,110
29,356
38,210
45,066
32,688
19,597
48,680
38,673
31,977
33,242
34,126
31,213
40,007
46,659
33,171
20,619
4.5
4.1
6.0
3.8
3.1
6.3
4.7
3.5
1.5
5.2
McAllen-Edinburg-Pharr, TX ..................................................
Medford, OR ..........................................................................
Memphis, TN-MS-AR ............................................................
Merced, CA ............................................................................
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, FL ..............................
Michigan City-La Porte, IN .....................................................
Midland, TX ...........................................................................
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI ....................................
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ...........................
Missoula, MT .........................................................................
25,315
30,502
39,094
30,209
40,174
30,724
38,267
40,181
45,507
29,627
26,712
31,697
40,580
31,147
42,175
31,383
42,625
42,049
46,931
30,652
5.5
3.9
3.8
3.1
5.0
2.1
11.4
4.6
3.1
3.5
Mobile, AL ..............................................................................
Modesto, CA ..........................................................................
Monroe, LA ............................................................................
Monroe, MI ............................................................................
Montgomery, AL ....................................................................
Morgantown, WV ...................................................................
Morristown, TN ......................................................................
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ...............................................
Muncie, IN .............................................................................
Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI ................................................
33,496
34,325
29,264
39,449
33,441
31,529
31,215
31,387
32,172
33,035
36,126
35,468
30,618
40,938
35,383
32,608
31,914
32,851
30,691
33,949
7.9
3.3
4.6
3.8
5.8
3.4
2.2
4.7
-4.6
2.8
Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC ....................
Napa, CA ...............................................................................
Naples-Marco Island, FL .......................................................
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro, TN .................................
New Haven-Milford, CT .........................................................
New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner, LA .........................................
New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-PA ......
Niles-Benton Harbor, MI ........................................................
Norwich-New London, CT .....................................................
Ocala, FL ...............................................................................
26,642
40,180
38,211
38,753
43,931
37,239
57,660
35,029
42,151
30,008
27,905
41,788
39,320
41,003
44,892
42,434
61,388
36,967
43,184
31,330
4.7
4.0
2.9
5.8
2.2
14.0
6.5
5.5
2.5
4.4
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 87
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
26. Average annual wages for 2005 and 2006 for all covered
workers1 by metropolitan area — Continued
Average annual wages3
Metropolitan area2
2006
Ocean City, NJ ......................................................................
Odessa, TX ............................................................................
Ogden-Clearfield, UT .............................................................
Oklahoma City, OK ................................................................
Olympia, WA ..........................................................................
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA ................................................
Orlando, FL ............................................................................
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI ............................................................
Owensboro, KY .....................................................................
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA ...................................
$31,033
33,475
31,195
33,142
36,230
36,329
36,466
38,820
31,379
44,597
$31,801
37,144
32,890
35,846
37,787
38,139
37,776
39,538
32,491
45,467
2.5
11.0
5.4
8.2
4.3
5.0
3.6
1.8
3.5
2.0
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL ........................................
Panama City-Lynn Haven, FL ...............................................
Parkersburg-Marietta, WV-OH ..............................................
Pascagoula, MS ....................................................................
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL ...........................................
Peoria, IL ...............................................................................
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD ................
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ...............................................
Pine Bluff, AR ........................................................................
Pittsburgh, PA ........................................................................
38,287
31,894
30,747
34,735
32,064
39,871
46,454
40,245
30,794
38,809
39,778
33,341
32,213
36,287
33,530
42,283
48,647
42,220
32,115
40,759
3.9
4.5
4.8
4.5
4.6
6.0
4.7
4.9
4.3
5.0
Pittsfield, MA ..........................................................................
Pocatello, ID ..........................................................................
Ponce, PR .............................................................................
Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, ME ................................
Portland-Vancouver-Beaverton, OR-WA ...............................
Port St. Lucie-Fort Pierce, FL ................................................
Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middletown, NY ............................
Prescott, AZ ...........................................................................
Providence-New Bedford-Fall River, RI-MA ..........................
Provo-Orem, UT ....................................................................
35,807
27,686
19,660
35,857
41,048
33,235
38,187
29,295
37,796
30,395
36,707
28,418
20,266
36,979
42,607
34,408
39,528
30,625
39,428
32,308
2.5
2.6
3.1
3.1
3.8
3.5
3.5
4.5
4.3
6.3
Pueblo, CO ............................................................................
Punta Gorda, FL ....................................................................
Racine, WI .............................................................................
Raleigh-Cary, NC ..................................................................
Rapid City, SD .......................................................................
Reading, PA ..........................................................................
Redding, CA ..........................................................................
Reno-Sparks, NV ...................................................................
Richmond, VA ........................................................................
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA .................................
30,165
31,937
37,659
39,465
28,758
36,210
32,139
38,453
41,274
35,201
30,941
32,370
39,002
41,205
29,920
38,048
33,307
39,537
42,495
36,668
2.6
1.4
3.6
4.4
4.0
5.1
3.6
2.8
3.0
4.2
Roanoke, VA .........................................................................
Rochester, MN .......................................................................
Rochester, NY .......................................................................
Rockford, IL ...........................................................................
Rocky Mount, NC ..................................................................
Rome, GA ..............................................................................
Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, CA ...........................
Saginaw-Saginaw Township North, MI ..................................
St. Cloud, MN ........................................................................
St. George, UT ......................................................................
32,987
41,296
37,991
35,652
30,983
33,896
42,800
36,325
31,705
26,046
33,912
42,941
39,481
37,424
31,556
34,850
44,552
37,747
33,018
28,034
2.8
4.0
3.9
5.0
1.8
2.8
4.1
3.9
4.1
7.6
St. Joseph, MO-KS ................................................................
St. Louis, MO-IL .....................................................................
Salem, OR .............................................................................
Salinas, CA ............................................................................
Salisbury, MD ........................................................................
Salt Lake City, UT ..................................................................
San Angelo, TX .....................................................................
San Antonio, TX ....................................................................
San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, CA ...................................
Sandusky, OH .......................................................................
30,009
39,985
31,289
36,067
32,240
36,857
29,530
35,097
43,824
32,631
31,253
41,354
32,764
37,974
33,223
38,630
30,168
36,763
45,784
33,526
4.1
3.4
4.7
5.3
3.0
4.8
2.2
4.7
4.5
2.7
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ...................................
San German-Cabo Rojo, PR .................................................
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ..................................
San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo, PR .........................................
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA ........................................
Santa Barbara-Santa Maria-Goleta, CA ................................
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ..................................................
Santa Fe, NM ........................................................................
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA ....................................................
Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice, FL ............................................
58,634
18,745
71,970
23,952
33,759
39,080
38,016
33,253
40,017
33,905
61,343
19,498
76,608
24,812
35,146
40,326
40,776
35,320
41,533
35,751
4.6
4.0
6.4
3.6
4.1
3.2
7.3
6.2
3.8
5.4
Savannah, GA .......................................................................
Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA ..................................................
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ..............................................
Sheboygan, WI ......................................................................
Sherman-Denison, TX ...........................................................
Shreveport-Bossier City, LA ..................................................
Sioux City, IA-NE-SD .............................................................
Sioux Falls, SD ......................................................................
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI ..............................................
Spartanburg, SC ....................................................................
34,104
32,057
46,644
35,067
32,800
31,962
31,122
33,257
34,086
35,526
35,684
32,813
49,455
35,908
34,166
33,678
31,826
34,542
35,089
37,077
4.6
2.4
6.0
2.4
4.2
5.4
2.3
3.9
2.9
4.4
See footnotes at end of table.
88
Percent
change,
2005-06
2005
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
26. Average annual wages for 2005 and 2006 for all covered
workers1 by metropolitan area — Continued
Average annual wages3
Metropolitan area2
Percent
change,
2005-06
2005
2006
Spokane, WA .........................................................................
Springfield, IL .........................................................................
Springfield, MA ......................................................................
Springfield, MO ......................................................................
Springfield, OH ......................................................................
State College, PA ..................................................................
Stockton, CA ..........................................................................
Sumter, SC ............................................................................
Syracuse, NY .........................................................................
Tallahassee, FL .....................................................................
$32,621
39,299
36,791
30,124
30,814
34,109
35,030
27,469
36,494
33,548
$34,016
40,679
37,962
30,786
31,844
35,392
36,426
29,294
38,081
35,018
4.3
3.5
3.2
2.2
3.3
3.8
4.0
6.6
4.3
4.4
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL ..................................
Terre Haute, IN ......................................................................
Texarkana, TX-Texarkana, AR ..............................................
Toledo, OH ............................................................................
Topeka, KS ............................................................................
Trenton-Ewing, NJ .................................................................
Tucson, AZ ............................................................................
Tulsa, OK ...............................................................................
Tuscaloosa, AL ......................................................................
Tyler, TX ................................................................................
36,374
30,597
31,302
35,848
33,303
52,034
35,650
35,211
34,124
34,731
38,016
31,341
32,545
37,039
34,806
54,274
37,119
37,637
35,613
36,173
4.5
2.4
4.0
3.3
4.5
4.3
4.1
6.9
4.4
4.2
Utica-Rome, NY .....................................................................
Valdosta, GA .........................................................................
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ...............................................................
Vero Beach, FL ......................................................................
Victoria, TX ............................................................................
Vineland-Millville-Bridgeton, NJ .............................................
Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC .....................
Visalia-Porterville, CA ............................................................
Waco, TX ...............................................................................
Warner Robins, GA ...............................................................
30,902
25,712
38,431
32,591
34,327
36,387
34,580
28,582
32,325
36,762
32,457
26,794
40,225
33,823
36,642
37,749
36,071
29,772
33,450
38,087
5.0
4.2
4.7
3.8
6.7
3.7
4.3
4.2
3.5
3.6
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ...............
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA .......................................................
Wausau, WI ...........................................................................
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH ...............................................
Wenatchee, WA .....................................................................
Wheeling, WV-OH .................................................................
Wichita, KS ............................................................................
Wichita Falls, TX ....................................................................
Williamsport, PA ....................................................................
Wilmington, NC ......................................................................
55,525
33,123
33,259
30,596
27,163
29,808
35,976
29,343
30,699
31,792
58,057
34,329
34,438
31,416
28,340
30,620
38,763
30,785
31,431
32,948
4.6
3.6
3.5
2.7
4.3
2.7
7.7
4.9
2.4
3.6
Winchester, VA-WV ...............................................................
Winston-Salem, NC ...............................................................
Worcester, MA .......................................................................
Yakima, WA ...........................................................................
Yauco, PR .............................................................................
York-Hanover, PA ..................................................................
Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA ...............................
Yuba City, CA ........................................................................
Yuma, AZ ...............................................................................
33,787
36,654
41,094
27,334
17,818
36,834
32,176
32,133
27,168
34,895
37,712
42,726
28,401
19,001
37,226
33,852
33,642
28,369
3.3
2.9
4.0
3.9
6.6
1.1
5.2
4.7
4.4
1 Includes workers covered by Unemployment
Insurance (UI) and Unemployment Compensation
for Federal Employees (UCFE) programs.
2 Includes data for Metropolitan Statistical
Areas (MSA) as defined by OMB Bulletin No.
04-03 as of February 18, 2004.
3 Each year’s total is based on the MSA
definition for the specific year. Annual changes
include differences resulting from changes in
MSA definitions.
4 Totals do not include the six MSAs within
Puerto Rico.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 89
Current Labor Statistics: Labor Force Data
27. Annual data: Employment status of the population
[Numbers in thousands]
Employment status
Civilian noninstitutional population...........
Civilian labor force............................……
Labor force participation rate...............
Employed............................…………
Employment-population ratio..........
Unemployed............................………
Unemployment rate........................
Not in the labor force............................…
1
1997
203,133
136,297
67.1
129,558
63.8
6,739
4.9
66,837
19981
205,220
137,673
67.1
131,463
64.1
6,210
4.5
67,547
19991
20001
20011
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
207,753
139,368
67.1
133,488
64.3
5,880
4.2
68,385
212,577
142,583
67.1
136,891
64.4
5,692
4
69,994
215,092
143,734
66.8
136,933
63.7
6,801
4.7
71,359
217,570
144,863
66.6
136,485
62.7
8,378
5.8
72,707
221,168
146,510
66.2
137,736
62.3
8,774
6
74,658
223,357
147,401
66
139,252
62.3
8,149
5.5
75,956
226,082
149,320
66
141,730
62.7
7,591
5.1
76,762
228,815
151,428
66.2
144,427
63.1
7,001
4.6
77,387
231,867
153,124
66
146,047
63
7,078
4.6
78,743
Not strictly comparable with prior years.
28. Annual data: Employment levels by industry
[In thousands]
Industry
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Total private employment............................…
103,113
106,021
108,686
110,996
110,707
108,828
108,416
109,814
111,899
114,184
115,717
Total nonfarm employment……………………
Goods-producing............................………
Natural resources and mining.................
Construction............................……………
Manufacturing............................…………
122,776
23,886
654
5,813
17,419
125,930
24,354
645
6,149
17,560
128,993
24,465
598
6,545
17,322
131,785
24,649
599
6,787
17,263
131,826
23,873
606
6,826
16,441
130,341
22,557
583
6,716
15,259
129,999
21,816
572
6,735
14,510
131,435
21,882
591
6,976
14,315
133,703
22,190
628
7,336
14,226
136,174
22,570
684
7,689
14,197
137,969
22,378
722
7,624
14,032
Private service-providing..........................
79,227
Trade, transportation, and utilities..........
24,700
Wholesale trade............................……… 5,663.90
Retail trade............................………… 14,388.90
Transportation and warehousing.........
4,026.50
Utilities............................………………
620.9
Information............................……………
3,084
Financial activities............................……
7,178
Professional and business services……
14,335
Education and health services…………
14,087
11,018
Leisure and hospitality……………………
Other services……………………………
4,825
81,667
25,186
5,795.20
14,609.30
4,168.00
613.4
3,218
7,462
15,147
14,446
11,232
4,976
84,221
25,771
5,892.50
14,970.10
4,300.30
608.5
3,419
7,648
15,957
14,798
11,543
5,087
86,346
26,225
5,933.20
15,279.80
4,410.30
601.3
3,631
7,687
16,666
15,109
11,862
5,168
86,834
25,983
5,772.70
15,238.60
4,372.00
599.4
3,629
7,807
16,476
15,645
12,036
5,258
86,271
25,497
5,652.30
15,025.10
4,223.60
596.2
3,395
7,847
15,976
16,199
11,986
5,372
86,599
25,287
5,607.50
14,917.30
4,185.40
577
3,188
7,977
15,987
16,588
12,173
5,401
87,932
25,533
5,662.90
15,058.20
4,248.60
563.8
3,118
8,031
16,395
16,953
12,493
5,409
89,709
25,959
5,764.40
15,279.60
4,360.90
554
3,061
8,153
16,954
17,372
12,816
5,395
91,615
26,231
5,897.60
15,319.30
4,465.80
548.5
3,055
8,363
17,552
17,838
13,143
5,432
93,339
26,472
6,005.30
15,382.00
4,531.20
553.5
3,087
8,446
17,920
18,377
13,565
5,472
19,909
20,307
20,790
21,118
21,513
21,583
21,621
21,804
21,990
22,252
Government……………………………………
90
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
19,664
29. Annual data: Average hours and earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on nonfarm
payrolls, by industry
Industry
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Private sector:
Average weekly hours.......…….................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars).........................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)........................
34.5
12.51
431.86
34.5
13.01
448.56
34.3
13.49
463.15
34.3
14.02
481.01
34
14.54
493.79
33.9
14.97
506.72
33.7
15.37
518.06
33.7
15.69
529.09
33.8
16.13
544.33
33.9
16.76
567.87
33.8
17.41
589.36
Goods-producing:
Average weekly hours.............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars).......................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)......................
41.1
13.82
568.43
40.8
14.23
580.99
40.8
14.71
599.99
40.7
15.27
621.86
39.9
15.78
630.04
39.9
16.33
651.61
39.8
16.8
669.13
40
17.19
688.17
40.1
17.6
705.31
40.5
18.02
729.87
40.5
18.64
755.73
46.2
15.57
720.11
44.9
16.2
727.28
44.2
16.33
721.74
44.4
16.55
734.92
44.6
17
757.92
43.2
17.19
741.97
43.6
17.56
765.94
44.5
18.07
803.82
45.6
18.72
853.71
45.6
19.9
908.01
45.9
20.99
962.54
Average weekly hours............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)......................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).....................
Manufacturing:
38.9
15.67
609.48
38.8
16.23
629.75
39
16.8
655.11
39.2
17.48
685.78
38.7
18
695.89
38.4
18.52
711.82
38.4
18.95
726.83
38.3
19.23
735.55
38.6
19.46
750.22
39
20.02
781.04
38.9
20.94
814.83
Average weekly hours............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)......................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).....................
Private service-providing:
41.7
13.14
548.22
41.4
13.45
557.12
41.4
13.85
573.17
41.3
14.32
590.65
40.3
14.76
595.19
40.5
15.29
618.75
40.4
15.74
635.99
40.8
16.15
658.59
40.7
16.56
673.37
41.1
16.8
690.83
41.2
17.23
710.51
Average weekly hours..………................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars).......................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)......................
32.8
12.07
395.51
32.8
12.61
413.5
32.7
13.09
427.98
32.7
13.62
445.74
32.5
14.18
461.08
32.5
14.59
473.8
32.4
14.99
484.81
32.3
15.29
494.22
32.4
15.74
509.58
32.5
16.42
532.84
32.4
17.09
554.47
Trade, transportation, and utilities:
Average weekly hours.............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars).......................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)......................
Wholesale trade:
34.3
11.9
407.57
34.2
12.39
423.3
33.9
12.82
434.31
33.8
13.31
449.88
33.5
13.7
459.53
33.6
14.02
471.27
33.6
14.34
481.14
33.5
14.58
488.42
33.4
14.92
498.43
33.4
15.4
514.61
33.4
15.82
528.22
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Retail trade:
38.8
14.41
559.39
38.6
15.07
582.21
38.6
15.62
602.77
38.8
16.28
631.4
38.4
16.77
643.45
38
16.98
644.38
37.9
17.36
657.29
37.8
17.65
667.09
37.7
18.16
685
38
18.91
718.3
38.2
19.56
747.7
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Transportation and warehousing:
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Utilities:
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Information:
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Financial activities:
38.8
14.41
559.39
38.6
15.07
582.21
38.6
15.62
602.77
38.8
16.28
631.4
38.4
16.77
643.45
38
16.98
644.38
37.9
17.36
657.29
37.8
17.65
667.09
37.7
18.16
685
38
18.91
718.3
30.2
12.8
747.7
39.4
13.78
542.55
38.7
14.12
546.86
37.6
14.55
547.97
37.4
15.05
562.31
36.7
15.33
562.7
36.8
15.76
579.75
36.8
16.25
598.41
37.2
16.52
614.82
37
16.7
618.58
36.9
17.28
637.14
37
17.76
656.95
42
20.59
865.26
42
21.48
902.94
42
22.03
924.59
42
22.75
955.66
41.4
23.58
977.18
40.9
41.1
40.9
41.1
41.4
42.4
23.96
24.77
25.61
26.68
27.42
27.93
979.09 1,017.27 1,048.44 1,095.90 1,136.08 1,185.08
36.3
17.14
622.4
36.6
17.67
646.52
36.7
18.4
675.32
36.8
19.07
700.89
36.9
19.8
731.11
36.5
20.2
738.17
36.2
21.01
760.81
36.3
21.4
777.05
36.5
22.06
805
36.6
23.23
850.81
36.4
23.92
871.03
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Professional and business services:
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Education and health services:
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Leisure and hospitality:
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
Other services:
Average weekly hours.........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)...................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..................
35.7
13.22
472.37
36
13.93
500.95
35.8
14.47
517.57
35.9
14.98
537.37
35.8
15.59
558.02
35.6
16.17
575.51
35.5
17.14
609.08
35.5
17.52
622.87
35.9
17.94
645.1
35.8
18.8
672.4
35.9
19.66
706.01
34.3
13.57
465.51
34.3
14.27
490
34.4
14.85
510.99
34.5
15.52
535.07
34.2
16.33
557.84
34.2
16.81
574.66
34.1
17.21
587.02
34.2
17.48
597.56
34.2
18.08
618.87
34.6
19.12
662.23
34.8
20.15
700.96
32.2
12.56
404.65
32.2
13
418.82
32.1
13.44
431.35
32.2
13.95
449.29
32.3
14.64
473.39
32.4
15.21
492.74
32.3
15.64
505.69
32.4
16.15
523.78
32.6
16.71
544.59
32.5
17.38
564.95
32.6
18.03
587.2
26
7.32
190.52
26.2
7.67
200.82
26.1
7.96
208.05
26.1
8.32
217.2
25.8
8.57
220.73
25.8
8.81
227.17
25.6
9
230.42
25.7
9.15
234.86
25.7
9.38
241.36
25.7
9.75
250.11
25.5
10.41
265.03
32.7
11.29
368.63
32.6
11.79
384.25
32.5
12.26
398.77
32.5
12.73
413.41
32.3
13.27
428.64
32
13.72
439.76
31.4
13.84
434.41
31
13.98
433.04
30.9
14.34
443.37
30.9
14.77
456.6
30.9
15.22
470.05
Natural resources and mining
Average weekly hours............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars)......................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).....................
Construction:
NOTE: Data reflect the conversion to the 2002 version of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), replacing the Standard Industrial Classification
(SIC) system. N AICS-based data by industry are not comparable with SIC-based data.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 91
Current Labor Statistics: Compensation & Industrial Relations
30. Employment Cost Index, compensation,1 by occupation and industry group
[December 2005 = 100]
2006
Series
Mar.
June
Sept.
2007
Dec.
Mar.
June
2008
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
Percent change
3 months
ended
12 months
ended
Mar. 2008
2
Civilian workers ……….…….........…………………………………….…
100.7
101.6
102.7
103.3
104.2
105.0
106.1
106.7
107.6
0.8
3.3
Management, professional, and related………………………
Management, business, and financial……………………
Professional and related……………………………………
Sales and office…………………………………………………
Sales and related……………………………………………
Office and administrative support…………………………
100.9
101.3
100.7
100.5
99.9
100.9
101.6
101.9
101.4
101.6
101.1
101.9
103.0
102.7
103.2
102.4
101.7
102.8
103.7
103.2
104.0
103.0
102.3
103.5
104.7
104.4
104.9
103.8
102.4
104.7
105.5
105.2
105.7
104.8
103.6
105.5
106.7
106.2
107.0
105.5
104.1
106.4
107.2
106.6
107.6
106.4
105.2
107.1
108.3
108.2
108.4
106.8
105.0
108.0
1.0
1.5
.7
.4
-.2
.8
3.4
3.6
3.3
2.9
2.5
3.2
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance…………
Construction and extraction………………………………
Installation, maintenance, and repair……………………
Production, transportation, and material moving……………
Production……………………………………………………
Transportation and material moving………………………
Service occupations……………………………………………
100.8
100.7
100.9
100.4
100.4
100.5
100.8
102.0
102.0
102.0
101.1
101.0
101.3
101.4
103.0
103.0
103.0
101.8
101.6
102.2
102.5
103.6
103.7
103.6
102.4
102.0
102.8
103.5
104.1
104.3
103.7
102.7
102.1
103.4
104.8
105.1
105.7
104.4
103.5
102.8
104.4
105.5
106.1
106.5
105.6
104.2
103.3
105.3
106.9
106.8
107.4
106.2
104.7
104.1
105.6
107.7
107.7
108.5
106.7
105.6
104.8
106.6
108.4
.8
1.0
.5
.9
.7
.9
.6
3.5
4.0
2.9
2.8
2.6
3.1
3.4
Workers by industry
Goods-producing………………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
Service-providing………………………………………………
Education and health services……………………………
Health care and social assistance………………………
Hospitals…………………………………………………
Nursing and residential care facilities………………
Education services………………………………………
Elementary and secondary schools…………………
100.3
100.1
100.9
100.6
101.1
101.2
101.0
100.2
100.2
101.3
101.0
101.6
101.3
102.0
101.9
101.4
100.7
100.5
102.0
101.4
102.9
103.5
103.5
103.2
102.6
103.4
103.5
102.5
101.8
103.5
104.2
104.3
104.0
103.7
104.1
104.2
102.9
102.0
104.4
104.9
105.4
105.1
104.5
104.5
104.6
103.9
102.9
105.2
105.5
106.1
105.7
105.0
104.9
105.0
104.4
103.2
106.4
107.2
107.1
106.7
105.6
107.3
107.4
105.0
103.8
107.0
107.9
107.9
107.5
106.3
107.9
107.9
106.1
104.7
107.8
108.6
108.9
108.4
107.3
108.3
108.2
1.0
.9
.7
.6
.9
.8
.9
.4
.3
3.1
2.6
3.3
3.5
3.3
3.1
2.7
3.6
3.4
Public administration ……………………………………… 100.6
101.2
102.4
103.8
105.6
106.6
108.0
109.1
109.7
.5
3.9
100.8
101.7
102.5
103.2
104.0
104.9
105.7
106.3
107.3
.9
3.2
Workers by occupational group
Management, professional, and related………………………
Management, business, and financial……………………
Professional and related……………………………………
Sales and office…………………………………………………
Sales and related……………………………………………
Office and administrative support…………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance…………
Construction and extraction…………………………………
Installation, maintenance, and repair………………………
Production, transportation, and material moving……………
Production……………………………………………………
Transportation and material moving………………………
Service occupations……………………………………………
101.1
101.3
101.0
100.5
99.9
100.9
100.8
100.7
100.9
100.4
100.4
100.4
100.8
101.9
102.0
101.8
101.6
101.1
101.9
102.1
102.2
102.1
101.1
101.0
101.2
101.5
102.9
102.7
103.1
102.3
101.7
102.7
103.0
103.1
103.0
101.7
101.6
102.0
102.3
103.5
103.1
103.9
102.9
102.3
103.4
103.6
103.7
103.4
102.3
102.0
102.6
103.1
104.6
104.3
104.9
103.7
102.4
104.5
104.0
104.4
103.5
102.5
102.1
103.1
104.5
105.5
105.1
105.9
104.7
103.6
105.4
105.0
105.7
104.1
103.3
102.8
104.1
105.2
106.4
106.0
106.7
105.3
104.2
106.0
105.9
106.5
105.2
103.9
103.2
104.9
106.4
106.8
106.3
107.3
106.1
105.2
106.7
106.7
107.4
105.8
104.5
104.0
105.3
107.0
108.1
108.0
108.3
106.6
105.0
107.8
107.6
108.6
106.3
105.5
104.8
106.4
107.8
1.2
1.6
.9
.5
-.2
1.0
.8
1.1
.5
1.0
.8
1.0
.7
3.3
3.5
3.2
2.8
2.5
3.2
3.5
4.0
2.7
2.9
2.6
3.2
3.2
Workers by industry and occupational group
Goods-producing industries……………………………………
Management, professional, and related……………………
Sales and office………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance………
Production, transportation, and material moving………..
100.3
100.2
99.9
100.6
100.3
101.3
100.7
102.7
101.9
101.0
102.0
101.6
102.1
102.7
101.6
102.5
102.0
102.8
103.3
102.0
102.9
102.7
103.0
104.0
102.1
103.9
103.8
103.7
105.3
102.9
104.4
104.3
104.1
106.1
103.3
105.0
104.4
104.8
107.0
104.0
106.1
106.1
105.1
108.1
104.8
1.0
1.6
.3
1.0
.8
3.1
3.3
2.0
3.9
2.6
Construction…………………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
Management, professional, and related…………………
Sales and office……………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance……
Production, transportation, and material moving……..
100.7
100.1
100.0
99.5
100.1
100.2
101.9
101.0
100.5
102.8
100.8
100.9
103.0
101.4
101.3
101.3
101.5
101.5
103.6
101.8
101.4
102.1
102.1
101.9
104.7
102.0
102.0
102.4
101.7
101.9
105.9
102.9
103.3
103.2
102.4
102.6
106.9
103.2
103.3
103.5
102.8
103.1
107.6
103.8
103.5
104.3
103.9
103.8
108.9
104.7
104.9
105.0
104.6
104.5
1.2
.9
1.4
.7
.7
.7
4.0
2.6
2.8
2.5
2.9
2.6
Service-providing industries…………………………………
Management, professional, and related……………………
Sales and office………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance………
Production, transportation, and material moving………..
Service occupations…………………………………………
101.0
101.3
100.6
101.2
100.6
100.9
101.8
102.2
101.5
102.5
101.3
101.5
102.7
103.2
102.3
103.6
101.9
102.3
103.4
103.8
102.9
104.0
102.6
103.1
104.3
105.0
103.7
104.0
103.0
104.5
105.2
105.9
104.8
104.5
104.0
105.3
106.1
106.8
105.4
105.7
104.7
106.4
106.7
107.3
106.3
106.2
105.2
107.1
107.7
108.5
106.8
106.7
106.4
107.9
.9
1.1
.5
.5
1.1
.7
3.3
3.3
3.0
2.6
3.3
3.3
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………
100.8
101.4
102.4
103.0
103.1
104.2
104.7
105.5
106.1
.6
2.9
Workers by occupational group
3
Private industry workers………………………………………
See footnotes at end of table.
92
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
30. Continued—Employment Cost Index, compensation,1 by occupation and industry group
[December 2005 = 100]
2006
Series
Mar.
June
Sept.
2007
Dec.
Mar.
