FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Date: Thursday, May 20,2004

  

STATEWIDE PRELIMINARY March 2004
NON-FARM EMPLOYMENT statistics AND LABOR FORCE/UNEMPLOYMENT RATE View PDF FileTo view this document requries Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to get the Reader.

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.

HEALTHY GROWTH SEEN IN PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES, HEALTH CARE SERVICES, RETAIL TRADE AND CONSTRUCTION

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for the state of Oklahoma edged up by 14,500 jobs in March 2004, posting upward shifts for the second consecutive month to finish at 1,452,700 jobs. Most industries experienced job gains over the month. Based on seasonally adjusted figures, TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT gained 8,400 jobs since February 2004 and improved the state’s annual losses from -1.5 percent to -0.3 percent.

  • Natural Resource and Mining grew by 100 jobs over the month and reported an annual growth of 1,300 jobs.

  • Following the growth trend seen around the nation, Construction added 1,700 jobs in March. Specialty Trade Contractors accounted for most of these employment gains. This subsector recorded an annual gain of 3.2 percent.

  • Manufacturing was up by 500 jobs since February due to job gains in the Durable Goods Industries. Annual employment losses in this supersector were 2.0 percent in March 2004.

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities rose by 2,500 jobs in March after reporting declines since January 2004. As the spring shopping season approaches, Retail Trade added 1,800 jobs over the month. Wholesale Trade and Transportation, Warehouse and Utilities posted over-the-month job increases that resulted in gains of 300 jobs and 400 jobs, respectively. 

  • Information grew by 900 jobs since February due mostly to Telecommunications. Despite the 100-job loss in March, Financial Activities has gained 2,400 jobs over the year, continuing a growth trend begun in July 2003. 

  • Professional and Business Services was up by 3,300 jobs in March, led by advances in Administrative and Support Services. Compared to a year ago, this workforce has improved by 800 jobs.

  • Educational and Health Services added 1,700 jobs over the month as a result of employment gains in Health Care and Social Assistance. Ambulatory Health Care Services and Hospitals both reported significant over-the-month and over-the-year gains.

  • In March, Leisure and Hospitality continued to experience employment gains by adding 2,800 jobs. Art, Entertainment and Recreation accounted for an 800-job gain, while Accommodation and Food Services accounted for an additional 2,000 jobs in March.

  • Other Services rose by 500 jobs since last month with an annual gain of 300 jobs.

  • Government increased by 600 jobs over the month. State and Local Government gained by 700 jobs in March and offset the 100-job loss in Federal Government. Compared to March 2003, Government dropped 1.6 percent of its workforce.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY

EMPLOYMENT ON THE MOVE UPWARD IN OKLAHOMA CITY

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) continued to increase in March, adding 7,100 jobs (+1.3 percent) to reach 537,600 jobs.  There has been an increase of 5,200 jobs (+1.0 percent) since last March.  Gains occurred overall this month in both the Service Providing Industries (+6,600 jobs) and Goods Producing Industries (+500 jobs).

  • Natural Resources and Mining recorded the same employment levels as last month.  Construction grew by 200 jobs (+0.9 percent) in March.

  • Manufacturing added 300 jobs (+0.8 percent) in March, while posting 1,600 fewer jobs (-4.1 percent) than March 2003.  The over-the-month increase is seen mostly in Non-durable Goods with an addition of 300 jobs (+2.5 percent).  Employment in Durable Goods remained steady over the month and decreased by 1,500 jobs (-5.6 percent) since March 2003.

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities increased by 1,400 jobs to 96,000 in March, up 200 jobs (+0.2 percent) from a year ago.  Retail Trade added 900 jobs (+1.5 percent) over the month as well as 800 jobs (+1.3 percent) since last year.  While Wholesale Trade added 300 jobs (+1.5 percent) in March, it was down by 300 jobs compared to last year.

