Transmission of material in this release is embargoed until USDL 19-0358
8:30 a.m. (EST) Thursday, March 7, 2019
Technical information: (202) 691-5606 Productivity@bls.gov www.bls.gov/lpc
Media contact: (202) 691-5902 PressOffice@bls.gov
PRODUCTIVITY AND COSTS
Fourth Quarter and Annual Averages 2018, Revised
Nonfarm business sector labor productivity increased 1.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, the
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today, as output increased 3.1 percent and hours worked
increased 1.2 percent. (All quarterly percent changes in this release are seasonally adjusted annual rates.)
From the fourth quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2018, productivity increased 1.8 percent,
reflecting a 3.7-percent increase in output and a 1.9-percent increase in hours worked. (See tables A1
and 2.) Annual average productivity increased 1.3 percent from 2017 to 2018. (See table C1.)
Labor productivity, or output per hour, is calculated by dividing an index of real output by an index of
hours worked by all persons, including employees, proprietors, and unpaid family workers.
Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 2.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, and
increased 1.0 percent over the last four quarters. (See tables A1 and 2.)
========================================================================================================
New and Revised Productivity and Costs Data
This is the first publication of fourth quarter and annual average 2018 measures of labor productivity
and costs for the business and nonfarm business sectors, reflecting the Feb. 28, 2019 release of source
data on output and compensation by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Also, data in this release reflect
the annual benchmark revision of BLS Current Employment Statistics program data on private nonfarm
employment and hours, and historical revision of those data. See Revised measures.
========================================================================================================
BLS calculates unit labor costs as the ratio of hourly compensation to labor productivity. Increases in
hourly compensation tend to increase unit labor costs, and increases in output per hour tend to reduce
them.
Manufacturing sector labor productivity increased 2.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, as output
increased 2.7 percent and hours worked rose 0.8 percent. Productivity increased 3.3 percent in the
durable manufacturing sector and 1.9 percent in the nondurable manufacturing sector in the fourth
quarter of 2018. Over the last four quarters, total manufacturing sector productivity increased 1.0
percent, as output increased 2.9 percent and hours worked increased 1.9 percent. Unit labor costs in
manufacturing increased 2.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018 and rose 0.8 percent from the same
quarter a year ago. (See tables A1 and 3.)
The concepts, sources, and methods used for the manufacturing output series differ from those used in
the business and nonfarm business output series; these output measures are not directly comparable. See
the Technical Notes for a more detailed explanation.
Revised measures
The measures released today are based on more recent source data than were available for the
preliminary report.
Fourth-quarter and annual average 2018 data on output and compensation were published for the first
time on February 28, 2019 by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce.
Therefore, measures based on these data--including productivity and unit labor costs--are published for
the first time with this release.
Quarterly and annual measures of hours and related series--including productivity--were revised from
1947 forward for all sectors. These data were revised due to incorporation of revised Current
Employment Statistics (CES) program data on employment and hours published February 1, 2019.
Quarterly measures of real hourly compensation for all sectors were revised from first-quarter 2018
forward to reflect revised data on consumer prices from the BLS Office of Prices and Living Conditions.
Table B1 presents previous and revised measures for the fourth quarter of 2018. Because data for most
measures were not available in our preliminary release on February 6, 2019, comparisons are shown
primarily for manufacturing sector measures.
In the fourth quarter of 2018, manufacturing sector productivity was revised up to 2.0 percent from a
preliminary estimate of 1.3 percent. The upward revision reflected both an upward revision to output
and a downward revision to hours worked. Productivity was also revised up in durable goods
manufacturing to 3.3 percent and in nondurable goods industries to 1.9 percent.
Table B2 presents previous and revised productivity and related measures for the third quarter of 2018
for the nonfarm business, business, and manufacturing sectors.
In the third quarter of 2018, nonfarm business productivity was revised down from an increase of 2.2
percent to an increase of 1.8 percent due to an upward revision to hours worked; output was unrevised.
Unit labor costs were revised up 0.7 percentage point to an increase of 1.6 percent, the combined effect
of the 0.4-percentage point downward revision to productivity and a 0.3-percentage point upward
revision to hourly compensation.
Manufacturing productivity increased 1.0 percent rather than 1.1 percent in the third quarter of 2018, as
hours worked were revised up slightly more than output. Unit labor costs in manufacturing were revised
upward and increased 1.8 percent rather than declining 1.3 percent, due almost entirely to a 3.0-
percentage point upward revision to hourly compensation. (See table B2.)
Nonfinancial corporate sector productivity increased 6.1 percent in the third quarter of 2018, the same
rate as previously reported. Both output and hours were revised up 0.5 percentage point. Unit labor costs
decreased 2.3 percent in the third quarter of 2018, a slightly smaller decline than previously reported.
(See table A2.)
Annual averages
Table C1 presents annual average changes for the most recent 5 years for the nonfarm business sector
and the total manufacturing sector. Nonfarm business sector productivity grew 1.3 percent in 2018, as
output and hours increased 3.5 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively. In 2017, productivity increased 1.1
percent. The average annual rate of nonfarm business sector productivity growth from 2007 to 2018--
corresponding to the current business cycle--is 1.3 percent, which is below the long-term rate from 1947
to 2018 of 2.1 percent.
Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 1.4 percent in 2018, reflecting increases of 2.7
percent in hourly compensation and 1.3 percent in productivity. Real hourly compensation, which takes
into account changes in consumer prices, increased 0.3 percent in 2018.
In the manufacturing sector, productivity increased 0.8 percent in 2018, as output increased 2.7 percent
and hours worked increased 1.9 percent. Manufacturing sector productivity has grown less than 1.0
percent in each of the last 8 years. The average annual rate of manufacturing productivity growth from
2007 to 2018 is 0.7 percent, well below the long-term rate from 1987 to 2018 of 2.6 percent. Unit labor
costs increased 0.9 percent in 2018.
