According to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), trucking employment fell slightly in September. Ending a six-month growth streak, the number of workers employed by for-hire trucking companies fell just below 1 percent month-on-month.
The growth in shipping activity that began in February because of increased freight demand continued through August and resulted in a 6.1 percent six-month hiring surge. Overall job numbers, which are not seasonally adjusted, reflect that trucking employment still remains weak, despite the increased demand for drivers.
Despite the six-month growth period seen in Q1 and Q2, BLS data also shows that for-hire trucking firms still employed about 1 percent fewer workers than it had a year ago, and 9.3 percent less than in September 2008.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, overall US nonfarm payroll employment lost 95,000 jobs in September, and the unemployment rate was unchanged in the month.