FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: March, 20, 2003
 

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY January 2003 
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.

The OESC strives to produce the highest quality of labor market information possible which will meet the varied needs of our customers. It is our intention that all information released is the highest quality possible, and all publications and information produced are available at no cost.

IMPORTANT:

CHANGES IN LABOR MARKET INFORMATION DATA

After many decades of use, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is replacing the outdated Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system with the new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). This is the first data release that incorporates the new NAICS system.

The reason for this change is timeliness. SIC, which was developed in the 1930’s when Manufacturing dominated the industrial landscape, is very out-of-date. Although there have been numerous revisions over the years, SIC can no longer adequately serve the needs of our agency or our customers.

Unlike previous SIC revisions, the NAICS changes are fundamental. The new system will provide for better measurement and understanding of hundreds of new businesses in our economy, largely in the fast-growing Services sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, NAICS will double the number of top-level groupings of industrial classification, more accurately representing the industrial world we live in. The highest level of NAICS classification is called the “sector” and corresponds roughly to the “division” in SIC. There are 20 broad sectors in NAICS, compared to only 10 divisions in SIC.

Of course, we all know that change is often both uncomfortable and inconvenient. However, the long run benefits of these changes will be substantial as they create a system that presents LMI in a more useful and accurate way.
NAICS Publication Structure

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT

     · Goods Producing

          - Natural Resources and Mining

          - Construction

          - Manufacturing

     · Service Providing

          - Trade, Transportation, and Utilities

               ¨ Wholesale Trade

               ¨ Retail Trade

               ¨ Transportation and Utilities

          - Information

          - Financial Activities

          - Professional and Business Services

          - Education and Health Services

          - Leisure and Hospitality

          - Other Services

          - Total Government

               ¨ Federal Government

               ¨ State Government

               ¨ Local Government

 

For more information on NAICS, please visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website at http://www.bls.gov/ces/ceswhatis.htm or

http://www.bls.gov/sae/saenaics.htm.

 

SEASONAL DECLINES LEAD TO LOSSES AS 2003 BEGINS

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for Oklahoma dropped to 1,455,200 jobs in January 2003, declining by 34,400 jobs (-2.3 percent) since December. Both the Goods Producing and Service Providing industries experienced declines over the month due to seasonal job losses. The Service Providing industries led the way with a 31,200 job (-2.5 percent) skid. Between January 2002 and January 2003, Oklahoma’s employment decreased by 13,300 jobs (-0.9 percent). Other highlights include:

  •  
    • Natural Resources and Mining reported losses in the amount of 400 jobs (-1.4 percent) over the month and a loss of 300 jobs (-1.1 percent) over the year.
    • Construction lost 800 jobs (-1.3 percent) in January. Job losses in Construction of Buildings and Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction offset gains in Specialty Trade Contractors. Compared to January 2002, this sector has dropped 400 jobs (-0.6 percent).
    • Manufacturing experienced a modest decrease of 2,000 jobs (-1.3 percent) for January 2003. Employment losses for the month were concentrated more in Durable Goods than Non-Durable Goods. Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing, Transportation Equipment Manufacturing and Food Manufacturing accounted for a majority of the over-the-month declines. Under Non-Durable Goods, Plastics and Rubber Product Manufacturing improved by 500 jobs (+3.8  percent) in January. Manufacturing in Oklahoma has declined by 8,500 jobs (-5.5 percent) when compared to January 2002.
    • Trade, Transportation and Utilities struggled in January 2003. Retail Trade accounted for 9,400 job losses (-5.2 percent) in January and is down by 1,500 jobs over the year due to the weak seasonal hiring. In January, seasonal employment losses were mainly reported in General Merchandise Stores (-3,600 jobs) and Food and Beverage Stores (-400 jobs). Wholesale Trade, which dropped 300 jobs over the month, remained unchanged over the year. Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities decreased by 900 jobs (-1.6 percent) over the month and lost 500 jobs (-0.9 percent) over the year. Most of these job losses were contributed by Truck Transportation.
    • Employment in Information fell by 900 jobs (-2.5 percent) in January due to a 500-job loss in Telecommunications and a drop of 200 jobs in Publishing Industries.
    • Finance began the year with 84,400 jobs, 300 more than December 2002. Finance and Insurance accounted for the gains, while Real Estate and Rental and Leasing reported no change in January. Compared with last year at this time, Finance has gained 1,500 jobs (+1.8  percent).
    • Professional and Business Services dropped 3,200 jobs (-2.0 percent) over the month. Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services contributed most of the job losses, followed by Professional, Scientific and Technical Services and Management of Companies and Enterprises.
    • Despite Educational and Health Services declining by 2,700 jobs (-1.5 percent) over the month, the sector has gained 4,400 jobs (+2.6 percent) throughout the past year. Employment losses over the month were widespread throughout Educational Services and Health Care and Social Services.
    • Leisure and Hospitality reported 119,300 jobs in January, a decrease of 4,700 jobs (-3.8 percent) over the month. Accommodation and Food Services (-4,000 jobs) accounted for the majority of the losses, followed by Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (-700 jobs).
    • Other Services shed 1,500 jobs over the month. Over the year, this sector has declined by only 200 jobs (-0.3 percent).
    • Government experienced a downward shift of 7,900 jobs (-2.6 percent) to finish January 2003 at 295,600 workers. Federal Government dropped 200 jobs, while State Government and Local Government lost 6,600 jobs and 1,100 jobs respectively. Over the year, Government has diminished by 2,700 jobs (-0.9 percent)
     

