The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its October employment report on Friday, showing that total nonfarm employment rose by 161,000 jobs in the month while the unemployment rate held at 4.9 percent.
Manufacturing lost 9,000 jobs during October, including 5,000 jobs lost in durable goods manufacturing. Fabricated metal products jobs were marginally down by 300, while machinery jobs lost 6,200. Jobs in transportation equipment were down 2,300.
Wholesale trade gained 6,300 jobs in October, with durable goods losing 2,800 and nondurable goods gaining 8,000.
Overall, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 161,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.9 percent
- Warehousing and storage added 3,300 jobs in the month, likely helped by wholesalers boosting warehouse headcounts for the holiday rush.
- Building material and garden supply stores added 2,000 jobs, while truck transportation added 3,000.
- Construction added 11,000 jobs during October, with nonresidential construction down 800.
- Mining employment was down 2,300 jobs, with 2,000 of those jobs in support activities.