Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until USDL 23-0870

8:30 a.m. (ET) Thursday, May 4, 2023

Technical information: (202) 691-5606 • Productivity@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/productivity

Media contact: (202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov

PRODUCTIVITY AND COSTS 

First Quarter 2023, Preliminary

Nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 2.7 percent in the first quarter of 2023, the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as output increased 0.2 percent and hours worked increased 

3.0 percent. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are seasonally adjusted annual rates.) From the 

same quarter a year ago, nonfarm business sector labor productivity decreased 0.9 percent, reflecting a 

1.3-percent increase in output and a 2.3-percent increase in hours worked. (See chart 1 and table A1.)

The 0.9-percent productivity decline is the first time the four-quarter change series has remained

negative for five consecutive quarters; this series begins in the first quarter of 1948.

Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 6.3 percent in the first quarter of 2023,

reflecting a 3.4-percent increase in hourly compensation and a 2.7-percent decrease in productivity. Unit 

labor costs increased 5.8 percent over the last four quarters. (See chart 2 and tables A1 and 2.) 

BLS calculates unit labor costs as the ratio of hourly compensation to labor productivity. Increases in 

hourly compensation tend to increase unit labor costs and increases in productivity tend to reduce them.

Real hourly compensation, which takes into account consumer prices, decreased 0.3 percent in the first

quarter of 2023, and declined 1.0 percent over the last four quarters. 

Labor productivity, or output per hour, is calculated by dividing an index of real output by an index of 

hours worked by all persons, including employees, proprietors, and unpaid family workers. During the 

current business cycle, starting in the fourth quarter of 2019, labor productivity has grown at an annual 

rate of 1.1 percent, reflecting a 1.9-percent rate of growth in output and a 0.8-percent rate of growth in 

Chart 1. Labor productivity, nonfarm business, 2019Q1 – 2023Q1

-14.0

-12.0

-10.0

-8.0

-6.0

-4.0

-2.0

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

From previous quarter, annual rate

From same quarter a year ago

Percent change Percent change

Chart 2. Unit labor costs, nonfarm business, 2019Q1 – 2023Q1

-14.0

-12.0

-10.0

-8.0

-6.0

-4.0

-2.0

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

From previous quarter, annual rate

From same quarter a year ago
 -2-

hours worked during the business cycle. (See chart 3.) The 1.1-percent rate of productivity growth in the 

current business cycle thus far is a historically low productivity growth rate; no other previous business 

cycle had lower productivity growth, except for the brief six-quarter cycle from 1980 Q1 to 1981 Q3, 

which exhibited 1.0 percent growth.

Manufacturing sector labor productivity decreased 1.3 percent in the first quarter of 2023, as output 

increased 0.5 percent and hours worked increased 1.8 percent. In the durable manufacturing sector, 

productivity decreased 4.4 percent, with a 1.8-percent decrease in output and a 2.7-percent increase in 

hours worked. Nondurable manufacturing sector productivity increased 2.7 percent, as output increased 

2.8 percent and hours worked increased 0.1 percent. Total manufacturing sector productivity decreased 

1.2 percent from the same quarter a year ago. (See tables A1, 3, 4, and 5.)

Unit labor costs in the total manufacturing sector increased 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2023, 

reflecting a 2.1-percent increase in hourly compensation and a 1.3-percent decrease in productivity. 

Manufacturing unit labor costs increased 5.8 percent from the same quarter a year ago. (See tables A1 

and 3.)
 -3-

Manufacturing sector output and hours worked both grew at an annual rate of 0.3 percent since the 

fourth quarter of 2019, and labor productivity has had no growth since the start of the business cycle. 

(See chart 4.) This is a historically low productivity growth rate and matches the 0.0-percent annual rate 

of the last business cycle from fourth-quarter 2007 through fourth-quarter 2019.

The concepts, sources, and methods used for the manufacturing output series differ from those used in 

the business and nonfarm business output series; these output measures are not directly comparable. See 

the Technical Notes for a more detailed explanation. (See page 7.)

Preliminary fourth-quarter and annual 2022 measures were announced today for the nonfinancial 

corporate sector. Productivity increased 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, as output increased 

1.9 percent and hours worked increased 1.2 percent. From the fourth quarter of 2021 to the fourth 

quarter of 2022, nonfinancial corporate sector productivity decreased 1.6 percent. 

Table C1 presents annual average changes for the most recent 5 years for the nonfinancial corporate 

sector. Nonfinancial corporate sector productivity fell 2.0 percent in 2022, as output increased 2.1

percent and hours worked increased 4.2 percent. This is the largest annual decrease in productivity for 

the nonfinancial corporate sector since 1974, when the measure also decreased 2.0 percent (See tables 

A2, C1, and 6.)

Revised measures

Hours and related measures—including labor productivity and hourly compensation--for all sectors were 

revised to incorporate updated ratios of hours worked to hours paid by detailed industry, provided by the 

BLS National Compensation Survey; indexes were subject to revision back to 2006. Measures of real 

hourly compensation for all sectors were subject to revision from 1984 forward due to the incorporation 

of the revised Consumer Price Index Retroactive Series. Measures of output for the manufacturing 

sectors incorporate revised annual benchmark data from 1987 to 2021 released March 23 by BLS, as 

well as annual revisions from the Federal Reserve Board released March 28.
 -4-

Table B1 presents previous and revised productivity and related measures for the business, nonfarm 

business, and manufacturing sectors for the fourth quarter of 2022.

