Industry Productivity and Costs

Industry Productivity and Costs

Welcome to the step-by-step guide on how to use the Industry Productivity and Costs one-screen query system

The Productivity program publishes labor productivity, total factor productivity, and related measures for selected U.S Industries.

Labor productivity is measured as output per hour of labor. Annual labor productivity measures for selected 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-digit NAICS industries are available from 1987 forward. Data available include indexes and rates of change in output per hour, unit labor costs, and other series including real output, hours worked, and labor compensation. Levels of industry employment, hours worked, nominal output, labor compensation, and other series are also available.

Total factor productivity is measured as output per unit of combined inputs (hours worked, capital, and intermediate inputs such as energy, materials, and purchased services). Annual total factor productivity measures for 86 4-digit NAICS manufacturing industries, air transportation, and line-haul railroads are available from 1987 forward. Data available include indexes and rates of change in total factor productivity, single factor productivity, capital input, intermediate inputs, combined inputs, and contributions of capital intensity and intermediate inputs intensity. Levels of combined input cost, capital cost, intermediate inputs costs, relative cost shares, and other series are also available.

This tool lets users query the BLS databases for specific data series. For each area, select measure(s), sector(s), industry/-ies, and duration(s) in that order. As you make your selections, the remaining characteristics will filter to show only choices where data are available. After choosing the series, click on "Add to selection." If you need more data series, repeat the steps of choosing the data series you need. After you've finished finding the data series you need, click on the "Get Data" button to retrieve the data, and an HTML table with data for the most recent 10 years will display. If you desire a different time period or format, you may modify the options on the data display page, or click on the "More Formatting Options" button for additional options on refining the data retrieval results. Note: Users may not retrieve more than 200 data series in one query.

1. Areas Search Box

Type all or part of a search string in the search text box. The contents of the box will filter to show only those options that contain the search string.

2. Select one or more Areas

Click each area of interest. To select multiple options, hold the Ctrl/Command button, and click the desired options.

3. Measures Search Box

Type all or part of a search string in the search text box. The contents of the box will filter to show only those options that contain the search string.

4. Select one or more Measures

Click each productivity measure of interest. To select multiple options, hold the Ctrl/Command button, and click the desired options

5. Sectors Search Box

Type all or part of a search string in the search text box. The contents of the box will filter to show only those options that contain the search string.

6. Select one or more Sectors

Click on each sector of interest. To select multiple options, hold the Ctrl/Command button, and click the desired options

7. Industries Search Box

Type all or part of a search string in the search text box. The contents of the box will filter to show only those options that contain the search string.

8. Select one or more Industries

Click on each industry of interest. To select multiple options, hold the Ctrl/Command button, and click the desired options.

9. Select Duration

Click on one or both boxes for duration. Measures are available as either indexes or values. Annual percent changes of the indexes and values are also available.

10. Add to selection

You must make a selection for each of the characteristics in the order listed. Once you have selected all of the characteristics, the "Add to selection" button becomes active. Click the "Add to selection" button to list the selected data series in the "Your selection" box. You can return to the characteristics boxes and make new selections to request additional data series. Click the "Get Data" button to retrieve all the selected data series.

11. Get Data

You must make a selection for each of the characteristics in the order listed. Once you have selected all of the characteristics, the "Get Data" button becomes active. Click to retrieve the data.

Last Modified Date: October 5, 2022