Program Report

Monthly Labor Review • March 2010 41

All-employee hours and 

earnings for States and 

metropolitan areas

Dante A. DeAntonio

The Current Employment Statistics 

(CES) survey, conducted by the U.S. 

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 

is a monthly survey of more than 

400,000 business establishments.1

The CES program provides estimates 

of employment, hours, and earnings, 

by industry detail, for the Nation, 

States, and metropolitan areas. CES

data are widely considered one of the 

most timely and accurate economic 

indicators published by the Federal 

Government.

The BLS has published estimates 

of hours and earnings of production workers since 1909. Because 

these workers are about 80 percent 

of all employees (as measured by the 

CES survey), their hours and earnings data are by no means complete 

information about the total private 

economy. Accordingly, the BLS began publishing all-employee hours 

and earnings data on an experimental basis on March 11, 2008, in order 

to provide a more complete picture 

of employee hours and earnings than 

what is available with the production worker data. The all-employee 

payroll data provide comprehensive 

information suitable for analyzing 

economic trends.

Official publication of State and 

area CES all-employee payroll data 

began on March 10, 2010. States are 

required to publish, at a minimum, 

all-employee hours and earnings 

data (1) for all statewide major industry sectors that have a sufficient 

sample and (2) at the total privateindustry level for each metropolitan 

statistical area. Data on certain industries—for example, trade, transportation, and utilities; professional 

and business services; and leisure 

and hospitality—are available for every State. Other highly reported industries include construction (for 49 

States), manufacturing (46 States), 

and education and health services 

(48 States).

Production worker hours and 

earnings

Previously, the only series universally produced at the statewide level 

was production worker hours and 

earnings for manufacturing. Therefore, there is a basis, albeit limited, 

for comparison with the new allemployee hours and earnings. It is 

expected that, in most of the goodsproducing industries in which companies depend on the output produced by these workers, the average 

weekly hours of production workers 

will be higher than the more comprehensive all-employee measure. 

Table 1 presents a State-by-State 

comparison of all-employee and 

production worker average weekly 

hours in manufacturing at two different points in time. The new allemployee hours and earnings data 

series began in January 2007, so that 

is where an initial comparison can be 

made.

In January 2007, out of 45 States 

that reported both all-employee and 

production worker average weekly 

hours in manufacturing, 34 showed 

the latter to be greater than the former. The largest differences occurred 

in Alaska (5.2 hours), South Dakota 

(5.1 hours), and Idaho (4.5 hours). 

Also of note is that 15 out of the 45 

States reported production worker 

hours to be greater than all-employee 

hours by at least 2 hours. 

By October 2009, the gap between 

production worker and all-employee 

hours diminished somewhat. Out of 

45 States reporting both, production worker hours were greater in 30. 

The largest differences also diminished, with the top three now being 

3.8 hours, in Michigan; 3.4 hours, 

in Virginia; and 3.3 hours, in South 

Dakota. In October 2009, only 7 

States showed a difference of at least 

2 hours between production worker 

and all-employee hours. The national 

data, shown in italics, also suggest 

that the gap between the two kinds 

of hours lessened between January 

2007 and October 2009: the difference at the national level fell from 

1.2 hours to 0.9 hour over that period. Average weekly hours declined 

for both production workers and all 

employees, with the former showing 

a stronger drop, an indication that 

the recession, which began in December 2007, has affected production workers’ average weekly hours 

more than it has all employees’.

A similar comparison can be made 

with the use of average hourly earnings data. Because supervisors’ and 

executives’ earnings are included in 

the calculation of all-employee average hourly earnings, it is expected that 

all-employee earnings will be greater 

than that of production workers. Table 2 gives a State-by-State comparison of all-employee and production 

worker average hourly earnings in the 

manufacturing sector, over the same 

timeframe as that in table 1. In January 2007, all 45 States that reported 

data for both production worker and 

all-employee average hourly earnDante A. DeAntonio is an economist in the 

State and Area Branch, Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics. E-mail: deantonio.

dante@bls.gov
42 Monthly Labor Review • March 2010

Program Report

Table 1. Manufacturing, difference of average weekly hours, all employees and production workers, January 2007 and 

 October 2009, ranked by State1

 January 2007 October 2009

Rank State

(1)

All

employees

(2)

Production 

workers

Difference

(2) – (1) Rank State

(1)

All

employees

(2)

Production

workers

Difference

(2) – (1)

