Technical information:
   Employment:          (202) 691-6559       USDL 05-109
               http://www.bls.gov/sae/
   Unemployment:              691-6392
               http://www.bls.gov/lau/       For release:  10:00 A.M. EST
Media contact:                691-5902       Tuesday, January 25, 2005
                                     
                                     
      REGIONAL AND STATE EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT:  DECEMBER 2004

   Regional and state unemployment rates were generally little changed
in December.  All four regions and 43 states and the District of Columbia
registered unemployment rate shifts of 0.3 percentage point or less from
November, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
reported today.  Over the year, jobless rates declined in all four regions
and in 43 states.  In December, the national jobless rate was unchanged at
5.4 percent.  Nonfarm payroll employment increased in 32 states and the
District of Columbia over the month.
   
Regional Unemployment (Seasonally Adjusted)
   
   The Northeast and South reported the lowest unemployment rates among the
four regions in December, 4.9 and 5.0 percent, respectively.  The Midwest
posted the highest rate, 5.5 percent, followed closely by the West at 5.4
percent.  The West had reported the highest rate of any region virtually
every month from 1992 through late 2004.  Over the year, the West and
Northeast registered the largest rate declines (-0.9 and -0.8 percentage
point, respectively).  (See table 1.)
   
   Among the nine geographic divisions, the New England and Mountain divi-
sions recorded the lowest unemployment rates in December, 4.3 and 4.4 per-
cent, respectively, followed by the South Atlantic and West North Central,
4.6 percent each.  The East North Central division posted the highest unem-
ployment rate, 5.9 percent, followed by the Pacific division at 5.8 percent.
None of the divisions experienced a rate change from November greater than
0.2 percentage point in either direction.  All nine divisions registered
over-the-year jobless rate declines, with the largest decreases in New
England (-1.1 percentage points), the Mountain and Pacific divisions (-0.9
point each), and the West South Central division (-0.8 point).
   
State Unemployment (Seasonally Adjusted)
   
   In December, Hawaii and North Dakota registered the lowest unemployment
rates, 3.0 and 3.2 percent, respectively, while eight additional states also
recorded rates below 4.0 percent.  Two states experienced the lowest unem-
ployment rates in their series--Idaho, 4.0 percent, and Montana, 3.7 percent.
(Virtually all regional and state series begin in 1978.)  Alaska and Michigan
reported the highest jobless rates, 7.3 percent each.  Three additional states
had rates of at least 6.0 percent.  The District of Columbia recorded an unem-
ployment rate of 9.0 percent.  (See table 3 and chart 1.)
   
   Over the month, unemployment rates were higher in 23 states and the District
of Columbia, lower in 19 states, and unchanged in 8 states.  No state reported
a rate increase greater than 0.4 percentage point.  Idaho registered the largest
over-the-month decrease (-1.1 percentage points), followed by Ohio (-0.6 point)
and Montana (-0.5 point).
   
   December unemployment rates were lower than a year earlier in 43 states,
higher in 5 states and the District of Columbia, and unchanged in 2 states.
Kentucky and Washington reported the largest rate decreases from a year ago
(-1.5 percentage points each), followed by Hawaii, New Jersey, and Oklahoma
(-1.4 points each).  Nine additional states registered rate decreases of at
least 1.0 percentage point.  Twenty-three other states had decreases ranging
from 0.5 to 0.9 percentage point, inclusive.  Mississippi reported the largest
over-the-year unemployment rate increase (+0.8 percentage point).  No other
state had a rate increase greater than 0.4 percentage point.  The District of
Columbia posted an over-the-year unemployment rate increase of 2.0 percentage
points.
   
                                  - 2 -

Nonfarm Payroll Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)

   From November to December, total nonfarm employment increased in 32 states
and the District of Columbia, decreased in 16 states, and was unchanged in 2
states.  The largest employment increases occurred in Florida (+12,100), Texas
(+7,000), Georgia (+5,600), Colorado (+5,400), and New York (+5,200).  Nevada
reported the largest over-the-month percentage increase in employment (+0.4
percent), followed by Alaska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Vermont (+0.3 percent
each).  The largest employment decreases occurred in California (-25,000),
Michigan (-15,400), Ohio (-7,500), Wisconsin (-6,400), and Massachusetts
(-3,300).  The largest over-the-month percentage decreases in employment
were reported in Michigan (-0.4 percent) and California, Mississippi, South
Carolina, and Wisconsin (-0.2 percent each).  (See table 5.)
   
   Over the year, nonfarm employment increased in 48 states and the District
of Columbia and decreased in 2 states.  The largest over-the-year gains in
employment occurred in Florida (+172,300), California (+152,300), Texas
(+124,800), Virginia (+79,500), and North Carolina (+76,400).  The largest
percentage gains were reported in Nevada (+4.8 percent), Hawaii and Utah
(+3.2 percent each), Idaho (+3.1 percent), Arizona (+2.8 percent), and
Washington (+2.4 percent).  The largest over-the-year employment decrease
was registered in Michigan (-46,500, -1.1 percent).

   
                         _________________________
   
   
   The Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment release for December
2004 is scheduled to be issued on February 2.  The Regional and State
Employment and Unemployment release for January 2005 is scheduled to be
issued on March 10.
                                  

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
  |         Planned Changes in Local Area Unemployment Statistics          |
  |                                                                        |
  |    Beginning with the release of data for January 2005 in March,       |
  | a redesigned method for producing labor force estimates for census     |
  | regions, divisions, states, and selected substate areas presented      |
  | in tables 1-4 of this release will be implemented.  The redesigned     |
  | method encompasses a number of changes:  (1) the implementation of     |
  | improved time-series regression models for all states, the District    |
  | of Columbia, New York City, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale        |
  | metropolitan division (currently the Los Angeles-Long Beach metro-     |
  | politan area), and the respective balances of New York and California; |
  | (2) the introduction of real-time benchmarking to national Current     |
  | Population Survey (CPS) estimates of employment and unemployment;      |
  | and (3) the introduction of time-series regression models for six      |
  | additional substate areas and their respective balances of state.      |
  | In addition, the estimates will reflect routine annual updates to      |
  | population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.                      |
  |                                                                        |
  |    Following an intensive period of research and testing, implementa-  |
  | tion of the redesigned method of model estimation will result in im-   |
  | proved seasonal adjustment and provide quantitative error measures for |
  | both the seasonally adjusted and not seasonally adjusted series.  Real-|
  | time benchmarking to the national CPS estimates (on a not seasonally   |
  | adjusted basis) will ensure that estimates of employment and unemploy- |
  | ment for the states add to national totals.  This also means that major|
  | economic events, such as the onset of recessions, will be reflected in |
  | the state estimates on a more timely basis.  This, along with other    |
  | improvements, will reduce end-of-year revisions.                       |
  |                                                                        |
  |    All monthly historical data for 1978-2004 will be replaced with     |
  | reestimated series.  In addition, estimates for 1976-77 will be added  |
  | to the series.  More information on the redesign is available from the |
  | Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Local Area Unemployment Statis-|
  | tics Web site at http://www.bls.gov/lau/lauschanges2005.htm.           |
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------        
          




                                   - 3 -

Technical Note


     This release presents labor force and unemployment data for census
regions and divisions, states, the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan
area, and New York City from the Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
program (tables 1-4).  Also presented are nonfarm payroll employment
estimates by state and major industry from the Current Employment
Statistics (CES) program (tables 5 and 6).  The LAUS and CES programs are
both Federal-State cooperative endeavors.

Labor force and unemployment--from the LAUS program

     Definitions.  The labor force and unemployment data are based on the
same concepts and definitions as those used for the official national
estimates obtained from the Current Population Survey (CPS), a sample
survey of households that is conducted for the Bureau of Labor Statistics
(BLS) by the U.S. Census Bureau.  The labor force includes both the
employed and the unemployed.  Employed persons are those who did any work
at all for pay or profit in the survey reference week (the week including
the 12th of the month) or worked 15 hours or more without pay in a family
business or farm, plus those not working who have a job from which they
were temporarily absent, whether or not paid, for such reasons as labor-
management dispute, illness, or vacation.  Unemployed persons are those who
did not work at all (in the reference week), have actively looked for a job
(sometime in the 4-week period ending with the survey reference week), and
are currently available for work; persons on layoff expecting recall need
not be looking for work to be counted as unemployed.
     
     Method of estimation.  Effective January 1996, estimates for all
states, the District of Columbia, the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan
area, and New York City are produced using estimating equations based on
regression techniques.  This method utilizes data from several sources,
including the CPS, the CES, and state unemployment insurance (UI) data.  
A detailed description of the estimation procedures is available from BLS
upon request.  Effective January 1998, estimates for census regions and
divisions are obtained by summing the model-based estimates for the
component states and then calculating the unemployment rate.
     
     Annual revisions.  Labor force and unemployment data shown for the
prior year reflect adjustments made at the end of each year, usually with
January estimates.  The adjusted estimates reflect updated population data
from the U.S. Census Bureau and any revisions in the other data sources.
In addition, data for all states,  the District of Columbia, and the two
large substate areas noted are adjusted annually to equal the CPS annual
averages, usually effective with January estimates.  The regional and state
data will not sum to national totals obtained from the CPS, since the
monthly state estimates are not based directly on the CPS.
                                   
     Seasonal adjustment.  Seasonal adjustment of state (and Los Angeles-
Long Beach and New York City) labor force levels are computed by
aggregating independently seasonally adjusted employment and unemployment
levels. Unemployment rates are then computed from these independently
adjusted levels.  Region and division levels are calculated as the sum of
the levels of the component states.  Revisions of historical data for the
most recent 5 years are usually made at the beginning of each calendar
year, usually coincident with January estimates.

                                   - 4 -

Employment--from the CES program

     Definitions.  Employment data refer to persons on establishment
payrolls who receive pay for any part of the pay period which includes the
12th of the month.  Persons are counted at their place of work rather than at 
their place of residence;  those appearing on more than one payroll are count-
ed on each payroll.  Industries are classified on the basis of their princi-
pal activity in accordance with the 2002 version of the North American In-
dustry Classification System.
     
     Method of estimation.  The employment data are estimated using a "link
relative" technique in which a ratio (link relative) of current-month
employment to that of the previous month is computed from a sample of
establishments reporting for both months.  The estimates of employment for
the current month are obtained by multiplying the estimates for the
previous month by these ratios.
     
     Annual revisions.  Employment estimates are adjusted annually to a
complete count of jobs, called benchmarks, derived principally from tax
reports which are submitted by employers who are covered under state
unemployment insurance (UI) laws.  The benchmark information is used to
adjust the monthly estimates between the new benchmark and the preceding
one and also to establish the level of employment for the new benchmark
month.  Thus, the benchmarking process establishes the level of employment,
and the sample is used to measure the month-to-month changes in the level
for the subsequent months.
     
     Seasonal adjustment.  Payroll employment data are seasonally adjusted 
at the statewide supersector level.  In some states, the seasonally adjusted 
payroll employment total is computed by aggregating the independently ad-
justed supersector series.  In other states, the seasonally adjusted payroll 
employment total is independently adjusted.  Revisions of historical data for 
the most recent 5 years are made once a year, coincident with annual benchmark 
adjustments.
     