In the fourth quarter of 2022, nonfarm business sector productivity was revised down 0.1 percentage 

point to an increase of 1.6 percent, reflecting a 0.2-percentage point downward revision to output and a 

0.1-percentage point downward revision to hours worked. Nonfarm business unit labor costs were 

revised up 0.1 percentage point to an increase of 3.3 percent. Total manufacturing sector productivity 

was revised down 0.3 percentage point to a decrease of 3.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, 

reflecting a 0.4-percentage point downward revision to output and a 0.1-percentage point downward 

revision to hours worked. Unit labor costs in the manufacturing sector were revised up 0.3 percentage 

point to an increase of 8.0 percent during the fourth quarter of 2022. Labor productivity was revised up

1.0 percentage point in the durable manufacturing sector to a decrease of 2.1 percent. In the nondurable 

manufacturing sector, labor productivity was revised down 1.7 percentage points to a decrease of 3.9

percent. (See table B1.)

The annual average rate of productivity growth in the nonfarm business sector in 2022 was revised up 

0.1-percentage point to a decrease of 1.6 percent. For the manufacturing sector, annual average 

productivity growth in 2022 was revised down 0.3-percentage point to a decrease of 1.3 percent, 

reflecting a 0.2-percentage point downward revision to output. (See tables 2 and 3.)

Quarterly and annual data for all sectors for recent years appear in tables 1-6. Full historical annual and 

quarterly measures can be found at www.bls.gov/productivity/data-overview.htm.

______________

The revised Productivity and Costs news release for first-quarter 2023 is scheduled to be released 

on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. (ET).
-5-

Table A1. Labor productivity growth and related measures - preliminary first-quarter 2023

(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate and from same quarter a year ago)

Sector Percent change from:

Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfarm business Previous quarter -2.7 0.2 3.0 3.4 -0.3 6.3

A year ago -0.9 1.3 2.3 4.8 -1.0 5.8

Business Previous quarter -2.3 0.6 3.0 3.5 -0.3 5.9

A year ago -0.7 1.4 2.1 5.0 -0.8 5.7

Manufacturing Previous quarter -1.3 0.5 1.8 2.1 -1.6 3.4

A year ago -1.2 0.1 1.3 4.5 -1.2 5.8

Durable 

manufacturing

Previous quarter -4.4 -1.8 2.7 0.6 -3.1 5.2

A year ago -1.7 0.7 2.4 4.1 -1.6 5.8

Nondurable 

manufacturing

Previous quarter 2.7 2.8 0.1 5.0 1.2 2.3

A year ago 0.0 -0.5 -0.5 5.1 -0.7 5.1

Table A2. Labor productivity growth and related measures - preliminary fourth-quarter 2022

(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate and from same quarter a year ago)

Sector Percent change from:

Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfinancial 

corporate

Previous quarter 0.7 1.9 1.2 5.8 1.6 5.1

A year ago -1.6 1.1 2.8 5.3 -1.7 7.1

Table B1. Labor productivity growth and related measures - revised fourth-quarter 2022

(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate)

Sector

Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfarm business Revised 1.6 2.9 1.3 4.9 0.7 3.3

Previously published 1.7 3.1 1.4 4.9 0.7 3.2

Business Revised 1.9 2.8 0.9 5.4 1.1 3.4

Previously published 2.0 3.0 1.0 5.3 1.1 3.3

Manufacturing Revised -3.0 -3.4 -0.5 4.8 0.6 8.0

Previously published -2.7 -3.0 -0.4 4.8 0.6 7.7

Durable 

manufacturing

Revised -2.1 -2.6 -0.5 4.1 -0.1 6.3

Previously published -3.1 -3.5 -0.4 4.0 -0.1 7.4

Nondurable 

manufacturing

Revised -3.9 -4.2 -0.4 6.1 1.8 10.3

Previously published -2.2 -2.5 -0.3 6.2 2.0 8.6
-6-

Table C1. Labor productivity growth and related measures - annual average changes: 2018-2022

Sector Year

Labor 

productivity Output

Hours 

worked

Hourly 

compensation

Real hourly 

compensation

Unit labor 

costs

Nonfinancial 

corporate

2022 -2.0 2.1 4.2 5.7 -2.2 7.8

2021 3.0 8.3 5.2 4.5 -0.3 1.5

2020 3.6 -4.0 -7.4 8.1 6.7 4.4

2019 1.6 2.5 0.9 3.9 2.1 2.3

2018 1.3 3.3 2.0 3.6 1.1 2.2
-7-

TECHNICAL NOTES

Labor Hours

Hours worked data for the labor productivity and cost measures include hours worked for all persons 

working in the sector—wage and salary workers, the self-employed and unpaid family workers. The 

primary source of hours and employment data is the BLS Current Employment Statistics (CES) 

program, which provides monthly survey data on the number of jobs held by and hours paid to wage and 

salary workers in nonfarm establishments, counting a person who is employed by two or more 

establishments at each place of employment. As of the February 3, 2023 Employment Situation release, 

the CES program has updated the national nonfarm payroll series to the 2022 North American Industry 

