The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest report on the employment situation in America showed an overall gain of 321,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in November with a stagnant unemployment rate of 5.8%.
Job gains cut across different employment sectors to include retail trade, healthcare, manufacturing and professional and business services.
Data for BLS’ monthly report is drawn from two major surveys conducted by the agency: the Current Population Survey (CPS), also called the household survey, and the Current Employment Statistics Survey, the establishment survey.
The CPS survey delivers information on the labor force, employment and unemployment. It involves a sample of about 60,000 eligible households and is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau on behalf of BLS. The establishment survey delivers information on employment, hours and earnings for nonfarm payrolls. This monthly survey involves about 144,000 businesses and government agencies. BLS conducts this survey.
While November’s unemployment rate held steady month-over-month, coming in at 5.8% or 9.1 million workers, year-over-year gains have been realized. The BLS reports that the number of unemployed workers is down by 1.2%, with 1.7 million workers still looking for employment.
Men saw their unemployment rate rise to 5.4% in November. For many demographics, the unemployment rate changed little over the month. Women had an unemployment rate of 5.3%; teenagers, 17.7%; whites, 4.0%; blacks, 11.1%; and Hispanics, 6.6%. The jobless rate of 4.8% for Asians has changed little in the past year.
Long-term unemployment numbers for those out of work 27 weeks or more also changed little in November, coming in at 2.8 million. This group amounts to 30.7% of the unemployed.
Over the past year, however, America has seen its numbers of long-term unemployed decline by an estimated 1.2 million.
November’s numbers represent a gain of 321,000 jobs, which compares favorably with the average gain of 224,000 logged monthly over the past 12 months, the BLS reports.
New jobs added this month cut across industry segments.The breakdown of job increases is as follows:
- Professional and business services – This sector saw a gain of 86,000 in November, which compares to the average gain of 57,000 over the past 12 months.
- Retail trade – This sector rose by 50,000 jobs in November, compared to 22,000 a month over the past 12.
- Healthcare – An estimated 29,000 jobs were added in the month. Over the past 12 months, the total gain here has been 261,000.
- Manufacturing – This sector of the economy grew by 28,000 jobs in November. The total 12-month gain was logged at 171,000.
Other industries that saw an increase in jobs in November included financial activities, transportation and warehousing, food services and drinking places and construction.
BLS also reported that the number of hours Americans are working was up slightly in November. The average nonfarm workweek increased by 0.1% to 34.6 hours. The average hourly earnings for all employees on nonfarm payrolls increased 9 cents to reach $24.66 in November.
