1

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Current Employment Statistics 

Highlights

February 2010

Bureau of Labor Statistics

March 5, 2010

 
2

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

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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

February 2010

Level: 129,526

Change: -36

2

-10

-50 -33

-149

-231

-193 -210

-334

-458

-554

-728

-673

-779

-726 -753

-528

-387

-515

-346

-212 -225 -224

64

-109

-26 -36

-900

-750

-600

-450

-300

-150

0

150

Employment in total nonfarm

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Nonfarm payroll employment was little changed in February (-36,000). Unusually severe 

winter weather may have affected payroll employment and hours; however, the effect 

cannot be quantified based on data reported. 

• During the first quarter of 2009, monthly job losses averaged 753,000; losses moderated 

in subsequent months; and, in the past 4 months, employment has shown little net 

change. 

 
3

3

0.8 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.2

-0.1-0.3-0.4-0.6

-1.0

-1.5

-2.1

-2.6

-3.2

-3.7

-4.2-4.5-4.6-4.8-4.9-4.9-4.7-4.5

-3.9

-3.5

-3.0

-2.5

-6.0

-5.0

-4.0

-3.0

-2.0

-1.0

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

Employment in total nonfarm

Seasonally adjusted, percent

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-year percent changes, 2007-10

4

3

-64

1

-1

0

-12

-1

-18

-10

51

32

7

-6

-18

-120 -90 -60 -30 0 30 60 90

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, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in total nonfarm

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

-36

Total nonfarm:

• Over the past 12 months, employment has decreased by 2.5 percent. 

• Since the start of the recession in December 2007, 8.4 million jobs have been lost. 

• Job losses continued in construction and information, while professional and business 

services continued to add jobs. 

 
4

5

100,000

102,500

105,000

107,500

110,000

112,500

115,000

117,500

120,000

100,000

102,500

105,000

107,500

110,000

112,500

115,000

117,500

120,000

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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 private

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

February 2010

Level: 107,056

Change: -18

• Employment in total private was essentially unchanged in February. In the past 12 

months total private employment has declined by 3.2 million, or 2.9 percent. 

 
5

6

32.5

33.0

33.5

34.0

34.5

35.0

32.5

33.0

33.5

34.0

34.5

35.0

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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: 33.1

Change: -0.2

All Employees

Level: 33.8

Change: -0.1

7

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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

Seasonally adjusted

Production Employees

Percent change: 2.5

All Employees

Percent Change: 1.9

in average hourly earnings

• The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls declined by 0.1 

hour to 33.8 hours in February. The average workweek for production and 

nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls fell by 0.2 hour to 33.1 hours. 

• Average hourly earnings of all employees on private, nonfarm payrolls increased by 3 

cents in February to $22.46. Hourly earnings of production and nonsupervisory 

employees also increased by 3 cents to $18.93 in February. 

 
6

8

85

90

95

100

105

85

90

95

100

105

of all employees

2006-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Index of total private aggregate weekly hours

Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100

Aggregate weekly hours are the product of average weekly hours and employment.

February 2010

Level: 90.7

Percent change: -0.3

9

90

95

100

105

90

95

100

105

2006-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Index of total private aggregate weekly payrolls

Seasonally adjusted, 2007=100

Aggregate weekly payrolls are the product of average hourly earnings, average weekly hours, and employment.

of all employees

February 2010

Level: 97.1

Percent change: -0.2

• The index of total private aggregate weekly hours fell by 0.3 percent in February and has 

been essentially flat over the past 5 months. 

• The index of total private aggregate weekly payrolls declined by 0.2 percent in February. 

Over the last 6 months, the index has trended up by 0.3 percent. 

 
7

10

5.0 3.8

8.1

-0.3

8.1 6.9

4.7

7.2

2.8

-4.0-2.7

-5.9

-7.3

-13.3

-15.5

-13.9-13.3

-8.0

-5.3

-8.8

-3.1

-4.7

7.6

1.0

3.5 3.5

-18

-15

-12

-9

-6

-3

0

3

6

9

12

Employment in mining

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Mining added 4,000 jobs in February. February marks the fourth consecutive month of 

employment growth after 13 straight months of decline. 

