Growth in Wholesale Trade employment slowed in 1999 to 0.8 percent. Wholesale Trade lost approximately 2,200 employees due to SIC reclassifications. The average wage increased from $43,236 to $46,137. The strength of the Wholesale Trade division continues to be in codes that are related to construction and technology. It should be noted that Wholesale Trade tends to experience a disproportionate share of SIC code changes.
Durable Goods employment increased by 804 jobs to 65,836 in 1999. The average wage increased by 7.6 percent to $50,228.
Employment in Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies increased by 719 jobs to 17,319. The majority of the increase occurred within Computers, Peripherals & Software with an increase of 655 jobs to 8,818. Computers, Peripherals & Software Trade has become one of the most lucrative technology sectors with an average wage of $87,796. Medical and Hospital Equipment reversed a four year slide with a gain of 119 jobs to 2,781. Office Equipment declined from 3,436 to 3,339 jobs while Photographic Equipment and Supplies declined from 734 to 664 jobs.
The second largest sector within Durable Goods Wholesale Trade is Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies with a decline of 113 jobs to 11,517. Large declines included Service Establishment Equipment, down 178 jobs to 1,022 and Industrial Machinery and Equipment down 68 jobs to 4,526.
Lumber and other Construction Materials employment continued to expand with an additional 428 jobs to average 6,363 in 1999. The average wage increased by 7.6 percent to $43,370. Large increases occurred in Lumber, Plywood, and Millwork, up 216 to 3,467 and Brick, Stone, & Related Materials, up 246 to 1,287.
Establishments coded under the Wholesale Trade of Non-Durable Goods barely eked out a gain in employment with an increase of only 34 jobs to 40,113. The average wage increased from $37,636 to $39,423.
Drugs, Proprietaries, and Sundries had the largest annual employment gain among Non-Durable goods at 469 jobs to average 4,319 in 1999. The average wage was $54,487.
The second largest employment gain in Non-Durable Goods occurred in Miscellaneous Non-Durable Goods with an increase of 279 jobs to 8,443. Specifically, the gains occurred in Flowers & Florists' Supplies up 142 to 1,064 and Non-Durable goods, NEC up 132 to 2,517.
The largest sub-sector within Non-Durable Wholesale Trade is Grocery and Related Products, which declined by 125 jobs to 13,042. The average was $37,114.
Beer Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverages employment increased to 3,232.
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |
| Average Employment | 95,701 | 98,337 | 102,940 | 105,113 | 105,954 |
| Total Wages | $3,450,113,739 | $3,715,682,027 | $4,139,450,002 | 4,543,636,155 | 4,888,181,283 |
| Percent of Total Emp. | 5.28% | 5.25% | 5.27% | 5.18% | 5.03% |
| Percent of Total Wages | 7.02% | 6.95% | 7.05% | 6.94% | 6.79% |