Bureau of Labor Statistics

Current Employment Statistics 

Highlights

April 2011

Bureau of Labor Statistics

May 6, 2011

   
2

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

Employment in total nonfarm

April 2011

Level: 131,028

Change: 244

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

13

‐83

‐72

‐185

‐233

‐178

‐231

‐267

‐434

‐509

‐802

‐619

‐820

‐726

‐796

‐660

‐386

‐502

‐300

‐231

‐236

‐221

‐55

‐130

‐39

‐35

192

277

458

‐192

‐49

‐59

‐29

171

93

152

68

235

221

244

-1,000

-800

-600

-400

-200

0

200

400

600

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

Employment in total nonfarm

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

• Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 244,000 in April. Since a recent low in February 

2010, employment has grown by 1.8 million. 

• Over the last 3 months, payroll employment has risen by an average of 233,000 jobs, 

compared with an average of 104,000 jobs in the prior 3 months. 

   
3

-24

1

46

49

51

4

2

2

4

57

7

29

5

10

-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 06, 2011.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, April 2011

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Total nonfarm:

244

4

‐128

‐87

‐186

‐240

‐217

‐265

‐317

‐434

‐491

‐787

‐636

‐841

‐721

‐787

‐773

‐326

‐438

‐287

‐215

‐213

‐250

‐34

‐102

‐42

‐21

144

229

48

65

93

110

109

143

128

167

94

261

231

268

-1,000

-800

-600

-400

-200

0

200

400

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

Employment in total private

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

• In April, job gains occurred in mining, manufacturing and several service-providing 

industries.

• Employment in the private sector rose by 268,000 in April. Since reaching a low point in 

employment in February 2010, the private sector has added 2.1 million jobs—an average 

of 149,000 per month. 
4

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

Average weekly hours, total private

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted

All employees

Level: 34.3

Change: 0.0

Production employees

Level: 33.6

Change: 0.0

90

92

94

96

98

100

102

Mar-06 Sep-06 Mar-07 Sep-07 Mar-08 Sep-08 Mar-09 Sep-09 Mar-10 Sep-10 Mar-11

Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100

Index of aggregate weekly hours 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

March 2006–April 2011

April 2011

Level: 93.6

Change: 0.3%

Total private, all employees

• In April, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was 

unchanged at 34.3 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory 

employees on private nonfarm payrolls was also unchanged at 33.6 hours. 

• The index of aggregate weekly hours for all employees rose by 0.3 percent over the 

month. Since reaching a low point in October 2009, the index has increased by 3.3 

percent. 
5

-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

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 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted

April 2011 Earnings: 1.9

March 2011 CPI-U: 2.7

*1982–84=100

March 2007–April 2011

92

94

96

98

100

102

104

Mar-06 Sep-06 Mar-07 Sep-07 Mar-08 Sep-08 Mar-09 Sep-09 Mar-10 Sep-10 Mar-11

Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100

Index of aggregate weekly payrolls 

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

March 2006–April 2011

April 2011

Level: 102.4

Change: 0.4%

Total private, all employees

• Average hourly earnings of all employees in the private sector increased by 3 cents in 

April to $22.95. Hourly earnings are up 1.9 percent over the year. Between March 2010 

and March 2011, the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) increased by 

2.7 percent. 

• In April, the index of aggregate weekly payrolls for all employees rose by 0.4 percent. 

Since reaching a low in June 2009, the index has increased by 6.2 percent. 
6

6

2

7

0

5

66

7

5

‐3

‐5

‐7

‐6

‐16

‐20

‐17

‐16

‐8‐8‐8

‐1

‐8

2

‐1

55

8

7

11

6

7

8

6

9

1

‐1

55

13

10

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

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

Employment in mining and logging

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

• Mining and logging employment rose by 10,000 in April, mostly due to an increase in 

support activities for mining (+7,000). 

• Since a recent low point in October 2009, mining and logging employment has increased 

by 106,000. 

   
7

5,400

5,900

6,400

6,900

7,400

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

Employment in construction

April 2011

Level: 5,524

Change: 5

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

-2

-3

13

-1

-2

-5 0 5 10 15

Nonresidential specialty trades

Residential specialty trades

Heavy and civil engineering

Nonresidential building

Residential building

Employment in construction

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, April 2011

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Construction:

5

• Construction employment was little changed in April, following a similar employment 

change in March. Heavy and civil engineering employment grew by 13,000 in April. 

• From April 2006 (the most recent employment peak) through February 2010, the industry 

had lost 2.2 million jobs. Since then, employment in construction has changed little, on 

net. 

 
8

‐12

‐34

‐38

‐56

‐33

‐56

‐68

‐85

‐88

‐131

‐121

‐175

‐284

‐171

‐175

‐173

‐172

‐140

‐54

‐46

‐49

‐51

‐44

‐28

9

‐3

9

38

27

12

32

‐29

‐6‐6

15

11

53

37

22

29

-350

-300

-250

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

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

Employment in manufacturing

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

-1.6

-1.6

4.3

0.4

4.0

5.2

5.1

4.1

0.7

-1.9

-4 -2 0 2 4 6

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 06, 2011.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, April 2011

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Durable goods:

19

• Manufacturing employment rose by 29,000 in April. Since reaching an employment low 

in December 2009, manufacturers have added a quarter of a million jobs. 