June
2008
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
Percent change
3 months
ended
12 months
ended
Mar. 2008
Wholesale trade……………………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………………
Transportation and warehousing………………………
Utilities………………………………………………………
Information…………………………………………………
Financial activities…………………………………………
Finance and insurance…………………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………
Professional and business services………………………
Education and health services……………………………
Education services………………………………………
Health care and social assistance……………………
Hospitals………………………………………………
Leisure and hospitality……………………………………
Accommodation and food services……………………
Other services, except public administration……………
100.3
100.6
100.4
107.8
100.9
101.2
101.5
99.8
101.1
101.0
100.7
101.1
101.3
100.6
100.5
101.4
100.8
101.2
101.0
109.3
102.1
101.8
102.4
99.3
102.2
101.8
101.5
101.9
102.0
101.3
101.4
102.7
102.4
101.9
101.6
110.1
103.0
102.1
102.6
100.2
102.9
103.2
103.2
103.2
103.2
102.4
102.5
103.6
102.9
102.7
102.2
110.4
103.2
102.5
102.9
100.8
103.5
104.1
104.2
104.1
103.9
103.7
104.0
104.0
103.7
102.9
102.8
102.8
104.3
104.2
104.6
102.2
104.7
105.1
104.5
105.2
105.0
105.3
105.8
105.7
104.6
103.9
104.0
104.7
105.6
104.6
104.9
103.0
105.9
105.7
104.9
105.9
105.6
106.0
106.4
106.1
104.2
105.1
104.5
105.0
105.8
105.4
105.7
104.1
106.9
106.9
106.7
106.9
106.5
107.5
108.1
107.1
105.3
106.1
104.5
105.6
106.1
105.6
106.1
103.7
107.5
107.7
107.5
107.8
107.3
108.1
108.6
107.6
105.7
106.6
105.6
106.5
106.1
106.8
107.0
105.5
109.0
108.6
108.1
108.8
108.2
109.0
109.5
108.7
0.4
.5
1.1
.9
.0
1.1
.8
1.7
1.4
.8
.6
.9
.8
.8
.8
1.0
1.9
3.6
2.7
3.6
1.7
2.5
2.3
3.2
4.1
3.3
3.4
3.4
3.0
3.5
3.5
2.8
100.5
100.9
103.2
104.1
105.1
105.7
107.6
108.4
108.9
.5
3.6
Workers by occupational group
Management, professional, and related………………………
Professional and related……………………………………
Sales and office…………………………………………………
Office and administrative support…………………………
Service occupations……………………………………………
100.3
100.2
100.9
101.0
100.6
100.8
100.8
101.5
101.6
101.2
103.3
103.4
103.3
103.5
103.1
104.0
104.0
104.1
104.2
104.5
104.9
104.8
105.6
105.7
105.4
105.4
105.3
106.2
106.4
106.3
107.5
107.5
107.9
108.2
108.0
108.3
108.2
108.6
108.9
109.1
108.8
108.6
108.8
109.3
109.7
.5
.4
.2
.4
.5
3.7
3.6
3.0
3.4
4.1
Workers by industry
Education and health services………………………………
Education services………………………………………
Schools…………………………………………………
Elementary and secondary schools………………
Health care and social assistance………………………
Hospitals…………………………………………………
100.3
100.2
100.2
100.2
101.3
100.9
100.8
100.5
100.5
100.5
102.9
101.3
103.7
103.5
103.5
103.6
105.1
103.3
104.3
104.1
104.1
104.2
105.7
104.3
104.8
104.6
104.6
104.7
107.1
105.6
105.3
105.0
104.9
105.0
107.6
106.3
107.5
107.4
107.4
107.4
108.6
107.5
108.2
108.0
108.0
108.0
109.3
108.2
108.6
108.4
108.4
108.3
110.1
109.2
.4
.4
.4
.3
.7
.9
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.4
2.8
3.4
100.6
101.2
102.4
103.8
105.6
106.6
108.0
109.1
109.7
.5
3.9
State and local government workers…………………………
3
Public administration ………………………………………
1
Cost (cents per hour worked) measured in the Employment Cost Index consists of
wages, salaries, and employer cost of employee benefits.
2
Consists of private industry workers (excluding farm and household workers) and
State and local government (excluding Federal Government) workers.
3
Consists of legislative, judicial, administrative, and regulatory activities.
NOTE: The Employment Cost Index data reflect the conversion to the 2002 North
American Classification System (NAICS) and the 2000 Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC) system. The NAICS and SOC data shown prior to 2006 are for
informational purposes only. Series based on NAICS and SOC became the official BLS
estimates starting in March 2006.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 93
Current Labor Statistics: Compensation & Industrial Relations
31. Employment Cost Index, wages and salaries, by occupation and industry group
[December 2005 = 100]
2006
Series
Mar.
June
Sept.
2007
Dec.
Mar.
June
2008
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
Percent change
3 months
ended
12 months
ended
Mar. 2008
1
Civilian workers ……….…….........…………………………………….…
100.7
101.5
102.6
103.2
104.3
105.0
106.0
106.7
107.6
0.8
3.2
Management, professional, and related………………………
Management, business, and financial……………………
Professional and related……………………………………
Sales and office…………………………………………………
Sales and related……………………………………………
Office and administrative support…………………………
100.8
101.2
100.6
100.4
99.8
100.8
101.6
102.0
101.4
101.6
101.3
101.8
102.9
102.7
103.1
102.4
102.0
102.6
103.6
103.1
103.8
103.0
102.5
103.3
104.7
104.7
104.7
103.8
102.7
104.5
105.4
105.4
105.3
104.8
103.9
105.3
106.6
106.4
106.7
105.4
104.3
106.1
107.1
106.7
107.4
106.2
105.5
106.8
108.2
108.2
108.3
106.7
105.2
107.8
1.0
1.4
.8
.5
-.3
.9
3.3
3.3
3.4
2.8
2.4
3.2
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance…………
Construction and extraction………………………………
Installation, maintenance, and repair……………………
Production, transportation, and material moving……………
Production……………………………………………………
Transportation and material moving………………………
Service occupations……………………………………………
100.7
100.7
100.6
100.6
100.7
100.5
100.5
101.8
101.9
101.6
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.2
102.7
102.9
102.6
101.9
101.8
102.1
102.2
103.4
103.7
103.1
102.5
102.3
102.7
103.2
104.3
104.6
103.8
103.2
103.2
103.3
104.6
105.1
105.7
104.4
103.9
103.6
104.2
105.3
106.3
106.6
105.8
104.7
104.3
105.1
106.5
107.1
107.7
106.4
105.1
104.7
105.5
107.3
108.1
109.0
107.0
106.1
105.7
106.6
108.0
.9
1.2
.6
1.0
1.0
1.0
.7
3.6
4.2
3.1
2.8
2.4
3.2
3.3
Workers by industry
Goods-producing………………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
Service-providing………………………………………………
Education and health services……………………………
Health care and social assistance………………………
Hospitals…………………………………………………
Nursing and residential care facilities………………
Education services………………………………………
Elementary and secondary schools…………………
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.4
100.8
100.9
100.7
100.2
100.0
101.8
101.7
101.5
101.1
101.8
101.7
101.2
100.5
100.3
102.3
101.9
102.7
103.1
103.2
102.9
102.2
103.0
102.9
102.9
102.3
103.3
103.8
104.1
103.8
103.3
103.5
103.4
103.9
103.3
104.3
104.4
105.1
104.8
104.1
103.7
103.6
104.7
103.9
105.1
104.9
105.9
105.6
104.7
104.0
103.8
105.4
104.5
106.2
106.6
107.1
106.7
105.8
106.2
106.0
106.0
104.9
106.8
107.4
107.9
107.4
106.4
106.9
106.6
107.1
105.9
107.7
108.0
108.9
108.4
107.4
107.3
107.0
1.0
1.0
.8
.6
.9
.9
.9
.4
.4
3.1
2.5
3.3
3.4
3.6
3.4
3.2
3.5
3.3
Public administration ……………………………………… 100.5
101.1
102.0
103.5
104.5
105.2
106.4
107.4
108.2
.7
3.5
100.7
101.7
102.5
103.2
104.3
105.1
106.0
106.6
107.6
.9
3.2
Workers by occupational group
Management, professional, and related………………………
Management, business, and financial……………………
Professional and related……………………………………
Sales and office…………………………………………………
Sales and related……………………………………………
Office and administrative support…………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance…………
Construction and extraction…………………………………
Installation, maintenance, and repair………………………
Production, transportation, and material moving……………
Production……………………………………………………
Transportation and material moving………………………
Service occupations……………………………………………
101.1
101.3
100.9
100.4
99.8
100.9
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.6
100.7
100.4
100.6
102.0
102.2
101.8
101.6
101.3
101.9
101.8
102.0
101.6
101.2
101.2
101.2
101.3
103.0
102.8
103.1
102.4
102.0
102.6
102.8
103.0
102.6
101.8
101.7
102.0
102.0
103.6
103.1
104.0
103.0
102.6
103.3
103.4
103.7
103.0
102.4
102.2
102.6
102.9
104.9
104.7
105.1
103.8
102.8
104.5
104.2
104.7
103.7
103.1
103.1
103.2
104.6
105.8
105.5
106.0
104.8
104.0
105.4
105.1
105.8
104.2
103.8
103.6
104.1
105.3
106.7
106.3
107.0
105.3
104.4
106.0
106.2
106.7
105.6
104.5
104.2
105.0
106.5
107.2
106.6
107.6
106.2
105.5
106.7
107.1
107.8
106.1
105.0
104.6
105.4
107.1
108.5
108.2
108.7
106.7
105.3
107.7
108.1
109.2
106.8
106.0
105.6
106.5
107.9
1.2
1.5
1.0
.5
-.2
.9
.9
1.3
.7
1.0
1.0
1.0
.7
3.4
3.3
3.4
2.8
2.4
3.1
3.7
4.3
3.0
2.8
2.4
3.2
3.2
Workers by industry and occupational group
Goods-producing industries……………………………………
Management, professional, and related……………………
Sales and office………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance………
Production, transportation, and material moving………..
100.7
101.1
99.8
100.7
100.7
101.8
101.7
103.4
101.9
101.3
102.3
102.4
102.2
102.7
101.9
102.9
102.8
103.1
103.4
102.4
103.9
104.4
103.4
104.4
103.2
104.7
105.3
104.1
105.6
103.7
105.4
105.9
104.7
106.5
104.4
106.0
106.0
105.5
107.6
104.8
107.1
107.7
105.8
108.8
105.7
1.0
1.6
.3
1.1
.9
3.1
3.2
2.3
4.2
2.4
Construction…………………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
Management, professional, and related…………………
Sales and office……………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance……
Production, transportation, and material moving……..
100.6
100.7
101.1
99.5
100.9
100.7
102.0
101.7
101.5
103.8
101.7
101.3
102.9
101.9
102.2
101.1
102.3
101.8
103.7
102.3
102.3
102.0
103.0
102.3
104.9
103.3
103.8
102.4
103.8
103.1
106.0
103.9
104.6
103.2
104.3
103.6
107.0
104.5
105.0
103.9
105.0
104.2
107.8
104.9
105.3
104.7
105.9
104.5
109.0
105.9
106.7
105.5
106.8
105.4
1.1
1.0
1.3
.8
.8
.9
3.9
2.5
2.8
3.0
2.9
2.2
Service-providing industries…………………………………
Management, professional, and related……………………
Sales and office………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance………
Production, transportation, and material moving………..
Service occupations…………………………………………
100.8
101.1
100.5
100.7
100.4
100.6
101.7
102.0
101.4
101.8
101.0
101.3
102.6
103.1
102.4
103.0
101.7
102.0
103.3
103.7
102.9
103.4
102.4
102.9
104.4
105.0
103.8
103.9
103.0
104.6
105.3
105.9
104.9
104.3
104.0
105.3
106.1
106.8
105.4
105.7
104.6
106.6
106.8
107.4
106.3
106.3
105.2
107.2
107.7
108.6
106.8
106.9
106.3
108.0
.8
1.1
.5
.6
1.0
.7
3.2
3.4
2.9
2.9
3.2
3.3
Trade, transportation, and utilities…………………………
100.4
100.9
102.1
102.7
103.2
104.3
104.6
105.5
105.9
.4
2.6
Workers by occupational group
2
Private industry workers………………………………………
See footnotes at end of table.
94
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
31. Continued—Employment Cost Index, wages and salaries, by occupation and industry group
[December 2005 = 100]
2006
Series
Mar.
June
Sept.
2007
Dec.
Mar.
June
2008
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
Percent change
3 months
ended
12 months
ended
Mar. 2008
Wholesale trade……………………………………………
Retail trade…………………………………………………
Transportation and warehousing………………………
Utilities………………………………………………………
Information…………………………………………………
Financial activities…………………………………………
Finance and insurance…………………………………
Real estate and rental and leasing……………………
Professional and business services………………………
Education and health services……………………………
Education services………………………………………
Health care and social assistance……………………
Hospitals………………………………………………
Leisure and hospitality……………………………………
Accommodation and food services……………………
Other services, except public administration……………
100.2
100.5
100.1
100.8
101.0
101.3
101.6
99.8
101.0
100.7
100.7
100.7
100.9
100.6
100.5
101.3
100.7
100.9
100.7
102.1
101.7
102.3
102.8
99.9
102.3
101.6
101.4
101.6
101.8
101.3
101.3
102.6
102.7
101.9
101.4
103.0
102.6
102.5
102.9
100.8
103.0
103.0
103.1
103.0
102.9
102.3
102.2
103.4
103.0
102.8
101.9
103.5
102.4
102.8
103.2
101.4
103.5
104.0
104.1
103.9
103.7
103.7
103.8
103.8
103.8
103.1
102.5
104.3
103.8
104.7
105.4
101.6
104.8
104.8
104.2
104.9
104.6
105.7
106.0
105.7
104.8
104.2
103.7
105.5
104.9
104.9
105.5
102.4
105.9
105.6
104.6
105.8
105.4
106.4
106.5
106.1
104.0
105.1
104.1
106.1
105.2
106.0
106.5
103.6
106.7
106.9
106.4
107.0
106.5
108.1
108.4
107.3
105.2
106.1
104.2
106.8
105.3
105.9
106.6
103.1
107.5
107.7
107.4
107.8
107.2
108.8
109.0
107.9
105.2
106.4
105.0
108.0
105.3
107.2
107.9
104.5
109.1
108.6
107.9
108.7
108.2
109.7
110.0
109.2
0.0
.3
.8
1.1
.0
1.2
1.2
1.4
1.5
.8
.5
.8
.9
.8
.9
1.2
1.3
3.2
2.4
3.5
1.4
2.4
2.4
2.9
4.1
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.4
3.8
3.8
3.3
100.3
100.8
102.8
103.5
104.1
104.6
106.4
107.1
107.7
.6
3.5
Workers by occupational group
Management, professional, and related………………………
Professional and related……………………………………
Sales and office…………………………………………………
Office and administrative support…………………………
Service occupations……………………………………………
100.2
100.2
100.6
100.7
100.3
100.7
100.7
101.2
101.4
100.8
102.9
103.0
102.6
102.7
102.4
103.5
103.6
103.2
103.4
103.9
104.0
103.9
104.5
104.7
104.5
104.3
104.2
104.8
105.0
105.2
106.3
106.3
106.3
106.5
106.5
107.0
107.0
107.0
107.3
107.7
107.6
107.5
107.4
107.8
108.3
.6
.5
.4
.5
.6
3.5
3.5
2.8
3.0
3.6
Workers by industry
Education and health services………………………………
Education services………………………………………
Schools…………………………………………………
Elementary and secondary schools………………
Health care and social assistance………………………
Hospitals…………………………………………………
100.2
100.1
100.1
100.0
101.0
100.9
100.7
100.4
100.4
100.3
103.0
101.4
103.1
103.0
103.0
103.0
104.8
103.1
103.6
103.4
103.4
103.4
105.5
104.4
104.0
103.7
103.6
103.6
106.6
105.7
104.2
103.9
103.9
103.8
107.2
106.5
106.3
106.1
106.1
106.0
108.2
107.6
107.1
106.8
106.8
106.6
109.2
108.6
107.5
107.2
107.2
106.9
110.1
109.8
.4
.4
.4
.3
.8
1.1
3.4
3.4
3.5
3.2
3.3
3.9
100.5
101.1
102.0
103.5
104.5
105.2
106.4
107.4
108.2
.7
3.5
State and local government workers…………………………
2
Public administration ………………………………………
1
Consists of private industry workers (excluding farm and household workers) and
State and local government (excluding Federal Government) workers.
2
Consists of legislative, judicial, administrative, and regulatory activities.
NOTE: The Employment Cost Index data reflect the conversion to the 2002 North
American Classification System (NAICS) and the 2000 Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC) system. The NAICS and SOC data shown prior to 2006 are for
informational purposes only. Series based on NAICS and SOC became the official
BLS estimates starting in March 2006.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 95
Current Labor Statistics: Compensation & Industrial Relations
32. Employment Cost Index, benefits, by occupation and industry group
[December 2005 = 100]
2006
Series
Mar.
June
Sept.
2007
Dec.
Mar.
June
2008
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
Percent change
3 months
ended
12 months
ended
Mar. 2008
Civilian workers………………………………………………….
100.9
101.6
102.8
103.6
104.0
105.1
106.1
106.8
107.6
0.7
3.5
Private industry workers………………………………………… 101.0
101.7
102.5
103.1
103.2
104.3
105.0
105.6
106.5
.9
3.2
Workers by occupational group
Management, professional, and related………………………
Sales and office…………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance…………
Production, transportation, and material moving……………
101.3
100.8
101.1
100.1
101.8
101.6
102.7
101.0
102.8
102.0
103.5
101.6
103.4
102.9
104.0
102.0
103.8
103.4
103.4
101.2
104.9
104.3
104.8
102.4
105.6
105.2
105.3
102.7
106.0
106.0
105.9
103.7
107.3
106.5
106.5
104.4
1.2
.5
.6
.7
3.4
3.0
3.0
3.2
Service occupations……………………………………………
101.5
102.2
103.0
103.6
104.2
105.1
106.0
106.7
107.6
.8
3.3
Goods-producing………………………………………………
99.6
Manufacturing………………………………………………… 99.0
Service-providing……………………………………………… 101.5
100.4
99.7
102.3
101.3
100.5
103.0
101.7
100.8
103.7
100.9
99.6
104.1
102.2
101.0
105.2
102.4
100.7
106.0
103.2
101.7
106.6
104.0
102.3
107.6
.8
.6
.9
3.1
2.7
3.4
101.3
104.1
105.2
107.0
108.0
110.3
111.0
111.4
.4
4.1
Workers by industry
State and local government workers…………………………
100.7
NOTE: The Employment Cost Index data reflect the conversion to
the 2002 North American Classification System (NAICS) and the 2000
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The NAICS and
SOC data shown prior
96
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
to 2006 are for informational purposes only. Series based on NAICS and SOC became the official
BLS estimates starting in March 2006.
33. Employment Cost Index, private industry workers by bargaining status and region
[December 2005 = 100]
2006
Series
Mar.
June
Sept.
2007
Dec.
Mar.
June
2008
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
Percent change
3 months
ended
12 months
ended
Mar. 2008
COMPENSATION
Workers by bargaining status1
Union………………………………………………………………… 100.5
Goods-producing…………………………………………………
99.9
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
99.3
Service-providing………………………………………………… 101.0
101.8
101.2
100.1
102.2
102.4
101.8
100.5
102.9
103.0
102.2
100.8
103.6
102.7
101.5
99.2
103.7
103.9
102.8
100.0
104.7
104.4
103.1
100.0
105.4
105.1
104.0
101.0
106.0
105.9
104.6
101.4
107.0
0.8
.6
.4
.9
3.1
3.1
2.2
3.2
Nonunion……………………………………………………………
Goods-producing…………………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
Service-providing…………………………………………………
100.9
100.5
100.3
101.0
101.7
101.4
101.3
101.8
102.6
102.0
101.7
102.7
103.2
102.5
102.1
103.4
104.2
103.3
102.8
104.4
105.1
104.2
103.7
105.3
105.9
104.8
104.1
106.2
106.5
105.4
104.6
106.8
107.5
106.5
105.6
107.7
.9
1.0
1.0
.8
3.2
3.1
2.7
3.2
Workers by region1
Northeast……………………………………………………………
South…………………………………………………………………
Midwest………………………………………………………………
West…………………………………………………………………
100.9
101.0
100.7
100.6
101.8
101.6
101.7
101.8
102.5
102.8
102.3
102.5
103.3
103.5
102.8
103.0
104.0
104.3
103.3
104.2
105.1
105.3
104.2
104.9
106.2
106.1
104.6
105.7
106.8
106.7
105.3
106.5
107.4
107.8
106.0
107.8
.6
1.0
.7
1.2
3.3
3.4
2.6
3.5
Workers by bargaining status1
Union…………………………………………………………………
Goods-producing…………………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
Service-providing…………………………………………………
100.3
100.5
100.6
100.1
101.2
101.6
101.2
100.9
101.7
101.9
101.4
101.6
102.3
102.3
101.7
102.2
102.8
102.7
102.0
102.9
103.7
103.6
102.5
103.8
104.4
104.3
102.9
104.6
104.7
104.3
102.6
104.9
105.5
105.2
103.4
105.8
.8
.9
.8
.9
2.6
2.4
1.4
2.8
Nonunion……………………………………………………………
Goods-producing…………………………………………………
Manufacturing…………………………………………………
Service-providing…………………………………………………
100.8
100.7
100.7
100.8
101.8
101.9
101.8
101.7
102.7
102.4
102.0
102.7
103.3
103.0
102.5
103.4
104.5
104.2
103.6
104.6
105.3
105.0
104.2
105.4
106.2
105.8
104.9
106.3
106.9
106.4
105.5
107.0
107.9
107.7
106.6
107.9
.9
1.2
1.0
.8
3.3
3.4
2.9
3.2
Workers by region1
Northeast……………………………………………………………
South…………………………………………………………………
Midwest………………………………………………………………
West…………………………………………………………………
100.8
101.0
100.4
100.7
101.7
101.6
101.4
102.1
102.5
102.9
102.0
102.7
103.1
103.6
102.6
103.2
104.0
104.6
103.6
104.8
105.0
105.6
104.4
105.4
106.1
106.5
105.0
106.2
106.6
107.0
105.6
107.0
107.5
108.1
106.3
108.3
.8
1.0
.7
1.2
3.4
3.3
2.6
3.3
WAGES AND SALARIES
1
The indexes are calculated differently from those for the
occupation and industry groups. For a detailed description of
the index calculation, see the Monthly Labor Review Technical
Note, "Estimation procedures for the Employment Cost Index,"
May 1982.
NOTE: The Employment Cost Index data reflect the conversion to the 2002 North American
Classification System (NAICS) and the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system. The
NAICS and SOC data shown prior to 2006 are for informational purposes only. Series based on NAICS
and SOC became the official BLS estimates starting in March 2006.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 97
Current Labor Statistics: Compensation & Industrial Relations
34. National Compensation Survey: Retirement benefits in private industry by
access, participation, and selected series, 2003–2007
Series
Year
2003
2004
2005
2007 1
2006
All retirement
Percentage of workers with access
All workers………………………………………………………
57
59
60
60
White-collar occupations 2 ……………………………………
67
69
70
69
-
-
-
-
-
76
64
Management, professional, and related ……………….
61
Sales and office ……………………………………………
-
-
-
-
Blue-collar occupations 2………………………………………
59
59
60
62
-
-
-
-
-
61
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance...…
Production, transportation, and material moving…...…
Service occupations……………………………………………
-
-
-
-
65
28
31
32
34
36
Full-time…………………………………………………………
67
68
69
69
70
Part-time………………………………………………………
24
27
27
29
31
Union……………………………………………………………
86
84
88
84
84
Non-union………………………………………………………
54
56
56
57
58
Average wage less than $15 per hour……...………………
45
46
46
47
47
Average wage $15 per hour or higher……...………………
76
77
78
77
76
Goods-producing industries…………………………………
70
70
71
73
70
Service-providing industries…………………………………
53
55
56
56
58
Establishments with 1-99 workers……………………………
42
44
44
44
45
Establishments with 100 or more workers…………………
75
77
78
78
78
All workers………………………………………………………
49
50
50
51
51
White-collar occupations 2 ……………………………………
59
61
61
60
-
-
-
-
-
69
54
Percentage of workers participating
Management, professional, and related ……………….
Sales and office ……………………………………………
-
-
-
-
Blue-collar occupations 2………………………………………
50
50
51
52
-
-
-
-
-
51
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance…...
Production, transportation, and material moving…...…
Service occupations……………………………………………
-
-
-
-
54
21
22
22
24
25
Full-time…………………………………………………………
58
60
60
60
60
Part-time………………………………………………………
18
20
19
21
23
Union……………………………………………………………
83
81
85
80
81
Non-union………………………………………………………
45
47
46
47
47
Average wage less than $15 per hour……...………………
35
36
35
36
36
Average wage $15 per hour or higher……...………………
70
71
71
70
69
Goods-producing industries…………………………………
63
63
64
64
61
Service-providing industries…………………………………
45
47
47
47
48
Establishments with 1-99 workers……………………………
35
37
37
37
37
Establishments with 100 or more workers…………………
65
67
67
67
66
-
-
85
85
84
20
21
22
21
21
23
24
25
23
-
-
-
-
-
29
19
3
Take-up rate (all workers) ……………………………………
Defined Benefit
Percentage of workers with access
All workers………………………………………………………
2
White-collar occupations ……………………………………
Management, professional, and related ……………….
Sales and office ……………………………………………
2
Blue-collar occupations ………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance...…
-
-
26
25
-
-
-
-
-
26
26
Production, transportation, and material moving…...…
-
-
-
-
8
6
7
8
8
Full-time…………………………………………………………
24
25
25
24
24
Part-time………………………………………………………
8
9
10
9
10
Union……………………………………………………………
74
70
73
70
69
Non-union………………………………………………………
15
16
16
15
15
Average wage less than $15 per hour……...………………
12
11
12
11
11
Average wage $15 per hour or higher……...………………
34
35
35
34
33
Goods-producing industries…………………………………
31
32
33
32
29
Service-providing industries…………………………………
17
18
19
18
19
9
9
10
9
9
34
35
37
35
34
Establishments with 100 or more workers…………………
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
26
Service occupations……………………………………………
Establishments with 1-99 workers……………………………
98
24
34. Continued—National Compensation Survey: Retirement benefits in private industry
by access, participation, and selected series, 2003–2007
Series
Year
2003
2004
2005
2007
2006
1
Percentage of workers participating
All workers………………………………………………………
2
White-collar occupations ……………………………………
Management, professional, and related ……………….
Sales and office ……………………………………………
Blue-collar occupations 2……………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance...…
Production, transportation, and material moving…...…
Service occupations…………………………………………
Full-time………………………………………………………
Part-time………………………………………………………
Union……………………………………………………………
Non-union………………………………………………………
Average wage less than $15 per hour……...………………
20
22
24
7
24
8
72
15
11
21
24
25
6
24
9
69
15
11
21
24
26
7
25
9
72
15
11
20
22
25
7
23
8
68
14
10
20
28
17
25
25
7
23
9
67
15
10
Average wage $15 per hour or higher……...………………
33
35
34
33
32
Goods-producing industries…………………………………
31
31
32
31
28
Service-providing industries…………………………………
16
18
18
17
18
Establishments with 1-99 workers…………………………
8
9
9
9
9
Establishments with 100 or more workers…………………
33
34
36
33
32
Take-up rate (all workers) 3……………………………………
-
-
97
96
95
All workers………………………………………………………
51
53
53
54
55
White-collar occupations 2 ……………………………………
62
64
64
65
-
-
-
-
-
71
60
Defined Contribution
Percentage of workers with access
Management, professional, and related ……………….
-
-
-
-
Blue-collar occupations 2……………………………………
Sales and office ……………………………………………
49
49
50
53
-
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance...…
-
-
-
-
51
56
Production, transportation, and material moving…...…
-
-
-
-
Service occupations…………………………………………
23
27
28
30
32
Full-time………………………………………………………
60
62
62
63
64
Part-time………………………………………………………
21
23
23
25
27
Union……………………………………………………………
45
48
49
50
49
Non-union………………………………………………………
51
53
54
55
56
Average wage less than $15 per hour……...………………
40
41
41
43
44
Average wage $15 per hour or higher……...………………
67
68
69
69
69
Goods-producing industries…………………………………
60
60
61
63
62
Service-providing industries…………………………………
48
50
51
52
53
Establishments with 1-99 workers…………………………
38
40
40
41
42
Establishments with 100 or more workers…………………
65
68
69
70
70
All workers………………………………………………………
40
42
42
43
43
White-collar occupations 2 ……………………………………
51
53
53
53
-
-
-
-
-
60
47
Percentage of workers participating
Management, professional, and related ……………….
-
-
-
-
Blue-collar occupations 2……………………………………
Sales and office ……………………………………………
38
38
38
40
-
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance...…
-
-
-
-
40
41
Production, transportation, and material moving…...…
-
-
-
-
Service occupations…………………………………………
16
18
18
20
20
Full-time………………………………………………………
48
50
50
51
50
Part-time………………………………………………………
14
14
14
16
18
Union……………………………………………………………
39
42
43
44
41
Non-union………………………………………………………
40
42
41
43
43
Average wage less than $15 per hour……...………………
29
30
29
31
30
Average wage $15 per hour or higher……...………………
57
59
59
58
57
Goods-producing industries…………………………………
49
49
50
51
49
Service-providing industries…………………………………
37
40
39
40
41
Establishments with 1-99 workers…………………………
31
32
32
33
33
Establishments with 100 or more workers…………………
51
53
53
54
53
-
-
78
79
77
3
Take-up rate (all workers) ……………………………………
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 99
Current Labor Statistics: Compensation & Industrial Relations
34. Continued—National Compensation Survey: Retirement benefits in private industry
by access, participation, and selected series, 2003–2007
Series
Year
2003
2004
2005
2007 1
2006
Employee Contribution Requirement
Employee contribution required…………………………
Employee contribution not required………………………
Not determinable……………………………………………
-
-
61
31
8
61
33
6
65
35
0
Percent of establishments
Offering retirement plans……………………………………
Offering defined benefit plans………………………………
Offering defined contribution plans……………………….
47
10
45
48
10
46
51
11
48
48
10
47
46
10
44
1
The 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaced the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
System. Estimates for goods-producing and service-providing (formerly service-producing) industries are considered comparable.
Also introduced was the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to replace the 1990 Census of Population system.
Only service occupations are considered comparable.
2
The white-collar and blue-collar occupation series were discontinued effective 2007.
3
The take-up rate is an estimate of the percentage of workers with access to a plan who participate in the plan.
