The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Friday that the US unemployment rate remained relatively unchanged for the third consecutive month at 9.6 percent. This is despite the fact that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 151,000 in October.
The number of overall unemployed persons was little changed in October, still hovering around 14.8 million, however since December 2009, nonfarm payroll employment has risen by 874,000.
The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks and over) was unchanged over the month at 6.2 million. In October, 41.8 percent of unemployed persons had been jobless for 27 weeks or more.
The number of involuntary part-time workers, those working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job, fell by 318,000 over the month to 9.2 million, partially offsetting large increases in the prior 2 months.
Mining employment continued to trend up (+8,000) over the month-the sector has added 88,000 total jobs since October of last year.
Employment in manufacturing fell in October (-7,000), but overall employment rates have been little changed since May. The industry has added 134,000 total jobs during the first 5 months of this year.
Elsewhere in the private sector, employment in construction, wholesale trade, transportation, information, and financial activities showed little change in October.