Technical information:
   Employment:           (202) 691-6559      USDL 04-81
                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 27, 2004


      REGIONAL AND STATE EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT:  DECEMBER 2003

                                     
   Regional and state unemployment rates were generally stable in December,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported
today.  No region and only three states recorded a shift greater than 0.3
percentage point.  At 5.7 percent, the national jobless rate was little
changed over the month, but has trended down since midyear.
   
Regional Unemployment (Seasonally Adjusted)
   
   The South again registered the lowest unemployment rate, 5.3 percent in
December, while the West continued to post the highest rate, 6.0 percent.
Compared with December 2002, jobless rates were lower in the West (-0.5
percentage point), Northeast (-0.4 point), and South (-0.3 point) and little 
changed in the Midwest.  (See table 1.)
   
   In December, the West North Central and South Atlantic divisions
continued to report the lowest unemployment rates among the nine geographic
divisions, 4.5 and 4.8 percent, respectively.  The Pacific division again
recorded the highest unemployment rate, 6.5 percent, followed by the East
North Central and West South Central divisions, 6.1 percent each.  Over the
year, the largest changes in jobless rates occurred in the Mountain division 
(-0.7 percentage point) and the Middle Atlantic and South Atlantic divisions 
(-0.5 point each).
   
State Unemployment (Seasonally Adjusted)
   
   Four states reported jobless rates below 4.0 percent in December.  North
Dakota again had the lowest rate, 3.2 percent, followed by South Dakota,
3.4 percent, Virginia, 3.6 percent, and Nebraska, 3.7 percent.  Three states 
recorded rates over 7.0 percent.  Alaska had the highest rate, 7.7 percent, 
followed by Michigan and Oregon, with rates of 7.2 percent each.  In December, 
33 states posted unemployment rates below that of the U.S. (5.7 percent), 14 
states and the District of Columbia had higher rates, and 3 states reported 
the same rate as the U.S.  (See table 3 and chart 1.)
   
   Over the month, 20 states and the District of Columbia registered
jobless rate decreases, 18 states reported rate increases, and 12 states
recorded no change.  South Carolina experienced the largest monthly
unemployment rate decrease from November (-0.7 percentage point), followed
by Arkansas (-0.5 point).  No state had a rate increase of more than 0.3
percentage point.
   
                                  - 2 - 

   Compared with December 2002, jobless rates were lower in 32 states,
higher in 17 states, and unchanged in 1 state and the District of Columbia.
Mississippi posted the largest rate drop over the year (-2.0 percentage
points), and Utah recorded the next largest decline (-1.6 points).  Four
additional states reported rate decreases of at least 1.0 percentage point
over the same period.  Michigan registered the largest jobless rate increase 
from a year earlier (+1.0 percentage point), followed by Tennessee (+0.8 point) 
and South Dakota (+0.6 point).  No other state recorded an over-the-year rate 
increase of more than 0.4 percentage point.
   
Nonfarm Payroll Employment (Seasonally Adjusted)
   
   From November to December 2003, total nonfarm employment decreased in 27
states and increased in 23 states and the District of Columbia.  The largest 
employment decreases occurred in Michigan (-32,900), Ohio (-14,400), 
California (-8,400), Maryland (-7,900), and Texas (-7,500).  The largest 
over-the-month percentage decreases in employment were reported in Michigan 
(-0.7 percent), North Dakota (-0.4 percent), and Delaware, Maryland, Nebraska, 
and Ohio (-0.3 percent each).  The largest employment increases occurred in 
Illinois (+16,100), Washington (+6,200), Nevada (+5,600), Oregon (+5,200), 
and Kansas (+4,700).  Alaska posted the largest over-the-month percentage 
increase in employment (+0.6 percent), followed by Nevada (+0.5 percent), 
Kansas and Wyoming (+0.4 percent each), and the District of Columbia, Illinois, 
New Hampshire, and Oregon (+0.3 percent each).  (See table 5.)
   
   Over the year, employment increased in 27 states and the District of
Columbia, decreased in 22 states, and was unchanged in 1 state.  The
largest over-the-year gains in employment occurred in Florida (+114,600),
Georgia (+64,000), Arizona (+46,200), Texas (+43,900), and Nevada (+42,300).  
The largest percentage gains were reported in Nevada (+4.0 percent), Arizona 
(+2.0 percent), Alaska and Hawaii (+1.8 percent each), Florida and Georgia 
(+1.6 percent each), and Wyoming (+1.3 percent).  The largest employment 
decreases were in Michigan (-78,800), Ohio (-66,900), Massachusetts (-42,600), 
South Carolina (-40,900), and Illinois (-38,100).  South Carolina recorded 
the largest percentage decline in employment (-2.3 percent), followed by 
Michigan (-1.8 percent), Massachusetts (-1.3 percent), Ohio (-1.2 percent), 
and Connecticut (-1.0 percent).  (See chart 2.)

                      ______________________________
                                     
   The Metropolitan Area Employment and Unemployment release for December
2003 is scheduled to be issued on February 4.  The Regional and State
Employment and Unemployment release for January 2004 is scheduled to be
issued on March 10.
   
                             
   
     ------------------------------------------------------------------   
    |    NOTE:  Effective with the release of 2003 annual average      |
    | estimates on February 27, the labor force data for regions,      |
    | divisions, states, the District of Columbia, the Los Angeles-    |
    | Long Beach metropolitan area, and New York City presented in     |
    | tables 1-4 of this news release will be revised to incorporate   |
    | updated population controls, revised seasonal adjustment factors,|
    | reestimation of models, and benchmarking to Current Population   |
    | Survey annual averages.  Not seasonally adjusted data back to    |
    | 2000 and seasonally adjusted data back to 1999 are subject to    |
    | revision.  The updated population controls reflect the annual    |
    | updating of population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau.      |
    |                                                                  |
    |    In addition, effective with the release of January 2004       |
    | estimates on March 10, all nonfarm payroll employment estimates  |
    | for states and areas presented in tables 5 and 6 of this news    |
    | release will be adjusted to 2003 benchmark levels.  Not-season-  |
    | ally-adjusted payroll data back to April 2002 and seasonally-    |
    | adjusted data for states back to 1999 will be subject to         |
    | revision.                                                        |
     ------------------------------------------------------------------         
        
                                  - 3 -

     -------------------------------------------------------------------  
    |              Revision of Historical Labor Force Data             |
    |                                                                  |
    |    All monthly and annual average labor force estimates for 1990-|
    | 99 for regions, divisions, states, the District of Columbia, the |
    | Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area, and New York City will |
    | be revised on February 11.  The basis of these revisions is up-  |
    | dated CPS population controls that better link the results from  |
    | the 1990 Census (adjusted for the estimated undercount) with     |
    | those from the 2000 Census (as enumerated).  In addition, the    |
    | revised 1990-99 labor force estimates will reflect subsequent    |
    | reestimation of models, benchmarking to the new CPS levels, and  |
    | updated seasonal adjustment factors.  The impact of the revisions|
    | on labor force estimates will vary.  For example, states in which|
    | the 2000 Census enumeration was close to the projected 1990      |
    | Census-based population estimate will have smaller annual average|
    | revisions than states with large revisions.  Also, revisions will|
    | be larger for time periods later in the decade than for periods  |
    | earlier in the decade.  Finally, changes to monthly estimates    |
    | will generally be greater than the revisions to annual averages. |
    | In addition, revised data for all substate series--consistent    |
    | with the new not-seasonally-adjusted statewide controls--also    |
    | will be released on February 11.  The updated estimates will be  |
    | available at http:www.bls.gov/lau/.  For more information on     |
    | these revisions, please contact the Division of Local Area       |
    | Unemployment Statistics at 202-691-6392.                         |
     ------------------------------------------------------------------   
        
        
                                  - 4 -               

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.
     
                                  - 5 -   

    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.

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.  Seasonally adjusted payroll employment totals
for states are computed by aggregating independently adjusted series for
major industry divisions.  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.

                                  - 6 -

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 are not available
for state CES data, but the relatively large size of the samples maintained
by the state agencies and the annual adjustment of employment estimates to
more recent benchmark levels assure a high degree of accuracy.  Information
on recent benchmark revisions for states is available upon request.

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 from the BLS
Internet 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.  
                        2002     2003     2003     2003p    2002     2003     2003     2003p    2002     2003     2003     2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                 
 Northeast........... 27,752.2 27,586.4 27,637.9 27,617.7  1,640.4  1,560.1  1,529.0  1,529.6    5.9      5.7      5.5      5.5  
                                                                                                                                 
   New England.......  7,596.5  7,575.9  7,572.7  7,572.8    389.1    387.9    384.8    391.5    5.1      5.1      5.1      5.2  
   Middle Atlantic... 20,155.7 20,010.5 20,065.2 20,044.9  1,251.3  1,172.2  1,144.3  1,138.1    6.2      5.9      5.7      5.7  
                                                                                                                                 
 South............... 50,757.2 51,477.0 51,431.1 51,357.2  2,852.8  2,792.1  2,768.2  2,731.6    5.6      5.4      5.4      5.3  
                                                                                                                                 
   South Atlantic.... 26,672.9 26,964.1 26,959.3 26,888.4  1,410.5  1,318.4  1,316.3  1,284.6    5.3      4.9      4.9      4.8  
   East South Central  8,278.2  8,395.5  8,385.2  8,372.5    467.3    469.9    470.4    464.9    5.6      5.6      5.6      5.6  
   West South Central 15,806.2 16,117.4 16,086.6 16,096.3    975.1  1,003.8    981.6    982.1    6.2      6.2      6.1      6.1  
                                                                                                                                 
 Midwest............. 34,016.1 34,620.3 34,549.3 34,524.6  1,876.4  1,986.6  1,934.3  1,943.8    5.5      5.7      5.6      5.6  
                                                                                                                                 
   East North Central 23,297.9 23,791.4 23,740.9 23,719.7  1,383.5  1,485.4  1,447.8  1,452.5    5.9      6.2      6.1      6.1  
   West North Central 10,718.2 10,828.9 10,808.4 10,804.9    492.9    501.3    486.6    491.3    4.6      4.6      4.5      4.5  
                                                                                                                                 
