Eight Percent of Employees Had Options in 2005

According to the National Compensation Survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8% of the work force (about 10 million employees) have "access" to stock options, defined as the right to buy stock at a fixed price for a fixed period of time. This includes 12% of white collar, 6% of blue collar, and 2% of service employees. Twelve percent of those making more than $15 per hour have options, while 6% making less than $15 per hour do. Only 4% of employees at establishments with fewer than 100 employees have options, while 14% of those in larger companies do. This appears to be the first time the survey has included this measure.

The findings are somewhat ambiguous in that it is not clear if respondents would have interpreted participation in an employee stock purchase plan as an option. The data are in line with data from the General Social Survey in 2002 and indicate relatively little movement in the total number of people having options through 2005. That could change, of course, as more companies react to new accounting rules.