     Caution on aggregating state data.  State estimation procedures are
designed to produce accurate data for each individual state.  BLS
independently develops a national employment series; state estimates are
not forced to sum to national totals.  Because each state series is subject
to larger sampling and nonsampling errors than the national series, summing
them cumulates individual state level errors and can cause significant
distortions at an aggregate level.  Due to these statistical limitations,
BLS does not compile a "sum-of-states" employment series, and cautions
users that such a series is subject to a relatively large and volatile
error structure.

                                   - 5 -

Reliability of the estimates

     The estimates presented in this release are based on sample survey and
administrative data and thus are subject to sampling and other types of
errors.  Sampling error is a measure of sampling variability--that is,
variation that occurs by chance because a sample rather than the entire
population is surveyed.  Survey data also are subject to nonsampling
errors, such as those which can be introduced into the data collection and
processing operations.  Estimates not directly derived from sample surveys
are subject to additional errors resulting from the special estimation
processes used.  The sums of individual items may not always equal the
totals shown in the same tables because of rounding.  With respect to the
LAUS program, unemployment rates are computed, in most instances, from
unrounded data rather than from data that may be displayed in the tables;
differences, however, are generally insignificant.

     Labor force and unemployment estimates.  Measures of sampling error,
in the form of standard errors for state annual average estimates derived
from the CPS, are available in the annual BLS bulletin,  Geographic Profile
of Employment and Unemployment.  Measures of nonsampling error for CPS data
are not available, but additional information on the subject is provided in
the BLS monthly periodical, Employment and Earnings.
     
     Employment estimates.  Measures of sampling error for state CES data at
the supersector level and for metropolitan area CES data at the total nonfarm
level are available on the BLS Web site at (http://www.bls.gov/sae/790stderr.
htm).  Information on recent benchmark revisions for states is available on
the BLS Web site at (http://www.bls.gov/sae/).

Additional information

     More complete information on the technical procedures used to develop
these estimates and additional data appear in Employment and Earnings, which 
is available by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. 
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 (telephone 202-512-1800), 
and from the BLS Handbook of Methods, Bulletin 2490, August 1997.
     
     Estimates of labor force and unemployment for over 330 metropolitan
areas are available in the news release, Metropolitan Area Employment and
Unemployment.  Estimates of labor force, employment, and unemployment for
all states, metropolitan areas, labor market areas, counties, cities with a
population of 25,000 or more, and other areas used in the administration of
various federal economic assistance programs are available on the BLS Web
site at (http://www.bls.gov/lau/).  Employment data from the CES program are
available at (http://www.bls.gov/sae/).

     Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.  Voice phone: 202-691-5200; TDD message referral
phone: 1-800-877-8339.
 
 
 
 
 
 LABOR FORCE DATA                                                                                                LABOR FORCE DATA
 
 
 Table 1. Civilian labor force and unemployment by census regions and divisions, seasonally adjusted1
 
 (Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                         Unemployed                              
                                                                                                                                 
                              Civilian labor force                                                                               
  Census region and                                                                                                              
       division                                                          Number                      Percent of labor force      
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                 
                        Dec.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Dec.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Dec.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.  
                        2003     2004     2004     2004p    2003     2004     2004     2004p    2003     2004     2004     2004p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                 
 Northeast........... 27,350.0 27,559.7 27,585.5 27,614.1  1,563.1  1,373.6  1,322.9  1,366.2    5.7      5.0      4.8      4.9  
                                                                                                                                 
   New England.......  7,539.3  7,533.5  7,531.4  7,530.8    410.7    334.0    329.7    326.8    5.4      4.4      4.4      4.3  
   Middle Atlantic... 19,810.7 20,026.2 20,054.1 20,083.3  1,152.4  1,039.6    993.2  1,039.4    5.8      5.2      5.0      5.2  
                                                                                                                                 
 South............... 51,413.5 52,030.5 52,073.2 52,149.7  2,868.8  2,573.6  2,571.4  2,617.0    5.6      4.9      4.9      5.0  
                                                                                                                                 
   South Atlantic.... 27,101.2 27,501.0 27,522.9 27,522.9  1,350.9  1,238.4  1,236.8  1,260.6    5.0      4.5      4.5      4.6  
   East South Central  8,349.8  8,415.1  8,411.4  8,415.9    492.4    445.7    435.9    445.2    5.9      5.3      5.2      5.3  
   West South Central 15,962.5 16,114.4 16,138.9 16,210.9  1,025.5    889.5    898.6    911.1    6.4      5.5      5.6      5.6  
                                                                                                                                 
 Midwest............. 34,342.6 34,595.5 34,567.4 34,495.1  2,039.2  1,945.4  1,951.9  1,902.2    5.9      5.6      5.6      5.5  
                                                                                                                                 
   East North Central 23,589.2 23,708.7 23,686.0 23,612.9  1,504.1  1,434.9  1,443.3  1,398.4    6.4      6.1      6.1      5.9  
   West North Central 10,753.4 10,886.8 10,881.4 10,882.2    535.1    510.5    508.6    503.8    5.0      4.7      4.7      4.6  
                                                                                                                                 
 West................ 33,349.0 33,915.1 33,994.9 33,969.3  2,093.6  1,869.4  1,860.4  1,832.8    6.3      5.5      5.5      5.4  
                                                                                                                                 
   Mountain..........  9,889.2 10,131.2 10,123.1 10,112.7    526.4    479.1    463.5    447.6    5.3      4.7      4.6      4.4  
   Pacific........... 23,459.8 23,783.8 23,871.8 23,856.7  1,567.1  1,390.3  1,396.9  1,385.2    6.7      5.8      5.9      5.8  

   1 These estimates are obtained by summing the state estimates.
   p = preliminary.
   NOTE:  The States (including the District of Columbia) that compose the various census divisions are: New England: Connecticut,
 Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Middle Atlantic: New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania; South
 Atlantic: Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West
 Virginia; East South Central: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee; West South Central: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
 and Texas; East North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin; West North Central: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota,
 Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota; Mountain: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and
 Wyoming; and Pacific: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.  All estimates are provisional and will be revised when
 new benchmark and population information becomes available.






Table 2. Civilian labor force and unemployment by census regions and divisions, not seasonally adjusted1

(Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                        Unemployed                              
                                                                                                                                
                             Civilian labor force                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
 Census region and                                                      Number                      Percent of labor force      
      division                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                          November          December          November          December          November          December    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                       2003     2004     2003     2004p    2003     2004     2003     2004p    2003     2004     2003     2004p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
Northeast........... 27,356.9 27,572.3 27,301.4 27,558.4  1,487.0  1,259.9  1,473.2  1,279.3    5.4      4.6      5.4      4.6  
                                                                                                                                
  New England.......  7,529.3  7,520.9  7,508.9  7,502.6    373.4    304.4    379.2    300.2    5.0      4.0      5.1      4.0  
  Middle Atlantic... 19,827.6 20,051.4 19,792.5 20,055.8  1,113.6    955.5  1,094.0    979.1    5.6      4.8      5.5      4.9  
                                                                                                                                
South............... 51,478.5 52,130.2 51,194.0 51,965.6  2,791.1  2,493.7  2,653.7  2,433.0    5.4      4.8      5.2      4.7  
                                                                                                                                
  South Atlantic.... 27,120.9 27,529.5 26,967.1 27,407.9  1,322.1  1,207.2  1,250.9  1,173.9    4.9      4.4      4.6      4.3  
  East South Central  8,393.3  8,455.5  8,336.0  8,402.9    484.3    429.2    453.0    411.6    5.8      5.1      5.4      4.9  
  West South Central 15,964.4 16,145.3 15,890.9 16,154.8    984.7    857.3    949.7    847.5    6.2      5.3      6.0      5.2  
                                                                                                                                
Midwest............. 34,390.1 34,588.2 34,180.0 34,351.9  1,877.8  1,823.8  1,918.4  1,808.1    5.5      5.3      5.6      5.3  
                                                                                                                                
  East North Central 23,627.5 23,703.5 23,491.1 23,526.2  1,385.5  1,347.8  1,410.7  1,323.3    5.9      5.7      6.0      5.6  
  West North Central 10,762.6 10,884.8 10,689.0 10,825.7    492.4    476.1    507.7    484.8    4.6      4.4      4.7      4.5  
                                                                                                                                
West................ 33,359.3 34,014.8 33,259.6 33,865.1  2,052.2  1,814.7  1,994.5  1,739.7    6.2      5.3      6.0      5.1  
                                                                                                                                
  Mountain..........  9,903.3 10,144.4  9,866.3 10,092.1    508.2    446.9    500.7    426.5    5.1      4.4      5.1      4.2  
  Pacific........... 23,456.0 23,870.4 23,393.4 23,773.0  1,544.0  1,367.8  1,493.8  1,313.3    6.6      5.7      6.4      5.5  

  1 These estimates are obtained by summing the state estimates.  The composition of the regions and divisions is described in
table 1.
  p = preliminary.
  NOTE:  All estimates are provisional and will be revised when new benchmark and population information becomes available.





LABOR FORCE DATA                                                                                               LABOR FORCE DATA
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED                                                                                         SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

Table 3. Civilian labor force and unemployment by state and selected areas, seasonally adjusted

(Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                           Unemployed                          
                                                                                                                               
                                  Civilian labor force                                                                         
                                                                                                                               
    State and Area                                                               Number                  Percent of labor force
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                               
                           Dec.      Oct.      Nov.      Dec.      Dec.      Oct.      Nov.      Dec.    Dec.  Oct.  Nov.   Dec. 
                           2003      2004      2004     2004p      2003      2004      2004     2004p    2003  2004  2004  2004p
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                               
Alabama................   2,163.0   2,162.8   2,160.7   2,165.0    126.1     118.7     112.0     117.8    5.8   5.5   5.2   5.4
Alaska.................     335.8     347.1     347.4     347.7     27.3      25.0      24.9      25.3    8.1   7.2   7.2   7.3
Arizona................   2,699.4   2,794.4   2,785.6   2,770.6    134.3     134.7     125.1     115.1    5.0   4.8   4.5   4.2
Arkansas...............   1,259.2   1,331.5   1,329.4   1,330.4     79.3      75.5      74.0      74.2    6.3   5.7   5.6   5.6
California.............  17,487.0  17,750.9  17,777.0  17,745.1  1,139.8   1,032.8   1,031.9   1,022.3    6.5   5.8   5.8   5.8
  Los Angeles-Long                                                                                                             
     Beach.............   4,766.8   4,844.7   4,869.6   4,879.7    330.1     294.8     304.7     299.1    6.9   6.1   6.3   6.1
Colorado...............   2,487.1   2,542.9   2,534.5   2,541.7    146.8     126.1     126.4     130.1    5.9   5.0   5.0   5.1
Connecticut............   1,797.4   1,788.4   1,792.8   1,797.4     98.4      82.6      83.8      77.8    5.5   4.6   4.7   4.3
Delaware...............     418.0     428.9     425.4     421.5     18.3      17.0      17.1      17.2    4.4   4.0   4.0   4.1
District of Columbia...     298.9     306.4     306.8     310.3     20.9      26.0      26.9      27.9    7.0   8.5   8.8   9.0
Florida................   8,205.8   8,457.2   8,478.2   8,468.5    398.1     387.8     373.4     377.6    4.9   4.6   4.4   4.5
                                                                                                                               
