TABLE OF CONTENTS 1

APR 2016

Fast Facts - WORLD HEALTH DAYOccupational Profile - TAX PROFESSIONALSFeature - REAL ESTATE AND THE RECESSION

2

Table of Contents

JAN UNEMPLOYMENT DATA

FEB UNEMPLOYMENT DATA

FAST FACTS

MAP FACTS

REAL ESTATE AND

THE RECESSION

OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS

OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE:

TAX PROFESSIONALS

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

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4

5

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Helpful Links

Labor Market Publications

Nebraska INFOlink - Employment Data

Previous Issues

NEworks.nebraska.gov

CREDITS

Nebraska Workforce Trends is published by the Nebraska Department of Labor - Labor Market Information Center in cooperation with the U.S.

Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assur-ances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued avail-ability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it. Internal use by an organization and/or personal use by an individual for non-commercial purposes is permissible. All other uses require the prior authorization of the copyright owner.

Commissioner of LaborJohn H. Albin

LMI Administrator Phil Baker

Editor Scott Hunzeker

Editor Grace Johnson

EditorJennifer Gildersleeve

Graphic DesignerBrittney Lippincott

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

JANUARY UNEMPLOYMENT DATAByron Lefler, Research Analyst

LINCOLN MSA (not seasonally adjusted) January Unemployment Rate: 3.0% January Total Non-farm: 184,270Manufacturing: 13,815Largest OTM Increases:Leisure & Hospitality: 19 (0.1%)Information: -45 (-1.7%)

OMAHA MSA (not seasonally adjusted) January Unemployment Rate: 3.6%January Total Non-farm: 487,053Manufacturing: 33,054Largest OTM Increases: Manufacturing: 316 (1.0%)Other Services: -138 (-0.8%)

GRAND ISLAND MSA (not seasonally adjusted) January Unemployment Rate: 5.3%January Total Non-farm: 41,249Change (OTM): -1,032 (-2.4%)Change (OTY): -249 (-0.6%)

NEBRASKA (not seasonally adjusted)January Total Non-farm: 995,792Manufacturing: 97,743Nebraska (smoothed seasonally adjusted)January Unemployment Rate: 3.0%Change (OTM): 0.0%Change (OTY): 0.1% Economic Regions (not seasonally adjusted)Central: 3.0% Mid Plains: 3.2% Northeast: 3.5% Panhandle: 3.3% Sandhills: 3.0% Southeast: 3.5%

Sources: 1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics Program (CES)2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

JANUARY UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BY COUNTY*

Cherry2.6 Holt

2.6

Custer2.3

Sioux2.6

Lincoln3.5

Sheridan3.0

Morrill3.4 Garden

2.5

Knox3.9

Keith3.2

Dawes3.4

Rock3.2

Brown5.0

Gage3.9

Hall5.5

Dundy1.9

Chase1.7

Buffalo2.5

Grant1.9

Clay4.0

Kimball3.9

York3.2

Frontier3.4

Otoe3.7

Dawson3.5

Cedar2.9

Platte3.8

Arthur4.6

Burt4.7

Perkins2.0

Cheyenne2.4

Hayes2.6

Blaine4.8

Loup4.8

Box Butte4.0

Cass4.0

Boone3.3Banner

3.7

Polk2.9

Butler3.0

Furnas3.0

Hooker5.4

Antelope3.5

Saline4.0

Valley3.3

Pierce3.2

Logan3.1

Thomas3.1

Lancaster3.0

Dixon4.1

Harlan2.4

Adams3.8

Thayer2.8

Dodge3.5

Phelps2.5

Saunders3.4

McPherson1.9

Deuel2.7

Howard5.8

Cuming2.8

Seward3.0

Greeley3.8

Fillmore3.2

Hitchcock3.8

Garfield2.9

Franklin2.8

Keya Paha2.1

Webster3.2

Nance2.9

Madison3.1

Wheeler1.8

Nuckolls3.5

Colfax2.9

Gosper3.0

Scotts Bluff3.4

Jefferson2.7

Wayne2.8

Sherman4.2

Red Willow2.9

Kearney2.5

Hamilton3.8

Pawnee2.4

Richardson3.7

Johnson3.7

Douglas3.6

Boyd4.0

Merrick5.1

Stanton3.1

Nemaha3.5

Thurston5.2

Sarpy3.2

Dakota5.2

Washington3.7

County Rates

1 .7 - 2.1

2.2 - 2.9

3.0 - 3.5

3.6 - 4.2

4.3 - 5.8

*Not seasonally adjusted

4

FEBRUARY UNEMPLOYMENT DATAByron Lefler, Research Analyst

LINCOLN MSA (not seasonally adjusted) February Unemployment Rate: 2.8% February Total Non-farm: 185,385Manufacturing: 13,835Largest OTM Increases:Professional & Business Services: 259 (1.3%)Education & Health Services: 224 (0.8%)

