Labor Day 2012: A Look at America's Workforce

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – America celebrates it labor force on Monday, September 3 on Labor Day. To many it is welcomed day off of work. To others, it is a day to reflect on the struggle of the labor unions that fought hard against low wages and poor working conditions.

President Grover Cleveland designated the first Monday in September as Labor Day

However, you may celebrate Labor Day, please do so safely.

The US Census Bureau released the following information relating to Labor Day:

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 "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?

155.2 million

Number of people 16 and older in the nation's labor force in June 2012.

Employee Benefits

85 Percent

Percentage of fulltime workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2010.

Our Jobs

Americans worked in a variety of occupations in 2010. Here is a sampling:

Occupation, Number of employees

Actors, 7,835

Computer programmers, 389,471

Cooks, 1,051,896

Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists, 395,311

Janitors and building cleaners, 1,445,991

Teachers (preschool - grade 12), 3,073,673

Telemarketers, 48,455

Telephone Operators, 33,057

Web Developers, 115,561

26.3 million

Number of female workers 16 and older in management, business, science, and arts occupations in 2010. Among male workers, 16 and older, 23.7 million were employed in management, professional and related occupations.

1.4 Percent

Percentage increase in employment in the United States between December 2010 and December 2011. Employment increased in 266 of the 322 largest counties (large counties are defined as having employment levels of 75,000 or more).

5.3 Percent

Percentage increase in Kern County, Calif., between December 2010 and December 2011, the largest increase in employment among the 322 largest counties. Harris County, Texas, had the highest level increase of 62,700 jobs.

3.4 Percent

Percentage decline in employment in Benton County, Wash., between December 2010 and December 2011, the largest percentage decrease among the nation's 322 largest counties.

5.9 million

The number of people who worked from home in 2010.

Another Day, Another Dollar

$47,715 and $36,931

The 2010 real median earnings for male and female fulltime, year-round workers, respectively.

Early, Lonely and Long – the Commute to Work

16.3 million

Number of commuters who left for work between midnight and 5:59 am in 2010. They represent 12.5 percent of all commuters.

76.6 Percent

Percentage of workers who drove alone to work in 2010. Another 9.7 percent carpooled and 4.9 percent took public transportation (excluding taxicabs).

25.3 minutes

The average time it took people in the nation to commute to work in 2010. Maryland and New York had the most time consuming commutes, averaging 31.8 and 31.3 minutes, respectively.

3.2 million

Number of workers who faced extreme commutes to work of 90 or more minutes each day in 2010.

posted September 1, 2012 6:00 am edt