Not FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DRAFT   

Date: Thursday, September 25, 2003

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STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY August 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.

STATE EMPLOYMENT SEES ANNUAL GROWTH IN LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY SERVICES

STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT registered 1,460,300 jobs in August 2003 with a loss of 1,800 jobs over the month. Both Goods Producing Industries and Service Providing Industries experienced declines over the month and over the year. Other highlights include:

  • Leisure and Hospitality has added 3,300 jobs since July 2003 and 2,700 jobs since August 2002. Food Services and Drinking Places accounted for a majority of the gains over the month and over the year. Other Services edged lower by 1,200 jobs in August but has gained by 0.9 percent since last year.

  • Natural Resources and Mining continued to report over-the-month growth in August (+300 jobs). This industry has improved by 2,100 jobs (+7.4 percent) compared to August 2002. Construction lost 300 jobs over the month. Specialty Trade Contractors accounted for the job losses in this supersector and offset the gains in Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction. Manufacturing fell by 1,200 jobs since last month, led by contraction in Transportation Equipment Manufacturing. Over the year, the Goods Producing Industries dropped by 1,200 jobs.

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities decreased by 3,100 jobs over the month, leaving the sector with an annual loss of 0.9 percent. The sub-sectors of Trade, Transportation and Utilities continued to follow the downward trend they started a month ago. In August, Wholesale Trade dropped by 2,200 jobs, and Retail Trade followed the downward trend, declining by 1,800 jobs. In contrast, Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities added 900 jobs since July 2003.

  • Information reported no change compared to a month ago. Despite a 500-job loss in August, Financial Activities has grown by 500 jobs since this time last year. Insurance Carriers and Related Activities posted a significant annual growth of 2,000 jobs (+7.7 percent).

  • In August, Professional and Business Services lost 300 jobs. Administrative and Support Services fell by 1,000 jobs, while Business Support Services gained 1,000 jobs over the month. Educational and Health Services grew by 1,300 jobs since July 2003. Job gains were seen in Health Care and Social Assistance (+1,500 jobs). Compared with August 2002, Educational and Health Services has declined by 2.0 percent.

  • Total Government declined by 100 jobs in August as a result of losses in Local Government. Both Federal Government and State Government remained unchanged over the month.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

HEALTH CARE SERVICES ENHANCE EMPLOYMENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY MSA     

OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

    TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) decreased by 3,100 employees (-0.6 percent) in August 2003 to settle at 533,400 jobs. Compared to August 2002, this MSA showed a drop of 3,300 jobs (-0.6 percent). The employment decline was partly seasonal and occurred mainly in the Service Providing Industries. Other highlights include:

  • Natural Resources and Mining marginally increased by 100 workers (+1.4 percent) over the month and by 600 employees (+9.1 percent) over the year. Support Activities for Mining showed an increase of 500 jobs (+14.7 percent) over the year. Total employment in Natural Resources and Mining was 7,200 jobs in August 2003.

  • Construction had a slight increase of 100 jobs (0.4 percent) from July 2003. This supersector gained 1,100 workers (+5.0 percent) from August 2002. Total employment in Construction was 23,300 jobs for August 2003.

  • Manufacturing lost 600 workers (-1.4 percent) from July 2003. The August 2003 employment level was 41,900 jobs with an increase of 1,000 jobs (+2.4 percent) over the year.

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities had a marginal increase of 100 employees (+0.1 percent) from the previous month. This supersector’s over-the-year decline was 2,800 jobs (-2.8 percent).

  • Information dropped 100 workers (-0.7 percent) over the month and 500 jobs (-3.5 percent) from August 2002.

  • Financial Activities held steady from July 2003 but lost 1,300 jobs (-3.8 percent) over the year.

  • Professional and Business Services contracted by 1,800 jobs (-2.6 percent) from July 2003 and by 1,300 workers (-1.9 percent) when compared to August 2002. Over-the-month and over-the-year employment losses occurred mainly in Administrative and Support Services.

  • Educational and Health Services gained 1,200 workers (+1.8 percent) over the month. A total of 1,300 jobs (2.0 percent) were added when compared to August 2002. More employment expansion was seen in Ambulatory Health Care Services than in any other sub-sector.

  • Leisure and Hospitality declined by 600 employees (-1.1 percent) from July 2003 but grew by 1,000 jobs (+1.9 percent) compared to a year ago.

  • Other Services contracted by 1,400 workers (-4.8 percent) over the month. Job losses occurred in Car Wash Services and Related Activities. Over the year, Other Services declined by 200 jobs (-0.7 percent)  

  • Total Government had a marginal loss of 100 employees (-0.1 percent) from July 2003. The job loss was observed in State Government. Over the past year, employment for Total Government has decreased by 2,200 jobs (-2.2 percent).
 