Quarterly and annual data for all sectors from 2016 to 2018 appear in tables 1-6. Full historical
measures can be found at: www.bls.gov/lpc/#data.
______________
The preliminary Productivity and Costs news release for first-quarter 2019 is scheduled to be
released on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. (EDT).
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Table A1. Labor productivity growth and related measures - revised fourth-quarter 2018
(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate and from same quarter a year ago)
Labor Hours Hourly Real hourly Unit labor
Sector Percent change from: productivity Output worked compensation compensation costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonfarm business Previous quarter 1.9 3.1 1.2 3.9 2.4 2.0
A year ago 1.8 3.7 1.9 2.8 0.6 1.0
Business Previous quarter 1.8 3.2 1.3 3.6 2.1 1.8
A year ago 1.9 3.6 1.7 2.9 0.7 1.0
Manufacturing Previous quarter 2.0 2.7 0.8 4.3 2.7 2.2
A Year ago 1.0 2.9 1.9 1.8 -0.4 0.8
Durable
manufacturing Previous quarter 3.3 6.1 2.7 4.1 2.6 0.7
A year ago 1.5 4.5 3.0 1.6 -0.6 0.2
Nondurable
manufacturing Previous quarter 1.9 -0.7 -2.5 4.1 2.6 2.1
A year ago 1.3 1.3 0.0 1.8 -0.4 0.6
=========================================================================================================================
=========================================================================================================================
Table A2. Labor productivity growth and related measures - revised and previously published third-quarter 2018
(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate)
Labor Hours Hourly Real hourly Unit labor
Sector productivity Output worked compensation compensation costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonfinancial Revised 6.1 7.7 1.5 3.6 1.6 -2.3
corporate Previously published 6.1 7.2 1.0 3.3 1.3 -2.7
=========================================================================================================================
=========================================================================================================================
Table B1. Labor productivity growth and related measures – revised and previously published fourth-quarter 2018
(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate)
Labor Hours Hourly Real hourly Unit labor
Sector productivity Output worked compensation compensation costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonfarm business Revised 1.9 3.1 1.2 3.9 2.4 2.0
Previously published N.A. N.A. 1.6 N.A. N.A. N.A.
Business Revised 1.8 3.2 1.3 3.6 2.1 1.8
Previously published N.A. N.A. 1.7 N.A. N.A. N.A.
Manufacturing Revised 2.0 2.7 0.8 4.3 2.7 2.2
Previously published 1.3 2.3 1.0 N.A. N.A. N.A.
Durable Revised 3.3 6.1 2.7 4.1 2.6 0.7
manufacturing Previously published 2.6 5.7 3.0 N.A. N.A. N.A.
Nondurable Revised 1.9 -0.7 -2.5 4.1 2.6 2.1
manufacturing Previously published 1.2 -1.2 -2.4 N.A. N.A. N.A.
=========================================================================================================================
=========================================================================================================================
Table B2. Labor productivity growth and related measures - revised and previously published third-quarter 2018
(percent change from previous quarter at annual rate)
Labor Hours Hourly Real hourly Unit labor
Sector productivity Output worked compensation compensation costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonfarm Business Revised 1.8 4.0 2.1 3.5 1.4 1.6
Previously published 2.2 4.0 1.7 3.2 1.2 0.9
Business Revised 1.4 3.9 2.5 3.2 1.2 1.8
Previously published 1.8 3.9 2.1 2.9 0.9 1.1
Manufacturing Revised 1.0 4.4 3.4 2.8 0.8 1.8
Previously published 1.1 4.2 3.1 -0.2 -2.2 -1.3
Durable Revised 2.0 5.9 3.9 1.4 -0.6 -0.5
manufacturing Previously published 2.2 5.8 3.6 0.5 -1.5 -1.7
Nondurable Revised 0.2 2.7 2.5 5.4 3.3 5.2
manufacturing Previously published 0.2 2.6 2.3 -1.6 -3.6 -1.9
=========================================================================================================================
=========================================================================================================================
Table C1. Labor productivity growth and related measures - annual average changes: 2014-18
Labor Hours Hourly Real hourly Unit labor
Sector Year productivity Output worked compensation compensation costs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nonfarm business........2018 1.3 3.5 2.2 2.7 0.3 1.4
........................2017 1.1 2.7 1.6 3.4 1.2 2.2
........................2016 0.2 1.6 1.4 1.1 -0.2 0.9
........................2015 1.3 3.5 2.2 3.1 2.9 1.8
........................2014 0.8 3.1 2.3 2.8 1.1 2.0
Manufacturing...........2018 0.8 2.7 1.9 1.7 -0.7 0.9
........................2017 0.7 1.8 1.0 3.4 1.2 2.6
........................2016 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.6 -0.7 0.3
........................2015 -1.6 -0.6 1.0 2.5 2.3 4.1
........................2014 0.0 1.6 1.6 2.8 1.1 2.8
=========================================================================================================================
TECHNICAL NOTES
Labor Hours
Hours data for the labor productivity and cost measures include hours worked for all persons working in
the sector—wage and salary workers, the self-employed and unpaid family workers. The primary source
of hours and employment data is the BLS Current Employment Statistics (CES) program, which
provides monthly survey data on the number of jobs held by wage and salary workers in nonfarm
establishments, counting a person who is employed by two or more establishments at each place of
employment. The CES also provides average weekly paid hours of production and nonsupervisory
workers in these establishments. Weekly paid hours are adjusted to hours worked using data from the
National Compensation Survey (NCS) for 1996 forward and data from the BLS Hours at Work survey,
conducted for this purpose, prior to 1990. Between 1990 and 1995, weekly paid hours are adjusted to
hours at work using a combination of NCS and Hours at Work survey data. The Office of Productivity
and Technology estimates average weekly hours at work for nonproduction and supervisory workers
using information from the Current Population Survey (CPS), the CES, and the NCS.