Classification System (NAICS). The BLS Major Sector Productivity program will be remaining on a 

NAICS 2017 basis for the time being by converting NAICS 2022 data from CES back to a NAICS 2017 

basis using ratios published on the CES website and based on the Quarterly Census of Employment and 

Wages (QCEW). Hours of paid time off are removed from hours paid using data from the National 

Compensation Survey (NCS) for 1996 forward and data from the BLS Hours at Work survey, conducted 

for this purpose, prior to 1990. Between 1990 and 1995, hours of paid time off are removed using a 

combination of NCS and Hours at Work survey data. Off-the-clock hours are added, yielding hours 

worked, using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). 

Data from the CPS are used to estimate hours worked for farm labor, nonfarm proprietors, and nonfarm 

unpaid family workers. Using CPS information on employment and hours worked at primary jobs and 

all other jobs, separately, the BLS productivity measures assign all hours worked to the appropriate 

industrial sector. Hours for government enterprises are derived from the CPS, the CES, and the National 

Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the 

Department of Commerce. 

Detailed hours data are presented in the table “Hours Worked in Total U.S. Economy and Subsectors” 

on the BLS website (www.bls.gov/productivity/tables/total-economy-hours-employment.xlsx).

Output

Business sector output is a chain-type, current-weighted index constructed after excluding from gross 

domestic product (GDP) the following outputs: general government, nonprofit institutions, and

households (including owner-occupied housing). Corresponding exclusions also are made in labor hours 

worked. Business output accounted for about 77 percent of the value of GDP in 2022. Nonfarm 

business, which excludes farming, accounted for about 76 percent of GDP in 2022.

Annual indexes for manufacturing and its durable and nondurable goods components are constructed by 

deflating current-dollar industry value of production data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census with 

deflators from the BLS. These deflators are based on data from the BLS Producer Price Index program 

and other sources. The industry shipments are aggregated using annual weights, and intrasectoral

transactions are removed. Quarterly manufacturing output measures are based on the indexes of 

industrial production prepared monthly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, 

adjusted to be consistent with annual indexes of manufacturing sector output prepared by BLS. 

Nonfinancial corporate output is a chain-type, current-weighted index calculated on the basis of the 

costs incurred and the incomes earned from production. The output measure excludes the following 

outputs from GDP: general government; nonprofit institutions; households; unincorporated business; 

and those corporations classified as offices of bank holding companies, offices of other holding 

companies, or offices in the finance and insurance sector. Nonfinancial corporations accounted for about 

52 percent of the value of GDP in 2022.
-8-

Labor Productivity

The measure describes the relationship between real output and the labor time involved in its production. 

Measures of labor productivity growth show the changes from period to period in the amount of goods 

and services produced per hour worked. They reflect the joint effects of many influences, including

changes in technology; capital investment; level of output; utilization of capacity, energy, and materials; 

the organization of production; managerial skill; and the characteristics and effort of the work force.

Labor Compensation

The measure includes accrued wages and salaries, supplements, employer contributions to employee 

benefit plans, and taxes. Estimates of labor compensation by major sector, required for measures of 

hourly compensation and unit labor costs, are based primarily on employee compensation data from the 

NIPA, prepared by the BEA. The compensation of employees in general government, nonprofit 

institutions and households are subtracted from compensation of employees in domestic industries to 

derive employee compensation for the business sector. The labor compensation of proprietors cannot be 

explicitly identified and must be estimated. This is done by assuming that proprietors have the same 

hourly compensation as employees in the same sector. The quarterly labor productivity and cost 

measures do not contain estimates of compensation for unpaid family workers. 

Unit Labor Costs

These measures describe the relationship between compensation per hour and labor productivity, or real 

output per hour, and can be used as an indicator of inflationary pressure on producers. Increases in 

hourly compensation increase unit labor costs; labor productivity increases offset compensation 

increases and lower unit labor costs. 

Presentation of the data

The quarterly data in this release are presented in three ways: as percent changes from the previous 

quarter presented at a compound annual rate, as percent changes from the corresponding quarter of the 

previous year, and as index number series where 2012=100. Annual data are presented both as index 

number series and percent changes from the previous year. 

The index numbers and rates of change reported in the productivity and costs news release are rounded 

to one decimal place. All percent changes in this release and on the BLS web site are calculated using 

index numbers to three decimal places. A complete historical series of these index numbers are available 

at the BLS web site, www.bls.gov/data/home.htm, or by contacting the BLS Division of Major Sector 

Productivity (Telephone 202-691-5606 or email productivity@bls.gov).

For a more detailed explanation of methodology see the Handbook of Methods at 

www.bls.gov/opub/hom/msp/home.htm.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access 

telecommunications relay services.
-9-

Table 1. Business sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs, and prices,

seasonally adjusted.

