New York State Department of Labor Labor Statistics

Labor Statistics for the Long Island Region Nassau and Suffolk counties

Recent Developments in the Long Island Labor Market

The number of private sector jobs on Long Island increased over the year by 30,500, or 2.9 percent, to 1,079,500 in April 2013. In comparison, the state’s over-the-year private sector growth rate was (+1.9 percent) and the nation’s was (+2.0 percent). April marks the 35th consecutive month of year-over-year gains in private sector jobs on Long Island. The region also had the fastest private sector job growth of all the metro areas in New York State.

Six of nine private industry sectors gained jobs in April compared to a year ago — trade, transportation, and utilities (+8,400), leisure and hospitality (+8,000), educational and health services (+7,200), professional and business services (+5,300), natural resources, mining, and construction (+3,300), and other services (+400). While nearly half the jobs gained were in lower-paying industries such as retail trade and leisure and hospitality, one in four jobs were created in industries that employ skilled, higher-paying occupations such as health care and professional, scientific, and technical services. Partly due to Hurricane Sandy rebuilding efforts and a general resurgence of construction activity across the region, specialty trade contractors enjoyed 12.2 percent growth over-the year on the heels of 10.7 percent growth in March.

Manufacturing (-1,500), information (-300), and financial activities (-300) lost jobs on a year-over-year basis. The government sector lost 3,300 jobs over-the-year, mainly in local government education.

Other information of interest to Long Islanders

• Statistical Data from Monthly Labor Dept. Press Release and schedule of future releases
• Business Expansions & Contractions on Long Island
• Significant Industries - Long Island Region | 2011
• Industry Clusters - Seeking Synergies for Regional Competitive Advantage
       Industry Clusters in New York State
       Industry Clusters on Long Island
• County Business Patterns data from the Census Bureau - includes employment numbers by ZIP code
• Consumer Price Index  
• Population Trends (including "Affirmative Action" Data)
• Why go to school?==> "Value of Education" Calculator
• Labor Laws

For further information:

Shital Patel 
Division of Research & Statistics
New York State Dept. of Labor 
303 W. Old Country Rd.
Hicksville, NY 11801