 West................ 33,093.6 33,434.3 33,355.3 33,395.5  2,162.6  2,096.0  2,049.3  2,017.8    6.5      6.3      6.1      6.0  
                                                                                                                                 
   Mountain..........  9,725.5  9,812.6  9,796.9  9,803.5    553.4    503.3    494.9    494.4    5.7      5.1      5.1      5.0  
   Pacific........... 23,368.1 23,621.7 23,558.5 23,592.1  1,609.1  1,592.6  1,554.4  1,523.5    6.9      6.7      6.6      6.5  

   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    
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                       2002     2003     2002     2003p    2002     2003     2002     2003p    2002     2003     2002     2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
Northeast........... 27,708.4 27,634.3 27,674.5 27,566.0  1,551.6  1,482.3  1,553.7  1,452.1    5.6      5.4      5.6      5.3  
                                                                                                                                
  New England.......  7,590.5  7,570.3  7,564.6  7,546.2    359.4    362.3    359.7    364.5    4.7      4.8      4.8      4.8  
  Middle Atlantic... 20,117.9 20,064.0 20,109.9 20,019.8  1,192.2  1,120.0  1,194.0  1,087.6    5.9      5.6      5.9      5.4  
                                                                                                                                
South............... 50,840.0 51,439.0 50,544.3 51,141.6  2,759.2  2,690.9  2,660.5  2,544.9    5.4      5.2      5.3      5.0  
                                                                                                                                
  South Atlantic.... 26,690.3 26,925.0 26,534.1 26,749.7  1,374.2  1,289.6  1,323.6  1,203.1    5.1      4.8      5.0      4.5  
  East South Central  8,334.9  8,425.4  8,273.0  8,364.0    455.0    460.4    432.6    430.4    5.5      5.5      5.2      5.1  
  West South Central 15,814.8 16,088.6 15,737.2 16,028.0    930.0    940.9    904.2    911.4    5.9      5.8      5.7      5.7  
                                                                                                                                
Midwest............. 34,096.0 34,553.2 33,867.6 34,350.3  1,750.5  1,810.7  1,778.6  1,843.8    5.1      5.2      5.3      5.4  
                                                                                                                                
  East North Central 23,367.3 23,748.2 23,216.5 23,612.7  1,285.4  1,353.7  1,307.6  1,372.2    5.5      5.7      5.6      5.8  
  West North Central 10,728.7 10,805.0 10,651.1 10,737.6    465.1    457.0    471.0    471.7    4.3      4.2      4.4      4.4  
                                                                                                                                
West................ 33,153.3 33,392.1 33,003.2 33,297.0  2,115.4  2,019.2  2,081.0  1,940.4    6.4      6.0      6.3      5.8  
                                                                                                                                
  Mountain..........  9,752.8  9,812.1  9,692.1  9,772.9    538.3    481.2    531.7    477.3    5.5      4.9      5.5      4.9  
  Pacific........... 23,400.6 23,580.0 23,311.1 23,524.1  1,577.1  1,538.0  1,549.3  1,463.1    6.7      6.5      6.6      6.2  

  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.
                           2002      2003      2003     2003p      2002      2003      2003     2003p    2002  2003  2003 2003p
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                               
Alabama................   2,091.0   2,166.0   2,160.8   2,151.9    124.3     120.6     125.9     125.0    5.9   5.6   5.8   5.8
Alaska.................     327.5     346.2     345.3     347.4     27.5      25.3      25.8      26.9    8.4   7.3   7.5   7.7
Arizona................   2,674.8   2,664.7   2,656.7   2,653.1    158.8     134.0     127.6     128.2    5.9   5.0   4.8   4.8
Arkansas...............   1,298.4   1,313.9   1,311.7   1,310.4     70.1      81.6      79.2      72.3    5.4   6.2   6.0   5.5
California.............  17,497.8  17,722.2  17,672.9  17,681.6  1,206.3   1,184.3   1,156.2   1,125.9    6.9   6.7   6.5   6.4
  Los Angeles-Long                                                                                                             
     Beach.............   4,709.4   4,780.4   4,745.2   4,757.7    310.3     339.8     330.0     314.0    6.6   7.1   7.0   6.6
Colorado...............   2,441.8   2,477.5   2,480.8   2,485.9    142.6     134.7     138.0     143.0    5.8   5.4   5.6   5.8
Connecticut............   1,783.3   1,780.8   1,783.6   1,783.4     84.0      87.2      89.2      89.2    4.7   4.9   5.0   5.0
Delaware...............     419.2     424.2     422.9     419.7     17.8      17.1      17.4      17.2    4.3   4.0   4.1   4.1
District of Columbia...     302.5     314.7     313.8     307.2     19.8      21.3      20.9      20.2    6.6   6.8   6.7   6.6
Florida................   8,076.6   8,085.8   8,081.0   8,075.5    431.0     396.4     393.5     377.3    5.3   4.9   4.9   4.7
                                                                                                                               
Georgia................   4,316.5   4,395.0   4,405.0   4,357.5    226.9     185.2     184.4     179.8    5.3   4.2   4.2   4.1
Hawaii.................     582.3     608.4     607.6     609.5     22.9      25.8      25.1      25.0    3.9   4.2   4.1   4.1
Idaho..................     684.5     688.7     689.0     685.8     41.6      36.6      34.6      32.8    6.1   5.3   5.0   4.8
Illinois...............   6,362.8   6,479.8   6,488.3   6,478.4    423.9     433.1     438.5     417.7    6.7   6.7   6.8   6.4
Indiana................   3,177.5   3,203.2   3,205.0   3,205.0    155.6     164.5     161.3     159.3    4.9   5.1   5.0   5.0
Iowa...................   1,677.1   1,644.6   1,636.0   1,633.2     69.8      74.2      68.4      71.2    4.2   4.5   4.2   4.4
Kansas.................   1,425.8   1,479.1   1,480.9   1,481.9     73.7      69.5      70.3      70.9    5.2   4.7   4.7   4.8
Kentucky...............   1,958.7   1,993.8   1,991.2   1,995.3    108.2     111.5     110.7     108.6    5.5   5.6   5.6   5.4
Louisiana..............   2,001.8   2,046.4   2,048.0   2,064.4    125.7     112.9     113.4     120.2    6.3   5.5   5.5   5.8
Maine..................     687.7     696.5     698.0     697.7     32.9      35.4      34.5      34.8    4.8   5.1   4.9   5.0
                                                                                                                               
Maryland...............   2,897.0   2,921.4   2,922.4   2,930.4    122.7     119.2     121.5     129.0    4.2   4.1   4.2   4.4
Massachusetts..........   3,505.7   3,458.1   3,454.4   3,460.2    193.0     194.8     188.3     195.7    5.5   5.6   5.5   5.7
Michigan...............   4,941.2   5,147.0   5,111.0   5,084.8    307.2     392.9     360.7     365.5    6.2   7.6   7.1   7.2
Minnesota..............   2,913.7   2,933.4   2,932.1   2,934.0    124.4     136.1     135.9     138.3    4.3   4.6   4.6   4.7
Mississippi............   1,298.5   1,325.1   1,322.1   1,316.7     90.5      75.9      66.2      66.4    7.0   5.7   5.0   5.0
Missouri...............   2,968.5   3,001.4   2,988.5   2,985.5    164.7     157.8     150.4     148.0    5.5   5.3   5.0   5.0
Montana................     466.5     478.3     477.0     476.2     21.8      20.2      20.5      21.5    4.7   4.2   4.3   4.5
Nebraska...............     962.2     991.0     990.2     989.0     34.9      37.5      35.9      37.1    3.6   3.8   3.6   3.7
Nevada.................   1,118.7   1,107.5   1,101.6   1,104.1     55.0      55.2      50.1      49.1    4.9   5.0   4.5   4.4
New Hampshire..........     706.5     719.7     717.9     716.0     35.2      31.4      30.9      29.4    5.0   4.4   4.3   4.1
                                                                                                                               
New Jersey.............   4,380.3   4,436.7   4,440.1   4,450.7    260.7     251.5     244.9     235.9    6.0   5.7   5.5   5.3
New Mexico.............     885.0     897.5     897.0     898.4     47.8      54.2      53.5      51.4    5.4   6.0   6.0   5.7
New York...............   9,455.3   9,389.7   9,417.2   9,388.6    606.2     585.1     578.4     586.0    6.4   6.2   6.1   6.2
  New York City........   3,791.5   3,689.9   3,701.0   3,690.4    321.1     302.2     284.5     292.0    8.5   8.2   7.7   7.9
North Carolina.........   4,152.0   4,184.0   4,191.1   4,187.5    278.0     253.6     259.2     256.3    6.7   6.1   6.2   6.1
North Dakota...........     346.2     355.5     355.4     355.4     13.5      12.9      11.4      11.3    3.9   3.6   3.2   3.2
Ohio...................   5,788.5   5,853.5   5,847.4   5,857.8    323.4     327.5     333.5     350.7    5.6   5.6   5.7   6.0
Oklahoma...............   1,698.7   1,709.6   1,694.9   1,688.6     79.6      91.7      90.1      86.7    4.7   5.4   5.3   5.1
Oregon.................   1,836.0   1,824.8   1,805.1   1,820.7    133.5     138.9     132.6     131.8    7.3   7.6   7.3   7.2
Pennsylvania...........   6,320.1   6,184.1   6,208.0   6,205.7    384.4     335.6     321.0     316.2    6.1   5.4   5.2   5.1
Rhode Island...........     561.5     567.3     564.8     562.8     30.8      24.8      27.9      28.1    5.5   4.4   4.9   5.0
                                                                                                                               