1 Alaska 34.8 40.0 5.2 1 Michigan 39.6 43.4 3.8

2 South Dakota 36.6 41.7 5.1 2 Virginia 40.2 43.6 3.4

3 Idaho 37.7 42.2 4.5 3 South Dakota 36.9 40.2 3.3

4 Kansas 39.5 43.1 3.6 4 Delaware 38.7 41.4 2.7

5 Arkansas 37.3 40.8 3.5 5 New Jersey 39.5 41.7 2.2

6 Louisiana 39.0 41.5 2.5 5 Alaska 44.1 46.3 2.2

6 Maine 39.4 41.9 2.5 7 California 37.8 39.9 2.1

6 Ohio 39.1 41.6 2.5 8 New York 38.5 40.3 1.8

9 Arizona 38.8 41.1 2.3 9 Wisconsin 38.2 39.9 1.7

9 Virginia 39.0 41.3 2.3 10 Utah 39.1 40.7 1.6

11 New Jersey 39.4 41.6 2.2 10 Connecticut 39.2 40.8 1.6

12 California 38.2 40.2 2.0 12 Missouri 38.5 39.9 1.4

12 Hawaii 34.7 36.7 2.0 13 Vermont 37.2 38.5 1.3

12 New York 39.1 41.1 2.0 14 Minnesota 38.4 39.6 1.2

12 Wisconsin 38.1 40.1 2.0 15 Louisiana 41.8 42.8 1.0

16 Pennsylvania 39.0 40.9 1.9 15 Ohio 38.8 39.8 1.0

17 Maryland 38.7 40.5 1.8 ... National 39.5 40.4 .9

18 Connecticut 40.4 42.1 1.7 17 Nebraska 40.0 40.9 .9

18 Vermont 38.4 40.1 1.7 18 Colorado 37.8 38.6 .8

20 Texas 39.8 41.2 1.4 18 Maine 40.3 41.1 .8

 ... National 39.6 40.8 1.2 20 Georgia 38.4 39.1 .7

21 Missouri 38.2 39.2 1.0 20 Maryland 39.8 40.5 .7

22 Illinois 40.1 41.0 .9 20 Washington 41.8 42.5 .7

22 Oregon 38.1 39.0 .9 23 Arizona 38.1 38.7 .6

24 Rhode Island 38.5 39.3 .8 24 Indiana 39.4 39.9 .5

25 North Carolina 40.3 41.0 .7 24 Texas 39.6 40.1 .5

26 Colorado 37.7 38.3 .6 26 Arkansas 39.4 39.8 .4

27 Massachusetts 39.4 39.9 .5 27 Idaho 39.1 39.4 .3

27 Nebraska 41.9 42.4 .5 27 Pennsylvania 39.0 39.3 .3

27 South Carolina 41.1 41.6 .5 29 Iowa 40.4 40.6 .2

30 Minnesota 40.8 41.1 .3 29 New Hampshire 39.4 39.6 .2

31 New Hampshire 41.0 41.2 .2 31 Massachusetts 39.5 39.4 –.1

31 Utah 39.8 40.0 .2 32 North Carolina 39.3 39.1 –.2

31 Mississippi 39.7 39.9 .2 32 North Dakota 37.8 37.6 –.2

34 Indiana 40.7 40.8 .1 32 Illinois 40.0 39.8 –.2

35 Iowa 40.1 40.1 .0 35 West Virginia 39.7 39.4 –.3

35 Michigan 40.7 40.7 .0 36 Florida 37.4 37.0 –.4

37 West Virginia 41.1 41.0 –.1 36 Mississippi 40.3 39.9 –.4

38 North Dakota 39.6 39.4 –.2 36 Oklahoma 40.2 39.8 –.4

39 Tennessee 38.8 38.4 –.4 39 Oregon 38.6 38.1 –.5

40 Delaware 39.0 38.5 –.5 40 Rhode Island 38.5 37.7 –.8

41 Washington 40.7 39.8 –.9 40 Hawaii 34.1 33.3 –.8

42 Florida 42.9 41.9 –1.0 42 South Carolina 42.2 41.3 –.9

43 Alabama 41.8 40.1 –1.7 43 Tennessee 42.1 41.0 –1.1

44 Georgia 40.4 38.6 –1.8 44 Alabama 41.1 39.6 –1.5

45 Oklahoma 42.4 38.6 –3.8 45 Kansas 44.2 39.5 –4.7

1

 Excluding District of Columbia, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

ings had higher all-employee earnings. The largest differences were in 

Colorado ($9.53), New Hampshire 

($9.33), and Massachusetts ($8.90), 

the smallest difference in Michigan 

($1.04).

In October 2009, all-employee 

average hourly earnings remained 

higher than production worker average hourly earnings in all States 

reporting. (See table 2.) The largest 

differences occurred in California 

($8.75), New Hampshire ($8.10), 

and Rhode Island ($7.97), the smallest difference in Alaska ($0.49). 

Looking across all States’ reported 

figures for the January 2007–October 2009 timeframe reveals a general 
Monthly Labor Review • March 2010 43

pattern of slight increases in both 

all-employee and production worker average hourly earnings, which 

worked to keep the gap between 

them relatively stable. This same relationship is evident in the national 

numbers shown in the table: nationwide, both all-employee and production worker average hourly earnings 

increased over the period, with the 

gap between them rising slightly 

(from $4.26 to $4.66).

Table 2. Manufacturing, difference of average hourly earnings, all employees and production workers, January 2007 and

 October 2009, ranked by State1

January 2007 October 2009

Rank State

(1) 

All 

employees

(2) 

Production 

workers

Difference 

(2) – (1) Rank State

(1) 

All 

employees

(2) 

Production 

workers

Difference 

(2) – (1)

