US Added 263,000 Jobs in November, Led by Hospitality Sector

The U.S. economy added 263,000 non-farm jobs in November.

This increase was roughly in line with the average growth of 282,000 that has been recorded over the prior three months, but lower than the average of 392,000 seen thus far in 2022, according to a Friday (Dec. 2) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The unemployment rate was unchanged in November. At 3.7%, the rate remained within the range of 3.5% to 3.7% that has been seen since March. The number of people unemployed was essentially unchanged at 6 million, the release said.

The sectors that led the job gains in November were leisure and hospitality, healthcare and government, while notable losses occurred in retail trade and in transportation and warehousing, per the release.

Leisure and hospitality employment increased by 88,000 in November, with food services and drinking places accounting for 62,000 of that total.

“Employment in leisure and hospitality is below its pre-pandemic February 2020 level by 980,000, or 5.8%,” BLS said in the release.

Healthcare employment was up by 45,000, including additions of 23,000 jobs in ambulatory healthcare services, 11,000 in hospitals and 10,000 in nursing and residential care facilities.

Government added 42,000 jobs in November, with 32,000 of those being in local government.

The month’s biggest job losses occurred in retail trade. Employment in this sector was down by 30,000, with losses of 32,000 jobs in general merchandise stores, 4,000 in electronics and appliance stores, and 3,000 in furniture and home furnishings stores partially offset by the 10,000 jobs added in motor vehicle and parts dealers.

“Retail trade employment has fallen by 62,000 since August,” BLS said in the release.

Transportation and warehousing also saw a drop in employment in November, losing 15,000 jobs. There were losses of 13,000 jobs in warehousing and storage and 12,000 in couriers and messengers, which were partially offset by a gain of 4,000 jobs in air transportation.

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