Utilities: NAICS 22
About the Utilities sector
The utilities sector is part of the trade, transportation, and utilities supersector.
The Utilities sector comprises establishments engaged in the provision of the following utility services: electric power, natural gas, steam supply, water supply, and sewage removal. Within this sector, the specific activities associated with the utility services provided vary by utility: electric power includes generation, transmission, and distribution; natural gas includes distribution; steam supply includes provision and/or distribution; water supply includes treatment and distribution; and sewage removal includes collection, treatment, and disposal of waste through sewer systems and sewage treatment facilities.
North American Industry Classification System
The utilities sector consists of a single subsector,
Utilities: NAICS 221.
Data published under either the sector or subsector classification are included in the tables below.
The subsector consists of these industry groups:
- Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution: NAICS 2211
- Natural Gas Distribution: NAICS 2212
- Water, Sewage and Other Systems: NAICS 2213
Workforce Statistics
This section provides information relating to employment and unemployment in utilities.
While most data are obtained from employer or establishment surveys, information on industry unemployment comes from a national survey of households.
The following tables present an overview of the industry including
the number of jobs,
the unemployment rate of those previously employed in the industry,
union membership and representation,
gross job gains and losses,
mass layoffs,
data for occupations common to the industry,
and projections of occupational employment change.
Employment, Unemployment, and Layoffs
(Source: Current Employment Statistics, Current Population Survey, Mass Layoff Statistics)
Union Membership and Representation
| Data series |
Back
data |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Union membership and representation |
|
Members of unions (percent of wage and salary workers) |
|
26.1% |
28.3% |
25.0% |
24.7% |
Represented by unions (percent of wage and salary workers) |
|
27.5% |
30.3% |
25.7% |
26.9% |
(Source: Current Population Survey)
Dynamic Changes in Employment
| Data series |
Back
data |
4th quarter
2011 |
1st quarter
2012 |
2nd quarter
2012 |
3rd quarter
2012 |
Dynamic changes in employment (in thousands) |
|
Gross job gains |
|
12 |
11 |
11 |
12 |
Gross job losses |
|
12 |
10 |
12 |
14 |
(Source: Business Employment Dynamics)
Extended Mass Layoffs
(Source: Mass Layoff Statistics)
Employment by Occupation
| Data series |
Employment,
2012 |
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door |
17,370 |
Electrical engineers |
15,900 |
Electrical power-line installers and repairers |
61,000 |
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers |
17,220 |
Meter readers, utilities |
16,860 |
(Source: Occupational Employment Statistics)
Projections
For projected (future) employment estimates, see the National Employment Matrix, which includes employment estimates by industry and occupation for utilities.
(Source: Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections)
Earnings and Hours
This section presents data on employee earnings and weekly hours.
The latest industry averages of hourly earnings and weekly hours, as well as weekly earnings by union membership status, are shown.
In addition, recent hourly and annual earnings are shown for occupations commonly found in utilities.
This section also contains information on the average cost of benefits paid by employers, as well as recent rates of change in wages and total compensation.
Earnings and Hours of All Employees
(Source: Current Employment Statistics)
Earnings and Hours of Production and Nonsupervisory Employees
(Source: Current Employment Statistics)
Union Membership and Representation
| Data series |
Back
data |
Median weekly earnings |
| 2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
Union membership and representation |
|
Full-time workers |
|
$1,043 |
$1,102 |
$1,081 |
$1,132 |
Members of unions |
|
$1,120 |
$1,199 |
$1,132 |
$1,216 |
Represented by unions |
|
$1,104 |
$1,193 |
$1,132 |
$1,204 |
Nonunion |
|
$1,008 |
$1,014 |
$1,027 |
$1,086 |
(Source: Current Population Survey)
Earnings by Occupation
| Data series |
Wages, 2012 |
| Hourly |
Annual |
| Median |
Mean |
Median |
Mean |
Control and valve installers and repairers, except mechanical door |
$29.30 |
$28.45 |
$60,940 |
$59,180 |
Electrical engineers |
$41.33 |
$41.91 |
$85,970 |
$87,180 |
Electrical power-line installers and repairers |
$31.91 |
$31.49 |
$66,370 |
$65,500 |
First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers |
$38.75 |
$37.65 |
$80,600 |
$78,310 |
Meter readers, utilities |
$19.87 |
$20.69 |
$41,340 |
$43,040 |
(Source: Occupational Employment Statistics)
Employer Compensation Costs
| Data series |
Back
data |
2nd quarter
2012 |
3rd quarter
2012 |
4th quarter
2012 |
1st quarter
2013 |
12-month percent change |
|
Total compensation |
|
3.6% |
3.2% |
3.4% |
2.8% |
Wages and salaries |
|
2.7% |
2.4% |
2.4% |
2.8% |
(Source: Compensation Cost Trends)
(Source: Compensation Cost Trends)
Work-related Fatalities, Injuries, and Illnesses
This section presents data for the industry on the number of workplace fatalities and the rates of workplace injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers in utilities. An injury or illness is considered to be work-related if an event or exposure in the work environment either caused or contributed to the resulting condition or significantly aggravated a pre-existing condition.
(Source: Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities)
Prices
This section provides industry-specific pricing information. The producer price index measures the percentage change in prices that domestic producers receive for goods and services. The prices included in the producer price index are from the first commercial transaction.
| Data series |
Back
data |
Jan.
2013 |
Feb.
2013 |
Mar.
2013 |
Apr.
2013 |
Producer price index |
|
132.4 |
132.9 |
132.4 |
132.8 |
Percent change from previous month |
|
-0.3% |
0.4% |
-0.4% |
0.3% |
(Source: Producer Price Indexes)
Workplace Trends
This section presents data on the number of establishments and the number of establishments experiencing job gains or job losses in utilities.
Establishments
(Source: Business Employment Dynamics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages)
Other BLS Resources
The Editor's Desk
See industry studies in the subject matter index of The Editor's Desk (Current Edition).
Career Guide to Industries
To learn about careers from an industry perspective, see the Career Guide to Industries.
Data extracted on:
May 24, 2013
