FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, October24, 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.

EDUCATIONAL GAINS IN GOVERNMENT AND SERVICES DRIVE STATE EMPLOYMENT GROWTH FOR MONTH

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma’s TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT increased by 14,600 jobs (+1.0 percent) in September 2002, bringing total employment to 1,526,800. The SERVICE PRODUCING industries gained 14,900 jobs, while the GOODS PRODUCING industries dropped 300 jobs. Compared to one year ago, TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT has increased by 7,900 jobs (+0.5 percent). Other highlights include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT reported employment gains of 15,000 jobs (+5.3 percent) in September due to teachers and other educational personnel returning to work. State Government added 6,300 jobs, and Local Government grew by 8,900 jobs. Federal Government decreased by 200 jobs. Over the past year, this major division has grown by 3,500 jobs (+1.2 percent).

·        Seasonal changes also affected the Services division, which increased by 1,600 jobs (+0.4 percent) in September 2002 thanks to gains in Educational Services. Hotels & Other Lodging Places and Motion Pictures experienced seasonal losses last month. Compared to a year ago, employment has risen by 3,100 jobs (+0.7 percent) in this division.

·        Construction continued its expansion by adding 1,200 jobs (+1.8 percent) in September after a slight decrease in August. Over the year, a total of 3,300 jobs (+5.1 percent) have been added to this division.

·        Following a national trend, Manufacturing contracted by 900 jobs (-0.5 percent) over the month. Durable Goods such as Transportation Equipment (down 500 jobs) and Aircraft & Parts (minus 300 jobs) contributed heavily to the loss due in part to a national slowdown in travel. Nondurable Goods lost 400 jobs as a result of Food & Kindred Products. Manufacturing has fallen by 3,600 jobs (-2.0 percent) compared to September 2001.

·        Trade lost 900 jobs (-0.3 percent) over the month as the Wholesale Trade of Nondurable Goods continued to slide. Retail Trade had no real effect on employment as changes in the industries in this division offset each other. Compared to the previous year, this major division has gained 1,300 jobs (+0.4 percent).

·        Reversing the previous month’s trend, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate declined by 700 jobs in September. Depository Institutions dropped 200 jobs statewide. The Oklahoma City and Tulsa MSA’s combined for a loss of 500 jobs in this division. Over the year, FIRE has gained 1,300 jobs (+1.7 percent).

·        Mining showed a seasonal decline of 600 jobs (-1.8 percent) over the month. Compared to September 2001, this major division had improved by 1,000 jobs (+3.2 percent).

·        Transportation and Public Utilities fell by 100 jobs (-0.1 percent) when compared to August 2002. Over the year, this major division has lost 2,000 jobs (-2.4 percent).

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

OKC EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO GROW THANKS TO SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

In September 2002, seasonal gains in Services and TOTAL GOVERNMENT lifted employment in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area to a gain of 7,900 jobs (+1.5 percent) for the month and 3,600 jobs (0.7 percent) for the year. This brings TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City MSA to 549,600 people employed. Other highlights for September 2002 include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT employment increased by 5,900 jobs (+6.0 percent) over the past month, recording gains in Local Government (+4,200 jobs), State Government (+1,600 jobs) and Federal Government (+100 jobs). At 104,800 jobs, TOTAL GOVERNMENT has lost 400 jobs since September 2001.

·        Following the statewide trend, Services expanded by 2,000 jobs (+1.1 percent) in September 2002 to finish the month at 180,600 jobs. This division has increased by 4,600 jobs (+2.6 percent) since last year at this time.

·        Construction added 400 jobs (+1.6 percent) to finish the month at 25,400 jobs. The division has picked up 1,500 jobs (+6.3 percent) since September 2001.

·        Total Trade remained steady for the month. Retail Trade employment held for the second straight month at 104,200 jobs, an expansion of 1,800 jobs (+1.8 percent) over the past year. Wholesale Trade, also unchanged at 23,700 jobs, has declined by 900 jobs (-3.7 percent) since September 2001. At 127,900 jobs, Total Trade has grown by 900 jobs over the past year.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities ended the month at 25,100 jobs, the same as August 2002 but 900 jobs less (-3.5 percent) than September 2001.

·        Manufacturing employment dropped slightly in September. Durable Goods Manufacturing added 100 jobs (+0.3 percent) over the month for a total of 32,900 jobs, but has dropped 2,200 jobs (-6.3 percent) since last September. At 15,200 jobs, Nondurable Goods Manufacturing lost 200 jobs (-1.3 percent) over the month and 600 jobs (-3.8 percent) since September 2001. With the 100 job loss in September, Total Manufacturing now stands at 48,100 jobs, 2,800 (-5.5 percent) less than one year ago.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate dropped 200 jobs (-0.7 percent) in September 2002, bringing its total growth over the past year to 600 jobs (+2.0 percent).

