Bureau of Labor Statistics

Current Employment Statistics 

Highlights

April 2010

Bureau of Labor Statistics

May 7, 2010

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Current Employment Statistics 

Highlights

April 2010

Bureau of Labor Statistics

May 7, 2010
1

120,000

122,500

125,000

127,500

130,000

132,500

135,000

137,500

140,000

120,000

122,500

125,000

127,500

130,000

132,500

135,000

137,500

140,000

2000-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). NBER has 

not yet determined an endpoint for the recession that began in Dec. 2007. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Employment in total nonfarm

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

April 2010

Level: 130,161

Change: +290

• Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 290,000 in April. 

• Since falling by 8.4 million between December 2007 and December 2009, employment in 

total nonfarm has grown by 573,000 most of which came in March and April. 

   
2

70

-10 -50 -33

-149

-231-193-210

-334

-458

-554

-728

-673

-779

-726-753

-528

-387

-515

-346

-212-225-224

64

-109

14 39

230

290

-900

-750

-600

-450

-300

-150

0

150

300

450

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Employment in total nonfarm

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

-12

-85 -58

-161

-253 -230 -257

-347

-456

-547

-734

-667

-806

-707 -744

-649

-334

-452

-297

-215 -186

-262

75

-83

16

62

174

231

-900

-750

-600

-450

-300

-150

0

150

300

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in total private

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

• Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 290,000 in April after rising 230,000 in March. 

• Total private rose by 231,000 in April and 174,000 in March. 

   
3

7

14

44

4

12

-20

1

-3

3

80

35

45

9

59

-30 -15 0 15 30 45 60 75 90 105

Mining and logging

Construction

Manufacturing

Wholesale trade

Retail trade

Transportation and warehousing

Utilities

Information

Financial activities

Professional and business services

Education and health services

Leisure and hospitality

Other services

Government

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in total nonfarm

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Total nonfarm:

+290

Note: Data are preliminary.

• Job gains were widespread led by professional and business services, federal government, 

leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, and health care. 

• The diffusion index over a 1-month span was 64.3 in April, rising from a recent low of 

16.5 in March 2009. 

   
4

32.0

32.5

33.0

33.5

34.0

34.5

35.0

32.0

32.5

33.0

33.5

34.0

34.5

35.0

2000-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). NBER has 

not yet determined an endpoint for the recession that began in Dec. 2007. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Average weekly hours, total private

Seasonally adjusted

Production employees

Level: 33.4

Change: +0.1

All employees

Level: 34.1

Change: +0.1

85

90

95

100

105

2006-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Index of total private aggregate weekly hours

Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100

April 2010

Level: 91.9

Percent change: +0.4

of all employees

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

by 0.1 to 34.1 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory 

employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 to 33.4 hours in April. Since 

reaching a low in October 2009, hours both for all employees and for production and 

nonsupervisory employees have risen by 0.4 hour. 

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

a low in October, the index has increased by 1.5 percent. 

   
5

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

2000-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). NBER has 

not yet determined an endpoint for the recession that began in Dec. 2007. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-year percent change in average hourly earnings

Seasonally adjusted

Production employees

Percent change: 2.3

All employees

Percent change: 1.6

85

90

95

100

105

2006-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Index of total private aggregate weekly payrolls

Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100

April 2010

Level: 98.5

Percent change: +0.5

payrolls of all employees

• Average hourly earnings of all employees increase by 1 cent to $22.47 in April. Over the 

past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.6 percent. In April, average 

hourly earnings of private production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 5 cents 

to $18.96. 

• In April, the index of total private aggregate weekly payrolls of all employees rose by 0.5 

percent. 

• The index of aggregate payrolls reached a low in October 2009 and has increased by 2.2 

percent since then. 
6

5

3.8

8.1

-0.3

8.1

6.9

4.7

7.2

2.8

-4

-2.7

-5.9

-7.3

-13.3

-15.5

-13.9-13.3

-8

-5.3

-8.8

-3.1

-4.7

7.6

1

7.8 6.9

8.5

6.8

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in mining

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

• Mining added 7,000 jobs in April, with most of the increase in support activities for 

mining. Since a low last October, mining has added 39,000 jobs. 

   
7

-24 -28 -33

-59 -61

-70

-52 -52

-72

-92

-149

-95

-153

-116

-142

-114

-59

-91

-80

-64 -71 -67

-15

-36

-60

-51

26

14

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in construction

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

-4.0

9.2 9.2

-6.9

6.2

-7.1 -5.8 -7.1

-12.3

-24.5

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

Residential building Nonresidential 

building

Heavy and civil 

engineering

Residential specialty 

trades

Nonresidential 

specialty trades

April 2010

Prior 12-mo. avg.

