FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, May 15, 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.

OKLAHOMA EXPERIENCES SMALL JOB GAIN IN MARCH

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in Oklahoma added 3,300 jobs in March 2003, bringing employment up to 1,470,500 jobs. The state’s workforce has diminished by 17,100 jobs (-1.1 percent) since March 2002. Over the past year, the Private Sector accounted 72.5 percent of these job losses, while Government was responsible for the remaining 27.5 percent. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining rose by 2.9 percent over the month after seasonal drops for the last four months. This sector has expanded by 1,000 jobs over the year. In March, employment in Construction gained 1,100 jobs after reporting job losses the previous month. This sector experienced a shift similar to that seen on a national level since last month. Specialty Trade Contractors and Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction accounted for the job increases. Over the year, employment in this sector has improved by 0.9 percent.

·         Manufacturing reported a loss of 2,200 jobs over the month, following the downward trend seen nationally. Transportation Equipment Manufacturing and Machinery Manufacturing accounted for a majority of employment declines. Since March 2002, the Manufacturing workforce lost 5.9 percent of its 145,800 jobs.  

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities fell by 0.5 percent over the month and by 1.4 percent over the year. In March, Wholesale Trade lost 200 jobs, while Retail Trade grew by 500 jobs. Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities was down by 1,800 jobs since last February 2003. 

·         Information declined by 500 jobs in March 2003. Telecommunications experienced a loss of 200 jobs. Employment in this sector has declined by 6.3 percent over the year. Financial Activities edged upward to 83,100 jobs in March. Finance and Insurance was the main contributor to the 600-job employment gain. Over the year, this sector has gained 500 jobs.

·         Employment in Professional and Business Services fell by 400 jobs in March. Professional, Scientific and Technical Services experienced losses over the month and offset employment gains in Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services. Compared to a year ago, this industry’s current employment level of 155,700 represents a loss of 5,000 jobs. 

·         Educational and Health Services increased by 2,400 jobs in March. Employment gains were seen in Health Care and Social Services, which has been reporting over-the-year gains since April 2000. This sector grew by 3.3 percent over the year. Leisure and Hospitality was up by 2,800 jobs in March. Seasonal gains were reported in Arts, Entertainment and Recreation and Accommodation and Food Services. However, this sector had declined by 1.2 percent compared to the previous year. Other Services reported job gains of 900 jobs for the second consecutive month. Over the year, employment in Other Services has grown 2.4 percent.

·        Government lost 700 jobs over the month and has decreased by 4,700 jobs over the year. Federal Government and Local Government reported declines of 400 jobs and 300 jobs respectively in March. State Government remained unchanged over the month.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

BOTH SHORT AND LONG-TERM OKLAHOMA CITY EMPLOYMENT GROWTH DUE TO SERVICES SECTOR

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Oklahoma City MSA came in at 544,900 jobs for March 2003. This is 4,900 jobs (+0.9 percent) higher than February 2003 and 3,900 jobs (+0.7 percent) more than March 2002. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining (6,800 jobs) increased by 100 jobs (+1.5 percent) since February 2003 and has grown by 300 jobs (+4.6 percent) since March 2002.

·         Construction dropped 100 jobs (-0.5 percent) over the month. This sector is down 700 jobs (-3.3 percent) since March 2002.

·         Manufacturing dropped to 40,600 after losing 400 jobs (-1.0 percent) over the month and 1,200 jobs (-2.9 percent) since this time last year. Compared to March 2002, Durable Goods (28,200 jobs) lost 600 jobs, as did Non-Durable Goods (12,400 jobs).

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities reached 98,500 jobs in March 2003, gaining 400 jobs (+0.4 percent) over the month but losing 700 jobs (-0.7 percent) over the year. For the month, Retail Trade added 600 jobs (+1.0 percent), while Wholesale Trade (20,800 jobs) remained constant. At 16,200 jobs, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities has gained 200 jobs (+1.3 percent) since this time last year.

·         Information (14,000 jobs) was reduced by 100 jobs for the month and by 300 jobs (-2.1 percent) since March 2002.

·         Financial Activities added 200 jobs over the month but has declined by 200 jobs (-0.6 percent) since March 2002.

·         Professional and Business Services (69,000 jobs) gained 1,900 jobs (+2.8 percent) for the month but dropped by 100 jobs for the year. Educational and Health Services added 2,700 jobs (+4.1 percent) over the month, while jumping by 4,200 jobs (+6.5 percent) since March 2002. Leisure and Hospitality Services (53,600 jobs) added 700 jobs during the month and has increased by 3,000 jobs (+5.9 percent) since March 2002. Other Services dropped by 300 jobs (-1.1 percent) in March and by 700 jobs (-2.5 percent) over the year.

·         Total Government (112,300 jobs) contracted by 200 jobs over the month, but added 300 jobs over the year. Federal Government dropped 200 jobs and fell to 27,200 jobs, while State Government (39,700) and Local Government (45,400) both remained unchanged.

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

TULSA

EMPLOYMENT CONTINUES TO DROP IN TULSA

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa MSA dropped to 383,700 jobs, losing 1,500 jobs (-0.4 percent) since February 2003 and 16,400 jobs (-4.1 percent) over the past year. Over-the-month employment losses were seen mainly in the Services Providing Industries. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining increased by 100 workers (+2.1 percent) from February 2003, but still showed a loss of 400 jobs (-7.7 percent) over the year.