1 Colorado $26.59 $17.06 –$9.53 1 California $26.76 $18.01 –$8.75

2 New Hampshire 26.23 16.90 –9.33 2 New Hampshire 25.53 17.43 –8.10

3 Massachusetts 27.58 18.68 –8.90 3 Rhode Island 22.28 14.31 –7.97

4 Texas 22.64 14.08 –8.56 4 Texas 23.51 15.61 –7.90

5 California 24.32 16.12 –8.20 5 Massachusetts 28.02 20.61 –7.41

6 New Jersey 24.95 16.82 –8.13 6 Tennessee 21.55 14.74 –6.81

7 Connecticut 28.02 20.26 –7.76 7 Washington 30.26 23.52 –6.74

8 Alaska 23.38 15.70 –7.68 8 Arizona 23.60 17.05 –6.55

9 Washington 27.98 20.52 –7.46 9 Connecticut 29.20 23.18 –6.02

10 Arizona 21.83 14.95 –6.88 10 New Jersey 23.67 17.91 –5.76

11 Rhode Island 20.14 13.46 –6.68 11 Colorado 27.29 21.54 –5.75

12 Illinois 22.54 16.29 –6.25 12 Vermont 22.11 16.46 –5.65

13 Tennessee 20.00 14.50 –5.50 13 Minnesota 24.57 19.02 –5.55

14 Maryland 23.07 17.78 –5.29 14 Missouri 24.11 18.71 –5.40

15 Florida 20.50 15.30 –5.20 15 Illinois 22.00 16.72 –5.28

16 Pennsylvania 20.52 15.46 –5.06 15 Pennsylvania 21.81 16.53 –5.28

17 Oklahoma 19.70 14.65 –5.05 17 Florida 24.99 20.03 –4.96

18 Georgia 20.19 15.20 –4.99 18 Alabama 20.38 15.45 –4.93

19 Alabama 20.54 15.79 –4.75 ... National 22.99 18.33 –4.66

20 Missouri 20.93 16.30 –4.63 19 New York 23.32 18.79 –4.53

21 Minnesota 22.24 17.69 –4.55 20 Idaho 23.99 19.83 –4.16

22 Kansas 22.48 18.12 –4.36 21 Georgia 19.95 15.80 –4.15

23 Oregon 20.39 16.05 –4.34 22 Maryland 23.81 19.68 –4.13

... National 21.32 17.06 –4.26 23 Indiana 22.54 18.44 –4.10

24 Louisiana 22.67 18.53 –4.14 24 Nebraska 19.71 15.69 –4.02

25 Wisconsin 21.04 17.02 –4.02 25 Oklahoma 18.74 14.84 –3.90

26 Delaware 21.70 17.69 –4.01 26 Delaware 20.83 17.01 –3.82

27 Vermont 20.21 16.23 –3.98 27 Utah 22.31 18.56 –3.75

28 New York 22.30 18.33 –3.97 28 North Dakota 19.66 15.95 –3.71

29 South Dakota 17.95 14.15 –3.80 29 South Carolina 19.77 16.14 –3.63

30 North Carolina 18.54 14.91 –3.63 30 North Carolina 19.42 15.95 –3.47

31 Utah 19.73 16.12 –3.61 30 Louisiana 23.47 20.00 –3.47

32 North Dakota 17.36 14.08 –3.28 32 Oregon 20.90 17.48 –3.42

33 Indiana 22.05 18.81 –3.24 33 Iowa 20.07 16.76 –3.31

34 Idaho 21.68 18.55 –3.13 34 Wisconsin 21.08 18.04 –3.04

35 Ohio 22.33 19.26 –3.07 35 Michigan 24.48 21.69 –2.79

36 Virginia 20.15 17.09 –3.06 36 Mississippi 17.48 14.83 –2.65

37 West Virginia 21.27 18.47 –2.80 37 Hawaii 21.31 18.77 –2.54

38 Maine 21.65 19.03 –2.62 38 Ohio 21.17 18.68 –2.49

39 Nebraska 17.66 15.11 –2.55 39 Maine 22.31 19.85 –2.46

40 Iowa 18.84 16.41 –2.43 40 South Dakota 17.41 15.09 –2.32

41 Arkansas 16.08 13.77 –2.31 41 Arkansas 16.05 14.10 –1.95

42 Mississippi 15.99 13.99 –2.00 42 Virginia 20.35 18.47 –1.88

43 Hawaii 18.13 16.25 –1.88 43 West Virginia 20.09 18.40 –1.69

44 South Carolina 17.40 15.72 –1.68 44 Kansas 20.81 19.49 –1.32

45 Michigan 23.12 22.08 –1.04 45 Alaska 20.66 20.17 –.49

1

 Excluding District of Columbia, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
44 Monthly Labor Review • March 2010

Program Report

Industry rankings

Tables 3–11 show all-employee average 2008 weekly hours and hourly 

earnings, by State (where available), 

for total private industry and for each 

major industry sector. In each table, 

States are ranked on both variables 

by 2008 averages (the most recent 

annual data available). The national 

numbers are included in each table 

for comparison. 

At the total private level, all States 

and the District of Columbia reported all-employee hours and earnings 

data. (See table 3.) The lowest average 

weekly hours were 32.3, in Montana, 

the highest, 37.0, in Nevada. Twentyfive States had higher average weekly 

hours than the national average of 

34.5 hours. The lowest earnings were 

in South Dakota, $16.53 per hour, 

the highest in the District of Columbia, $32.37. The national average for 

hourly earnings was $21.62, with 16 

States reporting greater earnings. 

In construction, 49 States reported 

data. (See table 4.) The lowest average 

weekly hours were 34.4, in Idaho, the 

highest, 42.5, in Wyoming. Twenty-eight States had higher average 

weekly hours than the national average, 37.8 hours. The lowest earnings 

were $17.65 per hour, in Idaho, the 

highest, $34.03, in New Jersey. The 

national average for hourly earnings 

in the industry was $23.96, with 20 

States reporting greater earnings. 

In manufacturing, 46 states reported data. (See table 5.) The lowest 

average weekly hours were 36.4, in 

Hawaii, the highest, 44.7, in Alaska. Twenty-three States had higher 

average weekly hours than the national average, 39.8 hours. The lowest earnings, $16.34 per hour, were in 

South Dakota, the highest, $29.08, 

in Connecticut. The national average 

for hourly earnings in the industry 

was $22.16, with 20 States reporting 

greater earnings. 

In trade, transportation, and utilities, all States and the District of 

Columbia reported data. (See table 

6.) The lowest average weekly hours 

were 30.1, in Utah and New Hampshire, the highest 40.1, in Texas. 