 Value-

 Real added

 Hourly hourly Unit output

Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor price

and produc- Hours sation sation labor payments deflator

quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (3) (4)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2023 I -2.3 0.6 3.0 3.5 -0.3 5.9 1.2 3.9 

2022 ANNUAL -1.6 2.2 3.9 4.9 -3.0 r 6.6 8.4 7.4 

2022 IV 1.9 r 2.8 r 0.9 r 5.4 r 1.1 3.4 r 3.4 3.4 r

 III 1.0 3.5 2.5 8.0 2.3 7.0 -0.1 3.8 

 II -3.5 -1.4 2.1 r 3.0 -6.1 6.8 r 15.4 10.4 

 I -6.2 r -2.4 4.0 r 1.7 -7.0 r 8.5 8.6 8.5 

2021 ANNUAL 2.2 7.7 5.4 4.8 0.0 r 2.6 8.3 4.9 

2021 IV 3.1 r 9.0 5.8 7.0 r -1.6 r 3.8 12.1 7.3 

 III -2.6 r 2.6 5.4 6.4 -0.2 r 9.3 2.9 6.5 

 II 2.5 8.7 6.0 7.2 -0.7 r 4.5 r 11.1 7.3 

 I 3.3 8.1 4.7 r -0.8 r -4.9 r -3.9 22.4 6.3 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2023 I -0.7 1.4 2.1 5.0 -0.8 5.7 4.8 5.3 

2022 ANNUAL -1.6 2.2 3.9 4.9 -3.0 r 6.6 8.4 7.4 

2022 IV -1.8 0.6 2.4 r 4.5 -2.5 r 6.4 6.7 6.5 

 III -1.5 2.1 3.6 r 4.9 -3.2 r 6.5 8.8 7.5 

 II -2.4 1.8 4.3 r 4.5 -3.8 r 7.1 9.6 r 8.2 

 I -0.9 4.4 5.3 5.5 -2.4 r 6.5 8.6 7.4 

2021 ANNUAL 2.2 7.7 5.4 4.8 0.0 r 2.6 8.3 4.9 

2021 IV 1.5 7.1 5.5 4.9 -1.9 r 3.3 11.9 6.8 

 III -0.3 6.1 6.5 5.4 0.0 r 5.8 5.4 5.6 

 II 2.2 16.1 13.7 r 2.4 -2.4 r 0.2 12.5 5.1 

 I 5.4 2.1 -3.1 6.4 4.3 r 0.9 3.8 2.1 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2012=100

2023 I 112.8 130.1 115.3 147.5 111.8 130.7 124.5 128.0 

2022 ANNUAL 113.3 r 128.8 r 113.6 r 143.3 r 111.9 r 126.5 r 122.3 r 124.6 r

2022 IV 113.5 r 129.9 r 114.4 r 146.2 r 111.9 r 128.8 r 124.2 r 126.8 r

 III 113.0 r 129.0 114.2 r 144.3 r 111.6 r 127.8 r 123.1 r 125.7 

 II 112.7 r 127.9 113.5 r 141.6 r 111.0 r 125.6 r 123.2 r 124.5 

 I 113.7 r 128.3 112.9 r 140.5 r 112.7 r 123.6 r 118.8 r 121.5 

2021 ANNUAL 115.1 r 126.0 109.4 r 136.6 r 115.3 r 118.7 r 112.9 r 116.1 

2021 IV 115.5 r 129.1 111.8 r 139.9 r 114.8 r 121.1 r 116.4 r 119.0 

 III 114.7 r 126.4 110.2 r 137.6 r 115.3 r 120.0 r 113.1 r 117.0 

 II 115.4 r 125.5 108.8 r 135.5 r 115.3 r 117.3 r 112.3 r 115.1 

 I 114.7 r 123.0 107.2 r 133.1 r 115.5 r 116.1 r 109.4 r 113.1 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. May 4, 2023

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-10-

Table 2. Nonfarm business sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs, and

prices, seasonally adjusted.

 Value-

 Real added

 Hourly hourly Unit output

Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor price

and produc- Hours sation sation labor payments deflator

quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (3) (4)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2023 I -2.7 0.2 3.0 3.4 -0.3 6.3 2.1 4.5 

2022 ANNUAL -1.6 r 2.3 4.0 4.8 r -3.1 r 6.5 7.5 6.9 

2022 IV 1.6 r 2.9 r 1.3 r 4.9 0.7 3.3 r 3.3 3.3 r

 III 1.2 3.6 2.4 8.2 2.5 6.9 -0.3 r 3.8 

 II -3.7 r -1.2 2.6 2.7 r -6.5 r 6.6 13.9 r 9.7 

 I -6.0 r -2.5 3.8 r 2.0 r -6.8 r 8.5 6.4 7.6 

2021 ANNUAL 2.2 7.8 5.5 4.7 -0.1 r 2.4 7.7 4.6 

2021 IV 3.0 9.1 5.9 r 6.8 r -1.8 r 3.7 12.8 7.5 

 III -3.0 2.7 5.9 5.9 -0.7 r 9.1 2.5 6.3 

 II 2.3 r 8.9 6.4 6.9 -1.0 r 4.4 8.7 6.2 

 I 3.4 8.5 4.9 -0.9 -5.0 r -4.2 22.7 6.2 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2023 I -0.9 1.3 2.3 4.8 -1.0 5.8 4.6 5.3 