South Carolina.........   1,982.2   2,040.5   2,028.2   2,019.6    122.5     144.0     138.3     124.0    6.2   7.1   6.8   6.1
South Dakota...........     424.6     423.9     425.4     425.9     12.0      13.4      14.4      14.5    2.8   3.2   3.4   3.4
Tennessee..............   2,929.9   2,910.6   2,911.2   2,908.7    144.3     162.0     167.6     164.9    4.9   5.6   5.8   5.7
Texas..................  10,807.3  11,047.5  11,032.0  11,033.0    699.7     717.5     698.8     702.9    6.5   6.5   6.3   6.4
Utah...................   1,184.1   1,221.6   1,217.3   1,222.5     74.0      57.5      59.5      57.3    6.3   4.7   4.9   4.7
Vermont................     351.9     353.6     354.0     352.6     13.2      14.2      14.0      14.2    3.7   4.0   3.9   4.0
Virginia...............   3,734.4   3,795.6   3,797.7   3,796.9    143.7     134.1     137.2     138.6    3.8   3.5   3.6   3.6
Washington.............   3,124.6   3,120.1   3,127.7   3,132.8    219.0     218.4     214.8     213.8    7.0   7.0   6.9   6.8
West Virginia..........     792.4     803.0     797.1     794.1     48.1      47.5      43.8      42.2    6.1   5.9   5.5   5.3
Wisconsin..............   3,027.9   3,108.0   3,089.1   3,093.7    173.4     167.3     153.8     159.3    5.7   5.4   5.0   5.2
Wyoming................     270.1     276.8     277.3     277.4     11.8      10.9      11.0      11.1    4.4   3.9   4.0   4.0
                                                                                                                               
Puerto Rico............   1,352.6   1,396.2   1,393.8   1,397.4    166.2     159.3     181.0     158.9   12.3  11.4  13.0  11.4

  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  
                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                   
                           2002      2003      2002     2003p      2002      2003      2002     2003p    2002   2003   2002   2003p
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                   
Alabama................   2,114.1   2,173.9   2,100.8   2,158.8    126.7     128.5     115.8     117.0    6.0    5.9    5.5    5.4 
Alaska.................     322.5     341.7     322.1     341.9     25.4      25.1      27.7      27.5    7.9    7.3    8.6    8.0 
Arizona................   2,689.9   2,662.8   2,680.1   2,659.3    159.4     123.5     152.5     121.8    5.9    4.6    5.7    4.6 
Arkansas...............   1,291.4   1,303.2   1,280.4   1,292.5     61.1      69.2      66.7      68.8    4.7    5.3    5.2    5.3 
California.............  17,543.0  17,709.2  17,459.4  17,634.2  1,182.2   1,147.5   1,152.9   1,072.0    6.7    6.5    6.6    6.1 
  Los Angeles-Long                                                                                                                 
     Beach.............   4,749.2   4,778.2   4,716.6   4,756.7    298.9     319.1     289.1     291.7    6.3    6.7    6.1    6.1 
Colorado...............   2,453.6   2,488.5   2,435.3   2,479.2    140.8     138.6     138.9     139.8    5.7    5.6    5.7    5.6 
Connecticut............   1,776.0   1,778.5   1,768.8   1,769.6     74.0      80.7      75.5      80.5    4.2    4.5    4.3    4.5 
Delaware...............     424.1     426.1     420.5     420.5     16.6      15.7      16.2      15.6    3.9    3.7    3.8    3.7 
District of Columbia...     300.6     312.2     299.5     303.9     19.0      20.6      18.5      18.9    6.3    6.6    6.2    6.2 
Florida................   8,084.6   8,073.3   8,043.2   8,040.7    426.3     393.5     399.2     350.1    5.3    4.9    5.0    4.4 
                                                                                                                                   
Georgia................   4,326.8   4,412.1   4,340.5   4,384.9    217.0     178.9     219.4     173.9    5.0    4.1    5.1    4.0 
Hawaii.................     583.3     608.6     583.7     610.4     22.6      25.5      21.0      23.0    3.9    4.2    3.6    3.8 
Idaho..................     682.7     687.6     680.6     681.2     38.7      33.0      43.7      34.9    5.7    4.8    6.4    5.1 
Illinois...............   6,371.6   6,491.0   6,349.1   6,461.0    401.4     417.0     407.7     406.4    6.3    6.4    6.4    6.3 
Indiana................   3,183.4   3,207.2   3,160.0   3,188.1    149.1     152.6     152.8     156.7    4.7    4.8    4.8    4.9 
Iowa...................   1,674.4   1,638.0   1,670.8   1,631.4     64.2      64.1      69.1      71.6    3.8    3.9    4.1    4.4 
Kansas.................   1,434.1   1,486.7   1,420.4   1,477.3     74.5      70.4      67.6      66.4    5.2    4.7    4.8    4.5 
Kentucky...............   1,964.8   1,992.4   1,954.1   1,987.6    101.0     103.9     101.4     101.2    5.1    5.2    5.2    5.1 
Louisiana..............   1,997.6   2,044.2   1,983.2   2,042.0    119.2     110.7     121.0     115.9    6.0    5.4    6.1    5.7 
Maine..................     683.9     694.3     680.8     690.1     31.5      34.2      31.6      33.9    4.6    4.9    4.6    4.9 
                                                                                                                                   
Maryland...............   2,906.3   2,924.7   2,873.6   2,907.0    122.3     120.6     113.5     119.0    4.2    4.1    4.0    4.1 
Massachusetts..........   3,503.3   3,456.7   3,494.0   3,452.7    179.2     177.6     177.4     181.7    5.1    5.1    5.1    5.3 
Michigan...............   4,977.6   5,119.0   4,929.1   5,059.0    279.9     335.4     286.3     339.6    5.6    6.6    5.8    6.7 
Minnesota..............   2,923.3   2,935.7   2,888.1   2,907.7    112.9     123.5     115.8     129.5    3.9    4.2    4.0    4.5 
Mississippi............   1,300.0   1,321.6   1,304.4   1,323.7     83.7      61.0      84.7      62.1    6.4    4.6    6.5    4.7 
Missouri...............   2,967.1   2,979.8   2,958.3   2,970.9    157.3     142.4     160.1     143.4    5.3    4.8    5.4    4.8 
Montana................     463.6     473.5     460.3     469.9     21.8      20.8      23.5      23.4    4.7    4.4    5.1    5.0 
Nebraska...............     963.9     989.4     956.7     982.3     31.2      32.5      32.4      34.5    3.2    3.3    3.4    3.5 
Nevada.................   1,119.5   1,102.6   1,109.1   1,095.9     54.2      49.1      53.6      47.3    4.8    4.5    4.8    4.3 
New Hampshire..........     710.8     719.6     704.2     714.4     34.9      31.4      33.7      28.5    4.9    4.4    4.8    4.0 
                                                                                                                                   
New Jersey.............   4,386.1   4,442.1   4,374.2   4,448.4    254.3     239.1     248.3     225.2    5.8    5.4    5.7    5.1 
New Mexico.............     887.8     899.4     882.1     895.1     46.2      50.8      44.0      47.1    5.2    5.7    5.0    5.3 
New York...............   9,424.7   9,406.6   9,440.3   9,381.1    584.0     572.9     591.6     574.7    6.2    6.1    6.3    6.1 
  New York City........   3,781.2   3,700.9   3,789.9   3,696.2    314.6     287.5     314.7     288.5    8.3    7.8    8.3    7.8 
North Carolina.........   4,154.8   4,184.7   4,112.8   4,150.0    272.8     260.5     263.2     242.4    6.6    6.2    6.4    5.8 
North Dakota...........     342.3     350.4     339.2     348.5     13.6      10.6      13.5      11.5    4.0    3.0    4.0    3.3 
Ohio...................   5,818.7   5,858.3   5,773.5   5,836.0    304.7     311.4     302.0     323.4    5.2    5.3    5.2    5.5 
Oklahoma...............   1,702.7   1,702.7   1,690.5   1,679.6     74.3      86.7      78.5      84.2    4.4    5.1    4.6    5.0 
Oregon.................   1,842.4   1,808.3   1,823.6   1,806.8    128.6     126.6     128.5     126.6    7.0    7.0    7.0    7.0 
Pennsylvania...........   6,307.1   6,215.3   6,295.4   6,190.2    353.9     308.0     354.2     287.6    5.6    5.0    5.6    4.6 
Rhode Island...........     565.7     567.4     564.3     565.9     27.3      25.2      29.2      26.9    4.8    4.4    5.2    4.8 
                                                                                                                                   
South Carolina.........   1,971.5   2,013.2   1,950.8   1,988.9    118.3     131.6     116.5     118.1    6.0    6.5    6.0    5.9 
South Dakota...........     423.4     425.1     417.7     419.5     11.5      13.6      12.5      14.8    2.7    3.2    3.0    3.5 
Tennessee..............   2,956.0   2,937.5   2,913.6   2,893.9    143.6     167.0     130.7     150.1    4.9    5.7    4.5    5.2 
Texas..................  10,823.2  11,038.6  10,783.1  11,013.8    675.3     674.4     638.0     642.4    6.2    6.1    5.9    5.8 
Utah...................   1,186.9   1,221.9   1,177.0   1,217.8     66.2      54.9      63.3      51.5    5.6    4.5    5.4    4.2 
Vermont................     350.8     353.7     352.6     353.5     12.5      13.3      12.3      13.1    3.6    3.8    3.5    3.7 
Virginia...............   3,730.1   3,784.5   3,701.4   3,760.9    136.4     127.6     130.5     124.6    3.7    3.4    3.5    3.3 
Washington.............   3,109.3   3,112.2   3,122.3   3,130.8    218.2     213.3     219.3     214.0    7.0    6.9    7.0    6.8 
West Virginia..........     791.4     794.3     791.9     792.9     45.5      40.5      46.5      40.5    5.7    5.1    5.9    5.1 
Wisconsin..............   3,016.1   3,072.7   3,004.7   3,068.6    150.3     137.3     158.8     146.0    5.0    4.5    5.3    4.8 
Wyoming................     268.9     275.9     267.6     274.7     10.9      10.4      12.2      11.5    4.1    3.8    4.5    4.2 
                                                                                                                                   
Puerto Rico............   1,361.5   1,390.0   1,350.4   1,394.6    149.3     167.3     147.8     140.3   11.0   12.0   10.9   10.1 

  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
     ESTABLISHMENT DATA
                                                                                                          SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     
     Table 5. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by state and selected industry division, seasonally adjusted

     (In thousands)
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                        Total(1)                        Construction                   Manufacturing         
                                                                                                                             
