Payroll employment in September

Total nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged in September at 130.9 million. In the prior 4 months, employment had increased by 217,000, including a gain of 107,000 (as revised) in August.

[Chart data—TXT]

Manufacturing employment decreased by 35,000 in September. Job losses have accelerated over the last 2 months, following a moderation in declines between March and July.

Transportation employment fell by 26,000 in September. Employment in communications continued to decline in September; since April 2001, the industry has lost 145,000 jobs.

Finance employment grew by 9,000 over the month, with most of the gain occurring among mortgage bankers (+6,000). Over the past year, mortgage banking has added 44,000 jobs. Federal government employment (excluding postal workers) was up in September, mainly due to the hiring of additional airport security workers.

Payroll employment data are from the Current Employment Statistics program. The above data are seasonally adjusted. Data for August and September 2002 are preliminary and subject to revision. For more information, see " The Employment Situation: September 2002", (PDF) (TXT) news release USDL. 02-570.