EconoIndicators / Monster Employment Index

Monster Employment Index At a Glance

February Index: 165
Monthly Change: Up 5
Year-to-year Change: Down 12 Points
Regions Growing: 9
Regions Unchanged: 0
Regions Declining: 0

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Monster Employment Index Shows Moderate Rise in
February
February 2008 Index Highlights:
• Index rises five points, ending three-month downward trend, but is now seven
percent below its year-ago reading, indicating further deceleration in U.S.
online recruitment activity
• Opportunities in manufacturing, construction, sales and finance are now
significantly lower than a year ago
• Opportunities in wholesale industry maintain growth trend, despite slowing
economy
• Online job availability in public administration industry edges higher on
increased demand in local and federal government
• Healthcare occupations remain in high demand
• Demand in the Pacific region dips further, mostly due to weakness in California
• Midwest picks up momentum as Kansas City, Detroit, Indianapolis, Chicago and
Cleveland show sharpest monthly gains
Summary Overview
The Monster Employment Index rose five points in February, reflecting a moderate
increase in overall U.S. online job availability following a three-month downward trend.
The Monster Employment Index is based on a real-time review of millions of employer
job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of corporate career sites
and job boards, including Monster®.
During February, a majority of industry and occupational categories tracked showed
greater online job demand compared to the previous month, with 18 of 20 industries
and 17 of 23 occupations registering gains. Index results for the past 13 months are as
follows:
FEB 08 JAN 08 DEC 07 NOV 07 OCT 07 SEP 07 AUG 07 JUL 07 JUN 07 MAY 07 APR 07 MAR 07 FEB 07
165 160 169 183 188 186 186 183 186 189 186 185 177
“While the Monster Employment Index’s five-point rise in February is relatively modest
compared to prior years, it’s an encouraging sign of stabilization after three consecutive
months of decline,” said Jesse Harriott, Vice President of Research at Monster
Worldwide. “Nevertheless, the Index remains a full seven percent below its year-ago
level, indicating further deceleration in online recruitment activity due to the U.S.
economic slowdown.”
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Online Demand in Agriculture, Government and Education Industry Sectors
Register Largest Increases in February
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting registered the largest gain in online job demand
among industries in February, reflecting seasonal trends. While historical Index data
shows that demand for agricultural jobs is typically higher this time of year, the increase
in February was comparatively substantial. Online demand in public administration also
jumped sharply, fueled by greater demand for workers in both local and federal
government. The educational services industry rose as well, as did the real estate and
rental and leasing industry, which registered its first increase in seven months. The arts,
entertainment, and recreation industry was the only category that declined last month,
extending a five-month downward trend.
Year-over-year, online job availability improved in four industry categories, with public
administration; and agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting registering the largest yearover-
year growth. Public administration is now up 43 percent over the year and stands
as the Index’s top growth industry on an annual basis. Online demand in the wholesale
trade and transportation and warehousing industries remained above year-ago levels,
indicating sustained high demand in these sectors. By contrast, deceleration in online
hiring in the retail trade industry continued as the category reported the largest annual
decline on record, mirroring indications of waning consumer confidence and spending.
Farming, Fishing and Forestry, Production and Building, Grounds Cleaning
and Maintenance Occupations Register Largest Gains in February
Online demand for farming, fishing and forestry occupations registered the largest
increase in February, potentially fueled by an overall lack of workers that is plaguing the
booming farming sector, which has seen record-high crop prices. Production, as well as
building, grounds cleaning and maintenance, also reported large gains. Online demand
for food preparation and serving related occupations rose for the first time in seven
months, while personal care and service saw the largest decrease in online job
recruitment activity in February. Other service related categories also fell, including
healthcare support and protective services.
Year-over-year, only four occupational categories are showing higher demand compared
to 2007. Aside from the farming, fishing, and forestry category, which is up 38 percent
year-over-year, online demand for healthcare related occupations remains the top
growth area, with both healthcare support and healthcare practitioners and technical
maintaining solid growth trends. In contrast, online demand for protective service
occupations has slowed dramatically from last year’s pace and is down 24 percent over
the year.
Online Job Availability Rises in all Nine U.S. Census Bureau Regions in
February
During February, online job availability increased across all nine U.S. Census Bureau
regions, with the East North Central region showing the strongest gain, followed closely
by the West North Central and West South Central regions. Online demand in the
Pacific region remained weak, showing on a marginal one-point gain last month and
reflecting a sharp drop in opportunities in California.
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Year-over-year, the West South Central region remains the top growth region with a
six percent rise, while the Pacific region is the weakest, down 14 percent from a year
ago. Online job demand rose in 39 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in
February.