OMAHA MSA (not seasonally adjusted) February Unemployment Rate: 3.6%February Total Non-farm: 486,820Manufacturing: 32,678Largest OTM Increases: Education & Health Services: 440 (0.6%)Financial Activities: 216 (0.5%)

GRAND ISLAND MSA (not seasonally adjusted) February Unemployment Rate: 3.8%February Total Non-farm: 41,669Change (OTM): 59 (0.1%)

NEBRASKA (not seasonally adjusted)February Total Non-farm: 998,136Manufacturing: 97,483Nebraska (smoothed seasonally adjusted)February Unemployment Rate: 3.0%Change (OTM): 0.0%Change (OTY): 0.2% Economic Regions (not seasonally adjusted)Central: 2.8% Mid Plains: 3.1% Northeast: 3.4% Panhandle: 3.2% Sandhills: 2.9% Southeast: 3.4%

Sources: 1. Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics Program (CES)2. Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)

FEBRUARY UNEMPLOYMENT RATES BY COUNTY*

Cherry2.1 Holt

2.7

Custer2.2

Sioux3.2

Lincoln3.3

Sheridan2.8

Morrill3.3 Garden

2.8

Knox4.1

Keith3.3

Dawes2.9

Rock3.2

Brown4.4

Gage3.8

Hall4.0

Dundy1.9

Chase2.0

Buffalo2.4

Grant2.3

Clay3.7

Kimball3.8

York2.9

Frontier3.1

Otoe3.7

Dawson3.3

Cedar2.7

Platte3.9

Arthur5.5

Burt4.6

Perkins2.1

Cheyenne2.4

Hayes2.4

Blaine4.8

Loup4.0

Box Butte4.1

Cass3.9

Boone3.2Banner

3.4

Polk2.6

Butler3.0

Furnas2.9

Hooker5.4

Antelope3.4

Saline3.8

Valley3.0

Pierce3.1

Logan3.1

Thomas3.5

Lancaster2.8

Dixon3.8

Harlan2.4

Adams3.4

Thayer2.7

Dodge3.3

Phelps2.5

Saunders3.5

McPherson1.9

Deuel2.6

Howard2.9

Cuming3.2

Seward2.8

Greeley3.4

Fillmore3.1

Hitchcock4.1

Garfield2.8

Franklin2.8

Keya Paha2.4

Webster3.1

Nance2.8

Madison2.9

Wheeler1.8

Nuckolls3.3

Colfax2.8

Gosper2.7

Scotts Bluff3.4

Jefferson2.6

Wayne2.4

Sherman3.7

Red Willow2.9

Kearney2.3

Hamilton2.6

Pawnee2.1

Richardson3.5

Johnson3.6

Douglas3.5

Boyd4.2

Merrick3.6

Stanton2.9

Nemaha3.4

Thurston5.0

Sarpy3.1

Dakota4.5

Washington3.6

County Rates

1 .8 - 2.4

2.5 - 3.0

3.1 - 3.6

3.7 - 4.4

4.5 - 5.5

*Not seasonally adjusted

TABLE OF CONTENTS 5

FAST FACTS: WORLD HEALTH DAY Jodie Meyer, Research Analyst

April 7 is World Health Day. It is observed each year to mark the anniversary of the formation of the World Health Organization in 1948. Each year a specific theme is selected to highlight an area of public health. This year’s theme is “Beat diabetes.” In honor of this day, this month’s Fast Facts highlights healthcare in Nebraska.

The Nebraska Career Clusters Model is a model developed by the Nebraska Department of Education that reorganizes national career clusters into larger career cluster fields designed to expose students and job seekers to related careers within larger career fields. One of the major career clusters is Health Sciences. The following facts are about the careers found within this cluster and other facts about healthcare in Nebraska.

