The nation's unemployment rate edged higher in November, and the jobs picture within manufacturing dimmed further.
Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 132,000 in November, the Labor Department said Friday, while the unemployment rate came in at 4.5 percent, versus the 4.4 percent in October. The overall increase in payrolls was slightly ahead of what economists were predicting.
Job gains continued in several service-providing industries, including professional and business services, food services, and health care, but declined in construction and manufacturing.
Manufacturing employment fell by 15,000 in November, and motor vehicles and parts lost 7,000 jobs. Employment continued to fall in two construction-related industries: wood products (-6,000) and furniture and related products (-5,000), while computer and electronic products manufacturing added 5,000 jobs over the month.
Construction employment declined by 29,000 in November, following a loss of similar size in October. The November decline was spread across all component industries.
Mining employment grew by 4,000 in November with gains in support activities for oil and gas. Employment in mining has grown by 136,000 since its most recent low in April 2003.
Professional and business services employment increased by 43,000 in November and has risen by 426,000 over the year. Job growth has occurred in a number of industries, including architectural and engineering services, management consulting, and computer systems design. Employment in temporary help services
was flat over the month and has changed little since January.
So far this year, payroll employment has grown by an average of 149,000 per month, the government said.