Productivity and Costs by Industry: Selected Service-Providing Industries News Release — 2017-05-18

Labor productivity rose in 17 of 28 selected service-providing industries in 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. This was greater than in 2015, when labor productivity increased in 14 of 28 industries. In 2016, output and hours increased in fewer industries than in 2015. Unit labor costs declined in 5 industries in 2016. Each of the industries with declines in unit labor costs also recorded increases in productivity. Increases in labor productivity counter the impact of rising hourly compensation on unit labor costs facing employers. Long term measures of productivity and cost through 2015 are available for 58 industries; included for the first time are veterinary services. * Labor productivity increased in 17 of 28 industries in 2016. Among those with increasing productivity, output grew in 13 industries. * Hours worked grew in 15 of the 28 industries.