Note: Where applicable, dashes indicate no employees in this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
100
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
35. National Compensation Survey: Health insurance benefits in private industry
by access, particpation, and selected series, 2003-2007
Series
Year
2003
2004
2005
2007
2006
1
Medical insurance
Percentage of workers with access
All workers…………………………………………………………………………
60
69
70
71
2
White-collar occupations ………………………………………………………
65
76
77
77
-
-
-
-
-
85
71
Management, professional, and related …………………………………
Sales and office………………………………………………………………
Blue-collar occupations 2………………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance………………………
71
-
-
-
-
64
76
77
77
-
-
-
-
-
76
Production, transportation, and material moving…………………………
-
-
-
-
78
Service occupations……………………………………………………………
38
42
44
45
46
Full-time…………………………………………………………………………
73
84
85
85
85
Part-time…………………………………………………………………………
17
20
22
22
24
Union………………………………………………………………………………
67
89
92
89
88
Non-union…………………………………………………………………………
59
67
68
68
69
Average wage less than $15 per hour…………………………………………
51
57
58
57
57
Average wage $15 per hour or higher…………………………………………
74
86
87
88
87
Goods-producing industries……………………………………………………
68
83
85
86
85
Service-providing industries……………………………………………………
57
65
66
66
67
Establishments with 1-99 workers………………………………………………
49
58
59
59
59
Establishments with 100 or more workers……………………………………
72
82
84
84
84
All workers…………………………………………………………………………
45
53
53
52
52
White-collar occupations 2 ………………………………………………………
50
59
58
57
-
-
-
-
-
67
48
Percentage of workers participating
Management, professional, and related …………………………………
Sales and office………………………………………………………………
Blue-collar occupations 2………………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance………………………
-
-
-
-
51
60
61
60
-
-
-
-
-
61
Production, transportation, and material moving…………………………
-
-
-
-
60
Service occupations……………………………………………………………
22
24
27
27
28
Full-time…………………………………………………………………………
56
66
66
64
64
Part-time…………………………………………………………………………
9
11
12
13
12
Union………………………………………………………………………………
60
81
83
80
78
Non-union…………………………………………………………………………
44
50
49
49
49
Average wage less than $15 per hour…………………………………………
35
40
39
38
37
Average wage $15 per hour or higher…………………………………………
61
71
72
71
70
Goods-producing industries……………………………………………………
57
69
70
70
68
Service-providing industries……………………………………………………
42
48
48
47
47
Establishments with 1-99 workers………………………………………………
36
43
43
43
42
Establishments with 100 or more workers……………………………………
55
64
65
63
62
-
-
75
74
73
All workers…………………………………………………………………………
40
46
46
46
46
2
White-collar occupations ………………………………………………………
47
53
54
53
-
-
-
-
-
62
47
3
Take-up rate (all workers) ………………………………………………………
Dental
Percentage of workers with access
Management, professional, and related …………………………………
Sales and office………………………………………………………………
2
Blue-collar occupations ………………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance………………………
-
-
-
-
40
47
47
46
-
-
-
-
-
43
Production, transportation, and material moving…………………………
-
-
-
-
49
Service occupations……………………………………………………………
22
25
25
27
28
Full-time…………………………………………………………………………
49
56
56
55
56
Part-time…………………………………………………………………………
9
13
14
15
16
Union………………………………………………………………………………
57
73
73
69
68
Non-union…………………………………………………………………………
38
43
43
43
44
Average wage less than $15 per hour…………………………………………
30
34
34
34
34
Average wage $15 per hour or higher…………………………………………
55
63
62
62
61
Goods-producing industries……………………………………………………
48
56
56
56
54
Service-providing industries……………………………………………………
37
43
43
43
44
Establishments with 1-99 workers………………………………………………
27
31
31
31
30
Establishments with 100 or more workers……………………………………
55
64
65
64
64
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 101
Current Labor Statistics: Compensation & Industrial Relations
35. Continued—National Compensation Survey: Health insurance benefits in
private industry by access, particpation, and selected series, 2003-2007
Series
Year
2003
2004
2005
2007
2006
1
Percentage of workers participating
All workers……………………………………………………………………………
32
37
36
36
White-collar occupations 2 ………………………………………………………
37
43
42
41
-
Management, professional, and related ……………………………………
-
-
-
-
51
33
Sales and office…………………………………………………………………
Blue-collar occupations 2…………………………………………………………
Natural resources, construction, and maintenance…………………………
36
-
-
-
-
33
40
39
38
-
-
-
-
-
36
Production, transportation, and material moving……………………………
-
-
-
-
38
Service occupations………………………………………………………………
15
16
17
18
20
Full-time……………………………………………………………………………
40
46
45
44
44
Part-time……………………………………………………………………………
6
8
9
10
9
Union………………………………………………………………………………
51
68
67
63
62
Non-union…………………………………………………………………………
30
33
33
33
33
Average wage less than $15 per hour…………………………………………
22
26
24
23
23
Average wage $15 per hour or higher…………………………………………
47
53
52
52
51
Goods-producing industries………………………………………………………
42
49
49
49
45
Service-providing industries………………………………………………………
29
33
33
32
33
Establishments with 1-99 workers………………………………………………
21
24
24
24
24
Establishments with 100 or more workers………………………………………
44
52
51
50
49
-
-
78
78
77
Percentage of workers with access………………………………………………
25
29
29
29
29
Percentage of workers participating………………………………………………
19
22
22
22
22
Percentage of workers with access………………………………………………
-
-
64
67
68
Percentage of workers participating………………………………………………
-
-
48
49
49
Percent of estalishments offering healthcare benefits …………………......…
58
61
63
62
60
3
Take-up rate (all workers) …………………………………………………………
Vision care
Outpatient Prescription drug coverage
Percentage of medical premium paid by
Employer and Employee
Single coverage
Employer share……………………………………………………………………
82
82
82
82
81
Employee share…………………………………………………………………
18
18
18
18
19
Family coverage
Employer share……………………………………………………………………
70
69
71
70
71
Employee share…………………………………………………………………
30
31
29
30
29
1
The 2002 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaced the 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
System. Estimates for goods-producing and service-providing (formerly service-producing) industries are considered comparable.
Also introduced was the 2000 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) to replace the 1990 Census of Population system.
Only service occupations are considered comparable.
2
The white-collar and blue-collar occupation series were discontinued effective 2007.
3
The take-up rate is an estimate of the percentage of workers with access to a plan who participate in the plan.
Note: Where applicable, dashes indicate no employees in this category or data do not meet publication criteria.
102
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
36. National Compensation Survey: Percent of workers in private industry
with access to selected benefits, 2003-2007
Year
Benefit
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Life insurance……………………………………………………
50
51
52
52
58
Short-term disabilty insurance…………………………………
39
39
40
39
39
Long-term disability insurance…………………………………
30
30
30
30
31
Long-term care insurance………………………………………
11
11
11
12
12
Flexible work place………………………………………………
4
4
4
4
5
Flexible benefits………………………………………………
-
-
17
17
17
Dependent care reimbursement account…………..………
-
-
29
30
31
Healthcare reimbursement account……………………...…
-
-
31
32
33
Health Savings Account………………………………...………
-
-
5
6
8
Employee assistance program……………………….…………
-
-
40
40
42
Section 125 cafeteria benefits
Paid leave
Holidays…………………………………………...……………
79
77
77
76
77
Vacations……………………………………………..………
79
77
77
77
77
Sick leave………………………………………..……………
-
59
58
57
57
Personal leave…………………………………………..……
-
-
36
37
38
Paid family leave…………………………………………….…
-
-
7
8
8
Unpaid family leave………………………………………..…
-
-
81
82
83
Employer assistance for child care…………………….………
18
14
14
15
15
Nonproduction bonuses………………………...………………
49
47
47
46
47
Family leave
Note: Where applicable, dashes indicate no employees in this category or data do not
meet publication criteria.
37. Work stoppages involving 1,000 workers or more
Annual average
Measure
2006
Number of stoppages:
Beginning in period.............................
In effect during period…......................
2007
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
2008
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May.p
20
23
21
23
0
0
2
2
1
1
1
1
5
6
3
3
1
2
2
4
0
1
2
3
2
4
1
2
2
4
Workers involved:
Beginning in period (in thousands)…..
70.1
In effect during period (in thousands)… 191.0
189.2
220.9
.0
.0
4.0
4.0
1.1
1.1
1.0
1.0
108.3
108.3
41.7
41.7
10.5
14.2
6.5
20.7
.0
10.5
6.2
16.7
5.7
11.9
2.3
6.0
3.4
9.4
Days idle:
Number (in thousands)….................... 2,687.5
1,264.8
.0
19.6
6.6
9.0
261.5
73.9
284.0
254.8
220.5
148.8
140.9
104.4
125.0
.01
0
0
0
0
.01
0
.01
.01
.01
.01
0
0
0
1
Percent of estimated working time …
1
.01
Agricultural and government employees are included in the total employed
and total working time; private household, forestry, and fishery employees are
excluded. An explanation of the measurement of idleness as a percentage of
the total time
worked is found in "Total economy measures of strike idleness,"
October 1968, pp. 54–56.
NOTE:
Monthly Labor Review ,
p = preliminary.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 103
Current Labor Statistics: Price Data
38. Consumer Price Indexes for All Urban Consumers and for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers:
U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity or service group
[1982–84 = 100, unless otherwise indicated]
Annual average
Series
2006
2007
2008
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
201.6
603.9
195.7
195.2
193.1
212.8
186.6
207.342
621.106
203.300
202.916
201.245
222.107
195.616
207.949
622.921
202.225
201.791
200.334
220.939
195.886
208.352
624.129
202.885
202.441
200.950
222.605
197.175
208.299
623.970
203.533
203.121
201.401
223.297
196.690
207.917
622.827
204.289
203.885
202.126
223.981
197.204
208.490
624.543
205.279
204.941
203.193
223.372
198.323
208.936
625.879
206.124
205.796
204.333
224.691
198.474
210.177
629.598
206.563
206.277
204.745
225.668
198.616
210.036
629.174
206.936
206.704
205.208
226.461
198.755
211.080
632.301
208.837
208.618
207.983
228.661
200.035
211.693
634.139
209.462
209.166
208.329
233.389
199.688
213.528
639.636
209.692
209.385
208.203
236.261
199.775
214.823
643.515
211.365
211.102
210.851
240.034
200.770
216.632
648.933
212.251
212.054
211.863
244.192
200.960
Dairy and related products ……….…………………………
Fruits and vegetables…............................................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
181.4
252.9
194.770 187.266 191.435 197.899 201.739 203.541 205.319 205.959 205.299 206.905 208.166 206.171 207.680 207.778
262.628 264.710 258.337 254.616 252.845 259.100 263.648 268.407 272.482 279.072 272.129 268.446 272.746 276.481
materials….............................................................
Other foods at home…..............................................
Sugar and sweets…................................................
Fats and oils…........................................................
Other foods…..........................................................
147.4
169.6
171.5
168.0
185.0
153.432
173.275
176.772
172.921
188.244
113.9
115.105 114.692 116.101 115.017 116.072 114.628 114.850 115.396 115.267 115.162 118.182 117.321 118.500 118.744
199.4
136.6
200.7
203.2
232.1
225.1
206.659
144.068
207.026
209.586
240.611
234.679
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
FOR ALL URBAN CONSUMERS
All items..........................................................................
All items (1967 = 100).....................................................
Food and beverages......................................................
Food..................…........................................................
Food at home…..........................................................
Cereals and bakery products…................................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs…...............................
1
1,2
Other miscellaneous foods
……….…………………
1
Food away from home ……….…………………………………
1,2
Other food away from home ……….……………………
Alcoholic beverages….................................................
Housing..........................................................................
Shelter...............…......................................................
Rent of primary residence….....................................
Lodging away from home……………………………… 136.0
3
Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence ……….
1,2
Tenants' and household insurance ……….……………
Fuels and utilities…..................................................
Fuels...............….....................................................
Fuel oil and other fuels…......................................
Gas (piped) and electricity….................................
Household furnishings and operations…..................
Apparel ..........................................................................
Men's and boys' apparel…........................................
Women's and girls' apparel…...................................
1
Infants' and toddlers' apparel ……….………………………
Footwear…...............................................................
Transportation................................................................
Private transportation...............…...............................
2
New and used motor vehicles ……….……………………
New vehicles….......................................................
1
Used cars and trucks ……….………………………………
Motor fuel…..............................................................
Gasoline (all types)…..............................................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment….......................
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair…..................
Public transportation...............….................................
Medical care...................................................................
Medical care commodities...............…........................
Medical care services...............…...............................
Professional services…............................................
Hospital and related services…................................
2
Tuition, other school fees, and child care…............
1,2
1,4
other than telephone services ……….……………
205.233
143.160
206.599
208.902
239.877
233.549
153.104
173.790
176.665
171.581
189.353
205.934
143.157
207.383
210.649
240.980
234.071
153.384
174.440
178.235
173.691
189.518
206.931
144.785
207.624
211.286
242.067
234.732
154.791
174.686
178.256
174.251
189.781
207.756
145.376
208.264
211.098
242.238
235.311
155.007
174.201
178.172
174.105
189.076
208.805
146.752
208.408
210.865
241.990
236.058
155.545
174.695
177.236
176.050
189.695
209.275
146.074
209.126
210.701
242.405
237.135
154.299
173.963
178.600
175.327
188.340
209.854
146.628
209.018
210.745
242.207
238.169
153.648
174.057
178.631
176.068
188.325
210.233
145.814
208.704
210.933
242.372
239.102
157.863
176.085
180.193
181.813
190.037
211.070
146.649
210.425
212.244
243.871
239.850
157.805
177.863
180.588
184.878
192.064
211.878
148.385
212.044
213.026
244.786
240.325
158.089
178.238
182.214
182.808
192.597
212.537
148.564
212.407
214.389
245.995
240.874
159.730
181.806
184.878
190.640
195.993
213.083
148.667
213.503
214.890
246.004
241.474
158.336
182.680
185.097
193.364
196.787
213.967
149.666
213.532
215.809
246.069
241.803
142.813 144.112 148.622 153.016 150.236 144.480 143.172 136.703 133.545 140.176 144.092 149.434 146.378 145.634
238.2
246.235 245.236 245.690 246.149 246.815 247.487 248.075 248.876 249.532 250.106 250.481 250.966 251.418 251.576
116.5
194.7
177.1
234.9
182.1
127.0
119.5
114.1
110.7
117.004
200.632
181.744
251.453
186.262
126.875
118.998
112.368
110.296
116.386
198.574
179.798
241.473
184.737
127.309
121.452
114.342
114.444
117.106
206.199
188.040
241.589
193.911
127.361
117.225
110.869
107.826
116.577
206.140
187.624
245.680
193.184
126.894
113.500
109.568
101.291
116.926
204.334
185.453
246.542
190.710
126.520
114.439
109.032
103.237
116.783
204.264
185.306
252.580
190.158
126.193
119.535
112.380
110.973
116.640
200.836
181.509
261.745
185.337
126.233
121.846
114.953
113.402
116.997
202.161
182.725
291.845
184.753
126.252
121.204
114.807
112.166
117.003
203.006
183.516
299.296
185.155
126.066
118.257
112.026
109.418
117.435
204.796
185.107
306.937
186.475
126.515
115.795
110.691
104.367
117.622
205.795
185.994
308.269
187.376
126.753
117.839
112.917
106.340
117.701
209.221
189.693
332.139
190.105
127.423
120.881
114.994
110.645
118.422
213.302
194.121
342.811
194.379
127.332
122.113
116.653
111.221
118.411
219.881
201.212
363.872
200.999
127.598
120.752
116.479
108.722
116.5
123.5
180.9
177.0
113.948
122.374
184.682
180.778
113.632
123.041
189.961
186.376
111.546
120.602
189.064
185.175
108.759
119.375
187.690
183.619
110.221
120.329
184.480
180.408
113.611
123.183
184.532
180.586
117.149
124.675
184.952
180.919
117.339
125.005
190.677
186.839
113.779
122.258
189.984
186.134
113.861
121.148
190.839
186.978
115.750
122.377
190.520
186.571
116.037
124.407
195.189
191.067
116.358
126.212
198.608
194.574
114.582
125.537
205.262
201.133
95.6
137.6
140.0
221.0
219.9
117.3
215.6
226.6
336.2
285.9
350.6
289.3
468.1
110.9
104.6
116.8
94.303
136.254
135.747
239.070
237.959
121.583
222.963
230.002
351.054
289.999
369.302
300.792
498.922
111.443
102.949
119.577
93.981
136.295
134.481
265.781
264.830
120.990
221.999
228.251
349.087
288.661
367.127
299.700
494.122
111.659
103.560
118.787
93.842
135.820
135.067
260.655
259.686
120.885
222.553
233.389
349.510
288.508
367.758
300.052
494.916
111.563
103.416
118.734
93.961
135.415
136.024
252.909
251.883
121.514
223.487
235.767
351.643
290.257
370.008
301.131
499.400
111.347
102.779
119.025
94.121
135.204
137.138
238.194
237.108
121.730
224.019
233.112
352.961
291.164
371.461
302.259
501.026
111.139
102.311
120.311
93.985
134.927
137.142
239.104
237.993
122.292
224.302
230.694
353.723
291.340
372.432
302.410
504.206
111.400
102.759
121.273
94.201
135.344
136.950
239.048
237.819
123.017
224.939
232.725
355.653
292.161
374.750
303.532
510.006
111.753
103.157
121.557
94.562
136.250
136.616
262.282
260.943
123.487
225.672
233.758
357.041
293.201
376.250
303.780
515.359
111.842
102.719
121.409
94.754
136.664
136.943
258.132
256.790
123.928
226.120
233.408
357.661
293.610
376.940
304.784
515.677
111.705
102.691
121.506
94.834
136.827
137.203
260.523
259.338
124.282
227.732
234.334
360.459
295.355
380.135
306.529
523.313
112.083
102.986
121.762
94.581
136.279
137.248
259.242
257.845
125.225
228.731
235.724
362.155
296.130
382.196
307.928
527.971
112.365
103.171
121.766
94.318
135.727
137.225
278.739
276.497
126.325
229.765
242.929
363.000
297.308
382.872
308.726
528.968
112.731
103.548
121.832
93.973
135.175
136.787
294.291
291.910
126.049
230.528
244.164
363.184
296.951
383.292
309.227
530.144
112.874
103.477
122.073
93.705
134.669
136.325
322.124
319.787
126.824
231.730
251.600
363.396
294.896
384.505
310.917
531.022
112.987
102.988
122.348
Recreation ……….………………………………………….………
1,2
Video and audio ……….………………………………………
2
Education and communication ……….………………………
2
Education ……….………………………………………….……… 162.1
Educational books and supplies….......................... 388.9
Communication ……….………………………………………
1,2
Information and information processing ……….……
1,2
Telephone services ……….……………………………
Information and information processing
152.869
172.657
175.453
171.495
187.921
468.1
84.1
171.388 168.403 168.601 169.490 172.873 175.486 176.339 176.717 176.927 177.440 177.460 177.407 177.754 177.994
420.418 414.694 415.635 418.394 427.425 430.114 431.432 431.606 434.352 437.822 439.052 439.906 442.160 442.770
494.079 485.337 485.868 488.382 498.071 505.924 508.449 509.605 510.016 511.301 511.253 511.013 511.887 512.579
83.367 83.772 83.594 83.553 83.655 83.690 83.659 83.250 83.282 83.396 83.391 83.502 83.670 83.929
81.7
95.8
80.720
98.247
81.151
98.491
80.880
98.485
80.840
98.570
80.944
98.813
80.976
98.882
80.946
99.031
80.519
98.775
80.546
98.792
80.642
98.906
80.638
98.837
80.752
99.031
80.921
99.494
81.080
99.879
12.5
10.597
10.787
10.597
10.528
10.487
10.477
10.385
10.204
10.215
10.229
10.253
10.246
10.170
10.118
Personal computers and peripheral
1,2
104
equipment ……….…………………………………… 120.9
Other goods and services.............................................. 321.7
Tobacco and smoking products...............…............... 519.9
108.411 111.582 108.550 107.439 106.575 105.806 104.336 100.104 100.000 100.998 100.545 100.359 98.853 97.028
333.328 332.785 333.378 333.415 333.325 334.801 335.680 336.379 337.633 339.052 340.191 341.827 343.410 344.709
554.184 549.703 552.314 553.987 555.217 559.636 560.626 561.967 566.696 572.684 575.227 574.890 576.359 581.185
1
Personal care ……….………………………………………….… 190.2
1
Personal care products ……….…………………………… 155.8
1
Personal care services ……….…………………………… 209.7
195.622 195.641 195.835 195.704 195.521 196.202 196.763 197.156 197.643 198.112 198.716 199.982 201.028 201.523
158.285 158.594 158.771 158.457 157.788 157.643 158.381 158.561 158.236 158.201 157.677 158.440 159.398 158.790
216.559 216.228 215.860 216.720 217.028 217.589 217.887 218.604 219.656 219.932 220.848 222.752 222.799 223.649
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
38. Continued—Consumer Price Indexes for All Urban Consumers and for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity or service group
[1982–84 = 100, unless otherwise indicated]
Series
Annual average
2006
2007
May
Miscellaneous personal services...............…....
June
July
2007
Aug. Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
2008
Mar.
Apr.
May
313.6 324.984 324.661 325.259 324.579 325.566 327.783 328.056 328.610 329.908 332.183 333.826 335.427 337.685 339.824
Commodity and service group:
Commodities...........…............................................
Food and beverages….........................................
Commodities less food and beverages….............
Nondurables less food and beverages…............
Apparel ….........................................................
and apparel….................................................
Durables…..........................................................
Services…..............................................................
3
Rent of shelter ……….……………………………………
Transportation services…....................................
Other services…..................................................
164.0 167.509 169.767 168.921 167.938 166.955 167.952 168.664 171.043 170.511 171.179 171.530 173.884 175.838 178.341
195.7
145.9
176.7
119.5
203.300
147.515
182.526
118.998
202.225
151.136
190.075
121.452
202.885
149.669
187.249
117.225
203.533
148.016
183.947
113.500
204.289
146.317
180.480
114.439
205.279
147.289
182.902
119.535
206.124
147.924
184.091
121.846
206.563
151.067
190.560
121.204
206.936
150.162
188.635
118.257
208.837
150.303
188.692
115.795
209.462
150.530
189.420
117.839
209.692
153.682
196.185
120.881
211.365
155.690
200.926
122.113
212.251
158.778
207.875
120.752
216.3 226.224 237.116 235.097 231.983 225.694 226.509 227.026 238.067 236.735 238.389 238.297 247.546 254.599 266.943
114.5
238.9
241.9
230.8
277.5
112.473
246.848
250.813
233.731
285.559
112.637
245.793
250.055
231.777
284.541
112.375
247.450
251.200
233.202
284.656
112.177
248.331
252.358
234.632
284.859
112.036
248.555
252.530
234.563
286.492
111.746
248.700
252.272
234.322
288.469
111.889
248.878
252.713
235.458
289.307
112.103
248.974
252.495
236.449
289.592
112.093
249.225
252.669
236.504
289.945
112.300
250.648
254.239
237.347
290.905
112.094
251.527
255.199
237.929
291.406
112.059
252.817
256.470
239.556
292.218
111.671
253.426
256.463
240.150
293.016
111.362
254.509
256.532
242.343
293.959
Special indexes:
All items less food…............................................
202.7 208.098 208.991 209.353 209.179 208.607 209.100 209.478 210.846 210.610 211.512 212.136 214.236 215.462 217.411
All items less shelter…........................................
All items less medical care…...............................
Commodities less food….....................................
Nondurables less food….....................................
Nondurables less food and apparel….................
Nondurables….....................................................
191.9
194.7
148.0
178.2
213.9
186.7
253.3
229.6
196.9
203.7
205.9
140.6
223.0
244.7
3
Services less rent of shelter ……….…………………
Services less medical care services…................
Energy…..............................................................
All items less energy…........................................
All items less food and energy….......................
Commodities less food and energy…..............
Energy commodities......................................
Services less energy…....................................
196.639
200.080
149.720
184.012
223.411
193.468
260.764
236.847
207.723
208.925
210.729
140.053
241.018
253.058
197.783
200.779
153.228
191.064
233.150
196.916
259.262
235.870
219.071
208.400
210.316
140.518
265.562
252.050
197.913
201.178
151.825
188.463
231.414
195.749
261.677
237.565
221.088
208.636
210.474
139.589
260.739
252.955
197.408
201.042
150.225
185.382
228.641
194.326
262.284
238.357
217.274
208.980
210.756
138.757
253.696
253.998
196.803
200.598
148.591
182.170
223.057
192.869
262.588
238.507
209.294
209.399
211.111
138.895
239.885
254.491
197.708
201.159
149.541
184.450
223.802
194.616
263.243
238.604
209.637
210.000
211.628
139.828
241.120
254.706
198.171
201.544
150.180
185.610
224.338
195.646
263.109
238.657
207.588
210.714
212.318
140.501
241.642
255.385
199.998
202.770
153.234
191.668
234.241
199.253
263.599
238.671
219.009
210.888
212.435
140.547
265.420
255.549
199.734
202.600
152.344
189.844
233.014
198.422
263.966
238.894
217.506
210.890
212.356
140.014
261.976
255.785
200.609
203.569
152.531
190.000
234.667
199.346
265.311
240.201
219.465
211.846
213.138
139.845
264.660
257.220
201.110
204.136
152.799
190.781
234.736
200.030
266.154
241.004
219.311
212.545
213.866
140.324
263.508
258.098
203.217
205.992
155.881
197.167
243.109
203.767
267.567
242.310
230.505
213.420
214.866
141.056
283.362
259.249
205.040
207.317
157.870
201.693
249.571
207.096
269.007
242.921
240.194
213.851
215.059
141.156
298.757
259.503
207.566
209.170
160.880
208.233
260.703
211.240
271.467
243.982
257.106
214.101
215.180
140.677
326.414
260.049
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR URBAN
WAGE EARNERS AND CLERICAL WORKERS
All items....................................................................
197.1 202.767 203.661 203.906 203.700 203.199 203.889 204.338 205.891 205.777 206.744 207.254 209.147 210.698 212.788
All items (1967 = 100)...............................................
Food and beverages................................................
587.2
194.9
194.4
192.2
213.1
186.1
180.9
251.0
Food..................…..................................................
Food at home…....................................................
Cereals and bakery products…..........................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs….........................
1
Dairy and related products ……….……………………
Fruits and vegetables…......................................
Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage
materials….......................................................
Other foods at home….......................................
Sugar and sweets….........................................
Fats and oils…..................................................
Other foods…...................................................
1,2
Other miscellaneous foods ……….……………
1
Food away from home ……….……………………………
1,2
Other food away from home ……….………………
Alcoholic beverages…...........................................
Housing....................................................................
Shelter...............…................................................
Rent of primary residence…...............................
2
Lodging away from home ……….……………………
3
Owners' equivalent rent of primary residence …
1,2
Tenants' and household insurance ……….……
Fuels and utilities…...........................................
Fuels...............…..............................................
Fuel oil and other fuels…................................
Gas (piped) and electricity…..........................
Household furnishings and operations…............
Apparel ...................................................................
Men's and boys' apparel….................................
Women's and girls' apparel….............................
1
Infants' and toddlers' apparel ……….………………
Footwear….........................................................
Transportation..........................................................
Private transportation...............….........................
2
New and used motor vehicles ……….………………
See footnotes at end of table.
603.982
202.531
202.134
200.273
222.409
195.193
194.474
260.484
606.643
201.478
201.043
199.355
221.259
195.331
186.948
262.669
607.374
202.185
201.722
200.059
223.009
196.660
191.235
256.565
606.759
202.823
202.409
200.569
223.663
196.323
198.027
252.703
605.267
203.610
203.207
201.321
224.220
196.844
201.598
251.575
607.324
204.584
204.241
202.351
223.895
197.980
203.464
257.223
608.662
205.428
205.082
203.442
224.897
198.146
205.100
261.774
613.287
205.763
205.451
203.741
225.941
198.325
205.850
265.736
612.948
206.141
205.855
204.141
226.696
198.489
205.149
269.533
615.828
208.055
207.794
206.870
229.105
199.686
206.652
275.843
617.345
208.674
208.317
207.242
233.915
199.141
207.750
268.954
622.985
208.927
208.571
207.196
236.764
199.484
205.660
266.030
627.606
210.559
210.252
209.657
240.663
200.285
207.135
270.169
633.830
211.438
211.200
210.624
244.648
200.501
207.088
274.136
146.7 152.786 152.173 152.501 152.829 154.152 154.501 154.873 153.610 152.883 157.130 157.456 157.488 158.799 157.285
169.1
170.5
168.7
185.2
114.2
199.1
136.2
200.6
172.630
175.323
173.640
188.405
115.356
206.412
143.462
207.097
172.024
174.084
172.401
188.049
115.035
205.046
143.031
206.636
173.049
175.073
172.222
189.456
116.366
205.691
143.018
207.767
173.727
176.736
174.109
189.667
115.355
206.657
144.439
207.647
173.997
176.664
174.872
189.941
116.348
207.533
144.938
208.253
173.463
176.458
175.039
189.110
114.584
208.578
145.783
208.286
174.215
176.248
176.683
189.987
115.378
209.037
144.764
209.176
173.393
176.845
176.101
188.657
115.803
209.518
145.233
208.958
173.511
177.051
176.736
188.646
115.658
209.931
144.454
208.934
175.572
178.902
182.307
190.364
115.658
210.776
145.625
210.473
177.442
179.740
185.292
192.430
118.828
211.517
146.924
212.507
177.713
181.033
183.706
192.832
117.754
212.193
147.188
212.748
181.215
183.725
191.560
196.106
118.751
212.794
147.335
213.633
182.241
184.127
194.228
197.081
119.248
213.723
148.517
213.486
198.5
224.8
224.2
135.3
216.0
116.8
204.795
232.998
233.806
142.339
223.175
117.366
204.033
232.181
232.690
143.880
222.264
116.828
205.711
233.040
233.188
148.948
222.671
117.503
206.183
233.848
233.855
153.107
223.093
116.912
206.054
234.169
234.457
149.919
223.693
117.287
206.050
234.275
235.175
143.727
224.321
117.142
205.916
234.812
236.259
142.666
224.811
116.982
206.288
235.069
237.288
136.244
225.548
117.370
206.638
235.480
238.216
133.179
226.151
117.396
207.692
236.550
238.955
139.825
226.703
117.740
208.268
237.158
239.419
143.046
227.057
117.921
209.388
237.965
239.932
148.110
227.488
117.999
210.161
238.261
240.507
145.936
227.893
118.683
211.191
238.353
240.818
144.979
228.007
118.615
193.1
174.4
234.0
180.2
122.6
119.1
114.0
110.3
118.6
123.1
198.863
179.031
251.121
184.357
122.477
118.518
112.224
110.202
116.278
122.062
197.052
177.372
241.052
183.103
122.786
120.931
113.986
114.316
115.555
122.983
204.396
185.178
241.249
191.771
122.826
116.389
110.739
107.422
113.427
120.367
204.272
184.725
245.633
191.010
122.550
113.157
109.580
101.709
110.906
119.278
202.397
182.518
246.382
188.511
122.190
114.146
108.556
103.960
112.879
119.831
202.304
182.357
252.684
187.963
121.820
118.986
111.981
110.847
115.896
122.846
198.796
178.539
261.972
183.172
122.039
121.536
114.710
113.623
119.670
124.372
200.151
179.777
292.098
182.781
122.031
120.920
114.784
112.165
119.897
124.649
200.831
180.379
298.656
183.066
121.880
118.126
112.487
109.375
116.419
122.029
202.663
182.025
306.087
184.522
122.322
115.866
111.494
104.456
116.323
121.137
203.584
182.823
307.599
185.324
122.547
117.883
113.592
106.512
118.442
122.408
206.861
186.315
329.271
188.143
123.184
120.809
115.808
110.712
118.990
124.343
210.912
190.657
339.009
192.434
123.108
121.855
117.136
110.971
119.200
126.150
217.388
197.554
358.947
199.045
123.287
120.407
116.621
108.594
117.213
125.335
180.3 184.344 190.265 189.205 187.606 184.147 184.361 184.639 190.761 189.967 190.918 190.639 195.710 199.556 206.757
177.5 181.496 187.595 186.374 184.684 181.218 181.495 181.717 187.951 187.159 188.093 187.762 192.740 196.641 203.781
94.7
93.300 93.000 92.917 93.042 93.229 93.118 93.268 93.529 93.733 93.842 93.664 93.455 93.158 92.850
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 105
Current Labor Statistics: Price Data
38. Continued—Consumer Price Indexes for All Urban Consumers and for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: U.S. city
average, by expenditure category and commodity or service group
[1982–84 = 100, unless otherwise indicated]
Annual average
Series
2006
New vehicles…............................................
2007
2008
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
138.6 137.415 137.535 137.060 136.663 136.414 136.129 136.509 137.372 137.736 137.931 137.445 136.910 136.456 135.933
1
Used cars and trucks ……….……………………
Motor fuel…...................................................
Gasoline (all types)…..................................
Motor vehicle parts and equipment…............