Adjusting the number of online help-wanted ads for total employment, the following
states had the highest per-worker online job availability during February:
Rank State
1 Delaware
2 Massachusetts
3 Connecticut
4 Alaska
5 Maryland
6 Arizona
7 New Jersey
8 Colorado
9 California
10 Vermont
Online Job Availability Rises in all 28 Major U.S. Metro Markets in February
During February, online recruitment activity rose in all of the 28 U.S. metro areas
monitored by the Index, with Kansas City showing the largest increase, fueled by higher
demand for professional service occupations such legal; and life, physical and social
science. Detroit saw its first increase in four months, mostly due to a rebound in hiring
for production occupations and continued strong demand for installation, maintenance,
and repair workers. Baltimore and Miami also registered modest gains.
On an annual basis, 11 of the 28 markets are now showing increased online job
availability compared to a year ago. Pittsburgh is now the top growth market year-overyear,
driven by increased demand for education and healthcare services. Houston, last
month’s top growth market, saw continued strong demand in healthcare, food services
and management. In contrast, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles have
registered the sharpest declines over the past 12 months.
Top Industries Looking for Employees in February
Industries showing the greatest rate of increase in online job availability in February included:
INDUSTRY FEB 08 JAN 08 DEC 07 NOV 07 OCT 07 FEB 07
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing 196 162 171 171 171 141
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and Hunting
Public Administration 208 185 188 188 184 145
Educational Services 113 101 112 123 126 120
Mining 172 160 157 163 171 193
Wholesale Trade 165 154 159 167 173 148
Most Wanted Occupational Experience in February
Occupational categories registering most significant increases in online job demand in
February included:
OCCUPATIONS FEB 08 JAN 08 DEC 07 NOV 07 OCT 07 FEB 07
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry 174 140 142 140 142 142
Production 142 131 139 149 154 153
Building/Grounds
Cleaning/Maintenance 145 136 141 150 155 155
Food Preparation and Serving 161 152 164 173 175 178
Legal 175 167 186 218 214 217
Online Job Demand Declines across All Major Regions in February
Online job opportunities rose by varying increases in all of the 9 U.S. Census Bureau
Divisions in February. The regions are presented here in order of largest monthly
increase:
U.S. CENSUS BUREAU
REGIONS
FEB 08 JAN 08 DEC 07 NOV 07 OCT 07 FEB 07
West North Central 177 168 176 190 196 174
West South Central 245 236 248 265 271 232
East North Central 157 149 158 171 174 158
New England 172 164 174 190 194 167
Mid-Atlantic 159 153 163 178 184 165
East South Central 152 146 153 166 172 158
South Atlantic 155 151 158 169 173 165
Mountain 170 169 178 191 195 177
Pacific 156 155 164 179 183 182
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80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
170
180
190
200
Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb
Monster Employment Index, 2007-2008
FEB 07 MAR 07 APR 07 MAY 07 JUN 07 JUL 07 AUG 07 SEP 07 OCT 07 NOV 07 DEC 07 JAN 08 FEB 08
177 185 186 189 186 183 186 186 188 183 169 160 165
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By Region
2008 2007
Feb Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb
New England 172 164 174 190 194 187 188 188 188 188 181 172 167
Mid-Atlantic 159 153 163 178 184 180 180 177 179 181 178 172 165
East North Central 157 149 158 171 174 171 169 166 167 169 168 163 158
West North Central 177 168 176 190 196 194 191 185 189 191 189 182 174
South Atlantic 155 151 158 169 173 172 172 170 173 176 175 171 165
East South Central 152 146 153 166 172 169 168 164 167 169 169 165 158
West South Central 245 236 248 265 271 268 266 260 260 262 256 247 232
Mountain 170 169 178 191 195 195 195 189 191 194 195 188 177
Pacific 156 155 164 179 183 183 184 183 187 195 201 196 182
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By Industry
2008 2007
Feb Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb
Agriculture, Forestry,
Fishing and Hunting
196 162 171 171 171 171 171 173 171 164 150 143 141
Mining 172 160 157 163 171 168 166 167 169 175 189 191 193
Utilities 142 142 159 198 186 172 172 172 175 178 194 183 182
Construction 205 195 202 215 222 228 222 214 219 232 245 236 236
Manufacturing 111 104 116 126 132 130 126 126 132 134 135 134 133
Wholesale Trade 165 154 159 167 173 172 168 163 164 165 159 147 148
Retail Trade 150 148 160 180 186 185 180 187 188 194 192 190 185
Transportation and
Warehousing
168 163 176 195 201 209 198 190 198 191 186 178 164
Information 119 115 127 141 146 142 142 136 136 140 131 130 122