Data from the CPS are used to estimate hours worked for farm labor, nonfarm proprietors, and nonfarm
unpaid family workers. Using CPS information on employment and hours worked at primary jobs and
all other jobs, separately, the BLS productivity measures assign all hours worked to the appropriate
industrial sector. Hours for government enterprises are derived from the CPS, the CES, and the National
Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) prepared by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the
Department of Commerce.
Output
Business sector output is a chain-type, current-weighted index constructed after excluding from gross
domestic product (GDP) the following outputs: general government, nonprofit institutions, and private
households (including owner-occupied housing). Corresponding exclusions also are made in labor
hours. Business output accounted for about 76 percent of the value of GDP in 2017. Nonfarm business,
which excludes farming, accounted for about 75 percent of GDP in 2017.
Annual indexes for manufacturing and its durable and nondurable goods components are constructed by
deflating current-dollar industry value of production data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census with
deflators from the BLS. These deflators are based on data from the BLS Producer Price Index program
and other sources. The industry shipments are aggregated using annual weights, and intrasector
transactions are removed. Quarterly manufacturing output measures are based on the indexes of
industrial production prepared monthly by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,
adjusted to be consistent with annual indexes of manufacturing sector output prepared by BLS.
Nonfinancial corporate output is a chain-type, current-weighted index calculated on the basis of the
costs incurred and the incomes earned from production. The output measure excludes the following
outputs from GDP: general government; nonprofit institutions; private households; unincorporated
business; and those corporations classified as offices of bank holding companies, offices of other
holding companies, or offices in the finance and insurance sector. Nonfinancial corporations accounted
for about 49 percent of the value of GDP in 2017.
Labor Productivity
The measure describes the relationship between real output and the labor time involved in its production.
Measures of labor productivity growth show the changes from period to period in the amount of goods
and services produced per hour worked. They reflect the joint effects of many influences, including
changes in technology; capital investment; level of output; utilization of capacity, energy, and materials;
the organization of production; managerial skill; and the characteristics and effort of the work force.
Labor Compensation
The measure includes accrued wages and salaries, supplements, employer contributions to employee
benefit plans, and taxes. Estimates of labor compensation by major sector, required for measures of
hourly compensation and unit labor costs, are based primarily on employee compensation data from the
NIPA, prepared by the BEA. The compensation of employees in general government, nonprofit
institutions and private households are subtracted from compensation of employees in domestic
industries to derive employee compensation for the business sector. The labor compensation of
proprietors cannot be explicitly identified and must be estimated. This is done by assuming that
proprietors have the same hourly compensation as employees in the same sector. The quarterly labor
productivity and cost measures do not contain estimates of compensation for unpaid family workers.
Unit Labor Costs
These measures describe the relationship between compensation per hour and labor productivity, or real
output per hour, and can be used as an indicator of inflationary pressure on producers. Increases in
hourly compensation increase unit labor costs; labor productivity increases offset compensation
increases and lower unit labor costs.
Presentation of the data
The quarterly data in this release are presented in three ways: as percent changes from the previous
quarter presented at a compound annual rate, as percent changes from the corresponding quarter of the
previous year, and as index number series where 2012=100. Annual data are presented both as index
number series and percent changes from the previous year.
The index numbers and rates of change reported in the productivity and costs news release are rounded
to one decimal place. All percent changes in this release and on the BLS web site are calculated using
index numbers to three decimal places. A complete historical series of these index numbers are available
at the BLS web site, www.bls.gov/data/home.htm, or by contacting the BLS Division of Major Sector
Productivity (Telephone 202-691-5606 or email productivity@bls.gov).
For a more detailed explanation of methodology see "Technical Information About the Major Sector
Productivity and Costs Methods" at www.bls.gov/lpc/lpcmethods.pdf.
Information in this release will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. Voice
phone: 202-691-5200; Federal Relay Service number: 1-800-877-8339.
Table 1. Business sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs, and prices,
seasonally adjusted.