 
8

11

-24 -28 -33

-59 -61

-70

-52 -52

-72

-92

-149

-95

-153

-116

-142

-114

-59

-91

-80

-64 -71 -67

-15

-36

-77

-64

-180

-150

-120

-90

-60

-30

0

Employment in construction

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

12

-107.5

-101.7

-113.0

-175.0

-383.2

-480 -440 -400 -360 -320 -280 -240 -200 -160 -120 -80 -40 0

Residential building

Nonresidential building

Heavy and civil engineering

Residential specialty trades

Nonresidential specialty trades

Over-the-year change, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in construction

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

-36

Total nonfarm:

• Construction shed 64,000 jobs in February, roughly in line with the average monthly job 

loss over the prior 6 months. Residential construction was little changed in February 

while nonresidential and heavy construction shed 54,000 jobs. 

• In the past 12 months, job losses in construction have been concentrated in nonresidential 

and heavy construction (-598,000). 

• Since December 2007, employment in construction has fallen by 1.9 million. 

 
9

13

11,000

12,000

13,000

14,000

15,000

16,000

17,000

18,000

19,000

11,000

12,000

13,000

14,000

15,000

16,000

17,000

18,000

19,000

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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 manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

February 2010

Level: 11,555

Change: +1

14

-5

-30 -37 -50

-27

-49

-72

-93 -93

-141 -130

-177

-279

-166 -165

-149 -152

-129

-43 -57 -48 -57

-25 -18

20

1

-350

-300

-250

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

Employment in manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Employment in manufacturing was essentially unchanged in February. The industry has 

gradually stabilized in recent months. However, nearly 2.2 million manufacturing jobs 

have been lost since the recession began in December 2007. 

• In February, small gains in a number of component industries were offset by job losses in 

motor vehicles and parts and in chemicals. 

 
10

15

38.0

38.5

39.0

39.5

40.0

40.5

41.0

41.5

42.0

42.5

43.0

38.0

38.5

39.0

39.5

40.0

40.5

41.0

41.5

42.0

42.5

43.0

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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: 40.3

Change: -0.4

All Employees

Level: 39.5

Change: -0.4

16

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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 overtime hours, manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted

Production Employees

Level: 3.4

Change: -0.1

All Employees

Level: 2.6

Change: -0.2

• Average weekly hours of all employees in manufacturing fell by 0.4 hour in 

February, while factory overtime edged lower by 0.2 hour. 

• In February the average manufacturing workweek for production employees 

declined by 0.4 hour. Since reaching a trough in March 2009, the average 

workweek for production employees in manufacturing has increased by 0.9 hour. 

 
11

17

1

0

4

3

2

-2

2

-11

1

1

-20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15

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, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in durable goods manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

+1

Durable goods:

18

0

0 1

-11

1

-8 -8

0

-13 -15

-21

-26

-40

-22

-28 -27

-17 -18

-14

-7 -7 -5 -4

-1 0

3

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

Employment in fabricated

metal products

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• In February, small gains throughout most durable goods industries were offset by 

job loss in motor vehicles and parts. 

• Fabricated metal products employment edged up by 3,000 in February. Since 

peaking in June 2007, the industry has cut 300,000 positions. 

 
12

19

-2 -4

-26

-17

0

-3 -8

-37

-20 -14 -18

-26

-80

17

-11

-24

-31

-22

37

-8

-1

4

-5 -1

27

-10

-90

-80

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

30

40

50

Employment in motor vehicles

and parts

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

20

-3

-5 -5

-7

-4 -4

-6

-8

-6

-12 -11

-9

-12

-11

-9

-8

-7 -7

-5 -5 -4 -4

1

-2

-3

1

-15

-10

-5

0

5

Employment in furniture

and related products

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Employment in motor vehicles and parts manufacturing edged down in February by 

10,000. 

• From the start of the recession in December 2007 through June 2009, employment in 

motor vehicles and parts fell by 326,000, or 34 percent. From June 2009 through 

February 2010, this industry added 43,000 jobs. 