2022 ANNUAL -1.6 r 2.3 4.0 4.8 r -3.1 r 6.5 7.5 6.9 

2022 IV -1.8 0.7 2.5 r 4.4 -2.6 r 6.3 5.7 6.1 r

 III -1.5 2.2 3.7 4.9 r -3.2 r 6.4 8.1 7.1 

 II -2.5 1.9 4.5 r 4.3 -4.0 r 7.0 8.8 7.8 

 I -1.0 4.5 5.5 5.4 r -2.6 r 6.4 7.5 6.9 

2021 ANNUAL 2.2 7.8 5.5 4.7 -0.1 r 2.4 7.7 4.6 

2021 IV 1.4 7.3 5.8 4.6 -2.1 r 3.2 11.4 6.5 

 III -0.2 6.3 6.6 5.4 0.0 r 5.6 4.5 5.1 

 II 2.1 16.3 13.9 2.2 -2.6 r 0.1 11.4 4.6 

 I 5.7 r 2.2 -3.2 6.4 4.3 r 0.7 3.8 r 2.0 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2012=100

2023 I 112.5 130.1 115.6 147.4 111.8 131.0 124.1 127.9 

2022 ANNUAL 113.2 r 128.9 r 113.9 r 143.3 r 111.9 r 126.6 r 121.7 r 124.5 r

2022 IV 113.3 r 130.0 r 114.8 r 146.1 r 111.8 r 129.0 r 123.4 r 126.6 r

 III 112.9 r 129.1 114.4 r 144.4 r 111.6 r 127.9 r 122.4 r 125.5 

 II 112.5 r 128.0 113.7 r 141.6 r 111.0 r 125.8 r 122.5 r 124.4 

 I 113.6 r 128.4 113.0 r 140.6 r 112.8 r 123.8 r 118.6 r 121.5 

2021 ANNUAL 115.1 r 126.0 109.5 r 136.8 r 115.5 r 118.9 r 113.3 r 116.4 

2021 IV 115.4 r 129.2 111.9 r 140.0 r 114.8 r 121.3 r 116.8 r 119.3 

 III 114.5 r 126.4 110.3 r 137.7 r 115.4 r 120.2 r 113.3 r 117.2 

 II 115.4 r 125.5 108.8 r 135.7 r 115.6 r 117.6 r 112.6 r 115.4 

 I 114.7 r 122.9 107.1 r 133.5 r 115.9 r 116.3 r 110.3 r 113.7 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. May 4, 2023

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-11-

Table 3. Manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor costs,

seasonally adjusted.

 Real

Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit

and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor

quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2023 I -1.3 0.5 1.8 2.1 -1.6 3.4 

2022 ANNUAL -1.3 r 2.9 r 4.2 4.1 -3.7 r 5.4 r

2022 IV -3.0 r -3.4 r -0.5 r 4.8 0.6 8.0 r

 III -2.8 r 0.4 r 3.3 r 7.7 2.0 10.8 r

 II 2.2 r 3.0 r 0.7 3.4 r -5.8 r 1.2 r

 I -3.9 r 3.1 r 7.3 r 1.4 -7.2 r 5.5 r

2021 ANNUAL 1.8 r 5.1 r 3.2 2.7 -2.1 r 0.8 r

2021 IV -2.1 r 4.9 r 7.2 8.2 -0.6 r 10.5 r

 III -1.7 r 3.4 r 5.2 -1.4 -7.5 r 0.3 r

 II 5.8 r 6.4 r 0.6 6.6 -1.3 r 0.8 r

 I -0.7 r 0.5 r 1.3 -1.0 -5.1 r -0.2 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2023 I -1.2 0.1 1.3 4.5 -1.2 5.8 

2022 ANNUAL -1.3 r 2.9 r 4.2 4.1 -3.7 r 5.4 r

2022 IV -1.9 0.7 2.7 4.3 -2.7 r 6.3 

 III -1.7 r 2.8 r 4.6 5.1 r -3.0 r 6.9 r

 II -1.4 r 3.6 r 5.1 2.8 r -5.3 r 4.3 r

 I -0.6 r 4.5 r 5.0 3.6 -4.2 r 4.2 r

2021 ANNUAL 1.8 r 5.1 r 3.2 2.7 -2.1 r 0.8 r

2021 IV 0.2 r 3.8 r 3.5 3.0 -3.7 r 2.8 r

 III 0.6 r 4.4 r 3.8 2.9 -2.4 r 2.3 r

 II 5.1 r 15.2 r 9.6 -0.2 -4.9 r -5.1 r

 I 1.8 r -1.8 r -3.5 4.7 2.7 r 2.9 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2012=100

2023 I 95.0 101.4 106.7 135.1 102.5 142.2 

2022 ANNUAL 96.2 r 101.7 r 105.7 r 132.0 r 103.1 r 137.2 r

2022 IV 95.3 r 101.3 r 106.3 r 134.4 r 102.9 r 141.0 r

 III 96.0 r 102.1 r 106.4 r 132.8 r 102.7 r 138.3 r

 II 96.7 r 102.0 r 105.5 r 130.4 r 102.2 r 134.9 r

 I 96.2 r 101.3 r 105.3 r 129.3 r 103.7 r 134.5 r

2021 ANNUAL 97.4 r 98.8 r 101.4 r 126.8 r 107.0 r 130.1 r

2021 IV 97.1 r 100.5 r 103.5 r 128.8 r 105.7 r 132.7 r

 III 97.6 r 99.3 r 101.7 126.3 105.9 r 129.4 r

 II 98.1 r 98.5 r 100.4 r 126.8 r 107.9 r 129.3 r

 I 96.7 r 97.0 r 100.3 r 124.8 r 108.3 r 129.0 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. May 4, 2023

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-12-

Table 4. Durable manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor

costs, seasonally adjusted.