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair….......
Public transportation...............….....................
Medical care.......................................................
Medical care commodities...............…............
Medical care services...............…...................
Professional services….................................
Hospital and related services….....................
140.8
221.6
220.7
116.9
218.1
225.0
136.586
239.900
238.879
121.356
225.535
228.531
135.320
266.737
265.874
120.709
224.623
227.024
135.917
261.679
260.799
120.666
225.172
231.549
136.880
253.893
252.957
121.350
226.090
233.390
137.999
239.097
238.100
121.584
226.636
231.082
137.996
240.271
239.252
122.144
226.881
229.148
137.798
240.040
238.906
122.830
227.472
231.182
137.457
263.248
262.013
123.302
228.267
231.999
137.791
259.032
257.792
123.786
228.692
231.363
138.052
261.531
260.457
124.416
230.255
232.594
138.094
260.402
259.112
125.238
231.349
233.979
138.070
279.975
277.842
126.330
232.344
240.729
137.616
295.618
293.349
126.032
232.983
241.966
137.145
323.495
321.291
126.742
234.221
249.310
335.7
279.0
351.1
291.7
463.6
350.882
282.558
370.111
303.169
493.740
348.801
281.502
367.696
301.979
488.523
349.145
280.862
368.384
302.346
489.292
351.346
282.662
370.696
303.481
493.563
352.704
283.379
372.261
304.677
495.191
353.571
283.712
373.306
304.841
498.533
355.719
284.517
375.899
306.072
505.077
357.165
285.475
377.498
306.300
510.836
357.745
285.913
378.119
307.333
510.961
360.710
287.703
381.507
309.169
518.853
362.329
288.335
383.510
310.426
523.654
363.069
289.254
384.149
311.259
524.534
363.356
288.796
384.753
311.757
526.495
363.462
286.825
385.769
313.294
527.230
108.2 108.572 108.905 108.681 108.403 108.179 108.495 108.793 108.805 108.702 109.046 109.315 109.742 109.775 109.876
2
Recreation ……….………………………………………
……….……………………………
103.9 102.559 103.137 103.001 102.358 101.923 102.427 102.833 102.465 102.523 102.839 103.028 103.525 103.414 102.958
Education and communication ……….……………
113.9 116.301 115.830 115.746 115.980 116.981 117.707 117.891 117.686 117.782 118.097 118.079 118.155 118.462 118.737
Education ……….………………………………………
Educational books and supplies…..............
160.3 169.280 166.667 166.758 167.527 170.635 173.060 173.700 174.016 174.276 175.134 175.118 175.101 175.545 175.791
390.7 423.730 417.791 418.705 421.529 431.089 433.670 434.800 434.979 437.391 441.207 441.927 442.639 444.594 445.394
Tuition, other school fees, and child care…
453.3 477.589 470.148 470.329 472.395 480.960 488.199 490.061 491.022 491.554 493.797 493.672 493.546 494.711 495.384
86.0 85.782 86.140 85.999 86.015 86.148 86.184 86.182 85.807 85.834 85.935 85.919 86.016 86.244 86.496
Video and audio
1,2
2
2
1,2
Communication ……….……………………………
1,2
Information and information processing …
1,2
Telephone services ……….…………………
Information and information processing
other than telephone services
1,4
……….…
84.3
83.928
84.304
84.095
84.111
84.248
84.283
84.282
83.894
83.917
84.008
83.992
84.091
84.320
84.511
95.9
98.373
98.610
98.603
98.721
98.964
99.024
99.149
98.874
98.887
98.988
98.931
99.090
99.566
99.939
13.0
11.062
11.243
11.062
11.001
10.965
10.958
10.877
10.710
10.722
10.737
10.754
10.745
10.671
10.621
Personal computers and peripheral
1,2
121.0 108.164 111.305 108.367 107.371 106.531 105.713 104.366 100.257 100.000 101.067 100.582 100.265 98.820 97.010
330.9 344.004 343.096 343.939 344.221 344.214 345.800 346.742 347.427 348.830 350.630 351.979 353.351 354.887 356.523
521.6 555.502 550.888 553.538 555.366 556.517 561.092 562.134 563.435 568.410 574.724 577.359 576.910 578.296 583.296
equipment ……….………………………
Other goods and services..................................
Tobacco and smoking products...............…....
1
Personal care ……….…………………………………
188.3 193.590 193.595 193.858 193.792 193.598 194.160 194.769 195.122 195.467 195.885 196.564 197.803 198.859 199.367
Personal care products ……….…………………
1
155.7 158.268 158.566 158.739 158.445 157.813 157.654 158.408 158.579 158.407 158.167 157.877 158.730 159.585 158.993
Personal care services ……….…………………
Miscellaneous personal services...............…
1
209.8 216.823 216.489 216.174 217.040 217.354 217.822 218.149 218.897 219.945 220.324 221.338 223.043 223.088 223.922
314.1 326.100 325.617 326.572 326.135 327.235 329.329 329.706 330.258 330.850 333.154 334.868 336.476 338.851 341.212
Commodity and service group:
Commodities...........….......................................
Food and beverages…....................................
Commodities less food and beverages…........
Nondurables less food and beverages…......
Apparel …...................................................
165.7
194.9
148.7
182.6
119.1
169.554
202.531
150.865
189.507
118.518
172.126
201.478
154.964
198.237
120.931
171.216
202.185
153.367
195.053
116.389
170.252
202.823
151.724
191.603
113.157
169.122
203.610
149.781
187.515
114.146
170.141
204.584
150.795
189.981
118.986
170.865
205.428
151.448
191.230
121.536
173.489
205.763
155.011
198.661
120.920
172.952
206.141
154.086
196.636
118.126
173.711
208.055
154.345
196.910
115.866
174.083
208.674
154.603
197.606
117.883
176.727
208.927
158.156
205.166
120.809
178.900
210.559
160.488
210.558
121.855
181.837
211.438
164.188
218.794
120.407
Nondurables less food, beverages,
and apparel…............................................
Durables…....................................................
226.1 237.858 250.737 248.347 244.695 237.329 238.345 238.798 251.442 249.863 251.751 251.621 262.252 270.496 285.024
114.6 112.640 112.686 112.485 112.425 112.362 112.114 112.241 112.413 112.450 112.688 112.560 112.549 112.171 111.845
Services….........................................................
234.1 241.696 240.672 242.241 242.901 243.118 243.436 243.572 243.906 244.275 245.484 246.154 247.197 248.045 249.175
3
216.6 224.617 223.833 224.655 225.455 225.760 225.867 226.393 226.636 227.035 228.071 228.660 229.443 229.719 229.810
230.6 233.420 231.542 232.623 233.737 233.831 233.868 234.848 235.874 236.020 236.883 237.426 238.496 239.044 240.728
268.2 275.218 274.697 274.670 274.766 276.015 277.702 278.404 278.513 278.783 279.780 280.199 281.017 281.829 282.720
Rent of shelter ……….………………………………
Transporatation services…............................
Other services….............................................
Special indexes:
All items less food….......................................
All items less shelter…...................................
All items less medical care….........................
Commodities less food…...............................
Nondurables less food…................................
Nondurables less food and apparel…............
Nondurables…...............................................
3
Services less rent of shelter ……….……………
Services less medical care services…...........
Energy…........................................................
All items less energy…...................................
All items less food and energy…..................
Commodities less food and energy…........
Energy commodities.................................
Services less energy…...............................
1
2
3
106
Not seasonally adjusted.
Indexes on a December 1997 = 100 base.
Indexes on a December 1982 = 100 base.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
4
197.5
189.2
191.3
150.6
183.8
223.0
189.5
202.698
193.940
196.564
152.875
190.698
234.201
196.772
203.955
195.463
197.543
156.872
198.945
245.886
200.781
204.121
195.489
197.783
155.339
195.988
243.806
199.476
203.750
194.913
197.504
153.730
192.714
240.471
198.000
203.011
194.109
196.949
151.846
188.873
233.817
196.266
203.638
195.018
197.629
152.837
191.210
234.745
198.017
204.015
195.440
198.022
153.499
192.442
235.233
199.075
205.783
197.479
199.565
156.977
199.471
246.726
203.087
205.575
197.174
199.431
156.073
197.551
245.286
202.222
206.371
198.113
200.329
156.365
197.892
247.136
203.268
206.877
198.592
200.800
156.670
198.660
247.188
203.933
209.055
200.904
202.713
160.152
205.843
256.899
208.101
210.583
202.931
204.290
162.455
211.005
264.488
211.757
212.870
205.774
206.423
166.070
218.809
277.717
216.582
224.7
225.3
196.8
198.0
199.2
141.1
223.0
239.9
230.876
232.195
208.066
203.002
203.554
140.612
241.257
247.888
229.694
231.253
220.348
202.489
203.163
141.011
266.260
246.894
231.965
232.848
221.832
202.582
203.132
140.019
261.460
247.606
232.367
233.415
217.795
202.849
203.310
139.352
254.282
248.434
232.450
233.562
209.441
203.319
203.710
139.557
240.247
248.977
232.982
233.839
209.933
204.037
204.363
140.491
241.692
249.398
232.628
233.850
207.885
204.797
205.107
141.236
241.955
250.127
233.029
234.115
219.861
205.066
205.355
141.254
265.598
250.546
233.314
234.468
218.104
205.155
205.377
140.815
261.928
250.925
234.576
235.557
220.163
205.991
205.992
140.696
264.633
252.103
235.258
236.154
219.983
206.588
206.605
141.238
263.601
252.756
236.483
237.201
231.533
207.296
207.406
141.973
283.359
253.589
237.922
238.048
241.518
207.812
207.687
142.040
298.852
254.031
240.181
239.167
258.903
208.021
207.747
141.558
326.565
254.517
Indexes on a December 1988 = 100 base.
NOTE: Index applied to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
39. Consumer Price Index: U.S. city average and available local area data: all items
[1982–84 = 100, unless otherwise indicated]
Pricing
U.S. city average……………………………………………
All Urban Consumers
sched-
2007
ule1
Dec.
Urban Wage Earners
2008
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
2007
Apr.
May
Dec.
2008
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
M
210.036 211.080 211.693 213.528 214.823 216.632 205.777 206.744 207.254 209.147 210.698 212.788
Northeast urban……….………………………………………….………
M
223.425 224.325 225.213 226.926 228.133 230.089 220.146 221.065 221.702 223.209 224.794 227.114
Size A—More than 1,500,000...........................................
M
225.688 226.310 227.411 229.087 230.038 232.005 220.824 221.492 222.315 223.795 225.144 227.412
M
132.323 133.301 133.511 134.611 135.739 136.913 132.856 133.766 133.893 134.846 136.141 137.624
M
200.227 201.427 201.896 203.723 205.393 207.168 195.493 196.617 197.110 198.989 200.788 202.912
M
201.519 202.830 203.347 205.141 206.590 208.291 195.839 196.963 197.549 199.378 200.989 202.969
M
128.040 128.753 128.922 130.121 131.484 132.682 127.740 128.561 128.695 129.922 131.354 132.867
Region and area size2
3
Size B/C—50,000 to 1,500,000 ……….…………………………
4
Midwest urban ……….………………………………………….………
Size A—More than 1,500,000...........................................
3
Size B/C—50,000 to 1,500,000 ……….…………………………
Size D—Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000)………….....
M
195.819 196.708 197.596 199.472 200.841 202.720 194.099 194.850 195.774 197.864 199.325 201.494
South urban…….…..............................................................
M
203.457 204.510 205.060 206.676 208.085 210.006 200.850 201.814 202.291 204.044 205.669 207.912
Size A—More than 1,500,000...........................................
M
206.078 207.221 207.605 209.065 209.987 211.846 204.370 205.304 205.588 207.336 208.511 210.748
M
129.368 129.937 130.351 131.442 132.516 133.714 128.206 128.767 129.144 130.243 131.428 132.808
3
Size B/C—50,000 to 1,500,000 ……….…………………………
Size D—Nonmetropolitan (less than 50,000)………….....
M
202.878 204.524 205.189 206.933 208.746 211.225 203.333 204.954 205.523 207.600 209.641 212.533
West urban…….…...............................................................
M
214.733 215.739 216.339 218.533 219.437 221.009 209.488 210.342 210.816 213.159 214.355 216.029
Size A—More than 1,500,000...........................................
M
218.020 219.036 219.799 221.997 222.689 224.704 211.095 212.040 212.614 214.954 216.055 218.141
M
130.481 131.328 131.538 132.896 133.694 134.023 130.309 130.935 131.148 132.640 133.570 134.133
M
M
M
192.140 193.045 193.685 195.314 196.191 197.898 190.622 191.461 191.982 193.702 194.886 196.844
129.718 130.431 130.728 131.892 132.974 133.997 129.156 129.830 130.092 131.273 132.471 133.729
202.333 203.200 203.803 205.730 207.238 209.308 200.867 201.685 202.292 204.422 205.951 208.246
Chicago–Gary–Kenosha, IL–IN–WI…………………………..
Los Angeles–Riverside–Orange County, CA……….…………
M
M
207.155 208.757 209.526 211.542 212.662 214.932 200.217 201.525 202.497 204.742 205.885 208.403
219.373 220.918 221.431 223.606 224.625 226.651 212.282 213.825 214.231 216.493 217.914 219.702
New York, NY–Northern NJ–Long Island, NY–NJ–CT–PA…
M
229.395 229.869 231.020 233.122 233.822 236.151 223.873 224.557 225.281 226.951 228.215 230.923
Boston–Brockton–Nashua, MA–NH–ME–CT……….…………
1
– 231.980
– 233.084
– 235.344
– 231.291
– 232.656
– 235.419
Cleveland–Akron, OH……………………………………………
1
– 199.686
– 202.500
– 204.882
– 190.115
– 192.995
– 195.898
Dallas–Ft Worth, TX…….………………………………………
1
– 197.079
– 198.596
– 202.357
– 199.407
– 201.892
– 206.258
Washington–Baltimore, DC–MD–VA–WV ……….……………
1
– 136.293
– 138.090
– 139.649
– 135.826
– 137.544
– 139.332
Atlanta, GA……………………..…………………………………
2
202.751
– 204.166
– 206.371
– 202.034
– 203.473
– 205.801
–
Detroit–Ann Arbor–Flint, MI……………………………………
2
200.201
– 202.378
– 205.281
– 195.866
– 197.670
– 201.037
–
Houston–Galveston–Brazoria, TX………………………………
2
186.246
– 187.585
– 188.795
– 184.975
– 185.904
– 188.463
–
Miami–Ft. Lauderdale, FL……………...………………………
2
217.319
– 219.082
– 221.324
– 215.561
– 216.971
– 219.456
–
Philadelphia–Wilmington–Atlantic City, PA–NJ–DE–MD……
2
219.025
– 220.935
– 223.622
– 218.791
– 220.718
– 223.295
–
San Francisco–Oakland–San Jose, CA…….…………………
2
218.485
– 219.612
– 222.074
– 214.204
– 214.913
– 217.913
–
Seattle–Tacoma–Bremerton, WA………………...……………
2
218.966
– 221.728
– 223.196
– 214.024
– 216.332
– 218.483
–
3
Size B/C—50,000 to 1,500,000 ……….…………………………
Size classes:
5
A ……….………………………………………….…………..……………
3
B/C ……………………….….………………………………………….…
D…………….…………......................................................
Selected local areas 6
7
1
Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other
goods and services priced as indicated:
M—Every month.
1—January, March, May, July, September, and November.
2—February, April, June, August, October, and December.
2
Regions defined as the four Census regions.
3
Indexes on a December 1996 = 100 base.
4
The "North Central" region has been renamed the "Midwest" region by the Census
Bureau. It is composed of the same geographic entities.
5
Indexes on a December 1986 = 100 base.
6
In addition, the following metropolitan areas are published semiannually and
appear in tables 34 and 39 of the January and July issues of the CPI Detailed
Report :
Anchorage,
AK;
Cincinnatti,
OH–KY–IN; Kansas
City,
MO–KS;
Milwaukee–Racine, WI; Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN–WI; Pittsburgh, PA; Port-land–Salem,
OR–WA; St Louis, MO–IL; San Diego, CA; Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater, FL.
7
Indexes on a November 1996 = 100 base.
NOTE: Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program. Each local
index has a smaller sample size and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling
and other measurement error. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than
the national index, although their long-term trends are similar. Therefore, the Bureau of
Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average CPI for use
in their escalator clauses. Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
Dash indicates data not available.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 107
Current Labor Statistics: Price Data
40. Annual data: Consumer Price Index, U.S. city average, all items and major groups
[1982–84 = 100]
Series
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers:
All items:
Index..................……...............................................
Percent change............................……………………
Food and beverages:
Index................…….................................................
Percent change............................……………………
Housing:
Index....………………...............................................
Percent change............................……………………
Apparel:
Index........................…….........................................
Percent change............................……………………
Transportation:
Index........................………......................................
Percent change............................……………………
Medical care:
Index................…….................................................
Percent change............................……………………
Other goods and services:
Index............…….....................................................
Percent change............................……………………
Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners
and Clerical Workers:
All items:
Index....................……………...................................
Percent change............................……………………
108
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
160.5
2.3
163.0
1.6
166.6
2.2
172.2
3.4
177.1
2.8
179.9
1.6
184.0
2.3
188.9
2.7
195.3
3.4
201.6
3.2
207.342
2.8
157.7
2.6
161.1
2.2
164.6
2.2
168.4
2.3
173.6
3.1
176.8
1.8
180.5
2.1
186.6
3.3
191.2
2.5
195.7
2.4
203.300
3.9
156.8
2.6
160.4
2.3
163.9
2.2
169.6
3.5
176.4
4.0
180.3
2.2
184.8
2.5
189.5
2.5
195.7
3.3
203.2
3.8
209.586
3.1
132.9
.9
133.0
.1
131.3
–1.3
129.6
–1.3
127.3
–1.8
124.0
–2.6
120.9
–2.5
120.4
–.4
119.5
–.7
119.5
.0
118.998
-0.4
144.3
0.9
141.6
–1.9
144.4
2.0
153.3
6.2
154.3
0.7
152.9
–.9
157.6
3.1
163.1
3.5
173.9
6.6
180.9
4.0
184.682
2.1
234.6
2.8
242.1
3.2
250.6
3.5
260.8
4.1
272.8
4.6
285.6
4.7
297.1
4.0
310.1
4.4
323.2
4.2
336.2
4.0
351.054
4.4
224.8
4.4
237.7
5.7
258.3
8.7
271.1
5.0
282.6
4.2
293.2
3.8
298.7
1.9
304.7
2.0
313.4
2.9
321.7
2.6
333.328
3.6
157.6
2.3
159.7
1.3
163.2
2.2
168.9
3.5
173.5
2.7
175.9
1.4
179.8
2.2
184.5
5.1
191.0
1.1
197.1
3.2
202.767
2.9
41. Producer Price Indexes, by stage of processing
[1982 = 100]
Grouping
Finished goods....……………………………
Finished consumer goods.........................
Finished consumer foods........................
Annual average
2006
2007
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
2008
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.p Mar.p Apr.p
Mayp
160.4
166.0
156.7
166.6
173.5
167.0
167.5
174.8
166.8
167.2
174.4
166.3
168.5
176.2
166.4
166.1
173.0
166.3
167.4
174.8
168.4
168.6
175.9
169.7
171.4
179.4
169.5
170.4
178.2
172.2
172.0
180.1
174.5
172.2
180.2
173.8
175.4
184.4
175.9
176.7
186.0
175.4
179.6
190.1
177.7
excluding foods.....................................
Nondurable goods less food.................
Durable goods......................................
Capital equipment...................................
169.2
182.6
136.9
146.9
175.6
191.7
138.3
149.5
177.6
195.0
137.7
149.1
177.2
194.5
137.7
149.0
179.7
198.1
137.6
149.1
175.3
191.8
137.2
149.0
177.0
194.6
136.7
148.9
177.9
194.5
139.8
150.6
182.9
201.5
140.2
151.0
180.1
197.9
139.5
150.7
181.9
200.3
140.1
151.4
182.4
200.7
140.4
152.0
187.3
207.9
140.4
152.1
189.8
211.4
140.7
152.5
194.7
219.6
140.1
152.5
Intermediate materials,
supplies, and components........…………
164.0
170.7
171.1
172.0
173.6
171.5
172.2
172.2
176.2
175.7
177.8
178.8
184.1
186.9
192.6
for manufacturing......................................
Materials for food manufacturing..............
Materials for nondurable manufacturing...
Materials for durable manufacturing.........
Components for manufacturing................
155.9
146.2
175.0
180.5
134.5
162.4
161.4
184.0
189.8
136.3
162.8
160.6
182.9
195.0
136.0
163.6
163.0
184.9
194.8
136.2
164.5
163.6
187.1
195.1
136.4
163.4
164.5
185.0
191.8
136.5
163.3
166.6
186.0
189.1
136.5
164.4
166.3
189.4
189.0
136.6
166.1
166.6
195.1
188.6
136.7
166.3
169.8
195.1
188.1
136.8
168.4
173.6
199.3
189.5
137.4
169.8
177.2
201.3
192.2
137.7
172.5
180.3
204.3
199.6
138.1
174.5
179.7
207.7
203.5
138.8
178.8
182.8
214.4
212.8
139.3
Materials and components
for construction.........................................
Processed fuels and lubricants...................
Containers..................................................
Supplies......................................................
188.4
162.8
175.0
157.0
192.5
173.9
180.3
161.7
192.8
176.2
179.6
160.8
193.1
178.1
179.7
161.4
193.5
183.0
180.2
161.9
193.5
175.3
180.5
162.0
193.2
178.4
181.0
162.3
193.2
175.5
182.3
163.0
193.2
189.7
183.2
163.9
193.4
186.3
183.4
164.6
194.4
188.6
185.1
166.8
195.5
188.4
185.6
168.0
197.2
205.7
185.9
169.5
199.3
212.3
187.0
170.5
203.4
227.2
188.0
172.9
Crude materials for further
processing.......................…………………
Foodstuffs and feedstuffs...........................
Crude nonfood materials............................
184.8
119.3
230.6
207.1
146.7
246.3
208.0
148.1
246.6
209.7
148.4
249.6
210.3
150.0
249.2
202.8
147.8
237.6
204.6
151.9
237.4
211.8
150.0
252.0
225.6
152.9
274.1
229.0
158.5
275.4
235.5
162.6
283.8
245.5
164.5
300.0
265.6
168.0
333.1
274.3
166.5
349.9
294.4
172.7
385.4
Special groupings:
Finished goods, excluding foods................
Finished energy goods...............................
Finished goods less energy........................
Finished consumer goods less energy.......
Finished goods less food and energy.........
161.0
145.9
157.9
162.7
158.7
166.2
156.3
162.8
168.7
161.7
167.4
161.9
162.4
168.3
161.3
167.1
160.9
162.3
168.2
161.3
168.8
166.4
162.4
168.3
161.4
165.8
155.6
162.5
168.4
161.5
166.9
159.7
163.0
169.2
161.5
168.1
159.1
164.7
170.8
163.2
171.6
170.4
164.9
171.0
163.6
169.6
163.8
165.5
172.0
163.5
171.0
166.6
166.7
173.5
164.4
171.5
166.3
167.1
173.8
165.1
174.9
177.5
167.9
174.8
165.4
176.7
182.6
168.1
174.9
165.9
179.8
193.8
168.8
176.0
166.1
and energy................................................
Consumer nondurable goods less food
166.7
170.0
169.5
169.6
169.7
170.0
170.0
171.8
172.2
172.2
173.2
174.1
174.4
175.0
175.3
and energy..............................................
191.5
197.0
196.5
196.7
197.1
197.9
198.3
199.0
199.3
200.0
201.4
202.7
203.5
204.2
205.9
Intermediate materials less foods
and feeds..................................................
Intermediate foods and feeds.....................
Intermediate energy goods.........................
Intermediate goods less energy..................
165.4
135.2
162.8
162.1
171.5
154.4
174.6
167.6
172.1
151.6
176.7
167.6
172.9
154.5
179.2
168.1
174.5
155.9
184.2
168.8
172.3
156.3
177.0
168.1
172.9
158.2
179.5
168.2
172.9
159.6
177.4
168.9
177.0
161.4
191.1
170.2
176.3
164.6
187.8
170.4
178.2
170.6
190.5
172.3
179.1
174.7
190.9
173.4
184.4
179.8
208.1
175.5
187.4
178.6
213.8
177.4
193.1
184.8
228.6
181.1
and energy................................................
163.8
168.4
168.6
169.0
169.6
168.8
168.9
169.5
170.8
170.9
172.5
173.5
175.3
177.5
181.0
Crude energy materials..............................
Crude materials less energy.......................
Crude nonfood materials less energy.........
226.9
152.3
244.5
232.8
182.6
282.6
233.0
183.7
282.8
238.0
183.6
281.5
236.8
185.5
284.0
221.7
183.8
284.7
219.9
188.3
289.9
237.7
187.4
292.8
267.1
189.2
289.9
268.3
194.1
291.7
273.6
200.9
307.3
291.5
205.3
320.2
330.5
210.7
332.2
344.1
215.4
359.4
389.0
224.4
376.2
Finished consumer goods
Materials and components
Finished consumer goods less food
Intermediate materials less foods
p = preliminary.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 109
Current Labor Statistics: Productivity Data
42. Producer Price Indexes for the net output of major industry groups
[December 2003 = 100, unless otherwise indicated]
NAICS
Industry
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
2008
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.p Mar. p
Apr.p
May p
211
212
213
Total mining industries (December 1984=100).............................
Oil and gas extraction (December 1985=100) .............................
Mining, except oil and gas……………………………………………
Mining support activities………………………………………………
221.1
268.2
159.1
172.8
222.6
270.9
159.3
171.2
222.3
269.6
162.4
168.9
212.5
254.1
160.8
168.6
214.3
256.2
162.2
169.7
228.3
279.6
162.4
168.5
249.3
314.8
161.3
168.7
249.5
315.9
161.2
164.9
254.2
321.9
164.9
167.2
263.8
334.1
171.7
168.7
290.0
375.6
175.6
170.0
299.0
390.3
176.4
170.0
328.9
440.5
174.3
171.3
311
312
313
315
316
321
322
323
324
Total manufacturing industries (December 1984=100)................
Food manufacturing (December 1984=100)…………………………
Beverage and tobacco manufacturing...........................................
Textile mills....................................................................................
Apparel manufacturing………………………………...………………
Leather and allied product manufacturing (December 1984=100)
Wood products manufacturing………………………………………
Paper manufacturing.....................................................................
Printing and related support activities...........................................
Petroleum and coal products manufacturing
163.8
158.7
109.2
107.6
101.5
149.6
107.0
114.8
106.5
274.3
163.7
160.3
109.3
107.8
101.4
149.4
107.5
115.2
106.5
268.2
164.9
160.4
109.2
108.4
101.5
149.4
108.4
115.4
106.7
283.1
163.0
160.3
109.9
108.6
101.5
149.9
107.8
115.6
106.8
258.0
163.7
160.8
110.3
108.7
101.3
150.0
107.2
116.1
107.0
267.4
164.5
160.7
111.1
108.9
101.5
150.4
106.5
117.1
107.1
266.9
168.0
161.4
111.1
109.1
101.5
150.5
106.1
117.8
107.2
305.5
166.9
162.8
111.2
109.3
101.5
151.1
106.1
118.0
107.4
288.4
168.5
165.8
112.1
110.1
101.8
152.0
105.7
118.5
107.8
294.9
169.4
167.8
112.8
110.8
101.8
152.6
105.4
119.1
108.1
297.1
173.4
170.2
112.6
110.3
102.0
152.5
105.8
119.6
108.1
336.4
175.1
170.9
113.0
110.8
102.2
152.8
106.0
120.2
109.2
347.6
179.3
174.2
114.4
111.7
102.2
152.7
108.3
120.4
109.4
384.1
325
326
(December 1984=100)………………………………….…………
Chemical manufacturing (December 1984=100)…………………… 201.9
149.8
Plastics and rubber products manufacturing
202.8
149.9
203.6
150.4
204.9
151.3
205.0
151.2
206.4
151.6
209.2
152.2
210.4
153.2
213.6
154.8
215.7
155.8
216.9
156.5
220.4
156.3
224.1
158.5
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
Primary metal manufacturing (December 1984=100)………………
Fabricated metal product manufacturing (December 1984=100)…
Machinery manufacturing………………………..……………………
Computer and electronic products manufacturing…………………
Electrical equipment, appliance, and components manufacturing
Transportation equipment manufacturing……………………………
Furniture and related product manufacturing
197.1
162.5
112.1
94.7
121.8
104.4
165.7
196.4
162.2
112.0
94.6
122.1
104.4
165.9
196.4
162.3
112.1
94.1
123.0
104.4
165.6
192.1
162.9
112.3
93.5
123.6
104.2
165.7
188.8
162.8
112.5
93.3
123.7
103.8
165.9
188.6
163.3
112.7
93.1
124.2
106.3
166.1
188.9
163.7
113.0
92.8
124.5
106.6
166.6
188.6
164.3
113.1
92.6
124.4
106.0
166.4
190.4
165.6
113.8
92.6
125.2
106.6
167.1
194.4
165.8
114.4
92.6
126.1
106.6
167.8
202.9
167.8
114.8
92.8
128.4
106.3
167.8
210.5
170.6
115.2
92.7
127.3
106.5
169.7
221.6
172.9
115.7
92.8
128.1
106.3
170.6
339
Miscellaneous manufacturing………………………………………… 107.1
107.0
106.9
107.0
107.1
107.2
107.5
107.7
108.5
109.1
109.3
109.5
109.7
115.6
115.2
110.2
123.0
86.1
129.5
116.2
116.2
112.4
123.1
86.5
127.7
115.6
116.5
111.6
123.6
81.6
123.1
114.9
119.6
109.8
124.3
71.3
128.3
116.0
119.0
107.8
123.9
73.7
126.0
115.3
120.1
111.1
123.5
78.0
130.2
116.1
121.1
114.9
123.8
73.7
125.7
118.0
119.0
89.3
123.8
66.6
134.7
118.3
119.6
109.0
124.8
67.1
136.0
118.9
120.6
87.9
124.0
59.5
135.5
118.8
122.2
88.0
125.9
61.1
134.3
119.0
119.2
110.9
128.0
65.6
136.2
118.5
118.6
109.5
127.9
60.9
136.9
Air transportation (December 1992=100)…………………………… 177.8
Water transportation…………………………………………………… 111.5
Postal service (June 1989=100)……………………………………… 175.4
185.9
111.7
175.4
188.0
113.6
175.5
189.1
114.7
175.5
180.5
115.3
175.5
187.2
117.2
175.5
189.4
116.5
175.5
187.1
116.4
175.5
192.0
119.0
175.5
192.4
120.5
175.5
197.2
120.8
175.5
199.5
122.1
175.5
201.4
122.3
180.5
129.9
131.6
130.8
129.3
127.2
126.6
127.4
127.8
128.4
129.7
133.6
135.7
122.0
106.4
123.6
157.4
113.7
112.2
122.1
107.2
123.6
157.6
113.9
112.5
122.2
107.0
123.8
158.1
114.9
112.9
122.2
107.7
123.9
158.0
115.7
113.2
122.9
107.6
124.1
158.2
115.8
113.5
122.9
107.7
125.1
161.3
116.4
113.9
121.5
106.7
125.3
161.9
116.5
114.3
122.7
106.7
125.3
161.9
117.0
114.6
123.3
107.3
125.4
162.4
117.9
115.4
122.9
107.9
125.7
162.0
117.3
116.1
121.0
106.8
125.6
162.7
117.6
118.2
122.3
107.4
125.5
162.9
118.2
118.0
123.2
107.4
125.5
162.7
118.1
117.6
108.2
101.6
100.7
100.4
118.7
106.0
110.4
104.0
114.1
153.3
110.9
108.1
101.8
101.0
100.3
118.6
106.8
110.8
103.7
114.4
153.4
111.4
108.2
98.7
102.2
100.4
120.5
106.2
111.1
103.8
121.2
153.7
112.2
108.4
98.7
101.3
100.4
120.4
107.9
111.1
103.2
122.3
153.8
112.6
108.4
99.6
102.0
100.4
121.1
109.0
110.7
102.9
117.2
154.3
112.4
108.5
101.0
101.8
100.3
121.4
108.5
110.5
103.5
118.9
154.8
113.1
108.5
102.3
101.2
100.5
124.2
108.5
110.5
106.1
118.4
155.1
112.9
108.5
103.6
100.7
100.4
123.0
110.0
109.9
105.6
119.1
155.1
113.0
109.7
104.4
100.6
100.4
122.5
108.1
110.3
106.6
121.3
159.9
115.6
109.4
102.3
100.8
100.6
117.1
107.8
110.1
106.1
120.9
160.1
114.2
110.4
103.2
100.8
100.6
118.4
107.9
110.6
107.2
121.6
160.6
113.0
110.7
102.4
102.1
100.5
119.2
109.1
110.0
107.1
117.8
160.8
111.9
110.4
103.4
101.3
100.9
120.1
109.2
106.1
107.1
123.2
160.9
114.2
139.8
105.1
121.4
101.0
105.4
107.2
141.1
140.1
105.1
121.6
101.4
105.4
107.2
143.1
140.3
105.1
121.8
101.1
105.5
107.3
147.1
140.8
105.1
121.9
101.0
105.5
107.9
147.2
140.7
105.1
122.0
100.9
106.8
108.9
145.0
140.8
105.1
122.4
102.5
106.9
108.9
145.8
140.8
105.1
122.3
101.7
107.1
109.5
144.7
140.8
105.1
122.2
100.2
108.7
108.4
143.7
139.2
105.2
122.3
98.8
108.9
110.7
145.4
139.1
105.0
122.3
97.3
108.2
112.2
142.9
140.0
105.2
122.5
98.7
107.7
112.1
144.2
140.4
106.0
122.3
98.8
109.0
112.3
146.0
140.5
105.8
122.7
98.8
109.7
112.0
144.8
(December 1984=100)………….…………………………………
(December 1984=100)………………………………………………
Retail trade
441
442
443
446
447
454
Motor vehicle and parts dealers………………………………………
Furniture and home furnishings stores………………………………
Electronics and appliance stores……………………………………
Health and personal care stores………………………………………
Gasoline stations (June 2001=100)…………………………………
Nonstore retailers………………………………………………………
Transportation and warehousing
481
483
491
Utilities
221
Utilities…………………………………………………………………… 125.4
Health care and social assistance
6211
6215
6216
622
6231
62321
Office of physicians (December 1996=100)…………………………
Medical and diagnostic laboratories…………………………………
Home health care services (December 1996=100)…………………
Hospitals (December 1992=100)……………………………………
Nursing care facilities…………………………………………………
Residential mental retardation facilities………………………………
Other services industries
511
515
517
5182
523
53112
5312
5313
5321
5411
541211
5413
Publishing industries, except Internet ………………………………
Broadcasting, except Internet…………………………………………
Telecommunications……………………………………………………
Data processing and related services………………………………
Security, commodity contracts, and like activity……………………
Lessors or nonresidental buildings (except miniwarehouse)………
Offices of real estate agents and brokers……………………………
Real estate support activities…………………………………………
Automotive equipment rental and leasing (June 2001=100)………
Legal services (December 1996=100)………………………………
Offices of certified public accountants………………………………
Architectural, engineering, and related services
(December 1996=100)………………………………………………
54181
Advertising agencies……………………………………………………
5613
Employment services (December 1996=100)………………………
56151
Travel agencies…………………………………………………………
56172
Janitorial services………………………………………………………
5621
Waste collection…………………………………………………………
721
Accommodation (December 1996=100)……………………………
p = preliminary.