Twenty-six States had higher average 

Table 3. Total private industry: all-employee average weekly hours and 

 average hourly earnings, 2008, ranked by State

Rank State Weekly

hours Rank State Hourlyearnings

1 Nevada 37.0 1 District of Columbia $32.37

2 Wyoming 36.7 2 Connecticut 27.71

3 Louisiana 36.5 3 Massachusetts 26.38

4 Texas 36.3 4 New York 25.48

5 Kentucky 36.2 5 New Jersey 25.32

6 Alabama 36.0 6 Washington 25.23

7 District of Columbia 35.8 7 Alaska 25.01

8 Mississippi 35.6 8 California 24.70

8 South Carolina 35.6 9 Maryland 24.56

10 Oklahoma 35.5 10 Colorado 23.80

11 New Mexico 35.4 11 Minnesota 23.23

12 Alaska 35.3 12 Delaware 22.73

12 Georgia 35.3 13 Illinois 22.67

14 Arkansas 35.2 14 New Hampshire 22.66

14 Florida 35.2 15 Rhode Island 22.50

14 Tennessee 35.2 16 Virginia 22.31

14 West Virginia 35.2 ... National 21.62

18 Indiana 35.0 17 Michigan 21.62

18 Virginia 35.0 18 Vermont 21.35

20 Arizona 34.8 19 Texas 21.30

20 Colorado 34.8 20 Utah 21.10

20 Kansas 34.8 21 Florida 21.00

23 Maryland 34.7 22 Oregon 20.93

24 Utah 34.6 23 Wyoming 20.83

24 Washington 34.6 24 Hawaii 20.80

 ... National 34.5 25 Georgia 20.77

26 Missouri 34.5 26 Arizona 20.69

27 Vermont 34.4 27 Wisconsin 20.67

28 Illinois 34.3 28 Missouri 20.57

28 Maine 34.3 29 Pennsylvania 20.43

28 North Carolina 34.3 30 Indiana 20.30

31 California 34.2 31 Kansas 20.13

31 Michigan 34.2 32 Ohio 20.11

33 New York 34.1 33 North Carolina 19.90

33 Rhode Island 34.1 34 Nebraska 19.79

35 Connecticut 34.0 35 Nevada 19.75

36 Idaho 33.9 36 Alabama 19.56

36 Ohio 33.9 37 Tennessee 19.40

38 Delaware 33.8 38 Louisiana 19.22

38 Iowa 33.8 39 Maine 18.96

38 Oregon 33.8 40 South Carolina 18.80

41 Massachusetts 33.7 41 North Dakota 18.75

41 Nebraska 33.7 42 New Mexico 18.73

41 Pennsylvania 33.7 43 Montana 18.43

44 New Jersey 33.6 44 Iowa 18.35

45 Minnesota 33.5 45 Kentucky 18.07

46 Wisconsin 33.0 46 West Virginia 17.70

47 South Dakota 32.9 47 Idaho 17.53

48 New Hampshire 32.8 48 Oklahoma 17.43

49 Hawaii 32.6 49 Arkansas 17.21

50 North Dakota 32.4 50 Mississippi 16.89

51 Montana 32.3 51 South Dakota 16.53
Program Report

Monthly Labor Review • March 2010 45

weekly hours than the national average, 34.4 hours. The lowest earnings 

were $15.09 per hour, in Mississippi, 

the highest, $27.54, in Texas. The national average for hourly earnings 

in the industry was $18.93, with 18 

States reporting greater earnings. 

In financial activities, 41 states reported data. (See table 7.) The lowest 

average weekly hours were 34.8, in 

Kansas, the highest, 38.8, in Delaware. Twenty States had higher average weekly hours than the national 

average, 36.5 hours. The lowest earnings were $16.78 per hour, in West 

Virginia, the highest, $42.44, in 

Connecticut. The national average 

for hourly earnings in the industry 

was $26.16, with 11 States reporting 

greater earnings. 

In professional and business services, all States and the District of Columbia reported data. (See table 8.) 

The lowest average weekly hours were 

31.8, in Hawaii, the highest, 40.2, in 

South Carolina. Twenty-nine States 

had higher average weekly hours than 

the national average, 35.2 hours. The 

lowest earnings were $18.32 per hour, 

in Mississippi, the highest, $38.20, in 

the District of Columbia. The national average for hourly earnings in the 

industry was $25.82, with 21 States 

reporting greater earnings. 

In education and health services, 48 

States reported data. (See table 9.) 

The lowest average weekly hours were 

30.6, in New Jersey, the highest, 39.5, 

in Utah. Fifteen States had higher average weekly hours than the national 

average, 33.7 hours. The lowest earnings were $16.17 per hour, in Arkansas, the highest, $26.04, in Maryland. 

The national average for hourly earnings in the industry was $22.12, with 

13 States reporting greater earnings. 

In leisure and hospitality, all States 

and the District of Columbia reported data. (See table 10.) The lowest average weekly hours were 21.3, in Nebraska, the highest, 34.3, in Nevada. 

Twenty-five States had higher average weekly hours than the national 

average, 25.9 hours. The lowest earnings were $9.50 per hour, in Arkansas, the highest, $17.62, in New York. 

The national average for hourly earnings in the industry was $12.77, with 

15 States reporting greater earnings. 

In the catchall category titled “other 

Table 4. Construction: all-employee average weekly hours and

 average hourly earnings, 2008, ranked by State1

Rank State Weekly 

hours Rank State Hourly earnings

1 Wyoming 42.5 1 New Jersey $34.03

2 Texas 42.0 2 Hawaii2 33.15

3 Louisiana 41.8 3 Alaska 33.00

4 Alabama 41.6 4 Illinois 31.32

5 Oklahoma 41.2 5 Massachusetts 30.72

6 Alaska 41.1 6 New York 30.14

7 New Mexico 40.5 7 Connecticut 28.91

8 Nebraska2 40.2 8 Washington 28.65

8 South Dakota2 40.2 9 Wisconsin 27.87

10 Maine 39.8 10 Rhode Island 27.09

11 Iowa 39.7 11 Minnesota 26.69

12 Maryland2 39.5 12 California 26.37

12 Virginia 39.5 13 Michigan 26.31

14 Florida 39.3 14 Delaware2 26.01

14 Mississippi 39.3 15 Missouri 25.86

16 Vermont 39.2 16 Nevada 25.80

17 North Dakota 39.0 17 Maryland2 24.62

18 North Carolina 38.6 18 Ohio 24.61

19 Colorado 38.5 19 Colorado 24.46

19 Kentucky 38.5 20 Oregon 24.41

21 Pennsylvania 38.3 ... National 23.96

22 Minnesota 38.2 21 Pennsylvania 23.96

23 Michigan 38.1 22 Wyoming 23.94

23 West Virginia 38.1 23 Indiana 23.34

25 Indiana 38.0 24 Montana 23.15

25 Kansas 38.0 25 Utah 22.61

25 South Carolina 38.0 26 Arizona 21.76

28 Wisconsin 37.9 27 Vermont 21.47

 ... National 37.8 28 West Virginia 21.44

29 Arkansas 37.8 29 Virginia 21.39

29 Georgia 37.8 30 Louisiana 21.29

29 Washington 37.8 31 Iowa 21.01

32 Connecticut 37.6 32 Kansas 20.79

32 Tennessee2 37.6 33 Kentucky 20.62

34 Massachusetts 37.5 34 Florida 20.24

35 Nevada 37.4 35 Texas 19.69

36 Ohio 37.0 36 North Dakota 19.55

37 New Jersey 36.9 37 New Mexico 19.52

38 Missouri 36.7 38 North Carolina 19.43

38 Delaware2 36.7 39 Georgia 19.42

40 Arizona 36.5 40 South Carolina 19.34

40 Oregon 36.5 41 Tennessee2 19.30

40 Rhode Island 36.5 42 Nebraska2 19.19

43 Illinois 36.3 43 Maine 19.11

44 Hawaii2 36.2 44 South Dakota2 18.76

44 New York 36.2 45 Oklahoma 18.67

46 California 35.3 46 Arkansas 18.17

47 Utah 35.2 47 Alabama 18.13

48 Montana 34.5 48 Mississippi 17.90

49 Idaho 34.4 49 Idaho 17.65

1

 Excluding District of Columbia and New Hampshire. 

