Nonfarm Payroll Employment. The Lawrence Metropolitan Statistical Area had 54,000 non-farm payroll jobs in December 2006, a small gain of 100 from the previous month. This slight increase can be seen in government with small additions of employment in state and local schools. Employment in private service providing and goods producing industries remained unchanged at 31,900 and 7,000, respectively, over the month.

Over-the-Year Change. Employment in the Lawrence Metropolitan Statistical Area gained 1,900 since December 2005. Private service providing industries added 900 positions over the year, in both trade, transportation and utilities, and professional and business services sectors. Government has 700 more jobs than it did a year ago. Goods producing industries increased 300 during the year as employment continues to expand.