• Employment in durable goods manufacturing increased by 19,000 in April. Employment 

gains were concentrated in machinery (+5,000), fabricated metal products (+5,000), 

primary metals (+4,000), and computer and electronic products (+4,000). 

 
9

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

Average weekly hours, manufacturing

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted

Production employees

Level: 41.4

Change: -0.1

All employees

Level: 40.4

Change: 0.0

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

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

Average weekly overtime hours, manufacturing

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted

All employees

Level: 3.3

Change: 0.1

Production employees

Level: 4.2

Change: -0.1

• Average weekly hours of all employees in manufacturing were unchanged at 40.4 hours 

in April. The factory workweek for production employees fell by 0.1 hour to 41.4 hours. 

• Average weekly overtime hours of all employees in manufacturing increased by 0.1 hour 

in April, while production worker overtime hours in manufacturing decreased by 0.1 hour 

to 4.2 hours. 

 
10

14,000

14,200

14,400

14,600

14,800

15,000

15,200

15,400

15,600

15,800

16,000

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

Employment in retail trade

April 2011

Level: 14,532

Change: 57

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

‐8

‐47

‐20

‐68

‐61

‐35

‐45

‐63

‐69

‐60

‐130

‐91

‐104

‐78

‐86

‐50

‐13

‐19

‐41

‐14

‐48

‐47

‐17

‐19

35

0

25

16

‐3

‐13

11

‐7

18

26

‐16

6

31

0

‐3

57

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

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

Employment in retail trade

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

• Retail trade employment rose by 57,000 in April. Employment in general merchandise 

stores increased by 27,000, offsetting a decline of similar magnitude in the prior month. 

• Since reaching an employment trough in December 2009, retail trade has added 184,000 

jobs. 

 
11

5

-2

18

1

11

8

6

3

33

-10 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 06, 2011.

Note: Data are preliminary.

 ̊Includes additional component industries not shown seperately.

Over-the-month change, April 2011

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Professional and 

business 

services:

51

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

Employment in temporary help services

April 2011

Level: 2,250

Change: -2

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

• Employment in professional and business services grew by 51,000 in April. Notable 

employment gains were in management and technical consulting services (+11,000), and 

in computer systems design and related services (+8,000). Since reaching a low point in 

September 2009, employment in professional and business services has increased by 

745,000. 

• In April, employment in temporary help services was essentially unchanged following a 

gain of 34,000 in March. 

 
12

33

30

30

37

24

26

31

19

14

19

32

24

14

23

8

12

28

24

21

19

20

22

24

22

12

16

35

17

15

16

25

27

23

30

20

28

13

27

34

37

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

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

Employment in health care 

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

6

10

4

3

7

22

0 5 10 15 20 25

Nursing and residential care

Hospitals

- Home health care services

- Outpatient care centers

- Offices of physicians

Ambulatory health care services ̊

Employment in selected health care industries

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Note: Data are preliminary.

 ̊Includes additional component industries not shown seperately.

Over-the-month change, April 2011

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Health care 

industries:

37

• Health care employment continued to rise in April (+37,000). Over the past 12 months, 

health care added 295,000 jobs, or an average of 25,000 jobs per month. 

• In April, employment gains in health care were spread among the components, including 

ambulatory health care services (+22,000) and hospitals (+10,000). 

 
13

2

‐3

2

‐22

‐29

‐9

‐28

‐30

‐51

‐24

‐55

‐34

‐35

‐34

‐56

‐63

39

‐24

‐12

‐17

‐8

‐51

‐14

‐50

‐1

1

31

35

‐3

23

‐5

38

52

‐31

‐15

17

‐3

54

51

46

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

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

Employment in leisure and hospitality

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

‐9

‐4

1

‐17

‐14

0

‐5

‐16

‐28

‐30

‐32

‐24

‐18

‐19

‐25

‐24

31

3

‐15

‐22

‐29

‐24

‐8

‐38

6

‐5

23

17

‐3

‐8

‐15

29

53

9

‐4

11

1

40

31

27

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

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

Employment in food services and drinking places

Over-the-month change, January 2008–April 2011

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

• Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 46,000 in April. Job growth in food 

services and drinking places (+27,000) accounted for most of the increase.

• Since reaching a low in January 2010, employment in leisure and hospitality has 

increased by 291,000. Food services and drinking places accounted for 208,000 jobs 

gained during that same time period.
14

20,000

20,500

21,000

21,500

22,000

22,500

23,000

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

Employment in government

April 2011

Level: 22,166

Change: -24

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 06, 2011.

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 2011 Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

14,000

14,100

14,200

14,300

14,400

14,500

14,600

14,700

14,800

14,900

15,000

5,000

5,050

5,100

5,150

5,200

5,250

5,300

5,350

5,400

5,450

5,500

Jan-07 Aug-07 Mar-08 Oct-08 May-09 Dec-09 Jul-10 Feb-11

Local government

State government

Employment in state and local government

January 2007 - April 2011

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Local

State

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 6, 2011.

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

of data are preliminary.

• Government payroll employment edged down in April (-24,000). 

• In April, local government except education and state government except education lost 

9,000 jobs each. Since a recent peak in September 2008, local government employment 

has fallen by 409,000.