            State                                                                                                            
                            Dec.     Oct.     Nov.     Dec.     Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                            2002     2003     2003     2003p    2002    2003    2003   2003p    2002    2003    2003   2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
      Alabama............  1,883.2  1,874.6  1,873.1  1,873.8   100.4   103.1   103.3   102.5   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Alaska.............    299.5    302.5    303.1    305.0    16.2    16.4    16.4    16.5   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Arizona............  2,264.6  2,300.9  2,306.6  2,310.8   174.2   179.9   182.7   182.6   178.8   173.5   174.3   174.2
      Arkansas...........  1,148.4  1,145.6  1,144.7  1,146.2    55.7    53.9    54.3    54.3   212.5   206.1   205.6   205.6
      California......... 14,464.9 14,461.0 14,440.8 14,432.4   784.1   792.8   796.8   799.9 1,607.3 1,576.4 1,574.2 1,573.3
                                                                                                                             
      Colorado...........  2,173.5  2,162.2  2,156.6  2,154.0   158.5   149.8   149.6   148.5   161.4   150.8   150.0   149.9
      Connecticut........  1,660.2  1,643.1  1,645.1  1,644.0    62.1    60.2    60.4    59.8   209.3   200.6   200.7   200.2
      Delaware (3).......    412.5    413.0    412.9    411.6    23.4    24.4    24.6    24.5   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      District of                                                                                                            
         Columbia (3)....    662.0    670.2    667.0    668.7    12.4    12.8    12.8    12.9   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Florida (3)........  7,238.8  7,343.9  7,353.8  7,353.4   437.8   454.4   455.7   459.1   401.2   392.8   392.2   392.0
                                                                                                                             
      Georgia ...........  3,903.1  3,982.2  3,970.8  3,967.1   200.6   218.2   214.7   215.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Hawaii (3).........    562.2    572.0    572.0    572.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Idaho..............    569.3    577.2    575.8    575.9    36.7    36.9    37.5    37.7    63.6    61.0    60.8    61.0
      Illinois...........  5,919.4  5,862.1  5,865.2  5,881.3   277.7   272.0   273.8   278.0   747.6   725.3   725.9   725.9
      Indiana............  2,880.4  2,868.2  2,868.2  2,872.2   137.5   146.0   145.5   149.4   586.5   572.1   573.8   574.8
                                                                                                                             
      Iowa...............  1,443.5  1,447.7  1,445.3  1,442.8    65.4    63.9    64.4    64.6   225.3   222.0   221.4   221.1
      Kansas.............  1,339.0  1,341.9  1,342.2  1,346.9    64.2    64.2    64.7    66.6   181.5   176.6   177.3   177.8
      Kentucky...........  1,783.3  1,773.3  1,774.8  1,774.4    83.7    81.4    81.7    81.6   272.8   269.0   267.7   268.3
      Louisiana..........  1,898.4  1,897.6  1,895.1  1,892.1   115.7   125.9   124.4   125.4   160.0   156.9   156.5   156.6
      Maine..............    604.2    605.4    603.6    604.8    29.3    28.8    29.2    28.9    67.2    63.4    64.3    63.8
                                                                                                                             
      Maryland (3).......  2,478.2  2,476.3  2,467.0  2,459.1   169.0   165.8   165.6   164.8   153.9   152.3   151.5   151.4
      Massachusetts......  3,220.9  3,192.7  3,185.4  3,178.3   139.0   132.2   133.0   133.7   339.7   330.8   331.6   331.1
      Michigan...........  4,451.1  4,409.3  4,405.2  4,372.3   199.7   196.5   197.5   199.4   752.6   723.8   724.5   722.3
      Minnesota..........  2,647.1  2,645.7  2,642.8  2,647.1   122.5   127.2   126.4   125.6   349.8   344.6   345.8   346.5
      Mississippi........  1,126.5  1,127.6  1,130.4  1,130.7    54.4    55.6    56.2    55.6   184.8   176.8   178.1   179.2
                                                                                                                             
      Missouri...........  2,660.1  2,667.6  2,663.8  2,663.6   131.4   133.5   134.3   135.7   314.9   313.3   313.8   312.7
      Montana............    395.0    397.6    398.2    397.5    22.5    22.4    22.3    23.1    18.9    17.7    18.3    18.1
      Nebraska...........    904.0    911.8    907.9    905.4    45.1    44.8    45.1    44.7   106.1   104.3   103.9   103.9
      Nevada.............  1,056.5  1,092.0  1,093.2  1,098.8    92.2   100.4   100.5   100.1   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      New Hampshire......    616.7    619.2    617.6    619.7    28.2    26.2    26.0    26.0    82.8    81.7    81.1    81.1
                                                                                                                             
      New Jersey.........  3,984.6  4,023.8  4,024.3  4,021.7   159.2   163.9   163.7   163.3   362.1   353.5   355.4   355.1
      New Mexico.........    772.0    777.7    780.0    781.6    45.2    47.4    47.9    47.7    38.2    36.3    36.6    36.5
      New York...........  8,412.9  8,401.9  8,408.1  8,405.0   321.6   328.8   330.1   329.8   634.3   611.2   610.0   606.2
      North Carolina.....  3,820.0  3,840.1  3,835.5  3,830.5   216.0   217.5   219.5   217.9   623.8   599.0   596.1   596.5
      North Dakota.......    330.4    332.7    332.4    331.1    14.9    15.6    15.5    15.6    23.0    22.7    22.7    22.7
                                                                                                                             
      Ohio...............  5,408.4  5,374.0  5,355.9  5,341.5   233.3   235.3   234.0   235.2   872.2   840.2   838.6   838.4
      Oklahoma...........  1,478.6  1,475.7  1,469.8  1,467.7    64.0    65.6    64.2    62.0   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Oregon ............  1,568.3  1,560.7  1,562.5  1,567.7    80.7    75.6    78.7    79.6   199.3   198.2   199.2   198.7
      Pennsylvania.......  5,643.0  5,634.9  5,635.3  5,631.7   248.7   249.4   248.7   249.1   746.9   719.6   718.4   716.0
      Rhode Island.......    480.5    480.7    480.7    481.3    19.3    20.4    20.0    19.9    60.6    59.1    59.3    59.4
                                                                                                                             
      South Carolina.....  1,817.3  1,780.9  1,776.5  1,776.4   110.4   109.3   111.1   108.2   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      South Dakota.......    381.3    382.5    382.6    383.4    20.1    20.1    20.2    20.2    37.4    35.5    35.8    36.2
      Tennessee..........  2,661.7  2,670.7  2,673.2  2,667.9   113.8   109.7   110.1   109.1   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Texas..............  9,420.2  9,467.3  9,471.6  9,464.1   571.1   581.6   584.0   585.5   929.9   905.3   905.9   903.4
      Utah...............  1,066.4  1,073.6  1,073.9  1,075.9    67.8    66.6    66.5    67.9   112.0   111.5   111.3   111.0
                                                                                                                             
      Vermont............    299.9    301.6    301.9    302.0    15.1    14.8    15.0    15.4    38.8    38.0    38.2    38.0
      Virginia...........  3,486.7  3,525.7  3,524.9  3,518.4   205.6   215.3   217.2   215.7   318.6   305.4   305.1   302.8
      Washington.........  2,665.1  2,668.2  2,664.0  2,670.2   156.1   161.3   161.7   162.5   275.8   262.8   261.5   260.7
      West Virginia......    728.2    728.0    722.3    723.9    33.3    32.4    32.5    33.0    67.5    64.9    64.6    64.4
      Wisconsin..........  2,764.2  2,779.0  2,764.5  2,763.6   121.3   115.4   115.2   114.6   522.4   508.4   509.3   508.8
      Wyoming............    248.3    248.7    250.5    251.6    20.9    19.3    20.0    20.4   (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. 
                            2002    2003    2003   2003p    2002    2003    2003   2003p    2002    2003    2003   2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............   346.3   371.8   354.8   345.6    97.2    97.9    97.7    98.0   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Alaska.............    61.3    61.8    62.3    62.3   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      23.1    24.4    23.8    24.0
      Arizona............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     151.2   153.2   153.4   154.2   310.5   324.0   321.6   321.7
      Arkansas...........   241.5   243.2   243.3   243.3    50.4    50.6    50.6    50.8   100.5    99.1    99.1    99.6
      California......... 2,717.9 2,753.8 2,738.7 2,725.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)   2,135.4 2,120.9 2,115.9 2,116.1
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   415.5   407.4   407.3   407.4   147.5   157.4   156.0   153.5   278.3   289.7   286.3   287.6
      Connecticut........   292.2   306.0   292.7   291.3   142.6   143.1   142.9   142.8   198.8   198.5   197.6   196.1
      Delaware (3).......    80.0    76.8    79.2    80.3    37.4    38.6    38.6    38.7    65.8    68.7    68.9    68.4
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia (3)....   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     138.3   142.3   142.9   142.3
      Florida (3)........ 1,466.0 1,465.6 1,466.5 1,463.6   473.2   485.2   482.9   482.0 1,235.4 1,264.0 1,272.2 1,271.4
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia ...........   825.2   833.4   815.3   804.1   211.2   212.8   212.6   211.4   510.9   558.4   552.1   552.3
      Hawaii (3).........   103.6   109.3   107.1   106.1   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Idaho..............   116.4   119.4   118.4   118.6   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      69.5    74.2    73.2    73.0
      Illinois........... 1,194.3 1,193.4 1,197.0 1,191.5   403.1   401.9   402.7   403.1   790.1   791.4   792.2   791.2
      Indiana............   579.0   573.7   575.1   574.2   140.5   138.5   138.9   138.5   245.2   239.1   239.5   238.7
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   302.4   299.5   300.4   301.1    94.3    94.8    95.0    95.4   106.5   109.9   108.9   109.5
      Kansas.............   266.2   270.7   267.8   268.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Kentucky...........   366.7   368.1   366.8   366.6    84.4    83.5    83.8    84.2   153.6   154.6   154.3   154.8
      Louisiana..........   382.9   384.3   381.6   380.2    99.5    98.4    98.0    98.6   178.6   173.9   175.4   174.2
      Maine..............   124.9   126.1   125.9   125.7   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      50.9    51.3    51.7    51.3
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland (3).......   450.9   457.5   454.8   453.3   151.1   151.2   151.1   150.6   370.9   361.9   360.8   357.7
      Massachusetts......   575.8   574.1   569.7   568.4   229.7   230.8   229.5   229.9   443.7   434.6   434.6   430.4
      Michigan...........   836.1   836.1   838.2   823.9   214.9   218.0   217.8   218.7   579.5   579.3   572.6   563.3
      Minnesota..........   526.1   523.1   523.4   523.5   169.7   167.9   167.9   168.7   292.6   298.0   298.1   295.1
      Mississippi........   217.5   226.6   220.6   219.3   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri...........   540.0   534.3   533.4   533.5   158.6   157.1   158.3   158.6   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Montana............    84.9    85.3    85.4    85.4    19.7    20.0    20.1    20.2    32.4    31.7    31.8    32.0
      Nebraska...........   198.2   197.2   197.5   197.0    62.6    63.8    63.6    63.8    88.5    92.4    90.5    90.5
      Nevada.............   196.0   197.8   201.4   204.2    56.1    57.7    57.3    59.1   114.2   119.8   119.1   120.4
      New Hampshire......   138.9   139.9   139.7   139.2   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   883.3   885.8   884.0   884.6   276.6   280.3   280.9   281.3   579.7   587.5   586.3   587.1
      New Mexico.........   135.6   136.5   136.5   136.8    34.6    34.2    34.2    34.4    91.2    88.8    89.3    89.4
      New York........... 1,481.1 1,472.0 1,474.7 1,475.6   697.2   698.6   700.6   703.4 1,044.7 1,037.9 1,035.8 1,035.4
      North Carolina.....   719.0   718.5   717.6   717.9   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     411.5   428.8   427.6   423.3
      North Dakota.......    72.5    71.7    71.8    71.6    17.6    18.2    18.1    18.0    24.1    24.0    24.0    23.8
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio............... 1,056.8 1,044.1 1,041.5 1,037.3   306.3   309.1   309.3   308.2   608.6   607.2   604.1   600.9
      Oklahoma...........   285.1   283.4   281.6   280.9    83.9    86.2    86.2    86.1   158.3   161.4   159.5   158.4
      Oregon ............   311.0   309.2   308.0   307.9    94.7    93.1    92.8    92.6   171.1   175.0   173.2   173.9
      Pennsylvania....... 1,108.6 1,096.6 1,096.6 1,096.7   339.0   339.7   338.7   339.4   602.8   606.7   605.1   600.3
      Rhode Island.......    78.5    83.2    81.7    80.7   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      48.2    47.9    47.9    48.5
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   349.8   344.5   345.2   344.5    89.6    87.8    87.6    87.5   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      South Dakota.......    79.5    79.0    79.0    79.8    27.5    27.8    27.8    28.1   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
      Tennessee..........   565.1   572.6   569.8   564.7   137.7   137.4   137.6   138.2   312.4   313.7   314.1   316.4
      Texas.............. 1,956.8 1,945.1 1,941.4 1,939.8   581.5   586.3   586.3   587.8 1,045.8 1,054.9 1,050.4 1,045.0
      Utah...............   212.7   214.1   213.9   213.8   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     132.5   132.7   133.0   134.3
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      20.6    20.8    20.9    20.6
      Virginia...........   637.8   641.2   643.0   646.8   182.6   184.3   184.7   184.8   541.3   554.1   548.0   543.0
      Washington.........   515.7   509.4   512.1   515.4   148.5   148.9   149.4   149.9   289.2   295.3   294.9   294.2
      West Virginia......   135.6   135.3   131.7   133.4   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      57.7    58.7    57.9    58.4
      Wisconsin..........   526.0   540.9   534.3   533.1   153.4   158.0   159.0   159.2   238.2   243.1   242.1   238.5
      Wyoming............    48.0    48.4    48.8    48.8   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      15.2    15.1    15.0    15.4






