FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    

Date: Thursday, June 5, 2003

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY April 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.

LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY SHOWS GAINS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT MONTH

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Following the trend of the past two months, TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the state of Oklahoma improved by 12,200 jobs in April 2003. Compared to this time last year, Oklahoma’s April 2003 employment of 1,482,200 jobs has declined by 0.8 percent. TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT has been in an over-the-year downward trend since June 2001 as a result of a weak private sector and conservative 2002 government-sector hiring. Based on seasonally adjusted figures, TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT posted a gain of 0.5 percent over the month, but has lost 8,300 jobs (-0.6 percent) over the past year.  Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resource and Mining continued its upward trend, reporting a gain of 500 jobs in April. Employment in this industry has improved by 4.7 percent since last year. Construction added 1,800 jobs over the month, due mostly to gains in Specialty Trade Contractors and Building Equipment Contractors. Over the past year, these sub-sectors have grown by 8.9 percent and 12.4 percent, respectively.

·         Manufacturing was up by 500 jobs in April, mainly led by advances in Non-durable Goods. Despite this gain, the sector lost 6,500 jobs (-4.2 percent) since April 2002. Fabricated Metal Manufacturing, Machinery Manufacturing and Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing are the industries that contracted most over the past year.

·        Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 2,600 jobs over the month as a result of Retail Trade. In fact, Retail Trade gains were posted in all MSA and non-MSA areas for April 2003. Of the total over-the-month growth of 2,200 jobs in all MSAs combined, Tulsa and Oklahoma City accounted for 1,200 jobs and 700 jobs, respectively.

·         Gains in Telecommunications (+300 jobs) and Publishing (+100 jobs) raised employment in Information to 34,600 jobs over the month. In contrast, this industry has diminished by 1,000 jobs since April 2002. Financial Activities added 600 jobs in April led by gains in Finance and Insurance. This industry has shown over-the-year positive shifts for two consecutive months.

·         Professional and Business Services edged up by 1,900 jobs in April, but has declined by 3.8 percent since April 2002. Administrative and Support Services contributed the majority of these gains.  Despite an over-the-month loss of 900 jobs in Educational and Health Services, this sector registered annual growth of 0.1 percent. Health Care and Social Services was down by 0.7 percent in April following slow job growth in this sector around the nation.

·         Leisure and Hospitality gained 3,600 jobs for April 2003, driven for the third straight month by seasonal increases in Accommodation and Food Services. Both the Oklahoma City MSA and the Lawton MSA posted gains in this industry. Other Services grew by 1.3 percent over the month and 5.2 percent over the year.

·         Total Government added 200 jobs in April 2003 as a result of Federal Government. A gain of 400 jobs in State Government was offset by a loss of 400 jobs in Local Government. Total Government experienced over-the-year losses of 1.3 percent, continuing a downward trend begun in October 2002.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

OKC MONTHLY & ANNUAL EMPLOYMENT GAINS DUE TO SERVICES SECTORS

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Oklahoma City MSA came in at 549,700 jobs for April 2003, a gain of 5,300 jobs (+1.0 percent) since March. Employment also expanded by 8,000 jobs (+1.5 percent) when compared to April 2002. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining (6,800 jobs) remained constant for the month, but has grown by 400 jobs (+6.3 percent) over the past year.

·         Construction (21,500 jobs) jumped by 800 workers (+3.9 percent) over the month. This sector has grown by 200 jobs (+0.9 percent) since April 2002.

·         Manufacturing (40,700 jobs) posted a marginal gain of 100 jobs (+0.2 percent) over the month, while losing 500 jobs (-1.2 percent) since this time last year. Compared to April 2002, Durable Goods (28,300 jobs) lost 200 jobs, while Non-Durable Goods (12,400 jobs) declined by 300 jobs.

·         Trade, Transportation and Utilities (98,800 jobs) gained 300 jobs (+0.3 percent) both over the month and over the year. Retail Trade (62,100 jobs) added 700 workers (+1.1 percent) in April 2003, while Wholesale Trade (21,100 jobs) added 300. At 15,600 jobs, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities dropped 700 jobs over the month and 600 jobs since April 2002.

·         Information (13,600 jobs) dropped 300 jobs over the month and 600 jobs (-4.2 percent) over the past year.

·         Financial Activities (33,400 jobs) added 100 jobs over the month, but dropped by 200 jobs (-0.6 percent) compared with April 2002.

·         Professional and Business Services (70,100 jobs) gained 900 jobs (+1.3 percent) for the month, but dropped 200 jobs for the year. Educational and Health Services (68,100 jobs) followed the opposite trend, losing 400 jobs (-0.6 percent) over the month, but jumping by 3,000 jobs (+4.6 percent) since April 2002. Leisure and Hospitality Services added 1,900 jobs in April and increased by 3,800 jobs (+7.4 percent) over the year. Other Services added 1,900 jobs (+7.0 percent) over the month and 1,300 jobs (+4.7 percent) over the year.

·         Total Government (112,300 jobs) remained constant over the month, but has added 500 jobs since April 2002. Over the past year, State Government employment (39,700 jobs) remained unchanged, while Federal Government (27,400 jobs) added 400 jobs, and Local Government  (45,200 jobs) added 100.