Finance and Insurance 120 112 133 147 156 153 154 148 146 140 135 136 138
Real Estate and Rental and
Leasing
107 99 105 124 134 138 145 149 148 150 142 136 127
Professional, Scientific,
and Technical Services
130 123 134 153 157 153 153 151 154 160 161 159 152
Management of
Companies
and Enterprises
152 144 149 160 162 156 158 161 152 157 161 159 157
Administrative, Support,
Waste Management,
Remediation
95 86 95 117 124 120 119 112 111 109 105 106 104
Educational Services 113 101 112 123 126 133 130 130 135 134 131 121 120
Healthcare and Social
Assistance
113 108 115 125 127 124 121 120 120 122 120 119 119
Arts, Entertainment, and
Recreation
84 96 122 143 166 173 161 153 153 155 162 173 167
Accommodation and
Food Services
137 128 148 167 167 170 169 169 170 177 172 169 162
Public Administration 208 185 188 188 184 155 155 161 159 156 153 150 145
Other Services 203 192 198 210 215 217 220 218 226 231 230 228 214
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By Occupation
2008 2007
Feb Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb
Management 184 178 183 194 199 194 197 192 191 194 201 189 186
Business and Financial
Operations 183 175 189 207 210 206 208 208 207 215 217 213 207
Computer and Mathematical 160 157 167 178 183 181 181 179 182 184 189 181 175
Architecture and
Engineering 173 173 182 196 202 198 198 194 195 194 202 196 190
Life, Physical, and Social
Science 153 147 156 166 174 168 168 168 169 170 171 167 168
Community and Social
Services 204 196 200 216 213 218 218 209 209 215 210 214 215
Legal 175 167 186 218 214 217 211 216 224 245 245 243 209
Education, Training, and
Library 142 137 147 158 160 168 164 157 164 161 159 151 146
Arts, Design, Entertainment,
Sports, and Media 125 126 139 151 156 157 157 160 165 165 161 160 155
Healthcare Practitioners and
Technical 166 162 170 182 185 182 179 178 181 174 169 168 143
Healthcare Support 195 205 206 209 209 209 213 209 209 197 184 175 147
Protective Service 130 142 164 176 177 174 179 180 176 174 170 171 170
Food Preparation and
Serving Related 161 152 164 173 175 178 180 185 193 189 203 181 168
Building, Grounds Cleaning,
Maintenance 145 136 141 150 155 155 158 153 155 161 164 154 142
Personal Care and Service 120 159 155 167 170 170 173 168 170 189 236 195 183
Sales and Related 125 122 131 145 150 150 147 145 147 151 151 151 150
Office and Administrative
Support 152 145 154 172 177 174 175 168 172 181 184 179 171
Farming, Fishing, and
Forestry 174 140 142 140 142 142 142 142 143 148 148 142 126
Construction and Extraction 129 124 131 143 149 153 150 146 149 153 154 146 142
Installation, Maintenance,
and Repair 159 154 160 172 179 183 182 176 178 184 184 176 172
Production 142 131 139 149 154 153 150 147 149 151 151 148 144
Transportation and Material
Moving 108 108 116 128 132 135 132 131 132 134 135 131 124
Military Specific 161 159 184 183 193 170 167 165 163 163 160 166 175
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By Local Market
2008 2007
Feb Jan Dec Nov Oct Sep Aug Jul Jun May Apr Mar Feb
Atlanta 129 123 134 146 149 145 140 138 142 143 144 139 136
Baltimore 89 86 94 101 104 103 103 100 103 127 129 126 123
Boston 131 120 135 152 153 150 147 152 150 154 137 132 128
Chicago 121 106 120 142 142 144 141 137 139 138 142 134 132
Cincinnati 137 124 135 151 158 150 143 143 148 143 147 133 130
Cleveland 129 114 127 137 140 136 135 131 134 141 140 135 129
Dallas 138 128 137 150 150 148 144 140 142 142 141 134 129
Denver 130 125 136 145 149 151 147 142 144 144 137 130 120
Detroit 123 105 119 135 138 139 132 129 134 135 133 128 130
Houston 157 146 153 163 164 162 163 158 157 155 154 149 143
Indianapolis 114 98 108 120 124 123 118 115 118 125 129 120 118
Kansas City 145 123 140 159 162 156 153 143 148 144 144 133 133
Los Angeles 99 90 100 114 116 117 118 117 123 135 145 144 133
Miami 95 92 94 105 105 109 106 105 108 108 113 113 109
Minneapolis 123 115 122 134 137 134 128 123 130 129 128 122 122
New York City 117 108 117 131 131 133 130 127 130 133 134 129 128
Orlando 77 70 75 88 86 90 85 85 91 104 105 101 97
Philadelphia 105 98 108 125 126 130 124 121 126 136 130 128 116
Phoenix 104 99 107 117 120 121 122 115 117 118 117 115 110
Pittsburgh 147 140 149 161 157 155 145 141 148 142 142 140 133
Portland 128 114 126 153 163 159 160 146 148 150 142 138 124
Sacramento 95 89 98 116 120 121 118 116 119 126 124 123 117
San Diego 98 91 96 105 110 112 114 110 116 122 127 127 116
San Francisco 109 100 110 122 125 125 129 123 126 126 126 124 124
Seattle 131 120 133 147 151 151 149 143 148 152 142 137 129
St. Louis 149 137 147 160 166 167 158 151 162 155 153 152 140
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Tampa 95 90 97 104 103 104 104 102 104 108 109 110 105
Washington, D.C. 101 90 103 118 120 123 120 114 121 131 132 130 136