The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported September 2nd hiring in the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in August, while unfilled positions in the sector further declined.
In August, U.S. manufacturers added 22,000 new positions, slightly lower than the 30,000 jobs the sector added in July. Meanwhile, the economy added 315,000 jobs and the unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.7%.
Additionally, the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover survey finds the number of job openings in manufacturing declined further to a preliminary 846,000 in July.
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Today, we’re exploring the most recent manufacturing numbers from the Labor Department, providing the gains and losses by specific subsector, as well as the latest in manufacturing job openings.
In August, manufacturing job gains were largely led by the durable goods sector, which increased by 19,000 jobs. Non-durable goods added another 3,000 jobs.
Gains in durable goods were dominated for a second straight month by the fabricated metals sector, which added 4,700 jobs. The computer and electronic products sector added another 4,500 jobs and semiconductors and electronic components another 3,100. Transportation equipment, machinery and nonmetallic mineral products also added significant numbers of jobs.
On the non-durable durable goods side, job gains were overwhelmingly led by the chemicals sector, up 3,500 jobs. This is the second straight month of job gains for the chemicals sector, which added 3,700 jobs in July. Printing and related support activities and apparel also added jobs in August.
Manufacturing job losses in August were minimal, largely concentrated in the non-durable goods sector. Losses were led by food manufacturing, which fell by 2,400 jobs. Other losses included textile product mills (-1,000); communications equipment (-800); and paper products (-700).
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