Marcia Hultman

Cabinet Secretary

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South Dakota e-Labor Bulletin

March 2017

South Dakota Nonfarm Worker Trends in 2016

Please note: Unless otherwise noted, the following highlights are based on a comparison of annual average data for 2015 and 2016.

South Dakota total nonfarm employment increased by 4,400 workers (1.0 percent) from 2015 to 2016. In the past 10 years, from 2006-2016, total nonfarm numbers have trended upward. The low point was in January 2010 with 388,300 workers. The 2016 annual average was 432,700.

Goods producing industries (which include Mining, Logging and Construction plus Manufacturing) in South Dakota had a gain of 100 workers (0.2 percent) during 2016. Service providing industries (which includes all other sectors except Government) had a gain of 4,300 workers (1.2 percent).

South Dakota Statewide
Nonfarm Wage & Salaried Workers by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Industry 2015 Annual Average 2016 Annual Average Actual
Change		 Percent
Change
Total Nonfarm 428,300 432,700 4,400 1.0%
  Total Private 350,500 353,900 3,400 1.0%
  Goods Producing 65,700 65,800 100 0.2%
  Service Providing 362,600 366,900 4,300 1.2%
Mining, Logging & Construction 23,100 23,800 700 2.9%
Manufacturing 42,600 42,000 -600 -1.4%
Wholesale Trade 21,200 21,200 0 0.0%
Retail Trade 52,900 53,800 900 1.7%
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 13,400 13,400 0 0.0%
Information 5,900 5,800 -100 -1.7%
Financial Activities 29,700 29,300 -400 -1.4%
Professional & Business Services 30,600 31,300 700 2.2%
Educational & Health Services 69,100 70,400 1,300 1.8%
Leisure & Hospitality 46,200 46,800 600 1.3%
Other Services (except Public Administration) 15,900 16,100 200 1.2%
Government 77,800 78,700 900 1.1%
Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Source: Labor Market Information Center, SD Department of Labor and Regulation, March 2017.

The Mining, Logging and Construction sector gained 700 workers (2.9 percent). Construction accounts for most of the workers within this sector. Data published by the U.S. Census Bureau shows new privately owned housing permits in South Dakota increased by 982 (18 percent) this past year, from 4,482 permits in 2015 to 5,464 in 2016.

Manufacturing lost 600 workers (1.4 percent) from 2015 to 2016. In the past 10 years, the Manufacturing sector remained fairly stable other than its drop during the recession.

The Wholesale Trade sector was unchanged with 21,200 workers during the year. The Wholesale Trade sector comprises establishments engaged in wholesaling merchandise, generally without transformation, and rendering services incidental to the sale of merchandise.The strong agriculture economy in South Dakota served as a solid source of support to the Wholesale Trade industry.

The Retail Trade sector gained 900 workers (1.7 percent) from 2015 to 2016. The Retail Trade sector fluctuates during the year with highs in the months of August (start of schools), November and December (holiday season). The low months are typically January, February and March. The Retail Trade sector has been steadily trending upward, especially in the years 2014 to 2016.

Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities remained stable over the year with 13,400 workers. The Information sector also remained relatively stable with a loss of 100 workers (1.7 percent). The Professional and Business Services rose by 700 workers (2.2 percent) to 31,300.

Worker levels in the Financial Activities industry decreased by 400 workers (1.4 percent). The Financial Activities sector has a strong presence in Sioux Falls MSA, which is home to many financial companies as well as main offices of state and regional banks.

The Education and Health Services sector continued to increase with a gain of 1,300 workers (1.8 percent). State health care worker numbers have increased every year since the data was first recorded in 1972. The continued worker demand in this industry is related to several factors, including continued population growth, an aging population and specialized procedures which require additional staff. As life expectancy increases related to medical advancements, people are living longer, with the older population typically using health care services more often.

Leisure and Hospitality increased by 600 workers (1.3 percent). Other Services remained relatively stable with a gain of 200 workers (1.2 percent) from 2015 to 2016. Other Services include a wide variety of activities, including repair and maintenance, personal and laundry services, religious, grant making, private households and other similar organizations. Historical trends reflect consistent fluctuations with worker levels increasing during the summer months and declining in the spring months.

Total Government reflected a gain of 900 workers (1.1 percent). This gain was shared by the Local Government (700 workers) and Federal Government (300 workers). The State Government worker level decreased in 2016 by 100 workers.

Rapid City Metropolitan Statistical Area (RCMSA) Nonfarm Worker Trends

The Rapid City MSA's total nonfarm worker level increased by 800 (1.2 percent) from 2015 to 2016. Gains were found in Educational and Health Services (400 workers or 3.5 percent), Government (200 workers or 1.8 percent), Mining, Logging and Construction (100 workers or 2.0 percent), Professional and Business Services (100 workers or 1.9 percent) and Other Services (100 workers or 3.2 percent).

Several sectors were unchanged over the year, including Wholesale Trade (2,400 workers), Retail Trade (9,700 workers), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (1,800 workers), Information (900 workers), Financial Activities (4,000 workers) and Leisure and Hospitality (10,000 workers).

Losses were found in the Manufacturing sector (100 workers or 3.6 percent).

