Bureau of Labor Statistics

Current Employment Statistics 

Highlights

April 2012

Bureau of Labor Statistics

May 4, 2012
1

120,000

122,000

124,000

126,000

128,000

130,000

132,000

134,000

136,000

138,000

140,000

Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04 Jan-06 Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12

Employment in total nonfarm

April 2012

Level: 132,989

Change: 115

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2 

months of data are preliminary.

January 2000–April 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands 41 -84 -95 -208 -190 -198 -210 -274 -432 -489 -803 -661 -818-724 -799-692 -361 -482

-339

-231

-199

-202

-42

-171

-40

-35

189

239

516

-167

-58

-51

-27

220

121

120

110

220

246

251

54

84

96

85

202

112

157

223

275

259

154

115

-1,000

-800

-600

-400

-200

0

200

400

600

800

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in total nonfarm

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Total nonfarm employment rose by 115,000 in April, after a gain of 154,000 in 

March. Employment growth averaged 252,000 from December 2011 through 

February 2012. 

 Since a recent employment low in February 2010, nonfarm payrolls have 

expanded by 3.7 million jobs, reflecting a 42-percent recovery of the 8.8 million 

net jobs lost between January 2008 and February 2010. 
2

-15

-2

12

23

62

1

-2

1

-17

29

7

16

-2

0

-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80

Government

Other services

Leisure and hospitality

Education and health services

Professional and business services

Financial activities

Information

Utilities

Transportation and warehousing

Retail trade

Wholesale trade

Manufacturing

Construction

Mining and logging

Employment in total nonfarm

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, April 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Total nonfarm:

115

-502

41

688

856

1318

59

-106

8

195

356

157

485

29

162

-1000 -500 0 500 1000 1500

Government

Other services

Leisure and hospitality

Education and health services

Professional and business services

Financial activities

Information

Utilities

Transportation and warehousing

Retail trade

Wholesale trade

Manufacturing

Construction

Mining and logging

Employment in total nonfarm

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Feb 2010–April 2012 net change

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Total nonfarm:

115

Total nonfarm: 3,745

Total private: 4,247

 In April, employment rose in retail trade, professional and business services, and 

health care. Transportation and warehousing employment declined in April. 

 Since an employment trough in February 2010, all private-sector industries, 

except information, have added jobs. 

 Service-providing industries have accounted for 84 percent of the 4.2 million jobs 

added to private payrolls since February 2010. Government employment has 

declined by one-half million jobs in that same timeframe. 
3

32.0

32.5

33.0

33.5

34.0

34.5

35.0

Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04 Jan-06 Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12

Average weekly hours, total private

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most 

recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

January 2000–April 2012

Seasonally adjusted

All employees

Level: 34.5

Change: 0.0

Production employees

Level: 33.8

Change: 0.0

 Average weekly hours for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls were 

unchanged at 34.5 hours in April. Average weekly hours for production and 

nonsupervisory employees also remained unchanged at 33.8 hours. 

   
4

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

Mar-07 Sep-07 Mar-08 Sep-08 Mar-09 Sep-09 Mar-10 Sep-10 Mar-11 Sep-11 Mar-12

Over-the-year percent change

Average hourly earnings, all employees, and CPI–U*

Total private earnings CPI–U

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted

April 2012 Earnings: 1.8

March 2012 CPI-U: 2.6

*1982–84=100

March 2007–April 2012

 Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 1 

cent to $23.38 in April. 

 Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.8 percent. 

In March, the CPI-U had an over-the-year increase of 2.6 percent; growth in 

prices has recently been outpacing growth in earnings. 
5

6

2

7

-1

7

5

4

8

4

-2

-4

-6-6

-15

-21

-16

-18

-9

-8-8

-3

-6

22

5

6

77

8

4

6

8

6

9

3

0

5

3

15

12

999

3

66

4

88

7

00

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

20

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in mining and logging

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands -9 -46 -34 -70 -49 -66-55-46 -73 -77 -155 -105 -147 -110 -153-144

-57

-87

-82

-79

-71

-58

-30

-33

-61

-64

23

7

-41

-11

-16

20

-19

7

-11-11

-21

33

7

-1

3

-3

13

-10

30

-9

1

26

18

-1

-3

-2

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in construction

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 For the second consecutive month, mining and logging employment was flat. 

