X
    Categories: Legal News

U.S. Economy Adds 214,000 Jobs in October

Summary: The United States economy added 214,000 jobs for the month of October, which is the ninth consecutive month where the economy added 200,000 jobs or more.

The Labor Department announced its latest job numbers on Friday, saying that the economy gained 214,000 for the month of October, according to The Associated Press.

The department also changed its estimates for August and September, saying that 31,000 more jobs were added in those months than originally thought.

For the last nine months, employers have added at least 200,000 jobs, which is the best stretch since 1995.

To read more about the Labor Department, click here.

With the added jobs, the unemployment rate has dropped to 5.8 percent from 5.9 percent. This is the lowest rate since July of 2008. The average hourly pay for workers only increased slightly.

During the mid-term elections on Tuesday, voters said their top concern was the economy.

The average hourly pay increased by three cents in October to $24.57. This amount is just two percent higher than the average wage 12 months ago and is only 1.7 percent ahead of the inflation rate.

To read more stories about the U.S. economy, click here.

“While the labor market is improving and in many respects has already healed, employee bargaining power remains virtually nonexistent,” Dan Greenhaus, an analyst at the brokerage firm BTIG LLC, said.

More people began looking for a job last month and 267,000 people who were out of work, said that they now hold jobs. The hiring of those people dropped the number of unemployed people to under 9 million.

There were 27,100 jobs added in retail, while restaurants, hotels and entertainment added 52,000 jobs.

There were 15,000 jobs added in manufacturing, which is an increase of 9,000 from September. Transportation added 13,300 jobs and professional and business services added 37,000 jobs.

A survey from the Institute for Supply Management found that manufacturers in the United States are expanding at the quickest pace in three years.

Sales of homes rose at the quickest rate this year in the month of September, which means the industry could rebound after performing poorly most of the year.

Will the economy continue to improve? Use our poll below to share your thoughts.

Loading ...

Image credit: mapsofworld.com

Jim Vassallo: Jim is a freelance writer based out of the suburbs of Philadelphia in New Jersey. Jim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and minor in Journalism from Rowan University in 2008. While in school he was the Assistant Sports Director at WGLS for two years and the Sports Director for one year. He also covered the football, baseball, softball and both basketball teams for the school newspaper 'The Whit.' Jim lives in New Jersey with his wife Nicole, son Tony and dog Phoebe.

Follow Jim Vassallo on Google+