The United States economy added 257,000 nonfarm jobs in January, according to the most recent employment report released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
January’s employment growth is 72,000 jobs less than the revised growth in December (the BLS initially reported the economy added 252,000 jobs in December). Today’s number from the BLS is 44,000 jobs more than what Wednesday’s report from payroll company ADP and Moody’s Analytics stated.
The BLS reports that construction added 39,000 jobs in January, down from December’s revised growth of 44,000 jobs. Manufacturing added 22,000 jobs, also less than in December. Architectural and engineering services as a whole, which does not necessarily reflect growth of architecture jobs in particular, added 7,800 jobs in January.
Within the construction industry, residential construction fared better in January (+20,100 jobs) than nonresidential construction (+14,600 jobs). All sectors of the construction industry experienced positive growth, although the largest job gain was in residential construction of buildings, which added 12,500 jobs, up from 2,000 jobs added in December. Employment in construction of buildings overall increased by 19,500 jobs, and employment in specialty trade contractors overall increased by 13,300 jobs.
Charts: Maggie Goldstone; Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