Georgia................   4,441.2   4,430.3   4,425.9   4,444.2    190.2     184.8     189.6     193.8    4.3   4.2   4.3   4.4
Hawaii.................     627.5     632.1     635.3     633.3     27.8      20.6      21.2      19.3    4.4   3.3   3.3   3.0
Idaho..................     695.3     710.6     709.9     707.9     34.9      36.9      35.9      28.3    5.0   5.2   5.1   4.0
Illinois...............   6,342.0   6,443.2   6,425.8   6,420.3    423.1     394.3     388.6     375.0    6.7   6.1   6.0   5.8
Indiana................   3,188.7   3,169.6   3,167.8   3,171.7    162.9     170.0     167.4     163.1    5.1   5.4   5.3   5.1
Iowa...................   1,600.2   1,635.6   1,631.7   1,630.2     73.5      79.3      77.5      76.7    4.6   4.8   4.8   4.7
Kansas.................   1,440.2   1,478.3   1,473.7   1,474.8     77.1      70.8      68.3      67.4    5.4   4.8   4.6   4.6
Kentucky...............   1,963.6   1,980.6   1,980.2   1,979.2    117.2      94.7      89.1      88.9    6.0   4.8   4.5   4.5
Louisiana..............   2,050.8   2,062.8   2,066.9   2,080.8    128.9     115.9     118.5     116.9    6.3   5.6   5.7   5.6
Maine..................     699.4     701.2     703.0     704.3     36.2      32.2      31.9      32.9    5.2   4.6   4.5   4.7
                                                                                                                               
Maryland...............   2,908.7   2,956.3   2,961.6   2,952.8    133.2     116.0     115.7     117.5    4.6   3.9   3.9   4.0
Massachusetts..........   3,393.5   3,396.2   3,388.6   3,382.0    200.3     158.1     154.8     154.4    5.9   4.7   4.6   4.6
Michigan...............   5,050.3   5,086.0   5,074.2   5,054.6    385.1     338.1     355.2     369.0    7.6   6.6   7.0   7.3
Minnesota..............   2,928.5   2,962.3   2,961.5   2,967.7    151.5     128.0     125.5     131.2    5.2   4.3   4.2   4.4
Mississippi............   1,312.7   1,326.0   1,329.0   1,327.5     74.0      83.1      86.7      85.1    5.6   6.3   6.5   6.4
Missouri...............   3,030.6   3,039.0   3,043.1   3,038.6    164.4     170.6     175.8     167.9    5.4   5.6   5.8   5.5
Montana................     478.5     487.4     489.1     486.9     23.0      23.3      20.5      18.0    4.8   4.8   4.2   3.7
Nebraska...............     980.0     992.1     993.6     991.1     39.3      34.8      36.6      35.2    4.0   3.5   3.7   3.6
Nevada.................   1,150.1   1,185.0   1,192.0   1,199.8     54.2      42.1      43.9      45.6    4.7   3.6   3.7   3.8
New Hampshire..........     725.3     730.6     729.6     729.8     30.0      24.6      22.9      23.8    4.1   3.4   3.1   3.3
                                                                                                                               
New Jersey.............   4,387.6   4,414.1   4,412.9   4,404.0    247.8     206.6     196.1     186.9    5.6   4.7   4.4   4.2
New Mexico.............     903.4     912.0     910.2     912.3     57.9      47.7      46.3      47.5    6.4   5.2   5.1   5.2
New York...............   9,289.3   9,312.8   9,325.2   9,358.2    586.9     486.0     455.0     497.3    6.3   5.2   4.9   5.3
  New York City........   3,661.4   3,698.7   3,701.9   3,724.7    296.3     225.2     200.7     229.6    8.1   6.1   5.4   6.2
North Carolina.........   4,250.7   4,175.9   4,187.8   4,199.2    265.1     202.2     208.0     220.4    6.2   4.8   5.0   5.2
North Dakota...........     346.5     354.4     352.7     353.7     12.9      13.1      11.3      11.2    3.7   3.7   3.2   3.2
Ohio...................   5,922.8   5,888.6   5,889.8   5,852.7    365.9     376.4     380.4     347.5    6.2   6.4   6.5   5.9
Oklahoma...............   1,689.4   1,711.7   1,717.5   1,716.6     95.1      76.5      78.5      72.1    5.6   4.5   4.6   4.2
Oregon.................   1,854.8   1,849.7   1,867.8   1,867.1    140.6     133.5     133.8     127.6    7.6   7.2   7.2   6.8
Pennsylvania...........   6,133.8   6,299.3   6,316.0   6,321.2    317.8     347.0     342.1     355.1    5.2   5.5   5.4   5.6
Rhode Island...........     572.9     565.5     564.3     563.1     29.3      25.5      25.2      26.0    5.1   4.5   4.5   4.6
                                                                                                                               
South Carolina.........   2,012.6   2,080.9   2,084.4   2,080.6    134.9     134.1     138.4     139.6    6.7   6.4   6.6   6.7
South Dakota...........     427.4     425.1     425.2     426.1     16.5      14.0      13.5      14.2    3.9   3.3   3.2   3.3
Tennessee..............   2,910.5   2,945.7   2,941.6   2,944.3    175.1     149.2     148.2     153.5    6.0   5.1   5.0   5.2
Texas..................  10,963.2  11,008.3  11,025.1  11,083.1    722.3     621.6     627.6     648.0    6.6   5.6   5.7   5.8
Utah...................   1,193.4   1,218.7   1,221.9   1,213.3     63.1      57.6      55.7      53.7    5.3   4.7   4.6   4.4
Vermont................     350.8     351.6     353.0     354.2     16.5      11.0      11.1      11.9    4.7   3.1   3.1   3.4
Virginia...............   3,787.0   3,861.3   3,852.5   3,846.8    146.4     129.2     128.8     127.0    3.9   3.3   3.3   3.3
Washington.............   3,154.7   3,204.0   3,244.2   3,263.5    231.7     178.5     185.2     190.7    7.3   5.6   5.7   5.8
West Virginia..........     778.3     803.9     800.3     798.9     43.8      41.2      38.8      39.5    5.6   5.1   4.9   4.9
Wisconsin..............   3,085.4   3,121.4   3,128.4   3,113.6    167.2     156.1     151.8     143.8    5.4   5.0   4.9   4.6
Wyoming................     281.9     280.3     279.7     280.2     12.2      10.8       9.7       9.4    4.3   3.8   3.5   3.3
                                                                                                                               
Puerto Rico............   1,399.5   1,428.2   1,417.5   1,427.3    162.3     144.1     151.8     159.8   11.6  10.1  10.7  11.2

  p = preliminary.
  NOTE:  Data refer to place of residence.  Data for Puerto Rico are derived from a monthly household survey similar to the
Current Population Survey.  All estimates are provisional and will be revised when new benchmark and population information
becomes available.





LABOR FORCE DATA                                                                                                   LABOR FORCE DATA
NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED                                                                                     NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED

Table 4. Civilian labor force and unemployment by state and selected areas, not seasonally adjusted

(Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                             Unemployed                            
                                                                                                                                   
                                  Civilian labor force                                                                             
                                                                                                                                   
    State and Area                                                               Number                    Percent of labor force  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                              November            December            November            December         November      December  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                           2003      2004      2003     2004p      2003      2004      2003     2004p    2003   2004   2003   2004p
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                   
Alabama................   2,182.9   2,179.8   2,168.7   2,170.5    130.6     115.2     117.7     109.0    6.0    5.3    5.4    5.0 
Alaska.................     330.8     342.7     330.3     342.1     25.9      24.0      27.7      26.1    7.8    7.0    8.4    7.6 
Arizona................   2,707.6   2,796.9   2,708.3   2,778.1    128.5     117.7     125.7     103.9    4.7    4.2    4.6    3.7 
Arkansas...............   1,253.5   1,317.2   1,245.4   1,314.4     72.0      65.5      74.9      70.4    5.7    5.0    6.0    5.4 
California.............  17,514.5  17,801.2  17,437.1  17,684.0  1,130.1   1,015.3   1,077.3     959.5    6.5    5.7    6.2    5.4 
  Los Angeles-Long                                                                                                                 
     Beach.............   4,795.1   4,891.1   4,769.8   4,872.8    324.4     294.6     305.5     275.3    6.8    6.0    6.4    5.7 
Colorado...............   2,495.5   2,541.7   2,479.5   2,536.0    144.1     126.3     141.1     127.6    5.8    5.0    5.7    5.0 
Connecticut............   1,791.8   1,786.2   1,782.9   1,782.7     87.7      75.4      89.1      70.0    4.9    4.2    5.0    3.9 
Delaware...............     423.0     428.7     418.6     421.5     16.6      15.6      16.5      15.2    3.9    3.6    3.9    3.6 
District of Columbia...     300.8     305.3     295.7     306.9     20.9      26.6      19.5      26.5    6.9    8.7    6.6    8.7 
Florida................   8,212.3   8,474.5   8,189.4   8,453.0    397.5     369.7     362.8     345.9    4.8    4.4    4.4    4.1 
                                                                                                                                   
Georgia................   4,471.1   4,455.6   4,453.6   4,464.9    182.9     181.2     179.1     184.7    4.1    4.1    4.0    4.1 
Hawaii.................     627.7     637.5     628.4     634.8     27.6      21.6      25.1      17.2    4.4    3.4    4.0    2.7 
Idaho..................     693.4     708.6     691.6     704.3     32.6      33.9      37.1      31.0    4.7    4.8    5.4    4.4 
Illinois...............   6,358.6   6,434.0   6,332.0   6,408.7    404.7     372.7     405.6     363.3    6.4    5.8    6.4    5.7 
Indiana................   3,187.0   3,165.0   3,169.3   3,151.2    152.4     157.2     158.3     158.5    4.8    5.0    5.0    5.0 
Iowa...................   1,605.5   1,630.5   1,598.0   1,627.7     67.0      72.0      72.7      77.2    4.2    4.4    4.6    4.7 
Kansas.................   1,444.1   1,477.2   1,433.4   1,467.8     74.4      67.6      70.1      61.8    5.2    4.6    4.9    4.2 
Kentucky...............   1,965.7   1,982.9   1,957.4   1,974.6    110.2      84.0     108.2      83.2    5.6    4.2    5.5    4.2 
Louisiana..............   2,044.6   2,066.8   2,031.3   2,065.7    121.7     113.6     124.8     114.0    6.0    5.5    6.1    5.5 
Maine..................     694.2     700.3     691.9     697.8     35.3      31.9      34.9      32.5    5.1    4.5    5.0    4.7 
                                                                                                                                   
