FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, September26, 2002

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY SEPTEMBER 2002 
NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT statistics
AND LABOR FORCE/UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

This report is produced by the Economic Research and Analysis division of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission as a free service to the Oklahoma community. All of the information contained within is available free of charge at the OESC website (www.oesc.state.ok.us) and through publications developed by the Economic Research and Analysis division.

Please be aware that unless otherwise noted, all statistics contained within are preliminary statistics and have not been adjusted for seasonal factors. All data is collected under strict guidelines provided by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The mission of the OESC Economic Research and Analysis division is to develop, refine and manage a comprehensive system of state and local labor market information. Any individual and/or organization needing to track the economic health of the State of Oklahoma and its local areas may access this information. This customer base includes, but is not limited to, job seekers, employers, economic development entities, students, occupational and educational planners, labor organizations and all levels of government. Labor market information can be used for economic, education, labor force and fiscal planning, as well as serving as a valuable tool for marketing, research and individual career planning.

SEASONAL GAINS IN SERVICES DRIVE STATEWIDE EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in Oklahoma improved by 3,600 jobs (+0.2 percent) in August 2002, settling at 1,512,300 jobs. Reversing the trend of the previous month, the SERVICE PRODUCING industries expanded by 4,600 jobs (+0.4 percent), while the GOODS PRODUCING industries contracted by 1,000 jobs (-0.4 percent). Compared to this time last year , employment has edged up by 8,400 jobs (+0.6 percent). Other highlights include:

·        Services contributed a whopping 40 percent (+1,900 jobs) of Oklahoma’s total job growth (+4,900 jobs) for the month, following a trend seen around the nation. Job gains in the state were due to the strength of Business Services, Educational Services and Social Services. Compared with other major divisions, Services is the largest employment industry in Oklahoma. The division has risen to a high of 446,300 jobs with consistent growth from year to year. It has added 3,300 jobs (+0.7 percent) since August 2001.

·        Finance, Insurance, and Real Estate increased by 400 jobs over the month. The OKC and Tulsa MSA’s each added 100 F.I.R.E. jobs to its workforce. Insurance Carriers accounted for these job gains for the third month in a row. Over the year, this major industry has grown by 2.0 percent (+1,500 jobs).

·        Trade grew due to an expansion in Retail Trade of 1,000 jobs (+0.4 percent) over the month. However, the negative impact of an 800 job loss (-1.2 percent) in Wholesale Trade lessened overall gains. Retail jobs for August were boosted by expansion in Eating & Drinking Places and Apparel & Accessory Stores. Compared to a year ago, this major division has gained 1,700 jobs (+0.5 percent).

·        Manufacturing has continued its downward trend since 1998. In August of this year, this major division decreased by 500 jobs (-0.3 percent). Durable Goods diminished by 400 jobs due to Fabricated Metal and Industrial Machinery. Nondurable Goods lost 100 jobs mainly due to declines in Printing and Publishing. This major division has dropped 2,400 jobs (-1.3 percent) over the past year.

·        Construction declined by 400 jobs (-0.6 percent) in August after reporting six consecutive months of seasonal job gains. Over the year, employment has added of 1,500 jobs (+2.3 percent).

·        Transportation and Public Utilities lost 300 jobs (-0.4 percent) compared to July 2002. Employment levels in Trucking & Warehousing and Communications showed weaknesses for the month. Over the year, this major division decreased by 2,200 jobs (-2.6 percent).

·        Mining decreased by 100 jobs (-0.3 percent) over the month. Compared to August 2001, a total of 1,000 jobs (+3.1 percent) have been created in this major division

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT has recovered from the two consecutive months of seasonal educational drops by adding 2,400 jobs (+0.9 percent) in August 2002. State and Local Government added 2,500 jobs (+1.1 percent), which offset the 100 job loss in Federal Government. Over the year, TOTAL GOVERNMENT has increased by 4,000 jobs (+1.4 percent).

