According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 227,000 in November, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.2 percent. Notably, employment trended up in health care, leisure and hospitality, government, and social assistance, while retail trade lost jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported these findings based on two monthly surveys: the household survey, which assesses labour force status, including unemployment by demographic characteristics, and the establishment survey, which measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry.

Household Survey Data

In November, the U.S. labour market showed minimal change in key indicators compared to the previous month. The unemployment rate remained at 4.2%, with 7.1 million people unemployed, up from 6.3 million a year earlier. Among demographic groups, the unemployment rate for Blacks edged up to 6.4%, while rates for adult men (3.9%), adult women (3.9%), teenagers (13.2%), Whites (3.8%), Asians (3.8%), and Hispanics (5.3%) showed little or no change.

The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 1.7 million in November, up from 1.2 million a year earlier, comprising 23.2% of all unemployed people. The labour force participation rate remained stable at 62.5%, and the employment-population ratio held at 59.8%. The number of people employed part-time for economic reasons was 4.5 million, and 5.5 million people not in the labour force expressed a desire for employment but were not actively seeking work. Of these, 1.6 million were marginally attached to the labour force, with the number of discouraged workers remaining little changed at 396,000.

Establishment Survey Data

In November, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 227,000, following little change in the prior month (+36,000). Payroll employment had increased by an average of 186,000 per month over the 12 months prior to November. Employment trended up in health care, leisure and hospitality, government, and social assistance. Transportation equipment manufacturing saw an increase in employment due to the return of workers who were on strike, while retail trade lost jobs.

Health care added 54,000 jobs in November, with gains in ambulatory health care services (+22,000), hospitals (+19,000), and nursing and residential care facilities (+12,000). Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 53,000, driven by food services and drinking places (+29,000). Government employment continued to trend up (+33,000), particularly in state government (+20,000). Transportation equipment manufacturing employment rose by 32,000, and social assistance edged up by 19,000. Retail trade lost 28,000 jobs, with declines in general merchandise retailers (-15,000) and gains in electronics and appliance retailers (+4,000).

Employment in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; wholesale trade; transportation and warehousing; information; financial activities; professional and business services; and other services, showed little or no change. Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 13 cents, or 0.4 percent, to $35.61, with a 4.0 percent increase over the past 12 months. The average workweek for all employees edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.3 hours. Revisions to September and October data added 56,000 more jobs than previously reported.

Disclaimer: