FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, April 17, 2003

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY February 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.

GAINS IN SEASONAL EDUCATION IMPROVE STATE WORKFORCE

STATE OF OKLAHOMA  

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in Oklahoma increased by 11,300 jobs (+0.8 percent) in February 2003. Both Goods Producing and Service Providing sectors gained jobs over the month. However, statewide employment declined by 10,400 jobs (-0.7 percent) when compared to February 2002. Transportation, Trade and Utilities, Information, Financial Activities, Professional and Business Services, Education and Health Services, Leisure and Hospitality and Other Services accounted for 52 percent of the 10,500 jobs (+0.9 percent) gained in the Services Providing Industries this month. Government contributed the other 48 percent due to a seasonal increase of 5,040 jobs. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining has reported job losses since November 2002 and continued the trend this month with a decline of 300 jobs (-1.1 percent). A total of 400 workers were dropped when compared to February 2002. Over the year, a similar downward trend was observed in Support Activities for Mining (-1.5 percent).

·         An over-the-month employment decline of 200 jobs (-0.3 percent) was reported in Construction. Over the year, Construction is down by 1,000 jobs (-1.6 percent). Job losses were widespread in the sub-sectors of Construction and offset employment gains in Building Equipment Contractors.

·         Manufacturing gained 1,300 jobs (+0.9 percent) in February 2003 after losing 2,000 workers (-1.3 percent) in January. Over the year, employment in this industry experienced a decrease of 6,800 jobs (-4.4 percent). Under Durable Goods, Fabricated Metal Products and Transportation Equipment each added 400 jobs over the month.

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities grew by 1,000 jobs (+0.4 percent) in February after a seasonal drop of 10,600 jobs (-3.6 percent) last month. Over the year, this workforce has grown by 300 jobs (+0.1 percent). Retail Trade fell by 1,500 jobs (-0.9 percent), following a similar negative shift seen on the national level. Over-the-month employment gains were mainly contributed by Truck Transportation (+6.5 percent) under Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities.

·         Information employment fell for the third consecutive month with a drop of 200 jobs (-0.6 percent) from January 2003 and 2,300 jobs (-6.2 percent) since February 2002. Job losses were mainly from Telecommunications.

·         Financial Activities declined by 300 jobs (-0.4 percent) from last month, but gained 400 jobs (+0.5 percent) over the year. Both Finance and Insurance and Real Estate and Rental and Leasing accounted for the over-the-month job losses.

·         Employment in Professional and Business Services increased by 600 jobs (+0.4 percent) in February after losing 3,200 jobs last month. However, an over-the-year loss of 2,600 jobs (-1.6 percent) was reported. Employment gains were attributed to increases in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services as a result of tax season.

·         Educational and Health Services reported a seasonal growth of 1,300 jobs (+0.7 percent) in February after declining by 2,700 jobs in January. Employment gains in Educational Services were reported, but job losses were seen in Social Assistance Services. Compared to February 2002, a total of 4,100 jobs (+2.4 percent) has been added to this workforce. 

·         With total statewide employment of 120,800 jobs, Leisure and Hospitality expanded by 1,400 jobs (+1.2 percent) in February 2003 following a reduction of 4,700 jobs (-3.8 percent) in January. Over the year, this sector experienced a reduction of 1,000 jobs (-0.8 percent). 

·         Other Services gained 1,700 jobs (+2.3 percent) over the month and 1,200 jobs (+1.6 percent) over the year. Personal and Laundry Services added 300 jobs (+2.4 percent) over the month.

·         Government added 5,000 jobs (+1.7 percent) in February, but lost 2,300 jobs (-0.8 percent) over the year. Federal Government decreased by 200 jobs over the month, while State and Local Government added 5,200 jobs due to seasonal educational gains. State and Local Government has declined by 2,900 jobs (-1.1 percent) over the year.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

OVER-THE-MONTH EMPLOYMENT GAINS DUE TO SERVICES AND GOVERNMENT

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Oklahoma City MSA was 539,800 jobs for February 2003, a gain of 2,300 jobs (+0.4 percent) from January 2003. Additionally, employment has expanded by 3,600 jobs (+0.7 percent) when compared to February 2002. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining (6,600 jobs) remained constant over the month and has grown by 100 jobs (+1.5 percent) since February 2002.

·         Construction (20,500 jobs) was down over the month after dropping 500 employees (-2.4 percent). This super sector is also down 700 jobs since February 2002.

·         Manufacturing grew to 41,000 jobs after an over-the-month gain of 500 jobs (+1.2 percent). However, this super sector has lost of 900 jobs (-2.1 percent) since this time last year. Compared to February 2002, Durable Goods (28,700 jobs) is down 200 jobs, while Non-Durable Goods (12,300 jobs) has declined by 700 jobs.

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities (98,500 jobs) gained 100 jobs (+0.1 percent) over the month and 400 jobs (+0.4 percent) over the year. Retail Trade (61,400 jobs) added 300 employees (-0.5 percent) over the month after a seasonal loss in January, while Wholesale Trade (20,700 jobs) lost 300 jobs. At 16,400 jobs, Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities has gained 100 jobs (+0.6 percent) this month and 500 jobs (+3.1 percent) since this time last year.

·         Information (14,300 jobs) remained unchanged for the month but has lost 400 jobs (-2.8 percent) since February 2002.

·         Financial Activities (33,700 jobs) dropped 100 jobs for the month but added 100 jobs (+0.3 percent) since this time last year.

