FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Date: Thursday, March 18,2004

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STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY January 2004
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 EXPERIENCES SEASONAL DROPS IN MOST OF THE SUPERSECTORS

  STATE OF OKLAHOMA

Oklahoma’s TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT started the year at 1,424,900 jobs, declining to 29,400 jobs in January 2004. More than 90 percent of these job losses were seen in the Service Providing Industries as a result of seasonal declines in Trade, Transportation and Utilities, Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality and Government sectors. Based on seasonally adjusted figures, Total Non-farm Employment was down by 1,300 jobs over the month and 1.9 percent over the year.

  • Natural Resource and Mining decreased by 100 jobs in January 2004. However, this sector had improved by 1,400 jobs over the year. Construction lost 1,500 jobs over the month and reported a 2,900-job loss compared to a year ago. Specialty Trade Contractors accounted for a loss of 800 jobs. In January, Manufacturing fell by 800 jobs. Employment losses were widespread in Non-durable and Durable Goods Industries. Manufacturing posted a decline of 4,600 jobs (-3.1 percent) over the year. Since last year, Goods Producing Industries had declined by 6,100 jobs (-2.6 percent).

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities edged down by 11,900 jobs compared to January 2003. Seasonal declines in Retail Trade accounted for the majority job losses, followed by Wholesale Trade and Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities. Although it recorded an annual gain of 0.7 percent, General Merchandise Stores fell by 3,800 jobs in January 2004.

  • Information fell by 500 jobs in January and reported an annual loss of 11.0 percent. In contrast, Financial Activities grew by 400 jobs over the month, following a similar growth trend around the nation. With annual gains in all the subsectors, Financial Activities has expanded by 2,800 jobs compared to January 2003.

  • Professional and Business Services lost 3,700 jobs over the month, mirroring the rest of the nation. Compared to the previous year, this supersector diminished by 4,400 jobs (-2.9 percent). Educational and Health Services remained unchanged over the month as a result of job gains in Health Care and Social Assistance offsetting job losses in Educational Services.

  • In January, Leisure and Hospitality posted a drop of 3,700 jobs, leaving the sector with a loss of 1.5 percent over the year. All the subsectors in this industry edged lower for the month. Food Services and Drinking Places accounted for the majority losses (-2,600 jobs). Other Services fell by 700 jobs over the month. Repair and Maintenance was down by 500 jobs from December 2003.

  • Government diminished by 6,900 jobs in January, led by losses in State Government. Federal Government and Local Government lost 400 jobs and 600 jobs, respectively. Since January 2003, Government has decreased by 6,100 jobs (-2.1percent).

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES RECORDS GAIN IN JANUARY

  OKLAHOMA CITY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

  • Preliminary TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) decreased by 10,000 jobs (-1.9 percent) to 525,500 in January 2004.  The Goods Producing industries declined by 500 jobs (-0.8 percent) over the month.  Employment in Service Providing industries decreased by 9,500 jobs (-2.0 percent) over the month and by 900 jobs (-0.2 percent) over the year.
  • Natural Resources and Mining decreased by 300 jobs (-4.2 percent) in January but increased by 400 jobs (+6.2 percent) over the year.  Construction remained unchanged over the month and increased by 500 jobs (+2.4 percent) over the year.
  • Manufacturing lost 200 jobs (-0.5 percent) in January 2004 and 1,500 jobs (-3.8 percent) since January 2003.  Durable Goods contributed the most job losses with a decrease of 300 jobs (-1.2 percent) over the month and 1,500 jobs (5.6 percent) over the year.  Also, Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing lost 300 jobs (-13.6 percent) over the month and 600 jobs (-24.0 percent) over the year.  Non-Durable Goods increased by 100 jobs over the month to 12,200 jobs.
  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities was reduced by 3,200 jobs (-3.2 percent) over the month and by 700 jobs (-0.7 percent) over the year.  The monthly decline is largely due to losses in Retail Trade (-3,300 jobs), including General Merchandise (-1,000 jobs over the month) and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-400 jobs over the month and -500 jobs over the year).  General Merchandise gained 700 jobs (+5.4 percent) since January 2004.  Information remained unchanged over the month and lost 900 jobs (-6.6 percent) since this time last year.  Financial Activities decreased by 100 jobs (-0.3 percent) in January 2004.  Employment in Professional and Business Services was reduced by 900 jobs (-1.4 percent) in January, with a decline in each sub-sector except Employment Services, which gained 300 jobs (+1.9 percent).
  • Educational and Health Services increased by 700 jobs (+1.0 percent) over the month, adding 1,100 jobs (+1.9 percent) to Health Care and Social Assistance, 600 jobs (+2.7 percent) to Ambulatory Health Care Services, and 300 jobs (+5.8 percent) to Nursing Care Facilities.  Educational and Health Services also increased by 3,300 jobs (+5.0 percent) since January 2003, with the largest increases being in Health Care and Social Assistance and Ambulatory Health Care Services.
  • Leisure and Hospitality Services declined by 1,500 jobs (-2.9 percent) over the month, while gaining 600 jobs (+1.2 percent) since this time last year.  The monthly declines occurred mainly in Limited-Service Eating Places.  Other Services gained 100 jobs (+0.4 percent) in January 2004 and was reduced by 700 jobs (-2.5 percent) since January 2003.
  • Government decreased by 4,600 jobs (-4.2 percent) since December, due mostly to a drop of 4,000 jobs (-10.1 percent) in State Government.  Since last year, Government decreased by 3,900 jobs (-3.6 percent), but this drop was due to a decrease in Federal and Local Government (-1,200 jobs and –2,300 jobs, respectively).
 

