Economy adds 304,000 jobs in January
The U.S. economy added 304,000 jobs in January – compared to an average monthly gain of 223,000 in 2018 – but the unemployment rate rose to 4%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Industries that demonstrated gains included construction, transportation and warehousing.
While the number of unemployed persons rose to 6.5 million in January, this includes the impact of the recent, partial federal government shutdown.
Construction employment rose by 52,000 in January. Job gains occurred among specialty trade contractors, with increases in both the nonresidential (+19,000) and residential (+15,000) components. Employment also rose in heavy and civil engineering construction (+10,000) and residential building (+9,000). The construction industry has added 338,000 jobs over the past 12 months.
Transportation and warehousing increased by 27,000 positions following little change in December. In January, job gains occurred in warehousing and storage (+15,000) and among couriers and messengers (+7,000).
Retail trade employment edged up by 21,000 with job gains occurring in sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores (+17,000), while general merchandise stores lost jobs (-12,000).
Manufacturing also demonstrated strong gain (+13,000) with durable goods increasing (+20,000). Overall, manufacturing employment has increased by 261,000 in the past year.
The average workweek for all employees was unchanged at 34.5 hours in January. In manufacturing, both the workweek and overtime decreased by 0.1 hour to 40.8 hours and 3.5 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees held at 33.7 hours.
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 3 cents to $27.56 in January following a 10-cent gain in December. Over the past year, average hourly earnings have increased by 85 cents, or 3.2%.
Average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 3 cents to $23.12 in January.
Industries that demonstrated gains included construction, transportation and warehousing.
While the number of unemployed persons rose to 6.5 million in January, this includes the impact of the recent, partial federal government shutdown.
Construction employment rose by 52,000 in January. Job gains occurred among specialty trade contractors, with increases in both the nonresidential (+19,000) and residential (+15,000) components. Employment also rose in heavy and civil engineering construction (+10,000) and residential building (+9,000). The construction industry has added 338,000 jobs over the past 12 months.
Transportation and warehousing increased by 27,000 positions following little change in December. In January, job gains occurred in warehousing and storage (+15,000) and among couriers and messengers (+7,000).
Retail trade employment edged up by 21,000 with job gains occurring in sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores (+17,000), while general merchandise stores lost jobs (-12,000).
Manufacturing also demonstrated strong gain (+13,000) with durable goods increasing (+20,000). Overall, manufacturing employment has increased by 261,000 in the past year.
The average workweek for all employees was unchanged at 34.5 hours in January. In manufacturing, both the workweek and overtime decreased by 0.1 hour to 40.8 hours and 3.5 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees held at 33.7 hours.
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 3 cents to $27.56 in January following a 10-cent gain in December. Over the past year, average hourly earnings have increased by 85 cents, or 3.2%.
Average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 3 cents to $23.12 in January.