110
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
43. Annual data: Producer Price Indexes, by stage of processing
[1982 = 100]
Index
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Finished goods
Total...............................................................................
Foods............................…………………………….……
Energy............……………………………………….….…
Other…...............................………………………….……
131.8
134.5
83.4
142.4
130.7
134.3
75.1
143.7
133.0
135.1
78.8
146.1
138.0
137.2
94.1
148.0
140.7
141.3
96.8
150.0
138.9
140.1
88.8
150.2
143.3
145.9
102.0
150.5
148.5
152.7
113.0
152.7
155.7
155.7
132.6
156.4
160.4
156.7
145.9
158.7
166.6
166.9
156.4
161.7
Intermediate materials, supplies, and
components
Total...............................................................................
Foods............……………………………………….….…
Energy…...............................………………………….…
Other.................…………...………..........………….……
125.6
123.2
89.0
134.2
123.0
123.2
80.8
133.5
123.2
120.8
84.3
133.1
129.2
119.2
101.7
136.6
129.7
124.3
104.1
136.4
127.8
123.2
95.9
135.8
133.7
134.4
111.9
138.5
142.6
145.0
123.2
146.5
154.0
146.0
149.2
154.6
164.0
146.2
162.8
163.8
170.6
161.5
174.6
168.4
111.1
112.2
87.3
103.5
96.8
103.9
68.6
84.5
98.2
98.7
78.5
91.1
120.6
100.2
122.1
118.0
121.0
106.1
122.3
101.5
108.1
99.5
102.0
101.0
135.3
113.5
147.2
116.9
159.0
127.0
174.6
149.2
182.2
122.7
234.0
176.7
184.8
119.3
226.9
210.0
207.3
146.7
233.0
238.8
Crude materials for further processing
Total...............................................................................
Foods............................…………………………….……
Energy............……………………………………….….…
Other…...............................………………………….……
44. U.S. export price indexes by end-use category
[2000 = 100]
Category
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
Sept.
2008
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
ALL COMMODITIES……………....................................
115.5
116.0
116.1
116.3
116.7
117.6
118.7
119.3
120.7
121.8
123.8
124.3
124.8
Foods, feeds, and beverages……………...……………
Agricultural foods, feeds, and beverages….............
Nonagricultural (fish, beverages) food products……
145.1
147.0
129.8
148.6
151.0
128.5
149.2
151.5
130.2
151.4
153.7
132.2
157.8
160.8
133.0
164.1
167.6
134.2
165.9
169.8
133.1
171.1
175.2
136.1
180.5
185.0
142.0
188.7
193.8
144.7
196.9
202.6
148.3
192.8
198.2
146.2
193.3
198.9
144.8
Industrial supplies and materials……………...………… 148.3
149.0
148.6
148.8
148.8
150.5
153.9
154.1
157.1
159.1
165.5
167.9
169.4
Agricultural industrial supplies and materials…........
125.1
128.7
138.6
137.4
140.0
142.7
144.9
144.7
146.0
150.6
159.3
158.1
157.1
Fuels and lubricants…...............................…………
199.1
201.1
202.9
197.4
200.9
204.8
224.7
222.8
232.1
225.6
249.5
259.4
274.7
Nonagricultural supplies and materials,
excluding fuel and building materials…………...…
Selected building materials…...............................…
145.7
113.3
146.1
113.9
144.6
114.1
145.7
114.0
145.0
114.4
146.5
114.2
147.9
113.8
148.5
113.7
150.9
113.3
154.1
113.8
158.2
114.2
160.1
114.0
159.9
113.8
Capital goods……………...…………………………….… 99.5
Electric and electrical generating equipment…........ 106.4
Nonelectrical machinery…...............................……… 92.9
99.6
106.5
92.9
99.7
106.6
93.1
99.8
106.7
93.1
99.9
106.7
93.1
100.1
107.1
93.2
100.3
107.2
93.4
100.6
107.5
93.6
100.9
107.7
93.7
101.3
108.3
93.9
101.2
108.6
93.7
101.5
108.7
93.9
101.6
108.6
93.9
Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines……………...
106.0
106.1
106.2
106.2
106.3
106.5
106.5
106.7
106.9
107.0
107.1
107.5
107.5
Consumer goods, excluding automotive……………... 105.7
Nondurables, manufactured…...............................… 106.4
Durables, manufactured…………...………..........…… 104.0
105.8
106.7
103.7
106.1
107.0
104.0
106.3
107.2
104.2
106.2
107.0
104.2
106.4
107.4
104.2
106.8
108.0
104.4
107.3
108.2
105.2
107.3
108.1
105.2
107.4
108.2
105.5
108.0
109.3
105.4
108.1
109.9
105.1
108.1
110.1
105.0
Agricultural commodities……………...…………………
Nonagricultural commodities……………...……………
146.7
113.8
149.0
113.7
150.5
113.8
156.8
113.8
162.8
114.4
165.0
115.4
169.3
115.7
177.5
116.6
185.6
117.3
194.3
118.8
190.5
119.6
190.9
120.0
142.8
113.6
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 111
Current Labor Statistics: Price Data
45. U.S. import price indexes by end-use category
[2000 = 100]
Category
2007
May
June
July
Aug.
2008
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
May
118.6
120.0
121.5
121.1
121.8
123.6
127.5
127.3
129.2
129.5
133.5
137.3
140.9
Foods, feeds, and beverages……………...……………
Agricultural foods, feeds, and beverages….............
Nonagricultural (fish, beverages) food products……
127.4
139.1
101.2
127.8
139.5
101.5
129.4
141.4
102.7
130.1
142.1
103.2
131.8
144.4
103.5
133.2
146.5
103.2
133.4
147.1
102.5
134.4
148.3
103.0
138.1
153.1
104.3
137.8
152.6
104.4
141.8
157.3
106.8
143.7
159.8
107.2
145.3
162.7
105.9
Industrial supplies and materials……………...………… 180.5
185.6
190.9
188.5
190.7
197.2
212.8
211.3
218.2
219.0
234.5
248.5
263.3
Fuels and lubricants…...............................…………
Petroleum and petroleum products…………...……
228.2
234.3
238.2
245.6
249.8
260.3
244.0
256.4
250.0
264.4
262.4
277.7
294.8
312.2
290.3
306.7
301.9
319.6
300.0
315.6
329.0
347.5
354.0
375.1
384.6
408.4
Paper and paper base stocks…...............................
110.6
110.8
110.3
110.7
111.2
112.2
108.0
109.2
112.5
113.4
114.1
116.3
118.2
Materials associated with nondurable
supplies and materials…...............................………
Selected building materials…...............................…
Unfinished metals associated with durable goods…
Nonmetals associated with durable goods…...........
125.1
111.2
217.1
101.7
125.4
113.1
219.7
101.6
126.6
116.9
215.1
102.1
127.3
116.5
215.3
102.2
128.2
116.9
209.1
102.5
131.4
115.7
211.0
103.0
133.7
115.6
214.8
103.3
135.3
116.0
217.2
103.8
143.6
115.9
215.3
105.4
146.6
113.8
224.5
105.9
147.8
114.1
241.5
105.2
148.8
114.3
259.4
106.2
149.4
116.0
263.6
107.3
Capital goods……………...…………………………….… 91.1
Electric and electrical generating equipment…........
105.2
Nonelectrical machinery…...............................……… 87.0
91.3
105.7
87.2
91.6
105.8
87.4
91.8
106.4
87.6
91.9
106.5
87.7
92.0
106.8
87.7
92.1
107.5
87.7
92.2
107.9
87.7
91.9
107.7
87.4
92.0
108.7
87.4
92.2
109.3
87.5
93.0
111.6
88.0
93.3
111.7
88.3
Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines……………...
104.6
104.7
104.8
105.0
105.2
105.6
106.2
106.8
107.1
107.2
107.4
107.8
107.8
Consumer goods, excluding automotive……………...
101.3
Nondurables, manufactured…...............................… 104.3
Durables, manufactured…………...………..........…… 98.1
Nonmanufactured consumer goods…………...……… 102.4
101.4
104.3
98.2
102.6
101.7
104.8
98.3
103.1
102.0
104.9
98.8
103.4
102.1
105.0
98.8
103.4
102.2
105.1
99.0
103.3
102.4
105.3
99.2
103.3
102.6
105.5
99.3
103.8
103.1
106.5
99.6
104.0
103.5
106.8
100.0
104.1
104.0
107.5
100.4
104.3
104.8
107.9
101.4
105.6
105.0
108.0
101.7
105.8
46. U.S. international price Indexes for selected categories of services
[2000 = 100, unless indicated otherwise]
Category
112
Apr.
ALL COMMODITIES……………....................................
2006
Mar.
June
2007
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
June
2008
Sept.
Dec.
Mar.
Import air freight……………...........................................
Export air freight……………...……………………………
129.7
113.6
135.2
115.9
133.1
117.9
131.2
116.7
130.7
117.0
132.3
117.0
134.2
119.8
141.8
127.1
144.4
131.4
Import air passenger fares (Dec. 2006 = 100)……………
Export air passenger fares (Dec. 2006 = 100)…............
114.9
130.8
136.7
139.3
130.9
142.4
125.4
137.3
122.9
140.2
144.6
147.3
140.2
154.6
135.3
155.7
131.3
156.4
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
47. Indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, and unit costs, quarterly data seasonally adjusted
[1992 = 100]
2005
Item
I
II
2006
III
IV
I
II
2007
III
IV
I
II
2008
III
IV
I
Business
Output per hour of all persons........................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Unit labor costs…...............................……………………
Unit nonlabor payments…………...………..........………
Implicit price deflator………………………………………
134.3
161.4
120.2
120.2
128.1
123.1
134.3
161.6
119.6
120.4
129.8
123.9
135.9
164.1
119.5
120.8
132.1
125.0
135.5
165.4
119.3
122.0
133.0
126.1
136.3
168.3
120.8
123.4
133.0
127.0
136.7
168.1
119.6
123.0
136.6
128.0
136.1
168.7
118.9
123.9
136.7
128.7
136.5
173.5
122.7
127.1
132.0
128.9
136.8
176.1
123.5
128.7
132.8
130.2
138.1
177.1
122.8
128.3
135.4
130.9
140.3
178.7
123.1
127.4
137.1
131.0
140.6
181.2
123.3
128.9
136.3
131.7
141.4
183.3
123.4
129.6
136.8
132.3
133.4
160.3
119.4
120.2
129.6
123.6
133.5
160.8
119.0
120.5
131.3
124.5
135.0
163.2
118.9
120.9
133.8
125.6
134.5
164.3
118.5
122.1
134.7
126.8
135.2
167.0
119.9
123.5
134.9
127.7
135.7
167.0
118.8
123.1
138.8
128.9
135.1
167.6
118.1
124.0
138.6
129.4
135.6
172.5
122.0
127.2
133.4
129.5
136.1
175.2
122.8
128.8
133.8
130.6
137.0
175.8
121.9
128.4
136.4
131.3
139.0
177.2
122.0
127.5
137.9
131.3
139.6
180.1
122.5
129.0
136.8
131.9
140.5
182.3
122.7
129.7
137.5
132.6
141.0
158.0
117.7
111.8
112.1
111.0
151.2
121.8
115.3
141.9
158.5
117.2
111.5
111.7
111.0
160.8
124.4
115.9
141.3
160.8
117.1
113.9
113.8
114.4
146.6
123.0
116.9
142.1
161.8
116.7
113.5
113.9
112.3
158.8
124.7
117.5
142.8
163.8
117.6
114.1
114.8
112.3
164.0
126.1
118.5
141.9
163.9
116.7
115.2
115.5
114.2
164.8
127.7
119.6
142.7
164.6
116.0
114.9
115.3
114.0
172.8
129.7
120.1
143.0
169.3
119.8
117.4
118.4
114.7
150.4
124.3
120.3
143.5
171.4
120.2
118.2
119.5
114.9
154.7
125.5
121.5
144.2
172.4
119.5
118.3
119.5
115.0
158.5
126.7
121.9
145.3
173.6
119.5
118.2
119.5
114.7
154.3
125.3
121.4
146.1
176.1
119.8
119.0
120.5
115.1
146.8
123.5
121.5
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
170.0
166.2
123.8
97.7
172.0
168.0
124.3
97.7
172.9
170.4
124.1
98.6
172.8
168.7
121.7
97.6
172.6
172.4
123.8
99.9
172.7
170.5
121.3
98.7
174.5
171.6
120.9
98.4
175.4
177.4
125.5
101.1
177.0
181.7
127.4
102.7
178.7
181.6
125.9
101.6
180.6
181.9
125.2
100.7
182.5
185.2
126.0
101.5
184.1
188.7
127.0
102.5
Nonfarm business
Output per hour of all persons........................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Unit labor costs…...............................……………………
Unit nonlabor payments…………...………..........………
Implicit price deflator………………………………………
Nonfinancial corporations
Output per hour of all employees...................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Total unit costs…...............................……………………
Unit labor costs.............................................................
Unit nonlabor costs......................................................
Unit profits......................................................................
Unit nonlabor payments…………...………..........………
Implicit price deflator………………………………………
Manufacturing
Output per hour of all persons........................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Unit labor costs…...............................……………………
NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 113
Current Labor Statistics: Productivity Data
48. Annual indexes of multifactor productivity and related measures, selected years
[2000 = 100, unless otherwise indicated]
Item
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Private business
Productivity:
Output per hour of all persons......……………..............
87.4
Output per unit of capital services……………………… 104.6
Multifactor productivity……………………………………
93.7
Output…...............................………………………….……
79.2
90.0
104.7
95.3
82.8
91.7
104.9
96.2
87.2
94.3
103.5
97.5
91.5
97.2
102.3
98.7
96.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
102.8
96.0
100.1
100.5
107.1
94.8
101.8
102.0
111.2
95.6
104.4
105.2
114.5
97.5
107.0
109.7
116.8
98.6
108.8
113.8
118.0
99.1
109.4
117.4
120.2
98.1
110.1
120.1
88.8
75.7
84.4
83.6
90.7
79.1
86.9
85.9
94.2
83.2
90.6
87.4
96.4
88.4
93.9
91.1
99.0
94.1
97.5
95.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
98.6
104.6
100.3
107.0
97.2
107.6
100.2
112.9
97.0
110.0
100.7
116.3
98.4
112.5
102.5
117.4
100.2
115.4
104.6
118.4
102.8
118.5
107.4
119.1
103.8
122.3
109.2
122.3
Productivity:
Output per hour of all persons........……………………… 88.2
Output per unit of capital services……………………… 105.6
94.5
Multifactor productivity……………………………………
Output…...............................………………………….……
79.3
90.5
105.5
95.9
82.8
92.0
105.3
96.5
87.2
94.5
103.9
97.8
91.5
97.3
102.5
98.8
96.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
102.7
96.0
100.1
100.5
107.1
94.7
101.8
102.1
111.0
95.4
104.3
105.2
114.2
97.3
106.8
109.6
116.4
98.3
108.6
113.7
117.6
98.7
109.0
117.4
119.7
97.9
109.7
120.1
88.2
75.0
83.9
83.5
90.2
78.5
86.4
85.8
93.9
82.7
90.3
87.3
96.2
88.1
93.6
91.0
99.0
93.9
97.4
94.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
98.7
104.7
100.5
107.0
97.2
107.8
100.2
113.1
97.1
110.3
100.8
116.4
98.6
112.7
102.6
117.4
100.4
115.6
104.7
118.4
103.1
118.9
107.6
119.1
104.1
122.8
109.4
122.4
Productivity:
Output per hour of all persons...…………………………
Output per unit of capital services………………………
Multifactor productivity……………………………………
Output…...............................………………………….……
79.8
98.7
90.8
80.3
82.7
98.0
91.2
83.1
87.3
100.6
93.8
89.2
92.0
100.7
95.9
93.8
96.1
100.4
96.7
97.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.6
93.5
98.7
94.9
108.6
92.3
102.4
94.3
115.3
93.2
105.2
95.2
117.9
95.4
108.0
96.9
123.5
98.9
108.4
100.4
125.0
100.2
110.1
102.3
–
–
–
–
Inputs:
Hours of all persons.....................................................
Capital services…………...………..........………….……
Energy……………….……….........................................
Nonenergy materials....................................................
Purchased business services.......................................
Combined units of all factor inputs…………...………...
100.6
81.4
113.7
78.9
88.8
88.5
100.4
84.8
110.4
86.0
88.5
91.1
102.2
88.7
108.2
92.9
92.1
95.1
101.9
93.2
105.4
97.7
95.0
97.8
101.3
97.0
105.5
102.6
100.0
100.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
93.5
101.5
90.6
93.3
100.7
96.2
86.8
102.1
89.3
88.4
98.2
92.1
82.6
102.1
84.4
87.7
99.1
90.5
82.2
101.6
84.0
87.3
97.0
89.7
81.3
101.5
91.6
92.4
104.5
92.7
81.8
102.0
86.6
91.5
106.6
92.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
Inputs:
Labor input...................................................................
Capital services…………...………..........………….……
Combined units of labor and capital input………………
Capital per hour of all persons.......................……………
Private nonfarm business
Inputs:
Labor input...................................................................
Capital services…………...………..........………….……
Combined units of labor and capital input………………
Capital per hour of all persons......…………………………
Manufacturing [1996 = 100]
NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.
114
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
49. Annual indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, selected years
[1992 = 100]
Item
1962
1972
1982
1992
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Business
Output per hour of all persons........................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Unit labor costs…...............................……………………
Unit nonlabor payments…………...………..........………
Implicit price deflator………………………………………
52.9
15.1
65.2
28.5
26.1
27.6
71.2
26.7
83.3
37.4
35.7
36.8
80.1
63.6
90.6
79.4
70.1
75.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.8
125.8
108.1
111.5
109.4
110.7
116.1
134.7
112.0
116.0
107.2
112.7
119.1
140.3
113.5
117.9
110.0
114.9
123.9
145.3
115.7
117.3
114.2
116.1
128.7
151.2
117.7
117.5
118.3
117.8
132.4
156.9
119.0
118.5
124.7
120.8
135.0
163.2
119.7
120.9
130.8
124.5
136.4
169.6
120.5
124.4
134.6
128.2
139.0
178.3
123.2
128.3
135.4
131.0
55.9
15.6
67.3
27.8
25.8
27.1
73.1
26.9
84.0
36.8
34.9
36.1
80.8
63.9
91.1
79.1
69.3
75.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.5
125.2
107.6
111.3
110.9
111.1
115.7
134.2
111.6
116.0
108.7
113.3
118.6
139.5
112.8
117.7
111.6
115.4
123.5
144.6
115.1
117.1
116.0
116.7
128.0
150.4
117.1
117.5
119.6
118.3
131.6
155.9
118.2
118.5
125.5
121.1
134.1
162.1
118.9
120.9
132.4
125.1
135.4
168.5
119.7
124.5
136.4
128.9
137.9
177.1
122.3
128.4
136.2
131.3
60.4
17.4
75.1
27.3
28.7
23.4
54.5
31.7
29.7
74.2
28.8
90.0
37.5
38.8
33.9
54.1
39.3
39.0
83.1
66.5
94.7
80.4
80.0
81.3
75.2
79.7
79.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
117.9
124.2
106.7
104.0
105.3
100.4
129.1
108.0
106.2
122.5
133.0
110.6
107.4
108.6
104.2
108.7
105.4
107.5
124.7
138.6
112.1
111.6
111.2
112.6
82.2
104.5
108.9
129.7
143.6
114.3
110.7
110.7
110.8
98.0
107.4
109.6
134.6
149.5
116.4
111.0
111.0
111.1
109.9
110.7
110.9
139.6
153.9
116.7
110.0
110.3
109.3
144.8
118.8
113.1
141.6
159.8
117.2
112.7
112.9
112.2
154.4
123.5
116.4
142.6
165.4
117.5
115.4
116.0
113.8
162.9
126.9
119.7
144.8
173.4
119.8
118.5
119.8
114.9
153.5
125.2
121.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
133.7
123.5
106.1
92.4
102.9
99.5
139.1
134.7
112.0
96.9
103.5
101.4
141.2
137.8
111.5
97.6
102.0
100.6
151.0
147.8
117.7
97.9
100.3
99.5
160.4
158.2
123.2
98.7
102.9
101.5
163.9
161.5
122.4
98.5
110.2
106.4
171.9
168.3
123.5
97.9
121.1
113.5
173.8
173.0
122.8
99.5
126.2
117.4
179.7
182.6
126.1
101.6
–
–
Nonfarm business
Output per hour of all persons........................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Unit labor costs…...............................……………………
Unit nonlabor payments…………...………..........………
Implicit price deflator………………………………………
Nonfinancial corporations
Output per hour of all employees...................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Total unit costs…...............................……………………
Unit labor costs.............................................................
Unit nonlabor costs......................................................
Unit profits......................................................................
Unit nonlabor payments…………...………..........………
Implicit price deflator………………………………………
Manufacturing
Output per hour of all persons........................................
Compensation per hour…………………………….………
Real compensation per hour………………………………
Unit labor costs…...............................……………………
Unit nonlabor payments…………...………..........………
Implicit price deflator………………………………………
Dash indicates data not available.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 115
Current Labor Statistics: Productivity Data
50. Annual indexes of output per hour for selected NAICS industries, 1987-2006
[1997=100]
NAICS
116
Industry
Mining
1987
1990
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
85.5
80.1
80.1
69.8
58.4
71.2
88.5
85.1
75.7
75.7
79.3
68.1
79.9
92.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.6
101.2
101.2
104.5
106.5
109.3
101.3
111.4
107.9
107.9
105.8
110.3
112.3
101.2
111.0
119.4
119.4
106.3
115.8
122.0
96.2
109.1
121.6
121.6
109.0
114.6
131.9
99.3
113.6
123.8
123.8
110.9
112.4
138.6
103.6
116.0
130.1
130.1
113.6
113.2
142.8
108.1
106.8
111.7
111.7
115.9
112.8
137.4
114.2
96.0
107.8
107.8
114.0
107.6
130.0
118.2
87.2
100.3
100.3
110.6
100.0
123.4
118.7
65.6
67.8
71.1
71.4
100.0
100.0
103.7
99.0
103.5
102.7
107.0
113.2
106.4
110.1
102.9
115.4
105.1
114.1
107.5
118.3
114.3
122.2
115.4
119.0
21
211
2111
212
2121
2122
2123
Mining………………………………………………….
Oil and gas extraction…………………………………
Oil and gas extraction…………………………………
Mining, except oil and gas……………………………
Coal mining……………………………………………
Metal ore mining………………………………………
Nonmetallic mineral mining and quarrying…………
2211
2212
Power generation and supply…………………………
Natural gas distribution………………………………
311
3111
3112
3113
3114
Food………………………………………………….
