How vast is the American workforce? Here is some of the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

• The U.S. has a working population of 144.8 million -- of which 5.5 million say they are looking for another job.

• Some 10.3 million are self-employed -- while 7.9 million hold down more than one job.

• Workers toil an average of 39.2 hours a week.

• Annual pay in the U.S. averages $31,908 -- ranging from a state average of $40,915 in Connecticut to $22,644 in Montana.

And what do people do after they arrive at the employee parking lot? Here's a glimpse:

• Some 912,000 of them practice law, while 325,000 are in the clergy.

• There are 274,000 editors and reporters, with another 130,000 classified as authors.

• Some 91,000 are professional athletes, and 66,000 are hairdressers.

The nation's fastest growing occupation: database administrator.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Timely Data," Washington Times, September 4, 2000.