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

TULSA

TULSA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA  

  • TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) decreased by 6,000 jobs (-1.6 percent) to 374,200 in January 2004.  Compared to January 2003, employment in Tulsa has declined by 9,500 jobs (-2.5 percent).  Both Goods Producing Industries and Service Providing Industries experienced declines over the month and over the year.  Other highlights include:

  • Natural Resources and Mining lost 100 jobs (-2.6 percent) over the month and has dropped 700 jobs (-15.9 percent) since January 2003.

  • Construction declined by 500 workers (-2.8 percent) from December 2003.  Compared to January 2003, this sector has diminished by 1,800 jobs.

  • Manufacturing added 100 employees (+0.2 percent) over the month but lost 1,700 jobs (-3.6 percent) when compared to the same period last year.

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities lost 2,400 jobs (-2.9 percent) over the month and 2,000 jobs (-2.4 percent) over the year to finish January 2004 at 80,000 jobs.  Large employment losses this month were seen in Retail Trade (-2,500 jobs), while Wholesale Trade decreased by 500 jobs.  Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities has gained a total of 600 jobs (+2.9 percent) this month.  Compare to the previous year, Wholesale Trade reported 1,000 job losses.

  • Employment in Information contracted by 100 jobs (-0.9 percent) in January and 1,600 jobs (-12.5 percent) jobs since this time last year.  This is mainly due to job losses in Broadcasting.

  • Financial Activities began the year with 24,400 jobs, 300 more than December 2003 and 800 more than January 2003.  Credit Intermediation accounted for the gains.

  • Professional and Business Services weakened by 1,600 employees (-3.4 percent) in January 2004 and declined by 3,300 employees (-6.9 percent) from the previous year.  Professional Scientific & Technical, Administrative and Support and Employment Services contributed to the over-the-month losses.

  • Educational and Health Services held steady in January 2004 but has contracted by 300 workers (-0.6 percent) since January 2003.

  • Leisure and Hospitality reported a decrease of 800 jobs (-2.5 percent) from its 2003 level, while the supersector is up 300 jobs over the year.  Other Services went up by 500 employees (+2.4 percent) from December 2003 and gained 1,600 jobs (+8.2 percent) from January 2003.

  • Total Government fell by 1,400 jobs (-3.1 percent) to finish at 43,700 workers.  State Government was mostly responsible for this decline.

 

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

LAWTON
SMALL EMPLOYMENT DECREASES SEEN IN LAWTON

  LAWTON METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

  • TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in January 2004 was 38,100 jobs, a decrease of 1,300 jobs (-3.3 percent) over the month and 1,200 jobs (-3.1 percent) over the year.

  • Employment in Construction, Manufacturing, Professional and Business Services, and Other Services all decreased over the month by 100 jobs.

  • Retail Trade experienced a decrease in employment of 300 jobs in January 2004, with an increase of 300 jobs since January 2003.

  • Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities was unchanged in January.  Over the year, this supersector increased by 100 jobs.

  • Educational and Health Services lost 100 jobs in January, as Leisure and Hospitality Services lost 200 jobs.  Both supersectors remained constant over the year.

  • Natural Resources and Mining and Federal Government were both unchanged in January.  Natural Resources and Mining decreased by 100 jobs over the year, and Federal Government decreased by 400 jobs over the year.

  • State Government decreased by 100 jobs over the month and increased by 300 jobs since January 2003. Local Government decreased by 200 jobs last month and decreased by 400 jobs over the year.

  • Wholesale Trade, Information and Financial Activities each remained constant over the month and over the year.

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

ENID
MOST SECTORS HOLD STEADY IN JANUARY

  ENID METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA

  • TOTAL NONFARM  EMPLOYMENT in January 2004 was 22,200 jobs, a decrease of 500 jobs (-2.2 percent) over the month and 500 jobs (-2.2 percent) over the year.

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities decreased by 200 jobs due to losses in Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade.  Each sector dropped 100 jobs in January.

  • Construction and Leisure and Hospitality Services decreased by 100 jobs each.  Both supersectors remained unchanged in January.

  • Financial Activities and Professional and Business Services decreased over the month by 100 jobs and remained constant over the year.  Federal Government recorded a loss of 100 jobs over the month and over the year.

  • The Manufacturing and Information supersectors were unchanged in January.  However, Manufacturing lost 200 jobs,  and Information lost 100 jobs over the year.  Local Government held steady in January but showed an increase of 100 jobs over the year.

  • Natural Resources and Mining, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, Educational and Health Services, Other Services, and State Government 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 BOTH EXPERIENCE RECORD LOSSES

   LABOR FORCE STATISTICS

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Labor Force lost 20,000 persons (-1.2 percent) from last month’s upward revised number to reach 1,701,800 in November, the largest over-the-month loss for the October-November period in Oklahoma since 1978. The labor force declined to the lowest level it has seen since May of this year.   Over the year, the civilian labor force reading was little changed, dropping by less than 1,000 people (-0.1 percent). 

Oklahoma’s Non-seasonally Adjusted Total Employment also experienced its’ biggest monthly loss for the same period since 1978. Over the month, total employment lost 15,000 jobs from 1,630,800 in October to 1,615,800 in November. Like the labor force, employment was also at the lowest level since May of this year.  Since the same time period last year, total employment has lost 12,500 jobs (-0.8 percent).

* Oklahoma labor force data record started from January 1978.
Click here to View the January 2004 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