2 Data combine construction with logging and mining.
46 Monthly Labor Review • March 2010

Program Report

services,” data were compiled for 30 

States and the District of Columbia. 

(See table 11.) The lowest average 

weekly hours were 24.6, in North Dakota, the highest, 35.5, in Tennessee. 

Six States had higher average weekly hours than the national average, 

32.9 hours. The lowest earnings were 

$13.04 per hour, in North Dakota, 

the highest, $38.80, in the District of 

Columbia. The national average for 

hourly earnings in this compilation of 

industries was $18.17, with 15 States 

reporting greater earnings. 

An easy relationship to derive 

from the industry rankings of average weekly hours and average hourly 

earnings is the disparity among the 

variables. Table 12 shows that the 

highest overall earnings in any industry were in information, with workers 

in Washington having average hourly 

earnings of $45.32. The lowest overall 

earnings were in leisure and hospitality, with workers in Arkansas making 

an average of $9.50 per hour. (The 

leisure and hospitality industry also 

reported, by far, the lowest maximum 

earnings of any industry, with New 

York workers earning an industryhigh $17.62 per hour). A look at the 

differences between the highest and 

lowest reported hourly earnings in 

each industry reveals that three industries exhibited relatively large 

disparities: “other services,” with the 

largest difference, $25.76; financial 

activities, $25.66; and information, 

$24.20. Interestingly, in none of the 

three industries did all 51 States report data, so the actual disparity may 

in fact be larger than the observed 

disparity, which is based on whatever 

subset of State data is available. 

Table 13 shows the highest and lowest reported average weekly hours (by 

industry) and the disparities that result. The highest overall hours in any 

industry were in manufacturing, with 

Table 5. Manufacturing: all-employee average weekly hours and average

 hourly earnings, 2008, ranked by State1

Rank State Weekly

hours Rank State Hourlyearnings

1 Alaska 44.7 1 Connecticut $29.08

2 South Carolina 42.6 2 Washington 28.62

3 Oklahoma 42.1 3 Colorado 27.47

3 Texas 42.1 4 Massachusetts 27.11

5 Kansas 41.9 5 California 25.28

6 Louisiana 41.8 6 Michigan 25.23

7 Alabama 41.6 7 New Hampshire 24.62

8 Washington 41.4 8 New Jersey 24.05

9 Michigan 41.3 9 Louisiana 23.55

10 Connecticut 41.1 10 Maryland 23.20

11 West Virginia 40.9 11 Missouri 23.11

12 Nebraska 40.5 12 Texas 23.06

13 Indiana 40.3 13 New York 22.84

13 Maine 40.3 14 Kansas 22.75

13 New Hampshire 40.3 15 Indiana 22.61

16 Mississippi 40.2 16 Arizona 22.56

16 Pennsylvania 40.2 17 Idaho 22.53

18 Iowa 40.1 18 Minnesota 22.44

18 New Jersey 40.1 19 Delaware 22.41

18 Ohio 40.1 20 Florida 22.19

21 Florida 39.9 ... National 22.16

21 Minnesota 39.9 21 Ohio 21.98

21 Virginia 39.9 22 Illinois 21.67

 ... National 39.8 23 Maine 21.66

24 Illinois 39.8 24 Rhode Island 21.31

25 Tennessee 39.7 25 Wisconsin 21.29

26 Massachusetts 39.5 26 West Virginia 21.17

26 Missouri 39.5 27 Pennsylvania 21.14

26 North Carolina 39.5 28 Utah 21.13

29 Georgia 39.4 29 Vermont 20.75

29 Kentucky 39.4 30 Hawaii 20.71

29 Rhode Island 39.4 31 Alabama 20.49

32 Arkansas 39.0 32 Oregon 20.28

32 South Dakota 39.0 32 Tennessee 20.28

32 Utah 39.0 34 Virginia 20.03

35 Maryland 38.9 35 Kentucky 19.59

36 California 38.8 36 Alaska 19.24

36 Oregon 38.8 37 Oklahoma 19.08

38 Colorado 38.6 38 Georgia 19.04

39 Arizona 38.5 39 North Dakota 18.96

40 New York 38.4 39 South Carolina 18.96

40 Wisconsin 38.4 41 Nebraska 18.62

42 Vermont 38.2 42 North Carolina 18.61

43 Delaware 37.6 43 Iowa 18.24

43 North Dakota 37.6 44 Arkansas 16.88

45 Idaho 37.2 45 Mississippi 16.70

46 Hawaii 36.4 46 South Dakota 16.34

1

 Excluding District of Columbia, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

workers in Alaska averaging 44.7 

hours per week. The lowest overall 

hours were in leisure and hospitality, 

with workers in Nebraska averaging 

21.3 hours per week. Three industries 

showed a range of average weekly 
Table 6. Trade, transportation, and utilities: all-employee 