Animal food……………………………………………
Grain and oilseed milling………………………………
Sugar and confectionery products……………………
Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty………
94.1
83.6
81.1
87.6
92.4
93.9
91.5
88.6
89.5
87.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.9
109.0
107.5
103.5
107.1
105.9
110.9
116.1
106.5
109.5
107.1
109.7
113.1
109.9
111.8
109.5
131.4
119.5
108.6
121.4
113.8
142.7
122.4
108.0
126.9
116.8
165.8
123.9
112.5
123.0
117.3
149.5
130.3
118.2
126.2
123.3
165.5
133.0
130.7
132.0
121.1
150.4
130.7
129.2
126.9
3115
3116
3117
3118
3119
Dairy products…………………………………………
82.7
Animal slaughtering and processing………………… 97.4
Seafood product preparation and packaging……… 123.1
Bakeries and tortilla manufacturing………………… 100.9
Other food products…………………………………… 97.5
91.1
94.3
119.7
94.5
92.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
120.2
103.8
107.8
93.6
101.2
131.6
108.6
111.4
95.9
102.6
140.5
108.3
112.6
97.1
103.7
153.0
109.9
106.2
105.0
107.3
169.8
108.9
111.9
110.5
106.6
173.2
109.3
118.8
107.4
108.0
162.2
113.8
119.3
109.6
117.4
186.1
115.4
116.2
110.2
116.9
203.8
110.5
116.3
312
3121
3122
313
3131
Beverages and tobacco products……………………
Beverages………………………………………………
Tobacco and tobacco products………………………
Textile mills……………………………………………
Fiber, yarn, and thread mills…………………………
78.1
77.1
71.9
73.7
66.5
87.6
87.6
79.1
77.2
74.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
97.6
99.0
98.5
102.6
102.1
87.3
90.7
91.0
106.2
103.9
88.3
90.8
95.9
106.7
101.3
89.5
92.7
98.2
109.5
109.1
82.6
99.4
67.0
125.3
133.3
90.9
108.3
78.7
136.1
148.8
94.7
114.1
82.4
138.6
154.1
100.5
120.3
93.1
152.8
143.5
94.0
112.0
94.9
150.5
139.7
3132
3133
314
3141
3149
Fabric mills……………………………………………
Textile and fabric finishing mills………………………
Textile product mills……………………………………
Textile furnishings mills………………………………
Other textile product mills……………………………
68.0
91.3
93.0
91.2
92.2
75.3
82.0
90.2
88.0
91.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
104.2
101.2
98.7
99.3
96.7
110.0
102.2
102.5
99.1
107.6
110.1
104.4
107.1
104.5
108.9
110.3
108.5
104.5
103.1
103.1
125.4
119.8
107.3
105.5
105.1
137.3
125.1
112.7
114.4
104.2
138.6
127.7
123.4
122.3
120.4
164.1
139.8
128.0
125.7
128.9
170.5
126.2
121.1
117.3
126.1
315
3151
3152
3159
316
Apparel…………………………………………………
Apparel knitting mills…………………………………
Cut and sew apparel…………………………………
Accessories and other apparel………………………
Leather and allied products…………………………
71.9
76.2
69.8
97.8
71.6
73.7
86.2
70.1
101.3
72.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.8
96.1
102.3
109.0
106.6
111.7
101.4
114.6
99.2
112.7
116.8
108.9
119.8
98.3
120.3
116.5
105.6
119.5
105.2
122.4
102.9
112.0
103.9
76.1
97.7
112.4
105.6
117.2
78.7
99.8
103.4
96.6
108.4
70.8
109.5
110.9
120.0
113.5
74.0
123.6
114.0
123.7
117.6
67.3
132.5
3161
3162
3169
321
3211
Leather and hide tanning and finishing………………
Footwear………………………………………………
Other leather products…………………………………
Wood products…………………………………………
Sawmills and wood preservation……………………
94.0
76.7
92.3
95.0
77.6
90.7
78.1
89.9
97.5
79.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.3
102.1
113.3
101.2
100.3
98.1
117.3
110.4
102.9
104.7
100.1
122.3
122.8
102.7
105.4
100.3
130.7
117.6
106.1
108.8
81.2
102.7
96.2
113.6
114.4
82.2
104.8
100.3
114.7
121.3
93.5
100.7
127.7
115.6
118.2
118.7
105.6
149.7
123.1
127.3
118.1
115.4
174.6
124.9
129.7
3212
3219
322
3221
3222
Plywood and engineered wood products…………… 99.7
Other wood products………………………………… 103.0
Paper and paper products……………………………
85.8
Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills…………………… 81.7
Converted paper products……………………………
89.0
102.8
105.3
87.1
84.0
90.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
105.1
101.0
102.3
102.5
102.5
98.7
104.5
104.1
111.1
100.1
98.8
103.0
106.3
116.3
101.1
105.2
104.7
106.8
119.9
100.5
110.3
113.9
114.2
133.1
105.6
107.0
113.9
118.9
141.4
109.6
102.9
119.6
123.4
148.0
112.9
110.2
126.3
124.5
147.7
114.8
117.4
125.3
127.3
151.1
116.6
323
3231
324
3241
325
Printing and related support activities………………
Printing and related support activities………………
Petroleum and coal products…………………………
Petroleum and coal products…………………………
Chemicals………………………………………………
97.6
97.6
71.1
71.1
85.9
97.5
97.5
75.4
75.4
86.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.6
100.6
102.2
102.2
99.9
102.8
102.8
107.1
107.1
103.5
104.6
104.6
113.5
113.5
106.6
105.3
105.3
112.1
112.1
105.3
110.2
110.2
118.0
118.0
114.2
111.1
111.1
119.2
119.2
118.4
114.5
114.5
123.4
123.4
125.8
119.5
119.5
123.8
123.8
134.1
121.1
121.1
122.8
122.8
137.5
3251
3252
3253
3254
3255
Basic chemicals………………………………………
Resin, rubber, and artificial fibers……………………
Agricultural chemicals…………………………………
Pharmaceuticals and medicines……………………
Paints, coatings, and adhesives……………………
94.6
77.4
80.4
87.3
89.3
93.4
76.4
85.8
91.3
87.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
102.7
106.0
98.8
93.8
100.1
115.7
109.8
87.4
95.7
100.3
117.5
109.8
92.1
95.6
100.8
108.8
106.2
90.0
99.5
105.6
123.8
123.1
99.2
97.4
108.9
136.0
122.2
108.4
101.5
115.2
154.4
121.9
117.4
104.1
119.1
165.2
130.5
132.5
110.0
120.8
169.3
134.9
130.7
115.0
115.4
3256
3259
326
3261
3262
Soap, cleaning compounds, and toiletries…………
Other chemical products and preparations…………
Plastics and rubber products…………………………
Plastics products………………………………………
Rubber products………………………………………
84.4
75.4
80.9
83.1
75.5
84.8
77.8
84.7
85.2
83.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
98.0
99.2
103.2
104.2
99.4
93.0
109.3
107.9
109.9
100.2
102.8
119.7
110.2
112.3
101.7
106.0
110.4
112.3
114.6
102.3
124.1
120.8
120.8
123.8
107.1
118.2
123.0
126.0
129.5
111.0
135.3
121.3
128.7
131.9
114.4
153.1
123.5
132.6
135.6
118.7
162.9
118.1
132.8
133.8
124.9
327
3271
3272
3273
Nonmetallic mineral products…………………………
Clay products and refractories………………………
Glass and glass products……………………………
Cement and concrete products………………………
87.6
86.9
82.4
93.6
87.2
89.4
79.1
96.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.7
101.2
101.3
105.1
104.3
102.7
106.7
105.9
102.5
102.9
108.1
101.6
100.0
98.4
102.9
98.0
104.6
99.7
107.5
102.4
111.2
103.5
115.3
108.3
108.7
109.2
113.8
102.8
115.3
114.6
123.1
106.5
114.6
111.9
132.9
103.1
Utilities
Manufacturing
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
50. Continued - Annual indexes of output per hour for selected NAICS industries, 1987-2006
[1997=100]
NAICS
1987
1990
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
3274
3279
331
3311
3312
Lime and gypsum products……………………………
Other nonmetallic mineral products…………………
Primary metals…………………………………………
Iron and steel mills and ferroalloy production………
Steel products from purchased steel…………………
Industry
88.2
83.0
81.0
64.8
79.7
85.4
79.5
84.7
70.2
84.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
114.9
99.0
102.0
101.3
100.6
104.4
95.6
102.8
104.8
93.8
98.5
96.6
101.3
106.0
96.4
101.8
98.6
101.0
104.4
97.9
99.0
106.9
115.2
125.1
96.8
107.1
113.6
118.2
130.4
93.9
104.7
110.6
132.0
164.9
88.6
119.3
118.9
135.5
163.1
90.8
116.5
116.3
134.3
163.5
86.1
3313
3314
3315
332
3321
Alumina and aluminum production…………………
Other nonferrous metal production…………………
Foundries………………………………………………
Fabricated metal products……………………………
Forging and stamping…………………………………
90.5
96.8
81.4
87.3
85.4
90.7
96.3
86.5
87.1
89.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
101.5
111.3
101.2
101.3
103.5
103.5
108.4
104.5
103.0
110.9
96.6
102.3
103.6
104.8
121.1
96.2
99.5
107.4
104.8
120.7
124.5
107.6
116.7
110.9
125.0
126.8
120.6
116.3
114.4
133.1
137.3
123.1
123.9
113.4
142.0
154.4
122.3
128.6
116.9
147.6
151.7
115.7
131.8
119.7
152.7
3322
3323
3324
3325
3326
Cutlery and handtools…………………………………
Architectural and structural metals…………………
Boilers, tanks, and shipping containers……………
Hardware………………………………………………
Spring and wire products……………………………
86.3
88.7
86.0
88.7
82.2
85.4
87.9
90.1
84.8
85.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.9
100.9
100.0
100.5
110.6
108.0
102.0
96.5
105.2
111.4
105.9
100.6
94.2
114.3
112.6
110.3
101.6
94.4
113.5
111.9
113.4
106.0
98.9
115.5
125.7
113.2
108.8
101.6
125.4
135.3
107.6
105.4
93.6
126.0
133.8
114.1
109.2
95.7
131.8
143.2
116.6
113.5
96.6
131.1
140.6
3327
3328
3329
333
3331
Machine shops and threaded products………………
Coating, engraving, and heat treating metals………
Other fabricated metal products………………………
Machinery………………………………………………
Agriculture, construction, and mining machinery…
76.9
75.5
91.0
82.3
74.6
79.2
81.3
86.5
87.7
83.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
99.6
100.9
101.9
102.9
103.3
104.2
101.0
99.6
104.7
94.3
108.2
105.5
99.9
111.5
100.3
108.8
107.3
96.7
109.0
100.3
114.8
116.1
106.5
116.6
103.7
115.7
118.3
111.6
125.2
116.1
114.6
125.3
111.2
127.0
125.4
116.3
136.5
112.5
134.1
129.4
117.1
135.5
117.7
137.4
129.1
3332
3333
3334
3335
3336
Industrial machinery……………………………………
Commercial and service industry machinery………
HVAC and commercial refrigeration equipment……
Metalworking machinery………………………………
Turbine and power transmission equipment………
75.1
87.0
84.0
85.1
80.2
81.6
95.7
90.6
86.5
85.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
95.1
106.3
106.2
99.1
105.0
105.8
110.0
110.2
100.3
110.8
130.0
101.3
107.9
106.1
114.9
105.8
94.5
110.8
103.3
126.9
117.6
97.8
118.6
112.7
130.7
117.0
104.7
130.0
115.2
143.0
126.5
106.5
132.8
117.1
126.4
122.4
115.1
137.1
127.3
132.5
135.3
122.3
133.4
128.3
128.5
3339
334
3341
3342
3343
Other general purpose machinery……………………
Computer and electronic products……………………
Computer and peripheral equipment…………………
Communications equipment…………………………
Audio and video equipment…………………………
83.5
30.1
11.9
39.8
61.7
86.8
34.5
14.7
48.4
77.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.7
118.4
140.4
107.1
105.4
106.0
149.5
195.9
135.4
119.6
113.7
181.8
235.0
164.1
126.3
110.5
181.4
252.2
152.9
128.4
117.9
188.0
297.4
128.2
150.1
128.1
217.2
373.4
143.1
171.0
127.1
244.3
415.1
148.4
239.3
138.4
259.6
543.3
143.7
230.2
143.8
282.2
715.7
178.2
240.7
3344
3345
3346
335
3351
Semiconductors and electronic components………
Electronic instruments…………………………………
Magnetic media manufacturing and reproduction…
Electrical equipment and appliances…………………
Electric lighting equipment……………………………
19.8
70.2
85.7
75.5
91.1
21.9
78.5
83.7
76.2
88.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
125.8
102.3
106.4
103.9
104.4
173.9
106.7
108.9
106.6
102.7
232.2
116.7
105.8
111.5
102.0
230.0
119.3
99.8
111.4
106.7
263.1
118.1
110.4
113.3
112.4
321.6
125.3
126.1
117.2
111.4
360.0
145.4
142.6
123.3
122.7
381.6
146.6
142.1
130.0
130.3
380.4
150.6
137.7
129.4
136.7
3352
3353
3359
336
3361
Household appliances…………………………………
Electrical equipment……………………………………
Other electrical equipment and components………
Transportation equipment……………………………
Motor vehicles…………………………………………
73.3
68.7
78.8
81.6
75.4
76.5
73.6
76.1
83.1
85.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
105.2
100.2
105.8
109.7
113.4
104.0
98.7
114.7
118.0
122.6
117.2
99.4
119.7
109.4
109.7
124.6
101.0
113.1
113.6
110.0
132.3
101.8
114.0
127.4
126.0
146.7
103.4
116.2
137.5
140.7
159.6
110.8
115.6
134.9
142.1
164.5
118.5
121.6
140.9
148.4
173.2
118.1
115.7
142.4
163.8
3362
3363
3364
3365
3366
Motor vehicle bodies and trailers……………………
Motor vehicle parts……………………………………
Aerospace products and parts………………………
Railroad rolling stock…………………………………
Ship and boat building…………………………………
85.0
78.7
87.2
55.6
95.5
75.9
76.0
89.1
77.6
99.6
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
102.9
104.9
119.1
103.3
99.3
103.1
110.0
120.8
116.5
112.0
98.8
112.3
103.4
118.5
121.9
88.7
114.8
115.7
126.1
121.5
105.4
130.5
118.6
146.1
131.0
109.8
137.0
119.0
139.8
133.9
110.7
138.0
113.2
131.5
138.7
114.2
144.1
125.0
137.3
131.7
110.9
143.7
117.9
148.0
127.3
3369
337
3371
3372
3379
Other transportation equipment………………………
Furniture and related products………………………
Household and institutional furniture…………………
Office furniture and fixtures……………………………
Other furniture related products………………………
73.7
84.8
85.2
85.8
86.3
62.9
85.9
88.2
82.2
88.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
111.5
102.0
102.2
100.0
106.9
113.8
101.6
103.1
98.2
102.0
132.4
101.4
101.9
100.2
99.5
140.2
103.4
105.5
98.0
105.0
150.9
112.6
111.8
115.9
110.2
163.0
117.0
114.7
125.2
110.0
168.3
118.4
113.6
130.7
121.3
184.1
125.0
120.8
134.9
128.3
197.8
127.8
124.0
134.4
130.8
339
3391
3399
Miscellaneous manufacturing…………………………
Medical equipment and supplies……………………
Other miscellaneous manufacturing…………………
81.1
76.3
85.4
87.0
82.9
90.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
105.2
109.0
102.1
107.8
111.1
105.0
114.7
115.5
113.6
116.6
120.7
111.8
124.2
129.1
118.0
132.7
138.9
124.7
134.9
139.5
128.6
144.6
148.5
137.8
149.8
152.8
143.2
42
423
4231
4232
4233
4234
Wholesale trade………………………………………
73.2
Durable goods…………………………………………
62.3
Motor vehicles and parts……………………………… 74.5
Furniture and furnishings……………………………
80.5
Lumber and construction supplies…………………… 109.1
Commercial equipment………………………………
28.0
79.9
67.5
78.6
90.1
108.4
34.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.4
107.1
106.4
99.9
105.4
125.6
111.2
119.2
120.4
102.3
109.3
162.2
116.6
125.1
116.7
112.5
107.7
182.2
117.7
129.0
120.0
110.7
116.6
218.4
123.3
140.2
133.4
116.0
123.9
265.2
127.5
146.7
137.6
123.9
133.0
299.5
134.3
161.5
143.5
130.0
139.4
353.2
135.2
167.3
146.7
127.2
140.2
401.0
141.1
175.8
165.7
136.6
136.7
441.1
4235
4236
4237
4238
4239
424
Metals and minerals…………………………………… 101.7
Electric goods…………………………………………
42.8
82.2
Hardware and plumbing………………………………
Machinery and supplies………………………………
74.1
Miscellaneous durable goods………………………… 89.8
Nondurable goods……………………………………
91.0
103.1
50.3
88.0
81.5
90.5
98.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.9
105.9
101.8
104.3
100.8
99.1
94.0
127.5
104.4
102.9
113.7
100.8
93.9
152.8
103.7
105.5
114.7
105.1
94.4
147.6
100.5
102.9
116.8
105.1
96.3
159.5
102.6
100.3
124.6
105.8
97.4
165.7
103.9
103.4
119.6
110.5
106.3
194.1
107.3
112.4
135.0
113.6
103.2
204.1
104.9
118.8
133.5
114.3
99.9
225.6
105.8
123.3
119.8
117.4
Wholesale trade
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 117
Current Labor Statistics: Productivity Data
50. Continued - Annual indexes of output per hour for selected NAICS industries, 1987-2006
[1997=100]
NAICS
118
Industry
1987
1990
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
85.6
70.7
86.3
87.9
81.6
81.0
80.6
99.3
96.2
79.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
98.4
94.2
103.6
101.1
94.3
100.1
93.1
105.1
101.0
101.6
100.9
85.9
108.8
102.4
105.1
104.6
84.9
115.2
101.9
102.1
116.6
89.8
122.8
98.6
98.1
119.7
100.2
125.9
104.9
98.2
130.9
105.8
131.0
104.1
109.1
139.0
112.3
140.4
104.3
108.2
137.2
119.8
149.9
105.1
120.9
4246
4247
4248
4249
425
4251
Chemicals……………………………………………… 90.4
Petroleum………………………………………………
84.4
Alcoholic beverages…………………………………… 99.3
Miscellaneous nondurable goods…………………… 111.2
Electronic markets and agents and brokers………… 64.3
Electronic markets and agents and brokers………… 64.3
101.1
109.8
110.0
109.0
74.3
74.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
97.1
88.5
106.5
105.4
102.4
102.4
93.3
102.9
105.6
106.8
112.4
112.4
87.9
138.1
108.4
115.0
120.1
120.1
85.3
140.6
106.4
111.9
110.7
110.7
89.1
153.6
106.8
106.1
109.8
109.8
92.2
151.1
107.9
109.8
104.1
104.1
91.2
163.2
103.1
120.7
97.0
97.0
87.9
152.5
104.8
124.2
87.3
87.3
89.0
157.7
107.5
126.8
93.6
93.6
44-45
441
4411
4412
4413
Retail trade……………………………………………
Motor vehicle and parts dealers………………………
Automobile dealers……………………………………
Other motor vehicle dealers…………………………
Auto parts, accessories, and tire stores……………
79.1
78.3
79.2
70.6
71.8
81.4
82.7
84.1
69.7
79.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
105.7
106.4
106.5
109.6
105.1
112.7
115.1
116.3
114.8
107.6
116.1
114.3
113.7
115.3
108.4
120.1
116.0
115.5
124.6
101.3
125.6
119.9
117.2
133.6
107.7
131.6
124.3
119.5
133.8
115.1
137.9
127.3
124.7
143.3
110.1
141.5
127.0
123.8
135.1
115.9
148.5
129.8
126.8
136.3
115.8
442
4421
4422
443
444
Furniture and home furnishings stores………………
Furniture stores…………………………………………
Home furnishings stores………………………………
Electronics and appliance stores……………………
Building material and garden supply stores…………
75.1
77.3
71.3
38.0
75.8
79.0
84.8
71.0
47.7
79.5
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
104.1
104.3
104.1
122.6
107.4
110.8
107.5
115.2
150.6
113.8
115.9
112.0
121.0
173.7
113.3
122.4
119.7
126.1
196.7
116.8
129.3
125.2
134.9
233.5
120.8
134.6
128.8
142.6
292.7
127.1
146.7
139.2
156.8
334.1
134.5
151.4
143.4
161.9
369.6
134.9
162.6
155.5
172.6
416.2
143.6
4441
4442
445
4451
4452
Building material and supplies dealers……………… 77.6
Lawn and garden equipment and supplies stores…
66.9
Food and beverage stores…………………………… 110.8
Grocery stores………………………………………… 111.1
Specialty food stores………………………………… 138.5
81.6
69.0
107.4
106.9
127.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
108.3
102.3
99.9
99.6
100.5
115.3
105.5
101.9
102.5
96.4
115.1
103.1
101.0
101.1
98.5
116.7
118.4
103.8
103.3
108.2
121.3
118.3
104.7
104.8
105.3
127.5
125.7
107.2
106.7
112.2
134.0
140.1
112.9
112.2
120.3
134.9
135.6
118.3
117.1
127.7
142.9
150.1
122.1
119.2
153.3
4453
446
4461
447
4471
Beer, wine, and liquor stores…………………………
Health and personal care stores……………………
Health and personal care stores……………………
Gasoline stations………………………………………
Gasoline stations………………………………………
93.6
84.0
84.0
83.9
83.9
97.6
91.0
91.0
84.2
84.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
104.6
104.0
104.0
106.7
106.7
99.1
107.1
107.1
110.7
110.7
105.7
112.2
112.2
107.7
107.7
107.1
116.2
116.2
112.9
112.9
110.1
122.9
122.9
125.1
125.1
117.0
129.5
129.5
119.9
119.9
127.8
134.3
134.3
122.2
122.2
141.8
133.2
133.2
124.6
124.6
148.8
139.7
139.7
121.8
121.8
448
4481
4482
4483
451
Clothing and clothing accessories stores……………
Clothing stores…………………………………………
Shoe stores……………………………………………
Jewelry, luggage, and leather goods stores………
Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores……
66.3
67.1
65.3
64.5
74.9
69.8
70.0
70.8
68.1
82.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
106.3
108.7
94.2
108.7
107.9
114.0
114.2
104.9
122.5
114.0
123.5
125.0
110.0
130.5
121.1
126.4
130.3
111.5
123.9
127.1
131.3
136.0
125.2
118.7
127.6
138.9
141.8
132.5
132.9
131.5
139.1
140.9
124.8
144.3
151.1
147.8
153.1
132.9
139.0
164.8
163.3
169.9
149.3
148.8
175.3
4511
4512
452
4521
4529
Sporting goods and musical instrument stores……
Book, periodical, and music stores…………………
General merchandise stores…………………………
Department stores……………………………………
Other general merchandise stores…………………
73.2
78.9
73.5
87.2
54.8
82.2
82.3
75.1
83.9
61.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
111.5
101.0
105.3
100.4
114.7
119.8
103.2
113.4
104.5
131.0
129.4
105.8
120.2
106.2
147.3
134.5
113.0
124.8
103.8
164.7
136.0
111.6
129.1
102.0
179.3
141.1
113.7
136.9
106.8
188.8
166.0
123.6
140.7
109.0
192.9
181.7
133.7
145.0
109.9
199.7
203.1
124.9
152.3
113.1
210.4
453
4531
4532
4533
4539
Miscellaneous store retailers…………………………
Florists…………………………………………………
Office supplies, stationery and gift stores……………
Used merchandise stores……………………………
Other miscellaneous store retailers…………………
65.1
77.6
61.4
64.5
68.3
69.5
73.3
66.4
70.4
75.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
108.9
102.3
111.5
119.1
105.3
111.3
116.2
119.2
113.4
103.0
114.1
115.2
127.3
116.5
104.4
112.6
102.7
132.3
121.9
96.9
119.1
113.8
141.5
142.0
94.4
126.1
108.9
153.9
149.7
99.9
130.8
103.4
172.8
152.6
96.9
142.0
120.6
187.9
159.5
103.5
159.3
125.3
215.5
166.6
118.5
454
4541
4542
4543
Nonstore retailers………………………………………
Electronic shopping and mail-order houses…………
Vending machine operators…………………………
Direct selling establishments…………………………
50.7
39.4
95.5
70.8
54.7
43.4
95.1
74.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
114.3
120.2
106.3
101.9
128.9
142.6
105.4
104.2
152.2
160.2
111.1
122.5
163.6
179.6
95.7
127.9
182.1
212.7
91.2
135.0
195.5
243.6
102.3
127.0
215.5
273.0
110.5
130.3
218.4
285.2
105.1
121.5
256.3
337.1
110.7
135.6
481
482111
48412
48421
491
4911
Air transportation………………………………………
81.1
Line-haul railroads……………………………………
58.9
General freight trucking, long-distance……………… 85.7
Used household and office goods moving………… 106.7
U.S. Postal service……………………………………
90.9
U.S. Postal service……………………………………
90.9
77.5
69.8
89.2
112.6
94.2
94.2
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
97.6
102.1
99.4
91.0
101.6
101.6
98.2
105.5
99.1
96.1
102.8
102.8
98.1
114.3
101.9
94.8
105.5
105.5
91.9
121.9
103.2
84.0
106.3
106.3
102.1
131.9
107.0
81.6
106.4
106.4
112.8
142.0
110.7
86.2
107.8
107.8
126.9
146.4
110.7
88.6
110.0
110.0
135.5
138.4
113.2
88.3
111.2
111.2
142.5
142.8
112.3
87.0
111.3
111.3
492
493
4931
49311
49312
Couriers and messengers…………………………… 148.3
Warehousing and storage……………………………
Warehousing and storage……………………………
General warehousing and storage…………………
Refrigerated warehousing and storage………………
138.5
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
112.6
106.4
106.4
112.1
97.9
117.6
107.7
107.7
112.9
103.4
121.9
109.3
109.3
115.8
95.4
123.4
115.3
115.3
126.3
85.4
131.1
122.1
122.1
136.1
87.2
134.0
124.8
124.8
138.9
92.3
126.8
122.5
122.5
131.0
99.3
125.1
124.9
124.9
132.2
97.5
128.6
122.3
122.3
127.9
88.5
511
5111
Publishing industries, except internet
64.1
Newspaper, book, and directory publishers………… 105.0
67.1
95.5
100.0
100.0
116.1
103.9
116.3
104.1
117.1
107.7
116.6
105.8
117.2
104.7
126.4
109.5
130.7
106.6
136.5
107.6
142.7
110.8
4241
4242
4243
4244
4245
Paper and paper products……………………………
Druggists' goods………………………………………
Apparel and piece goods……………………………
Grocery and related products…………………………
Farm product raw materials…………………………
Retail trade
Transportation and warehousing
Information
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
50. Continued - Annual indexes of output per hour for selected NAICS industries, 1987-2006
[1997=100]
NAICS
1987
1990
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
5112
51213
515
5151
5152
Software publishers…………………………………… 10.2
Motion picture and video exhibition…………………
90.7
Broadcasting, except internet………………………… 99.5
Radio and television broadcasting…………………… 98.1
Cable and other subscription programming………… 105.6
Industry
28.5
109.2
98.2
97.7
100.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
134.8
99.8
100.8
91.5
136.2
129.2
101.8
102.9
92.6
139.1
119.2
106.5
103.6
92.1
141.2
117.4
101.6
99.2
89.6
128.1
122.1
99.8
104.0
95.1
129.8
138.1
100.4
107.9
94.6
146.0
160.6
103.6
112.5
96.6
158.7
173.7
102.4
117.7
100.9
164.6
177.0
105.7
125.5
109.5
169.9
5171
5172
5175
Wired telecommunications carriers…………………
56.9
Wireless telecommunications carriers………………
75.6
Cable and other program distribution……………… 105.2
66.0
70.4
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
107.7
110.5
97.1
116.7
145.2
95.8
122.7
152.8
91.6
116.7
191.9
87.7
124.1
217.9
95.0
130.5
242.6
101.3
131.7
292.2
113.8
138.2
381.9
110.6
146.2
435.9
110.6
52211
Commercial banking…………………………………
72.8
80.7
100.0
97.0
99.8
102.7
99.6
102.1
103.6
108.4
108.5
114.2
92.7
60.3
77.0
90.8
68.5
97.1
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.1
115.4
113.2
112.2
120.9
129.4
112.3
121.7
134.9
111.1
113.5
133.3
114.6
114.0
130.3
121.1
115.8
148.5
118.2
136.6
154.5
110.2
145.1
144.2
111.8
162.2
176.4
82.9
90.0
90.2
95.9
98.1
76.2
93.8
99.4
107.9
95.9
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
107.6
111.4
98.2
89.2
124.8
105.8
106.8
98.0
97.9
109.8
100.9
107.6
102.0
107.5
108.9
94.4
111.0
100.1
106.9
102.2
111.4
107.6
100.5
113.1
97.6
110.0
112.6
100.5
121.1
104.1
99.9
118.3
107.8
133.4
93.0
103.6
120.8
115.4
131.5
93.5
99.7
119.1
116.2
132.8
95.3
89.3
75.1
94.6
94.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
86.8
111.4
95.3
93.2
115.5
98.6
89.8
119.4
101.0
99.6
115.2
102.1
116.8
127.6
105.6
115.4
147.2
118.8
119.8
167.2
116.6
115.9
182.4
121.5
122.9
189.9
115.6
-
-
100.0
100.0
100.0
118.8
117.2
121.4
124.7
121.4
129.7
131.9
127.4
139.9
135.3
127.7
148.3
137.6
123.1
163.3
140.8
128.6
160.0
140.8
130.7
153.5
137.9
126.0
154.0
140.1
128.2
156.3
Finance and insurance
Real estate and rental and leasing
532111
53212
53223
Passenger car rental…………………………………
Truck, trailer, and RV rental and leasing……………
Video tape and disc rental……………………………
541213
54131
54133
54181
541921
Tax preparation services………………………………
Architectural services…………………………………
Engineering services…………………………………
Advertising agencies…………………………………
Photography studios, portrait…………………………
56131
56151
56172
Employment placement agencies……………………
Travel agencies………………………………………
Janitorial services………………………………………
6215
621511
621512
Medical and diagnostic laboratories…………………
Medical laboratories……………………………………
Diagnostic imaging centers……………………………
71311
71395
Amusement and theme parks………………………
Bowling centers………………………………………
112.0
106.0
112.5
94.0
100.0
100.0
110.5
89.9
105.2
89.4
106.0
93.4
93.0
94.3
106.5
96.4
113.2
102.4
101.4
107.9
109.9
106.1
97.7
110.6
7211
722
7221
7222
7223
7224
Traveler accommodation……………………………… 85.1
Food services and drinking places…………………
96.0
Full-service restaurants………………………………
92.1
Limited-service eating places………………………… 96.5
Special food services…………………………………
89.9
Drinking places, alcoholic beverages……………… 136.7
81.9
102.4
99.4
103.6
99.8
123.3
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.1
101.0
100.9
101.2
100.6
99.7
105.6
100.9
100.8
100.4
105.2
98.8
111.8
103.5
103.0
102.0
115.0
100.6
107.6
103.8
103.6
102.5
115.3
97.6
112.1
104.4
104.4
102.7
114.9
102.9
114.4
106.3
104.2
105.4
117.6
118.6
120.4
107.0
104.8
106.8
118.0
112.2
115.0
108.2
105.6
107.8
119.2
121.1
111.8
110.9
108.6
111.2
116.4
124.2
8111
81211
81221
8123
81292
Automotive repair and maintenance………………… 85.9
Hair, nail, and skin care services……………………
83.5
Funeral homes and funeral services………………… 103.7
Drycleaning and laundry services…………………… 97.1
95.8
Photofinishing…………………………………………
89.9
82.1
98.4
94.8
107.7
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
103.6
108.6
106.8
100.1
69.3
106.1
108.6
103.3
105.0
76.3
109.4
108.2
94.8
107.6
73.8
108.9
114.6
91.8
110.9
81.2
103.7
110.4
94.6
112.5
100.5
104.1
119.7
95.7
103.8
100.5
112.0
125.0
92.9
110.6
102.0
111.9
129.9
93.2
120.5
112.4
112.8
122.3
99.7
119.6
114.4
Professional and technical services
Administrative and waste services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services
NOTE: Dash indicates data are not available.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 119
Current Labor Statistics: International Comparisons
51. Unemployment rates, approximating U.S. concepts, 10 countries, seasonally adjusted
[Percent]
2006
Country
2006
2007
I
II
2007
III
I
II
2008
III
IV
I
United States………
4.6
4.6
4.7
4.7
4.7
4.4
4.5
4.5
4.7
4.8
Canada………………
5.5
5.3
5.7
5.4
5.6
5.4
5.4
5.3
5.2
5.2
5.2
Australia……………
4.8
4.4
5.0
4.9
4.7
4.5
4.5
4.3
4.3
4.3
4.1
Japan…………………
4.2
3.9
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.1
4.0
3.8
3.8
3.9
3.9
France………………
9.5
8.6
9.8
9.7
9.5
9.2
9.0
8.8
8.5
8.2
8.1
Germany……………
10.4
8.7
11.1
10.6
10.1
9.6
9.3
8.9
8.5
8.2
7.7
Italy…………………
6.9
6.1
7.3
6.9
6.7
6.4
6.3
6.1
6.0
6.0
-
Netherlands…………
3.9
3.2
4.3
3.9
3.8
3.8
3.6
3.2
3.0
3.0
-
Sweden………………
7.0
6.1
7.3
7.3
6.7
6.5
6.4
6.1
5.8
5.9
5.8
United Kingdom……
5.5
5.4
5.3
5.5
5.6
5.5
5.5
5.4
5.4
5.2
-
NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.
Quarterly figures for France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands are
calculated by applying annual adjustment factors to current published data
and therefore should be viewed as less precise indicators of unemployment
under U.S. concepts than the annual figures. Quarterly figures for Sweden
are BLS seasonally adjusted estimates derived from Swedish not
seasonally adjusted data.
For further qualifications and historical annual data, see the BLS report
Comparative Civilian Labor Force Statistics, 10 Countries (on the
120
IV
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
4.9
Internet at http://www.bls.gov/fls/flscomparelf.htm ).
For monthly
unemployment rates, as well as the quarterly and annual rates published in
this table, see the BLS report Unemployment rates in 10 countries, civilian
labor force basis, approximating U.S. concepts, seasonally adjusted (on the
Internet at http://www.bls.gov/fls/flsjec.pdf ). Unemployment rates may
differ between the two reports mentioned, because the former is updated
semi-annually, whereas the latter is updated monthly and reflects the most
recent revisions in source data.
