Productivity And Costs By Industry — 2006-07-12

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. Labor productivity -- defined as output per hour -- rose in 2004 in 26 of the 39 industries studied here. Output increased in 31 industries and hours declined in 18 industries. Unit labor costs declined in 13 of the 39 industries measured. Of these, 12 were industries that recorded productivity gains. From 1987 to 2004, labor productivity increased in 34 of the 39 industries. Output rose in 34 industries, while hours decreased in 15 industries. Unit labor costs fell in nine of the industries measured. Labor productivity rose in 2004 in two-thirds of the 39 detailed service-providing and mining industries studied. (See table 1.) Seven industries recorded productivity growth in excess of 10 percent. In 2004, many of the service-providing and mining industries studied increased output, employment, and labor hours.