Labor productivity rose in 20 of 31 selected service-providing industries in 2024, according to data published this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in its The Economics Daily. Output rose in 21 industries, while hours worked increased in 13 industries.

Among the 10 largest industries (by number of workers employed in 2024), productivity growth was highest in long-distance general freight trucking, with an increase of 6.9%. Productivity increased by 4% in engineering services and 3.5% in full-service restaurants.

In long-distance general freight trucking, the 6.9% increase in productivity resulted from a 2.1% increase in output combined with a 4.5% decrease in hours worked. In engineering services, there were increases in both output and hours worked.

Automotive repair and maintenance posted the steepest productivity decline, a decrease of 6.1%, resulting from a 4.3% decrease in output accompanied by a 1.9% increase in hours worked. Productivity decreased 5.7% in couriers and messengers, with output decreasing 4.9% and hours worked increasing 0.8%.

To learn more, see "Productivity and Costs by Industry: Selected Service-Providing Industries — 2024."