• Employment in furniture and related products was unchanged in February following a job 

loss of 3,000 in January. 
13

21

2

1

2

0

-1

0

1

0

0

-4

-1

-12 -8 -4 0 4 8 12

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, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in nondurable goods manufacturing

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

0

Nondurable goods:

• Employment in nondurable goods manufacturing was unchanged in February. Job gains 

in food manufacturing and textile mills were offset by a loss in chemicals. 

 
14

22

-6.1

-9.1-7.4

-19.5

-14.3-11.9

-22.0-20.2

-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

-16.4

-1.0

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

Employment in wholesale trade

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Wholesale trade employment was little changed in February (-1,000) after a significant 

decline in January (-16,000). 

• The industry continued to show signs of job loss moderation. Since wholesale trade 

employment peaked in November 2007, nearly 500,000 jobs have been lost. 

 
15

23

-2.4

-34.6

-11.8

-66.4-67.5

-36.4-42.0

-66.6

-78.9-80.2

-117.0

-99.2

-71.0-69.8

-87.4

-42.8

-22.2-24.4

-53.5

-15.3

-48.3

-63.0

8.8

-14.5

41.8

-0.4

-130

-110

-90

-70

-50

-30

-10

10

30

50

70

Employment in retail trade

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

24

-3.3

1.6

-0.7

7

-9.3

-3.4

-0.5

1

3.6

7.1

-3.9

0.4

-30 -26 -22 -18 -14 -10 -6 -2 2 6 10 14 18 22 26 30

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, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in retail trade industries

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Retail trade: -0.4

• Employment in retail trade was flat in February after rising by 42,000 in January. Since 

the start of the recession the industry has shed 1.2 million jobs. Employment in retail 

trade is now at a level similar to August 1997. 

• In February, job gains in building material and garden supply stores (7,000) and general 

merchandise stores (7,000) offset a decrease in food and beverage stores (-9,000). 

Employment among the remaining industry components changed little. 
16

25

-2

2 3 3

-11 -12

-4

-14

-37

-17

-32 -30

-38

-26

-29

-48

-16 -17

-27

-1

-10

-16

7

-4

-31

-12

-55

-45

-35

-25

-15

-5

5

Employment in transportation

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

and warehousing

• Employment in transportation and warehousing fell by 12,000 in February, following a 

loss of 31,000 in January. Since December 2007, this industry has lost 420,000 jobs, or 9 

percent of its workforce, bringing employment to a level not seen since 1998. 

 
17

26

-2 -1 -2

-7

-3

-7

-13

-11 -12 -11

-20

-26

-20

-15

-12

-24 -25

-15

-12

-9

1

-3

-12

-14

-4

-18

-30

-20

-10

0

10

Employment in information

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Information employment was below trend in February, decreasing by 18,000. Since the 

start of the current recession in December 2007, the information industry has shed 

297,000 jobs or 10 percent of its workforce. 

 
18

27

-9 -10

0

-6 -9

-17 -15 -18

-33

-37

-44

-29

-55

-51

-42

-47

-32 -31

-23 -24

-12

-19

2

-9

-13 -10

-70

-60

-50

-40

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

Employment in financial activities

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

28

-69.8

-21.0

-41.1

-63.9

-41.7

-160 -140 -120 -100 -80 -60 -40 -20 0

Credit intermediation*

Commercial banking 

Securities and commodity

Insurance and related activities

Real estate 

Over-the-year change, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in selected financial activities 

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

Commercial banking 

• Financial activities employment edged down by 10,000 in February. The industry’s 

employment trend has shown improvement with monthly job losses averaging 7,000 in 

the prior 3 months compared to 49,000 per month in the first quarter of 2009. 

• Over the past 12 months, the bulk of job losses in financial activities occurred in credit 

intermediation (-70,000) and insurance and related activities (-64,000). 

