The report summarizes the labor market situation in October. Total nonfarm employment increased 214,000 and private sector employment increased 209,000. Several industries such as leisure and hospitality, education and health services, and professional and business services saw significant gains in employment. The unemployment rate remained steady and labor force participation was unchanged from October 2013.

1. The Labor Market Situation in October
November 12, 2014
Heidi Shierholz, Ph.D.
Chief Economist
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

2. Total nonfarm employment increased 214,000
1-month change, in thousands
• October 2014 214
• September 2014 256
• August 2014 203
12-month change, in thousands
• September 2013 to 2014: 2,643
• Average: 220
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics www.bls.gov/ces
1 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 1

3. Private sector employment increased 209,000
1-month change, in thousands
• October 2014 209
• September 2014 244
• August 2014 200
12-month change, in thousands
• September 2013 to 2014: 2,583
• Average: 215
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics www.bls.gov/ces
2 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 2

4. Employment growth by super-sector this month
Over-the-month employment change,
October 2014, seasonally adjusted, in thousands
Over-the-month employment change,
October 2013, seasonally adjusted, in thousands
0.4%
0.2%
0.2%
0.2%
0.1%
0.3%
0.2%
0.1%
0.0%
0.0%
0.1%
0.1%
0.1%
-0.1% -4
3
3
1
0
5
9
13
12
15
27
37
41
52
Leisure and Hospitality*
Education and Health Services*
Professional and Business Services
Retail Trade*
Manufacturing
Transportation and Warehousing
Construction
Wholesale Trade
Government
Financial Activities
Other Services
Mining and Logging*
Utilities
Information
1-Month Net Change
Prior 12-month average
-15.0 0.0 15.0 30.0 45.0 60.0
*denotes significance
*denotes significance Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics www.bls.gov/ces
3 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 3

5. Unemployment rounded down,
Long-term unemployment was unchanged
Civilian unemployment rate, by duration of unemployment,
January 1990 to September 2014, seasonally adjusted
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey www.bls.gov/cps
4 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 4

6. Labor force participation steady since October 2013
Civilian Labor Force Participation Rate,
January 1990 to October 2014, seasonally adjusted
October 2014: 62.8 %
September 2014: 62.7 %
August 2014: 62.8 %
October 2013: 62.8 %
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey www.bls.gov/cps
5 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 5

7. Employment rate age 25 to 54, essentially flat this month
significantly up from October 2013
Employment-to-Population Ratio and Labor Force Participation,
age 25 to 54, January 1990 to September 2014, seasonally adjusted
Employment to Population
October 2014: 76.9 %
September 2014: 76.7 %
August 2014: 76.8 %
October 2013: 75.5 %
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey www.bls.gov/cps
Labor Force Participation
October 2014: 80.8 %
September 2014: 80.7 %
August 2014: 81.1 %
October 2013: 80.6 %
6 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 6

8. What’s going on with part-time employment?
Part time for economic reasons,
as a percent of total employment, seasonally adjusted, 2004 to 2014
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey www.bls.gov/cps
7 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 7

9. 2.2 million jobseekers found employment,
2.1 million dropped out of the labor force
Labor Force Status Flows out of Unemployment,
January 1990 to October 2014, seasonally adjusted
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey www.bls.gov/cps
8 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 8

10. Hourly earnings growth has remained flat at 2.0%,
but low inflation has resulted in some small real wage growth
Average hourly earnings, all private sector employees,
January 2007 to October 2014, seasonally adjusted
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics, www.bls.gov/ces
9 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 9

11. Gulf War II-era Veterans have elevated unemployment rates
Unemployment Rate for Veterans
2009 to 2014, 12-month moving average not seasonally adjusted
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey www.bls.gov/cps
10 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 10

12. Young Veterans in particular face challenges
Unemployment Rate for Veterans age 20 to 24
2009 to 2014, 12-month moving average not seasonally adjusted
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey www.bls.gov/cps
11 Filename/RPS Number Office of Economic Policy 11

13. Gulf War-era II women’s unemployment rate similar to
men’s for that era
Unemployment Rate for Veterans by period of service and gender
2013 annual averages
12 Filename/RPS Number Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office Current Population of Economic Survey www.bls.Policy gov/cps
12

14. Dr. Heidi Shierholz
Chief Economist
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR