June 07, 2004 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Manufacturing employment up in May

Manufacturing employment grew by 32,000 in May 2004. Since January, manufacturing has added 91,000 jobs, mostly in its durable goods component.

[Chart data—TXT]

In May, employment rose in three construction-related manufacturing industries: fabricated metal products, wood products, and nonmetallic mineral products (such as concrete and cement). Employment also increased in the computer and electronic products sector.

The manufacturing workweek increased by 0.4 hour to 41.1 hours in May, more than offsetting declines in March and April. Manufacturing overtime edged up by 0.1 hour to 4.7 hours in May.

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 248,000 in May. The May increase in payroll employment follows gains of 346,000 in April and 353,000 in March (as revised).

Payroll employment data are from the Current Employment Statistics program. The above data are seasonally adjusted. Data for April and May 2004 are preliminary and subject to revision. For more information, see "The Employment Situation: May 2004" (PDF) (TXT), news release USDL 04-996.