June's Labor Report Bodes Well for Job Seekers

Approximately 132,000 jobs were added to the nation's non-farm payroll in June, keeping the unemployment rate a relatively low 4.5 percent. And job growth in April and May was stronger than previously reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. Economists quoted in The Washington Post pointed to June's job growth and wage gains as signs that the economy is brightening.

"The economy seems poised to return to its full potential," said Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist at LaSalle Bank, in the Post article. "Employers are seeking opportunities to add to their talent pools. The demand for labor is being driven by very solid demand for goods and services."

Hiring in education, health services, leisure, hospitality, and government drove overall job growth last month. Even construction companies added workers, despite the real-estate downturn. June's employment gains swamped job cuts at factories, retailers, and certain professional and business services.

Revised numbers for earlier months show that payrolls grew by a strong 190,000 in May, versus the 157,000 new jobs the government previously reported. In April, 122,000 positions were added, much higher than the 80,000 jobs reported.

Average hourly earning rose to $17.38, a 0.3 percent increase from May. That matched the rise anticipated by economists. Over the last 12 months, wages grew by 3.9 percent.

Across the country, the length of peoples' job hunt was little changed. The job search averaged 16.8 weeks in June, up slightly from 16.7 weeks in May.

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