 Real

Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit

and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor

quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2023 I -4.4 -1.8 2.7 0.6 -3.1 5.2 

2022 ANNUAL -1.0 r 3.7 r 4.7 3.4 -4.3 r 4.4 r

2022 IV -2.1 r -2.6 r -0.5 r 4.1 r -0.1 6.3 r

 III -3.7 r 2.0 r 5.9 7.7 2.0 11.8 r

 II 3.7 r 5.4 r 1.6 4.0 -5.2 r 0.3 r

 I -3.0 5.6 r 8.9 -0.7 -9.2 r 2.4 r

2021 ANNUAL 1.0 r 4.1 r 3.1 3.4 -1.4 r 2.4 r

2021 IV 0.3 r 5.4 r 5.1 9.9 1.0 r 9.6 r

 III -2.8 r 2.9 r 5.9 -7.0 -12.8 r -4.4 r

 II -2.3 r -2.6 r -0.3 9.4 1.4 r 12.0 r

 I -3.9 r -0.2 r 3.9 0.7 -3.5 r 4.8 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2023 I -1.7 0.7 2.4 4.1 -1.6 5.8 

2022 ANNUAL -1.0 r 3.7 r 4.7 3.4 -4.3 r 4.4 r

2022 IV -1.3 r 2.5 r 3.9 3.7 -3.2 r 5.1 r

 III -0.7 r 4.6 r 5.3 5.2 -2.9 r 5.9 r

 II -0.5 r 4.8 r 5.3 1.4 -6.7 r 1.9 r

 I -2.0 r 2.8 r 4.8 2.7 -5.1 r 4.7 r

2021 ANNUAL 1.0 r 4.1 r 3.1 3.4 -1.4 r 2.4 r

2021 IV -2.2 r 1.3 r 3.6 3.0 -3.7 r 5.3 r

 III -2.4 r 1.3 r 3.8 3.6 r -1.7 r 6.1 r

 II 7.0 r 18.4 r 10.7 0.8 -3.9 r -5.8 r

 I 2.5 r -2.1 r -4.5 5.8 r 3.8 r 3.2 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2012=100

2023 I 95.3 101.3 106.3 135.2 102.5 141.9 

2022 ANNUAL 97.2 r 101.7 r 104.6 132.8 r 103.6 r 136.6 r

2022 IV 96.4 r 101.8 r 105.6 r 135.0 r 103.3 r 140.1 r

 III 96.9 r 102.4 r 105.7 r 133.7 r 103.4 r 138.0 r

 II 97.8 r 101.9 r 104.2 r 131.2 r 102.8 r 134.2 r

 I 96.9 r 100.6 r 103.8 r 129.9 r 104.2 r 134.0 r

2021 ANNUAL 98.2 r 98.1 r 99.9 r 128.4 r 108.4 r 130.8 r

2021 IV 97.7 r 99.2 r 101.6 r 130.1 r 106.8 r 133.2 r

 III 97.6 r 98.0 r 100.4 r 127.1 r 106.5 r 130.2 r

 II 98.3 r 97.2 r 98.9 r 129.4 r 110.2 r 131.7 r

 I 98.9 r 97.9 r 99.0 r 126.6 r 109.8 r 128.0 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. May 4, 2023

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-13-

Table 5. Nondurable manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor

costs, seasonally adjusted.

 Real

Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit

and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor

quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2023 I 2.7 2.8 0.1 5.0 1.2 2.3 

2022 ANNUAL -1.6 r 1.7 r 3.4 5.4 -2.5 r 7.1 r

2022 IV -3.9 r -4.2 r -0.4 r 6.1 r 1.8 r 10.3 r

 III -0.2 r -1.2 r -1.1 7.1 1.4 7.2 r

 II 1.3 r 0.6 r -0.7 2.2 -6.9 r 0.8 r

 I -3.9 r 0.6 r 4.7 5.1 -3.9 r 9.3 r

2021 ANNUAL 1.2 r 4.5 r 3.3 1.3 -3.3 r 0.1 r

2021 IV -6.2 r 3.8 r 10.7 r 5.5 -3.0 r 12.5 r

 III -1.4 r 2.7 r 4.2 10.2 3.3 11.8 r

 II 12.2 r 14.6 r 2.1 1.6 -5.9 r -9.4 r

 I 1.8 r -1.1 r -2.9 -4.7 -8.7 r -6.4 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2023 I 0.0 -0.5 -0.5 5.1 -0.7 5.1 

