STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Even though the state workforce was down by 0.8 percent over the year, TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the state of Oklahoma continued its expansion for the third consecutive month in May 2003, adding 9,700 jobs over the month to finish at 1,493,200 jobs. Over-the-month gains were seen in the Private sector, which were mainly contributed by the Service Providing Industries (+7,000 jobs). Other highlights include:

• Natural Resource and Mining added 500 jobs in May, leaving the super sector with a gain of 3.9 percent over the year. Construction gained only half as much as it did in April, edging up by 900 jobs in May 2003. Construction of Buildings and Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction accounted for a majority of the gains. 
• Manufacturing experienced an over-the-month positive shift of 1,300 jobs after adding 500 jobs during April. Job gains were seen in Fabricated Metal Manufacturing and Transportation Equipment Manufacturing. With job losses in Durable Goods, the Manufacturing workforce has declined by 4,600 jobs since May 2002.
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 1,600 jobs in May. Job gains in Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade offset job losses in Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities. Motor Vehicle and Part Dealers, Gasoline Stations, and General Merchandise Stores accounted for the gains in Retail Trade.
• Information was down by 300 jobs over the month. This workforce lost 1,300 jobs since May 2002 as a result of Telecommunications. In contrast, Financial Activities rose by 1,000 jobs in May, led by advances in Real Estate and Rental and Leasing. Since May 2002, this super sector has improved to 85,300 jobs (+2.3 percent).
• Professional and Business Services added 3,300 jobs in May, due in part to the Oklahoma City (55 percent of the gain) and Tulsa MSAs (39 percent). Job gains were seen in Employment Services under Administrative and Support Services across the state and the nation. Educational and Health Services fell by 1.5 percent over the month, led by seasonal declines in Educational Services.
• Leisure and Hospitality continued its growth in May, adding 3.4 percent to its employment as a result of seasonal increases in Arts, Entertainment and Recreation (+1,000 jobs) and Accommodation and Food Services (+3,400 jobs). Despite over-the-month losses of 1.5 percent in Other Services, the super sector gained by 2.8 percent since this time last year.
• Government was up by 800 jobs in May 2003 due to employment gains in Local Government offsetting losses in Federal Government. Government continued to lag behind last year’s numbers, dropping 7,000 jobs since May 2002. 

OKC RECORDS GAINS FOR BOTH MONTH AND YEAR DUE TO SERVICE PROVIDING INDUSTRIES      

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the Oklahoma City MSA came in at 549,7900 jobs for May 2003, a gain of 1,500 jobs (+0.3 percent) since April. Employment also expanded by 4,500 jobs (+0.8 percent) when compared to May 2002. Other highlights include:

• Natural Resources and Mining grew by 100 jobs over the month and by 400 jobs (+6.2 percent) over the past year. For each month in 2003, this super sector has added employees when compared to the same month in the prior year.

• Construction (21,700 jobs) added 100 workers (+0.5 percent) over the month, but lost 100 jobs (-0.5 percent) since May 2002.

• Manufacturing posted a gain of 400 jobs (+1.0 percent) over the month while remaining unchanged since this time last year. Compared to May 2002, Durable Goods gained 200 jobs, while Non-Durable Goods declined by 200 jobs.

• Trade, Transportation and Utilities (98,300 jobs) lost 100 jobs (-0.1 percent) over the month and 400 jobs   (-0.4 percent) over the year. Retail Trade added 300 workers (+0.8 percent) in May 2003, while Wholesale Trade (20,500 jobs) lost 500. At 15,900 jobs, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities added 100 jobs over the month, but dropped 400 jobs since May 2002.

• Information was unchanged over the month, but dropped 500 jobs over the year. This super sector lost employees every month this year when compared to the same month in 2002.

• At 33,500 jobs, Financial Activities dropped 100 jobs over the month and 200 jobs since May 2002.

• Professional and Business Services expanded by 1,800 jobs (+2.6 percent) for the month and has added 500 jobs for the year. Educational and Health Services lost 1,400 jobs (-2.0 percent) over the month, but has risen by 1,800 jobs (+2.7 percent) since May 2002. Leisure and Hospitality Services (55,800 jobs) added 1,800 jobs in May 2003 and increased by 3,200 jobs (+6.1 percent) since May 2002. Other Services (27,800 jobs) dropped 1,100 jobs (-3.8 percent) over the month and 200 jobs (-0.7 percent) over the year. Both the Education and Health Services and the Leisure and Hospitality super sectors have added employees every month this year when compared the same month in the prior year.

• Government (112,100 jobs) remained constant over the month and over the year. Since May 2002, State Government (39,600 jobs) added 200 jobs, while Federal Government (26,900 jobs) and Local Government  (45,600 jobs) both dropped 100 jobs.

MARGINAL EMPLOYMENT CHANGES SEEN IN LAWTON DURING MAY

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in Lawton contracted by 100 jobs to end the month with 38,200 jobs.  A 1,000-job loss was seen over the year.  Other highlights include:

• Construction showed modest growth in May with a gain of 100 jobs. An increase of the same amount was seen over the year. 
• Manufacturing remained unchanged over the month, but lost 300 jobs over the year.
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 100 jobs (+1.6 percent) in May due to increases in Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities.  This super sector lost 100 jobs (-1.6 percent) over the year.
• Financial Activities was unaltered in May; however, this super sector gained 200 jobs over the year.
• Professional and Business Services improved by 100 jobs over the month, while employment in this super sector remained steady over the year.  Education and Health Services lost 100 jobs (-3.2 percent) in May and 200 jobs (-6.3 percent) over the year.  Leisure and Hospitality Services remained constant over the month, but declined marginally since this time last year.
• Federal Government lost 200 jobs (-6.3 percent) over the month and 300 jobs (-9.1 percent) over the year.  State Government decreased by 100 jobs (-5.9 percent) in May and held constant over the year.  Local Government was stationary in May, but lost 300 jobs (-4.2 percent) over the year. 
• Natural Resources and Mining, Information and Other Services remained stable over the month and the year.

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for Enid remained steady at 23,500 jobs in May.  Since this time last year, TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT has lost 300 jobs. Other highlights include:

• Manufacturing showed a gain of 100 jobs in May. This super sector has remained constant since May 2002.
• Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities gained 100 jobs in May, offsetting a decrease of the same amount in Retail Trade. 
• Professional and Business Services (1,400 jobs) and Leisure and Hospitality Services (1,900 jobs) both remained at last month’s employment levels. Since May 2002, each super sector has lost 200 jobs. 
• Education and Health Services decreased by 100 jobs over the month, but gained 100 jobs over the year.
• Employment in Financial Activities was unaltered in May.  This super sector has gained 100 jobs since May 2002.
• Natural Resources and Mining, Construction, Information, Other Services and Government all remained steady over the month and over the year.