HEALTH SCIENCES CAREER CLUSTER

DIABETES FACTS FOR WORLD HEALTH DAY

Projected growth (2012 - 2022)

Projected increase in employment (2012-2022)

People worldwide have diabetes

People worldwide died from diabetes in 2012

of diabetes cases are type 2, which is preventable. A healthy diet and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per day can greatly reduce the risk.

of occupations require a bachelor’s degree or higher

Employed in high wage, high skill, high demand occupations

16.8%

15,599

347 MILLION

1.5 MILLION

90%

50%

63.4%

6

SOURCES: 1. World Health Organization. 10 facts About Diabetes, accessed March 2016 (http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/

diabetes/facts/en/index9.html

2. Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Career Clusters Model http://www.education.ne.gov/nce/index.html

3. Nebraska Department of Labor, Office of Labor Market Information, Long-term Occupational Projections, July 2014. https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx

4. Nebraska Department of Labor, Office of Labor Market Information, Licensed Occupations in Nebraska 2015, https://neworks.nebraska.gov/admin/gsipub/htmlarea/uploads/Licensed-Final.pdf

5. Nebraska Department of Labor, Labor Market Information, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 3rd Quarter 2015. https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx

6. Pan American Health Organization website. http://www.paho.org/world-health-day/. Accessed March 2016

HEALTHCARE-RELATED STATISTICS3rd Quarter, 2015

ACTIVE LICENSES 2014

Health care & social assistance employment in Nebraska (largest sector in the state)

Pharmacies in Nebraska

Business establishments in pharmaceutical & medicine manufacturing in Nebraska

Business establishments in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing in Nebraska

Fitness & recreational sports centers in Nebraska

Average number of pharmacy workers in Nebraska

Average number of workers employed by these establishments

Average number of workers employed by these establishments

Average number of workers employed by these establishments

14.5%

368

22

67

234

4,596

1,683

4,702

4,274

Active licenses for registered nurses in Nebraska in 2014

Active licenses for licensed practical nurses in Nebraska

Active licenses for physicians/surgeons in Nebraska in 2014

26,729

7,046

8,117

TABLE OF CONTENTS 7

MAP FACTS: METRO AREA YOUNG PROFESSIONALSJennifer Gildersleeve, Research Analyst

Data from the US Census Bureau’s OnThe-Map application can provide a closer look into where specific types of jobs are located in an area as well as selected data on worker char-acteristics. According to the Census Bureau, there were approximately 282,163 primary jobs held throughout the city of Omaha for the year 2014. Of these jobs, around 68,700 were held by those ages 29 and younger. Younger workers in Omaha tended to work in retail trade (about 18 percent), accommoda-tion and food services (17 percent), and health care and social assistance (13.6 percent) more often than other industries. The majority of these younger workers made between $1,251 and $3,333 per month (43.3 percent, or about 29,700 jobs), followed by those earning less than $1,251 at 40.6 percent (approximately 27,900 jobs) and more than $3,333 per month at 16.2 percent (around 11,100 jobs.) A map

displaying the location of primary employ-ment for young professionals (defined here as making more than $3,333 per month, or approximately $40,000 per year) in Omaha for the year 2014 is located below.

Higher-earning jobs worked by the younger age group tended to be concentrated in just a few zip codes in the city of Omaha. Over half (55 percent) of all higher-paying jobs worked by the younger age group in 2014 were located in zip codes 68102, 68114, 68154, 68131, and 68137. The greatest percentage of high paying jobs for young workers was located in the 68102 zip code (13 percent). It appears that the majority of high-paying opportuni-ties for younger workers in the city of Omaha were located in the downtown area or along Dodge Street, as well as in a few other smaller areas.

Source: US Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application

LOCATION OF PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT - OMAHA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

»

8

Source: US Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application

In the city of Lincoln, there were around 38,600 primary jobs held by workers who were 29 and younger in 2014. The majority of these jobs (43.5 percent, or 16,700 jobs) paid less than $1,251 per month, followed by 42.1 percent of jobs paying $1,251 to $3,333 per month (approximately 16,200 jobs), and 14.5 percent paying more than $3,333 per month (approximately 5,600 jobs). Most younger workers were employed in accommodation and food services (17.6 percent), followed by retail trade (16 percent) and health care and social assistance (15.4 percent). A map displaying the work locations throughout the city of Lincoln of those ages 29 and younger and making more than $3,333 per month is above.

