U.S. gains 155,000 jobs in November; unemployment rate steady at 3.7%

WASHINGTON — Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 155,000 jobs in November, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7 percent, according to the BLS report issued Dec. 7.

The strongest job growth was recorded in health care (up 32,000 jobs), professional and business services (also up 32,000), manufacturing (up 27,000), transportation and warehousing (up 25,000) and retail trade (up 18,000), according to the report.

Mining, construction and retail trade were little changed for the month, the BLS said.

On Dec. 5, the payroll services firm ADP Inc. released its own November report, stating that private sector employment grew by 179,000 jobs during the month.

The lion's share of job growth came in medium-sized businesses (50 to 499 employees), with 119,000 new jobs, according to ADP.

Small businesses (one to 49 employees) grew by 46,000 jobs, and large businesses (500 or more employees) by 13,000, the report said. (ADP figures don't always add up exactly, because of rounding.)

In stark contrast to the BLS figures, ADP said manufacturing grew by only 4,000 jobs in November. Goods-producing businesses in general gained only 16,000 jobs during the month, the company said.

Service-providing businesses grew by 163,000, with the largest gains — 59,000 — in professional and business services, ADP said.

Franchise employment grew by 11,500 jobs in November, including 1,800 in the auto parts and dealer sector, ADP said.

Small business job creation inched up in November, according to the monthly jobs report for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

"The labor force is not growing quickly enough to satisfy the current demand for workers," NFIB Chief Economist William C. Dunkelberg said.

"A successful hire in this market will likely create a job vacancy elsewhere because of the tight labor market."

Both the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) expressed pleasure over the strong job gains in manufacturing

"With 27,000 new jobs in November, manufacturing continues to build on its strong growth over the past two years," said NAM Chief Economist Chad Moutray.

"Game-changing tax and regulatory reform has led to manufacturers hiring more workers and raising wages and benefits," Mr. Moutray said.

AAM President Scott Paul agreed that November was another good month in a series of good months for the manufacturing sector.

"This means that the administration has a strong hand to play headed into vital trade talks with China," Mr. Paul said.