Productivity and Costs by Industry: Manufacturing Industries News Release — 2016-04-07

Labor productivity rose in 31 of 63 manufacturing and mining industries in 2015, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This was higher than 2014 when labor productivity rose in 26 industries. Output and hours worked increased in fewer industries in 2015 than in the previous year. Unit labor costs rose in 43 of 59 manufacturing industries and in three of four mining industries. Twelve industries with productivity increases posted declines in unit labor costs. Increases in labor productivity mitigate the impact of rising hourly compensation on unit labor costs facing employers. Trends in labor productivity and unit labor costs in NAICS 3-digit industries in 2015 Manufacturing * Labor productivity increased in 9 manufacturing industries in 2015, as output increased in 12 industries and hours worked fell in seven industries. * Productivity rose fastest in the petroleum and coal products industry, where output increased by 4.6 percent and hours worked declined 2.3 percent.