FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, January 30, 2003

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY November 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.

STATE EMPLOYMENT ENDS YEAR ON STRONG NOTE

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT for Oklahoma closed out 2002 with an increase of 5,100 jobs (+0.3 percent) over the year. The Oklahoma workforce reported 1,532,600 jobs in December 2002, a loss of 1,600 jobs over the month. The Goods Producing industries were responsible for the loss, while the Service Producing industries remained unchanged for the month. Other highlights include:

·        Thanks to the holiday season, Trade again increased employment over the month, gaining 1,100 jobs (+0.3 percent) in December. Retail Trade led the way with seasonal gains mainly reported in Miscellaneous Retail (+900 jobs), Apparel & Accessory (+800 jobs), Food Stores (+300 jobs) and General Merchandise Stores (+200 jobs). Eating & Drinking Places showed a significant increase over the year with a 2,100 job (+2.1 percent) increase. Trade had increased by 200 jobs (+0.1 percent) compared to December 2001.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate reported job gains for the third consecutive month with the addition of 300 jobs (+0.4 percent) in December. Depository Institutions and Insurance Carriers both added 100 jobs apiece. Compared to one year ago, this major division has gained 1,200 jobs (+1.6 percent).

·        Services did just the opposite, losing 800 jobs (-0.2 percent) to record losses for the third month in a row. Hospitals, a subdivision of Health Services, accounted for most of the over-the-month growth by following the same trends seen around the nation. This division had grown by 4,100 jobs (+0.9 percent) over the year.

·        Mining lost 300 jobs over the month. This division expanded by 900 jobs (+2.9 percent) over the past year.

·        Construction reported job losses for the third consecutive month. This division dropped 700 jobs in December, but has grown by 1,500 jobs (+2.3 percent) over the past year.

·        Manufacturing experienced a net decline of 600 jobs in December 2002. Over the month, employment losses were widespread throughout both Durable Goods and Non-durable Goods, following a similar trend in national levels. Over the year, this major division has seen a decrease of 3,500 jobs (-2.0 percent). In part, these losses were concentrated in Aircraft & Parts, a subdivision of Transportation Equipment Manufacturing.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities lost 100 jobs over the month. Compared to last year at this time, this industry has lost a total of 2,200 jobs (-2.6 percent).

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT dropped 500 jobs (-0.2 percent) to finish 2002 at 307,600 employees. State Government and Local Government lost 800 jobs combined, while Federal Government added 300 jobs. Over the year, employment for TOTAL GOVERNMENT has gained 2,900 jobs (+1.0 percent).  

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

SERVICES, CONSTRUCTION AND TRADE LEAD OKC TO BIG JOB GAIN FOR THE YEAR

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area rose to 553,500 jobs after adding 400 jobs (+0.1 percent) from November to December. OKC’s current employment level represents a gain of 6,100 jobs (+1.1 percent) over the year spurred on by Services, Construction and Retail Trade. Other highlights for December 2002 include:

·        Services (180,100 jobs) gained 100 jobs (+0.1 percent) over the month, but has jumped by 5,700 jobs (+3.3 percent) since November 2001, making it the major source of job growth for the MSA over the past year.

·        Trade employment grew by 800 jobs (+0.6 percent) over the month to finish December 2002 at 130,600 jobs. This is an over-the-year increase of 700 jobs (+0.5 percent). Retail Trade, which expanded by 800 jobs (+0.8 percent) over the month, provided the biggest boost for the division, adding 1,500 jobs (+1.4 percent) since December 2001 to finish the year at 107,200 jobs.

·        Although Construction (25,200 jobs) lost 200 jobs over the month, employment in this industry picked up in 2002, adding 1,300 jobs (+5.4 percent) for the year.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate expanded by 100 jobs (+0.3 percent) over the month and by 600 jobs (+2.0 percent) over the year to finish December 2002 at 30,400 jobs.

·        Mining (7,600 jobs) showed little change in December, remaining unaltered for the month, but growing by 100 jobs (+1.3 percent) since December 2001.

·        Although Manufacturing (47,400 jobs) only lost 100 jobs (-0.2 percent) over the month, this division has dropped 1,600 jobs (-3.3 percent) since December 2001. While unchanged for the month, Durable Goods current employment level of 32,300 jobs is 1,200 jobs (-3.6 percent) less than this time last year. Nondurable Goods (15,100 jobs) declined by 100 jobs for the month and 400 jobs (-2.6 percent) for the year.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities (25,200 jobs) recorded only losses in December 2002. T.P.U. finished December with a 100 job (-0.4 percent) loss for the month and a 700 job (-2.7 percent) decline for the year.

