Employers added 64,000 jobs in November, after losing 105,000 in October, and the unemployment rate increased to 4.6%, the highest it’s been in over four years, according to delayed data released Tuesday by the federal government.
The November jobless rate is 0.2 percentage points higher than the last report of 4.4% in September. The federal government did not provide a monthly unemployment rate for October because of the 43-day government shutdown from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised downward previously reported preliminary hiring data for August and September by -33,000 jobs. The August job number changed from a loss of -22,000 jobs to a loss of -26,000 jobs. September was revised down by -11,000 to show a gain of 108,000 jobs, not 119,000 as previously reported.
In November, employment rose in healthcare (+44,000) and construction (+28,000). Federal government employment declined by -6,000 in November, following a loss of -162,000 jobs in October. Federal employment is down -271,000 since January.
Employment also decreased in transportation and warehousing (-18,000) in November, mostly reflecting job losses affecting couriers and messengers. Transportation and warehousing employment has declined by -78,000 since reaching a peak in February.
Manufacturing employment decreased by -5,000 in November, following a loss of -9,000 jobs in October.
In November, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged up by 5 cents, or 0.1% to $36.86. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.5%.
Stock indexes were down slightly Tuesday morning as investors digested the mixed jobs report showing a rebound in job growth but also rising unemployment.
