In October, the U.S. economy added nearly double the amount of jobs that were added in September, according to the latest report released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. economy added 271,000 jobs in October, an increase from the 137,000 jobs added in September (initially reported as 142,000 jobs added). While these preliminary numbers are frequently revised in subsequent reports, the initial growth reported for October marks the strongest month of job growth economy-wide in 2015 to date. Today’s figure from the BLS is also markedly more than the 182,000 jobs that payroll company ADP and Moody’s Analytics reported on Wednesday.
This growth was also experienced in construction and architectural and engineering services. Construction added 31,000 jobs last month, which is the strongest growth for the industry since February. Architectural and engineering services added 8,300 jobs—the strongest month in 2015 to date. Manufacturing job growth flatlined, but that is an improvement from two straight months of job losses.
Job growth in specialty trade contractors (24,700 jobs added) accounted for most of the positive gains in the construction industry. Residential construction added 6,000 jobs, and non-residential construction added 20,100 jobs.
Charts data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