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                           Education and health services      Leisure and hospitality                Government          
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                            2002    2003    2003   2003p    2002    2003    2003   2003p    2002    2003    2003   2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     157.1   153.7   155.4   157.5   355.0   354.4   353.5   353.3
      Alaska.............    30.8    32.8    32.8    33.1    29.4    29.4    29.5    29.4    82.5    82.4    82.3    82.6
      Arizona............   240.3   252.2   252.9   252.3   229.2   232.7   234.6   234.6   390.6   391.3   389.6   392.3
      Arkansas...........   137.0   139.6   139.6   140.1    87.0    89.0    88.5    88.6   196.3   197.3   197.1   197.2
      California......... 1,513.7 1,536.5 1,537.9 1,540.4 1,382.9 1,408.7 1,408.0 1,405.7 2,460.3 2,417.1 2,410.6 2,410.6
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   211.0   215.4   215.0   216.5   246.4   249.3   250.8   248.9   366.3   359.3   358.9   358.1
      Connecticut........   263.8   266.6   267.4   267.0   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     246.4   239.9   241.6   241.2
      Delaware ..........    49.2    50.1    50.2    49.8    37.9    37.6    37.8    38.3    56.5    55.4    54.6    54.8
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia .......   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      48.0    49.5    49.6    49.4   230.1   231.5   228.9   231.0
      Florida ...........   867.8   883.6   885.3   882.6   812.1   831.5   832.7   831.6 1,057.5 1,084.1 1,081.6 1,084.7
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia ...........   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     336.2   344.1   340.9   343.3   632.7   637.5   636.9   636.7
      Hawaii ............    63.3    65.7    65.7    66.0    98.6   100.5   100.5   101.3   119.5   120.0   119.5   118.6
      Idaho..............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      54.4    54.5    53.6    53.4   112.0   111.0   111.2   111.0
      Illinois...........   712.2   721.5   717.6   719.0   501.2   498.1   499.0   498.4   865.8   853.3   850.1   854.0
      Indiana............   352.0   349.5   349.6   349.3   263.4   269.5   266.9   267.3   418.1   421.5   419.9   420.4
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   189.3   193.9   193.8   193.6   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     244.5   243.9   244.2   243.8
      Kansas.............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     108.1   107.6   107.2   108.6   252.2   254.0   254.8   255.4
      Kentucky...........   225.7   227.9   228.4   228.0   154.2   153.4   154.5   154.3   312.9   309.5   309.8   309.6
      Louisiana..........   240.3   239.1   240.9   239.5   194.2   194.9   194.1   193.0   376.6   376.7   376.5   377.5
      Maine..............   105.6   107.4   108.1   107.9    56.4    56.2    56.2    56.1   103.1   103.2   102.9   103.6
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland ..........   334.6   339.2   339.8   341.9   217.2   217.6   213.8   208.8   463.1   463.7   462.2   464.0
      Massachusetts......   570.7   574.4   575.4   574.0   279.1   286.0   283.4   282.2   428.9   420.2   419.1   420.0
      Michigan...........   536.4   544.9   546.4   542.3   382.0   380.5   380.3   381.7   690.8   676.3   674.8   671.1
      Minnesota..........   357.7   364.8   365.1   365.9   230.2   235.1   235.3   237.2   406.7   395.5   390.6   394.7
      Mississippi........   113.3   112.7   113.2   113.7   120.6   121.0   121.0   120.5   243.0   245.9   246.1   246.8
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri...........   352.3   359.2   359.7   358.3   255.8   259.4   258.0   258.5   417.7   427.0   423.9   426.0
      Montana............    52.1    53.1    52.8    52.9    51.1    52.2    52.5    51.9    83.0    85.2    84.9    83.8
      Nebraska...........   111.3   115.1   115.9   115.8    72.9    73.7    72.9    71.4   160.5   160.6   159.2   159.9
      Nevada.............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     293.5   305.1   302.8   301.9   133.6   135.8   135.7   136.2
      New Hampshire......   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      61.1    62.3    61.3    64.0    85.3    90.9    91.0    91.2
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   534.3   546.3   547.6   546.7   309.5   317.5   317.6   315.2   618.2   626.8   626.0   625.9
      New Mexico.........    95.5    99.4    99.5    99.8    80.1    81.3    81.4    81.5   192.9   194.3   194.9   195.9
      New York........... 1,471.5 1,492.6 1,495.2 1,493.4   639.2   651.0   653.2   652.4 1,482.2 1,477.7 1,477.2 1,478.2
      North Carolina.....   413.1   429.5   431.0   432.5   323.4   321.0   324.9   329.8   654.1   661.8   655.7   658.7
      North Dakota.......    47.0    47.1    47.1    47.2    29.4    31.0    30.6    30.4    75.8    76.1    76.2    75.8
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   717.9   727.7   727.6   728.8   476.3   490.2   481.6   474.2   795.7   788.7   788.6   789.2
      Oklahoma...........   175.1   169.8   171.4   170.7   125.4   129.7   128.6   127.3   298.1   292.4   291.9   293.5
      Oregon ............   184.4   187.5   189.1   188.7   150.0   150.0   150.6   153.7   272.9   270.2   269.6   271.9
      Pennsylvania.......   972.4   986.1   990.8   993.5   465.2   470.8   472.1   470.4   748.1   751.7   750.6   752.9
      Rhode Island.......   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      48.0    48.0    47.7    47.5    66.1    65.6    65.7    65.6
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   178.8   179.6   179.3   180.0   194.4   183.0   186.0   190.4   336.0   328.9   329.0   331.1
      South Dakota.......    54.9    56.1    56.5    56.7    39.1    40.8    40.3    39.7    75.3    75.4    75.3    75.3
      Tennessee..........   304.6   312.7   313.2   313.4   236.9   240.6   240.4   239.5   410.1   412.7   413.8   413.2
      Texas.............. 1,105.2 1,133.6 1,137.2 1,141.8   847.4   855.7   857.2   858.0 1,637.8 1,668.2 1,673.0 1,671.4
      Utah...............   118.0   120.4   120.9   121.4    99.1    97.9    98.7   101.3   196.0   197.8   197.3   197.3
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............    51.0    51.3    51.1    51.5   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      50.4    51.3    51.6    51.6
      Virginia...........   367.9   369.9   369.2   367.9   304.3   316.6   315.3   315.1   634.1   646.1   648.1   644.0
      Washington.........   310.0   315.7   316.3   316.5   245.1   249.0   246.8   245.5   525.4   524.8   520.2   524.4
      West Virginia......   106.5   107.2   107.5   107.2    63.4    66.6    65.0    64.7   142.2   141.1   141.2   141.1
      Wisconsin..........   358.5   370.2   368.5   369.3   237.6   239.9   237.5   238.4   418.0   409.5   406.6   410.4
      Wyoming............   (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)      30.6    30.5    30.3    31.0    62.1    64.1    63.4    63.4

       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 March 2002 benchmark
     levels.  Estimates subsequent to the current benchmark month are provisional and will be revised when new information
     becomes available.