2022 ANNUAL -1.6 r 1.7 r 3.4 5.4 -2.5 r 7.1 r

2022 IV -1.7 r -1.1 r 0.6 5.1 -2.0 r 6.9 r

 III -2.3 r 0.9 r 3.3 4.9 r -3.2 r 7.4 r

 II -2.6 r 1.9 r 4.6 5.7 -2.7 r 8.5 r

 I -0.1 r 5.3 r 5.4 r 5.5 r -2.4 r 5.6 r

2021 ANNUAL 1.2 r 4.5 r 3.3 1.3 -3.3 r 0.1 r

2021 IV 1.4 r 4.8 r 3.4 3.0 -3.7 r 1.6 r

 III 1.9 r 6.0 r 4.0 1.7 -3.5 r -0.2 r

 II 2.3 r 10.4 r 7.9 -2.4 -7.0 r -4.6 r

 I -0.7 r -2.5 r -1.8 2.9 0.8 r 3.6 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2012=100

2023 I 97.0 104.2 107.4 135.0 102.4 139.2 

2022 ANNUAL 97.1 r 104.4 r 107.5 r 130.9 r 102.2 r 134.7 r

2022 IV 96.3 r 103.4 r 107.4 r 133.4 r 102.1 r 138.5 r

 III 97.3 r 104.6 r 107.5 r 131.5 r 101.7 r 135.1 r

 II 97.3 r 104.9 r 107.8 r 129.2 r 101.3 r 132.8 r

 I 97.0 r 104.7 r 107.9 r 128.5 r 103.1 r 132.5 r

2021 ANNUAL 98.7 r 102.6 r 104.0 r 124.2 r 104.8 r 125.8 r

2021 IV 98.0 r 104.6 r 106.7 r 127.0 r 104.2 r 129.6 r

 III 99.6 r 103.6 r 104.0 r 125.3 r 105.0 r 125.8 r

 II 99.9 r 102.9 r 103.0 r 122.3 r 104.1 r 122.4 r

 I 97.1 r 99.5 r 102.4 r 121.8 r 105.7 r 125.5 r

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. May 4, 2023

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-14-

Table 6. Nonfinancial corporate sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs,

unit profits, and prices, seasonally adjusted.

 Value-

 Real added Unit

 Hourly hourly output Unit combined

Year Labor compen- compen- Unit price nonlabor input Unit

and produc- Hours sation sation labor deflator costs costs profits

quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (4) (6) (7) (8)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)

2022 ANNUAL -2.0 2.1 4.2 5.7 -2.2 7.8 9.1 12.9 9.3 8.1 

2022 IV 0.7 1.9 1.2 5.8 1.6 5.1 1.9 -0.3 3.4 -6.1 

 III 0.7 r 4.3 3.6 7.8 r 2.1 7.1 4.3 1.6 5.3 -1.1 

 II -2.8 -0.6 2.3 4.2 r -5.1 r 7.2 12.6 12.0 8.6 36.4 

 I -5.0 r -1.2 4.0 3.6 -5.2 r 9.1 12.2 24.7 13.6 4.8 

2021 ANNUAL 3.0 8.3 5.2 r 4.5 -0.3 r 1.5 5.0 4.1 2.3 22.9 

2021 IV -2.4 r 5.3 8.0 5.4 -3.1 r 8.1 8.6 17.7 10.9 -3.1 

 III 1.2 r 5.4 4.2 r 9.4 r 2.6 r 8.1 8.2 17.0 10.7 -4.0 

 II -1.1 4.7 5.8 6.9 -1.0 r 8.0 8.2 -10.8 2.0 48.2 

 I 3.0 7.3 4.2 -1.2 -5.3 r -4.1 4.4 3.3 -1.9 51.6 

2020 ANNUAL 3.6 -4.0 -7.4 r 8.1 6.7 4.4 1.4 -7.5 0.6 6.6 

2020 IV 13.0 24.3 10.0 7.5 4.7 r -4.9 1.3 59.3 10.3 -38.3 

 III 0.2 34.5 34.2 -7.0 -11.2 r -7.2 3.2 -22.9 -11.9 177.2 

 II 3.2 -41.0 -42.9 28.6 33.3 r 24.6 2.9 -35.4 2.3 7.0 

 I 3.3 r -2.3 -5.4 r 9.1 r 7.6 5.6 -0.6 2.5 4.6 -30.6 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year