Click here to view the Oklahoma NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

OKLAHOMA CITY

SEASONAL RETAIL TRADE AND GOVERNMENT GAINS STOP OKC’S TWO MONTH EMPLOYMENT S KID

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

Seasonal gains in Retail Trade and State & Local Government led TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area to a gain of  1,800 jobs (+0.3 percent) for the month of August 2002. This brings the TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT to 542,100 people employed. Compared to last year at this time, employment has gained 0.7 percent (4,000 jobs). Other highlights for August 2002 include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT employment jumped by 1,700 jobs (+1.8 percent) to 98,800 workers in the past month thanks in part to seasonal gains brought about by the end of summer break for schools. State Government increased by 800 jobs (+2.3 percent) while Local Government gained 1,000 jobs (+2.9 percent). Since August 2001, TOTAL GOVERNMENT has declined by 300 jobs (-0.3 percent).

·        Retail Trade gained 400 jobs (+0.4 percent) in August 2002 and has expanded by 1,800 jobs (+1.8 percent) since August 2001. Wholesale Trade remained unchanged at 104,300  over the month, but has declined by 600 jobs (-2.4 percent) over the year. At 128,300 jobs, Total Trade employment has grown by 0.3 percent since July 2002 and 0.9 percent since August 2001.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate employment added 100 jobs (+0.3 percent) since July 2002 to finish the month at 30,300 jobs. This division has grown by 500 jobs (+1.7 percent) over the past year.

·        Services finished the month of August at 178,700, a minor gain of only 100 jobs (+0.1 percent) since July 2002.  However, this division has added 4,500 jobs (+2.6 percent) since August 2001.

·        Durable Goods Manufacturing remained constant during August 2002, finishing the month with 32,900 jobs. Losses in Industrial Machinery and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing have resulted in a drop of 2,200 jobs (-6.3 percent) since August 2001.  Nondurable Goods Manufacturing  dropped 200 jobs (-1.3 percent) since July 2002 to settle at 15,300 jobs. This division has declined by 500 jobs (-3.2 percent) since August 2001. Total Manufacturing, at 48,200 jobs, has contracted by 0.4 percent since July 2002 and 5.3 percent since August 2001.

·        Mining remained unchanged at 7,700 jobs for the month. When compared to August 2001, the division has added 200 jobs (+2.7 percent).

·        Construction lost 200 jobs (-0.8 percent) over the month to end up at 25,000 jobs. The division has picked up 1,400 jobs (+5.9 percent) since August 2001.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities lost 100 jobs (-0.4 percent) since July 2002. The current total of 25,100 jobs has dropped by 800 jobs (-3.1 percent) since August 2001.

  Click here to view the Oklahoma City NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

TULSA

TULSA STOPS THREE MONTH SKID THANKS TO SEASONAL TRADE AND GOVERNMENT BOOSTS

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area increased by 600 jobs (0.1 percent) to 407,200 in August 2002, up 100 jobs over the previous year. Most employment growth occurred in the SERVICE PRODUCING industries. Other highlights include:

·        In the Trade major industry division, Wholesale Trade workers diminished by 200 (-0.9 percent) from July 2002, while Retail Trade grew by 300 jobs. Retail Trade job expansion occurred in Eating and Drinking Places, Food Stores and Home Furniture, Furnishing and Equipment Stores. Consequently, Trade recorded a marginal lift in employment of 100 jobs (+0.1 percent) from July 2002, bringing the job count to 89,900.

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT employment picked up following resumption of local public and private schools after the summer vacation. TOTAL GOVERNMENT employment rose to 42,200 in August 2002, an over-the-month gain of 700 employees (+1.7 percent). All growth in this major industry division occurred in Local Government.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate improved slightly by gaining 100 workers (+0.4 percent) from July 2002. This division is now at the same employment level as in August 2001 (22,400 workers).

·        Mining held steady from last month with 5,700 jobs, but has shown a loss of 500 workers (-8.1 percent) since August 2001.

·        The Manufacturing major industry division also held steady at 57,000 workers over the month. However, the division has added 400 workers (+0.7 percent) since last year. 

