Based on more complete reporting from employers, previously released October estimates were revised higher by 1,400 jobs, resulting in an over-the-month (September-October) gain of 4,000 jobs. Preliminary estimates indicated a gain of 2,600.

In November, industries with significant job gains included construction (+4,500 jobs), professional and business services (+3,900), education and health services (+2,800), other services (+2,200) and financial activities (+2,000). The advance in construction was mainly due to gains in the construction of buildings and heavy/civil engineering categories. The gain in professional and business services was due to hiring in the administrative support/waste management/remediation segment (+6,300) which saw increased employment at temporary help agencies. Smaller increases were recorded in manufacturing (+900) and information (+500).

Industries that experienced job contraction were leisure and hospitality (-4,500), trade, transportation and utilities (-2,900) and mining and logging (-100). In leisure and hospitality job losses were recorded in the arts, entertainment, and recreation (-2,600) and accommodation and in the food services (-1,900) segments. Less-than-expected seasonal hiring for the holiday shopping season was reflected in lower payrolls in the retail trade   (-3,600) component.

Public sector employment was little changed in November, up by 700, as modest gains at the local (+1,100) and federal (+100) levels were partially offset by a drop in state employment (-500).

Over the month, the unadjusted workweek for manufacturing workers was unchanged at 40.4 hours. Average hourly earnings decreased by -$0.02 to $18.75 and weekly earnings were down by -$0.81 to $757.50. Compared with November of last year, the unadjusted workweek was lower by -1.3 hours, average hourly earnings increased by $0.91 and weekly earnings were up by $13.57.