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in construction

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Data are preliminary.

• Construction employment edged up in April following an increase of 26,000 in March. 

• Within construction, nonresidential building and heavy construction each added 9,000 

jobs over the month. 

   
8

-5

-30 -37 -50

-27

-49

-72

-93 -93

-141 -130

-177

-279

-166 -165

-149 -152

-129

-43 -57 -48 -57

-25 -18

22 16 19

44

-350

-300

-250

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

38.0

38.5

39.0

39.5

40.0

40.5

41.0

41.5

42.0

42.5

38.0

38.5

39.0

39.5

40.0

40.5

41.0

41.5

42.0

42.5

2000-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Note: Shaded areas represent recessions as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). NBER has 

not yet determined an endpoint for the recession that began in Dec. 2007. Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Average weekly hours, manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted

Production employees

Level: 41.2

Change: +0.2

All employees

Level: 40.1

Change: +0.2

• Manufacturing added 44,000 jobs in April. Since the beginning of the year, factory 

employment has risen by 101,000. 

• The manufacturing workweek for all employees increased by 0.2 to 40.1 hours. Since 

reaching a trough in June 2009, manufacturing hours have risen by 1.4 hours. 

• Factory overtime for all employees was up by 0.1 hour in April.

   
9

3

1

4

9

7

0

3

4

0

0

-5 0 5 10 15 20

Wood products

Nonmetallic mineral products

Primary metals

Fabricated metal products

Machinery

Computer and electronic products

Electrical equipment and appliances

Transportation equipment

Furniture and related products

Miscellaneous manufacturing

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in durable goods manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Durable goods:

+30

5

0

1

0

0

-1

2

1

2

-1

4

-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10

Food manufacturing

Beverage and tobacco

Textile mills

Textile product mills

Apparel

Leather products

Paper products

Printing 

Petroleum and coal products

Chemicals

Plastics and rubber

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in nondurable goods manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Nondurable goods:

14

Note: Data are preliminary.

• Job gains in manufacturing were widespread. In April, the diffusion index over a 1-

month span rose to 65.9, compared to a recent low of 4.9 in January 2009. 

• Employment in durable goods rose by 30,000 jobs in April. Gains in this industry were 

widespread, led by fabricated metals (9,000), and machinery (7,000). 

• Employment in nondurable goods grew by 14,000. 

   
10

-6.1

-9.1 -7.4

-19.5

-14.3-11.9

-22 -20.2

-13.7

-35.8

-38.7

-42.5

-36.6

-49.4

-38.4

-30.2

-15.8-13.2-15.8

-8.7 -8.3

-5.4 -6.2 -4.3

-7.7

3.2

9.5

4

-60

-40

-20

0

20

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in wholesale trade

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

• Employment in wholesale trade was changed little over the month.

• Although flat over the past 6 months, the employment trend reflects improvement 

compared to the prior months of the current recession. 

   
11

-2.4

-34.6

-11.8

-66.4-67.5

-36.4 -42

-66.6

-78.9-80.2

-117

-99.2

-71 -69.8

-87.4

-42.8

-22.2-24.4

-53.5

-15.3

-48.3

-63

8.8

-14.5

49.1

7.1 15.1 12.4

-150

-120

-90

-60

-30

0

30

60

90

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in retail trade

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

3.7

-2.7

-3.3

1.7

3.9

2.7

1.2

8.6

1.6

-5.9

0

0.9

-16 -12 -8 -4 0 4 8 12

Motor vehicle and parts dealers

Furniture and home furnishings stores

Electronics and appliance stores

Building material and garden supply stores

Food and beverage stores

Health and personal care stores

Gasoline stations

Clothing and clothing accessories stores

Sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores

General merchandise stores

Miscellaneous store retailers

Nonstore retailers

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in retail trade industries

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Retail trade: 12.4

Note: Data are preliminary.

• Employment in retail trade was little changed in April. Since the beginning of the year, 

retail employment has risen by 84,000 after losing 1.2 million jobs between December 

2007 and December 2009. 

• Jobs gains in April were spread across a majority of retail industries. 

   
12

-1.7

1.8 3.3 2.6

-10.9-11.8

-4.1

-13.9

-37

-16.8

-32.4-30.4

-37.9

-26.4

-29.4

-47.8

-15.9-16.7

-27.3

-1.1

-10.4

-15.8

7.2

-4

-29.3

-9

7.9

-19.5

-60

-40

-20

0

20

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in transportation and warehousing

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

-0.7

1

-1.2

1.7

-21

0

-24 -21 -18 -15 -12 -9 -6 -3 0 3 6

Air transportation

Truck transportation

Transit and ground passenger transportation

Support activities for transportation

Couriers and messengers

Warehousing and storage

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in selected transportation

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Transportation and

warehousing: -19.5

and warehousing industries

Note: Data are preliminary.

