Bureau of Labor Statistics

Current Employment Statistics 

Highlights

July 2012

Bureau of Labor Statistics

August 3, 2012

 
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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

July 2012

Level: 133,245

Change: 163

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 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–July 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Embargoed pre-release until 08-03-2012 8:30 AM (EDT)

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

143

68

87

64

163

-1,200

-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 Jul-12

Employment in total nonfarm

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Total nonfarm employment rose by 163,000 in July. 

 Thus far in 2012, job growth has averaged 151,000 per month, about the same as the monthly 

average for 2011 (+153,000). 

 
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-9

8

27

38

49

1

11

-8

7

7

9

25

-1

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, August 03, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, July 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Total nonfarm:

163

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-543

60

696

930

1393

78

-88

1

233

365

198

528

-16

166

-1,000 -500 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000

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, August 03, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

February 2010–July 2012 net change, 

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Total nonfarm:

163

Total nonfarm: 4,001

Total private: 4,544

 In July, employment rose in professional and business services, education and health 

services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing, but changed little in most other major 

industries over the month. 

 Since an employment trough in February 2010, most nonfarm job gains have come in 

professional and business services, health care, and leisure and hospitality. 

 
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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, August 03, 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–July 2012

Seasonally adjusted

All employees

Level: 34.5

Change: 0.0

Production employees

Level: 33.7

Change: 0.0

 Average weekly hours for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained unchanged at 

34.5 hours in July. The workweek has changed little thus far in 2012. 

 Average weekly hours for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm 

payrolls also remained unchanged at 33.7 hours. 

 
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-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, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted

July 2012 Earnings: 1.7

June 2012 CPI-U: 1.7

*1982–84=100

March 2007–July 2012

 Average hourly earnings of all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 2 cents in 

July to $23.52. 

 Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.7 percent. In June, the 

Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) had an over-the-year increase of 

1.7 percent. 

 From the latter part of 2010 until the end of 2011, price increases outpaced increases in 

hourly earnings; however, since the third quarter of 2011 the growth rate of prices and 

earnings have converged. 

 
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-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

-14

-7

-32

4

-1

-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 Jul-12

Employment in construction

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Construction employment was essentially unchanged in July, in line with the industry’s prior 

12-month average change of +2,000. 

 
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-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

42

10

13

10

25

-400

-300

-200

-100

0

100

200

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

Employment in manufacturing

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Manufacturing employment rose in July (+25,000), an increase above the prior 3-month 

average. 

 Over the past 12 months, the industry has added 222,000 jobs, most of them in durable goods 

manufacturing. 

 
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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, August 03, 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–July 2012 Seasonally adjusted

Production employees

Level: 41.7

Change: 0.0

All employees

Level: 40.7

Change: 0.0

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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 Jan-12

Average weekly overtime hours, manufacturing

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 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–July 2012

Seasonally adjusted

All employees

Level: 3.2

Change: 0.0

Production employees

Level: 4.1

Change: -0.1

 Both the manufacturing workweek and overtime hours for all employees remained 

unchanged at 40.7 and 3.2 hours, respectively. 

 Average weekly hours for production employees in manufacturing also remained unchanged 

at 41.7 hours. 

 In July, overtime hours for production employees in manufacturing fell 0.1 hour to 4.1 hours.
9 

-11

-1

-24

-19

0

-2

-14

-30

-20

-14

-16

-25

-92

21

-8

-26

-32

-20

27

2

-1

3

-5

1

13

-5

4

6

10 0

14

-10 1

1

-1

1

16

3

5

3

-2

2

9

-4

3

8

1

7

9

5

11

1

6

7

13

-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 Jul-12

Employment in motor vehicles and parts

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Embargoed pre-release until 08-03-2012 8:30 AM (EDT)

 Within durable goods, motor vehicles and parts industry employment rose by 13,000 due to 

fewer seasonal layoffs than is typical for July. 

 July is the eleventh consecutive month that the industry has added jobs—on a seasonally 

adjusted basis. 

