Productivity And Costs By Industry: — 2007-06-08

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today on productivity and costs for selected service-providing and mining industries in 2005. Labor productivity, defined as output per hour, rose in approximately two-thirds of the 42 industries studied, about the same as in 2004. Unit labor costs declined in 17 out of 42 industries. Over the long term period of 1987 to 2005, labor productivity increased in more industries than in 2005, and unit labor costs declined in fewer. Productivity and cost measures for three new industries are presented here for the first time: employment placement agencies (NAICS 56131), amusement and theme parks (NAICS 71311), and bowling centers (NAICS 71395). Productivity data for the manufacturing, retail trade, wholesale trade, and food services and drinking places industries are published in separate releases and can be accessed online at http://www.bls.gov/schedule/archives/prin_nr.htm. In 2005, labor productivity increased in 26 of the 38 detailed service-providing industries and fell in 12 industries.