Maryland...............   2,907.0   2,962.0   2,884.5   2,928.2    127.9     115.4     123.8     109.0    4.4    3.9    4.3    3.7 
Massachusetts..........   3,390.8   3,384.5   3,384.3   3,373.2    178.5     141.1     183.1     139.1    5.3    4.2    5.4    4.1 
Michigan...............   5,083.9   5,094.4   5,027.3   5,039.1    352.5     333.0     358.2     348.9    6.9    6.5    7.1    6.9 
Minnesota..............   2,929.9   2,963.0   2,900.8   2,941.1    134.4     113.0     140.8     123.7    4.6    3.8    4.9    4.2 
Mississippi............   1,314.6   1,330.7   1,316.7   1,331.4     67.1      79.1      67.1      78.4    5.1    5.9    5.1    5.9 
Missouri...............   3,033.5   3,047.6   3,022.4   3,037.2    154.3     167.5     157.9     162.9    5.1    5.5    5.2    5.4 
Montana................     474.3     485.6     472.5     481.0     22.6      20.6      24.9      19.9    4.8    4.2    5.3    4.1 
Nebraska...............     981.0     993.3     973.4     984.4     35.1      32.6      36.3      32.9    3.6    3.3    3.7    3.3 
Nevada.................   1,149.6   1,191.0   1,144.7   1,192.4     54.2      42.2      51.8      43.4    4.7    3.5    4.5    3.6 
New Hampshire..........     726.6     731.2     723.2     727.9     30.4      23.1      28.6      22.4    4.2    3.2    4.0    3.1 
                                                                                                                                   
New Jersey.............   4,383.3   4,414.1   4,387.0   4,404.6    232.6     185.4     230.0     172.1    5.3    4.2    5.2    3.9 
New Mexico.............     906.2     914.4     901.0     910.5     56.4      45.4      53.1      43.5    6.2    5.0    5.9    4.8 
New York...............   9,294.9   9,325.1   9,283.4   9,352.9    576.7     446.6     575.9     486.4    6.2    4.8    6.2    5.2 
  New York City........   3,667.2   3,710.2   3,668.8   3,734.5    295.8     201.9     292.5     227.1    8.1    5.4    8.0    6.1 
North Carolina.........   4,257.0   4,197.4   4,214.4   4,171.9    266.8     209.6     249.2     209.0    6.3    5.0    5.9    5.0 
North Dakota...........     342.6     348.3     340.2     347.5     11.8      10.4      12.8      11.6    3.5    3.0    3.8    3.3 
Ohio...................   5,926.4   5,897.2   5,897.4   5,835.0    332.3     354.7     338.9     324.3    5.6    6.0    5.7    5.6 
Oklahoma...............   1,695.5   1,719.7   1,678.2   1,705.5     92.3      75.8      91.7      70.8    5.4    4.4    5.5    4.2 
Oregon.................   1,847.1   1,862.7   1,841.9   1,850.2    134.7     125.7     135.3     121.2    7.3    6.7    7.3    6.5 
Pennsylvania...........   6,149.4   6,312.2   6,122.1   6,298.4    304.3     323.5     288.2     320.6    4.9    5.1    4.7    5.1 
Rhode Island...........     574.6     565.3     574.7     565.6     26.0      21.9      28.2      24.7    4.5    3.9    4.9    4.4 
                                                                                                                                   
South Carolina.........   1,998.8   2,068.7   1,979.9   2,047.8    133.5     133.9     125.8     130.3    6.7    6.5    6.4    6.4 
South Dakota...........     426.1     424.9     420.8     419.9     15.3      13.0      16.9      14.8    3.6    3.1    4.0    3.5 
Tennessee..............   2,930.0   2,962.1   2,893.3   2,926.4    176.4     151.0     160.0     141.0    6.0    5.1    5.5    4.8 
Texas..................  10,970.8  11,041.6  10,935.9  11,069.2    698.7     602.5     658.3     592.3    6.4    5.5    6.0    5.4 
Utah...................   1,196.2   1,227.0   1,189.0   1,211.5     58.1      51.4      54.4      47.3    4.9    4.2    4.6    3.9 
Vermont................     351.4     353.3     351.9     355.3     15.5      11.1      15.4      11.4    4.4    3.1    4.4    3.2 
Virginia...............   3,772.7   3,841.1   3,752.9   3,817.3    136.6     121.0     132.7     116.1    3.6    3.2    3.5    3.0 
Washington.............   3,135.9   3,226.4   3,155.5   3,261.8    225.7     181.2     228.3     189.4    7.2    5.6    7.2    5.8 
West Virginia..........     778.1     796.3     778.0     796.4     39.4      34.3      41.5      37.1    5.1    4.3    5.3    4.7 
Wisconsin..............   3,071.5   3,112.9   3,065.1   3,092.2    143.6     130.3     149.8     128.3    4.7    4.2    4.9    4.2 
Wyoming................     280.5     279.3     279.5     278.3     11.5       9.4      12.5       9.9    4.1    3.4    4.5    3.6 
                                                                                                                                   
Puerto Rico............   1,390.0   1,412.3   1,394.6   1,423.9    167.3     140.3     140.3     139.9   12.0    9.9   10.1    9.8 

  p = preliminary.
  NOTE:  Data refer to place of  residence. Data for Puerto Rico are derived from a monthly household survey similar to the Current
Population Survey.  All estimates are provisional and will be revised when new benchmark and population information becomes
available.





     ESTABLISHMENT DATA
                                                                                                          SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     
     Table 5. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by state and selected industry sector, seasonally adjusted

     (In thousands)
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                        Total(1)                        Construction                   Manufacturing         
                                                                                                                             
            State                                                                                                            
                            Dec.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                            2003     2004     2004     2004p    2003    2004    2004   2004p    2003    2004    2004   2004p 
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Alabama............  1,872.3  1,888.7  1,894.4  1,893.2    99.0   105.1   106.6   106.9   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Alaska.............    301.3    302.5    303.1    303.9    17.4    17.8    17.8    18.1   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Arizona............  2,314.6  2,362.1  2,377.1  2,378.5   184.9   196.2   199.3   200.5   172.7   171.7   172.0   171.7
      Arkansas...........  1,145.7  1,154.0  1,153.4  1,153.5    50.0    50.8    50.7    50.4   205.1   203.0   203.0   202.5
      California......... 14,416.6 14,575.6 14,593.9 14,568.9   799.6   827.5   832.3   837.6 1,527.5 1,530.4 1,530.0 1,530.8
                                                                                                                             
      Colorado...........  2,147.0  2,182.7  2,182.5  2,187.9   149.8   150.6   152.1   154.0   153.9   154.4   154.1   153.8
      Connecticut........  1,639.7  1,644.0  1,647.1  1,647.7    61.4    62.5    62.4    62.3   196.2   196.5   196.7   197.0
      Delaware (3).......    415.8    424.0    424.5    425.5    25.1    26.1    26.0    26.1   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      District of                                                                                                            
         Columbia (3)....    665.3    671.0    672.2    673.6    13.0    12.6    12.7    12.7   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Florida ...........  7,357.0  7,488.0  7,517.2  7,529.3   459.8   466.9   469.6   474.5   383.0   384.6   384.1   381.8
                                                                                                                             
      Georgia ...........  3,875.3  3,911.7  3,914.4  3,920.0   200.9   203.9   201.5   202.3   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Hawaii (3).........    574.2    589.7    593.4    592.6   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Idaho..............    573.1    592.0    591.3    590.7    37.0    41.4    41.9    41.3    60.6    61.0    60.7    60.6
      Illinois...........  5,823.9  5,829.4  5,834.5  5,836.0   283.1   281.1   283.2   286.0   708.3   703.0   702.5   703.5
      Indiana............  2,898.1  2,910.1  2,913.5  2,913.2   147.7   153.2   153.5   153.8   569.3   569.2   568.9   570.7
                                                                                                                             
      Iowa...............  1,444.5  1,456.6  1,455.3  1,456.9    66.1    67.8    67.8    69.3   219.3   221.1   221.0   220.7
      Kansas.............  1,313.9  1,336.9  1,338.3  1,339.4    63.3    63.9    64.9    65.3   170.3   172.6   173.6   173.2
      Kentucky...........  1,785.7  1,799.8  1,800.4  1,800.2    85.1    89.3    89.5    90.0   266.1   263.3   262.7   262.0
      Louisiana..........  1,900.7  1,905.0  1,908.3  1,906.3   118.2   116.7   118.0   118.8   153.8   153.7   153.7   153.2
      Maine..............    609.1    613.5    614.0    615.4    31.2    32.4    32.6    32.8    63.0    60.8    61.1    60.5
                                                                                                                             
      Maryland (3).......  2,486.0  2,537.2  2,537.8  2,541.2   168.2   177.1   177.5   177.1   144.6   144.4   143.8   144.5
      Massachusetts......  3,169.1  3,179.2  3,178.8  3,175.5   137.8   138.8   138.3   138.5   321.6   323.5   323.7   322.8
      Michigan...........  4,391.7  4,376.9  4,360.6  4,345.2   191.2   190.7   191.1   188.6   717.3   705.9   696.3   700.4
      Minnesota..........  2,657.3  2,684.3  2,680.7  2,680.7   127.4   130.5   131.2   130.3   344.6   352.3   349.1   347.8
      Mississippi........  1,120.0  1,127.5  1,130.3  1,127.6    50.9    51.4    51.3    51.0   177.7   178.5   179.5   179.4
                                                                                                                             
      Missouri ..........  2,680.1  2,716.0  2,722.8  2,727.4   132.4   137.0   137.3   139.9   311.4   314.4   314.2   313.2
      Montana............    401.7    404.9    407.2    408.2    23.0    24.5    24.7    24.9    18.4    18.0    18.4    18.9
      Nebraska...........    903.2    912.3    910.6    911.5    46.2    47.2    47.1    46.8   101.5   101.1   101.3   101.7
      Nevada.............  1,108.8  1,157.1  1,157.9  1,162.4   104.6   116.7   116.6   116.9   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      New Hampshire......    622.3    630.7    631.8    631.8    29.0    30.9    31.1    30.5    78.7    77.9    77.7    77.7
                                                                                                                             
      New Jersey.........  3,999.2  4,058.7  4,071.3  4,075.1   158.7   166.8   168.0   166.9   348.3   343.8   344.0   343.7
      New Mexico.........    782.4    794.3    795.7    798.4    47.4    50.3    50.5    50.8    36.0    36.0    36.3    36.3
      New York...........  8,418.2  8,462.7  8,471.5  8,476.7   321.5   326.3   328.2   327.8   603.6   590.2   589.5   588.0
      North Carolina.....  3,800.7  3,870.0  3,877.5  3,877.1   211.9   221.4   223.1   224.0   588.4   576.7   577.7   575.2
      North Dakota.......    333.4    335.5    335.1    335.3    16.4    16.7    16.5    16.6    23.1    23.1    23.3    23.1
                                                                                                                             
      Ohio...............  5,354.7  5,361.6  5,362.0  5,354.5   225.9   233.5   234.3   234.8   826.9   825.2   823.0   821.8
      Oklahoma...........  1,443.7  1,461.9  1,463.8  1,468.2    61.4    63.0    62.8    63.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Oregon ............  1,568.4  1,601.2  1,600.8  1,602.5    79.7    81.7    81.6    82.0   198.5   200.7   201.0   201.5
      Pennsylvania.......  5,585.0  5,655.0  5,653.8  5,655.5   242.0   253.2   252.4   252.8   702.4   690.5   688.6   687.9
      Rhode Island.......    485.7    488.8    488.7    489.8    21.9    22.4    22.6    22.7    58.4    57.9    57.7    57.5
                                                                                                                             
