By Industry

Workforce Overview | By Industry | Largest Employers | Corporate Expansions
Labor Cost & Earnings | Distribution of Earnings

Utah's economic slowdown in 2002 parallels that of the nation's and continues to reflect the state of the economy that has characterized the post 9-11 period. Utah's 2002 unemployment rate of 6% was the highest in more than a decade. This trend is expected to reverse in 2003 with an anticipated recovery of the economy. Utah's current rate of unemployment as of May 2003 is 5.3%.

The state's non-agricultural labor force in 2002 was 1,072,402 (see table below). Demographers predict that non-farm payroll employment for Utah will increase to almost 1.8 million in 2030; an increase of some 750,000 jobs over the projected period. The pool of young workers is projected to increase by 60% by the year 2020, guaranteeing Utah the youngest labor force in the nation during that entire time.

Continuing a trend of several years, Utah's services sector saw the largest growth rate in jobs with an increase of 1.9%, amounting to some 7,423 net new jobs in 2002. Most other industries saw decline in growth.

The following tables provides the average number of employees by major industry groups. In the year 2000, the categories changed slightly to further break down certain service industries. The first chart provides information for the years 2000-2003 and the second chart addresses the categories before 2000.

Average Number of Employees on Non-agricultural Payrolls Utah by Major Industry Group - Years 2000-2003 (estimate)
	2000	2001	2002	2003
Mining	7,350	7,209	6,700	6,500
Construction	72,239	71,261	65,000	62,300
Maufacturing	125,675	122,093	114,800	115,200
Transportation	218,929	219,945	214,500	215,300
Information	34,950	33,412	31,300	31,500
Financial Activity	58,784	62,213	63,400	63,200
Prof & Bus Services	139,298	136,645	133,500	133,200
Education & Health Services	101,810	109,516	113,400	116,100
Leisure Hospitality	96,876	98,345	103,400	105,800
Other Services	28,849	30,471	32,100	33,300
Government	190,119	190,115	192,300	195,800
TOTAL	1,076,879	1,083,686	1,072,402	1,080,203

Average Number of Employees on Non-agricultural Payrolls Utah by Major Industry Group - Selected years prior to 2000
	1980	1985	1990	1995	1999
Mining	18,500	9,738	8,602	8,112	7,762
Construction	31,549	35,510	27,836	54,791	72,214
Manufacturing	87,700	93,999	107,096	123,859	132,203
Trans. Comm. & Utilit.	34,120	37,013	42,274	51,489	59,411
Trade	128,678	147,920	172,385	220,019	248,212
Finance Insurance & Real Estate	25,768	31,059	34,136	47,674	56,637
Services	100,528	131,342	180,750	238,276	293,506
Government	125,046	137,806	150,550	163,666	178,553
TOTAL	551,889	324,387	723,629	954,300	1,048,498