Real
Hourly hourly Unit Implicit
Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor price
and produc- Hours sation sation labor payments deflator
quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (3) (4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)
2018 ANNUAL 1.4 r 3.5 r 2.1 2.8 r 0.4 r 1.4 r 3.3 r 2.2 r
2018 IV 1.8 r 3.2 r 1.3 r 3.6 r 2.1 r 1.8 r 1.8 r 1.8 r
III 1.4 r 3.9 2.5 r 3.2 r 1.2 r 1.8 r 0.3 r 1.1
II 3.4 r 5.1 1.6 r 0.3 r -1.8 r -3.0 r 12.8 r 3.6
I 0.9 r 2.5 1.6 r 4.6 r 1.3 r 3.7 -0.5 r 1.9
2017 ANNUAL 1.1 2.6 1.5 3.4 1.2 2.3 1.0 1.7
2017 IV -1.2 r 2.9 4.1 1.1 r -2.1 2.3 r 3.7 r 2.9
III 2.8 3.5 0.7 5.6 3.4 2.8 0.9 2.0
II 1.6 3.7 2.1 1.3 1.3 r -0.3 2.3 0.8
I -0.2 1.9 2.0 4.0 1.0 4.2 -1.3 1.8
2016 ANNUAL 0.2 1.7 1.5 1.1 r -0.2 0.9 0.9 0.9
2016 IV 2.0 r 2.2 0.2 r 5.6 2.8 r 3.6 -0.6 1.7
III 1.4 r 2.2 0.7 r 2.4 r 0.5 r 0.9 1.7 1.3
II 0.7 2.6 1.8 r 0.3 -2.3 -0.4 7.7 3.1
I 0.4 r 1.6 1.2 r 0.2 r 0.3 r -0.2 -1.5 -0.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year
2018 ANNUAL 1.4 r 3.5 r 2.1 2.8 r 0.4 r 1.4 r 3.3 r 2.2 r
2018 IV 1.9 r 3.6 r 1.7 r 2.9 r 0.7 r 1.0 r 3.5 r 2.1 r
III 1.1 r 3.6 2.4 2.3 r -0.4 1.2 r 3.9 r 2.4
II 1.4 3.5 2.0 2.9 0.2 1.4 4.1 2.6
I 1.0 r 3.1 2.1 r 3.1 1.0 r 2.1 1.6 1.9
2017 ANNUAL 1.1 2.6 1.5 3.4 1.2 2.3 1.0 1.7
2017 IV 0.7 r 3.0 2.2 3.0 0.9 2.3 1.4 1.9
III 1.5 2.8 1.2 r 4.1 2.1 2.6 0.3 1.6
II 1.2 2.5 1.3 3.3 1.4 2.1 0.5 1.4
I 1.0 2.2 1.2 3.1 0.5 2.1 1.8 2.0
2016 ANNUAL 0.2 1.7 1.5 1.1 r -0.2 0.9 0.9 0.9
2016 IV 1.1 2.1 1.0 2.1 0.3 1.0 1.8 1.3
III -0.2 r 1.6 1.8 0.5 -0.7 0.6 1.0 0.8
II -0.3 r 1.3 1.6 0.4 -0.7 0.7 0.9 0.8
I 0.1 1.6 1.5 r 1.3 r 0.2 r 1.2 -0.2 0.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indexes 2012=100
2018 ANNUAL 105.5 r 117.9 r 111.8 r 115.1 r 105.0 r 109.1 r 108.6 r 108.8 r
2018 IV 106.3 r 119.5 r 112.5 r 116.3 r 105.5 r 109.5 r 109.7 r 109.6 r
III 105.8 r 118.6 112.1 r 115.3 r 104.9 r 109.0 r 109.3 r 109.1
II 105.4 r 117.5 111.4 r 114.4 r 104.6 r 108.5 r 109.2 r 108.8
I 104.5 r 116.0 111.0 r 114.3 r 105.1 r 109.3 r 106.0 r 107.9
2017 ANNUAL 104.1 r 114.0 109.5 r 111.9 r 104.7 r 107.5 r 105.1 r 106.5
2017 IV 104.3 r 115.3 110.6 r 113.0 r 104.7 r 108.3 106.1 107.4
III 104.6 r 114.5 109.4 r 112.7 r 105.3 r 107.7 r 105.1 r 106.6
II 103.9 r 113.5 109.3 r 111.2 r 104.4 r 107.0 r 104.9 r 106.1
I 103.5 r 112.5 108.7 r 110.8 r 104.1 r 107.0 r 104.3 r 105.8
2016 ANNUAL 103.0 r 111.1 107.9 r 108.3 r 103.4 r 105.2 r 104.1 r 104.7
2016 IV 103.6 r 112.0 108.2 r 109.7 r 103.8 r 105.9 r 104.6 r 105.4
III 103.1 r 111.4 108.1 r 108.2 r 103.1 r 105.0 104.8 104.9
II 102.7 r 110.8 107.9 r 107.6 r 103.0 r 104.8 r 104.4 r 104.6
I 102.5 r 110.1 107.4 r 107.5 r 103.6 r 104.9 r 102.4 r 103.8
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes following Table 6. March 7, 2019
r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Table 2. Nonfarm business sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs, and
prices, seasonally adjusted.
Real
Hourly hourly Unit Implicit
Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor price
and produc- Hours sation sation labor payments deflator
quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (3) (4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)
2018 ANNUAL 1.3 r 3.5 r 2.2 2.7 r 0.3 r 1.4 r 3.4 r 2.3 r
2018 IV 1.9 r 3.1 r 1.2 r 3.9 r 2.4 r 2.0 r 1.4 r 1.7 r
III 1.8 r 4.0 2.1 r 3.5 r 1.4 r 1.6 r 1.1 r 1.4
II 2.8 r 5.0 2.1 r -0.1 r -2.2 r -2.8 12.7 3.6
I 0.6 r 2.6 2.0 r 4.0 r 0.8 r 3.5 r -0.4 r 1.8
2017 ANNUAL 1.1 2.7 1.6 3.4 1.2 2.2 0.9 1.6
2017 IV -0.4 r 3.0 3.4 r 1.9 -1.4 r 2.3 3.7 2.9
III 2.2 r 3.6 1.4 r 5.1 2.9 2.8 1.1 2.1
II 1.6 3.8 2.2 1.3 1.2 -0.3 2.3 0.8
I 0.4 1.9 1.5 4.7 1.6 4.2 -2.4 1.3
2016 ANNUAL 0.2 r 1.6 1.4 r 1.1 -0.2 0.9 1.2 1.1
2016 IV 1.4 r 2.3 0.9 r 4.8 r 2.0 r 3.4 -0.1 1.8
III 1.2 r 2.2 1.0 r 2.1 r 0.2 r 0.9 2.2 1.5
II 1.0 r 2.5 1.5 r 0.7 -2.0 -0.2 7.8 3.2
I 0.5 r 1.6 1.1 r 0.3 r 0.4 r -0.2 -0.6 r -0.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year
2018 ANNUAL 1.3 r 3.5 r 2.2 2.7 r 0.3 r 1.4 r 3.4 r 2.3 r
2018 IV 1.8 r 3.7 r 1.9 2.8 r 0.6 r 1.0 r 3.6 r 2.1 r
III 1.2 r 3.6 2.4 r 2.3 r -0.4 1.1 r 4.2 r 2.4
II 1.3 3.5 2.2 2.7 0.0 1.4 4.2 2.6
I 1.0 3.2 2.2 r 3.1 r 0.9 r 2.0 1.7 1.9