·        Construction contracted by 100 jobs (-0.5 percent) from July 2002, bringing the job count to 21,600. This represents an over the year gain of 1,000 workers.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities declined marginally by 100 employees (-0.3 percent). Compared to same period in 2001, it has dropped 200 jobs ( -0.6 percent).

·        Employment in the Services major industry division lessened moderately. At 133,300 in August 2002, 100 jobs (-0.1 percent) were lost from the previous month. However, 800 workers (+0.6 percent) have been added when compared to same period last year.

Click here to view the Tulsa NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

LAWTON

LAWTON WORKFORCE ON THE RISE AS STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

In August 2002, TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Lawton Metropolitan Statistical Area improved by 300 workers (+0.8 percent) thanks to the end of summer vacation and resumption of the school year. GOODS PRODUCING industries suffered a marginal loss of 100 employees (-1.8 percent) while the SERVICE PRODUCING industries gained 400 jobs (+1.2 percent) from July 2002. Other highlights include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT employment climbed to 11,700 for an over-the-month gain of 500 workers (+4.5 percent). As State Government held steady, Federal and Local Governments recorded additions of 100 and 400 employees respectively from the previous month.

·        Services showed a marginal employment growth of 100 jobs (+1.0 percent) from July and 300 jobs (+3.0 percent) when compared to August 2001.

·        Both Mining and Construction major industry divisions retained the same employment level from the previous month and previous year.  Mining settled at 100 employees, while Construction stayed at 1,600.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities employment was almost unchanged over the month and year. A slight drop of 100 workers (-5.9 percent) was recorded from July 2002 and August 2001.

·        Trade retained the same number of employees (8,500) from July 2002 while showing a reduction of 200 workers (-2.3 percent) when compared to August 2001.

·        A small drop of 100 workers (-2.6 percent) was seen in Manufacturing over the month and year. Employment in this major industry division sits at 3,700.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate showed a slight decline of 100 jobs (-4.8 percent) over the month, but is up by the same amount over the past year.

Click here to view the Lawton NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

ENID

ENID AREA EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS REFLECT SMALL DROP IN SERVICE JOBS

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT for August 2002 in the Enid Metropolitan Statistical Area declined by 0.9 percent (200 jobs) to 23,300. Despite a month of consistency in the Enid MSA, a small drop in the Services division translates into a similar drop in TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT. This means that employment is down 200 jobs over the month and over the year. Other highlights include:

·        Services declined by 100 jobs (-1.5 percent) when compared to both July 2002 and August 2001 to finish the month at 6,600 jobs.

·        Mining remained constant at 600 jobs for August 2002. The division has declined by 100 jobs (-14.3 percent) when compared to August 2001.

·        Construction stayed at the same employment level of  800 jobs when compared to both July 2002 and August 2001.

·        At 2,500 jobs, Manufacturing in both Durable Goods and Nondurable Goods remained constant for August 2002.  Nondurable Goods employment (1,500 jobs) has decreased by 100 jobs (-6.3 percent) over the last 12 months.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities ended August 2002 at 1,900 jobs, the same level as both July 2002 and August 2001.

·        Retail Trade also remained constant at 5,100 jobs over the month, but has gained 200 jobs (+4.1 percent) over the year. Wholesale Trade employment held steady compared to July 2002 and August 2001 at 1,200.

·        Coming in at 1,100 jobs, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate employment remained constant when compared to both July 2002 and August 2001.

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT  remained constant for the month and year at 3,500. Federal Government (400 jobs), State Government (900 jobs) and Local Government (2,200 jobs) all remained unchanged.

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

LABOR FORCE & TOTAL EMPLOYMENT DROP; BOTH SEASONAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS TO BLAIM

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force continued to lose substantially in September 2002, dropping 7,300 workers to finish the month at 1,687,800 workers following an almost 20,000 worker loss last month. Although our data history shows that it is common to see a loss at this time of year, the September 2002 loss is the largest for the same time period since 1994. However, the labor force has still gained 17,100 workers (+1.0 percent) over the year.

For labor market information, news releases, addresses of OESC’s local offices, please check OESC’s home page at 
http:// www.oesc.state.ok.us/