It appears that high-paying jobs held by young workers in the city of Lincoln were concentrated in the downtown area as well as other locations along O Street. Of all jobs held by those 29 and younger and paying more than $3,333 per month in 2014, over half were located in four zip codes: 68508, 68510, 68521, and 68516. Perhaps not surprisingly, the majority of high paying jobs for younger workers in the city of Lincoln were located in the 68508 zip code (17.8 percent).

According to OnTheMap data, it appears that higher-paying jobs for the younger age groups were more geographically concentrated in Lincoln than in Omaha during 2014. Nearly a third of these high-paying jobs were located in zip codes 68508 and 68510 for the city of Lincoln, while the top two zip codes for Omaha make up about one fourth of all higher-paying positions for young workers. Additionally, slightly more primary jobs held by young people paid more than $3,333 per month in Omaha (16.2 percent) than Lincoln (14.5 percent).

This data may be beneficial to graduates looking for that first job or young professionals looking for a new opportunity. While there are certainly many great opportunities throughout the cities of Lincoln and Omaha, as well as the rest of the state, the downtown areas of Lincoln and Omaha are definitely worth a look.

SOURCE: 1. U.S. Census Bureau, OnTheMap Application and LEHD Origin-Destination Employment Statistics, 2014.

http://onthemap.ces.census.gov/

LOCATION OF PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT - LINCOLN YOUNG PROFESSIONALS»

TABLE OF CONTENTS 9

REAL ESTATE AND THE RECESSIONKermit Spade, Research Analyst

The collapse of real estate prices in late 2006 precipitated the 2008-09 recession. According to The Economist, “Starting in 2006, America suffered a nationwide house-price slump…When America’s housing market turned, a chain reaction exposed fragilities in the financial system…The whole system was revealed to have been built on flimsy foundations: banks had allowed their balance-sheets to bloat, but set aside too little capital to absorb losses.”1 When the housing market collapsed, the value of mortgage backed securities also collapsed. This hurt banks’ capital assets and their ability to lend money, which caused a ripple effect throughout the entire economy.1

Many components of the housing market were affected by the recession, including the number of houses that were for sale at any given time, delinquency rates, and the number of new homes built.

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HOUSE PRICE INDEX (1980 = 100)

»

Source: US Federal Housing Finance Agency

Housing prices in Nebraska remained much more stable through the recession than in Califor-nia and Nevada, two of the states hardest hit by the recession. Prices in those states have yet to rebound to prerecession levels.2

10

The Economist states that “The years before the crisis saw a flood of irresponsible mortgage lend-ing in America. Loans were doled out to “subprime” borrowers with poor credit histories who strug-gled to repay them.”1 As subprime borrowers struggled to repay their mortgages, many defaulted on their loans.3 Delinquency rates have fallen sharply, but have still not dropped to pre-recession levels.3

As delinquency rates rose sharply with the recession, so did foreclosures. With mortgage lenders suddenly owning houses rather than mortgages, there were a flood of houses on the market. The number of vacant housing units for sale has dropped back down to pre-recession levels in the West and Midwest Census Regions.4

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NATIONAL DELINQUENCY RATE ON SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGES»

HOUSING INVENTORY ESTIMATE: VACANT HOUSING UNITS FOR SALE

»

Source: Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

Source: US Census Bureau

TABLE OF CONTENTS 11

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Another aspect of the housing market collapse and subsequent credit tightening was a sharp decline in new home building. Housing starts have not yet fully recovered from the recession.5

SOURCES:1. The Economist. Crash Course: The origins of the financial crisis. economist.com. [Online] September 7, 2013. [Cited:

February 18, 2016.] http://www.economist.com/news/schoolsbrief/21584534-effects-financial-crisis-are-still-being-felt-five-years-article.

2. US Federal Housing Finance Agency. All-Transactions House Price Index. research.stlouisfrd.org/fred2/series/NES-THPI. [Online] US Federal Housing Finance Agency, February 18, 2016. [Cited: February 18, 2016.] https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NESTHPI.

3. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Delinquency Rate On Single-Family Residential Mortgages, Booked In Domestic Offices, All Commercial Banks. research.stlouisfed.org. [Online] February 18, 2016. [Cited: Febru-ary 18, 2016.] https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/DRSFRMACBS.

4. US Census Bureau. Housing Inventory Estimate: Vacant Housing Units for Sale. research.stlouisfed.org. [Online] US Census Bureau, February 18, 2016. [Cited: February 18, 2016.] https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/ESALEM-WQ176N.