2017 ANNUAL 1.1 2.7 1.6 3.4 1.2 2.2 0.9 1.6
2017 IV 1.0 3.1 2.1 3.2 1.1 2.2 1.1 1.8
III 1.4 2.9 1.5 3.9 1.9 2.5 0.2 1.5
II 1.2 2.6 1.4 3.2 1.3 2.0 0.5 1.4
I 1.0 2.2 1.2 3.1 0.5 2.0 1.8 1.9
2016 ANNUAL 0.2 r 1.6 1.4 r 1.1 -0.2 0.9 1.2 1.1
2016 IV 1.0 2.1 1.1 r 2.0 r 0.1 1.0 r 2.3 1.5
III -0.1 1.6 1.7 0.6 -0.6 0.7 1.5 1.0
II -0.3 1.2 1.4 r 0.5 -0.6 0.8 1.2 1.0
I 0.1 r 1.6 1.5 r 1.3 r 0.2 r 1.2 0.0 0.7
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indexes 2012=100
2018 ANNUAL 105.3 r 117.8 r 111.9 r 115.2 r 105.1 r 109.4 r 109.5 r 109.4 r
2018 IV 106.1 r 119.4 r 112.5 r 116.5 r 105.6 r 109.8 r 110.7 r 110.2 r
III 105.6 r 118.5 112.2 r 115.4 r 105.0 r 109.3 r 110.3 r 109.7
II 105.1 r 117.3 111.6 r 114.4 r 104.6 r 108.8 r 110.0 r 109.3
I 104.4 r 115.9 111.0 r 114.4 r 105.2 r 109.6 r 106.8 r 108.4
2017 ANNUAL 103.9 r 113.8 109.5 r 112.1 r 104.8 r 107.9 r 105.9 r 107.0
2017 IV 104.3 r 115.2 110.5 r 113.3 r 105.0 r 108.7 106.9 107.9
III 104.4 r 114.3 109.6 r 112.8 r 105.4 r 108.1 r 105.9 r 107.1
II 103.8 r 113.3 109.2 r 111.4 r 104.6 r 107.3 r 105.6 r 106.6
I 103.4 r 112.3 108.6 r 111.0 r 104.3 r 107.4 r 105.0 r 106.4
2016 ANNUAL 102.8 r 110.8 107.8 r 108.5 r 103.6 r 105.5 r 104.9 r 105.3
2016 IV 103.3 r 111.7 108.2 r 109.8 r 103.9 r 106.3 r 105.7 r 106.0
III 102.9 r 111.1 108.0 r 108.5 r 103.4 r 105.4 105.7 105.6
II 102.6 r 110.5 107.7 r 107.9 r 103.3 r 105.2 r 105.1 r 105.2
I 102.4 r 109.8 107.3 r 107.7 r 103.8 r 105.2 r 103.2 r 104.4
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes following Table 6. March 7, 2019
r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Table 3. Manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor costs,
seasonally adjusted.
Real
Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit
and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor
quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)
2018 ANNUAL 0.8 r 2.7 r 1.9 r 1.7 r -0.7 r 0.9 r
2018 IV 2.0 r 2.7 r 0.8 r 4.3 r 2.7 r 2.2 r
III 1.0 r 4.4 r 3.4 r 2.8 r 0.8 r 1.8 r
II 1.2 2.6 1.4 -5.0 -7.0 r -6.1
I -0.1 r 2.0 2.1 r 5.4 r 2.1 r 5.5
2017 ANNUAL 0.7 1.8 1.0 3.4 r 1.2 r 2.6
2017 IV 4.0 r 5.5 1.4 r 1.2 r -2.0 r -2.7
III -4.8 r -1.9 3.1 r 2.6 r 0.4 r 7.8
II 3.2 r 2.9 -0.4 r 2.7 r 2.6 r -0.5
I 0.4 r 2.2 1.7 r 4.7 r 1.7 r 4.3 r
2016 ANNUAL 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.6 -0.7 0.3
2016 IV 2.2 r 2.4 0.2 r 5.3 r 2.5 r 3.0
III 0.5 r 1.7 1.2 r 1.6 r -0.2 r 1.2
II -0.9 r -1.1 -0.2 1.4 r -1.3 r 2.3
I 3.1 r 1.8 -1.2 r -2.1 r -2.0 r -5.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year
2018 ANNUAL 0.8 r 2.7 r 1.9 r 1.7 r -0.7 r 0.9 r
2018 IV 1.0 r 2.9 r 1.9 r 1.8 r -0.4 r 0.8 r
III 1.5 3.6 2.1 1.0 r -1.6 r -0.5 r
II 0.0 r 2.0 2.0 r 1.0 r -1.7 r 0.9
I 0.5 2.1 1.6 3.0 r 0.8 r 2.4
2017 ANNUAL 0.7 1.8 1.0 3.4 r 1.2 r 2.6
2017 IV 0.7 r 2.1 1.5 2.8 r 0.7 r 2.1
III 0.2 1.4 1.1 r 3.8 1.8 r 3.6
II 1.6 2.3 0.7 3.6 1.6 r 2.0
I 0.5 1.3 0.7 r 3.3 r 0.7 r 2.7
2016 ANNUAL 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.6 -0.7 0.3
2016 IV 1.2 1.2 0.0 1.5 r -0.3 0.3
III -0.2 0.3 0.5 r -0.2 -1.4 r 0.0
II 0.2 0.0 -0.2 0.5 r -0.6 r 0.2
I 0.1 -0.1 -0.1 0.6 -0.5 0.6
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indexes 2012=100
2018 ANNUAL 101.2 r 107.7 r 106.4 r 112.0 r 102.2 r 110.6 r
2018 IV 101.8 r 109.0 r 107.1 r 112.9 r 102.4 r 110.9 r
III 101.3 r 108.3 r 106.9 r 111.7 r 101.7 r 110.3 r
II 101.1 r 107.2 106.0 r 110.9 r 101.5 r 109.8 r
I 100.8 r 106.5 105.7 r 112.4 r 103.3 r 111.5 r
2017 ANNUAL 100.5 r 104.9 104.5 r 110.1 r 103.0 r 109.6 r
2017 IV 100.8 r 105.9 105.1 r 110.9 r 102.8 r 110.1 r
III 99.8 r 104.5 104.7 r 110.6 r 103.3 r 110.8 r
II 101.0 r 105.0 103.9 r 109.9 r 103.2 r 108.8
I 100.2 r 104.3 104.0 r 109.1 r 102.5 r 108.9 r
2016 ANNUAL 99.7 r 103.1 103.4 r 106.6 r 101.8 r 106.9
2016 IV 100.1 r 103.7 103.6 r 107.9 r 102.1 r 107.8 r
III 99.6 r 103.1 103.6 r 106.5 r 101.5 r 107.0 r
II 99.5 r 102.7 103.2 r 106.1 r 101.5 r 106.7 r
I 99.7 r 103.0 103.3 r 105.7 r 101.9 r 106.0 r
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes following Table 6. March 7, 2019
r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Table 4. Durable manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor
costs, seasonally adjusted.
