Total nonfarm payroll employment essentially unchanged in October 2024

Total nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged in October 2024 (+12,000), following an average monthly gain of 194,000 over the prior 12 months. Private-sector employment changed little in October (−28,000), while government employment continued to trend up (+40,000).

Within the private sector, health care added 52,000 jobs in October, in line with the average monthly gain of 58,000 over the prior 12 months. Over the month, employment rose in ambulatory health care services (+36,000) and nursing and residential care facilities (+9,000).

Employment in temporary help services declined by 49,000 in October. Temporary help services employment has decreased by 577,000 since reaching a peak in March 2022. Manufacturing employment decreased by 46,000 in October, reflecting a decline of 44,000 in transportation equipment manufacturing that was largely due to strike activity.

Employment in government continued its upward trend in October (+40,000), similar to its average monthly gain of 43,000 over the prior 12 months. Over the month, employment continued to trend up in state government (+18,000).

These data are from the Current Employment Statistics program and are seasonally adjusted. To learn more, see "The Employment Situation — October 2024." Also see more charts of national employment, hours, and earnings data.