                                                                                                       ESTABLISHMENT DATA
     ESTABLISHMENT DATA
                                                                                                  NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     NOT SEASONALLY ADJUSTED
     
     Table 6. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by state and selected industry division, not seasonally adjusted

     (In thousands)
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                       Total                Natural resources and mining            Construction         
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
            State               Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.     
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............ 1,899.0 1,884.3 1,895.4 1,885.0    13.2    13.2    13.3    13.1   101.1   103.1    99.9   102.0
      Alaska.............   289.5   294.9   287.4   292.8    10.3     9.8     9.9     9.6    15.5    15.8    14.1    14.4
      Arizona............ 2,303.6 2,336.6 2,298.4 2,345.5     8.8     8.5     8.6     8.5   175.8   183.9   174.2   182.6
      Arkansas........... 1,158.7 1,155.2 1,156.3 1,154.0     6.9     6.8     6.8     6.8    55.0    54.0    54.9    53.5
      California......... 14599.1 14537.7 14584.7 14549.0    23.6    23.2    22.5    22.2   786.7   801.7   777.2   792.5
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado........... 2,188.0 2,167.8 2,195.3 2,175.2    13.1    14.2    13.2    14.1   158.5   149.9   154.0   143.8
      Connecticut........ 1,679.2 1,661.6 1,682.2 1,665.4      .7      .7      .7      .7    63.3    61.0    61.5    59.2
      Delaware ..........   417.6   414.7   415.1   414.1   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)      24.5    24.9    24.0    24.4
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........   665.3   671.0   665.3   672.0   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)      12.3    12.9    12.4    12.9
      Florida............ 7,308.1 7,401.1 7,325.8 7,439.2   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     443.8   458.0   438.8   460.1
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............ 3,930.6 3,990.7 3,927.7 3,990.9    11.7    11.9    11.9    11.9   197.3   215.2   197.6   214.6
      Hawaii ............   564.6   575.4   568.5   578.7   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)      26.6    27.6    26.6    27.2
      Idaho..............   573.9   579.8   570.3   576.9     4.0     3.6     3.8     3.3    37.7    38.4    36.0    36.9
      Illinois........... 5,955.5 5,906.3 5,945.3 5,904.8     9.6     9.6     9.5     9.2   284.1   281.0   271.9   271.9
      Indiana............ 2,926.9 2,902.6 2,909.2 2,900.9     7.2     7.2     7.1     7.1   140.4   149.2   135.3   147.2
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa............... 1,462.8 1,462.6 1,455.9 1,455.8     2.0     2.1     2.0     2.1    67.7    66.6    63.0    62.1
      Kansas............. 1,352.3 1,355.3 1,347.5 1,355.2     6.4     6.8     6.4     6.7    62.3    64.3    61.6    63.9
      Kentucky........... 1,801.8 1,789.3 1,795.7 1,786.8    20.0    19.6    19.8    19.6    85.2    83.6    83.8    81.7
      Louisiana.......... 1,912.9 1,911.2 1,915.9 1,909.5    48.6    47.5    49.8    48.4   117.9   125.2   116.2   126.0
      Maine..............   611.2   610.8   607.6   607.8     2.7     2.7     2.7     2.7    30.0    29.7    28.5    28.1
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland........... 2,496.7 2,506.4 2,495.8 2,503.5   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     169.1   168.2   167.8   166.4
      Massachusetts...... 3,263.8 3,222.8 3,264.3 3,221.0     1.7     1.7     1.6     1.6   143.9   136.8   138.4   133.2
      Michigan........... 4,523.2 4,454.5 4,498.4 4,419.9     9.0     8.1     8.1     7.6   205.3   204.1   196.6   196.3
      Minnesota.......... 2,675.5 2,665.9 2,657.4 2,656.6     6.6     6.1     6.5     6.1   126.3   129.7   117.6   120.6
      Mississippi........ 1,133.6 1,134.9 1,131.8 1,135.9     9.1     9.4     9.0     9.4    55.6    56.3    54.2    55.4
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri........... 2,685.5 2,687.5 2,678.9 2,681.7     4.6     4.3     4.4     4.3   132.9   136.8   130.1   134.2
      Montana............   399.5   401.2   395.8   397.9     6.3     6.5     6.3     6.5    22.6    22.9    21.6    22.2
      Nebraska...........   916.3   917.6   912.1   913.7     1.3     1.4     1.2     1.3    45.1    45.6    44.0    43.6
      Nevada............. 1,064.2 1,103.1 1,060.9 1,103.1     8.7     8.6     8.6     8.6    93.6   101.2    91.9    99.8
      New Hampshire......   622.6   620.7   621.2   624.0      .9     1.1      .9     1.0    28.2    26.3    28.0    25.8
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey......... 4,031.3 4,056.3 4,025.3 4,061.9     1.5     1.5     1.5     1.5   165.3   167.9   160.7   164.8
      New Mexico.........   774.9   784.4   776.1   785.9    13.5    14.2    13.2    14.2    45.7    48.4    45.1    47.6
      New York........... 8,515.6 8,502.3 8,523.3 8,514.9     5.4     5.2     5.0     4.7   329.7   340.6   321.2   329.5
      North Carolina..... 3,876.2 3,874.0 3,854.6 3,864.6     7.9     7.4     7.8     7.3   218.2   220.4   215.8   217.7
      North Dakota.......   335.8   336.6   334.1   334.8     3.3     3.2     3.2     3.1    15.2    15.7    13.6    14.3
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio............... 5,497.8 5,419.3 5,483.8 5,415.4    12.3    12.1    12.4    11.9   244.3   242.6   233.2   235.2
      Oklahoma........... 1,492.9 1,482.3 1,489.6 1,478.4    28.2    28.9    27.9    29.6    64.2    64.5    63.5    61.5
      Oregon............. 1,587.9 1,580.0 1,579.3 1,578.5     9.8     9.2     9.9     8.8    82.0    79.2    79.1    78.0
      Pennsylvania....... 5,710.5 5,693.9 5,695.2 5,682.7    18.8    18.0    18.2    17.4   253.5   254.7   243.9   244.3
      Rhode Island.......   486.6   487.9   486.1   487.1      .2      .3      .2      .2    19.8    20.7    19.4    20.0
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina..... 1,830.7 1,785.4 1,823.0 1,781.7     5.3     5.3     5.2     5.3   111.5   111.3   110.4   108.2
      South Dakota.......   380.9   383.8   380.7   382.7     1.0      .9      .9      .8    19.9    20.2    18.7    18.8
      Tennessee.......... 2,688.7 2,694.6 2,686.4 2,692.5     4.4     4.2     4.4     4.2   115.0   110.3   113.1   108.5
      Texas.............. 9,487.1 9,519.0 9,485.2 9,530.3   144.8   142.1   144.5   142.5   567.4   581.4   566.2   580.6
      Utah............... 1,081.2 1,086.8 1,080.9 1,091.0     7.0     6.8     6.9     6.8    69.9    68.7    67.8    67.8
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............   303.1   304.9   306.2   308.3     1.1     1.2     1.0     1.2    15.3    15.6    15.0    15.3
      Virginia........... 3,532.9 3,553.4 3,514.0 3,545.3    10.7    10.1    10.5    10.0   211.4   217.9   204.5   214.5
      Washington......... 2,687.8 2,690.1 2,675.4 2,680.3     9.2     9.3     9.0     9.1   157.7   163.5   153.1   159.5
      West Virginia......   736.0   731.0   736.0   731.4    22.9    22.8    22.7    22.5    34.6    34.2    33.1    32.8
      Wisconsin.......... 2,805.0 2,795.6 2,786.7 2,785.8     4.3     4.5     3.9     4.1   125.9   119.6   118.2   111.5
      Wyoming............   245.9   248.7   245.3   248.6    17.7    18.4    17.7    18.3    20.6    20.0    19.7    19.2
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........   987.8   996.4 1,006.4 1,014.7     1.2     1.3     1.2     1.2    65.7    62.1    66.4    62.7