average weekly hours and average hourly earnings, 

2008, ranked by State

Rank State Weekly

hours Rank State Hourlyearnings

1 Texas 40.1 1 Texas $27.54

2 Nevada 37.7 2 New Jersey 24.40

3 District of 

Columbia 36.7

3 Massachusetts 23.39

4 District of 

3 Indiana 36.7 Columbia 22.60

5 Louisiana 36.6 5 Connecticut 22.37

6 Arizona 36.4 6 New York 21.49

7 Alabama 36.2 7 Wyoming 20.70

8 Arkansas 36.1 8 California 20.39

9 Wyoming 35.9 9 Washington 20.37

10 Mississippi 35.5 10 Minnesota 20.25

10 New Mexico 35.5 11 Rhode Island 20.24

12 Georgia 35.4 12 Georgia 19.81

13 California 35.2 13 Utah 19.79

14 Colorado 35.1 14 Illinois 19.47

14 Kentucky 35.1 15 Alaska 19.45

14 North Carolina 35.1 16 Colorado 19.34

17 Idaho 34.9 17 Arizona 19.30

17 Washington 34.9 18 North Dakota 19.03

19 Tennessee 34.8 ... National 18.93

20 Kansas 34.7 19 Michigan 18.82

20 Rhode Island 34.7 20 Florida 18.81

20 Virginia 34.7 21 Tennessee 18.77

23 Missouri 34.6 22 Wisconsin 18.76

23 West Virginia 34.6 23 North Carolina 18.63

25 Oregon 34.5 24 Virginia 18.60

25 South Carolina 34.5 25 Oregon 18.49

 ... National 34.4 26 Maryland 18.39

27 Florida 34.4 27 Ohio 18.13

27 Illinois 34.4 28 Vermont 18.11

29 New York 34.3 29 Hawaii 17.97

30 Oklahoma 34.2 30 Pennsylvania 17.94

31 Delaware 34.1 31 Missouri 17.83

32 Maryland 34.0 32 Kansas 17.74

33 Connecticut 33.9 33 South Carolina 17.63

34 Vermont 33.7 34 New Hampshire 17.61

35 Pennsylvania 33.6 35 Nevada 17.57

36 Michigan 33.5 36 Indiana 17.56

36 Ohio 33.5 37 Delaware 17.30

38 New Jersey 33.3 38 Nebraska 17.22

38 North Dakota 33.3 39 Maine 17.18

38 Wisconsin 33.3 40 New Mexico 16.88

41 Hawaii 33.1 41 Alabama 16.76

42 Massachusetts 33.0 42 Oklahoma 16.64

43 Maine 32.6 43 Arkansas 16.44

43 Montana 32.6 44 Iowa 16.36

45 Alaska 32.5 45 Montana 16.08

46 Minnesota 32.4 46 Idaho 16.07

47 Nebraska 32.0 47 Kentucky 15.81

48 Iowa 31.7 48 Louisiana 15.48

49 South Dakota 31.5 49 South Dakota 15.16

50 New Hampshire 30.1 50 West Virginia 15.15

50 Utah 30.1 51 Mississippi 15.09

Program Report

Monthly Labor Review • March 2010 47

hours greater than or equal to 10: 

leisure and hospitality, 13.0 (highest, 

34.3; lowest, 21.3); “other services,” 

10.9 (highest, 35.5; lowest, 24.6); and 

trade, transportation, and utilities, 10.0 (highest, 40.1; lowest, 

30.1).

Note

1 This is the second of two reports in this issue of the Review that discusses all-employee 

hours and earnings from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey. The first report, “Hours and earnings for all employees,” 

by Angie Clinton (pp. 34–40) provides additional background on these data and discusses 

them in the national context.

Table 7. Financial activities: all-employee average weekly 

hours and average hourly earnings, 2008, ranked 

by State1

Rank State Weekly

hours Rank State Hourlyearnings

1 Delaware 38.8 1 Connecticut $42.44

2 Arkansas 38.1 2 New York 34.91

3 Kentucky 38.0 3 California 30.87

3 Nevada 38.0 4 Massachusetts 29.42

5 Texas 37.6 5 Delaware 28.66

6 Alabama 37.4 6 New Jersey 28.36

6 Mississippi 37.4 7 Maryland 28.17

8 Massachusetts 37.1 8 Illinois 27.78

8 Tennessee 37.1 9 North Carolina 27.11

10 New Jersey 37.0 10 Minnesota 26.95

11 Missouri 36.9 11 Nebraska 26.40

11 New York 36.9 ... National 26.16

13 California 36.8 12 Pennsylvania 26.01

13 Florida 36.8 13 Texas 25.25

13 Indiana 36.8 14 Georgia 24.95

13 Montana 36.8 14 Iowa 24.95

13 Ohio 36.8 16 Washington 24.76

18 Arizona 36.7 17 Wisconsin 24.41

18 Idaho 36.7 18 Oregon 24.24

18 South Carolina 36.7 19 Ohio 24.15

 ... National 36.5 20 Nevada 23.79

21 Nebraska 36.5 21 Michigan 23.51

21 North Dakota 36.5 22 Florida 23.47

21 Utah 36.5 23 Missouri 23.14

21 Washington 36.5 24 Utah 22.73

25 North Carolina 36.4 25 Colorado 22.51

25 Oregon 36.4 26 Arizona 22.45

27 Louisiana 36.3 27 South Carolina 22.11

27 Minnesota 36.3 28 Indiana 21.70

27 Oklahoma 36.3 29 Kansas 21.56

30 Illinois 36.2 30 Kentucky 21.47

30 Michigan 36.2 31 Arkansas 21.02

32 Maryland 36.1 32 Tennessee 20.92

33 Georgia 35.9 32 Virginia 20.92

33 Wisconsin 35.9 34 Alabama 20.28

35 Colorado 35.8 35 Idaho 20.00

35 Pennsylvania 35.8 36 Montana 19.68

37 Connecticut 35.6 37 Mississippi 19.46

37 Iowa 35.6 38 Louisiana 19.37

39 Virginia 35.5 39 Oklahoma 17.49

39 West Virginia 35.5 40 North Dakota 17.07

41 Kansas 34.8 41 West Virginia 16.78

1

 Excluding Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, 

New Mexico, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming.
48 Monthly Labor Review • March 2010

