Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 128,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 3.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Notable job gains occurred in food services and drinking places, social assistance, and financial activities. Within manufacturing, employment in motor vehicles and parts decreased due to strike activity. Federal government employment was down, reflecting a drop in the number of temporary jobs for the 2020 Census.

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Federal government employment was down by 17,000 over the month, as 20,000 temporary workers who had been preparing for the 2020 Census completed their work.

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The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for August was revised up by 51,000 from +168,000 to +219,000, and the change for September was revised up by 44,000 from +136,000 to +180,000. With these revisions, employment gains in August and September combined were 95,000 more than previously reported.

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In October, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 6 cents to $28.18. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.0 percent.

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Click on graph for larger image.

From the BLS The first graph shows the monthly change in payroll jobs, ex-Census (meaning the impact of the decennial Census temporary hires and layoffs is removed - mostly in 2010 - to show the underlying payroll changes).Total payrolls increased by 148 thousand in October ex-Census (private payrolls increased 131 thousand).Payrolls for August and September were revised up 95 thousand combined. This graph shows the year-over-year change in total non-farm employment since 1968.In October, the year-over-year change was 2.093 million jobs.The third graph shows the employment population ratio and the participation rate. The Labor Force Participation Rate increased in October to 63.3%. This is the percentage of the working age population in the labor force. A large portion of the recent decline in the participation rate is due to demographics and long term trends.The Employment-Population ratio was unchanged at 61.0% (black line).I'll post the 25 to 54 age group employment-population ratio graph later. The fourth graph shows the unemployment rate.The unemployment rate increased in October to 3.6%.This was well above consensus expectations of 93,000 jobs added, and August and September were revised up by 95,000 combined. A strong report, especially considering the GM strike, Census layoffs, and the upward revisions.I'll have much more later ...