52. Annual data: employment status of the working-age population, approximating U.S. concepts, 10 countries
[Numbers in thousands]
Employment status and country
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
137,673
15,135
9,339
67,240
25,434
39,752
23,004
7,744
4,401
28,474
139,368
15,403
9,414
67,090
25,791
39,375
23,176
7,881
4,423
28,777
142,583
15,637
9,590
66,990
26,099
39,302
23,361
8,052
4,482
28,952
143,734
15,891
9,744
66,860
26,393
39,459
23,524
8,199
4,522
29,085
144,863
16,366
9,893
66,240
26,646
39,413
23,728
8,345
4,537
29,337
146,510
16,733
10,079
66,010
26,851
39,276
24,020
8,379
4,557
29,559
147,401
16,955
10,221
65,770
26,937
39,711
24,084
8,439
4,571
29,791
149,320
17,108
10,506
65,850
27,092
40,760
24,179
8,459
4,694
30,126
151,428
17,351
10,699
65,960
27,322
41,250
24,395
8,541
4,748
30,586
153,124
17,696
10,948
66,080
27,509
24,459
8,686
4,823
30,774
67.1
65.1
64.3
63.2
55.6
57.3
47.3
61.1
63.2
62.5
67.1
65.4
64.3
62.8
56.0
57.7
47.7
61.8
62.8
62.5
67.1
65.9
64.0
62.4
56.3
56.9
47.9
62.5
62.7
62.8
67.1
66.0
64.4
62.0
56.6
56.7
48.1
63.4
63.7
62.9
66.8
66.1
64.4
61.6
56.7
56.7
48.3
64.0
63.6
62.7
66.6
67.1
64.3
60.8
56.8
56.4
48.5
64.7
63.9
62.9
66.2
67.7
64.6
60.3
56.8
56.0
49.1
64.6
63.8
63.0
66.0
67.7
64.6
60.0
56.6
56.4
49.1
64.8
63.6
63.0
66.0
67.4
65.3
60.0
56.5
57.6
48.7
64.7
64.8
63.1
66.2
67.4
65.6
60.0
56.6
58.2
48.9
65.1
65.0
63.5
66.0
67.7
66.0
60.0
56.7
48.6
65.9
65.3
63.4
United States……………………………………………… 129,558
Canada……………………………………………………
13,637
Australia……………………………………………………
8,444
Japan………………………………………………………
64,900
France……………………………………………………
22,176
Germany…………………………………………………
35,508
Italy………………………………………………………… 20,169
Netherlands………………………………………………
7,189
Sweden……………………………………………………
3,969
United Kingdom…………………………………………
26,413
131,463
13,973
8,618
64,450
22,597
36,059
20,370
7,408
4,033
26,686
133,488
14,331
8,762
63,920
23,080
36,042
20,617
7,605
4,110
27,051
136,891
14,681
8,989
63,790
23,714
36,236
20,973
7,813
4,222
27,368
136,933
14,866
9,086
63,460
24,167
36,350
21,359
8,014
4,295
27,599
136,485
15,223
9,264
62,650
24,312
36,018
21,666
8,114
4,303
27,813
137,736
15,586
9,480
62,510
24,373
35,615
21,972
8,069
4,293
28,075
139,252
15,861
9,668
62,640
24,354
35,604
22,124
8,052
4,271
28,372
141,730
16,080
9,975
62,910
24,493
36,185
22,290
8,056
4,334
28,665
144,427
16,393
10,186
63,210
24,717
36,978
22,721
8,205
4,416
28,917
146,047
16,767
10,470
63,510
25,135
22,953
8,408
4,530
29,120
63.8
59.6
59.0
61.0
49.1
51.6
41.9
57.7
56.8
58.2
64.1
60.4
59.3
60.2
49.7
52.3
42.2
59.1
57.6
58.5
64.3
61.3
59.6
59.4
50.4
52.1
42.6
60.3
58.3
59.1
64.4
62.0
60.3
59.0
51.4
52.2
43.2
61.5
60.0
59.4
63.7
61.9
60.0
58.4
51.9
52.2
43.8
62.6
60.4
59.5
62.7
62.4
60.2
57.5
51.8
51.5
44.3
62.9
60.6
59.6
62.3
63.1
60.7
57.1
51.5
50.8
44.9
62.2
60.1
59.8
62.3
63.3
61.1
57.1
51.1
50.6
45.1
61.8
59.4
60.0
62.7
63.4
62.0
57.3
51.1
51.2
44.9
61.6
59.9
60.1
63.1
63.6
62.5
57.5
51.2
52.2
45.5
62.5
60.4
60.1
63.0
64.2
63.1
57.6
51.8
45.6
63.8
61.3
60.0
6,739
1,248
759
2,300
2,940
3,907
2,584
423
445
1,987
6,210
1,162
721
2,790
2,837
3,693
2,634
337
368
1,788
5,880
1,072
652
3,170
2,711
3,333
2,559
277
313
1,726
5,692
956
602
3,200
2,385
3,065
2,388
239
260
1,584
6,801
1,026
658
3,400
2,226
3,110
2,164
186
227
1,486
8,378
1,143
629
3,590
2,334
3,396
2,062
231
234
1,524
8,774
1,147
599
3,500
2,478
3,661
2,048
310
264
1,484
8,149
1,093
553
3,130
2,583
4,107
1,960
387
300
1,419
7,591
1,028
531
2,940
2,599
4,575
1,889
402
361
1,462
7,001
958
512
2,750
2,605
4,272
1,673
336
332
1,669
7,078
929
478
2,570
2,374
1,506
278
293
1,654
4.9
8.4
8.3
3.4
11.7
9.9
11.4
5.6
10.1
7.0
4.5
7.7
7.7
4.1
11.2
9.3
11.5
4.4
8.4
6.3
4.2
7.0
6.9
4.7
10.5
8.5
11.0
3.5
7.1
6.0
4.0
6.1
6.3
4.8
9.1
7.8
10.2
3.0
5.8
5.5
4.7
6.5
6.8
5.1
8.4
7.9
9.2
2.3
5.0
5.1
5.8
7.0
6.4
5.4
8.8
8.6
8.7
2.8
5.2
5.2
6.0
6.9
5.9
5.3
9.2
9.3
8.5
3.7
5.8
5.0
5.5
6.4
5.4
4.8
9.6
10.3
8.1
4.6
6.6
4.8
5.1
6.0
5.1
4.5
9.6
11.2
7.8
4.8
7.7
4.9
4.6
5.5
4.8
4.2
9.5
10.4
6.9
3.9
7.0
5.5
4.6
5.3
4.4
3.9
8.6
8.7
6.2
3.2
6.1
5.4
Civilian labor force
United States……………………………………………… 136,297
Canada……………………………………………………
14,884
Australia……………………………………………………
9,204
Japan………………………………………………………
67,200
France……………………………………………………
25,116
Germany…………………………………………………
39,415
Italy………………………………………………………… 22,753
Netherlands………………………………………………
7,612
Sweden……………………………………………………
4,414
United Kingdom…………………………………………
28,401
Participation rate1
United States………………………………………………
Canada……………………………………………………
Australia……………………………………………………
Japan………………………………………………………
France……………………………………………………
Germany…………………………………………………
Italy…………………………………………………………
Netherlands………………………………………………
Sweden……………………………………………………
United Kingdom…………………………………………
Employed
Employment-population ratio2
United States………………………………………………
Canada……………………………………………………
Australia……………………………………………………
Japan………………………………………………………
France……………………………………………………
Germany…………………………………………………
Italy…………………………………………………………
Netherlands………………………………………………
Sweden……………………………………………………
United Kingdom…………………………………………
Unemployed
United States………………………………………………
Canada……………………………………………………
Australia……………………………………………………
Japan………………………………………………………
France……………………………………………………
Germany…………………………………………………
Italy…………………………………………………………
Netherlands………………………………………………
Sweden……………………………………………………
United Kingdom…………………………………………
Unemployment rate
United States………………………………………………
Canada……………………………………………………
Australia……………………………………………………
Japan………………………………………………………
France……………………………………………………
Germany…………………………………………………
Italy…………………………………………………………
Netherlands………………………………………………
Sweden……………………………………………………
United Kingdom…………………………………………
1
Labor force as a percent of the working-age population.
2
Employment as a percent of the working-age population.
NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.
There are breaks in series for the United States (1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004), Australia
(2001), Germany (1999, 2005), the Netherlands (2000), and Sweden (2005). For further
qualifications and historical annual data, see the BLS report Comparative
Civilian
Labor
Force
Statistics,
10
Countries
(on
the
Internet
at
http://www.bls.gov/fls/flscomparelf.htm). Unemployment rates may differ from those
in the BLS report Unemployment rates in 10 countries, civilian labor force basis,
approximating U.S. concepts, seasonally adjusted
(on the Internet at
http://www.bls.gov/fls/flsjec.pdf), because the former is updated semi-annually,
whereas the latter is updated monthly and reflects the most recent revisions in source
data.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 121
Current Labor Statistics: International Comparisons
53. Annual indexes of manufacturing productivity and related measures, 16 economies
[1992 = 100]
Measure and economy
1980
1990
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Output per hour
United States………………………
Canada………………………….……
Australia…………………….………
Japan…………………………………
Korea…………………………..……
Taiwan………………………………
Belgium…………………………...…
Denmark……………………………
France………………………………
Germany………………………...……
Italy……………………………...……
Netherlands…………………...……
Norway………………………………
Spain………………………………..
Sweden……………………………..
United Kingdom……………….……
68.4
74.0
68.5
63.6
–
49.1
65.4
82.0
66.0
77.2
75.3
70.8
78.5
67.3
78.3
57.3
93.5
94.7
92.4
94.4
82.7
89.8
96.8
98.5
95.3
99.0
97.3
98.0
98.3
93.1
96.4
90.1
102.8
104.5
104.5
101.7
108.3
101.3
102.5
100.3
101.8
101.0
102.8
103.7
99.9
101.8
107.8
104.1
108.2
110.4
107.0
103.3
118.1
105.2
107.9
112.7
109.5
108.5
107.6
113.3
99.9
104.9
118.9
106.7
112.3
111.7
106.4
111.0
129.7
112.9
112.7
112.7
114.9
110.2
111.1
117.7
98.7
108.6
126.3
105.0
116.7
111.2
112.3
116.1
142.6
121.5
114.3
109.0
115.5
113.3
112.5
120.3
101.6
107.2
130.5
104.1
121.7
116.3
115.4
120.2
160.8
126.5
125.5
117.7
122.3
119.9
113.3
120.7
101.8
108.3
142.4
105.1
130.1
121.8
118.5
121.3
179.3
132.7
127.1
117.1
128.7
120.4
112.5
124.2
99.2
110.2
150.8
106.4
136.7
127.0
119.7
124.5
199.4
140.9
125.9
119.0
134.4
123.4
112.5
129.3
102.7
112.1
164.7
111.6
147.1
134.7
128.1
131.2
216.4
148.4
130.5
123.2
143.7
132.0
116.1
138.6
105.9
113.2
175.9
117.2
148.6
131.8
131.4
128.4
214.8
155.1
131.8
123.4
146.0
135.4
116.6
139.2
108.8
115.8
170.9
122.2
164.4
134.1
137.1
133.1
235.8
169.0
136.2
124.2
152.0
136.7
114.8
143.5
111.9
116.3
189.6
125.7
174.8
134.4
140.1
142.2
252.2
174.5
139.5
129.3
158.7
141.6
112.1
146.5
121.6
119.2
205.0
132.1
185.3
136.5
142.3
152.1
281.2
183.2
145.8
136.8
162.3
146.8
110.4
156.3
128.8
121.4
226.8
140.0
189.4
141.7
143.7
162.0
300.4
196.5
150.3
138.3
169.2
152.3
110.3
161.7
133.3
123.3
241.0
145.0
193.2
141.6
144.1
165.1
332.7
209.9
153.6
145.4
175.4
163.1
111.8
166.8
137.7
126.6
255.2
151.5
Output
United States…………………..…… 73.6
Canada……………………………… 85.6
Australia……………………………… 89.8
Japan………………………………… 60.8
Korea………………………………… 28.6
Taiwan……………………………… 45.4
Belgium……………………………… 78.2
Denmark…………………………… 92.0
France……………………………… 88.3
Germany…………………………… 85.3
Italy…………………………………… 81.0
Netherlands………………………… 77.7
Norway……………………………… 105.7
Spain……………………………….. 78.6
Sweden……………………………… 92.4
United Kingdom…………………… 87.3
98.2
106.7
104.2
97.1
88.1
91.0
101.0
101.7
100.5
99.1
100.5
98.3
101.7
98.4
110.7
105.3
104.2
105.4
103.8
96.3
105.1
100.9
97.0
97.0
96.6
92.0
97.6
99.4
102.0
96.1
102.0
101.4
112.2
113.5
109.1
94.9
117.1
106.9
101.4
107.5
100.7
94.9
104.1
104.7
104.7
97.8
117.8
106.2
117.3
118.7
108.5
98.9
130.8
112.7
104.2
112.7
105.2
94.0
109.1
108.6
105.2
101.5
133.3
107.9
121.6
120.3
111.9
103.0
139.2
118.7
104.6
107.5
105.2
92.0
107.8
110.2
109.4
104.0
137.7
108.6
129.0
127.8
114.5
105.6
146.0
125.5
113.2
116.3
110.1
96.1
109.6
111.7
114.1
110.7
148.4
110.6
137.7
134.3
117.8
100.1
134.5
129.5
115.1
117.2
115.4
97.2
109.9
115.5
113.3
117.4
160.7
111.3
143.7
145.5
117.5
99.7
163.7
139.0
115.2
118.2
119.3
98.2
109.6
119.8
113.2
124.1
175.8
112.3
152.7
160.1
123.1
104.9
191.5
149.2
120.1
122.5
124.8
104.8
112.9
127.8
112.6
129.6
190.2
115.0
144.2
153.9
121.9
99.1
195.7
138.1
120.1
122.5
126.0
106.6
111.8
127.6
111.8
133.7
185.8
113.5
148.2
155.2
127.8
97.6
210.5
150.4
119.2
119.0
125.9
104.4
110.4
127.7
111.2
133.5
197.5
110.5
149.9
154.0
130.1
102.8
222.2
158.4
117.6
115.7
128.3
105.1
107.8
126.2
114.9
135.2
207.1
110.7
158.2
157.5
130.1
108.8
246.8
173.8
121.9
117.5
129.4
108.9
106.4
130.6
121.4
136.0
226.2
113.0
159.8
160.1
130.3
114.4
264.3
185.3
121.6
113.8
131.2
110.4
103.7
130.6
126.8
137.4
236.6
111.6
164.5
158.5
128.7
119.4
286.5
198.7
124.9
120.0
133.2
116.9
107.6
133.7
132.4
141.3
248.8
113.2
Total hours
United States……………………… 107.6
Canada……………………………… 115.8
Australia……………………………… 131.1
Japan………………………………… 95.5
Korea………………………………… –
Taiwan……………………………… 92.4
Belgium……………………………… 119.7
Denmark…………………………… 112.1
France……………………………… 133.8
Germany…………………………… 110.5
Italy…………………………………… 107.6
Netherlands………………………… 109.8
Norway……………………………… 134.7
Spain……………………………….. 116.7
Sweden……………………………… 118.0
United Kingdom…………………… 152.3
104.9
112.6
112.7
102.9
106.4
101.4
104.3
103.3
105.5
100.1
103.3
100.4
103.4
105.7
114.8
116.9
101.3
100.9
99.3
94.7
97.1
99.6
94.7
96.8
94.8
91.1
95.0
95.9
102.1
94.4
94.7
97.4
103.7
102.8
102.0
91.9
99.2
101.7
94.0
95.4
91.9
87.5
96.8
92.5
104.8
93.2
99.1
99.5
104.4
106.3
101.9
89.1
100.9
99.8
92.4
100.0
91.6
85.3
98.2
92.3
106.6
93.5
105.6
102.7
104.2
108.1
99.7
88.8
97.6
97.7
91.5
98.6
91.0
81.3
95.8
91.6
107.7
97.0
105.6
104.4
106.0
109.9
99.2
87.9
90.8
99.2
90.2
98.8
90.1
80.1
96.7
92.6
112.1
102.2
104.3
105.2
105.8
110.2
99.4
82.5
75.0
97.6
90.5
100.1
89.7
80.8
97.7
93.0
114.2
106.5
106.5
104.6
105.1
114.5
98.2
80.0
82.1
98.7
91.5
99.4
88.7
79.6
97.4
92.7
110.3
110.7
106.7
100.6
103.8
118.9
96.0
80.0
88.5
100.5
92.1
99.4
86.8
79.4
97.2
92.2
106.4
114.4
108.1
98.1
97.0
116.7
92.8
77.2
91.1
89.0
91.2
99.3
86.3
78.7
95.9
91.7
102.7
115.4
108.7
92.9
90.1
115.8
93.2
73.3
89.3
89.0
87.5
95.8
82.8
76.4
96.2
89.0
99.3
114.8
104.2
88.0
85.7
114.6
92.8
72.3
88.1
90.8
84.3
89.5
80.8
74.3
96.1
86.2
94.4
113.4
101.1
83.8
85.4
115.4
91.4
71.5
87.8
94.9
83.6
85.9
79.7
74.2
96.4
83.5
94.2
112.1
99.7
80.7
84.4
112.9
90.7
70.6
88.0
94.3
80.9
82.3
77.5
72.5
94.1
80.8
95.1
111.5
98.2
77.0
85.1
112.0
89.3
72.3
86.1
94.6
81.3
82.5
75.9
71.7
96.2
80.2
96.1
111.6
97.5
74.7
90.5
89.2
87.5
90.6
68.0
85.2
90.1
93.6
88.5
89.4
87.7
89.8
92.3
79.9
87.9
88.7
102.0
101.2
105.2
102.7
115.9
105.9
104.8
102.4
104.3
106.2
105.7
104.4
101.5
109.4
97.4
104.5
105.3
104.1
106.1
104.7
133.1
111.1
105.6
106.0
108.0
111.0
107.3
108.9
104.5
113.4
99.9
107.0
107.3
106.6
113.5
108.3
161.6
120.2
108.6
108.2
110.7
117.0
112.0
111.8
109.2
118.3
105.3
108.9
109.3
108.2
121.7
109.1
188.1
128.2
110.6
112.6
112.5
122.5
120.0
113.8
113.8
121.1
113.5
108.7
112.2
110.9
126.0
112.7
204.5
132.1
114.7
116.5
116.3
124.9
124.1
116.4
118.8
124.0
119.6
112.3
118.7
116.6
128.4
115.5
222.7
137.1
116.5
119.6
117.2
126.7
123.3
121.4
125.8
124.9
124.2
121.2
123.4
119.0
132.9
115.4
223.9
139.6
118.0
122.6
121.0
129.6
125.6
125.7
133.0
124.7
128.1
128.3
134.7
123.0
140.2
114.7
239.1
142.3
120.1
125.0
127.0
136.3
128.7
132.1
140.5
126.6
133.0
133.8
137.8
126.3
149.2
116.2
246.7
151.4
126.4
130.9
130.6
140.6
134.0
138.1
148.9
131.6
139.4
140.7
147.8
130.5
156.0
117.0
271.6
146.7
131.9
136.5
136.9
144.0
137.5
146.1
157.9
135.4
146.9
149.0
158.2
135.8
162.7
114.5
285.0
149.1
135.8
145.7
141.0
147.2
141.6
151.9
164.3
142.2
153.5
156.9
161.5
139.8
171.7
115.5
325.5
151.6
138.7
151.3
144.6
148.0
145.7
158.1
169.7
147.1
157.6
165.1
168.3
146.6
182.2
116.5
351.5
158.2
143.5
161.7
143.7
149.8
150.2
161.3
177.7
152.8
163.0
172.3
172.4
149.4
192.7
114.9
375.5
161.5
146.5
166.7
147.5
155.9
152.9
165.8
185.8
157.4
169.2
184.2
Hourly compensation
(national currency basis)
United States………………………
Canada………………………………
Australia………………………………
Japan…………………………………
Korea…………………………………
Taiwan………………………………
Belgium………………………………
Denmark……………………………
France………………………………
Germany……………………………
Italy……………………………………
Netherlands…………………………
Norway………………………………
Spain………………………………..
Sweden………………………………
United Kingdom……………………
See notes at end of table.
122
55.9
47.4
–
58.6
–
29.6
52.5
44.5
36.7
53.6
30.6
59.8
39.0
28.0
37.4
35.8
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
53. Continued— Annual indexes of manufacturing productivity and related measures, 16 economies
Measure and economy
1980
1990
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
Unit labor costs
(national currency basis)
United States……………………… 81.8
Canada……………………………… 64.1
Australia……………………………… –
Japan………………………………… 92.1
Korea………………………………… 44.4
Taiwan……………………………… 60.3
Belgium……………………………… 80.3
Denmark…………………………… 54.3
France……………………………… 55.6
Germany…………………………… 69.4
Italy…………………………………… 40.7
Netherlands………………………… 84.5
Norway……………………………… 49.7
Spain……………………………….. 41.5
Sweden……………………………… 47.7
United Kingdom…………………… 62.4
96.7
94.2
94.6
95.9
82.1
94.9
93.0
95.0
92.8
90.3
90.2
91.7
93.9
85.8
91.2
98.5
99.2
96.9
100.6
101.0
107.0
104.6
102.3
102.2
102.4
105.2
102.9
100.7
101.6
107.4
90.4
100.4
97.3
94.3
99.2
101.4
112.7
105.6
97.9
94.1
98.6
102.4
99.8
96.2
104.6
108.1
84.0
100.2
95.5
95.4
106.6
97.6
124.6
106.5
96.4
96.0
96.3
106.2
100.8
95.0
110.7
108.9
83.4
103.7
93.7
97.3
108.4
94.0
131.9
105.5
96.8
103.3
97.4
108.2
106.6
94.6
112.0
112.9
87.0
104.4
92.2
95.4
109.2
93.8
127.1
104.5
91.4
98.9
95.0
104.2
109.5
96.5
116.7
114.5
84.0
106.8
91.2
95.7
108.4
95.2
124.2
103.4
91.6
102.1
91.0
105.2
109.6
97.7
126.7
113.4
82.3
113.9
90.3
93.7
111.0
92.7
112.3
99.1
93.7
103.0
90.0
105.1
111.7
97.3
129.5
111.2
77.7
115.0
91.6
91.3
109.4
87.4
110.5
95.9
92.0
101.4
88.4
103.3
110.9
95.3
132.7
111.8
75.6
114.2
92.7
95.8
113.6
90.5
114.8
97.6
95.9
106.1
89.4
103.8
114.9
99.2
136.8
113.6
81.6
115.1
89.9
97.4
113.8
87.9
115.2
86.8
96.9
109.9
90.1
105.3
119.8
101.8
141.0
116.4
77.5
118.6
90.5
101.0
116.1
80.5
113.0
85.5
97.3
112.7
88.9
104.0
126.3
103.7
135.1
119.3
74.9
118.8
87.2
102.4
120.7
76.0
115.8
82.7
95.1
110.6
89.1
100.8
132.0
101.2
131.7
121.2
69.5
117.9
88.9
103.4
126.8
71.9
117.0
80.5
95.5
116.9
85.0
98.3
136.2
99.8
133.3
124.0
67.7
118.8
89.3
105.5
133.7
69.6
112.8
76.9
95.4
114.6
84.1
95.6
136.7
99.4
134.9
124.3
66.3
121.6
Unit labor costs
(U.S. dollar basis)
United States……………………… 81.8
Canada……………………………… 66.3
Australia……………………………… –
Japan………………………………… 51.5
Korea………………………………… 57.3
Taiwan……………………………… 42.1
Belgium……………………………… 88.3
Denmark…………………………… 58.1
France……………………………… 69.6
Germany…………………………… 59.6
Italy…………………………………… 58.5
Netherlands………………………… 74.8
Norway……………………………… 62.6
Spain……………………………….. 59.3
Sweden……………………………… 65.7
United Kingdom…………………… 82.2
96.7
97.5
100.5
83.9
90.7
88.7
89.5
92.7
90.2
87.3
92.7
88.5
93.3
86.2
89.7
99.5
99.2
90.7
93.0
115.3
104.2
99.6
95.1
95.1
95.7
99.3
80.6
95.2
88.9
86.3
67.5
85.3
97.3
83.4
98.7
125.8
109.6
100.4
94.2
89.4
94.1
98.6
76.3
93.0
92.1
82.6
63.4
86.9
95.5
84.0
107.4
131.7
126.5
101.1
105.2
103.5
102.2
115.8
76.2
104.1
108.6
89.5
68.0
92.7
93.7
86.3
115.4
109.5
128.6
96.7
100.4
107.6
100.7
112.3
85.2
98.6
107.7
91.3
75.6
92.3
92.2
83.2
110.4
98.3
105.3
91.3
82.1
90.4
86.2
93.8
79.2
86.9
102.3
80.0
64.0
99.0
91.2
77.9
92.7
92.2
69.6
77.5
81.1
92.0
81.7
93.4
77.7
86.6
104.3
77.7
60.3
106.9
90.3
76.2
97.5
103.3
74.0
77.2
79.6
89.0
77.4
89.4
75.7
82.7
103.1
72.9
54.7
105.3
91.6
74.3
86.5
102.8
76.7
77.2
67.7
75.6
65.8
76.2
65.1
70.2
93.6
63.5
48.0
98.0
92.7
74.8
79.8
94.3
69.7
72.6
68.4
76.9
64.6
74.2
65.5
70.9
94.5
62.6
46.0
93.8
89.9
74.9
84.1
89.0
72.3
63.2
73.0
84.2
68.7
79.5
72.1
76.8
109.8
67.7
46.4
100.9
90.5
87.2
103.0
88.0
74.4
62.5
87.8
103.4
81.2
94.0
91.0
93.7
118.6
83.1
54.0
109.9
87.2
95.1
120.9
89.0
79.3
62.4
94.3
111.5
89.5
100.1
104.5
100.4
121.4
92.8
55.1
122.4
88.9
103.2
131.5
82.8
89.7
63.0
94.7
117.7
85.4
97.8
107.9
99.1
128.6
95.0
52.8
122.5
89.3
112.4
137.0
75.8
92.8
59.5
95.5
116.5
85.3
95.9
109.3
99.7
130.8
96.1
52.4
126.9
NOTE: Data for Germany for years before 1993 are for the former West Germany. Data for 1993 onward are for unified Germany. Dash indicates data not available.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 123
Current Labor Statistics: Injury and Illness Data
54. Occupational injury and illness rates by industry, 1 United States
Industry and type of case
Incidence rates per 100 full-time workers 3
2
1989
1
1990
1991
1992
1993
4
1994
4
1995
4
1996
4
1997
4
1998
4
1999
4
2000
4
2001
4
5
PRIVATE SECTOR
8.6
4.0
78.7
8.8
4.1
84.0
8.4
3.9
86.5
8.9
3.9
93.8
8.5
3.8
–
8.4
3.8
–
8.1
3.6
–
7.4
3.4
–
7.1
3.3
–
6.7
3.1
–
6.3
3.0
–
6.1
3.0
–
5.7
2.8
–
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
10.9
5.7
100.9
11.6
5.9
112.2
10.8
5.4
108.3
11.6
5.4
126.9
11.2
5.0
–
10.0
4.7
–
9.7
4.3
–
8.7
3.9
–
8.4
4.1
–
7.9
3.9
–
7.3
3.4
–
7.1
3.6
–
7.3
3.6
–
Mining
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
8.5
4.8
137.2
8.3
5.0
119.5
7.4
4.5
129.6
7.3
4.1
204.7
6.8
3.9
–
6.3
3.9
–
6.2
3.9
–
5.4
3.2
–
5.9
3.7
–
4.9
2.9
–
4.4
2.7
–
4.7
3.0
–
4.0
2.4
–
Construction
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
14.3
6.8
143.3
14.2
6.7
147.9
13.0
6.1
148.1
13.1
5.8
161.9
12.2
5.5
–
11.8
5.5
–
10.6
4.9
–
9.9
4.5
–
9.5
4.4
–
8.8
4.0
–
8.6
4.2
–
8.3
4.1
–
7.9
4.0
–
General building contractors:
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
13.9
6.5
137.3
13.4
6.4
137.6
12.0
5.5
132.0
12.2
5.4
142.7
11.5
5.1
–
10.9
5.1
–
9.8
4.4
–
9.0
4.0
–
8.5
3.7
–
8.4
3.9
–
8.0
3.7
–
7.8
3.9
–
6.9
3.5
–
Heavy construction, except building:
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
13.8
6.5
147.1
13.8
6.3
144.6
12.8
6.0
160.1
12.1
5.4
165.8
11.1
5.1
–
10.2
5.0
–
9.9
4.8
–
9.0
4.3
–
8.7
4.3
–
8.2
4.1
–
7.8
3.8
–
7.6
3.7
–
7.8
4.0
–
Special trades contractors:
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
14.6
6.9
144.9
14.7
6.9
153.1
13.5
6.3
151.3
13.8
6.1
168.3
12.8
5.8
–
12.5
5.8
–
11.1
5.0
–
10.4
4.8
–
10.0
4.7
–
9.1
4.1
–
8.9
4.4
–
8.6
4.3
–
8.2
4.1
–
Manufacturing
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
13.1
5.8
13.2
5.8
12.7
5.6
12.5
5.4
12.1
5.3
12.2
5.5
11.6
5.3
10.6
4.9
10.3
4.8
9.7
4.7
9.2
4.6
9.0
4.5
8.1
4.1
Lost workdays........………...........................................
