March, April
Revisions to the prior two months’ payrolls reports subtracted a total of 12,000 jobs to the employment count in March and April.
Private payrolls, which don’t include government agencies, increased 178,000 in May after a 157,000 gain the prior month.
Employment at factories declined for a third month, falling 8,000 in May after a 9,000 decrease in the previous month, today’s report showed. While manufacturing is cooling, strength in the auto industry is encouraging hiring. The motor vehicle industry added 2,400 jobs in May.
Employment at private service-providers climbed 179,000 last month. Construction companies added 7,000 workers, and retailers took on 27,700 employees, the most in six months. Temporary-help agencies added 25,600 jobs in May.
The so-called underemployment rate -- which includes part- time workers who’d prefer a full-time position and people who want work but have given up looking -- decreased to 13.8 percent from 13.9 percent.
Discouraged Workers
The number of discouraged workers fell to 780,000 in May, the fewest since September 2009, according to agency data that aren’t adjusted for seasonal variations.
For some people like Daniel McCune, the road to employment has been difficult. The 26-year-old has struggled to find work since earning his college degree in 2009.
“It was probably the worst possible time to graduate,” McCune said. “It’s a tough situation to be in, from 2009 to just about now.”