Real
Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit
and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor
quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)
2018 ANNUAL 1.0 3.3 2.3 r 2.0 r -0.5 r 0.9 r
2018 IV 3.3 r 6.1 r 2.7 r 4.1 r 2.6 r 0.7 r
III 2.0 r 5.9 r 3.9 r 1.4 r -0.6 r -0.5 r
II 0.2 r 2.0 1.8 r -4.9 r -6.9 r -5.1
I 0.4 r 4.0 3.6 r 6.2 r 2.9 r 5.8
2017 ANNUAL 1.1 1.7 0.6 4.1 1.9 2.9
2017 IV 4.1 r 5.2 1.1 r 1.6 r -1.7 r -2.5 r
III -4.9 r -2.3 2.7 r 2.3 r 0.2 r 7.6
II 4.7 r 2.1 -2.5 r 6.2 r 6.1 r 1.5
I -0.1 r 2.8 2.9 r 4.0 r 1.0 r 4.2
2016 ANNUAL -0.8 -1.2 -0.4 1.0 r -0.3 1.8
2016 IV 2.4 r 2.5 0.1 r 6.1 r 3.3 r 3.6
III 1.8 r 2.2 0.5 r 2.1 r 0.2 r 0.3
II -0.3 r -1.9 -1.6 r 2.0 r -0.8 2.3
I -0.5 r -1.1 -0.6 r -1.3 r -1.3 r -0.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year
2018 ANNUAL 1.0 3.3 2.3 r 2.0 r -0.5 r 0.9 r
2018 IV 1.5 r 4.5 r 3.0 r 1.6 r -0.6 r 0.2 r
III 1.7 r 4.3 2.6 r 1.0 r -1.6 r -0.7 r
II -0.1 r 2.2 2.3 r 1.2 r -1.5 r 1.3
I 1.0 r 2.2 1.2 r 4.1 1.8 3.0
2017 ANNUAL 1.1 1.7 0.6 4.1 1.9 2.9
2017 IV 0.9 1.9 1.0 3.5 1.4 2.6
III 0.5 1.2 0.8 4.7 2.6 4.2
II 2.2 2.4 0.2 4.6 2.6 2.4
I 0.9 1.4 0.5 r 3.5 r 0.9 2.6
2016 ANNUAL -0.8 -1.2 -0.4 1.0 r -0.3 1.8
2016 IV 0.8 0.4 -0.4 2.2 0.3 1.3
III -1.3 -1.4 0.0 0.2 -0.9 1.6
II -1.3 r -2.0 -0.7 0.8 r -0.3 r 2.1
I -1.5 -1.9 -0.4 0.7 -0.4 2.2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indexes 2012=100
2018 ANNUAL 101.6 r 108.2 r 106.5 r 112.8 r 102.9 r 111.0 r
2018 IV 102.5 r 110.4 r 107.7 r 113.5 r 102.9 r 110.7 r
III 101.7 r 108.7 r 107.0 r 112.3 r 102.2 r 110.5 r
II 101.2 r 107.2 106.0 r 111.9 r 102.4 r 110.7 r
I 101.1 r 106.7 105.5 r 113.4 r 104.2 r 112.1 r
2017 ANNUAL 100.6 104.8 104.2 110.6 103.4 110.0
2017 IV 101.0 r 105.6 104.5 r 111.7 r 103.5 r 110.5 r
III 100.0 r 104.3 104.3 r 111.2 r 103.9 r 111.2 r
II 101.3 r 104.9 103.6 r 110.6 r 103.9 r 109.2 r
I 100.1 r 104.3 104.2 r 108.9 r 102.3 r 108.8 r
2016 ANNUAL 99.5 r 103.0 103.5 r 106.3 r 101.5 r 106.8
2016 IV 100.1 r 103.6 103.5 r 107.9 r 102.1 r 107.7 r
III 99.5 r 103.0 103.5 r 106.3 r 101.3 r 106.8
II 99.1 r 102.4 103.3 r 105.7 r 101.2 r 106.7 r
I 99.2 r 102.9 103.8 r 105.2 r 101.4 r 106.1 r
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes following Table 6. March 7, 2019
r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Table 5. Nondurable manufacturing sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, and unit labor
costs, seasonally adjusted.
