Labor Day 2009

If you're enjoying the day off today, here are some facts and figures about Labor Day courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau:

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a "Labor Day" on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

Who Are We Celebrating?

155.1 million -- The number of people 16 and older in the nation's labor force.

Employee Benefits

83% -- Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2007 (most recent year numbers are available).

77% -- Percentage of workers in private industry who receive a paid vacation as one of their employment benefits.

Our Jobs

Americans work in a variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation Number of employees
Teachers 7.2 million
Chief executives 1.7 million
Janitors and building cleaners 2.1 million
Computer software engineers 1.0 million
Aerospace engineers 137,000
Electricians 874,000
Registered nurses 2.8 million
Social workers 729,000
Clergy 441,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists 773,000
Chefs and head cooks 351,000
Customer service representatives 1.9 million
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs 373,000
Firefighters 293,000
Roofers 234,000
Pharmacists 243,000
Machinists 409,000
Musicians, singers and related workers 186,000
Artists and related workers 213,000
Gaming services workers (gambling) 111,000
Tax preparers 105,000
Service station attendants 87,000
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers 751,000
Welding, soldering and brazing workers 598,000
Farmers and ranchers 751,000

7.7 million -- Number of workers who hold down more than one job. So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job.

288,000 -- When do they sleep? Number of moonlighters who work full time at two jobs.

10.4 million -- Number of self-employed workers.

22.5 million -- Number of female workers 16 and older in educational services, and health care and social assistance industries. Among male workers 16 and older, 11.3 million were employed in manufacturing industries.

28% -- Percentage of workers 16 and older who work more than 40 hours a week. Eight percent work 60 or more hours a week.

4 -- Median number of years workers have been with their current employer. About 9 percent of those employed have been with their current employer for 20 or more years.

10.3 million -- Number of independent contractors.

15.7 million -- Number of labor union members nationwide. About 12 percent of wage and salary workers belong to unions, with Alaska, Hawaii and New York having among the highest rates of any state. North Carolina has one of the lowest rates, 3 percent.

-10.8% --Percentage decline in employment in Elkhart County, Ind., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage decline among the nation's 334 largest counties. Maricopa, Ariz., posted the largest numerical job loss over the period: 67,100.

3.2% -- Percentage increase in employment in Yakima County, Wash., between September 2007 and September 2008, the largest percentage increase among the nation's 334 largest counties. Harris, Texas, posted the largest numerical job gain over the period: 26,500.

5.7 million -- The number of people who work at home.

Another Day, Another Dollar

$45,113 and $35,102 -- The 2007 annual median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively.

$1,552 -- Average weekly wage in New York County (Manhattan), N.Y., for the third quarter of 2008, the highest among the nation's 334 largest counties. Rutherford, Tenn., led the nation in growth of average weekly wages the third quarters of 2007 to 2008, with an increase of 17 percent ($124).

Hot Jobs

53% -- Projected percentage growth from 2006 to 2016 in the number of network systems and data communication analysts. Forecasters expect this occupation to grow at a faster rate than any other. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (587,000).

Early, Lonely and Long -- the Commute to Work

17 million -- Number of commuters who leave for work between midnight and 5:59 a.m. These early birds represent 13 percent of all commuters.

76% -- Percentage of workers who drive alone to work. Another 10 percent carpool, and 5 percent take public transportation (excluding taxicabs).

31.5 minutes -- The average time it takes to commute to work for residents of New York state. New York residents had the most time-consuming commute in the nation, followed by that of Maryland residents with 31.1 minutes. The national average was 25.3 minutes.

3.4 million -- Number of workers who face extreme commutes to work of 90 or more minutes each day. Source: 2007 American Community Survey

52% -- Percentage of workers 16 and older living in Virginia who worked and lived in different counties, the highest rate in the nation.

U.S. Census Bureau Facts for Features: Labor Day 2009, Sept. 7