5. —. Housing Starts in Midwest Census Region. research.stlouisfed.org. [Online] February 19, 2016. [Cited: February 19, 2016.] https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/HOUSTMW.

HOUSING STARTS»

Source: US Census Bureau

As the charts illustrate, some aspects of the housing market were impacted more significantly than others by the recession, and some have recovered more fully than others since the recession. Nebraska has been more resilient than many other states.

12

Kermit SpadeResearch Analyst

12

FEBRUARY

OTHER

OTHER

TYPE OF BUSINESS

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

RETAIL/SALES

OMAHA AREA OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS

NAME, JOBS ADDED

TOTAL OMAHA JOBS ADDED*

Baela Rose 8

Chik-Fil-A (2nd location) 100

49th Street Theater 2

Freshii 10

Bag N’ Save - Expansion 12

Boot Barn 10

Scheel’s Sports Equipment - Expansion

15

PB7J Welding Supply - Fremont

4

161

120

37

4

* Total number of jobs is an estimate.

OTHER

TABLE OF CONTENTS 13

SOURCES:Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

Omaha Chamber of Commerce

Omaha World Herald

Lincoln Journal Star

NDOL Staff

OTHER

OTHER

OTHER

TYPE OF BUSINESS NAME

FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT

RETAIL/SALES

Escape Lincoln

Generation V

High Vibe Café

The Window & Door Store

Oasis Senior Advisors

Ray’s Lawn and Landscape

LINCOLN OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS STATEWIDE OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS

SOUTHEAST

NORTHEAST

MID-PLAINS

CRETENestle Purina - Expansion, 40-50 Jobs

NEBRASKA CITYScooter’sWilliNilli Art Studio (opened Feb. 11)Neighborhood Closet (opened Feb. 16)

NORFOLKCraft Inc. - New Location

NORTH PLATTEGroovy Granny’sZ Clothing & ComicsNice & Sharp BarberBRM Martial Arts

Looking for work?Discover great jobs in Nebraska

anytime and anywhere using the NEworks Mobile App.

14

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

EXPERIENCEDMEDIANENTRY

$24,249

$81,135

$69,335

$52,054

$51,430

$33,644

$31,660

$96,060

$60,050

$67,190

$42,126

$41,400

$118,930

$31,494$36,450

$49,311

$79,460

$19,330

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE: TAX PROFESSIONALSBrandon Jones, Research Analyst

Many people around this time of the year put their tax preparer visor on, break out their calculators, their stack of papers and receipts, and do their taxes. Knowing what to claim and what not to claim, knowing tax terms like adjusted gross income (AGI), tax credit vs. deduction, standard deduction, exemption, taxable income, and withholding can be a little overwhelming. Tax preparers, accountants, and tax examiners are some of the occupations involved in tax time.

TAX PREPARERS

Tax preparers are professionals who do the taxes for individuals and small businesses. According to O*NET, “They have to interview clients to obtain additional information on taxable income and deductible expenses and allowances.”1 The tax preparer tries to keep clients’ taxes to a minimum by using adjust-ments, deductions and, credits.1

Nationally as of May 2015, the average tax preparer made a few thousand more than tax preparers in Nebraska, with a median of $36,450 and the top 90 percent made $79,460, according to Bureau of Labor Statis-tics.2 In the state of Nebraska, as of the fourth quarter of 2015, an entry level tax preparer made around $24,249 and an experienced tax preparer made around $49,311 with the median being $31,494.3

According to the BLS occupational employ-ment statistics, tax preparers held an esti-mated 72,060 jobs in May 2015 with most of them working in the accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparation, and payroll services industry.2

ACCOUNTANTS

According to the NEworks Occupational Profile description, “Accountants and auditors prepare and examine financial records. They ensure that financial records are accurate

and that taxes are paid properly and on time. Accountants and auditors assess financial operations and work to help ensure that orga-nizations run efficiently.”4

In the last quarter of 2015 the entry level wage in Nebraska was $42,126, the median wage was $60,050 and the experienced wage was $81,135.4 In May of 2015 the national median annual wage for accountants and auditors was $67,190. The highest 10 percent earned more than $118,930 and the lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,400.5