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

TULSA

TULSA EMPLOYMENT ON THE MEND AS SERVICES, GOVERNMENT & CONSTRUCTION ALL POST GAINS

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area grew by 2,800 jobs (+0.7 percent) over the month of September to settle at 409,800. However, employment for Tulsa has declined by 200 employees over the past year. Other highlights include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT grew by 2,400 jobs (+5.9 percent) from August 2002 to finish the month at 44,500 jobs, an increase of 400 jobs (+0.9 percent) from September 2001. An appreciable part of this growth was seen in Local Government.

·        Services recorded a considerable employment boost in September mostly due to seasonal gains in Educational Services. This division finished the month with a job count of 134,800, an improvement of 1,100 employees (+0.8 percent) from the previous month and 1,400 employees (+1.0 percent) over the year.

·        Construction added 200 workers (+0.9 percent) over the month. At 21,700 jobs, this represents a growth of 1,100 jobs (+5.3 percent) when compared to September 2001.

·        At 5,700 jobs, Mining remained constant over the month. When compared to last year at this time, this division has experienced a loss of 400 workers (-6.6 percent) since September 2001.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities held steady at 35,100 jobs from the previous month and reported a drop of 500 employees (-1.4 percent) since September 2001.

·        Trade fell to 89,200 jobs over the month, finishing down 400 workers (-0.4 percent) from August 2002. Wholesale Trade lost 300 workers (-1.4 percent), while Retail Trade dropped 100 (-0.1 percent). Over the past year, Trade has fallen by 2,100 workers (-2.3 percent).

·        Manufacturing major industry division shrank by 200 employees (-0.4 percent) in September 2002. With 56,700 workers, it has added 100 jobs (+0.2 percent) over the year.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate contracted by 300 jobs (-1.3 percent) from August 2002 and by 200 jobs (- 0.9 percent) over the year. The total job count in FIRE for the month settled at 22,100.

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

LAWTON

GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DRIVE LAWTON EMPLOYMENT GROWTH

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Lawton Metropolitan Statistical Area continued an upward trend in September 2002 due to gains in TOTAL GOVERNMENT. Employment ended the month at 39,900 workers, gaining 200 workers (+0.5 percent) from August 2002 and 800 (+2.0 percent) from last year at this time. Other highlights include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT regained 200 employees (+1.7 percent) over the month as school personnel returned from summer break. Employment in this division finished September at 11,900 jobs.

·        Manufacturing saw a minor increase of 100 workers (+2.7 percent) over the month. With 3,800 employees, it maintains the same employment level as September 2001.

·        Mining, Construction, Transportation and Public Utilities, Trade, and Finance, Insurance and Real Estate major industry divisions all held steady from the previous month.

      Services suffered a slight drop of 100 jobs (-1.0 percent) from August 2002, but has recorded           a gain of 400 jobs (+ 4.0 percent) for the past year.

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

ENID

WHOLESALE TRADE AND GOVERNMENT LEAD TO SMALL GAINS FOR ENID AREA EMPLOYMENT

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

In September 2002, TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT for the Enid Metropolitan Statistical Area was 23,900 jobs, an increase of 500 jobs (+2.1 percent) when compared to August 2002 and 300 jobs (+1.3 percent) when compared to September 2001. Other highlights include:

·        Trade rose slightly in September. Wholesale Trade employment of 1,300 grew by 100 jobs (+8.3 percent) over the month and year. Retail Trade showed no change for the month but has added 200 jobs (+4.1 percent) since September 2001.

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT also showed an increase last month. Although Federal Government (400 jobs) remained steady for the month and the year, Local Government employment recorded 3,600 jobs, a gain of 400 jobs (+12.5 percent) for the previous month and 200 jobs (+5.9 percent) from the previous year. State Government also posted a 400 job (+17.4 percent) increase for the month and a 200 job (+8.0 percent) increase for the year.

·        Mining (600 jobs) and Manufacturing (2,500 jobs) employment remained constant in September 2002.  Mining has dropped by 100 jobs over the past year.

·        Likewise, Construction (800 jobs), Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (1,100 jobs) and Services (6,600 jobs) all remain at the same employment levels as one month ago and one year ago.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities employment held steady at 1,900 jobs for September 2002. This division has fallen by 100 jobs (-5.0 percent) when compared to last year at this time.

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/