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

TULSA

CONSTRUCTION, FINANCIAL AND LEISURE SERVICES POST OVER-THE-YEAR GAINS

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) declined to 385,200 jobs in August 2003. This is a loss of 3,500 jobs (-0.9 percent) over the month and a loss of 7,600 jobs     (-1.9 percent) from August 2002. Durable Goods Manufacturing, Retail Trade and Educational & Health Services accounted for the over-the-year loss.  Other highlights include: 

  • Natural Resources and Mining (4,900 jobs) remained unchanged over the month and over the year.

  • Construction declined by 300 workers (-1.4 percent) from July 2003 but experienced a growth of 700 jobs (+3.3 percent) jobs from August 2002.

  • Manufacturing declined by 700 employees in August and lost 3,900 jobs (-8.0 percent) when compared to the same period last year. These employment losses occurred primarily in the Durable Goods Manufacturing industries.

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 300 employees (-0.4 percent) over the month and decreased by 1,800 workers (-2.2 percent) when compared to August 2002. These employment losses occurred in Retail Trade with drops of 400 jobs over the month and 2,400 jobs over the year.

  • Information remained unchanged in August but lost 900 jobs (-6.3 percent) when compared to the same period last year.

  • Financial Activities decreased by 300 jobs (-1.2 percent) over the month while experiencing a growth of 600 jobs (+2.4 percent) over the year.

  • Professional and Business Services lost 500 employees over the month and declined by 1,700 workers (-3.4 percent) when compared to August 2002.

  • Educational and Health Services declined by 200 jobs (-0.4 percent) in August 2003 and by 2,200 jobs         (-4.4 percent) since the same period last year.

  • Leisure and Hospitality increased by 600 jobs (+1.8 percent) over the month and by 400 jobs (+1.2 percent) over the year. This was the only sector to gain jobs compared to both July 2003 and August 2002.

  • Other Services lost 700 jobs during August 2003 but added 1,300 employees (+6.6 percent) over the year.

  • Total Government contracted by 1,100 jobs (-2.6 percent) over the month and by 100 jobs (-0.2 percent) over the year. Losses were seasonal in nature.

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

LAWTON

LAWTON REBOUNDS AFTER SEASONAL DECREASES

LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

      Lawton’s TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in August increased by 300 jobs to end the month at 37,100 jobs.  Over the year, however, TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT decreased by 1,300 jobs. Other highlights include:

  • Leisure and Hospitality Services gained 100 jobs (+2.8 percent) in August 2003 but lost 200 jobs                    (-5.1 percent) since August 2002.
  • Manufacturing added 100 jobs in August to bring the employment level to 3,600 jobs.  This supersector declined by 100 jobs over the past year.
  • Federal Government lost 100 jobs in August 2003 and 200 jobs over the year.  Similarly, State Government declined by 100 jobs both over the month and over the year.  Local Government improved by 400 jobs over the month but diminished by 500 jobs over the year.
  • Wholesale Trade contracted by 100 jobs over the month and over the year.
  • The only over-the-year gains in the Lawton MSA were in Financial Activities, which has added 100 jobs          (+4.8 percent) since August 2002.
  • Professional and Business Services and Education and Health Services were both unchanged in August.  Each supersector lost 100 jobs (-2.8 percent and -3.2 percent, respectively) over the past year.
  • Natural Resources and Mining, Construction, Retail Trade, Information, Other Services, and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities each remained constant over the month and over the year.

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

ENID

ENID SEES MARGINAL EMPLOYMENT GAINS IN AUGUST

ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in Enid for August 2003 was 23,800 jobs, an increase of 100 jobs over the month and 900 jobs over the year. Other highlights include:

  • Natural Resources and Mining, Retail Trade, and Federal Government each gained employment over the month and over the year.
  • Wholesale Trade decreased marginally in August by 100 jobs. Over the year, employment was unchanged.
  • State Government was unchanged in August, while Local Government lost 100 jobs.  Since August 2002, State Government gained 100 jobs, and Local Government added 700 jobs.
  • Manufacturing, Information, Professional and Business Services, and Leisure and Hospitality Services all remained constant in August.  Manufacturing lost 100 jobs over the year.
  • Construction, Financial Activities, Education and Health Services, Other Services, and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities each remained constant over the month and over the year.
Click here to view the Enid NonAg. Wage and Salary Employment Information

OKLAHOMA LABOR FORCE

LABOR FORCE AND TOTAL EMPLOYMENT CONTINUE TO DROP IN AUGUST

   LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

For the second month in a row, Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force fell following six months of continual growth. Over the month, the labor force decreased by 11,400 workers (-0.7 percent) and settled at 1,709,800 people for August 2003. The decrease was distributed almost evenly between members of the employed and unemployed populations.

The Non-seasonally Adjusted Total Employment for the state also fell again in August, trimming 5,200 jobs (-0.3 percent) over the month to finish at 1,622,300 workers. Over the past year, employment has decreased by 2,900 jobs (- 0.2 percent).
Click here to View the August 2003  Preliminary Labor Force Statistics

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/

Last Updated 12/08/2009