May's Labor Report Shows Sizeable Gains

May saw an increase of 157,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.5 percent, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Following existing trends, health care and food services added jobs, while manufacturing employment numbers continued to slide. Average hourly earnings rose by 6 cents, or 0.3 percent, over the month.

In reporting on May's numbers, USA Today noted that the jobs increase was higher than economists had expected, and nearly double the number of jobs created in April.

Most of the manufacturing layoffs were in the sagging auto industry. Overall, manufacturing employers have cut their ranks by 164,000 jobs over the past 12 months.

Construction was essentially flat during the month – somewhat surprising given the continuing recession in the housing market. Still, construction employment is down 54,000 from its peak in September.

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