Home » Jobs surge in October, over 270,000 added nationally

Jobs surge in October, over 270,000 added nationally

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. added 271,000 jobs in October, according to a report released today from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Over the prior 12 months, employment growth had averaged 230,000 jobs per month.

The unemployment rate remained relatively the same at 5 percent.

Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, retail trade, food services and drinking places, and construction.

The mining industry, however, continued a steep decline, shedding 5,000 jobs in October. The industry has lost 109,000 jobs since reaching a recent employment peak in December 2014.

Both the unemployment rate (5.0 percent) and the number of unemployed persons (7.9 million) were essentially unchanged in October. Over the past 12 months, the unemployment rate and the number of unemployed persons were down by 0.7 percentage point and 1.1 million, respectively.

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (4.7 percent), adult women (4.5 percent), teenagers (15.9 percent), whites (4.4 percent), blacks (9.2 percent), Asians (3.5 percent), and Hispanics (6.3 percent) showed little or no change in October.

Employment in professional and business services increased by 78,000 in October, compared with an average gain of 52,000 per month over the prior 12 months. In October, job gains occurred in administrative and support services (+46,000), computer systems design and related services (+10,000), and architectural and engineering services (+8,000).

Health care added 45,000 jobs in October. Within the industry, employment growth continued in ambulatory health care services (+27,000) and in hospitals (+18,000). Over the past year, health care has added 495,000 jobs.

Employment in retail trade rose by 44,000 in October, compared with an average monthly gain of 25,000 over the prior 12 months. In October, job gains occurred in clothing and accessories stores (+20,000), general merchandise stores (+11,000), and automobile dealers (+6,000).

Food services and drinking places added 42,000 jobs in October. Over the year, the industry has added 368,000 jobs.

Construction employment increased by 31,000 in October, following little employment change in recent months. Employment in nonresidential specialty trade contractors rose by 21,000. Over the past 12 months, construction has added 233,000 jobs.