Nonfarm Wage and Salary Employment. Nonfarm payroll employment for the Topeka Metropolitan Statistical Area was 110,800 for December 2006, a net growth of 500 from November. Information was up 200 with seasonal increases at publishing firms. Government gained 200 over the month all at the state level. Small upturns in durable goods manufacturing led to a 100 increase in manufacturing. The trade, transportation and utilities sector added 100, with seasonal upturns in retail trade and transportation firms. Professional and business services added 100 while natural resources and construction decreased 100. The leisure & hospitality sector dipped 100 with losses in food service and drinking establishments. Financial activities, educational and health care services and other services remained constant over the month.

Over the Year Changes. Contrasting movement between the sectors in the Topeka Metropolitan Statistical Area left the wage and salary employment unchanged from December 2005. Natural resources and construction rose 700 with more heavy road and bridge construction jobs continuing. Additions throughout the sector left the trade, transportation and utilities sector up 600. Financial activities increased 200 with expansion in banking firms. Educational and health services grew 200 mainly from upturns in hospitals. Other services added 200. Manufacturing dropped 800 over the year, primarily from a labor dispute in nondurable goods manufacturing. Government was 800 lower with cutbacks at all levels. A decline at temporary employment agencies and administrative support services firms lowered professional and business services 200. Information dipped 100. Growth mainly at restaurants was counter-balanced by downturns in accommodations and recreation firms leaving leisure and hospitality with no change from one year ago.