Articles Index

The Employment Situation: February 2005
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 262,000 in February and the unemployment rate edged up to 5.4 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Job growth occurred in both goods-producing and service-providing industries.

The Employment Situation: January 2005
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 146,000 in January and the unemployment rate decreased to 5.2 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Job growth continued in several service-providing industries, while manufacturing employment declined over the month.

Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation: February 2005
Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 262,000 in February, with job gains occurring across a range of industries. The unemployment rate returned to 5.4 percent in February after dipping to 5.2 percent in January.[p]

Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation: January 2005
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 146,000 in January, and the unemployment rate decreased to 5.2 percent. Since its most recent low point in May 2003, payroll employment has increased by 2.7 million and is now just above the employment peak reached in February 2001.

Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation: December 2004
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 157,000 in December 2004, with gains occurring in several service-providing industries. A total of 2.2 million jobs were added to payrolls in 2004. The unemployment rate was unchanged in December at 5.4 percent but was down from 5.7 percent a year earlier.

The Employment Situation: December 2004
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 157,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.4 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Job growth continued in several service-providing industries.

The Employment Situation: November 2004
Employment rose in November, and the unemployment rate, at 5.4 percent, was essentially unchanged, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 112,000 over the month, with job gains in several service-providing industries.

Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation: November 2004
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 112,000 in November, following a gain of 303,000 in October. Since its most recent low point in August 2003, payroll employment has increased by 2.3 million, or 152,000 per month. In November, there were job gains in health care and social assistance, professional and technical services, and other service-providing industries.