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                   Manufacturing             Trade, transportation, and             Information          
                                                                     utilities                                           
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.     
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............   305.7   294.0   304.7   295.8   378.8   376.4   379.7   378.8    33.8    33.9    33.9    33.9
      Alaska.............     7.0     7.4     6.3     6.4    59.8    60.8    59.7    60.6     7.3     7.2     7.2     7.2
      Arizona............   179.2   174.4   179.2   174.7   455.6   461.3   460.3   467.4    50.5    48.5    50.0    48.9
      Arkansas...........   213.1   205.7   212.7   205.8   245.8   247.0   246.4   248.2    20.2    19.5    20.1    19.4
      California......... 1,608.4 1,571.1 1,600.6 1,567.0 2,790.8 2,788.0 2,808.9 2,815.3   483.4   469.1   477.9   473.6
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   162.5   151.0   162.2   150.6   419.2   414.6   425.9   417.6    91.8    84.0    90.0    84.5
      Connecticut........   210.2   200.9   209.8   200.8   315.6   314.7   322.6   321.6    40.2    39.5    40.2    39.4
      Delaware ..........    35.9    34.8    36.1    33.5    79.1    79.1    79.8    80.1     8.0     8.0     7.8     7.9
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........     2.9     2.8     2.9     2.8    28.1    27.9    28.7    28.2    25.6    25.4    25.6    25.0
      Florida............   405.1   393.4   403.1   394.0 1,493.5 1,490.0 1,517.8 1,514.8   172.9   166.8   172.2   167.3
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............   471.7   449.9   465.2   449.9   846.2   846.5   859.3   851.0   128.2   129.2   128.1   129.2
      Hawaii ............    14.9    15.0    14.9    15.1   108.7   110.3   109.5   112.2    11.5    11.3    11.5    11.4
      Idaho..............    64.4    61.2    63.6    61.0   118.0   120.1   117.9   120.1     9.2     9.4     9.2     9.4
      Illinois...........   748.7   727.4   747.3   725.9 1,215.1 1,213.8 1,226.4 1,223.7   147.5   143.4   147.1   143.2
      Indiana............   589.1   574.4   586.6   574.8   593.3   587.9   595.6   590.8    42.0    41.4    42.2    42.1
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   226.0   221.5   225.0   220.7   306.8   304.9   307.6   306.2    35.3    35.8    34.8    35.4
      Kansas.............   181.1   177.1   180.8   177.0   273.0   274.6   273.7   275.9    50.8    50.0    50.8    50.1
      Kentucky...........   273.6   268.2   274.0   269.4   376.2   373.2   376.2   376.0    31.8    31.8    31.9    31.9
      Louisiana..........   160.6   157.4   160.6   157.2   387.4   387.3   392.3   389.3    29.9    29.8    29.2    29.6
      Maine..............    67.6    63.9    67.1    63.7   128.3   128.8   128.5   129.3    11.6    11.5    11.6    11.5
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland...........   154.9   152.4   154.6   152.0   468.0   467.5   473.2   472.3    50.9    50.3    51.1    50.3
      Massachusetts......   341.7   332.3   340.7   332.1   588.1   582.8   599.4   591.7    96.1    90.9    96.1    90.4
      Michigan...........   756.8   726.7   756.0   725.9   858.0   851.8   861.7   849.4    74.5    73.9    74.4    73.8
      Minnesota..........   350.0   344.8   347.7   344.2   535.0   533.1   537.3   534.6    66.5    66.6    66.5    66.4
      Mississippi........   184.7   178.6   184.9   179.2   226.3   228.1   228.5   230.3    16.0    16.0    16.0    16.2
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri...........   317.8   314.7   316.8   314.6   550.3   541.9   550.8   544.2    69.4    66.2    69.5    66.8
      Montana............    19.6    18.8    19.3    18.5    86.1    86.3    86.5    86.9     7.7     7.4     7.8     7.5
      Nebraska...........   106.4   103.9   106.1   104.0   201.1   201.5   203.5   202.3    24.7    25.2    24.6    25.3
      Nevada.............    42.9    44.0    42.7    44.2   195.3   202.6   196.7   204.9    16.6    15.9    16.4    15.9
      New Hampshire......    83.7    81.1    83.3    81.6   142.8   142.9   144.6   144.8    12.7    12.0    12.9    12.1
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   364.3   356.8   362.9   355.8   904.6   900.8   912.9   913.8   112.2   108.2   111.1   108.6
      New Mexico.........    37.7    36.1    37.4    35.7   137.8   139.2   139.5   140.8    16.8    16.0    17.0    16.2
      New York...........   641.9   613.7   636.7   608.6 1,512.3 1,508.4 1,536.1 1,530.4   293.5   279.4   292.5   281.0
      North Carolina.....   630.6   598.7   626.2   598.9   729.2   733.4   737.5   735.8    81.4    79.2    79.8    78.0
      North Dakota.......    23.8    23.3    23.7    23.4    73.8    73.0    74.2    73.2     7.8     8.0     7.8     8.0
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   878.2   841.1   876.1   841.8 1,083.6 1,064.4 1,094.8 1,074.6    99.0    94.5    98.4    94.8
      Oklahoma...........   149.1   149.1   148.9   149.4   291.7   286.9   292.4   288.2    36.1    33.8    35.7    33.4
      Oregon.............   200.1   198.3   196.7   196.2   318.4   316.9   323.0   319.9    35.9    35.1    36.3    34.7
      Pennsylvania.......   748.5   717.7   747.0   716.0 1,136.2 1,119.6 1,142.3 1,129.6   129.6   129.3   131.1   129.6
      Rhode Island.......    62.0    60.4    61.7    60.5    84.2    86.2    84.8    87.0    11.3    11.0    11.4    11.1
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   289.8   270.8   288.9   269.2   352.3   348.7   356.0   350.4    27.6    27.6    27.6    27.6
      South Dakota.......    38.6    37.2    38.0    36.8    78.4    78.8    79.2    79.5     6.6     6.9     6.7     6.9
      Tennessee..........   421.0   414.0   419.1   412.3   585.6   585.2   588.4   587.9    53.3    52.1    53.4    52.2
      Texas..............   936.8   908.2   932.7   906.0 1,991.3 1,970.5 2,008.6 1,990.2   242.3   230.3   241.9   230.5
      Utah...............   112.5   112.1   113.0   112.0   220.1   219.8   221.5   222.5    30.8    30.9    31.0    30.6
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............    39.5    38.5    39.2    38.4    59.6    60.2    60.2    61.0     6.7     6.7     6.7     6.7
      Virginia...........   320.3   305.7   319.5   303.7   658.3   661.3   661.8   670.6   102.3   101.2   102.1   101.4
      Washington.........   277.6   262.5   274.6   259.5   521.5   520.3   524.2   523.6    93.0    94.0    93.5    94.9
      West Virginia......    67.7    64.9    67.7    64.6   138.3   134.4   139.3   137.1    13.1    13.0    13.1    13.0
      Wisconsin..........   524.8   508.8   521.9   508.3   542.0   548.7   544.1   551.2    50.8    50.6    50.6    50.8
      Wyoming............     9.9     9.6     9.5     9.5    48.2    49.1    48.2    49.0     4.1     4.3     4.2     4.2
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........   118.6   117.8   118.5   117.2   175.9   172.3   184.0   180.0    21.7    21.1    21.8    21.4






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                Financial activities         Professional and business     Education and health services 
                                                                      services                                           
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.     
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............    97.3    97.6    97.2    98.0   186.7   186.6   185.2   185.6   186.1   185.5   186.1   184.4
      Alaska.............    13.3    13.9    13.5    14.2    22.8    23.6    22.8    23.7    30.7    32.8    30.8    33.1
      Arizona............   153.2   154.8   153.0   156.1   317.9   324.5   314.0   325.2   239.7   253.4   241.1   253.3
      Arkansas...........    50.1    50.6    50.4    50.8   101.6   100.6   100.5    99.6   138.2   141.2   138.2   141.3
      California.........   858.3   865.1   859.8   866.2 2,143.5 2,122.2 2,144.3 2,124.6 1,532.0 1,551.7 1,524.5 1,551.2
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   147.6   154.0   148.7   154.6   283.4   288.0   279.4   288.5   212.8   216.7   212.4   218.0
      Connecticut........   142.4   143.0   142.9   143.1   201.9   199.2   201.3   198.5   264.8   267.9   264.9   268.1
      Delaware ..........    38.0    38.4    37.3    38.5    69.5    68.9    68.9    68.5    49.8    50.3    49.6    50.1
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........    31.1    31.0    30.9    31.2   139.1   143.8   139.4   143.4    93.8    94.1    91.7    92.9
      Florida............   474.2   482.9   474.5   483.4 1,241.5 1,274.7 1,239.5 1,275.2   875.3   890.3   874.1   888.7
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............   212.7   214.5   214.0   214.4   521.5   558.8   514.5   555.6   382.0   388.2   379.5   386.5
      Hawaii ............    27.9    28.4    28.0    28.5    68.2    70.1    68.9    70.1    64.7    66.4    63.7    66.4
      Idaho..............    25.5    27.5    25.1    27.6    70.0    74.1    69.8    73.3    61.5    63.0    61.2    63.2
      Illinois...........   403.6   402.3   403.6   403.5   796.1   796.2   794.1   795.2   718.6   722.8   716.3   723.1
      Indiana............   139.7   138.7   140.4   138.4   248.3   240.9   245.4   239.0   356.8   354.5   357.1   354.2
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............    93.9    94.9    94.2    95.3   106.9   109.9   107.1   110.2   194.2   199.1   194.2   198.5
      Kansas.............    69.2    71.0    69.3    70.9   126.9   126.1   126.2   126.2   160.2   162.3   160.3   162.2
      Kentucky...........    84.9    84.9    85.0    84.8   157.0   157.1   155.3   156.5   226.3   229.8   226.6   228.9
      Louisiana..........    99.6    98.2    99.7    98.9   180.0   176.3   179.6   175.1   241.5   242.3   241.3   240.5
      Maine..............    35.0    34.9    35.0    35.1    51.4    51.5    50.9    51.3   106.2   108.9   106.4   108.7
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland...........   150.5   151.4   151.4   151.4   364.1   364.8   362.9   363.4   338.0   343.4   337.5   344.2
      Massachusetts......   228.9   229.7   230.2   230.4   448.8   436.3   446.0   432.6   580.4   586.1   580.2   583.4
      Michigan...........   215.6   217.8   214.8   218.7   591.6   575.6   583.5   567.3   540.1   551.3   540.9   547.2
      Minnesota..........   169.9   167.7   169.2   168.2   297.4   299.0   294.2   296.6   362.8   369.8   360.4   368.6
      Mississippi........    45.9    45.9    46.2    46.1    77.0    81.2    76.3    80.1   113.3   113.5   113.4   113.8
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri...........   158.1   158.1   158.7   158.6   298.5   298.0   298.4   295.7   355.3   364.0   356.6   362.6
      Montana............    19.7    20.1    19.7    20.2    32.6    32.0    32.2    31.7    52.4    53.3    52.6    53.4
      Nebraska...........    62.1    63.5    62.5    63.7    90.8    92.2    89.9    92.0   112.2   116.1   111.6   116.1
      Nevada.............    55.9    58.7    56.1    59.1   116.2   121.7   114.2   120.3    72.9    77.4    73.1    77.7
      New Hampshire......    36.8    37.1    36.9    37.2    53.4    52.6    53.4    52.6    93.9    94.1    93.6    93.8
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   275.2   280.1   276.4   281.0   587.0   589.8   582.3   589.4   538.9   550.9   538.7   551.1
      New Mexico.........    34.2    34.1    34.6    34.4    90.6    89.2    91.0    89.2    97.1   101.2    97.0   101.4
      New York...........   699.2   701.3   698.6   704.8 1,052.6 1,041.7 1,053.0 1,043.6 1,498.3 1,516.1 1,495.3 1,517.3
      North Carolina.....   191.7   192.4   194.2   193.3   415.3   430.0   413.5   425.3   422.4   438.3   419.7   439.4
      North Dakota.......    17.7    18.1    17.7    18.1    24.4    24.3    24.1    23.8    47.2    47.4    47.2    47.4
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   305.9   309.4   306.7   308.6   620.6   610.1   614.5   606.9   724.3   734.9   724.6   735.4
      Oklahoma...........    83.6    86.3    84.1    86.3   158.8   159.8   157.5   157.5   176.6   172.8   176.3   171.9
      Oregon.............    92.8    92.5    94.0    91.9   173.2   174.4   171.6   174.4   187.9   192.9   187.2   191.5
      Pennsylvania.......   336.6   337.7   338.4   339.1   610.3   606.9   603.6   600.9   989.7 1,010.6   987.9 1,008.4
      Rhode Island.......    32.7    32.4    32.6    32.2    49.1    48.9    48.6    48.9    90.2    91.1    90.9    91.2
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....    90.5    87.9    90.2    88.0   184.7   178.6   181.8   178.5   180.4   180.6   179.9   181.1
      South Dakota.......    27.3    27.7    27.5    28.1    24.3    24.3    24.1    23.9    54.9    56.7    55.2    56.9
      Tennessee..........   137.9   138.3   138.0   138.5   311.3   315.4   313.0   317.0   304.7   313.6   304.6   313.5
      Texas..............   582.2   586.9   582.9   589.0 1,053.8 1,052.5 1,050.6 1,050.2 1,108.0 1,144.9 1,109.5 1,146.1
      Utah...............    63.5    64.4    63.6    65.1   132.8   132.5   131.1   132.8   118.4   121.5   118.2   121.5
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............    13.1    13.4    13.3    13.5    21.1    21.0    20.8    20.8    52.0    52.5    52.0    52.6
      Virginia...........   183.1   184.3   182.8   185.1   546.6   549.6   543.9   545.7   372.9   374.0   372.1   371.9
      Washington.........   147.9   149.8   148.6   150.0   291.8   297.4   291.3   296.3   311.7   319.2   312.1   318.6
      West Virginia......    31.1    31.4    31.3    31.5    57.8    58.9    58.6    59.3   108.0   108.9   107.9   108.6
      Wisconsin..........   153.9   158.9   153.4   159.2   243.0   244.8   240.6   240.9   361.6   372.2   360.8   371.5
      Wyoming............    10.1    10.2    10.1    10.3    15.4    15.1    15.0    15.2    20.1    20.6    20.2    20.7
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........    44.1    44.7    44.7    45.1    97.8    96.4    98.6    96.2    87.7    88.3    88.5    88.4