      South Carolina.....  1,811.6  1,837.1  1,841.4  1,838.6   111.8   111.7   111.3   111.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      South Dakota.......    379.6    381.6    382.4    382.2    20.0    19.7    19.9    20.0    37.7    37.8    37.3    37.9
      Tennessee..........  2,681.1  2,689.3  2,692.6  2,694.4   116.2   117.6   117.1   117.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Texas..............  9,381.6  9,489.2  9,499.4  9,506.4   550.0   555.4   557.7   556.8   889.0   880.7   877.4   874.9
      Utah...............  1,081.8  1,111.0  1,113.8  1,116.5    66.6    73.4    72.7    73.2   112.2   113.9   115.5   116.2
                                                                                                                             
      Vermont............    299.3    301.7    301.6    302.4    15.6    15.6    15.6    15.6    36.9    37.3    37.1    37.0
      Virginia...........  3,519.9  3,588.8  3,598.4  3,599.4   224.9   234.0   236.1   239.5   295.4   295.3   294.1   295.5
      Washington.........  2,669.0  2,729.3  2,735.3  2,733.5   158.2   166.8   167.7   168.3   261.5   260.6   261.5   262.8
      West Virginia......    721.8    734.0    732.2    733.9    33.2    34.3    34.7    35.9    63.1    63.4    63.4    63.3
      Wisconsin..........  2,775.3  2,841.4  2,845.3  2,838.9   124.1   125.7   125.0   126.3   502.1   518.7   519.6   517.5
      Wyoming............    253.5    256.6    258.1    258.6    20.1    19.8    20.1    19.9   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                             Trade, transportation, and         Financial activities         Professional and business   
                                     utilities                                                        services           
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                            2003    2004    2004   2004p    2003    2004    2004   2004p    2003    2004    2004   2004p 
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
      Alabama............   372.9   376.2   377.0   375.8    97.2    96.3    96.2    96.0   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Alaska.............    61.7    62.0    62.2    62.7   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      22.7    22.8    22.8    22.8
      Arizona............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     159.3   162.1   162.0   163.0   322.3   330.9   332.8   331.8
      Arkansas...........   242.6   241.9   241.8   242.6    50.5    51.6    51.5    51.6   102.3   103.6   103.7   104.0
      California......... 2,724.5 2,755.0 2,765.1 2,748.7   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)   2,133.9 2,203.0 2,195.4 2,199.3
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   400.3   408.3   408.1   409.8   155.8   157.0   156.0   157.6   285.6   302.4   300.9   301.3
      Connecticut........   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     143.6   143.2   142.4   142.6   194.2   193.1   193.7   193.0
      Delaware (3).......    78.1    79.8    80.0    79.4    45.3    46.7    46.5    46.7    59.5    61.2    60.7    60.8
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia (3)....   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     142.6   146.7   146.8   147.1
      Florida ........... 1,468.2 1,473.7 1,481.5 1,481.6   488.5   494.4   495.9   495.8 1,280.6 1,332.1 1,338.6 1,343.5
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia ...........   811.9   824.1   821.6   818.7   216.4   219.5   219.3   220.2   500.3   508.5   511.2   510.1
      Hawaii (3).........   108.9   115.1   115.1   115.0   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Idaho..............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      70.5    75.8    75.5    75.0
      Illinois........... 1,193.7 1,189.3 1,189.2 1,188.4   404.4   407.6   407.9   407.0   764.6   770.7   771.5   770.6
      Indiana............   568.1   565.7   564.4   565.3   140.8   141.1   141.5   141.7   257.2   259.7   260.1   259.7
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   304.2   302.8   303.1   303.3    96.7   100.9   100.8   101.0   105.1   105.0   105.0   105.4
      Kansas.............   260.4   261.9   258.1   259.0   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Kentucky...........   371.2   373.4   372.2   372.2    86.3    87.2    87.3    87.5   155.5   154.2   154.5   155.0
      Louisiana..........   381.4   383.8   385.4   385.2   100.3   100.9   100.7   100.7   176.7   176.3   176.2   177.2
      Maine..............   124.7   126.4   126.8   127.3   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      51.3    52.5    52.4    52.4
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland (3).......   462.2   466.9   468.6   471.2   155.9   159.0   158.7   158.9   358.5   372.9   370.6   369.2
      Massachusetts......   571.3   567.9   569.1   569.2   221.9   221.1   220.3   221.4   432.9   434.3   433.7   432.5
      Michigan...........   808.3   791.7   795.5   795.2   218.8   214.5   215.0   215.9   580.7   596.9   591.3   582.8
      Minnesota..........   523.9   526.3   526.0   528.3   178.2   176.6   176.3   177.0   294.3   298.9   297.9   295.9
      Mississippi........   219.7   217.6   218.6   218.8   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri ..........   533.8   535.9   537.1   539.1   163.0   165.6   166.3   166.7   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Montana............    84.6    84.9    85.4    85.1    20.4    21.2    21.4    21.1    33.0    33.9    34.0    33.1
      Nebraska...........   192.9   197.6   196.7   195.9    61.8    63.4    63.5    63.9    91.8    93.7    93.4    93.3
      Nevada.............   201.8   206.0   209.9   210.5    60.2    61.6    60.8    62.4   124.4   134.7   133.0   134.8
      New Hampshire......   140.5   141.8   141.9   142.1   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   881.5   884.8   884.4   886.4   278.7   287.2   287.9   288.3   576.7   586.8   586.6   587.1
      New Mexico.........   136.5   138.2   138.4   138.4    34.2    34.9    34.8    35.2    88.9    90.7    91.0    91.7
      New York........... 1,477.7 1,477.8 1,479.8 1,480.5   699.6   703.8   704.5   705.5 1,043.7 1,065.6 1,065.2 1,066.3
      North Carolina.....   722.6   725.5   726.4   728.6   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     422.2   448.1   447.7   446.6
      North Dakota.......    72.0    72.3    72.4    72.5    18.7    18.7    18.7    18.7    23.6    23.9    23.8    23.9
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio............... 1,042.8 1,035.3 1,038.4 1,035.7   313.2   314.2   314.1   313.6   599.5   604.5   603.3   599.9
      Oklahoma...........   276.7   276.5   276.7   277.6    83.7    83.7    84.0    84.2   154.2   157.9   158.6   159.2
      Oregon ............   311.4   319.9   318.9   319.7    99.1    98.1    99.6   100.0   172.5   178.5   176.9   178.7
      Pennsylvania....... 1,114.4 1,130.1 1,131.2 1,130.5   338.4   339.5   338.7   339.0   594.6   612.2   612.7   613.3
      Rhode Island.......    81.1    81.1    81.4    81.7   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      49.1    49.2    48.8    49.6
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   346.1   351.2   352.1   354.2    90.9    91.6    90.9    89.8   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      South Dakota.......    77.4    77.7    78.1    77.9    28.1    27.9    27.9    27.9   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Tennessee..........   581.2   588.3   587.1   586.4   139.3   139.5   139.8   139.7   290.5   286.0   286.7   288.5
      Texas.............. 1,926.2 1,956.0 1,958.6 1,961.2   586.0   590.4   591.5   592.1 1,049.2 1,070.1 1,069.3 1,067.7
      Utah...............   214.6   220.4   220.8   221.5   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     133.9   140.8   141.0   140.7
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      20.1    20.7    20.8    20.6
      Virginia...........   639.2   651.2   651.2   647.5   189.4   194.7   195.0   195.5   555.6   580.6   582.2   581.6
      Washington.........   512.5   525.8   528.5   526.1   154.1   157.8   158.1   158.0   295.0   305.0   305.7   304.8
      West Virginia......   135.8   137.4   137.1   136.5   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      56.6    57.1    55.9    56.5
      Wisconsin..........   538.4   552.4   558.4   554.8   160.2   162.3   162.5   163.8   243.4   266.2   263.3   261.7
      Wyoming............    48.8    49.3    49.5    49.9   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      15.6    15.4    15.5    15.4






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                           Education and health services      Leisure and hospitality                Government          
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                            2003    2004    2004   2004p    2003    2004    2004   2004p    2003    2004    2004   2004p 
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
      Alabama............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     157.4   156.5   157.6   158.8   359.4   360.3   360.4   360.0
      Alaska.............    33.9    34.8    35.3    35.5    29.7    30.0    29.8    29.8    81.7    81.1    81.1    81.2
      Arizona............   252.6   261.9   263.0   263.7   234.1   239.7   240.8   241.8   394.6   405.8   410.9   404.9
      Arkansas...........   141.4   144.9   145.0   144.8    87.8    90.4    89.6    89.5   198.4   199.8   200.1   200.1
      California......... 1,554.6 1,568.8 1,571.1 1,571.2 1,398.4 1,421.2 1,422.7 1,418.5 2,392.2 2,381.6 2,379.2 2,375.0
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   216.5   218.8   218.6   219.4   247.6   251.6   252.4   252.2   354.8   357.7   357.3   356.2
      Connecticut........   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     244.2   241.2   242.7   243.2
      Delaware (3).......    49.9    51.7    52.2    53.0    38.5    39.8    39.7    39.6    58.2    59.8    58.9    58.8
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia (3)....   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      49.8    50.8    51.3    51.6   231.1   230.7   232.5   232.4
      Florida ...........   894.1   919.0   921.0   920.4   817.0   835.4   836.7   838.7 1,063.7 1,080.4 1,084.3 1,087.1
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia ...........   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     354.0   359.0   358.2   358.4   634.1   643.7   644.7   642.7
      Hawaii (3).........    66.8    68.3    68.6    69.1   101.0   104.8   105.1   105.3   118.7   120.7   122.5   120.2
      Idaho..............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      53.8    55.0    55.0    55.1   113.2   115.9   115.7   115.5
      Illinois...........   722.4   731.1   731.2   731.4   500.2   510.4   511.7   511.3   851.5   847.0   846.5   845.2
      Indiana............   361.7   366.6   368.0   367.7   274.7   273.2   274.5   275.2   425.0   427.0   428.1   424.4
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   190.5   193.6   194.1   194.3   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     245.8   244.0   243.8   243.4
      Kansas.............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     109.4   112.8   113.5   113.6   250.7   260.5   260.7   260.7
      Kentucky...........   229.7   232.5   233.0   233.3   158.4   167.6   167.8   167.3   306.7   303.6   304.8   304.8
      Louisiana..........   248.0   247.3   247.2   246.2   198.7   199.6   201.0   199.4   377.9   379.5   379.0   378.2
      Maine..............   107.5   109.2   109.5   109.5    59.1    59.7    59.1    60.0   103.8   104.1   104.5   104.7
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland (3).......   342.1   350.5   350.1   352.0   217.8   232.3   228.3   225.5   459.9   461.6   463.3   463.2
      Massachusetts......   576.5   579.6   580.0   580.1   287.2   297.9   298.3   297.5   409.6   408.7   410.2   408.9
      Michigan...........   552.2   551.4   552.8   549.2   397.6   400.0   395.3   395.2   678.4   675.5   676.5   674.5
      Minnesota..........   367.2   376.1   377.6   378.7   236.7   240.1   240.5   240.4   399.0   397.6   396.1   396.7
      Mississippi........   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     123.6   125.5   125.9   124.5   245.1   244.6   245.7   244.6
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri ..........   354.8   364.0   365.2   366.2   263.0   266.9   266.9   265.8   428.9   430.0   433.3   433.9
      Montana............    53.7    54.5    54.7    54.3    52.2    51.7    52.0    53.2    86.3    85.3    85.7    86.7
      Nebraska...........   113.7   112.9   113.3   112.8    77.5    77.8    78.2    79.0   160.6   161.4   160.3   160.9
      Nevada.............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     304.4   313.4   311.8   311.6   136.3   141.3   141.6   141.8
      New Hampshire......   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      63.3    65.3    66.2    66.5    92.0    92.6    92.3    93.0
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   544.0   557.2   558.3   559.2   324.0   324.9   335.4   336.5   630.1   647.6   645.5   647.2
      New Mexico.........   100.7   103.6   103.7   103.8    81.3    82.5    82.8    83.5   198.2   199.7   199.8   200.4
      New York........... 1,509.9 1,530.0 1,533.3 1,535.8   649.8   658.7   661.1   662.2 1,485.2 1,479.1 1,479.6 1,480.4
      North Carolina.....   431.4   447.2   449.3   450.4   337.9   344.0   345.9   347.4   651.8   661.2   665.0   666.3
      North Dakota.......    47.5    47.8    47.9    48.2    30.0    30.1    29.8    29.8    75.9    76.2    76.1    75.7
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   733.2   735.4   735.6   736.2   481.1   483.5   483.2   484.3   799.5   797.5   798.7   797.0
      Oklahoma...........   174.8   177.5   178.4   178.4   124.8   127.5   128.1   129.0   290.2   296.5   296.2   296.4
      Oregon ............   186.1   195.2   195.2   194.9   153.3   154.8   155.2   153.6   267.7   271.9   272.2   271.3
      Pennsylvania.......   981.1   994.1   994.6   998.4   471.3   484.8   485.8   484.8   741.2   745.2   744.6   744.3
      Rhode Island.......   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      49.9    51.0    51.0    51.4    66.6    66.5    66.6    66.0
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   180.9   193.2   193.0   193.2   204.8   204.4   210.1   213.4   332.7   336.4   337.3   334.2
      South Dakota.......    55.5    55.7    55.8    55.6    38.8    40.2    40.4    40.5    74.5    74.7    75.3    75.0
      Tennessee..........   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     248.5   253.2   254.3   254.5   413.2   411.0   412.3   412.4
      Texas.............. 1,132.5 1,160.6 1,161.8 1,165.7   863.9   872.9   875.1   875.2 1,647.6 1,661.8 1,667.3 1,668.8
      Utah...............   121.9   125.4   126.2   128.0   101.8   101.7   102.6   103.9   198.0   198.9   198.6   199.1
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      52.2    52.3    52.4    52.4
      Virginia...........   370.5   368.9   370.9   371.7   308.6   309.0   312.2   310.3   641.9   659.3   660.2   661.4
      Washington.........   314.5   321.4   322.3   322.8   247.1   255.7   254.4   253.2   524.8   527.8   528.2   529.2
      West Virginia......   106.8   108.6   108.6   109.1    65.9    67.8    68.2    68.7   140.8   143.1   141.9   141.8
      Wisconsin..........   371.8   377.6   379.6   382.7   244.2   251.3   247.3   248.1   409.2   404.9   407.7   404.9
      Wyoming............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      30.9    30.8    31.1    31.9    64.0    64.5    64.6    64.6

