The number of employers in the nation has shown steady growth throughout the last three quarters of 2003, after declining by 2,780 employers in the first quarter of 2003. As shown on Chart 1 below, the national total of all employers (contributing and reimbursing combined) grew from 6,397,756 in the first quarter of 1998 to 7,095,163 by December 31, 2003. Average quarterly growth for the twenty-four quarters since 1Q1998, as shown below on the legend next to Chart 1, has been 29,059 employers per quarter. Average growth for calendar year 2003 was 23,719 employers per quarter.
Please note the three quarters marked with an asterisk indicate the only three quarters since 1Q1998 in which the count of total employers has declined.
These totals do not inclued approximately 5,100 employers from the Virgin Islands, due to a failure to report. Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and all 50 states are included.
|
Quarter/ Year | Total Employers 1Q98-2Q03 |
|---|---|---|
| 1Q1998 | 6,397,756 | |
| 2Q1998 | 6,437,493 | |
| 3Q1998 | 6,496,297 | |
| 4Q1998 | 6,542,667 | |
| 1Q1999 | 6,553,518 | |
| 2Q1999 | 6,600,270 | |
| 3Q1999 | 6,626,723 | |
| 4Q1999* | 6,621,106** | |
| 1Q2000 | 6,685,130 | |
| 2Q2000 | 6,747,181 | |
| 3Q2000 | 6,772,336 | |
| 4Q2000 | 6,817,003 | |
| 1Q2001 | 6,818,218 | |
| 2Q2001 | 6,861,163 | |
| 3Q2001 | 6,877,178 | |
| 4Q2001 | 6,922,847 | |
| 1Q2002* | 6,902,476 | |
| 2Q2002 | 6,941,088 | |
| 3Q2002 | 6,950,898 | |
| 4Q2002 | 7,003,066 | |
| 1Q2003* | 7,000,286 | |
| 2Q2003 | 7,030,258 | |
| 3Q2003 | 7,054,398 | |
| 4Q2003 | 7,095,163 | |
| Avg growth | 29,059 | |
| Avg growth 2003 | 23,719 | |