Manufacturing sector labor productivity increased 1.3% during the fourth quarter of 2018, the U.S. Department of Labor reports, as output increased 2.3% and hours worked increased 1.0%.

From the fourth quarter of 2017 to the fourth quarter of 2018, manufacturing productivity increased 0.7%, reflecting a 2.8% increase in output and a 2.1% increase in hours worked. Annual average productivity increased 0.6% from 2017 to 2018.

Durable manufacturing labor productivity increased 2.6%, with output increasing 5.7% and hours increasing 3.0%. Labor productivity in the nondurable manufacturing sector increased 1.2%, with output declining 1.2% and hours declining 2.4%.