       1 Includes natural resources and mining, information, and other services, except public administration, not shown
     separately.
       2 This series is not published seasonally adjusted because the seasonal component, which is small relative to the
     trend-cycle and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
       3 Natural resources and mining is combined with construction.
       p = preliminary.
       NOTE: Data are counts of jobs by place of work.  Estimates are currently projected from 2003 benchmark levels.
     Estimates subsequent to the current benchmarks are provisional and will be revised when new information becomes
     available.






     ESTABLISHMENT DATA
                                                                                                  NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     
     Table 6. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by state and selected industry sector, not seasonally adjusted

     (In thousands)
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                       Total                Natural resources and mining            Construction         
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
            State             November        December        November        December        November        December   
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............ 1,885.0 1,906.7 1,886.1 1,907.2    12.6    12.6    12.6    12.6    99.2   106.7    98.8   106.7
      Alaska.............   291.9   295.1   290.2   292.8     9.9    10.2    10.0    10.3    16.4    17.2    15.3    16.0
      Arizona............ 2,338.5 2,407.8 2,348.9 2,413.5     8.0     8.7     7.9     8.7   183.8   200.4   184.7   200.2
      Arkansas........... 1,154.5 1,162.5 1,153.5 1,161.2     7.0     7.1     6.9     7.0    50.3    50.6    49.7    50.1
      California......... 14534.6 14690.6 14541.6 14694.5    22.6    22.0    21.4    21.7   804.3   839.1   792.8   830.5
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado........... 2,159.3 2,192.9 2,167.1 2,207.7    13.4    15.1    13.0    15.2   149.8   152.4   145.5   149.6
      Connecticut........ 1,657.7 1,664.2 1,660.9 1,669.0      .8      .8      .8      .8    63.5    64.0    61.1    62.0
      Delaware ..........   418.9   426.9   418.6   428.2   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)      25.3    26.4    25.2    26.2
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........   667.8   676.4   669.2   677.4   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)      13.1    13.0    13.3    13.0
      Florida............ 7,392.2 7,561.5 7,440.2 7,612.6     7.5     7.1     7.5     7.1   458.1   471.9   460.8   475.5
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............ 3,896.3 3,936.7 3,899.8 3,943.9    10.7    12.5    12.4    12.5   201.0   201.0   199.0   200.3
      Hawaii ............   576.1   596.7   581.1   599.8   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)      28.6    30.1    28.4    30.0
      Idaho .............   576.8   597.0   576.3   593.9     3.9     4.3     3.7     4.1    37.7    42.7    36.1    40.4
      Illinois........... 5,875.7 5,889.3 5,869.2 5,881.5     9.7     9.7     9.7     9.5   288.0   290.5   278.0   281.1
      Indiana............ 2,930.5 2,947.5 2,928.4 2,943.9     7.2     7.0     7.2     7.0   149.3   156.8   146.2   152.5
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa............... 1,461.9 1,472.3 1,456.4 1,468.7     2.0     2.1     2.0     2.0    68.6    70.5    64.1    67.3
      Kansas............. 1,326.0 1,351.3 1,324.3 1,349.8     6.6     6.5     6.5     6.5    63.1    64.9    61.3    63.2
      Kentucky........... 1,805.1 1,819.0 1,802.9 1,817.2    19.0    19.1    18.9    19.2    86.7    91.5    85.7    90.7
      Louisiana.......... 1,921.2 1,924.8 1,917.5 1,923.1    47.8    48.3    48.2    48.4   118.8   118.6   118.3   118.9
      Maine..............   613.2   619.1   612.6   618.9     2.7     2.4     2.7     2.5    31.8    33.3    30.5    32.1
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland........... 2,513.1 2,564.7 2,513.0 2,568.6   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     172.2   180.8   169.8   178.7
      Massachusetts...... 3,203.5 3,209.0 3,201.7 3,207.9     1.9     1.8     1.8     1.8   142.2   142.9   138.0   138.7
      Michigan........... 4,458.6 4,415.6 4,428.9 4,381.0     8.3     7.8     7.8     7.6   196.4   196.9   188.3   185.7
      Minnesota.......... 2,681.8 2,707.2 2,670.7 2,693.7     5.5     5.7     5.7     5.5   131.3   134.8   121.8   124.6
      Mississippi........ 1,125.6 1,135.5 1,125.9 1,133.4     9.0     8.9     8.9     8.8    51.7    51.7    50.7    50.8
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri .......... 2,709.7 2,750.1 2,700.1 2,747.3     4.5     4.3     4.5     4.4   134.6   139.5   129.9   137.2
      Montana............   403.0   410.4   402.5   409.1     6.3     7.1     6.3     7.1    23.4    25.5    22.3    24.2
      Nebraska...........   912.2   919.2   909.5   917.5     1.2     1.3     1.2     1.3    46.9    47.8    45.1    45.7
      Nevada............. 1,114.4 1,167.5 1,115.3 1,169.0     8.8     9.1     8.8     9.2   104.9   117.3   103.9   116.1
      New Hampshire......   623.7   634.6   627.6   637.3     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0    29.5    31.6    29.1    30.7
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey......... 4,029.2 4,102.8 4,036.4 4,112.6     1.6     1.7     1.6     1.7   162.1   170.6   159.6   167.7
      New Mexico.........   784.1   800.2   786.1   802.4    14.4    15.3    14.5    15.4    47.6    50.9    47.1    50.5
      New York........... 8,514.4 8,569.5 8,527.3 8,586.3     5.6     5.6     5.1     5.1   331.1   338.5   321.0   327.3
      North Carolina..... 3,839.1 3,910.2 3,827.1 3,902.6     7.6     6.9     7.5     7.0   212.9   224.3   211.7   223.8
      North Dakota.......   337.8   339.5   336.6   338.5     3.3     3.6     3.2     3.6    16.4    16.7    15.0    15.2
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio............... 5,429.6 5,419.1 5,424.2 5,415.4    11.9    12.0    11.7    12.0   236.5   243.0   225.4   234.3
      Oklahoma........... 1,456.3 1,475.9 1,454.3 1,478.9    29.9    31.4    29.5    31.7    61.6    62.8    60.5    62.5
      Oregon............. 1,584.2 1,620.8 1,581.7 1,616.5     9.6     9.5     9.3     9.3    80.1    82.9    78.8    81.2
      Pennsylvania....... 5,647.9 5,711.9 5,632.0 5,702.4    18.3    18.3    17.7    17.5   250.0   258.7   237.4   248.2
      Rhode Island.......   491.9   495.8   491.9   496.0      .2      .2      .2      .2    22.6    23.4    22.1    22.9
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina..... 1,824.4 1,853.4 1,823.7 1,851.5     4.8     4.4     4.8     4.4   112.8   112.2   112.1   111.7
      South Dakota.......   380.9   383.8   380.1   381.8      .9      .9      .8      .8    20.0    20.2    18.8    18.8
      Tennessee.......... 2,700.3 2,715.3 2,709.4 2,722.9     4.2     4.3     4.2     4.2   116.8   118.2   117.0   118.3
      Texas.............. 9,431.4 9,552.6 9,441.8 9,567.2   147.1   150.2   147.3   151.0   546.2   554.7   544.9   551.7
      Utah............... 1,090.0 1,124.6 1,094.6 1,129.7     6.6     7.3     6.5     7.4    69.4    75.3    67.1    73.7
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............   301.0   303.7   304.9   308.0     1.0     1.0     1.0     1.0    16.2    16.2    15.6    15.6
      Virginia........... 3,550.6 3,628.6 3,547.5 3,626.9    10.1    10.6    10.0    10.7   225.9   237.9   223.8   238.3
      Washington......... 2,692.9 2,759.5 2,686.4 2,751.3     8.8     8.7     8.7     8.6   160.2   169.7   155.2   165.3
      West Virginia......   729.3   740.9   728.5   740.6    21.0    23.1    20.6    23.0    34.7    36.5    32.9    35.6
      Wisconsin.......... 2,805.0 2,872.8 2,793.9 2,857.1     4.0     4.2     3.7     3.8   128.6   130.0   121.8   124.1
      Wyoming............   250.7   256.1   251.0   256.2    19.0    21.0    19.0    20.9    20.1    20.2    19.1    18.9
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........ 1,004.2 1,020.6 1,021.3 1,034.2     1.2     1.2     1.2     1.2    67.4    67.0    68.0    66.8