 Employment in mining and logging has increased by 177,000 since a trough in 

October 2009, with all of that gain coming from mining. 

 Construction employment was flat in April. Job losses in construction of buildings 

and specialty trade contractors were offset by modest gains in heavy and civil 

engineering construction. 

 Although essentially unchanged over the last 3 months, employment in 

construction has increased by 102,000 since a trough in January 2011, with over 

half of the gain coming from specialty trade contractors. 
6

-20

-28

-39

-56

-31

-59

-75

-79

-84

-130

-114

-179

-297

-166

-172

-179

-167

-143

-61

-41

-44

-49

-34

-30

-8

4

8

32

34

10

20

-17

2

0

9

15

52

37

26

28

8

12

30

3

-3

9

3

28

52

30

41

16

-350

-300

-250

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in manufacturing

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

38.0

38.5

39.0

39.5

40.0

40.5

41.0

41.5

42.0

42.5

Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04 Jan-06 Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12

Average weekly hours, manufacturing

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most 

recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

January 2000–April 2012 Seasonally adjusted

Production employees

Level: 41.8

Change: 0.1

All employees

Level: 40.8

Change: 0.1

 Manufacturing experienced moderate job growth (+16,000) in April, preceded by 

41,000 and 30,000 jobs added in March and February, respectively. 

 Since a trough in January 2010, employment in the industry has risen by 489,000, 

with durable goods accounting for most of the net gain. 

 The 1-month diffusion index of manufacturing employment fell from 69.8 in 

March to 59.9 in April. This indicates a narrower dispersion of job growth across 

manufacturing industries from March to April. 

 The manufacturing workweek for all employees edged up by 0.1 hour in April to 

40.8 hours. Average weekly overtime for all employees rose by 0.1 hour to 3.4 

hours. 
7

1.3

2.5

2.3

0.0

-0.1

4.9

5.7

0.3

-0.3

-1.3

-2 0 2 4 6 8

Miscellaneous manufacturing

Furniture and related products

Transportation equipment

Electrical equipment and appliances

Computer and electronic products

Machinery

Fabricated metal products

Primary metals

Nonmetallic mineral products

Wood products

Employment in durable goods

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, April 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Durable goods:

15

-8

0

-23

-19

9

-1

-21

-35

-15

-43

6

-28

-100

16

-17

-36

-36

-26

19

-4

-3

-2

-10

-1

12

-6

3

6

11

-1

16

-11

-1

-1

0

-1

18

6

6

4

1

5

9

-3

5

12

4

9

10

7

13

2

-120

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in transportation equipment

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Durable goods manufacturing employment increased by 15,000 in April and has 

expanded by 481,000 since a recent low in January 2010. 

 In April, several durable goods manufacturing industries experienced modest job 

growth. The majority of the gains, however, were split between fabricated metal 

products and machinery. 

 Since an employment trough in December 2009, manufacturers of transportation 

equipment have added 137,000 jobs, representing a recovery of approximately 36 

percent of jobs lost in the industry’s most recent downturn. 
8

1

-43

-23

-71

-52

-47

-43

-60

-68

-52

-132

-99

-99

-71

-94

-61

-8

-23

-45

-12

-46

-35

-11

-27

32

10

25

3

12

-11

14

5

20

37

3

13

37

5

8

67

-5

16

27

-4

14

12

34

7

25

-15

-21

29

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in retail trade

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Retail trade employment grew by 29,000 in April. 

 The majority of the increase in April came from general merchandise stores 

(+21,000). In recent months this industry has shown little discernible trend. 

 Building material and garden supply stores added 5,000 jobs in April. 

 Since reaching an employment trough in December 2009, retail trade has added 

398,000 jobs. 
9

3

1

5

4

-14

-8

-10

-15

-33

-13

-52

-18

-24

-30

-34

-42

-21

-18

-24

-7

-8

-12

-11

13

-26

-9

9

9

9

15

15

-3

15

8

12

3

1

25

8

10

8

11

-4

7

2

3

10

5

17

14

2

-17

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in transportation 

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Transportation and warehousing employment fell by 17,000 in April. 

