October Jobs Report: The US Economy Added 261,000 Jobs

According to a recent report by the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%, the lowest in 17 years. The economy also added 261,000 jobs. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, manufacturing, health care, and food services.

Here are some of the highlights for the month of October.

BROAD OVERVIEW

  • Unemployment dropped to 4.1%
  • Wages decreased by $0.01
  • Workweek hours remained the same at 34.4 hours

UNEMPLOYMENT BY DEMOGRAPHICS

  • Unemployment for adult men was 3.8%
  • Unemployment for adult women was 3.6%
  • Unemployment was 3.1% for Asians, 7,5% for Blacks, 4.8% for Hispanics, and 3.5% for Whites.

 

UNEMPLOYMENT BY EDUCATION

  • Unemployment for persons without a high school diploma was 5.7%
  • Unemployment for persons with a high school diploma was 4.3%
  • Unemployment for persons with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 2%

October unemployment rate by education level

UNEMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY

  • Manufacturing increased by 0.2%
  • Professional and business services increased by 0.2%
  • Leisure and hospitality increased by 0.7%

October employment by industry

Read the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment Situation Summary for more information. And subscribe to Recruitment ADvisor to get the best news straight to your inbox!

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