·        Even though TOTAL GOVERNMENT (107,000 jobs) declined by 200 jobs (-0.2 percent) since November 2002, the division has proven stable over the year. Federal Government gained 100 and 600 jobs over the month and year respectively to finish 2002 at 27,700 jobs. State Government (38,700 jobs) lost 300 jobs (-0.8 percent) over the month, but has gained 400 jobs (+1.0 percent) since December 2001. Local Government remained unchanged for the month, but has declined by 1,000 jobs (-2.4 percent) since last December.

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

TULSA

BIG GAINS IN CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICES KEEP TULSA EMPLOYMENT STEADY FOR THE YEAR

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area remained steady at 411,000 jobs over the month, showing a gain of  400 employees (+0.1 percent) from December 2001. For the year, big job gains in Construction and Services were offset by losses in industries such as Mining, Manufacturing and T.P.U. Over the month, gains in the Goods Producing sector were offset by losses in the Service Producing sector. Other highlights include:

·        At 133,200 jobs for December 2002, Services declined by 600 employees (-0.4 percent) over the month thanks to losses in Hotels and Lodging, Personal Services and Business Services. Despite this, the division added 2,500 jobs (+1.9 percent) over the year to lead the Tulsa MSA’s growth for 2002.

·        Construction provided most of the rest of the big growth for the year with an addition of 1,400 jobs since December 2001. For the month, an off-season growth of 100 workers (+0.5 percent) was reported thanks to the contractual remodeling of buildings in Tulsa.

·        Manufacturing showed a slight over-the-month boost in December 2002, gaining 100 employees (+0.2 percent) in Durable Goods Manufacturing. However, 300 jobs (-0.5 percent) were lost over the year.

·        Transportation and Public Utilities added 200 workers (+0.6 percent) over the month, but lost 100 employees (-0.3 percent) in 2002.

·        Trade also showed marginal growth for the month. Only 100 employees (+0.1 percent) were added from November 2002.

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (22,300 jobs) has held steady over the month and the year.

·        Mining also held steady for the month with 5,700 jobs. Since this time last year, this division has dropped 400 jobs (-6.6 percent).

·        TOTAL GOVERNMENT experienced a minor employment increase of 100 workers (+0.2 percent) from November 2002. This growth was contributed solely by Federal Government.

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

LAWTON

F.I.R.E. AND TRADE BOOST LAWTON FOR MONTH, SERVICES HELP OUT OVER YEAR

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT in the Lawton MSA rose moderately in December 2002 to 39,800 jobs, a 100 worker (+0.3 percent) increase over the month and a 400 employee (+1.0 percent) gain over the year. Other highlights include:

·        Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (F.I.R.E.) helped drive over-the-month employment growth with an increase of 100 jobs (+5.0 percent) since last month and last year at this time.

·        Trade joined F.I.R.E. as the only other division to record a gain over the month with an increase of 100 jobs (+1.2 percent) from November 2002. This division has dropped 100 jobs (-1.1 percent) over the year.

·        Although Services (10,200 jobs) held steady for the month, the division showed a boost of 400 workers (+4.1 percent) when compared to December 2001.

·        Mining (100 jobs), Construction (1,500 jobs), Manufacturing (3,800 jobs) and T.P.U. (1,600 jobs) held steady over both the month and the year.

·        In TOTAL GOVERNMENT, a slight employment loss was seen in Local Government, which dropped 100 workers (-0.8 percent) over the month.

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

ENID

TRADE, SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT LEAD SMALL OVER-THE-YEAR GROWTH IN ENID AREA

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT for the Enid Metropolitan Statistical Area finished December 2002 at 23,700 jobs. This represents no shift in monthly employment totals and only a slight shift of 100 jobs (+0.4 percent) since December 2001. There was no employment change in any sector during the month of December 2002. Other highlights include:

·        Retail Trade added 100 jobs (+2.0 percent) over the year to close 2002 at 5,100 employees. Wholesale Trade, on the other hand, remained unchanged at 1,200 jobs for the year.

·        Services (6,500 jobs) also contributed to the over-the-year employment growth with the addition of 100 jobs (+1.5 percent) since December 2001.

·        Local Government (2,700 jobs) was the only component of TOTAL GOVERNMENT to make a change this year by adding 100 jobs (+3.8 percent). Both State Government (900 jobs) and Federal Government (400 jobs) remained constant over the year.

·        Construction (800 jobs), Manufacturing (2,500 jobs) and F.I.R.E. (1,100 jobs) all remained constant over the month and over the year.

·        Mining (600 jobs) and T.P.U. (1,900 jobs) both dropped 100 jobs each over the year.

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

MOVEMENT IN LABOR FORCE AND EMPLOYMENT ADDS UP TO NO CHANGE FOR THE YEAR

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force declined again, dropping 8,600 workers (-0.5 percent) to finish the month at 1,679,400 workers. Although the labor force increased each month during the first half of the year, it has declined every month except October since July 2002. Fortunately, this December’s loss is relatively small compared to the same period in previous years. Over the past year, the gains and losses have combined to provide essentially no change in Oklahoma’s labor force number.

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/