                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                              Leisure and hospitality              Other services                    Government          
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                                Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.            Nov.            Dec.     
                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                         
                            2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p    2002    2003    2002   2003p 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  
      Alabama............   152.2   151.7   151.6   152.0    85.0    84.6    84.8    84.2   359.1   357.7   359.0   357.2
      Alaska.............    27.2    27.3    27.2    27.2    12.3    12.8    12.4    12.8    83.3    83.5    83.5    83.6
      Arizona............   229.8   234.6   229.9   235.2    85.1    89.0    85.6    89.3   408.0   403.7   402.5   404.3
      Arkansas...........    86.6    88.1    85.6    87.1    40.5    40.4    40.6    40.5   200.7   201.3   200.1   201.0
      California......... 1,377.4 1,400.3 1,380.2 1,402.9   504.5   501.0   502.7   498.8 2,490.5 2,444.3 2,486.1 2,434.7
                                                                                                                         
      Colorado...........   239.7   243.0   250.3   252.9    84.6    84.6    85.4    85.0   374.8   367.8   373.8   365.6
      Connecticut........   122.9   122.7   123.1   123.9    62.4    63.0    63.0    63.2   254.8   249.0   252.2   246.9
      Delaware ..........    37.6    36.7    36.5    37.0    17.6    18.1    17.4    18.2    57.6    55.5    57.7    55.9
      District of                                                                                                        
         Columbia........    48.7    50.1    48.3    49.6    56.4    55.5    56.1    55.9   227.3   227.5   229.3   230.1
      Florida............   802.0   824.4   811.1   829.9   314.4   317.4   316.0   319.4 1,085.4 1,103.2 1,078.7 1,106.4
                                                                                                                         
      Georgia............   335.7   337.8   333.7   340.6   186.6   197.3   185.7   194.8   637.0   641.4   638.2   642.4
      Hawaii ............    97.4   100.6    98.8   101.5    23.7    24.5    23.9    24.5   121.0   121.2   122.7   121.8
      Idaho..............    51.7    51.7    53.2    52.3    17.6    17.7    17.4    17.7   114.3   113.1   113.1   112.1
      Illinois...........   497.9   494.2   495.4   492.4   258.9   251.0   257.5   252.3   875.4   864.6   876.2   864.4
      Indiana............   266.5   266.1   261.5   265.4   110.5   110.2   108.8   110.2   433.1   432.1   429.2   431.7
                                                                                                                         
      Iowa...............   122.7   120.1   120.4   118.0    56.4    56.9    57.1    57.4   250.9   250.8   250.5   249.9
      Kansas.............   108.5   107.4   106.6   107.1    53.9    53.9    53.6    53.8   260.0   261.8   258.2   261.4
      Kentucky...........   152.5   153.4   151.5   151.7    75.9    73.4    75.5    73.5   318.4   314.3   316.1   312.8
      Louisiana..........   193.4   194.1   194.6   193.2    71.9    70.6    71.8    69.3   382.1   382.5   380.8   382.0
      Maine..............    51.2    51.0    49.4    49.1    19.8    20.1    19.8    20.1   107.4   107.8   107.7   108.2
                                                                                                                         
      Maryland...........   209.6   213.0   206.4   209.1   113.9   118.9   115.5   118.8   477.7   476.5   475.4   475.6
      Massachusetts......   278.5   281.2   276.0   279.1   117.1   117.1   117.8   117.7   438.6   427.9   437.9   428.8
      Michigan...........   376.5   374.4   376.1   375.9   176.9   171.3   177.4   168.8   718.9   699.5   708.9   689.0
      Minnesota..........   222.8   228.5   223.1   229.8   118.5   117.6   119.2   117.9   419.7   403.0   415.7   403.6
      Mississippi........   121.8   119.4   119.5   119.4    38.2    37.9    39.0    37.5   245.7   248.6   244.8   248.5
                                                                                                                         
      Missouri...........   254.8   257.7   251.2   253.6   118.6   113.0   116.7   113.0   425.2   432.8   425.7   434.1
      Montana............    49.4    50.0    49.0    49.7    16.3    16.2    16.3    16.1    86.8    87.7    84.5    85.2
      Nebraska...........    75.8    73.0    73.2    71.7    34.1    33.2    33.4    32.2   162.7   162.0   162.1   161.5
      Nevada.............   295.2   303.1   294.1   302.5    30.1    30.5    30.1    30.5   136.8   139.4   137.0   139.6
      New Hampshire......    57.5    58.5    57.9    60.5    21.8    21.0    21.9    20.9    90.9    94.0    87.8    93.7
                                                                                                                         
      New Jersey.........   300.9   307.5   298.2   304.0   149.8   152.4   149.7   152.9   631.6   640.4   630.9   639.0
      New Mexico.........    78.7    80.4    79.0    80.4    27.9    28.6    27.8    28.5   194.9   197.0   194.5   197.5
      New York...........   632.0   646.7   634.5   647.8   347.8   351.3   349.9   351.3 1,502.9 1,497.9 1,500.5 1,495.9
      North Carolina.....   318.9   319.1   311.0   317.2   179.6   177.8   177.6   175.2   681.0   677.3   671.5   676.5
      North Dakota.......    29.8    30.5    29.3    30.3    15.4    15.3    15.3    15.1    77.4    77.8    78.0    78.1
                                                                                                                         
      Ohio...............   482.2   480.2   477.6   475.6   231.5   222.8   231.6   223.5   815.9   807.2   813.9   807.1
      Oklahoma...........   125.7   128.2   124.0   125.8    74.5    74.3    75.8    76.0   304.4   297.7   303.5   298.8
      Oregon.............   149.1   147.6   146.2   149.7    57.8    57.0    57.9    57.1   280.9   276.9   277.4   276.3
      Pennsylvania.......   455.9   461.2   455.2   460.5   262.5   267.3   263.7   268.2   768.9   770.9   763.9   768.7
      Rhode Island.......    47.2    46.7    46.4    45.9    22.4    23.2    22.6    23.1    67.5    67.0    67.5    67.0
                                                                                                                         
      South Carolina.....   181.3   177.4   178.4   174.8    67.0    63.9    64.6    63.5   340.3   333.3   340.0   335.1
      South Dakota.......    38.8    39.3    38.2    38.8    15.1    15.6    15.8    15.8    76.0    76.2    76.4    76.4
      Tennessee..........   236.7   239.2   234.5   237.1   101.7   102.0   101.0   101.3   417.1   420.3   416.9   420.0
      Texas..............   833.1   842.9   832.1   842.4   355.9   357.9   355.8   358.0 1,671.5 1,701.4 1,660.4 1,694.8
      Utah...............    95.0    97.0    97.8   100.0    32.3    32.6    32.0    32.6   198.9   200.5   198.0   199.3
                                                                                                                         
      Vermont............    30.3    31.0    34.3    33.8    10.1    10.1    10.2    10.2    54.3    54.7    53.5    54.8
      Virginia...........   299.4   307.6   295.5   306.3   177.4   181.0   177.5   182.4   650.5   660.7   643.8   653.7
      Washington.........   241.6   241.4   240.5   240.8    97.8    98.4    98.1    98.4   538.0   534.3   530.4   529.6
      West Virginia......    62.8    64.4    62.9    64.2    55.0    54.9    55.1    54.9   144.7   143.2   144.3   142.9
      Wisconsin..........   231.4   232.5   231.5   232.2   134.9   136.2   136.1   138.3   432.4   418.8   425.6   417.8
      Wyoming............    26.6    27.2    27.6    27.9     9.2     9.3     9.4     9.3    64.0    64.9    63.7    65.0
                                                                                                                         
      Puerto Rico........    64.4    65.4    64.9    67.3    16.1    15.5    16.2    15.3   294.6   311.5   301.6   319.9

       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 March 2002 benchmark
     levels.  Estimates subsequent to the current benchmark month are provisional and will be revised when new
     information becomes available.