Labor productivity has improved significantly over the last decade, rising an average of about 2% between 1989 and 1999. The industry is producing more, using less labor. The complexity of the industry is increasing, requiring more highly developed skills and workers with better training and education. To help meet the need, skilled workers are being trained as technicians while unskilled workers are being trained to develop new skills. In addition, scientifically trained personnel – such as chemists, chemical engineers, agronomists, toxicologists, and biologists – are in high demand. About 57% of chemical employees are production workers, earning an average of $19.86 per hour. [ACC 2002, DOC 2001]

Labor Productivity
(Labor output per hour, indexed to 1998)

Source: ACC 2002