FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, November 21, 2002

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY OCTOBER 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.

GOVERNMENT, SERVICE INDUSTRIES DRIVE STATE EMPLOYMENT GROWTH FOR SECOND MONTH

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT for the state of Oklahoma improved by 3,100 jobs (+0.2 percent) in October 2002. Reflecting a trend started last month, the Service Producing Industries and Government accounted for all of the job gains, while employment declined in Goods Producing Industries. Compared with October 2001, employment levels in Oklahoma grew by 0.6 percent to 1,529,400 jobs. Other highlights include:

·    TOTAL GOVERNMENT gained 6,500 jobs (+2.2 percent) over the month. State Government and Local Government combined for a gain of 6,200 jobs. This major division has grown by 4,000 jobs (+1.3 percent) compared with October 2001.

·    Finance, Insurance and Real Estate added 600 jobs (+0.8 percent) in October 2002 thanks mostly to Depository Institutions. Compared to a year ago, employment in this industry has risen by 1,400 jobs (+1.9 percent).

·    Trade gained 300 jobs (+0.1 percent) over the month. Gains were concentrated in Wholesale Trade, while the decline in Retail Trade was due to losses in Eating & Drinking Places. Trade has expanded by 1,300 jobs (+0.4 percent) over the year.

·    Mining remained constant at 32,500 jobs for the month. Compared to a year ago, this major division has grown by 1,400 jobs (+4.5 percent).

·    Construction followed a national trend by dropping 400 jobs (-0.6 percent) in October after expanding by 1,200 jobs in September. Over the year, this industry division has added 2,800 jobs (+4.3 percent).

·    Services experienced a decline of 3,500 jobs (-0.8 percent) in October after reporting increases for two consecutive months. Following the decline seen around the nation, job losses were concentrated in Business Services, followed by Health Services and Hotel & Other Lodging Places. Compared to last year at this time, a total of 3,900 jobs (+0.9 percent) have been added in this division.

·    Manufacturing lost 400 jobs (-0.1 percent) in October due mainly to losses in Durable Goods. Both Electronic Equipment and Transportation Equipment accounted for losses of 200 jobs each. This is the third consecutive month that Manufacturing has reported job losses. This division has declined by 3,100 jobs (-1.8 percent) compared to October 2001, continuing a trend which began in August 1999.

·    Transportation and Public Utilities lost 200 jobs (-0.2 percent) over the month. Compared to a year ago, 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

OKLAHOMA CITY EMPLOYMENT GROWTH SPURRED ON BY GOVERNMENT AND SERVICES

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

In October 2002, TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan    Statistical Area gained 600 jobs (+0.1 percent) over the month to finish at 550,200 jobs. Employment has expanded by 4,800 jobs (+0.9 percent) when compared to October 2001. Other highlights for October 2002 include:

·       TOTAL GOVERNMENT gained 1,500 jobs (+1.4 percent) since September 2002, ending the month at 106,300 jobs.  October 2002 saw increases of 900 jobs (+2.3 percent) for Local Government, 400 jobs (+1.1 percent) for State Government and 200 jobs (+0.7 percent) for Federal Government. TOTAL GOVERNMENT has lost 200 jobs (-0.2 percent) since this time last year.

·        Retail Trade (104,600 jobs) expanded by 300 jobs (+0.3 percent) last month, reflecting its’ over-the-year gain of 1,900 workers (+1.9 percent). Wholesale Trade (23,600 jobs) experienced the opposite effect, declining by 100 jobs (-0.4 percent) over the month and 900 jobs (-3.7 percent) over the year. Total Trade (128,200 jobs) added 200 jobs (+0.2 percent) in October 2002 and 1,000 jobs (+0.8 percent) since October 2001.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate grew by 200 jobs (+0.7 percent) over the month to finish October at 30,300 jobs. This division has expanded by 700 jobs (+2.4 percent) since last year.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities gained 100 jobs over the month to finish October 2002 at 25,200 jobs. This division has dropped 500 jobs (-1.9 percent) over the year.

·        Construction held steady at 25,400 jobs for the month, but has picked up 1,600 jobs (+6.7 percent) since October 2001.

·        Mining remained unchanged at 7,600 jobs for both the month and the year.

·        Although Services lost 800 jobs (-0.4 percent) over the month, its’ current level of 179,800 jobs represents a growth of 5,100 jobs (2.9 percent) since this time last year.

·        At 32,300 jobs, Durable Goods Manufacturing declined by 500 jobs (-1.5 percent) over the month of October and has dropped 2,300 jobs (-6.6 percent) since this time last year. Nondurable Goods Manufacturing also struggled in October. The division, which finished the month at 15,100 jobs, dropped 100 jobs (-0.7 percent) for the month and 600 jobs (-3.8 percent) since October 2001. Total Manufacturing has dropped 2,900 jobs (-5.8 percent) since October 2001.