 
10 

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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

18

45

18

44

49

-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 Jul-12

Employment in professional and business services

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Employment in professional and business services increased by 49,000 in July. 

 The industry has added 1.5 million jobs since a recent low point in September 2009. 

 
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0.3

21.8

27.1

4.4

6.3

7.0

0.2

0.5

17.9

-10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

- 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, August 03, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

 ̊Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

Over-the-month change, July 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Professional and 

business services:

49

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1,400

1,600

1,800

2,000

2,200

2,400

2,600

2,800

3,000

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

Employment in temporary help services

July 2012

Level: 2,540

Change: 14

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 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–July 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Within professional and business services, administrative and waste services displayed the 

largest employment gain in July (+27,000); temporary help services accounted for about half 

of the employment gain (+14,000). 

 Temporary help services has recovered 98 percent of the jobs lost during the most recent 

downturn. 
12 

6

55

4

3

2

2

2

-3

0

-1

-1

-8

-2

-8

-1

-7

0

2

-4

4

3

2

-4

5

5

-5

11

3

3

7

6 3

15

4

8

10

7

10

77

6

6

5

5

2

5

5

1

13

5

5

9

9

7

-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 Jul-12

Employment in computer systems design and related services

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Embargoed pre-release until 08-03-2012 8:30 AM (EDT)

 Employment in computer systems design and related services rose by 7,000 in July. 

 This employment increase is in line with the prior 2-year average (+7,000). 

 
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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

32

19

30

11

12

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

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

Employment in health care 

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

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-2.2

5.3

1.8

4.1

2.7

8.9

-6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12

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, August 03, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

 ̊Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

Over-the-month change, July 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Health care 

industries:

12

 Health care employment continued to trend up in July (+12,000), with over-the-month gains 

in outpatient care centers (+4,000) and in hospitals (+5,000). 

 Most other health care component industries saw little change over the month. 

 
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10

-3

-12

-32

-31

-17

-13

-27

-45

-27

-53

-35

-44

-34

-61

-72

55

-25

-5

-27

6

-58

-13

-54

-10

1

26

38

25

24

12

35

57

-18

2

21

-8

57

64

36

-15

35

17

12

20

30

42

28

39

45

43

-4-4

10

27

-120

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

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

Employment in leisure and hospitality

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Embargoed pre-release until 08-03-2012 8:30 AM (EDT)

-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

27

8

8

9

29

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

80

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

Employment in food services and drinking places

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

 Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 27,000 in July, following a 3-month lull in 

employment gains. 

 Within leisure and hospitality, employment in food services and drinking places rose by 

29,000 over the month. Over the past 12 months, food services has added 292,000 jobs. 

 
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19,500

20,000

20,500

21,000

21,500

22,000

22,500

23,000

23,500

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

Employment in government

July 2012

Level: 21,928

Change: -9

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 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–July 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Embargoed pre-release until 08-03-2012 8:30 AM (EDT)

6.4

-7.0

-5.7

0.3

-3.2

1.1

-12 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 4 6 8 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, August 03, 2012.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, July 2012

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Government:

-9

 Government employment continued to trend down in July (-9,000). 

 Since the end of the most recent recession in June 2009, government has shed 642,000 jobs, 

or 2.8 percent. 

 
16 

22

11

10

6

8

9

-1

8

0

5

0

1

-3

-7

-6

-8

3

-1

23

-22

-18

-22

-6

-11

-14

-17

-2

-4

-7

-17

-11

-4

-16

-9

-8

-14

-3

-6

-6

-9

-9

-4

-4

-3

-6

-5

-1

-2

0

-3

0

6

4

13

6

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

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

Employment in local government, excluding education

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

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, August 03, 2012.

Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Seasonally adjusted, in thousands

Embargoed pre-release until 08-03-2012 8:30 AM (EDT)

 Employment in local government, excluding education increased by 6,000 in July, the fourth 

consecutive month of employment increase. 

 Local government, excluding education had lost 256,000 jobs between July 2009 and 

December 2011.