 The majority of the decline in April came from transit and ground passenger 

transportation (-11,000) and couriers and messengers (-7,000). 

 Since reaching an employment trough in February 2010, transportation and 

warehousing has added 195,000 jobs. 
10

0

-40

-63

1

-68

-41

-61

-71

-70

-116

-184

-120

-144

-184

-133

-148

-64

-100

-31

-22

-1

8

56

14

44

29

-3

79

32

67

8

45

23

55

79

82

46

49

88

50

56

5

39

40

59

41

39

72

79

89

37

62

-250

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in professional and business services

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Employment in professional and business services rose by 62,000 in April. 

 Employment in professional and business services has grown by 1.5 million since 

a recent low in September 2009. 
11

2.0

27.8

32.3

2.0

6.4

7.4

7.4

0.2

27.5

0 10 20 30 40

- Services to buildings

- Employment services

Administrative and waste services ̊

Management of companies

- Management and technical consulting

- Computer systems design

- Architectural and engineering

- Accounting and bookkeeping

Professional and technical ̊

Employment in selected professional and business services

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

 ̊Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

Over-the-month change, April 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Professional and 

business services:

62

1,700

1,800

1,900

2,000

2,100

2,200

2,300

2,400

2,500

2,600

2,700

Jan-00 Jan-02 Jan-04 Jan-06 Jan-08 Jan-10 Jan-12

Employment in temporary help services

April 2012

Level: 2,494

Change: 21

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Most recent 2 

months of data are preliminary.

January 2000–April 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Architectural and engineering services and computer systems design and related 

services both gained 7,000 in April. 

 Employment in temporary help services, a component of employment services, 

edged up by 21,000 in April. 

 Since the most recent low in August 2009, temporary help services has added 

744,000 jobs, accounting for more than half of the employment gain within 

professional and business services. 
12

35

29

30

37

28

21

33

19

14

18

31

23

15

22

10

11

30

24

19

18

22

22

23

20

16

15

36

12

15

11

19

22

16

28

19

23

10

20

32

36

18

26

32

26

46

24

4

23

34

38

25

19

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in health care 

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Employment in health care continued to expand in April, rising by 19,000. The 

majority of the gain was in ambulatory health care services (+15,000), which 

includes home health care and offices of physicians. 

 Health care has added an average of 28,000 jobs per month over the prior 12 

months. 

   
13

-4

-5

-9

-25

-12

-3

7

-18

-28

-26

-36

-22

-25

-24

-24

-30

38

6

-8

-24

-28

-24

-11

-38

-1

-9

25

19

11

1

1

30

54

16

13

15

0

42

38

33

2

7

5

20

28

24

53

25

26

35

36

20

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in food services and drinking places

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Food services and drinking places employment rose by 20,000 in April. 

 Since a recent low in February 2010, the food services industry has added 

576,000 jobs, averaging 22,000 jobs added per month. 

   
14

0

52

17

7

26

33

49

20

-7

-9

-6

-3

21

1

-12

110

-49

-56

-43

-12

-15

30

0

-51

0

-8

48

46

432

-259

-150

-179

-142

24

-13

-20

-9

-37

-15

-13

-54

-18

-79

33

-14

-27

-21

-11

-2

5

-12

-15

-350

-250

-150

-50

50

150

250

350

450

Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-10 Jan-11 Jul-11 Jan-12

Employment in government

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2012

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

-1.7

-10.7

-5.1

5.5

0.8

-4.8

-15 -10 -5 0 5 10

Local government, excluding education

Local government education

State government, excluding education

State government education

U.S. Postal Service

Federal, except U.S. Postal Service

Employment in selected government

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 04, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, April 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Government:

-15

 Government employment has changed little in April and thus far in 2012. This 

represents a moderation of the job losses government experienced in 2011, 

when employment declined by an average of 22,000 per month. 

 Both State and local government reached employment peaks in August 2008. 

Since that time, local government has lost 528,000 and State government has 

lost 136,000.