According to the BLS Occupational Hand-book, “Most accountants and auditors work in offices, although some work from home. They complete much of their work on their own but will sometimes work in teams with other accountants and auditors.”5 Accountants and auditors held about 1.3 million jobs in 2014 with most of them working in accounting, bookkeeping, tax preparing and payroll ser-vices at 26 percent.5

STATE & NATIONAL WAGES TAX PREPARERS

»

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

EXPERIENCEDMEDIANENTRY

$24,249

$81,135

$69,335

$52,054

$51,430

$33,644

$31,660

$96,060

$60,050

$67,190

$42,126

$41,400

$118,930

$31,494$36,450

$49,311

$79,460

$19,330

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

Source: Nebraska Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics and Bureau of Labor Statistics

TABLE OF CONTENTS 15

TAX EXAMINERS

“Tax examiners determine tax liability or col-lect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations,” according to O*NET. “They maintain knowl-edge of tax code changes, and accounting procedures and theory to properly evaluate financial information.”6

There are fewer tax examiners than tax pre-parers and accountants. According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Tax exam-iners and collectors, and revenue agents held about 67,900 jobs in 2014 with most of those jobs coming from the Federal government at 42%.”7

Nationally, in May 2015, tax examiners and revenue agents earned a median annual wage of $51,430. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,660 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,060. Tax examiners and revenue agents working in Nebraska in the fourth quarter of 2015 made around $33,644 at entry level, with a median wage of $52,054 and an experienced wage of $69,335. While the lower and median earnings are comparable, the wages for the top earners are much higher at the national level.7, 8

Although more people are doing their own taxes with easy to use software, tax preparers, accountants and tax examiners still play a valuable role.

Source: Nebraska Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics and Bureau of Labor Statistics

Source: Nebraska Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics and Bureau of Labor Statistics

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

EXPERIENCEDMEDIANENTRY

$24,249

$81,135

$69,335

$52,054

$51,430

$33,644

$31,660

$96,060

$60,050

$67,190

$42,126

$41,400

$118,930

$31,494$36,450

$49,311

$79,460

$19,330

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

EXPERIENCEDMEDIANENTRY

$24,249

$81,135

$69,335

$52,054

$51,430

$33,644

$31,660

$96,060

$60,050

$67,190

$42,126

$41,400

$118,930

$31,494$36,450

$49,311

$79,460

$19,330

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

STATE & NATIONAL WAGES ACCOUNTANTS & AUDITORS

» STATE & NATIONAL WAGES TAX EXAMINERS

»$69,335

$52,054

$51,430

$33,644

$31,660

$96,060NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

$69,335

$52,054

$51,430

$33,644

$31,660

$96,060NATIONAL

NEBRASKA

ENTRY

MEDIAN

EXPERIENCED

SOURCES:1. O*net Code Connector (Online) 2016, Tax Preparers, http://www.onetcodeconnector.org/ccreport/13-2082.00

2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment Statistics. May 2015, Tax Preparers. http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132082.htm

3. NEworks, Occupational Profile Tax Preparers, fourth quarter of 2015, https://neworks.nebraska.gov/

4. NEworks, Occupational Profile Accountants, fourth quarter of 2015, https://neworks.nebraska.gov/

5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics. May2015, Accountants and Auditors, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes132011.htm

6. O*net Code Connector (Online) 2016, Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents http://www.onetcodecon-nector.org/ccreport/13-2081.00

7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Rev-enue Agents, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/tax-examiners-and-collectors-and-revenue-agents.htm

8. NEworks, Occupational Profile Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents, fourth quarter of 2015, https://neworks.nebraska.gov/

16

ECONOMIC INDICATORS ISM® NEW ORDERS INDEXKermit Spade, Research Analyst

In each new issue of Trends, the economic indicators section will feature a chart or graph focused on one of the economic indicators listed in the table on the next page. This month, we’ll be focusing on the ISM® New Orders Index.

According to the Conference Board, “This index reflects the levels of new orders from customers. As a diffusion index, its value reflects the number of participants reporting increased orders during the previous month compared to the number reporting decreased orders, and this series tends to lead the business cycle. When the index has a reading of greater than 50 it is an indication that orders have increased during the past month. This index, therefore, tends to lead the business cycle. ISM new orders is based on a monthly survey conducted by Insititution for Suppy Management (formerly known as national Association of Puchasing Management). The Conference Board takes normalized value of this index as a measure of its contribution to LEI.”1

ISM® NEW ORDERS INDEX

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ISM® New Orders Index

Recessions ISM Manufacturing: New Orders Index©

Source: Institute for Supply Management, ISM Manufacturing: New Orders Index© [NAPMNOI], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NAPMNOI, March 10, 2016.