  •  Financial Activities grew by 300 jobs over both the month and year. Professional and Business Services gained 1,900 jobs (+2.8 percent) in March.

  • Employment in Educational and Health Services increased by 1,300 jobs (+1.9 percent) over the month and by 3,500 jobs (+5.2 percent) over the year.  Hospitals contributed to this increase in March by adding 1,200 jobs (+5.9 percent).

  • Leisure and Hospitality Services declined by 100 jobs (-0.2 percent) since February.  Other Services gained 900 jobs (+3.3 percent) in March, while there were 100 fewer jobs (-0.4 percent) than one year ago.

  • Employment in Government increased by 900 jobs in March 2004, mostly in State Government, which added 800 jobs (+2.0 percent) during the month.  However, compared with March 2003, Government employment is down by 900 jobs (-0.8 percent).
 

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

TULSA

TULSA EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS KEEP IMPROVING IN MARCH 2004

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in the Tulsa MSA rose to 379,600 jobs in March 2004, gaining 4,900 jobs (+1.3 percent) over the month and losing 4,200 jobs (-1.1 percent) since March 2003.

  • Natural Resources and Mining remained unchanged at 3,800 jobs over the month, while losing 600 jobs (-13.6 percent) over the year.

  • Construction added 700 workers in March 2004, reversing the decline from February 2004. Over-the year, this supersector has dropped 1,200 employees (–6.3 percent).

  • Manufacturing experienced a marginal gain of 400 jobs over the month with a majority of the increase in Durable Goods.

  • Business Support Services lost 300 jobs (-5.4 percent) in March 2004, the largest percentage over-the-month employment loss among all sectors.

  • Information added 300 jobs for the month, but dropped 700 jobs (-5.6 percent) since March 2003.

  • Financial Activities grew by 400 jobs since February 2004 and by 1,000 employees over the past year.

  • Professional and Business Services added 700 jobs in March 2004, but declined by 2,400 workers from the previous year.

  • Federal Government and State Government both remained unchanged in March 2004 at 4,000 and 8,400 workers, respectively.

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

LAWTON

MARCH EMPLOYMENT HOLDS STEADY IN LAWTON

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT for Lawton held steady in March 2004 at 38,500, a loss of 1,200 jobs (-3.0 percent) over the year. There was no net change in employment over the month.

  • Natural Resources and Mining, Information, Other Services, Financial Activities, and Leisure and Hospitality Services all remained unchanged over the month and over the year.

  • Manufacturing remained constant over the month, but declined by 300 jobs (-8.1 percent) over the year. Trade, Transportation and Utilities increased by 100 jobs (+1.5 percent) over the month and remained unchanged over the year.

  • Construction, Professional and Business Services, and Educational and Health Services all gained 100 jobs over the month (+7.7 percent, +2.9 percent and +2.8 percent, respectively).
  • Government decreased by 400 jobs (-3.6 percent) over the month and by 1,000 jobs (-8.5 percent) over the year.  State Government was the only subsector that showed an increase in employment, gaining 300 jobs (+21.4 percent) since March 2003.

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

ENID

ENID EMPLOYMENT HOLDS STEADY IN MARCH

TOTAL NONFARM EMPLOYMENT in March for the Enid MSA was 22,500 jobs, an increase of 200 jobs (+0.9 percent) over the month and a decrease of 400 jobs (-1.7 percent) over the year.

  • Natural Resources and Mining, Construction, Trade, Transportation and Utilities, Professional and Business Services, Leisure and Hospitality Services, and Other Services all remained steady over the month.

  • Manufacturing and Educational and Health Services both gained 100 jobs over the month (+4.8 percent and +2.9 percent, respectively).

  • Trade, Transportation and Utilities remained constant over the month.  Since March 2003, the supersector lost 100 jobs (-2.0 percent), due mainly to job losses in Wholesale Trade.

  • Federal Government lost 100 jobs (-25 percent) over the year, but remained unchanged over the month.

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 March 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