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

    OKLAHOMA CITY

    JANUARY JOB LOSSES SPURRED ON BY SEASONAL DROPS IN RETAIL TRADE & STATE GOVERNMENT

    OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

    TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Oklahoma City MSA came in at 537,100 jobs for January 2003, 12,600 jobs (-2.3 percent) lower than December 2002. Despite this loss, employment has expanded by 6,300 jobs (+1.2 percent) when compared to January 2002. Other highlights include:

    • Natural Resources and Mining (6,600 jobs) gained 100 jobs (+1.5 percent) over the month and has grown by 200 jobs (+3.1 percent) since January 2002.
    •  At 20,900 jobs, Construction dropped 300 jobs (-1.4 percent) over the month. This sector is down 400 jobs since January 2002.
    • Manufacturing employment fell to 40,800 jobs after experiencing a 1oss of 600 jobs (-1.4 percent) since December 2002. This sector has realized a gain of 100 jobs (+0.2 percent) since this time last year. Compared to January 2002, Durable Goods (28,200 jobs) added 400 jobs, while Non-Durable Goods (12,600 jobs) declined by 300 jobs.
    • Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 4,000 jobs (-3.9 percent) over the month and 800 jobs (-0.8 percent) over the year to finish January 2003 at 98,200 jobs. Retail Trade (61,100 jobs) dropped 3,800 jobs (-5.9 percent) over the month, while Wholesale Trade (20,900 jobs) remained unchanged for January. At 16,200 jobs, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities has gained a total of 200 jobs (+1.3 percent) since this time last year.
    • Information (14,300 jobs) remained unchanged for the month but has contracted by 200 jobs (-1.4 percent) since January 2002.
    • Financial Activities (34,000 jobs) dropped 200 jobs over the month but expanded by 400 jobs (+1.2 percent) since this time last year.
    • The Services sector, with a total employment of 214,600 jobs, represents 40 percent of Total Nonfarm employment for the Oklahoma City MSA. Services has been reorganized into four reporting sectors. Professional & Business Services (68,500 jobs) has expanded by 2,200 jobs (+3.3 percent) since January 2002. Educational & Health Services employment (66,500 jobs) has grown by 2,800 jobs (+4.4 percent). Leisure & Hospitality Services (52,100 jobs) jumped by 3,400 jobs (+7.0 percent), as Other Services (27,700 jobs) added 300 jobs over the year.
    • Total Government (107,500 jobs) declined by 5,100 jobs (-4.5 percent) since December 2002 and by 1,700 jobs (-1.6 percent) over the year. State Government (35,500 jobs) lost 4,700 jobs (-11.7 percent) over the month and declined by 1,500 jobs (-4.1 percent) for the year.

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

    TULSA

    EMPLOYMENT IN SERVICES DECREASES IN TULSA MSA

    TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

    TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area dropped to 380,400 jobs in January 2003, losing 11,800 jobs (-3.0 percent) over the month and 18,600 jobs (-4.7 percent) over the year. Employment deficits were seen mainly in the Services Providing industries. Other highlights include: 