·         The Services super sector has been reorganized into four reporting sectors. Professional and Business Services (67,000 jobs) lost 1,600 jobs (-2.3 percent) for the month and 800 jobs for the year. Educational and Health Services (65,900 jobs) lost 500 jobs over the month, but grew by 1,400 jobs (+2.2 percent) since February 2002. Leisure and Hospitality Services (53,000 jobs) added 800 jobs this month and jumped by 3,600 jobs (+7.3 percent) since February 2002. Other Services (27,000 jobs) was reduced by 700 jobs (-2.5 percent) this month and by 500 jobs over the year.

·         Total Government (112,500 jobs) expanded by 4,300 jobs (+4.0 percent) in February 2003, replacing January’s seasonal loss in State Education, and added 1,300 jobs since February 2002 with all three sectors (Federal, State and Local) gaining jobs over the year.

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

TULSA

MANUFACTURING LEADS TULSA MSA EMPLOYMENT TO GAIN FOR FEBRUARY

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area climbed to 385,500 jobs in February 2003, gaining 4,600 jobs (+1.2 percent) over the month and losing 13,500 jobs (-3.4 percent) since February 2002. Over-the-month employment gains were mainly seen in the four Services super sectors. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining (4,600 jobs) saw a marginal job decrease of 100 workers (-2.1 percent) from January 2003, while losing of 600 jobs (-11.5 percent) over the year.

·         Construction (20,400 jobs) gained 200 workers (+1.0 percent) in February 2003 while remaining constant since February 2002. Job increases occurred in Specialty Trade Constructors which added 700 jobs over the month and 2,300 jobs (+19.0 percent) since February 2002.

·         Manufacturing (46,100 jobs) experienced a gain of 400 jobs over the month while losing 4,700 workers (-9.3 percent) since February 2002.

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities (79,400 jobs) dropped 800 jobs in February 2003 while losing a total of 3,300 jobs (-4.0 percent) over the year. The largest employment losses occurred in Retail Trade which shrunk by 900 jobs for the month and 3,000 jobs for the year.

·         Information (13,700 jobs) remained constant for the month, but has dropped 2,000 jobs (-12.7 percent) since February 2002 with the most losses (-1,200 jobs) coming in Broadcasting.

·         Financial Activities (25,200 jobs) lost 100 workers since January 2003, but gained 400 employees (+1.6 percent) over the past year mostly in Insurance Carriers.

·         Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (48,400 jobs) added 900 employees in February 2003, but declined by 2,700 workers (-5.3 percent) from the previous year. Educational and Health Services (50,300 jobs) expanded by 1,300 employees in February and was marginally diminished by 200 jobs (-0.4 percent) over the year. Leisure and Hospitality (31,800 jobs) gained 1,800 jobs (+6.0 percent) in February. Although this reverses the sector’s seasonal loss in January 2003, it also leaves Leisure and Hospitality with 300 jobs less than this time last year. Other Services (20,500 jobs) grew by 800 employees for the month and by 900 workers for the year.

·         Total Government (45,100 jobs) grew marginally (+200 jobs) in all three areas over the month, but lost 1,000 jobs (-2.2 percent) since February 2002. All over-the-year losses are attributed to Local Government (33,700 jobs), which has declined by 1,100 employees (-3.2 percent) since February 2002.

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

LAWTON

LAWTON RECORDS EMPLOYMENT BOOST FOR MONTH AND YEAR

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Lawton MSA came in at 38,400 jobs in February. This represents an increase of 300 jobs (+0.8 percent) over the month and 400 jobs (+1.1 percent) over the year. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining, Information and Other Services remained constant for both the month and the year.

·         Manufacturing gained 200 jobs (+5.9 percent) over the month, while Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 100 jobs (+1.6 percent) over the same period.  Both sectors remained constant over the year.

·         Construction, Finance and Professional and Business Services all remained constant over the month.  Each sector gained 200 jobs over the year (+13.3 percent, +10.0 percent and +6.1 percent, respectively).

·         Leisure and Hospitality Services remained steady over the month, but lost 100 jobs (-2.8 percent) over the year.  Education and Health Services gained 100 jobs (+3.3 percent) over the month and over the year.

·         Federal Government lost 100 jobs (-3.0 percent) over the month and the year.  State Government declined by 100 jobs (-6.3 percent) over the month, but gained 100 jobs (+7.1 percent) over the year.  Local Government also gained 100 jobs (+1.4 percent) over the month; however, this sector lost 200 jobs (-2.8 percent) since February 2002.

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

ENID

ENID EMPLOYMENT GAINS JOBS OVER THE MONTH AND YEAR

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA  

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Enid MSA is 23,600 for February 2003, a gain of 300 jobs (+1.3 percent) over the month and 500 jobs (+2.2 percent) over the year. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining, Construction, Manufacturing, Information, Other Services, Federal Government and Local Government have all remained constant since January 2003 and February 2002.

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 100 jobs (+1.7 percent) over the month. However, this sector has declined by 100 jobs over the year.

·         Financial Activities, Professional and Business Services and Leisure and Hospitality Services all remained constant over the month.  These sectors each gained 100 jobs (+8.3 percent, +7.7 percent and +5.6 percent, respectively) over the past year.

·         Education and Health Services gained 100 jobs (+2.8 percent) over the month and 200 jobs (+5.7 percent) over the year.

·         State Government gained 100 jobs (+11.1 percent) over both the month and the year.

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

STATE LABOR FORCE AND EMPLOYMENT SHOW GAINS IN FEBRUARY 2003

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Following the loss of 9,000 workers in January, Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force went up by almost 6,000 (+0.3 percent) to 1,687,600 workers in February 2003. This falls in line with the historical trend of Oklahoma’s labor force posting a gain in February. Over the past year, the gain has been even bigger with the labor force adding 8,200 workers (+0.5 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/