 
19

29

-5

-39 -47

-5

-66

-48 -61

-93 -84

-111

-151

-121-129

-171

-146-138

-51

-132

-48 -34 -22

11

106

22 30

51

-220

-180

-140

-100

-60

-20

20

60

100

140

Employment in professional and

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

business services

30

0.0

-3.6

-2.6

8.0

-3.4

-2.7

53.4

49.8

9.6

-20 0 20 40 60 80 100

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, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in selected professional and

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

business services

services: +51

Professional and business

Professional and technical*

Management of companies

Administrative and waste services*

* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

• Professional and business services employment rose by 51,000 in February; this marks 

the industry’s fifth consecutive month of employment growth. This period of growth has 

resulted in the addition of 220,000 positions. 

• The bulk of job gains occurred within employment services, which added 50,000 jobs. 

 
20

31

1,500

1,750

2,000

2,250

2,500

2,750

3,000

1,500

1,750

2,000

2,250

2,500

2,750

3,000

2000-2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Notes: 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 temporary help services

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

February 2010

Level: 2,008.7

Change: +47.5

32

-11

-30 -26 -19

-32 -35 -37

-51 -45

-62

-91

-63 -72

-50

-61 -66

-13

-34

-9 -16 -9

42

95

50 50 48

-120

-100

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Employment in temporary help

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

services

• In February, temporary help services added 48,000 jobs. Since reaching a trough in 

September 2009, temporary help services employment has risen by 284,000. 

• Temporary help services is the primary driver of employment within employment 

services. 

 
21

33

6.7

0.9

0

0.5

1.3

4

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

Ambulatory health care services*

Offices of physicians

Outpatient care centers

Home health care services

Hospitals

Nursing and residential care facilities

Over-the-month change, February 2010

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Data are preliminary.

Employment in selected health care industries

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

+12.0

Health care:

Ambulatory health care 

services*

Hospitals

Nursing and residential care 

* Includes additional component industries not shown separately.

• Health care employment continued to trend upward in February, adding 12,000 positions. 

Ambulatory health care services (7,000) and nursing and residential care services (4,000) 

saw modest growth. 

 
22

34

-8

5 10

-13

-37

-13

-27 -27

-43

-36

-58

-40 -39

-26

-46

-34

23

-21

-4

-18

16

-54

-21

-33

0

7

-80

-60

-40

-20

0

20

40

Employment in leisure 

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

and hospitality

• Employment in leisure inched up in February, by 7,000. Since reaching a peak in March 

2008, the industry has shed 544,000 jobs or 4 percent of its workforce. 

 
23

35

2

35

25

12

22

37

47

13

-2 -7

6

-6

27

-19

-9

121

-53

-63

-49

3

-39

38

-11

-26

7

-18

-90

-75

-60

-45

-30

-15

0

15

30

45

60

75

90

105

120

135

Employment in government

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

36

5 7 5 8 8 4 4 7 7 8 9 7 9 7 9

125

-46 -50

8 7 7

20

3 10 15 16

-75

-60

-45

-30

-15

0

15

30

45

60

75

90

105

120

135

150

Employment in federal government, excluding Postal Service

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Employment in government edged down by 18,000 in February. Within Federal 

government, the hiring of 15,000 temporary workers for Census 2010 was partially offset 

by a decline in U.S. Postal Service employment. State government employment edged up 

(6,000) while local government shed 31,000 jobs in February. 

 
24

37

5

0

0

3

1

2 2 2

-10

7

-1 -1

-4

-2 -2 -1

0

-6

-9

3 2

-4

-10

1

-6

-1

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

15

Employment in state government, excluding education

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

38

16

9

15

7

4

12

-1

6 4

7

3

-4

-6

-4

-10

-3

3

-3

14

0

-22

-17

-11 -9 -11

-8

-30

-20

-10

0

10

20

Employment in local government, excluding education

Seasonally adjusted in thousands

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics survey, March 5, 2010.

Note: Most recent 2 months of data are preliminary.

Over-the-month change, 2008-10

• Employment in state government, excluding education was essentially unchanged in 

February. Since reaching a peak in August 2008, the industry has lost 41,000 jobs. 

• Employment in local government, excluding education edged down in February. Over the 

past 6 months, the industry has shed 77,000 positions.