Real
Year Labor Hourly hourly Unit
and produc- Hours compensa- compensa- labor
quarter tivity Output worked tion (1) tion (2) costs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)
2018 ANNUAL 0.8 r 2.0 1.2 r 1.1 r -1.4 r 0.3 r
2018 IV 1.9 r -0.7 r -2.5 r 4.1 r 2.6 r 2.1 r
III 0.2 2.7 r 2.5 r 5.4 r 3.3 r 5.2 r
II 2.6 r 3.3 0.7 r -5.2 r -7.2 r -7.6
I 0.4 r 0.0 -0.5 r 3.4 r 0.2 r 3.0
2017 ANNUAL -0.1 r 1.6 1.7 r 2.1 r -0.1 r 2.2
2017 IV 3.7 r 5.8 2.1 r 0.6 r -2.6 r -2.9
III -5.0 r -1.4 3.8 r 3.2 r 1.0 r 8.6
II 0.4 r 3.7 3.3 r -3.3 r -3.4 r -3.7
I 1.8 r 1.5 -0.3 r 5.8 r 2.7 r 3.9 r
2016 ANNUAL 0.6 r 1.4 0.8 r 0.0 -1.3 r -0.6
2016 IV 1.5 r 1.9 0.4 r 3.7 r 0.9 r 2.2
III -2.1 r 0.5 2.6 r 1.0 r -0.9 r 3.1
II -3.4 r -1.2 2.2 r 0.7 r -2.0 r 4.2
I 6.1 r 3.7 -2.2 r -3.6 r -3.6 r -9.1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year
2018 ANNUAL 0.8 r 2.0 1.2 r 1.1 r -1.4 r 0.3 r
2018 IV 1.3 r 1.3 r 0.0 r 1.8 r -0.4 r 0.6 r
III 1.7 r 2.9 1.2 r 1.0 r -1.6 r -0.7 r
II 0.4 r 1.9 1.5 r 0.4 r -2.2 r 0.1
I -0.2 r 2.0 2.2 r 1.0 r -1.2 r 1.1
2017 ANNUAL -0.1 r 1.6 1.7 r 2.1 r -0.1 r 2.2
2017 IV 0.2 r 2.4 2.2 r 1.5 r -0.6 r 1.3
III -0.4 r 1.4 1.8 r 2.3 r 0.3 r 2.7 r
II 0.4 1.9 1.5 r 1.7 r -0.2 r 1.3
I -0.6 r 0.6 1.2 r 2.8 r 0.2 r 3.3
2016 ANNUAL 0.6 r 1.4 0.8 r 0.0 -1.3 r -0.6
2016 IV 0.5 1.2 0.7 0.4 r -1.4 r 0.0
III -0.2 r 1.2 1.3 r -1.0 r -2.1 r -0.8
II 0.9 1.5 0.7 0.0 -1.1 -0.8
I 1.4 1.8 0.3 r 0.5 -0.6 -0.9
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indexes 2012=100
2018 ANNUAL 101.5 r 107.9 r 106.3 r 110.4 r 100.8 r 108.8 r
2018 IV 102.1 r 108.4 r 106.1 r 111.6 r 101.2 r 109.3 r
III 101.6 r 108.5 r 106.8 r 110.5 r 100.6 r 108.8 r
II 101.6 r 107.8 106.1 r 109.1 r 99.8 r 107.4 r
I 100.9 r 106.9 106.0 r 110.6 r 101.6 r 109.5 r
2017 ANNUAL 100.8 r 105.8 105.0 r 109.3 r 102.2 r 108.5 r
2017 IV 100.8 r 107.0 106.1 r 109.6 r 101.6 r 108.7 r
III 99.9 r 105.5 105.5 r 109.5 r 102.3 r 109.6 r
II 101.2 r 105.8 104.6 r 108.6 r 102.0 r 107.3 r
I 101.1 r 104.9 103.7 r 109.5 r 102.9 r 108.3 r
2016 ANNUAL 100.8 r 104.1 103.3 r 107.1 r 102.3 r 106.2 r
2016 IV 100.6 r 104.5 103.8 r 108.0 r 102.2 r 107.3 r
III 100.3 r 104.0 103.7 r 107.0 r 102.0 r 106.7 r
II 100.8 r 103.9 103.1 r 106.8 r 102.2 r 105.9 r
I 101.7 r 104.2 102.5 r 106.6 r 102.7 r 104.8 r
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes following Table 6. March 7, 2019
r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Table 6. Nonfinancial corporate sector: Labor productivity, hourly compensation, unit labor costs,
unit profits, and prices, seasonally adjusted.