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                   Manufacturing             Trade, transportation, and             Information          
                                                                     utilities                                           
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                              November        December        November        December        November        December   
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............   289.5   292.0   289.3   292.0   378.2   382.3   381.7   384.7    31.6    30.0    31.5    30.2
      Alaska.............     7.6     7.7     5.9     5.7    59.8    60.5    59.6    60.6     6.9     6.9     7.0     6.9
      Arizona............   173.0   172.6   173.9   172.9   458.7   464.3   464.5   473.0    48.8    45.4    48.8    45.1
      Arkansas...........   205.3   203.3   205.5   202.9   245.1   244.7   246.7   246.7    20.4    20.3    20.3    20.3
      California......... 1,524.2 1,525.6 1,521.2 1,524.5 2,786.5 2,816.3 2,815.3 2,839.7   472.6   470.1   464.7   459.3
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   154.5   155.1   155.1   155.0   410.7   416.1   411.8   421.3    84.3    81.4    84.2    81.1
      Connecticut........   196.9   196.9   197.0   197.8   310.8   312.4   316.4   317.9    38.8    38.6    39.0    38.7
      Delaware ..........    36.2    34.7    35.2    35.2    80.2    82.0    80.9    82.3     7.3     7.4     7.3     7.5
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........     2.6     2.5     2.5     2.5    28.2    28.7    28.7    29.3    24.3    24.2    24.1    24.2
      Florida............   386.6   385.9   385.2   384.1 1,489.6 1,502.4 1,519.4 1,532.9   171.9   170.1   172.6   169.6
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............   447.1   442.8   446.7   441.9   836.2   841.8   841.9   849.0   127.1   124.8   127.5   125.2
      Hawaii ............    15.0    15.4    15.1    15.4   110.5   116.8   112.9   119.2    10.0    11.0    10.0    11.1
      Idaho .............    61.0    61.1    60.8    60.8   117.7   120.2   118.3   120.7     9.1     9.2     9.2     9.2
      Illinois...........   711.9   704.9   708.6   703.9 1,211.0 1,208.6 1,227.1 1,221.7   133.6   130.2   133.4   130.1
      Indiana............   569.8   569.6   569.7   571.0   581.0   575.9   583.1   580.2    40.8    41.0    41.2    41.2
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   219.9   221.4   219.3   220.7   307.6   307.2   309.1   308.2    33.8    33.3    33.6    33.5
      Kansas.............   171.2   174.1   171.3   174.3   265.5   263.9   266.4   265.0    46.5    46.8    46.7    47.0
      Kentucky...........   266.7   263.6   268.0   263.9   378.2   378.8   380.6   381.5    30.4    30.0    30.3    30.1
      Louisiana..........   155.8   155.0   154.9   154.3   385.0   390.0   389.9   393.8    29.2    28.4    29.0    28.3
      Maine..............    64.0    61.6    63.8    61.2   127.4   130.0   128.8   131.5    11.2    11.4    11.2    11.4
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland...........   145.5   144.4   144.9   144.8   473.9   481.4   479.2   488.5    49.7    50.4    49.6    50.9
      Massachusetts......   323.1   324.4   322.7   323.9   582.2   579.2   590.1   587.6    89.7    86.8    89.6    86.9
      Michigan...........   720.7   699.3   722.4   705.4   830.2   812.9   830.1   816.5    70.0    65.8    70.0    65.1
      Minnesota..........   342.7   348.1   343.5   346.7   533.0   536.3   536.7   541.1    63.1    62.3    62.2    61.6
      Mississippi........   177.2   179.9   178.3   180.1   222.3   221.2   223.7   222.8    14.6    14.5    14.8    14.4
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri ..........   314.2   316.1   313.5   315.3   542.6   545.6   544.3   549.7    65.5    65.0    65.6    65.7
      Montana............    18.8    18.9    18.7    19.2    85.8    86.6    86.5    87.0     7.4     7.6     7.5     7.4
      Nebraska...........   101.8   101.6   101.9   102.1   197.0   200.4   197.5   200.5    21.4    21.4    21.4    21.6
      Nevada.............    44.5    46.3    44.6    46.3   203.3   211.8   205.5   214.4    15.6    15.7    15.6    15.6
      New Hampshire......    78.8    77.7    79.0    78.0   143.6   145.5   146.4   148.1    11.5    11.8    11.7    12.0
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   350.8   345.7   349.4   344.7   897.0   900.8   909.4   914.6   101.6   102.1   102.1   101.4
      New Mexico.........    35.8    36.0    35.4    35.7   138.3   140.7   140.0   142.0    15.6    13.9    15.9    13.8
      New York...........   609.5   593.6   605.7   590.1 1,508.5 1,511.6 1,531.4 1,534.2   277.2   276.5   278.3   277.4
      North Carolina.....   591.7   579.5   590.5   577.4   736.2   740.5   739.0   744.9    76.0    74.5    75.2    74.4
      North Dakota.......    23.5    23.7    23.6    23.6    73.4    73.8    73.7    74.2     7.8     7.7     7.8     7.8
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   831.0   825.4   831.8   826.7 1,068.7 1,060.6 1,079.5 1,072.2    96.1    94.2    96.4    94.6
      Oklahoma...........   142.9   142.0   142.7   142.0   280.9   281.4   283.7   284.6    30.6    31.9    30.3    32.0
      Oregon.............   197.6   201.0   196.8   199.9   321.2   327.7   321.9   330.3    33.1    32.7    33.5    32.6
      Pennsylvania.......   705.0   689.8   703.7   689.3 1,138.4 1,155.7 1,149.3 1,165.9   122.2   122.0   122.0   122.6
      Rhode Island.......    59.2    58.4    59.1    58.2    83.2    83.6    84.0    84.6    10.7    10.7    10.8    10.8
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   274.3   270.2   272.2   269.2   350.5   356.3   352.8   361.0    26.6    25.7    26.8    25.7
      South Dakota.......    38.1    38.2    38.2    38.4    77.9    78.7    78.4    78.9     6.9     6.7     6.9     6.8
      Tennessee..........   414.5   414.8   414.7   414.3   596.1   601.5   603.0   608.3    51.9    50.8    52.1    51.0
      Texas..............   892.8   878.8   891.3   877.1 1,960.3 1,990.7 1,977.6 2,013.6   231.5   231.6   231.0   231.7
      Utah...............   112.4   116.3   112.3   116.3   219.0   225.9   221.8   228.9    30.5    30.4    30.6    30.6
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............    37.2    37.4    37.3    37.4    58.8    59.0    59.6    60.1     6.5     6.5     6.5     6.5
      Virginia...........   298.6   295.6   296.5   296.6   654.8   669.3   662.8   671.0   101.1    99.4   101.3   100.1
      Washington.........   261.8   262.4   260.2   261.5   523.3   538.0   528.9   542.9    92.4    98.3    93.2    98.5
      West Virginia......    64.6    63.7    63.4    63.6   136.1   139.8   139.0   139.7    12.7    12.0    12.6    11.8
      Wisconsin..........   502.9   519.8   501.4   516.8   552.4   570.9   554.8   571.4    48.8    48.4    49.5    48.7
      Wyoming............     9.8     9.7     9.8     9.7    48.9    49.8    48.9    50.0     4.2     4.1     4.2     4.2
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........   116.7   114.0   116.6   113.9   180.7   188.6   189.1   192.9    21.2    22.9    20.9    23.0






