Jobs added but unemployment inches up

WASHINGTON (Feb. 6, 2015) — Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 257,000 jobs in January 2015, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The unemployment rate inched up during the month — to 5.7 percent from 5.6 — and has shown little net change since October 2014, the BLS said. The actual number of unemployed in January, 9 million, changed little from December, it said.

Retail trade saw the biggest employment increase during the month, growing by 46,000 jobs, including 8,000 in motor vehicle and parts dealers. Employment also grew strongly in construction (up 39,000 jobs), health care (up 38,000 jobs), professional and technical services (up 33,000 jobs), and financial activities (up 26,000 jobs).

Manufacturing increased by 22,000 jobs in January, according to the BLS.

“After a strong finish last year for manufacturing, 2015 starts with a so-so report,” said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing. With the January report, Mr. Paul said, the economy has added 374,000 manufacturing jobs since the beginning of President Barack Obama's second term — well below the 1 million manufacturing jobs the president promised to create.

“President Obama can stand up for the manufacturing sector by standing firm against currency manipulation,” Mr. Paul said. “But so far this administration's approach has been to simply pass the buck.”

The federal government's estimates for job growth in January exceeded those of payroll services firm ADP Inc., which issues its own employment reports based on payroll data.

According to ADP, U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 213,000 jobs in January. This included 78,000 jobs in small business, with 38,000 new jobs in companies of one to 19 employees and 40,000 in companies of 20 to 49 employees.

Service-providing small businesses added by far the most jobs, with 73,000, ADP said.

Medium businesses, with 50 to 499 employees, saw an increase of 95,000 jobs in January, according to ADP. Large businesses added 40,000 jobs during the month, including 14,000 new jobs in companies with 500 to 999 employees and 26,000 in companies with 1,000 or more employees.

Franchise employment increased by 26,000 jobs, including 1,180 among auto dealerships and parts stores and 790 in gasoline stations and auto repair, according to ADP. Construction grew by 18,000 jobs, manufacturing by 14,000, trade/transportation/utilities by 54,000, financial activities by 11,000 and professional/business services by 42,000, ADP said.