BLS Preliminary Q3 2025 Productivity Report Highlights Gains and Softer Unit Labor Costs
BLS’s preliminary Q3 2025 report shows nonfarm business productivity up 4.9% (SAAR) and unit labor costs down 1.9%, with manufacturing productivity up 3.3%.
OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ preliminary third‑quarter 2025 release reports a strong productivity gain: nonfarm business output per hour rose 4.9% annualized, while unit labor costs fell 1.9% as hourly compensation increased more slowly than productivity.
Manufacturing productivity increased 3.3%, led by durables (+4.7%); nondurables rose 1.2%. The BLS also noted nonfinancial corporate productivity up 3.0% in Q3.
The report’s publication was delayed by the 2025 federal shutdown, and BLS has posted revised release dates. The Q3 revised report is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2026.
Why it matters for Oklahoma: higher productivity and softer unit labor costs are consistent with margin support for Oklahoma manufacturers and service firms, while the durables outperformance points to capital‑intensive sectors—energy equipment and transportation—benefiting from efficiency gains.
