The labor market in the United States experienced a moderate surge in employment, with the addition of 150,000 jobs in October 2023, primarily in sectors such as health care, public administration, and community assistance, as per the latest release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite this growth, the overall unemployment rate showed little change, holding at 3.9 percent. A notable downturn in manufacturing employment was observed, largely attributed to labor strikes.
This comprehensive report draws from two pivotal surveys: the household survey, which delineates labor force statistics, including unemployment rates across various demographics, and the establishment survey, which delineates employment figures across different industries.
Key Findings Include:
– The unemployment rate has seen a marginal uptick since April, rising by 0.5 percentage points, with the total number of unemployed individuals increasing by 849,000.
– Unemployment rates across various worker groups, including adult men and women, teenagers, and ethnic groups such as Whites, Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics, remained relatively unchanged.
– The count of permanent job losses rose by 164,000 in October, reaching 1.6 million, while the number of individuals on temporary layoff remained steady.
– The long-term unemployed, those jobless for 27 weeks or more, represented 19.8 percent of the total unemployed population, with their numbers holding steady.
– The labor force participation rate and the employment-population ratio saw little movement, indicating stability in workforce engagement.
– Part-time employment for economic reasons was reported at 4.3 million individuals, reflecting those who would prefer full-time employment but are working part-time due to reduced hours or the inability to find full-time positions.
– Approximately 5.4 million individuals were not in the labor force but expressed a desire for work, were not actively seeking employment within the four weeks preceding the survey, or were unavailable for work.
Industry-Specific Insights:
– The healthcare sector added 58,000 jobs, aligning with its 12-month average monthly growth.
– Government employment rose by 51,000, reaching its pre-pandemic level, with local government jobs increasing notably.
– Social assistance roles increased by 19,000, slightly below the 12-month average.
– Construction employment continued its upward trend with an addition of 23,000 jobs.
– Manufacturing faced a setback with a decrease of 35,000 jobs, largely due to a significant strike within the motor vehicles and parts industry.
Wage and Work Hours Data:
– Average hourly earnings for all private nonfarm employees increased modestly by 7 cents to $34.00, marking a 4.1 percent rise over the past year.
– The average workweek for all employees decreased slightly, with a 0.1-hour reduction to 34.3 hours.
Revisions and Updates:
– Adjustments to previous months’ data revealed a decrease in employment growth, with August and September combined showing 101,000 fewer jobs than initially reported.
The full report includes an array of detailed tables and extensive data, offering an in-depth perspective on the employment landscape in the United States.
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