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ISM® New Orders Index

Recessions ISM Manufacturing: New Orders Index©

Source: Institute for Supply Management, ISM Manufacturing: New Orders Index© [NAPMNOI], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NAPMNOI, March 10, 2016.

Source: Institute for Supply Management.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 17

Change Over Last Quarter/MonthMETRIC CURRENT TIME

PERIODUNITED STATES

MIDWEST REGION

NEBRASKA

Average Weekly Manufacturing Hours February, 2016 0.0 - +0.6*

Initial Unemployment Claims February, 2016 -2.6% - -42.4%

Value of Manufacturers' New Orders for Consumer Goods

January, 2016 -1.1% - -

ISM Manufacturing: New Orders Index© February, 2016 0.0% - -

Value of Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft

January, 2016 +3.4% - -

S&P 500© February, 2016 +0.7% - -

Leading Economic Index December, 2015 +1.7% - +1.2%

10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus Federal Funds Rate

February, 2016 +1.4% - -

University of Michigan, Consumer Sentiment Index February, 2016 -0.3% - -

Consumer Price Index, not seasonally adjusted January, 2016 0.2% 0.3% -

Employment Cost Index 4th Quarter, 2015 +0.6% - -

Producer Price Index: All Commodities February, 2016 -0.5% - -

Unemployment Rate, seasonally adjusted February, 2016 0.0% 0.1%* 0.0%*

Real GDP, billions of chained 2009 dollars 4th Quarter, 2015 +1.0% - -

Net Taxable Sales December, 2015 27.9% - -

Barrel of Crude Oil, WTI-Cushing, Spot Price January, 2015 -$5.53 - -

Current Account Balance (millions of dollars) 2nd Quarter, 2015 $7,204

SOURCES:

1. The Conference Board. Description of Components. conference-board.org. [Online] 1 2016. https://www.conference-board.org/data/bci/index.cfm?id=2160.

2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Customized Tables; State and Area Employment, Hours and Earnings. Bureau of Labor Statistics. [Online] http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dsrv?sm.

3. US. Employment and Training Administration. 4-Week Moving Average of Initial Claims. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/IC4WSA.

4. —. Initial Claims in Nebraska. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NEICLAIMS.

5. US. Bureau of the Census. Value of Manufacturers’ New Orders for Consumer Goods Industries. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/ACOGNO.

6. Institute for Supply Management. ISM Manufacturing: New Orders Index©. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NAPMNOI.

7. US. Bureau of the Census. Manufacturers’ New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NEWORDER.

8. S&P Dow Jones Indicies LLC. S&P 500©. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/SP500.

9. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Leading Index for the United States. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/USSLIND.

10. —. Leading Index for Nebraska. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NESLIND.

11. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus Federal Funds Rate. [Online] https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/T10YFF.

12. Survey Research Center, University of Michigan. Survey of Consumers. University of Michigan. [Online] http://www.press.sca.isr.umich.edu/press/press_release.

13. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CPIAUCNS.

14. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All items in Midwest urban. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CUUR0200SA0.

15. —. Employment Cost Index. Customized Tables. [Online] http://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dsrv?ci.

16. —. Producer Price Index for All Commodities. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/PPIACO.

17. Civilian Unemployment Rate. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/UNRATE.

18. Unemployment Rate in Midwest Census Region. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/CMWRUR.

19. Unemployment Rate in Nebraska. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/NEUR.

20. U.S. Department of Commerce: Bureau of Economic Analysis. Real Gross Domestic Product. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/GDPC1.

21. Nebraska Department of Revenue. Non-Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Collections. Nebraska Department of Revenue. [Online] http://www.revenue.nebraska.gov/research/net_taxable_sales/sales_14/2014_non-mv.html.

22. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Crude Oil Prices: West Texas Intermediate (WTI) - Cushing, Oklahoma. Federal Reserve Economic Data. [Online] http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/MCOILWTICO.

23. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Balance of Payments on the Current Account. http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/IEABC

18

Nebraska Department of LaborOffice of Labor Market Information550 S 16th StreetLincoln NE 68508

Telephone 800.876.1377Email ndol.lmi_ne@nebraska.gov

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.TDD: 1.800.833.7352