113.0
120.7
121.5
124.6
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
14.1
6.0
116.5
14.2
6.0
123.3
13.6
5.7
122.9
13.4
5.5
126.7
13.1
5.4
–
13.5
5.7
–
12.8
5.6
–
11.6
5.1
–
11.3
5.1
–
10.7
5.0
–
10.1
4.8
–
–
–
–
8.8
4.3
–
Lumber and wood products:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
18.4
9.4
177.5
18.1
8.8
172.5
16.8
8.3
172.0
16.3
7.6
165.8
15.9
7.6
–
15.7
7.7
–
14.9
7.0
–
14.2
6.8
–
13.5
6.5
–
13.2
6.8
–
13.0
6.7
–
12.1
6.1
–
10.6
5.5
–
Furniture and fixtures:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
16.1
7.2
–
16.9
7.8
–
15.9
7.2
–
14.8
6.6
128.4
14.6
6.5
–
15.0
7.0
–
13.9
6.4
–
12.2
5.4
–
12.0
5.8
–
11.4
5.7
–
11.5
5.9
–
11.2
5.9
–
11.0
5.7
–
Stone, clay, and glass products:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
15.5
7.4
149.8
15.4
7.3
160.5
14.8
6.8
156.0
13.6
6.1
152.2
13.8
6.3
–
13.2
6.5
–
12.3
5.7
–
12.4
6.0
–
11.8
5.7
–
11.8
6.0
–
10.7
5.4
–
10.4
5.5
–
10.1
5.1
–
Primary metal industries:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
18.7
8.1
168.3
19.0
8.1
180.2
17.7
7.4
169.1
17.5
7.1
175.5
17.0
7.3
–
16.8
7.2
–
16.5
7.2
–
15.0
6.8
–
15.0
7.2
–
14.0
7.0
–
12.9
6.3
–
12.6
6.3
–
10.7
5.3
11.1
Fabricated metal products:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
18.5
7.9
147.6
18.7
7.9
155.7
17.4
7.1
146.6
16.8
6.6
144.0
16.2
6.7
–
16.4
6.7
–
15.8
6.9
–
14.4
6.2
–
14.2
6.4
–
13.9
6.5
–
12.6
6.0
–
11.9
5.5
–
11.1
5.3
–
Industrial machinery and equipment:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
12.1
4.8
86.8
12.0
4.7
88.9
11.2
4.4
86.6
11.1
4.2
87.7
11.1
4.2
–
11.6
4.4
–
11.2
4.4
–
9.9
4.0
–
10.0
4.1
–
9.5
4.0
–
8.5
3.7
–
8.2
3.6
–
11.0
6.0
–
Electronic and other electrical equipment:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
9.1
3.9
77.5
9.1
3.8
79.4
8.6
3.7
83.0
8.4
3.6
81.2
8.3
3.5
–
8.3
3.6
–
7.6
3.3
–
6.8
3.1
–
6.6
3.1
–
5.9
2.8
–
5.7
2.8
–
5.7
2.9
–
5.0
2.5
–
Transportation equipment:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
17.7
6.8
138.6
17.8
6.9
153.7
18.3
7.0
166.1
18.7
7.1
186.6
18.5
7.1
–
19.6
7.8
–
18.6
7.9
–
16.3
7.0
–
15.4
6.6
–
14.6
6.6
–
13.7
6.4
–
13.7
6.3
–
12.6
6.0
–
Instruments and related products:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
5.6
2.5
55.4
5.9
2.7
57.8
6.0
2.7
64.4
5.9
2.7
65.3
5.6
2.5
–
5.9
2.7
–
5.3
2.4
–
5.1
2.3
–
4.8
2.3
–
4.0
1.9
–
4.0
1.8
–
4.5
2.2
–
4.0
2.0
–
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries:
Total cases ............................…………………………
Lost workday cases..................................................
Lost workdays........………........................................
11.1
5.1
97.6
11.3
5.1
113.1
11.3
5.1
104.0
10.7
5.0
108.2
10.0
4.6
–
9.9
4.5
–
9.1
4.3
–
9.5
4.4
–
8.9
4.2
–
8.1
3.9
–
8.4
4.0
–
7.2
3.6
–
6.4
3.2
–
Total cases ............................………………………….
Lost workday cases.....................................................
Lost workdays........………...........................................
5
Durable goods:
124
See footnotes at end of table.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
54. Continued—Occupational injury and illness rates by industry,1 United States
Industry and type of case2
Incidence rates per 100 workers 3
1989
1
1990
1991
1993 4 1994 4 1995 4 1996 4 1997 4 1998 4 1999 4 2000 4 2001 4
1992
Nondurable goods:
Total cases ............................…………………………..…
Lost workday cases.........................................................
Lost workdays........………...............................................
11.6
5.5
107.8
11.7
5.6
116.9
11.5
5.5
119.7
11.3
5.3
121.8
10.7
5.0
–
10.5
5.1
–
9.9
4.9
–
9.2
4.6
–
8.8
4.4
–
8.2
4.3
7.8
4.2
–
7.8
4.2
–
6.8
3.8
–
Food and kindred products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
18.5
9.3
174.7
20.0
9.9
202.6
19.5
9.9
207.2
18.8
9.5
211.9
17.6
8.9
–
17.1
9.2
–
16.3
8.7
–
15.0
8.0
–
14.5
8.0
–
13.6
7.5
12.7
7.3
–
12.4
7.3
–
10.9
6.3
–
Tobacco products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
8.7
3.4
64.2
7.7
3.2
62.3
6.4
2.8
52.0
6.0
2.4
42.9
5.8
2.3
–
5.3
2.4
–
5.6
2.6
–
6.7
2.8
–
5.9
2.7
–
6.4
3.4
-
5.5
2.2
–
6.2
3.1
–
6.7
4.2
–
Textile mill products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
10.3
4.2
81.4
9.6
4.0
85.1
10.1
4.4
88.3
9.9
4.2
87.1
9.7
4.1
–
8.7
4.0
–
8.2
4.1
–
7.8
3.6
–
6.7
3.1
–
7.4
3.4
–
6.4
3.2
–
6.0
3.2
–
5.2
2.7
–
Apparel and other textile products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
8.6
3.8
80.5
8.8
3.9
92.1
9.2
4.2
99.9
9.5
4.0
104.6
9.0
3.8
–
8.9
3.9
–
8.2
3.6
–
7.4
3.3
–
7.0
3.1
–
6.2
2.6
-
5.8
2.8
–
6.1
3.0
–
5.0
2.4
–
Paper and allied products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
12.7
5.8
132.9
12.1
5.5
124.8
11.2
5.0
122.7
11.0
5.0
125.9
9.9
4.6
–
9.6
4.5
–
8.5
4.2
–
7.9
3.8
–
7.3
3.7
–
7.1
3.7
–
7.0
3.7
–
6.5
3.4
–
6.0
3.2
–
Printing and publishing:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
6.9
3.3
63.8
6.9
3.3
69.8
6.7
3.2
74.5
7.3
3.2
74.8
6.9
3.1
–
6.7
3.0
–
6.4
3.0
–
6.0
2.8
–
5.7
2.7
–
5.4
2.8
–
5.0
2.6
–
5.1
2.6
–
4.6
2.4
–
Chemicals and allied products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
7.0
3.2
63.4
6.5
3.1
61.6
6.4
3.1
62.4
6.0
2.8
64.2
5.9
2.7
–
5.7
2.8
–
5.5
2.7
–
4.8
2.4
–
4.8
2.3
–
4.2
2.1
–
4.4
2.3
–
4.2
2.2
–
4.0
2.1
–
Petroleum and coal products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
6.6
3.3
68.1
6.6
3.1
77.3
6.2
2.9
68.2
5.9
2.8
71.2
5.2
2.5
–
4.7
2.3
–
4.8
2.4
–
4.6
2.5
–
4.3
2.2
–
3.9
1.8
–
4.1
1.8
–
3.7
1.9
–
2.9
1.4
–
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
16.2
8.0
147.2
16.2
7.8
151.3
15.1
7.2
150.9
14.5
6.8
153.3
13.9
6.5
–
14.0
6.7
–
12.9
6.5
–
12.3
6.3
–
11.9
5.8
–
11.2
5.8
–
10.1
5.5
–
10.7
5.8
–
8.7
4.8
–
Leather and leather products:
Total cases ............................…………………………..
Lost workday cases......................................................
Lost workdays........………............................................
13.6
6.5
130.4
12.1
5.9
152.3
12.5
5.9
140.8
12.1
5.4
128.5
12.1
5.5
–
12.0
5.3
–
11.4
4.8
–
10.7
4.5
–
10.6
4.3
–
9.8
4.5
–
10.3
5.0
–
9.0
4.3
–
8.7
4.4
–
Transportation and public utilities
Total cases ............................…………………………..…
Lost workday cases.........................................................
Lost workdays........………...............................................
9.2
5.3
121.5
9.6
5.5
134.1
9.3
5.4
140.0
9.1
5.1
144.0
9.5
5.4
–
9.3
5.5
–
9.1
5.2
–
8.7
5.1
–
8.2
4.8
–
7.3
4.3
–
7.3
4.4
–
6.9
4.3
–
6.9
4.3
–
Wholesale and retail trade
Total cases ............................…………………………..…
Lost workday cases.........................................................
Lost workdays........………...............................................
8.0
3.6
63.5
7.9
3.5
65.6
7.6
3.4
72.0
8.4
3.5
80.1
8.1
3.4
–
7.9
3.4
–
7.5
3.2
–
6.8
2.9
–
6.7
3.0
–
6.5
2.8
–
6.1
2.7
–
5.9
2.7
–
6.6
2.5
–
Wholesale trade:
Total cases ............................…………………………..…
Lost workday cases.........................................................
Lost workdays........………...............................................
7.7
4.0
71.9
7.4
3.7
71.5
7.2
3.7
79.2
7.6
3.6
82.4
7.8
3.7
–
7.7
3.8
–
7.5
3.6
–
6.6
3.4
–
6.5
3.2
–
6.5
3.3
–
6.3
3.3
–
5.8
3.1
–
5.3
2.8
–
Retail trade:
Total cases ............................…………………………..…
Lost workday cases.........................................................
Lost workdays........………...............................................
8.1
3.4
60.0
8.1
3.4
63.2
7.7
3.3
69.1
8.7
3.4
79.2
8.2
3.3
–
7.9
3.3
–
7.5
3.0
–
6.9
2.8
–
6.8
2.9
–
6.5
2.7
–
6.1
2.5
–
5.9
2.5
–
5.7
2.4
–
Finance, insurance, and real estate
Total cases ............................…………………………..…
Lost workday cases.........................................................
Lost workdays........………...............................................
2.0
.9
17.6
2.4
1.1
27.3
2.4
1.1
24.1
2.9
1.2
32.9
2.9
1.2
–
2.7
1.1
–
2.6
1.0
–
2.4
.9
–
2.2
.9
–
.7
.5
–
1.8
.8
–
1.9
.8
–
1.8
.7
–
Services
Total cases ............................…………………………..…
Lost workday cases.........................................................
Lost workdays........………...............................................
5.5
2.7
51.2
6.0
2.8
56.4
6.2
2.8
60.0
7.1
3.0
68.6
6.7
2.8
–
6.5
2.8
–
6.4
2.8
–
6.0
2.6
–
5.6
2.5
–
5.2
2.4
–
4.9
2.2
–
4.9
2.2
–
4.6
2.2
–
-
-
1
Data for 1989 and subsequent years are based on the Standard Industrial Classification Manual, 1987 Edition. For this reason, they are not strictly comparable with data
for the years 1985–88, which were based on the Standard Industrial Classification
Manual, 1972 Edition, 1977 Supplement.
N = number of injuries and illnesses or lost workdays;
EH = total hours worked by all employees during the calendar year; and
200,000 = base for 100 full-time equivalent workers (working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks
per year).
2
Beginning with the 1992 survey, the annual survey measures only nonfatal injuries and
illnesses, while past surveys covered both fatal and nonfatal incidents. To better address
fatalities, a basic element of workplace safety, BLS implemented the Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries.
4
Beginning with the 1993 survey, lost workday estimates will not be generated. As of 1992,
BLS began generating percent distributions and the median number of days away from work
by industry and for groups of workers sustaining similar work disabilities.
5
Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees since 1976.
3
The incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses or lost workdays per
100 full-time workers and were calculated as (N/EH) X 200,000, where:
NOTE: Dash indicates data not available.
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008 125
Current Labor Statistics: Injury and Illness Data
55. Fatal occupational injuries by event or exposure, 1996-2005
20053
1996-2000
(average)
2001-2005
(average)2
All events ...............................................................
6,094
5,704
5,734
100
Transportation incidents ................................................
Highway ........................................................................
Collision between vehicles, mobile equipment .........
Moving in same direction ......................................
Moving in opposite directions, oncoming ..............
Moving in intersection ...........................................
Vehicle struck stationary object or equipment on
side of road .............................................................
Noncollision ...............................................................
Jack-knifed or overturned--no collision .................
Nonhighway (farm, industrial premises) ........................
Noncollision accident ................................................
Overturned ............................................................
Worker struck by vehicle, mobile equipment ................
Worker struck by vehicle, mobile equipment in
roadway ..................................................................
Worker struck by vehicle, mobile equipment in
parking lot or non-road area ....................................
Water vehicle ................................................................
Aircraft ...........................................................................
2,608
1,408
685
117
247
151
2,451
1,394
686
151
254
137
2,493
1,437
718
175
265
134
43
25
13
3
5
2
264
372
298
378
321
212
376
310
335
274
335
277
175
369
345
318
273
340
281
182
391
6
6
5
6
5
3
7
129
136
140
2
171
105
263
166
82
206
176
88
149
3
2
3
Assaults and violent acts ...............................................
Homicides .....................................................................
Shooting ....................................................................
Suicide, self-inflicted injury ............................................
1,015
766
617
216
850
602
465
207
792
567
441
180
14
10
8
3
Contact with objects and equipment ............................
Struck by object ............................................................
Struck by falling object ..............................................
Struck by rolling, sliding objects on floor or ground
level .........................................................................
Caught in or compressed by equipment or objects .......
Caught in running equipment or machinery ..............
Caught in or crushed in collapsing materials ................
1,005
567
364
952
560
345
1,005
607
385
18
11
7
77
293
157
128
89
256
128
118
94
278
121
109
2
5
2
2
Falls ..................................................................................
Fall to lower level ..........................................................
Fall from ladder .........................................................
Fall from roof .............................................................
Fall to lower level, n.e.c. ...........................................
714
636
106
153
117
763
669
125
154
123
770
664
129
160
117
13
12
2
3
2
Exposure to harmful substances or environments .....
Contact with electric current ..........................................
Contact with overhead power lines ...........................
Exposure to caustic, noxious, or allergenic substances
Oxygen deficiency .........................................................
535
290
132
112
92
498
265
118
114
74
501
251
112
136
59
9
4
2
2
1
Fires and explosions ......................................................
Fires--unintended or uncontrolled .................................
Explosion ......................................................................
196
103
92
174
95
78
159
93
65
3
2
1
Event or exposure1
Number
Percent
1 Based on the 1992 BLS Occupational Injury and Illness Classification Manual.
2 Excludes fatalities from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
3 The BLS news release of August 10, 2006, reported a total of 5,702 fatal work injuries for calendar year
2005. Since then, an additional 32 job-related fatalities were identified, bringing the total job-related fatality
count for 2005 to 5,734.
NOTE: Totals for all years are revised and final. Totals for major categories may include subcategories not
shown separately. Dashes indicate no data reported or data that do not meet publication criteria. N.e.c. means
"not elsewhere classified."
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, in cooperation with State, New York City,
District of Columbia, and Federal agencies, Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.
126
Monthly Labor Review • July 2008
COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Work Schedules in the National Compensation Survey
by Richard Schumann
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Originally Posted: July 28, 2008
Work schedules in the United States are generally viewed as consisting of an 8-hour day and a 40-hour week. But the
National Compensation Survey (NCS) covers many occupations that have different types of work schedules: fire fighters, for
example, who often work 24 straight hours followed by 48 hours off; truck drivers, many of whom spend days at a time on the
road; waiters and waitresses, whose schedules may vary every week; and school teachers, who tend to work many hours at
home. Fitting all of these different schedules into a common form for data publication can be challenging.
The National Compensation Survey (NCS) produces data on occupational earnings, compensation cost trends--the
Employment Cost Index (ECI) and the Employer Cost for Employee Compensation (ECEC) series--and benefits. The wage
and benefit data collected from NCS respondents come in several time frames: hourly, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or
annually. Converting the raw data into a common format requires accurate work schedules. This article explains how the
NCS calculates these work schedules and the role that they play in the calculation of the published data series.
Definition Of The Work Schedule
The NCS work schedule is defined as, "The number of daily hours, weekly hours, and annual weeks that employees in an
occupation are scheduled and do work." The work schedule is the standard schedule for the occupation; short-term
fluctuations and one-time events are not considered unless the change becomes permanent. For example, paid or unpaid
time off due to a snowstorm would not result in the adjustment of the work schedule because this would not represent a
permanent change. Paid lunch periods are included in the work schedule, as is incidental time off, such as coffee breaks, or
wash-up time. Vacation, holidays, sick leave, and other kinds of leave hours are included in the work schedule, but they are
subtracted when calculating the number of hours worked in a year.
Overtime hours are hours worked beyond the normal work schedule and are collected separately for nonexempt employees
and any exempt employees the employer chooses to pay for overtime.1 Nonexempt employees must be paid a premium for
all time worked beyond 40 hours during a week.2 Overtime pay for nonexempt employees is reported separately in the
premium pay category; overtime hours are included in the calculation of annual hours worked, but they are not part of the
work schedule. For exempt employees who are not paid a premium for work beyond 40 hours, "hours scheduled and worked"
would include any time normally worked beyond 40 hours. Hours worked beyond the normal work schedules are not reported
separately for exempt employees unless the employer chooses to compensate them for those hours.
The number of weeks worked per year is 52 in most cases. For employees of seasonal establishments, the NCS collects the
number of weeks actually worked. For example, an amusement park in a cold weather environment might close between
November and April. If employees in a job worked 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, when the park was open, the work
schedule is 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, 26 weeks per year.3 The job is considered full-time and seasonal. Any jobs
at the park that required 52 weeks of work per year have a 52-week work schedule.
Annual scheduled hours and annual hours worked. The work schedule is used to calculate both "annual scheduled
hours," which is a measure of the annual hours an employee is scheduled to work, and "annual hours worked," which is the
number of hours actually worked during the year. Annual scheduled hours are calculated by multiplying scheduled weekly
hours by scheduled annual weeks. Annual hours worked are calculated by adding any overtime hours worked to the annual
scheduled hours and subtracting all leave hours taken. For example, consider a job in which the employees work 8 hours per
day, 5 days per week, 52 weeks per year; and they work 60 hours of overtime (paid at time and one-half) and receive 3
weeks vacation, 7 paid holidays, 4 sick days and 2 personal days per year.4 The calculation of annual hours worked is as
follows:
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COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Scheduled annual hours (40 hours × 52 weeks): 2,080 hours
+ Overtime hours:
60 hours
- Vacation time (40 hours × 3 weeks):
120 hours
- Holidays (8 hours × 7 days):
56 hours
- Sick days (8 hours × 4 days):
32 hours
- Personal days (8 hours × 2 days):
16 hours
= Annual hours worked:
1,916 hours
Calculating Wage And Benefit Costs Using Work Schedules
Wages and salaries. Wage and salary data are collected separately from work schedule data. The straight-time average
hourly earnings are calculated from actual earnings and matching actual hours worked or paid in the collection reference
period. If the hourly rate is available, no additional calculations are needed. The hours for a collection reference period may
vary from what is normally scheduled. The calculation of straight-time hourly earnings for the reference period reflects shortterm fluctuations in the work schedule; the calculation of the "permanent" work schedule does not reflect such fluctuations.
For example, a sales worker who receives only commissions and had a biweekly commission of $600 but worked only 1
week during the period would receive straight-time average hourly earnings of $15.00 per hour ($600 ÷ 40 hours). If the $600
was divided by the normal work schedule, the straight-time average hourly earnings would be $7.50 ($600 ÷ 80 hours), which
would be an understatement of the actual hourly earnings.5
Benefit costs. The ECI and ECEC publish data for a wide variety of benefits. The costs for these benefits may take different
forms, such as monthly premiums, percent of gross earnings, or days of paid leave. These costs must be converted to a
common cost form to allow for the calculation of individual benefit and total benefit costs across occupations, industries, and
other publication categories in the survey. The NCS uses a cost-per-hour-worked concept as the common cost form. To
convert all costs to a per-hour-worked basis, the cost of each benefit is converted to an annual cost and then divided by the
number of annual hours worked.
The work schedule is used to calculate the annual cost of the benefits, annual gross earnings, and the annual hours worked
for the job. Calculation of the annual benefit cost varies by the way the benefit is paid. In the work schedule for the example
shown in which annual hours worked equal 1,916, assume the employer pays a premium for health insurance of $300 per
month. The annual cost would be $3,600 ($300 × 12 months), and the cost per hour worked would be $1.88 ($3,600 ÷ 1,916
annual hours worked). If the job had a wage rate of $10 per hour, the total cost of 3 weeks of vacation would be $1,200
($10.00 × 40 hours per week × 3 weeks per year) and the cost per hour worked would be $0.63 ($1,200 ÷ 1,916 annual
hours worked). The annual cost of Medicare (1.45 percent × gross earnings6) is $ 314.65 and the cost per hour worked would
be $0.164 ($314.65 ÷ 1916 annual hours worked).
Types Of Work Schedules
Work schedules fall into one of four types: fixed, flexible, rotating, and nonfixed. The various types of work schedules are
discussed in the paragraphs that follow.
Fixed work schedules. Employees who work the same schedule on an ongoing basis are considered to be on a fixed
schedule. For example, employees who work from 9:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. each day, with 30 minutes unpaid lunch, and who
work Monday through Friday each week are on a fixed schedule. Their schedule is 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week (8
hours × 5 days) and 52 weeks per year.
Flexible work schedules. Flexible work schedules are very similar to fixed work schedules. Under a flexible work schedule,
employees set their own hours, generally within guidelines and with a fixed number of total hours. For example, an individual
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COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
worker might be permitted to arrive and leave work at various times provided she or he works 40 hours between Monday and
Friday and is at work during certain core hours. An individual might work 9 hours one day, 7 hours one day, and 8 hours the
other three days. For NCS purposes, these short-term fluctuations are ignored and would be treated as an 8-hour day and a
40-hour week.
Rotating work schedules. Rotating work schedules have a fixed number of hours and time off over a period of more than 1
week but not a set weekly schedule. Rotating schedules are most common among occupations in establishments that
operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, such as nurses, police officers, and firefighters. Calculation of these types of
work schedules is complicated by the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.7 For example, a common work
schedule for firefighters is 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off duty. Over a 3-week period, they work 3 days in one
week and 2 days in the other two weeks. Every 3 weeks, the rotation starts again. The total hours worked would be 168 over
the 3-week cycle, which is an average of 56 hours per week.
In this example, the work schedule would actually be recorded in the NCS as 53 hours per week, because that is the
maximum number of straight-time hours allowed for firefighters under the Fair Labor Standards Act. For nonexempt
firefighters, the other 3 hours would be considered overtime, and the cost would be recorded as premium pay; the hours
would be added to "annual hours worked," but not to the work schedule. This schedule would be 24 hours per day, 53 hours
per week, and 52 weeks per year.
Nonfixed work schedules. Nonfixed work schedules are found in situations in which one job has multiple work schedules. In
such cases, the varying schedules are often due to particular traits of individual workers or because the work required varies
by individual. For the purposes of the NCS, the nonfixed work schedule recorded is often an average of the work schedules
of the employees in the job and therefore may not reflect the actual work schedules of particular individuals in the job. The
nonfixed schedules are grouped into three broad subcategories: multiple fixed schedules for a job, individualized schedules
for each employee, and schedules based on additional requirements of the job.
1. Multiple fixed schedules for a job. This type of schedule is most common when there is a mixture of full-time and parttime employees in a job. An example would be a retail establishment that has full-time sales clerks who work 40 hours
per week and part-time clerks who work 20 hours per week. The NCS does not mix part-time and full-time workers in
the same job; full-time and part-time workers are classified in separate jobs in the NCS. If all of the full-time workers or
all of the part-time workers have the same schedule, the schedule is treated as if it were a fixed schedule. If multiple
schedules are present for the selected group, the NCS calculates an average work schedule.
2. Individualized schedules for each employee. Individualized schedules are based on employer need or on individual
preferences. This type of scheduling occurs most frequently in food service and retail trade establishments, and for
some occupations within the transportation industry. For example, a restaurant may have a given number of waiters
and waitresses whose total hours and times of work may vary each week. Assignment of weekly hours would depend
on the needs of the restaurant and employee preferences. It is possible in these situations that each employee in the
occupation could have a different work schedule. Because the NCS does not mix full- and part-time employees in one
job, if the job contained a mix of full- and part-time workers, the NCS would define it as two different jobs, one parttime and one full-time. The NCS would then calculate an average work schedule for all of the full-time employees or all
of the part-time employees separately. For example, if a restaurant had five part-time waiters and waitresses who
worked 24, 22, 20, 16, and 12 hours per week, respectively, the average work schedule would be 18.8 hours per
week.9 The daily number of hours would be the average weekly hours divided by the average number of days worked.
Work schedules for over-the-road truck drivers may vary between individual drivers, as well as from week to week for
individual drivers, based on transportation schedules and legal limits on the amount of time worked per day or week.
Over-the-road truck drivers are generally paid by mileage, not hours worked, and it is difficult to collect the actual
hours worked. If NCS is unable to collect the driver's actual hours worked, it uses the employer's best estimate
instead, subject to the limits of Federal Highway Administration (FHA) regulations.10 FHA regulations limit drivers to no
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COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
more than 60 hours per week if the company does not operate every day, 70 hours in any 8 consecutive days, and no
more than 10 hours a day.
Work schedules for individual members of flight crews might vary every month, depending on flight assignments.
These workers are paid an hourly rate when flying, but they also receive pay for time spent in other activities, such as
training or ground travel between flights. Collection of pay data for these nonflying periods and the hours associated
with this pay has been attempted in a field test and proven not to be feasible for regular collection.11 In many cases,
the hourly flight pay begins when the plane leaves the departure gate and ends when the plane pulls into the arrival
gate. In these cases, time spent on pre- and post-flight activities is not compensated and is difficult to collect. As a
result of these collection problems, the NCS collects only the hourly flight rate and the flight hours for flight crews.
3. Additional requirements of the job. Professional and managerial employees often work beyond the established work
schedule of the employer due to the requirements of their jobs. Because such workers are exempt from the overtime
provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers are not required to compensate them for the additional hours. If
the hours worked are not compensated for, then they usually are not recorded. Collection of the actual hours normally
worked would be the preferred way of determining the work schedule, but records of hours worked by exempt
employees are usually not available. In most cases, the NCS collects the employer's best estimate of the hours
normally worked by exempt employees. If the respondent is unwilling or unable to estimate the hours, then the normal
work hours of other employees in the establishment are used.
The actual hours worked by elementary and secondary school teachers (who are exempt) are often not available.
Time spent in lesson preparation, test construction and grading, providing additional help to students, and other
nonclassroom activities are not available and therefore not recorded. The NCS uses contract hours for teachers in
determining the work schedule.12 Contracts usually specify the length of the school day, the number of teaching and
required nonteaching days, and the amount of time, if any, teachers are required to be in the school before and after
school hours. These hours are used to construct the work schedule. For example, it is common for teacher contracts
to specify that teachers will work 185 days per year. In these cases, the daily work schedule would be the length of the
school day plus any time teachers are required to be in school before or after the school day, and the weekly work
schedule would be the daily schedule multiplied by 5 days (Monday through Friday). The number of weeks would be
37 (185 days ÷ 5 days per week). The time not worked during summer, Christmas break, and spring break would be
excluded from the work schedule and would not be considered vacation or holiday. Jobs in schools are not considered
to be seasonal.
Summary
The work schedule is intended to reflect the hours of work performed in a particular job. In most cases, the actual schedule
can be collected. There are times, however, when actual data are not available for a job. In those cases, the NCS attempts to
collect the employer's best estimate of the work schedule. If the employer is unable or unwilling to make an estimate, the
work schedule used is that of other similarly situated employees in the establishment, if available; if such a work schedule is
not available, the job is not included in the calculation of NCS estimates.
Richard Schumann
Economist, Program Development and Survey Procedures Branch, Division of Compensation Data Analysis and Planning, Office
of Compensation and Working Conditions, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Telephone: (202) 691-6277; E-mail: Schumann.Richard@bls.gov.
Notes
1 The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) mandates that employers in covered establishments pay time and one-half for time worked beyond 40
hours in a week. Exempt employees, who are salaried and meet specified job content and weekly pay guidelines, are exempt from the
overtime provisions. Exempt employees are generally supervisors or professional employees. Nonexempt employees are covered by the
overtime provisions. They are hourly, nonsupervisory employees who make less than a specified weekly income (currently $455 per week).
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COMPENSATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS
U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Nonsupervisory salaried employees who make less than $455 per week may also be nonexempt. For more information on exemptions, see the
U.S. Department of Labor's "Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor," on the Internet at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/screen75.asp.
2 The 40-hour standard applies to most occupations, but there are specific occupations that may have different standards. For example,
overtime is required for nonexempt police officers after 42 hours and nonexempt firefighters after 53 hours.
3 The number of weeks is calculated by multiplying the months open (6) by the number of weeks per month, 4.333: 6 × 4.333 = 25.999 (or 26)
weeks. The number of weeks per month is calculated by dividing the total number of weeks (52) by the total number of months (12): 52 ÷ 12 =
4.333.
4 The NCS assumes that all vacation, holiday, and personal days are used during the year, but it collects the average number of sick days
actually used by the employees in the year. The number of sick days used is held constant over time unless there is a change in the sick leave
plan. It is assumed that employees have an opportunity to use all vacation, holiday, and personal days during the year, but they use sick days
only when they are actually sick and may not have the opportunity to use them if they are healthy during the year.
5 It is not necessary to adjust for leave taken if the employee is paid for the leave at the same rate as regular pay. For example, an employee
whose salary is $1,000 per week would be paid $2,000 biweekly. If the employee worked 1 week and was on vacation for 1 week (employee
works 40 hours per week), the payment of $2,000 could be divided by 80 hours paid to get a straight-time average hourly earnings rate of $25
per hour. It would not be necessary to subtract the $1,000 of vacation pay and the 40 hours of vacation time taken from the calculation
because the resulting calculation ($1,000 divided by 40 hours worked) would also yield a straight-time average hourly earnings rate of $25.
6 The calculation of gross earnings would be as follows: hours paid × straight-time average hourly earnings. Hours paid would be the sum of
scheduled annual hours, overtime hours (1.0 × the number of overtime hours), and the premium (0.5 × the number of overtime hours).
7 See note 1.
8 For example, if there were three part-time workers who worked 3 days per week, five who worked 2 days per week, and two who worked 1
day per week (all worked an 8-hour day) the weighted weekly average of the three schedules would be 16.8 hours, calculated as follows: {[(3 ×
3 × 8) + (5 × 2 × 8) + (2 × 1 × 8)] ÷ (3 + 5 + 2)} = 168 ÷ 10 = 16.8.
9 The average would be calculated by adding all of the hours worked and dividing by the number of employees. In this case, calculation would
be as follows: (24 + 22 + 20 + 16 + 12) ÷ 5 = 18.8. The average number of days worked would be calculated in the same way. The daily work
schedule would be the number of hours per week divided by the average days worked per week. In this example, if the average number of
days worked were 4, and the weeks worked were 52, the work schedule would be 4.7 hours per day (18.8 ÷ 4), 18.8 hours per week, 52 weeks
per year.
10 The straight-time average hourly earnings would not be affected if an estimate were used for the work schedule. The straight-time average
hourly earnings would be calculated by dividing actual straight-time earnings for the pay period by the straight-time hours reported for that pay
period. The straight-time pay would include any add-ons, such as pay for carrying hazardous cargo.
11 Collection of "only flight" pay can distort the average hourly rate for flight crew members by understating both income and hours worked.
For example, payments received and hours associated with training and ground transportation are not included. Flight pay may also exclude
add-ons such as additional pay for flying at night or carrying hazardous cargo.
12 Because actual hours for teachers are not available, contract hours are used for both the work schedule and the calculation of straight-time
average hourly earnings. Because contract hours are less than the actual hours worked, the straight-time average hourly earnings for teachers
are often higher than those for occupations that have higher annual earnings. For more information about teachers' actual hours worked, see
Rachel Krantz-Kent, "Teachers' work patterns: when, where, and how much do U.S. teachers work?" Monthly Labor Review, March 2008, pp.
52-5; available on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2008/03/art4full.pdf.
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