The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that U.S. employers added 130,000 jobs in January, with gains led by health care, professional and business services, and construction. The unemployment rate declined to 4.3%.
The number of unemployed people decreased in January. The labor force participation rate changed little over the month.
In January, employment trended up in sectors including:
- Health care and social assistance (+124,000)
- Professional and business services (+34,000)
- Construction (+33,000)
- Manufacturing (+5,000)
Employment changed little or declined in sectors including:
- Transportation and warehousing (–11,000)
- Information (–12,000)
- Financial activities (–22,000)
- Government (–42,000)
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased over the month. On a year-over-year basis, average hourly earnings continued to trend upward.
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Source: BLS