    • Natural Resources and Mining saw a marginal job decrease of 100 workers (-2.1 percent) from December 2002, reflecting a loss of 600 jobs (-11.5 percent) over the year. 
    • Construction grew markedly to 20,200 employees in January 2003, gaining 400 workers (+2.0 percent). Job increases occurred in Specialty Trade Constructors, which added 300 jobs (+2.2 percent) over the month and 1,600 jobs (+13.2 percent) since January 2002.
    • Manufacturing lost 1,200 workers (-2.6 percent) from the previous month and 6,100 employees (-11.8 percent) from January 2002.  Durable Goods was the primary source of job loss over the month and year.
    • Trade, Transportation and Utilities employment contracted to 80,300 jobs in January 2003, losing a total of 3,600 jobs (-4.3 percent) from December 2002 and 3,200 jobs (-3.8 percent) over the year. Large employment losses were seen in Retail Trade.
    • Information, which primarily includes Broadcasting and Telecommunication activities, dropped 400 jobs   (-2.8 percent) over the month and 1,900 jobs (-12.2 percent) from January 2002. 
    • Finance held steady in January 2003, but has gained 400 employees (+1.6 percent) over the past year.
    • Employment in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services declined by 1,800 employees (-3.7 percent) in January 2003 and by 3,900 workers (-7.7 percent) from the previous year. Significant declines were observed in Administrative and Support Services. 
    • Educational and Health Services also diminished in January, declining by 1,000 jobs (-2.0 percent) over the month. The State trimming its cost in Health Care and Social Services affected this major industry division. Other affected subsectors were Educational Services and Ambulatory Health Care Services, which lost 300 and 400 jobs respectively from December 2002 to January 2003.
    • Leisure and Hospitality lost 2,300 jobs (-7.1 percent) from its December 2002 level. While part of this was due to seasonal factors, sizeable layoffs due to the economic downturn were felt as Restaurants recorded very low sales for January 2003. Food Services and Drinking Places as well as Full-service Restaurants generated over 95 percent of lost employment in this area. Over the year, 1,700 employees (-5.4 percent) have lost their jobs in Leisure and Hospitality.
    • Other Services dropped 500 jobs (-2.5 percent) in January, but saw a marginal increase of 100 employees (+0.5 percent) when compared to January one year ago. 
    • Total Government lost 1,300 jobs (-2.8 percent) over the month and 200 jobs (-0.4 percent) from January 2002. State Government was mostly responsible for this decline in employment.

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

    LAWTON

    SMALL LOSSES ACROSS THE BOARD LEAD LAWTON TO 1,000 JOB DECLINE FOR MONTH

    LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

    TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Lawton MSA for January 2003 was 37,900 jobs, a reduction of 1,000 jobs (-2.6 percent) over the month.  Over the year, TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT has increased by 500 workers. Other highlights include:

    Both Natural Resources and Mining and Information remained unchanged over both the month and the year.
    Construction remained steady in January, but has gained 200 jobs (+13.3 percent) since this time last year.
    Manufacturing decreased by 200 jobs (-5.6 percent) over the month and over the year. 
    Trade, Transportation and Utilities dropped 300 jobs over the month. This sector has lost 100 jobs when compared to January 2002.
    Financial Activities held steady over the month, but has gained 200 jobs (+10.0 percent) over the year.
    Professional and Business Services saw no change over the month, but reported an increase of 300 jobs for the year.  Education and Health Services lost 100 jobs over the month and reported no change over the year.  Leisure and Hospitality Services recorded a decline of 200 jobs for the month, but saw no change over the year. Other Services remained steady over the month, but added 100 jobs over the year. 
    Total Government employment dropped 200 jobs (–1.7 percent) in January 2003. At 11,600 jobs, it holds the same level as last year at this time.

     

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

    ENID

    SEASONAL LOSSES IN RETAIL TRADE, STATE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE OVER HALF OF ENID’S JANUARY JOB LOSSES

    ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

    TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Enid MSA declined by 700 jobs (-2.9 percent) over the month. A similar decline of 200 jobs (-0.9 percent) was seen over the year. Other highlights include:

    • Natural Resources and Mining, Construction, Information, Professional and Business Services and Other Services all remained constant over the month and over the year.
    • Manufacturing lost 100 jobs (-4.3 percent) in January 2003 and 200 jobs (-8.3 percent) over the past year. Seasonal losses following the holiday season in Retail Trade accounted for the entire decline in Trade, Transportation and Utilities, which dropped 300 jobs (-4.9 percent) in January and 200 jobs (-3.3 percent) when compared to this time last year.
    • Educational and Health Services contracted by 100 jobs (-2.7 percent) over the month, but gained 100 jobs (+2.9 percent) over the year.  Leisure and Hospitality Services dropped 100 jobs (-5.3 percent) over the month and remained steady when compared to January 2002.
    • Finance held steady at 1,300 jobs for the month, but has gained 100 jobs (+8.3 percent) since January 2002.
    • Total Government declined by 100 jobs (-2.6 percent) over the month, equaling its January 2002 employment level.These job losses were seen in State Government, which dropped 10 percent (-100 jobs) of its workers over the month.
    Click here to view the Enid NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

    OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

    STATE LABOR FORCE AND EMPLOYMENT DOWN TO START 2003

    LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

    Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force decreased by 9,300 workers* (-0.6 percent) to 1,681,200 for the first month of 2003. The labor force was at the lowest level since March 2002. However, the number rose by more than 14,000 (+0.8 percent) when compared to January 2002.

    Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Total Employment lost 21,800 jobs in January 2003, falling to 1,590,300 workers. It is common to see this size of loss in the December-January reading according to Oklahoma’s historical data**. Total employment is close to its January 2002 level after showing a slight increase of 4,200 jobs (+0.3 percent) for the twelve-month period ending in January.

      * Oklahoma historical data back to January 1978.

    ** Unreleased December 2002 Benchmarked data were used for the comparison purpose.

     

    Click here to View the January 2003  Preliminary Labor Force Statistics
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    http:// www.oesc.state.ok.us/