Rapid City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Nonfarm Wage & Salaried Workers by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Industry 2015 Annual Average 2016 Annual Average Actual
Change		 Percent
Change
Total Nonfarm 66,400 67,200 800 1.2%
  Total Private 55,500 56,100 600 1.1%
  Goods Producing 7,700 7,800 100 1.3%
  Service Providing 58,700 59,500 800 1.3%
Mining, Logging & Construction 4,800 4,900 100 2.0%
Manufacturing 2,900 2,800 -100 -3.6%
Wholesale Trade 2,400 2,400 0 0.0%
Retail Trade 9,700 9,700 0 0.0%
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 1,800 1,800 0 0.0%
Information 900 900 0 0.0%
Financial Activities 4,000 4,000 0 0.0%
Professional & Business Services 5,100 5,200 100 1.9%
Educational & Health Services 10,900 11,300 400 3.5%
Leisure & Hospitality 10,000 10,000 0 0.0%
Other Services (except Public Administration) 3,000 3,100 100 3.2%
Government 10,900 11,100 200 1.8%
Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Source: Labor Market Information Center, SD Department of Labor and Regulation, March 2017.

 

Sioux Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (SFMSA) Nonfarm Worker Trends

The Sioux Falls MSA total nonfarm worker level increased by 2,800 (1.8 percent) from 2015 to 2016. Gains were found in
Educational and Health Services (700 workers or 2.3 percent), Professional and Business Services (500 workers or 3.4 percent), Retail Trade (500 workers or 2.6 percent), Leisure and Hospitality (500 workers or 3.3 percent), Mining, Logging and Construction (300 workers or 3.7 percent), Government (300 workers or 2.2 percent), Other Services (200 workers or 3.9 percent), and Wholesale Trade (100 workers or 1.2 percent).

Losses were found in Financial Activities (400 workers or 2.5 percent), Manufacturing (100 workers or 0.7 percent), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (100 percent or 1.8 percent) and Information (100 workers or 3.8 percent).

Sioux Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
Nonfarm Wage & Salaried Workers by Industry (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Industry 2015 Annual Average 2016 Annual Average Actual
Change		 Percent
Change
Total Nonfarm 149,900 152,700 2,800 1.8%
  Total Private 136,500 138,800 2,300 1.7%
  Goods Producing 21,500 21,700 200 0.9%
  Service Providing 128,500 131,000 2,500 1.9%
Mining, Logging & Construction 7,900 8,200 300 3.7%
Manufacturing 13,600 13,500 -100 -0.7%
Wholesale Trade 8,200 8,300 100 1.2%
Retail Trade 18,400 18,900 500 2.6%
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 5,600 5,500 -100 -1.8%
Information 2,700 2,600 -100 -3.8%
Financial Activities 16,200 15,800 -400 -2.5%
Professional & Business Services 14,200 14,700 500 3.4%
Educational & Health Services 30,400 31,100 700 2.3%
Leisure & Hospitality 14,600 15,100 500 3.3%
Other Services (except Public Administration) 4,900 5,100 200 3.9%
Government 13,500 13,800 300 2.2%
Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Source: Labor Market Information Center, SD Department of Labor and Regulation, March 2017.


Balance of State Nonfarm Worker Trends

The Balance of State Area is comprised of all counties not defined as part of an MSA. Therefore, it includes all counties except Pennington, Meade, Custer, Lincoln, Minnehaha, McCook and Turner. This area of data allows one to see how industries are doing in the more rural areas of South Dakota.

Total nonfarm employment in this area had an increase of 800 workers (0.4 percent). The industries showing significant worker gains include Retail Trade (400 workers or 1.6 percent), Government (400 workers or 0.7 percent), Mining, Logging and Construction (300 workers or 2.8 percent) and Education and Health Services (200 workers or 0.7 percent).

Losses were found in Manufacturing (400 workers or 1.6 percent), Wholesale Trade (100 percent or 1.0 percent) and Other Services (100 workers or 1.3 percent). Information and Financial Activities were unchanged over the year.

Balance of State (Not Seasonally Adjusted)
Nonfarm Wage & Salaried Workers by Industry
Industry 2015 Annual Average 2016 Annual Average Actual
Change		 Percent
Change
Total Nonfarm 212,000 212,800 800 0.4%
  Total Private 158,500 159,000 500 0.3%
  Goods Producing 36,500 36,300 -200 -0.6%
  Service Providing 175,400 176,400 1,000 0.6%
Mining, Logging & Construction 10,400 10,700 300 2.8%
Manufacturing 26,100 25,700 -400 -1.6%
Wholesale Trade 10,600 10,500 -100 -1.0%
Retail Trade 24,800 25,200 400 1.6%
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities 6,000 6,100 100 1.6%
Information 2,300 2,300 0 0.0%
Financial Activities 9,500 9,500 0 0.0%
Professional & Business Services 11,300 11,400 100 0.9%
Educational & Health Services 27,800 28,000 200 0.7%
Leisure & Hospitality 21,600 21,700 100 0.5%
Other Services (except Public Administration) 8,000 7,900 -100 -1.3%
Government 53,400 53,800 400 0.7%
Note: Numbers may not add due to rounding.
Source: Labor Market Information Center, SD Department of Labor and Regulation, March 2017.