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

TULSA

TULSA EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO IMPROVE AS GOVERNMENT ADDS WORKERS

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area rose to 410,200 jobs in October 2002, gaining 500 workers over the month (+0.1 percent). These increases occurred as Government offset losses in other industries. Compared to October 2001, the Tulsa MSA has added 600 employees (+0.1 percent). Other highlights include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT experienced a seasonal boost of 1,400 jobs (+3.1 percent) for the month to finish at 45,900 jobs. Over the past year, this major industry division has gained 500 jobs (+1.1 percent).

·        Manufacturing reported an increase of 200 workers (+0.4 percent) over the month of October. Compared to last year at this time, employment has risen by 400 jobs (+0.7 percent) in this division.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate showed a slight improvement of 100 jobs (+0.5 percent) over both the month and over the year.

·        Trade added 200 employees (+0.2 percent) over the month. Both Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade contributed 100 jobs each to this growth. However, Trade still declined by 2,100 jobs (-2.3%) when compared to the same period in 2001.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities saw incremental growth of 100 jobs (+0.3 percent) from September 2002 and recorded a drop of 300 employees (-0.8 percent) over the year.

·        Mining held steady over the month at 5,700 jobs. This is a loss of 400 jobs (-6.6 percent) over the year.

·        Services suffered a considerable drop of 1,100 employees (-0.8 percent) from the previous month. This goes against the yearly trend, which has seen 1,900 jobs (+1.4 percent) added since October 2001.

·        Construction lost 400 workers (-1.8 percent) over the month, but has added 500 employees (+2.4 percent) in the past year.

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

LAWTON

LAWTON EMPLOYMENT GROWTH GRINDS TO A HALT

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Lawton Metropolitan Statistical Area declined by 200 jobs (-0.5 percent) from September 2002. The current level of 39,600 jobs represents a gain of 500 jobs (+1.5 percent) since this time last year. Other highlights include:

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT rose moderately by 100 jobs (+0.8 percent) from September 2002 and by 200 jobs (+1.7 percent) over the year. This growth is due to hiring in Local Government.

·        Mining, Manufacturing, Transportation and Public Utilities and Finance, Insurance and Real Estate all maintained the same employment level from the previous month. Of these divisions, only F.I.R.E. changed over the year with a gain of 100 jobs.

·        Construction dropped slightly in October, losing 100 jobs (-6.3 percent) compared to last month and last year.

·        Trade dropped 100 jobs (-1.2 percent) from September 2002 and 200 jobs (-2.3 percent) from its’ level last year at this time.

·        Employment in Services suffered a loss of 100 jobs (-1.0 percent) from September. However, when compared to October 2001, 500 workers (+5.1 percent) have been gained.

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

ENID

TRADE AND SERVICES SLOW ENID AREA EMPLOYMENT

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT for the Enid Metropolitan Statistical Area dropped to 23,700 jobs in October 2002, a decline of 100 jobs (-0.4 percent) over the month but a gain of 300 jobs (+1.3 percent) compared to October 2001. Other highlights include:

·        Transportation and Public Utilities ended October at 2,000 jobs, a growth of 100 jobs (+5.3 percent) since last month. This division is at the same level as last year at this time.

·        At 800 employees, Construction is at the same level as last month, but has grown by 100 jobs (+14.3 percent) over the past year.

·        Both Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (1,100 jobs) and Manufacturing (2,500 jobs) have held steady over the past month as well as over the past year.

·        Mining remained at 600 jobs over the month, a drop of 100 jobs (-14.3 percent) since October 2001.

·        Retail Trade dipped slightly in October 2002, dropping 100 employees (-2.0 percent) over the month to finish at 5,000 jobs. This division has added 100 jobs (+2.0 percent) since October 2001. Wholesale Trade remains unchanged over the month and year.

·        Services lost 100 jobs (-1.5 percent) over the month to finish October at 6,500 jobs, the same level it held one year ago.

·        Federal Government (400 jobs), State Government (900 jobs) and Local Government (2,700 jobs) all held steady for the month, with only Local Government showing a change since October 2001. Local Government has added 200 jobs (+8.0 percent) over the past year.

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

LABOR FORCE GROWTH REVERSES THREE-MONTH TREND; TOTAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH DISAPPOINTING FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force ended a three-month skid by adding 8,700 workers (+0.5 percent) in October 2002. Although the increase was one of the smallest in history for the September-October period, the gain is the first positive sign after a loss of 30,000 workers over the past three months. Over the year, the labor force has grown by only 5,300 workers (+0.3 percent).

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Total Employment also exhibited very little growth in October. In the past, we have usually seen an employment boom during the month of October. This year’s over-the-month change was nearly 7,000 people (+0.4 percent) compared to an average increase of over 11,000 workers in previous Octobers dating back to 1978. Over the year, total employment has increased by 7,100 people (+0.4 percent).

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/