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

TULSA

EMPLOYMENT IN LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY DROPS FOR TULSA MSA

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area (385,600 jobs) dropped 400 jobs (-0.1 percent) over the month and 18,300 jobs (-4.5 percent) over the past year. While the Goods Producing sectors of the Tulsa economy recorded a growth of 900 jobs (+1.3 percent) from March 2003, the Service Producing sectors experienced a significant loss of 1,300 jobs (-0.4 percent). These job losses came from Leisure and Hospitality Services. Other highlights include:

·        Natural Resources and Mining held steady over the month, but lost 400 employees (-7.7 percent) since April 2002.

·        Construction gained 700 jobs (+3.4 percent) from March 2003. Specialty Trade Contractors continued to drive this sector’s employment growth. Compared to April 2002, Construction gained 1,000 workers (+4.9 percent).

·        Manufacturing gained back the 200 employees (+0.4 percent) lost last month, settling at 45,900 workers in April 2003.  However, a loss of 4,400 jobs (-8.7 percent) was reported in the Manufacturing sector over the past year.

·        Trade, Transportation and Utilities added 1,000 jobs (+1.3 percent) from March 2003.  This over-the-month employment gain was contributed solely by Retail Trade which grew by 1,200 jobs (+2.9 percent) in April 2003.  However, employment in Trade, Transportation and Utilities has decreased by 5,300 workers (-6.2 percent) over the year.

·        Information increased by 400 jobs (+2.9 percent) in April 2003.  Over-the-month gains were strong in Telecommunications. Information has lost 500 workers (-3.4 percent) when compared to April 2002. Employment in Financial Activities rose by 300 jobs (+1.2 percent) in April 2003 and by 600 jobs (+2.4 percent) from April 2002.  Activities in Finance and Insurance generated majority of the employment growth.

·        Professional and Business Services contracted by 300 jobs (-0.6 percent) from March 2003 and by 5,700 jobs (-10.8 percent) from April 2002.  Administrative and Support Services continued to be the main source of employment decreases.

·        Educational and Health Services saw a marginal drop of 100 workers (-0.2 percent) in April 2003.  However, this sector lost 600 jobs (-1.2 percent) over the year.

·        Employment in Leisure and Hospitality continued to decrease in April 2003 as 1,200 jobs (-3.8 percent) were dropped.  April's loss was observed in Art, Entertainment and Recreation.  Since April 2002, Leisure and Hospitality has declined by 2,900 employees (-8.6 percent).

·        Other Services reported a loss of 1,600 jobs (-7.4 percent) in April 2003, but an increase of 400 jobs (+2.1 percent) from April 2002.

·        Total Government in the Tulsa MSA gained 200 jobs (+0.4 percent) in April 2003. This sector has decreased by 500 jobs (-1.1 percent) from same period last year.

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

LAWTON

LAWTON EXPERIENCES MODEST EMPLOYMENT GROWTH DURING APRIL

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Lawton MSA in April 2003 reached 38,300 workers, an improvement of 200 jobs (+0.5 percent) over the month. Other highlights include:

·         Retail Trade experienced an increase of 100 jobs (+2.2 percent) over the month and remained constant over the year.

·         Construction gained 100 jobs (+5.9 percent) over the month and 200 jobs (+12.5 percent) over the year. Manufacturing dropped 200 jobs (-5.7 percent) over the month and 400 jobs (-10.8 percent) over the year.

·         Federal Government and Local Government both remained steady in April.  Between April 2002 and April 2003, Federal Government lost 100 jobs (-3.0 percent), and Local Government declined by 200 jobs (-2.8 percent). State Government lost 100 jobs (-6.3 percent) over the month, but showed an increase of 100 jobs (+7.1 percent) since last April.

·         Professional and Business Services added 100 jobs (+2.9 percent) over the month and over the year.  Educational and Health Services increased by 100 jobs (+3.2 percent) in April, but remained unchanged over the year.  Leisure and Hospitality Services grew by 100 jobs (+2.8 percent) over the month and held steady over the past year.

·         Employment in Financial Activities remained constant in April.  Since April 2002, this sector has gained 200 jobs (+10.0 percent).

·         Natural Resources and Mining, Wholesale Trade, Information and Other Services all remained stable over the month and over the year.

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

ENID

ENID GAINS JOBS OVER MONTH

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Enid MSA reached 23,600 jobs in April 2003, an increase of 400 jobs (+1.7 percent) over the month. Other highlights include:

·         Natural Resources and Mining, Construction, Information, Other Services, Federal Government and Local Government each remained constant over the month and over the year.

·         Manufacturing gained 100 jobs (+4.5 percent) over the month, but remained constant over the year.

·         Retail Trade added 200 jobs (+6.7 percent) over the month and over the year.

·         State Government added 100 jobs (+11.1 percent) in April 2003.  The same increase was seen over the year.

·         Professional and Business Services and Leisure and Hospitality Services were unaltered over the month. Over the year, the sectors have decreased by 200 jobs (-12.5 percent) and 100 jobs (-5.0 percent), respectively.

·         Financial Activities and Educational and Health Services remained constant over the month.  Financial Activities has grown by 100 jobs (+8.3 percent) since April 2002.  Educational and Health Services also increased by 100 jobs (+2.8 percent) over the year.

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

STATE LABOR FORCE AND TOTAL EMPLOYMENT BOTH SHOW GAINS FOR APRIL 2003

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force continued growing for the third straight month in April 2003. Over the month, the civilian labor force gained 3,700 workers (+0.2 percent) to reach 1,696,800 following an increase of more than 11,000 workers over the previous two months. The current number was at the highest level of the year.  Since April 2002, the labor force was essentially unchanged.

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/