Real
Hourly hourly Unit Total Implicit
Year Labor compen- compen- Unit nonlabor unit Unit price
and produc- Hours sation sation labor costs costs profits deflator
quarter tivity Output worked (1) (2) costs (6) (7) (8) (4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from previous quarter at annual rate (5)
2018 III 6.1 7.7 r 1.5 r 3.6 r 1.6 r -2.3 r -3.0 r -2.6 18.9 r 0.0
II -2.1 r 0.8 2.9 r -0.2 r -2.3 r 1.9 2.7 2.2 17.1 4.0
I 3.2 r 5.3 2.0 r 4.7 r 1.4 r 1.4 -1.0 0.6 5.5 1.2
2017 ANNUAL 1.6 3.4 1.7 3.2 1.0 1.5 1.0 1.3 -2.1 0.9
2017 IV 1.4 4.2 2.8 r 0.3 -3.0 r -1.1 0.5 -0.6 7.8 0.4
III 1.0 r 2.5 1.5 2.7 r 0.6 1.7 0.6 1.3 -17.1 -1.2
II 4.5 7.4 2.7 -0.1 -0.2 -4.4 -2.4 -3.7 7.5 -2.4
I 3.1 5.0 1.8 8.1 5.0 4.9 0.0 3.2 10.6 4.1
2016 ANNUAL 0.0 1.5 1.5 1.1 -0.2 1.0 0.1 0.7 -6.8 -0.3
2016 IV -2.3 r -1.7 0.6 r 3.5 r 0.7 r 6.0 7.6 6.5 -9.1 4.4
III 4.6 r 6.3 1.7 r 1.4 r -0.5 r -3.1 -3.6 -3.3 -5.4 -3.5
II -4.8 -3.6 1.2 r 0.3 -2.4 5.4 6.5 5.8 -21.8 1.6
I 3.5 r 3.8 0.2 r 2.3 r 2.3 r -1.2 -14.3 -5.7 31.2 -1.5
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Percent change from corresponding quarter of previous year
2018 III 2.1 4.4 r 2.3 r 2.1 r -0.6 0.0 r -0.2 r -0.1 12.2 r 1.4
II 0.9 3.2 2.3 1.9 r -0.8 1.0 0.7 0.9 2.5 1.1
I 2.5 4.8 2.2 r 1.9 r -0.3 r -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 0.3 -0.5
2017 ANNUAL 1.6 3.4 1.7 3.2 1.0 1.5 1.0 1.3 -2.1 0.9
2017 IV 2.5 4.8 2.2 2.7 0.6 0.2 -0.3 0.0 1.5 0.2
III 1.5 3.2 1.7 3.5 1.5 1.9 1.4 1.8 -2.7 1.2
II 2.4 4.2 1.7 3.2 1.2 r 0.7 0.3 0.6 0.5 0.6
I 0.1 1.4 1.3 3.3 0.7 3.2 2.5 3.0 -7.1 1.6
2016 ANNUAL 0.0 1.5 1.5 1.1 -0.2 1.0 0.1 0.7 -6.8 -0.3
2016 IV 0.2 r 1.1 0.9 r 1.9 r 0.0 1.7 -1.4 0.7 -3.1 0.2
III 0.3 1.9 1.6 0.7 -0.5 0.4 0.2 0.4 -11.6 -1.4
II -0.6 r 1.0 1.7 0.6 -0.5 1.2 1.1 1.2 -7.7 0.0
I 0.4 r 2.0 1.6 r 1.3 r 0.2 r 0.9 0.4 0.7 -4.4 0.0
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indexes 2012=100
2018 III 106.3 r 120.4 r 113.3 r 114.4 r 104.1 r 107.7 r 103.7 r 106.4 r 99.9 r 105.4
II 104.7 r 118.2 112.9 r 113.4 r 103.7 r 108.3 104.5 107.1 95.6 105.4
I 105.3 r 118.0 112.1 r 113.5 r 104.3 r 107.8 103.8 106.5 91.9 104.4
2017 ANNUAL 103.7 r 114.7 110.6 r 111.8 r 104.5 r 107.7 104.1 106.5 91.2 104.3
2017 IV 104.4 r 116.5 111.6 r 112.2 r 104.0 r 107.4 104.1 106.3 90.7 104.1
III 104.1 r 115.3 110.8 r 112.1 r 104.7 r 107.7 104.0 106.5 89.0 104.0
II 103.8 r 114.6 110.4 r 111.3 r 104.6 r 107.3 103.8 106.1 93.3 104.3
I 102.7 r 112.6 109.6 r 111.4 r 104.6 r 108.5 104.4 107.1 91.6 104.9
2016 ANNUAL 102.1 r 111.0 108.7 r 108.3 r 103.4 r 106.1 103.1 105.1 93.1 103.4
2016 IV 101.9 r 111.2 109.1 r 109.2 r 103.4 r 107.2 104.4 106.3 89.4 103.9
III 102.5 r 111.7 109.0 r 108.3 r 103.2 r 105.7 102.5 104.6 91.5 102.8
II 101.3 r 110.0 108.5 r 107.9 r 103.3 r 106.5 103.5 105.5 92.8 103.7
I 102.6 r 111.0 108.2 r 107.8 r 103.9 r 105.1 101.9 104.0 98.7 103.3
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See footnotes following Table 6. March 7, 2019
r=revised Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
SOURCES: Output data are from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau of the U.S.
Department of Commerce; the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor; and the Federal
Reserve Board. Hours and compensation data are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Bureau of
Economic Analysis.
RELIABILITY: Productivity and cost measures are regularly revised as more complete information
becomes available. The measures are first published within 40 days of the close of the reference period;
revisions appear 30 days later, and second revisions after an additional 60 days. In the business sector, the
third publication (second revision) of a quarterly index of output per hour of all persons has differed from the
initial value by between -1.5 and 1.4 index points approximately 95 percent of the time. This interval is based
on the performance of this measure between the fourth quarter of 1995 and the third quarter of 2018.
Table Footnotes
(1) Wages and salaries of employees plus employers' contributions for social insurance and private benefit
plans. Except for nonfinancial corporations, where there are no self-employed, data also include an estimate
of wages, salaries, and supplemental payments for the self-employed.
(2) The change for recent quarters is based on the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers
(CPI-U). The trend from 1978-2017 is based on the Consumer Price Index research series (CPI-U-RS).
(3) Unit nonlabor payments include profits, consumption of fixed capital, taxes on production and imports
less subsidies, net interest and miscellaneous payments, business current transfer payments, rental income of
persons, and the current surplus of government enterprises.
(4) Current dollar output divided by the output index.
(5) Quarterly changes: Percent change compounded at annual rate is calculated using index numbers to three
decimal places. Indexes published in the news release are rounded to one decimal place for convenience.
Annual changes: Percent change is calculated using annual indexes to three decimal places.
(6) Unit nonlabor costs include consumption of fixed capital, taxes on production and imports less subsidies,
net interest and miscellaneous payments, and business current transfer payments.
(7) Total unit costs are the sum of unit labor and nonlabor costs.
(8) Unit profits include corporate profits before tax with inventory valuation and capital consumption
adjustments.
United States Department of Labor
