LABOR MARKET SURVEY

2005 Labor Market Survey

The Labor Market Survey is a detailed assessment of the Tyler area labor force within a 30-mile radius. The publication is a joint project between the Tyler Economic Development Council and Dr. Marilyn Young, Professor of Management at The University of Texas at Tyler and is produced every 3 years in the Fall. The latest survey was completed in 2005 and is the fourth edition. You can download our latest labor market survey by clicking the "download pdf" button at the bottom of this page. The report is only available only in PDF format. A link has been provided that will allow you to install or upgrade the latest FREE Adobe Actobat Reader.

INTRODUCTION

The Tyler Labor Market Survey was conducted during June and July 2005. The research is based upon 600 telephone interviews with respondents residing within a 30-mile radius of Tyler and covering nine counties.

The purpose of the survey was to provide labor market information to businesses considering expanding or opening new facilities within the Tyler area. Detailed information concerning the labor market should be helpful in making these decisions.

Numerous aspects of the labor force, such as current status, availability, minimum wage requirements, and demographic characteristics, were examined. This information should enable employers to make more informed and rational decisions regarding expansions and investments in the Tyler and East Texas area.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Unemployment Status
Of 600 people surveyed, 86.8% were employed; 13.2% were presently unemployed and available for work in 2005-2006 (this 13.2% includes hidden unemployment, such as new entrants and discouraged workers).

Characteristics of Unemployed
The majority of those not working had either been unemployed less than four months (40%) or over one year (35%). The former occupations of these persons were mainly in the (1) office and administrative support, (2) sales and (3) food preparation and serving occupations.

Types of Employment
The major occupations of the 521 employed persons were (1) office and administrative support,
(2) construction and extraction, (3) production, (5) education and (5) sales occupations.

Employment Status
A majority of the employed labor market, 86%, was employed full time.

Length of Employment
Employees had been with the company for an average of 10 years at their present jobs with a range from less than one year to 50 years.

Available Labor Market
Thirty-nine percent of the employed labor market was interested or possibly interested in changing jobs in 2005-2006. Therefore, the total available labor market is considered to be those workers unemployed (79) and those who are employed and interested in changing jobs (205), which totals 284, or 47% of the total labor market. However, the remaining 53% may desire to change jobs at a later date.

Occupational Skills
Over 30% of the labor market stated they had one or more of the following skills: service, typing, word processing, clerical, data entry, bookkeeping, customer service representative, spreadsheet, management and supervision.

Underutilization of Skills
The labor market indicated many skills which were not utilized. The skills mentioned most often include service, typing, truck driver, sales, word processing, computer, painting, sales clerk/associate, retail, health care, construction, customer service and management.

Willingness to Train
A wide majority of the available labor force, 80%, indicated they would be willing to train for a new job.

Commuting Distance
The workers within the labor market indicated various distances they would be willing to travel one-way to work. The average commuting distance for the total available labor market (unemployed and those people who indicated an interest in changing jobs in 2005-2006) was 21 miles. The average commuting distance for unemployed workers was 22 miles.

Availability for Employment
The majority, 88%, of the available labor market reported they were interested in full-time employment; 16% indicated an interest in part-time employment. Also, 88% stated they were available for employment during the day; 31%, evening; and 19%, night.

Smith County Availability
Respondents residing outside Smith County were asked if they were interested in working in Smith County. Of the available labor market, 77% of non-Smith County residents stated they would be interested, or possibly interested, in working in Smith County.

Desired Hourly Wage
When asked what was the lowest hourly wage they would accept, respondents gave a wide range of answers. An average hourly wage of $10.91 was computed for those interested in changing jobs. However, those presently unemployed were willing to accept a lower average wage of $8.14 an hour.

Demographics

		Length of Time in East Texas - A majority, 79%, stated they had lived in East Texas 10 years or longer.
		Age - The average age (median) of the total labor market approximates a normal curve with an average age of 44, and the available labor market averaged 41 years.
		Education Level - Only 8% of the total labor market had less than a high school education. A total of 19% had a college degree, and another 8% had advanced degrees.
		Annual Income - The average annual income of workers employed and willing to change jobs was $29,342; the average annual income for the total labor market was $35,000.
		Gender - The total labor market is composed of 49% females and 51% males. Of the available labor, female workers consisted of 52% and males, 48%.
		Ethnic Classification - The ethnic background of the 600 respondents in this study was 72%, white; 18%, black; and 10%, Hispanic and “other" ethnic backgrounds.

SPONSORSHIP

If you are interested in sponsoring the Labor Market Survey in 2008, please contact Chris Wynn at (903) 593-2004 ext. 254

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