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                Financial activities         Professional and business     Education and health services 
                                                                      services                                           
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                              November        December        November        December        November        December   
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............    96.8    96.1    97.2    96.0   187.4   192.8   187.1   192.5   189.4   191.0   187.8   189.5
      Alaska.............    14.4    14.4    14.5    14.5    22.3    22.4    22.4    22.5    33.7    35.3    33.9    35.5
      Arizona............   161.2   163.4   161.1   164.8   324.6   335.1   326.1   335.6   253.1   263.9   253.6   264.7
      Arkansas...........    50.5    51.5    50.7    51.8   103.4   104.7   102.3   104.0   142.4   146.2   142.4   145.8
      California.........   895.7   904.0   896.8   906.2 2,142.4 2,206.4 2,147.0 2,213.2 1,563.1 1,584.8 1,566.8 1,583.8
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   155.1   155.3   155.4   157.2   286.6   301.7   285.9   301.6   217.1   220.4   218.3   221.2
      Connecticut........   143.5   142.6   143.7   142.7   196.4   195.1   196.0   194.7   268.2   270.9   268.6   270.9
      Delaware ..........    44.9    46.2    44.9    46.3    59.6    61.0    59.9    61.2    50.2    52.4    50.3    53.3
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........    31.0    30.9    31.1    31.1   143.0   147.7   143.6   148.2    90.9    91.3    90.0    90.3
      Florida............   488.1   495.2   488.8   495.9 1,284.5 1,342.9 1,285.1 1,348.2   898.3   926.2   900.2   926.4
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............   217.5   220.8   217.6   221.4   500.4   511.1   501.8   511.6   392.7   401.8   390.6   402.2
      Hawaii ............    28.5    29.1    28.6    29.2    70.4    70.8    70.7    71.5    67.1    69.2    67.2    69.5
      Idaho .............    27.2    27.9    27.4    27.9    71.3    76.4    71.1    75.6    64.4    66.4    64.6    66.3
      Illinois...........   404.8   407.5   405.0   407.7   777.2   781.0   770.7   776.1   726.2   735.5   726.4   735.4
      Indiana............   140.6   141.2   140.7   141.6   259.5   262.7   258.9   261.4   367.5   373.6   367.6   373.7
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............    96.5   101.0    97.0   101.4   106.0   106.0   105.9   106.1   195.0   198.8   194.8   198.6
      Kansas.............    70.4    71.5    70.8    71.9   125.0   127.8   125.1   127.7   159.0   161.1   158.5   160.9
      Kentucky...........    86.9    88.0    86.8    88.0   157.0   157.0   157.5   157.0   231.4   234.4   230.4   234.0
      Louisiana..........    99.8   101.0   100.7   101.1   178.4   177.3   178.1   178.6   252.2   249.8   249.4   247.6
      Maine..............    34.8    34.6    35.0    34.6    51.2    52.1    50.9    52.0   108.5   110.2   108.1   110.1
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland...........   156.5   159.1   156.9   159.9   365.1   375.5   363.8   374.8   343.8   353.9   344.3   354.1
      Massachusetts......   221.3   220.3   222.0   221.5   435.2   434.9   435.1   434.4   588.8   591.2   586.1   589.7
      Michigan...........   218.4   214.4   217.7   214.7   586.2   594.4   578.3   579.9   558.6   558.1   556.4   553.5
      Minnesota..........   177.8   176.3   178.1   176.9   299.4   301.7   295.8   297.3   371.2   381.4   369.8   381.2
      Mississippi........    46.3    45.5    46.6    45.7    82.4    84.0    81.1    84.1   115.9   120.5   116.0   120.5
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri ..........   163.0   166.1   163.0   166.7   306.6   312.2   303.8   311.3   360.1   371.3   359.9   371.5
      Montana............    20.3    21.4    20.4    21.1    32.9    34.0    32.8    32.9    53.9    55.2    54.2    54.8
      Nebraska...........    61.4    63.4    61.6    63.7    92.7    94.5    92.8    94.4   113.9   113.2   114.0   113.1
      Nevada.............    60.1    62.3    60.3    62.6   125.5   135.6   124.2   134.5    77.3    80.9    77.5    81.1
      New Hampshire......    37.3    38.9    37.4    38.7    54.0    54.4    54.4    54.0    94.7    96.7    94.8    97.1
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   279.2   288.4   279.6   289.2   578.3   589.4   578.5   588.9   547.2   561.8   547.9   563.1
      New Mexico.........    34.0    34.7    34.1    35.1    88.8    91.1    88.9    91.7   101.9   105.2   101.8   105.0
      New York...........   699.7   705.8   701.7   707.6 1,049.6 1,071.5 1,051.6 1,074.4 1,533.0 1,556.6 1,533.7 1,559.8
      North Carolina.....   192.0   197.4   192.2   197.2   426.9   449.4   422.7   446.9   435.0   453.5   435.3   454.2
      North Dakota.......    18.5    18.6    18.7    18.7    23.9    24.0    23.5    23.8    47.8    48.1    47.5    48.2
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   312.9   314.0   313.3   313.7   607.1   608.0   602.9   603.1   741.3   744.6   740.9   743.9
      Oklahoma...........    84.2    84.3    84.0    84.5   155.1   159.2   153.6   158.6   176.5   180.0   176.4   180.0
      Oregon.............    99.1    99.6    98.8    99.8   173.1   178.5   173.5   179.9   190.3   199.0   189.4   198.3
      Pennsylvania.......   337.3   337.7   338.2   338.8   597.9   615.3   593.7   612.2   997.2 1,012.0   992.6 1,009.7
      Rhode Island.......    33.8    33.2    33.7    33.4    50.3    50.0    49.9    50.4    92.2    94.7    92.6    94.8
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....    90.4    90.8    91.1    90.0   187.1   188.1   186.3   188.0   183.9   196.4   183.8   196.4
      South Dakota.......    27.6    27.8    28.1    27.9    23.9    23.7    23.8    23.4    55.8    56.0    55.7    55.8
      Tennessee..........   140.0   140.4   140.3   140.7   290.4   289.0   292.3   290.4   318.1   322.8   318.1   323.0
      Texas..............   585.9   591.5   587.0   593.1 1,051.8 1,070.9 1,052.3 1,070.7 1,135.7 1,168.8 1,136.8 1,170.0
      Utah...............    64.8    65.2    65.6    65.9   134.2   141.6   133.8   140.5   122.0   127.1   122.0   128.1
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............    13.1    13.1    13.2    13.0    20.4    20.9    20.2    20.7    53.7    54.9    53.9    55.1
      Virginia...........   189.1   194.7   189.7   195.8   559.6   584.0   558.3   584.5   374.4   375.6   375.4   376.7
      Washington.........   154.3   158.5   154.9   158.9   297.2   307.8   296.3   306.0   316.3   324.8   316.3   324.6
      West Virginia......    31.0    31.7    31.1    31.4    56.8    56.7    57.4    57.3   108.3   109.7   107.7   110.0
      Wisconsin..........   160.1   162.7   160.1   163.7   248.2   265.9   244.3   262.4   374.6   383.3   373.9   384.8
      Wyoming............    10.5    10.7    10.5    10.7    15.3    15.4    15.3    15.1    21.3    22.1    21.4    21.9
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........    41.7    41.6    42.1    42.3    96.4    93.1    96.3    93.4    91.6    92.9    91.8    94.2






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                              Leisure and hospitality              Other services                    Government          
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                              November        December        November        December        November        December   
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p    2003    2004    2003   2004p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............   153.6   155.2   154.2   156.0    82.9    83.6    82.8    83.4   363.8   364.4   363.1   363.6
      Alaska.............    27.1    27.3    27.3    27.4    11.3    10.9    11.2    10.8    82.5    82.3    83.1    82.6
      Arizona............   234.1   240.9   234.6   242.3    86.0    88.3    86.2    88.4   407.2   424.8   407.5   417.8
      Arkansas...........    87.1    88.9    86.1    87.7    40.4    40.7    40.5    40.7   202.6   204.5   202.4   204.2
      California......... 1,389.0 1,410.7 1,395.5 1,415.4   504.6   502.7   503.4   501.0 2,429.6 2,408.9 2,416.7 2,399.2
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   237.8   242.7   249.8   254.2    85.4    86.7    85.4    87.2   364.6   366.0   362.7   364.1
      Connecticut........   124.7   129.6   125.4   130.6    62.6    63.3    62.8    63.8   251.5   250.0   250.1   249.1
      Delaware ..........    38.0    38.8    37.1    38.1    18.2    18.3    18.4    18.1    59.0    59.7    59.4    60.0
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........    50.4    51.8    49.8    51.6    55.5    55.7    55.9    55.7   228.8   230.6   230.2   231.5
      Florida............   807.2   829.7   817.1   838.9   320.3   328.3   323.0   330.1 1,080.1 1,101.8 1,080.5 1,103.9
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............   349.9   354.5   350.9   355.2   174.0   175.8   171.0   175.4   639.7   649.8   640.4   649.2
      Hawaii ............   100.1   105.1   101.4   105.7    24.6    24.5    24.6    24.5   121.3   124.7   122.2   123.7
      Idaho .............    51.6    53.0    52.6    53.9    18.1    18.2    18.1    18.2   114.8   117.6   114.4   116.8
      Illinois...........   498.2   509.0   495.5   506.5   249.8   249.9   249.4   250.1   865.3   862.5   865.4   859.4
      Indiana............   272.8   273.2   272.6   273.3   105.2   106.2   105.0   106.3   436.8   440.3   436.2   435.7
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   124.1   124.6   123.1   124.4    56.1    57.3    56.1    57.6   252.3   250.1   251.4   248.9
      Kansas.............   109.6   113.7   108.6   112.7    52.2    53.6    52.2    53.6   256.9   267.4   256.9   267.0
      Kentucky...........   158.3   166.8   155.5   164.3    78.1    79.5    78.0    79.3   312.4   310.3   311.2   309.2
      Louisiana..........   199.1   200.8   198.2   198.8    70.6    70.9    69.3    71.5   384.5   384.7   381.5   381.8
      Maine..............    52.2    53.0    51.9    52.7    21.3    21.3    21.3    21.5   108.1   109.2   108.4   109.3
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland...........   216.7   224.1   215.7   222.6   116.5   117.8   116.3   118.4   473.2   477.3   472.5   475.9
      Massachusetts......   283.2   290.5   279.6   286.1   117.1   117.6   117.3   118.4   418.8   419.4   419.4   418.9
      Michigan...........   391.5   388.7   390.5   387.9   170.7   173.3   169.9   171.1   707.6   704.0   697.5   693.6
      Minnesota..........   230.1   234.1   230.0   233.7   119.2   118.8   118.3   118.6   408.5   407.7   408.8   406.5
      Mississippi........   122.4   124.4   122.4   123.2    37.2    37.2    36.4    36.5   246.6   247.7   247.0   246.5
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri ..........   261.4   265.5   258.7   261.1   118.2   120.1   118.0   120.3   439.0   444.4   438.9   444.1
      Montana............    50.0    49.7    50.0    51.0    16.0    16.3    16.3    16.5    88.2    88.1    87.5    87.9
      Nebraska...........    77.7    77.9    76.7    77.7    35.1    34.5    34.9    34.6   163.1   163.2   162.4   162.8
      Nevada.............   305.0   311.5   304.6   311.8    30.6    32.2    30.6    32.2   138.8   144.8   139.7   145.2
      New Hampshire......    59.1    62.5    59.8    62.8    19.6    19.4    19.6    19.5    94.6    95.1    94.4    95.4
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   314.4   325.8   312.2   324.6   153.6   156.8   153.7   156.8   643.4   659.7   642.4   659.9
      New Mexico.........    79.6    81.6    80.0    82.2    28.2    28.5    28.1    28.4   199.9   202.3   200.3   202.6
      New York...........   642.7   654.5   643.6   656.0   350.8   354.0   350.8   354.9 1,506.7 1,501.3 1,504.4 1,499.5
      North Carolina.....   327.9   338.1   325.1   334.5   161.9   161.1   160.7   160.4   671.0   685.0   667.2   681.9
      North Dakota.......    29.7    29.6    29.7    29.5    15.3    15.4    15.3    15.5    78.2    78.3    78.6    78.4
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   481.1   475.1   478.2   473.5   226.2   225.6   226.2   226.2   816.8   816.6   817.9   815.2
      Oklahoma...........   124.8   127.3   122.8   126.8    75.0    73.5    74.9    73.8   294.8   302.1   295.9   302.4
      Oregon.............   149.1   152.0   149.8   150.1    56.1    58.1    57.2    58.8   274.9   279.8   272.7   276.3
      Pennsylvania.......   460.2   473.6   460.1   473.3   260.1   264.5   260.9   265.4   761.3   764.3   756.4   759.5
      Rhode Island.......    48.7    50.0    48.2    49.7    23.0    23.6    23.2    23.5    68.0    68.0    68.1    67.5
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   191.0   200.6   189.5   198.6    64.6    64.5    64.3    64.6   338.4   344.2   340.0   341.9
      South Dakota.......    38.3    38.9    37.5    38.3    16.0    16.3    16.0    16.3    75.5    76.4    75.9    76.4
      Tennessee..........   247.2   253.1   245.6   251.4   103.3   103.2   103.5   103.4   417.8   417.2   418.6   417.9
      Texas..............   849.3   861.5   849.6   860.8   354.3   356.3   354.6   356.8 1,676.5 1,697.6 1,669.4 1,690.7
      Utah...............    97.6   100.7   101.1   103.2    32.8    32.8    32.8    33.0   200.7   202.0   201.0   202.1
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............    29.4    29.7    32.6    33.4    10.0    10.0    10.1    10.1    54.7    55.0    54.9    55.1
      Virginia...........   299.6   302.9   297.5   298.9   181.3   184.5   181.5   184.1   656.1   674.1   650.7   670.2
      Washington.........   243.1   248.9   242.8   248.7    99.2   101.3    99.6   101.5   536.3   541.1   530.3   534.8
      West Virginia......    65.4    67.4    65.3    68.0    55.3    55.8    55.4    56.0   143.4   144.5   143.1   144.2
      Wisconsin..........   238.2   240.9   237.0   240.6   127.3   127.7   129.5   127.2   419.9   419.0   417.9   413.6
      Wyoming............    27.2    27.9    28.0    29.0     9.5     9.5     9.5     9.9    64.9    65.7    65.3    65.9
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........    68.6    70.2    70.2    70.7    16.2    15.8    15.9    16.1   302.5   313.3   309.2   319.7

       1 Natural resources and mining is combined with construction.
       p = preliminary.
       NOTE:  Data are counts of jobs by place of work.  Estimates are currently projected from 2003 benchmark levels. 
     Estimates subsequent to the current benchmarks are provisional and will be revised when new information becomes
     available.