• Employment in transportation and warehousing fell by 20,000 in April, reflecting a large 

decline in courier and messenger services. 

• Since the beginning of the year, employment in couriers and messenger services has 

fallen by 54,000. 

   
13

-9 -10

0

-6

-9

-17 -15

-18

-33

-37

-44

-29

-55

-51

-42

-47

-32 -31

-23 -24

-12

-19

2

-9

-22

-7

-20

3

-60

-45

-30

-15

0

15

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in financial activities

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

• Employment in financial activities changed little in April after falling by 20,000 in 

March. 

   
14

-5

-39 -47

-5

-66

-48 -61

-93 -84

-111

-151

-121 -129

-171

-146 -138

-51

-132

-48

-34 -22

11

106

22 23

56

13

80

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in professional and business services

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

12.2

1.1

-3.5

7.3

1

6.6

61

29.9

23.4

-30 0 30 60 90

Professional and technical*

Accounting and bookkeeping

Architectural and engineering

Computer systems design

Management and technical consulting

Management of companies

Administrative and waste services*

Employment services

Services to buildings

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in selected professional and

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Professional and business

services: +80

business services

Professional and technical*

Management of companies

Administrative and waste services*

Note: Data are preliminary.

* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

• In April, employment in professional and business services rose by 80,000. Since 

September, this industry has added 311,000 jobs. 

• Employment rose over the month within employment services (30,000) services to 

buildings and dwellings (23,000) and in computer systems design (7,000). 

   
15

-11.3

-30 -26.3-18.6

-31.5-35.4-37.2

-51.1-45.2

-62.1

-91.4

-62.6

-72.3

-49.5

-61.3-65.9

-12.9

-34.3

-8.8 -15.7-9.2

42.2

94.7

49.7 49.2

35.9 32.4 26.2

-120

-90

-60

-30

0

30

60

90

120

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in temporary help services

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

• Within employment services, temporary help continued to add jobs (26,000). 

Employment in temporary help has increased by 330,000 since September 2009. 

   
16

9.4

-0.3

1.7

6.5

6.1

4.6

12.8

3.8

0.8

4.4

3.0

3.6

-10 0 10 20

Ambulatory health care services*

Offices of physicians

Outpatient care centers

Home health care services

Hospitals

Nursing and residential care facilities

April 2010: +20.1

Prior 12-mo. avg.: +19.4

Over-the-month change, April 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in selected health care industries

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Offices of physicians

Note: Data are preliminary.

* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

• Health care employment grew by 20,000 in April, in line with the average monthly 

growth over the prior 12 months. Over the past year, health care employment increased 

by 244,000. 

• Employment gains were spread across most of the components, including a gain of 6,000 

in hospitals. 

   
17

-8

5 10

-13

-37

-13

-27 -27

-43

-36

-58

-40 -39

-26

-46

-34

23

-21

-4

-18

16

-54

-21

-33

12

23

41 45

-75

-50

-25

0

25

50

75

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in leisure and hospitality

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

-13.2

2.2

5.6

-11.3

-23.4

-8.8 -7.1

-14.1

-23.9

-30.7-29.6-26.6

-13.7-16.7-19.4

-2

18.6

-1

-9.7

-13.1-14.9 -13

-5.8

-21.8

20.2

13.3

29.6

21

-45

-30

-15

0

15

30

45

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in food services and drinking places

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

• Employment rose by 45,000 in leisure and hospitality. Much of this increase occurred in 

food services and drinking places, which added 21,000 jobs over the month. This industry 

has gained 84,000 jobs in the past 4 months. 

   
18

2

35 25

12 22

37 47

13

-2 -7

6

-6

27

-19 -9

121

-53 -63

-49

3

-39

38

-11

-26

-2

-23

56 59

-100

-50

0

50

100

150

200

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Employment in government

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

1,900

2,000

2,100

2,200

2,300

2,400

1,900

2,000

2,100

2,200

2,300

2,400

Federal excluding U.S. Postal Service

Federal excluding U.S. Postal Service 

and Census temporary and 

intermittent workers

and excluding Census temporary and intermittent workers, 2008-10

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, May 7, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Employment in Federal excluding U.S. Postal Service, including

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

• Federal government employment was up in April, reflecting the hiring of 66,000 

temporary workers for the decennial census.