Program Report

Table 8. Professional and business services: all-employee 

average weekly hours and average hourly earnings, 2008, ranked by State

Rank State Weekly 

hours Rank State Hourly earnings

1 South Carolina 40.2 1 District of 

Columbia $38.20 2 District of 

Columbia 37.6 2 Utah 35.95

3 Florida 37.2 3 Virginia 33.17

3 Louisiana 37.2 4 Massachusetts 32.83

5 Maryland 37.0 5 New York 32.51

5 Nevada 37.0 6 Maryland 31.28

5 Tennessee 37.0 7 Connecticut 31.09

8 Virginia 36.9 8 Alaska 30.89

9 Oklahoma 36.7 9 California 30.35

10 Vermont 36.6 10 Colorado 29.87

11 New Mexico 36.5 11 New Hampshire 29.68

12 Colorado 36.2 12 Washington 29.35

13 Mississippi 36.1 13 Delaware 28.95

13 New Hampshire 36.1 14 New Jersey 28.80

13 Rhode Island 36.1 15 Rhode Island 28.65

16 Illinois 36.0 16 Minnesota 27.80

16 Maine 36.0 17 Illinois 27.69

16 Massachusetts 36.0 18 Missouri 26.48

16 Minnesota 36.0 19 Georgia 26.21

16 Texas 36.0 20 Michigan 26.09

21 Arizona 35.9 21 Nevada 25.95

22 Alaska 35.8 ... National 25.82

22 Kentucky 35.8 22 Texas 25.26

24 Missouri 35.8 23 Kansas 25.21

25 California 35.7 24 Pennsylvania 25.03

26 Alabama 35.6 25 North Carolina 24.62

26 Ohio 35.6 26 Oregon 24.59

28 Arkansas 35.5 27 Arizona 24.40

29 New York 35.4 28 New Mexico 24.31

 ... National 35.2 29 Ohio 23.96

30 North Carolina 35.2 29 Vermont 23.96

30 West Virginia 35.2 31 Louisiana 23.77

32 Pennsylvania 35.0 32 Alabama 23.68

33 Washington 34.9 33 Florida 23.58

34 Georgia 34.7 34 South Carolina 23.37

34 Idaho 34.7 35 Nebraska 23.24

34 Oregon 34.7 36 Tennessee 22.96

37 Connecticut 34.5 37 Wisconsin 22.89

38 Indiana 34.3 38 Wyoming 22.79

38 North Dakota 34.3 39 Idaho 22.55

38 Wisconsin 34.3 39 Maine 22.55

38 Wyoming 34.3 41 Hawaii 22.11

42 Michigan 34.2 42 South Dakota 21.85

42 New Jersey 34.2 43 North Dakota 21.76

44 Montana 34.1 44 Iowa 21.23

44 Nebraska 34.1 45 West Virginia 20.46

46 Delaware 33.6 46 Arkansas 20.28

46 Kansas 33.6 47 Montana 19.73

48 Utah 33.5 48 Indiana 19.62

49 Iowa 33.0 49 Oklahoma 19.49

50 South Dakota 32.4 50 Kentucky 19.44

51 Hawaii 31.8 51 Mississippi 18.32

Table 9. Education and health services: all-employee average 

weekly hours and average hourly earnings, 2008, 

ranked by State1

Rank State Weekly 

hours Rank State Hourly earnings

1 Utah 39.5 1 Maryland $26.04

2 Georgia 37.0 2 Vermont 25.39

3 Kentucky 36.4 3 New Jersey 25.34

4 Alabama 35.6 4 California 25.21

5 New Mexico 35.5 5 Massachusetts 24.66

6 Michigan 34.9 6 Connecticut 24.61

6 Texas 34.9 7 Minnesota 24.56

8 Florida 34.8 8 Washington 24.04

9 Colorado 34.7 9 Hawaii 23.31

10 West Virginia 34.6 10 Rhode Island 23.07

11 Arizona 34.5 11 Arizona 22.99

12 Tennessee 34.2 12 Florida 22.61

13 Virginia 34.1 13 Texas 22.21

14 Mississippi 33.9 ... National 22.12

15 Louisiana 33.8 14 Oregon 22.11

 ... National 33.7 15 Colorado 22.10

16 Nebraska 33.4 16 New York 21.88

16 New York 33.4 17 Indiana 21.84

16 Oklahoma 33.4 18 Illinois 21.70

16 South Carolina 33.4 19 New Hampshire 21.46

20 Kansas 33.2 20 Delaware 21.14

20 Maryland 33.2 21 Georgia 20.90

22 California 33.1 22 Nebraska 20.77

23 Vermont 32.9 23 Tennessee 20.50

24 Iowa 32.8 24 North Carolina 20.42

24 South Dakota 32.8 25 Michigan 20.32

26 Missouri 32.7 26 Wisconsin 20.05

26 Pennsylvania 32.7 27 Virginia 19.98

26 Wyoming 32.7 28 Alabama 19.74

29 Delaware 32.6 29 Missouri 19.68

29 Hawaii 32.6 30 South Carolina 19.58

29 Indiana 32.6 31 Kentucky 19.50

32 Ohio 32.5 32 Pennsylvania 19.41

33 Montana 32.4 33 Ohio 19.23

34 Maine 32.3 34 Maine 19.19

34 Rhode Island 32.3 35 North Dakota 18.99

36 Illinois 32.2 36 Montana 18.90

36 North Carolina 32.2 37 Mississippi 18.60

38 Arkansas 32.1 38 Utah 18.35

38 Minnesota 32.1 39 Wyoming 18.29

38 Oregon 32.1 40 Kansas 18.11

38 Washington 32.1 41 West Virginia 17.70

42 New Hampshire 31.2 42 New Mexico 17.34

43 Massachusetts 31.0 43 Idaho 17.04

44 Idaho 30.9 44 Oklahoma 16.95

44 Wisconsin 30.9 45 Iowa 16.94

46 Connecticut 30.8 46 South Dakota 16.39

47 North Dakota 30.7 47 Louisiana 16.19

48 New Jersey 30.6 48 Arkansas 16.17

1 Excluding Alaska, District of Columbia, and Nevada.
Program Report

Monthly Labor Review • March 2010 49

Table 10. Leisure and hospitality: all-employee average 

weekly hours and average hourly earnings, 2008, 

ranked by State

Rank State Weekly 

hours Rank State Hourly earnings

1 Nevada 34.3 1 New York $17.62

2 District of 

Columbia 32.0

2 Hawaii 17.40

3 District of 

3 Hawaii 30.2 Columbia 17.25

4 Florida 28.5 4 New Jersey 16.10

5 New Jersey 28.2 5 Maryland 16.06

5 New York 28.2 6 Massachusetts 15.54

7 West Virginia 28.1 7 Connecticut 15.53

8 Louisiana 27.9 8 Vermont 15.10

9 Arizona 27.8 9 Washington 15.00

9 New Mexico 27.8 10 Nevada 14.92

11 Mississippi 27.7 11 Rhode Island 14.74

12 Alaska 27.6 12 California 14.18

12 Georgia 27.6 13 Florida 14.04

14 Massachusetts 27.2 14 Colorado 13.66

15 Kentucky 27.1 15 Alaska 13.48

16 Arkansas 26.9 ... National 12.77

17 Idaho 26.8 16 Pennsylvania 12.77

17 Maryland 26.8 17 Oregon 12.70

17 Texas 26.8 18 Arizona 12.68

20 Connecticut 26.7 18 Minnesota 12.68