·         Construction grew slightly to 20,600 employees in March 2003, a gain of 100 workers (+0.5 percent). Job increases occurred in Specialty Trade Constructors as the sector added 200 workers (+1.4 percent) over the month and 2,600 jobs (+21.5 percent) since March 2002.

·         Jobs in Manufacturing experienced reductions of 300 workers (-0.7 percent) from February 2003 and 5,100 employees (-10.1 percent) from March 2002.  Durable Goods Manufacturing was the primary source of job loss over the month and year.

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities employment contracted to 78,500 jobs in March 2003.  A total of 1,100 jobs (-1.4 percent) were lost from February 2003 and 4,700 jobs (-5.6 percent) were dropped over the year. Large employment losses were observed in the Transportation and Warehouse sub-sector, which lost 900 employees over the month.

·         Information, which primarily includes Broadcasting and Telecommunication activities, dropped 100 workers (-0.7 percent) over the month and 1,700 (-11.1 percent) from March 2002.

·         Financial Activities also experienced a marginal increase of 100 jobs (+0.4 percent) from the previous month and a gain of 600 workers (+2.4 percent) since March 2002. Over-the-year job gains were strong in the Finance and Insurance sub-sector.

·         Employment in Professional and Business Services declined by 800 jobs (-1.7 percent) in March 2003 and by 4,200 jobs (-8.2 percent) from the previous year. Significant declines were observed in Administrative and Support Services.

·         Educational and Health Services added 300 workers (+0.6 percent) from February 2003. Health Care and Social Services and Hospitals recorded additions of 200 workers each over the month. The over-the-year job loss was slight; only 100 employees (-0.2 percent) were lost when compared to March 2002.

·         Leisure and Hospitality Services diminished considerably in March for the Tulsa MSA. This sector lost 700 employees (-2.2 percent) from February 2002. Food Services and Drinking Places, as well as Full-service Restaurants, continued to be the primary sources of job loss in this sector. Over the year, 1,500 employees (- 4.6 percent) lost their jobs in Leisure and Hospitality.

·         Other Services expanded by 1,000 jobs (+4.9 percent) over the month and by 1,800 jobs (+9.1 percent) from March 2003. Employment growth for this sector in March 2003 was due mainly to increased services in Religious Activities.

·         Total Government dropped moderately by 100 jobs (-0.2 percent) from February 2003. However, when compared to March 2002, 1,400 workers (-3.0 percent) in this sector were lost. This over-the-month job reduction was seen mainly in Local Government.

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

LAWTON

SMALL JOB LOSSES SEEN IN LAWTON DURING MARCH

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Lawton MSA came in at 38,100 jobs in March 2003, a loss of 200 jobs (-0.5 percent) both over the month and over the year. Other highlights include:

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

·         Manufacturing and Federal Government each declined by 100 jobs (-2.8 percent and –3.0 percent) over the month and the year.  Trade, Transportation and Utilities decreased by 100 jobs (-1.6 percent) over the month and by 200 jobs (-3.2 percent) over the year.

·         Construction, Professional and Business Services and Educational and Health Services all remained constant over the month.  Over the year, Construction gained 100 jobs (+6.3 percent), while Professional and Business Services gained 200 jobs (+6.1 percent) and Educational and Health Services gained 100 jobs (+3.3 percent).

·         Financial Activities decreased by 100 jobs (-4.5 percent) over the month, but gained 100 jobs (+5.0 percent) over the year.  Leisure and Hospitality Services did just the opposite, gaining 100 jobs (+2.9 percent) over the month and losing 100 jobs (-2.7 percent) over the year.

·         State Government increased by 100 jobs (+6.7 percent) over the month and over the year.  Local Government remained unchanged over the month, but has decreased by 300 jobs (-4.2 percent) since this time last year.

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

ENID

MARCH EMPLOYMENT IN MOST SECTORS HOLDS STEADY FOR ENID

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Enid MSA in March 2003 dropped slightly to 23,200 jobs, a decline of 300 jobs (-1.3 percent) over both the month and the year. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining, Construction, Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality Services, Other Services, Federal Government and Local Government all remained steady over the month and over the year.

·         Both Manufacturing and Information decreased by 100 jobs each over the month and over the year (-4.3 percent and –33.3 percent, respectively).

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities remained constant over the month.  Over the past year, this sector lost 300 jobs (-4.9 percent) due to job losses in Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade as well as Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities.

·         Financial Activities and Educational and Health Services remained steady over the month while both gaining 100 jobs over the year. This represents an increase of 8.3 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively.

·         State Government lost 100 jobs (-10 percent) over the month, but remained unchanged over the year.

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force recorded a modest gain of 4,200 workers (+0.2 percent) to reach 1,692,300 people in March 2003 following an increase of 6,300 employees in February. This gain was the lowest for the February-March period in our data record since 1978.  We are used to seeing an average of more than 13,000 additions to the labor force in March. Over the year, the labor force is little changed, losing only about 1,700 persons (-0.1 percent) since March 2002.

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/