Healthcare took the lead over all other sectors in November hiring, having added 32,100 new jobs during the month.
Professional and business services was a close second, having added 32,000 new jobs. Total nonfarm employment grew by 155,000 jobs in November, compared with an average monthly gain of 209,000 over the prior 12 months. The U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' November jobs report released Friday.
The manufacturing sector added 27,000 jobs during the month, and transportation and warehousing added 25,000. Retail trade made 18,000 new hires.
As usual, ambulatory services dominated hiring last month, adding 19,200 jobs and comprising 60% of new healthcare hires. The ambulatory sector surpassed its October job creation by 35%.
Hospitals continued their healthy hiring streak in November, having added 12,700 jobs, down about 2% from October.
Outpatient care centers led the ambulatory sector hiring, adding 5,800 jobs in November, up 61% from the previous month. Physicians' offices added 5,500 jobs, 49% more than in October. Hiring was down 91% in dentists' offices, which added 300 jobs in November. Home healthcare added 4,000 jobs last month, while medical and diagnostic laboratories shed 900 jobs.
Nursing and residential care facility hiring was down significantly, having made only 200 hires in the month, compared with 8,400 in October. Within that sector, residential mental health facilities lost 900 jobs, while nursing care facilities made 900 new hires.