20 Tennessee 26.7 20 Delaware 12.48

20 Wyoming 26.7 21 New Hampshire 12.44

23 Oklahoma 26.6 22 Illinois 12.37

24 California 26.4 23 Maine 12.22

25 Alabama 26.0 24 Missouri 12.18

 ... National 25.9 25 Virginia 12.03

26 Missouri 25.7 26 Georgia 12.02

26 North Carolina 25.7 27 Montana 12.01

28 Virginia 25.6 28 Louisiana 11.85

29 South Carolina 25.5 29 Utah 11.72

29 Vermont 25.5 30 North Carolina 11.52

31 Washington 25.4 31 Tennessee 11.49

32 Delaware 25.1 32 Michigan 11.44

32 Illinois 25.1 33 Texas 11.41

34 Pennsylvania 24.9 34 Wisconsin 11.39

35 Indiana 24.7 35 Indiana 11.38

36 Oregon 24.6 36 Iowa 11.32

36 Rhode Island 24.6 37 Wyoming 11.28

38 Colorado 24.4 38 South Dakota 11.12

38 Montana 24.4 39 New Mexico 11.09

40 Iowa 24.3 40 Ohio 11.03

40 Maine 24.3 41 Mississippi 10.90

42 New Hampshire 24.2 42 Kansas 10.67

43 Kansas 23.9 43 South Carolina 10.65

43 Utah 23.9 44 Nebraska 10.56

45 Ohio 23.8 45 North Dakota 10.21

46 Michigan 23.4 46 Kentucky 10.08

47 South Dakota 23.3 47 Idaho 10.06

48 Minnesota 23.0 48 Oklahoma 10.05

49 North Dakota 21.9 49 Alabama 10.03

50 Wisconsin 21.8 50 West Virginia 9.75

51 Nebraska 21.3 51 Arkansas 9.50

Table 11. Other services: all-employee average weekly 

hours and average hourly earnings, 2008, ranked 

by State1

Rank State Weekly

hours Rank State Hourlyearnings

1 Tennessee 35.5 1 District of 

Columbia $38.80 2 District of 

Columbia

34.7

2 Connecticut 22.67

3 Florida 34.5 3 Virginia 21.73

4 South Carolina 34.1 4 New York 21.69

5 Colorado 33.6 5 Illinois 21.60

6 Kansas 33.4 6 Massachusetts 21.25

 ... National 32.9 7 Florida 20.91

7 Texas 32.9 8 Colorado 20.79

8 Virginia 32.8 9 Maryland 20.30

9 New Jersey 32.6 10 Washington 19.83

10 Arizona 32.4 11 California 19.34

10 Illinois 32.4 12 Michigan 19.29

10 West Virginia 32.4 13 Wyoming 18.80

13 Georgia 32.1 14 New Jersey 18.79

14 Massachusetts 31.9 15 Kansas 18.75

15 Ohio 31.7 ... National 18.17

16 Washington 31.3 16 Pennsylvania 18.01

17 Michigan 31.1 17 Wisconsin 17.63

18 Alabama 31.0 18 Oregon 17.35

19 Pennsylvania 30.8 19 Tennessee 17.21

20 California 30.7 20 Indiana 16.88

20 Maryland 30.7 21 South Carolina 16.78

22 Connecticut 30.4 22 Alabama 16.44

22 New York 30.4 23 Arizona 16.29

24 Wyoming 30.1 24 Ohio 16.16

25 North Carolina 29.4 25 North Carolina 16.08

26 Indiana 29.2 26 Texas 16.00

27 Iowa 28.0 27 West Virginia 15.85

28 Oregon 27.7 28 Minnesota 15.68

29 Wisconsin 26.9 29 Georgia 15.45

30 Minnesota 26.2 30 Iowa 14.77

31 North Dakota 24.6 31 North Dakota 13.04

1 Excluding Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New 

Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, 

and Vermont.
50 Monthly Labor Review • March 2010

Program Report

Table 12. Disparity in earnings, by industry, 2008

[In dollars per hour, based on annual averages]

Industry Number of 

States reporting

Highest 

earnings State Lowest earnings State Difference

 Total private industry.................................. 51 $32.37 District of Columbia $16.53 South Dakota $15.84

Construction......................................................... 49 34.03 New Jersey 17.65 Idaho 16.38

Manufacturing..................................................... 46 29.08 Connecticut 16.34 South Dakota 12.74

Trade, transportation, and utilities............ 51 27.54 Texas 15.09 Mississippi 12.45

Information.......................................................... 10 45.32 Washington 21.12 Tennessee 24.20

Financial activities............................................. 41 42.44 Connecticut 16.78 West Virginia 25.66

Professional and business services.............. 51 38.20 District of Columbia 18.32 Mississippi 19.88

Education and health services...................... 48 26.04 Maryland 16.17 Arkansas 9.87

Leisure and hospitality..................................... 51 17.62 New York 9.50 Arkansas 8.12

Other services..................................................... 31 38.80 District of Columbia 13.04 North Dakota 25.76

Table 13. Disparity in hours paid, by industry, 2008

[Average weekly hours, based on annual averages]

Industry Number of States 

reporting

Highest 

hours State Lowest hours State Difference

 Total private industry........................... 51 37.0 Nevada 32.3 Montana 4.7

Construction.................................................. 49 42.5 Wyoming 34.4 Idaho 8.1

Manufacturing............................................... 46 44.7 Alaska 36.4 Hawaii 8.3

Trade, transportation, and utilities........ 51 40.1 Texas 30.1 Utah 10.0

Information.................................................... 10 39.7 Washington 33.2 Pennsylvania 6.5

Financial activities....................................... 41 38.8 Delaware 34.8 Kansas 4.0

Professional and business services........ 51 40.2 South Carolina 31.8 Hawaii 8.4

Education and health services................ 48 39.5 Utah 30.6 New Jersey 8.9

Leisure and hospitality............................... 51 34.3 Nevada 21.3 Nebraska 13.0

Other services............................................... 31 35.5 Tennessee 24.6 North Dakota 10.9