2022 ANNUAL -2.0 2.1 4.2 5.7 -2.2 7.8 9.1 12.9 9.3 8.1 

2022 IV -1.6 1.1 2.8 5.3 -1.7 7.1 7.6 9.1 7.7 7.3 

 III -2.4 r 1.9 4.4 r 5.2 -2.9 r 7.8 9.4 13.7 9.6 8.2 

 II -2.3 2.2 4.6 5.6 -2.8 r 8.1 10.4 17.8 10.9 7.4 

 I -1.9 3.5 5.5 6.3 -1.7 r 8.3 9.3 11.3 9.2 9.6 

2021 ANNUAL 3.0 8.3 5.2 r 4.5 -0.3 r 1.5 5.0 4.1 2.3 22.9 

2021 IV 0.1 5.7 5.5 5.0 -1.7 r 4.9 7.3 6.1 5.3 20.3 

 III 3.9 10.2 6.0 5.6 0.2 r 1.6 5.5 14.5 5.1 7.4 

 II 3.7 17.1 12.9 1.4 -3.4 r -2.2 4.3 3.1 -0.7 40.0 

 I 4.8 1.4 -3.2 6.2 4.1 r 1.3 3.0 -4.8 -0.6 29.1 

2020 ANNUAL 3.6 -4.0 -7.4 r 8.1 6.7 4.4 1.4 -7.5 0.6 6.6 

2020 IV 4.8 -0.9 -5.5 8.8 7.4 r 3.8 1.7 -5.0 1.0 6.2 

 III 2.7 -5.3 -7.9 r 8.4 r 6.9 r 5.5 1.6 -16.4 -1.6 23.7 

 II 3.3 -11.4 -14.3 r 10.6 10.0 r 7.1 1.1 -9.9 1.7 -3.0 

 I 2.7 1.6 -1.1 4.2 2.0 r 1.5 1.0 0.9 1.3 -1.2 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Indexes 2012=100

2022 ANNUAL 111.5 126.4 113.3 146.7 114.5 131.5 128.8 117.9 126.9 140.0 

2022 IV 111.5 127.5 114.4 149.8 114.7 134.4 130.9 118.9 129.2 140.8 

 III 111.3 r 126.9 114.0 r 147.7 r 114.2 r 132.7 130.3 118.9 128.2 143.0 

 II 111.1 r 125.5 113.0 r 145.0 r 113.6 r 130.5 128.9 118.5 126.5 143.4 

 I 111.9 r 125.7 112.4 r 143.5 r 115.1 r 128.3 125.2 115.2 123.9 132.7 

2021 ANNUAL 113.8 r 123.8 108.8 r 138.8 r 117.1 r 121.9 118.0 104.4 116.1 129.5 

2021 IV 113.3 r 126.1 111.3 r 142.2 r 116.7 r 125.5 121.6 109.0 120.0 131.2 

 III 114.0 r 124.5 109.2 r 140.4 r 117.6 r 123.1 119.1 104.6 117.0 132.2 

 II 113.7 r 122.9 108.1 r 137.3 r 116.9 r 120.7 116.8 100.6 114.0 133.5 

 I 114.0 r 121.5 106.5 r 135.0 r 117.2 r 118.4 114.5 103.5 113.5 121.0 

2020 ANNUAL 110.5 r 114.3 103.4 r 132.8 r 117.5 r 120.2 112.4 100.3 113.6 105.4 

2020 IV 113.2 r 119.3 105.5 r 135.4 r 118.8 r 119.7 113.3 102.7 114.0 109.1 

 III 109.8 r 113.0 103.0 r 133.0 r 117.4 r 121.2 112.9 91.4 111.3 123.1 

 II 109.7 r 104.9 95.7 r 135.4 r 121.0 r 123.5 112.0 97.5 114.8 95.4 

 I 108.8 r 119.8 110.1 r 127.2 r 112.6 r 116.9 111.2 108.8 114.2 93.8 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

See footnotes following Table 6. May 4, 2023

r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
-15-

SOURCES: Output data are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau of the U.S. 

Department of Commerce; the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor; and the Federal 

Reserve Board. Hours and compensation data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of

Economic Analysis.

SIZE OF REVISIONS: Productivity and cost measures are revised on a regular schedule as more 

complete data become available. The first estimate is published within 40 days of the close of the 

reference quarter, the second estimate approximately 30 days later, and the third estimate approximately 

60 days after the second estimate. Based on past revisions, the third estimate of nonfarm business sector 

quarterly labor productivity growth has differed from the first estimate by -1.1 to +1.3 percentage point 

about 80 percent of the time. This interval is based on estimates for reference quarters from the first 

quarter of 2001 to the fourth quarter of 2022. For more about revisions to labor productivity growth see 

“Revisions to BLS quarterly labor productivity estimates: How large are they?” at 

www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2022/article/revisions-to-bls-quarterly-labor-productivity-estimates-how-largeare-they.htm.

Table Footnotes

(1) Wages and salaries of employees plus employers' contributions for social insurance and private

benefit plans. Except for nonfinancial corporations, where there are no self-employed, data also include

an estimate of wages, salaries, and supplemental payments for the self-employed.

(2) The change for recent quarters is based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers 

(CPI-U). The trend from 1978-2022 is based on the Consumer Price Index Retroactive series (CPI-URS).

(3) Unit nonlabor payments include profits, consumption of fixed capital, taxes on production and 

imports less subsidies, net interest and miscellaneous payments, business current transfer payments, 

rental income of persons, and the current surplus of government enterprises.

(4) Current dollar output divided by the output index.

(5) Quarterly changes: Percent change compounded at annual rate is calculated using index numbers to 

three decimal places. Indexes published in the news release are rounded to one decimal place for

convenience. Annual changes: Percent change is calculated using annual indexes to three decimal 

places.

(6) Unit nonlabor costs include consumption of fixed capital, taxes on production and imports less 

subsidies, net interest and miscellaneous payments, and business current transfer payments.

(7) Total unit costs are the sum of unit labor and nonlabor costs.

(8) Unit profits include corporate profits before tax with inventory valuation and capital consumption 

adjustment.