The non-farm private sector added 246,000 jobs in January, according to the ADP National Employment Report. December’s figure was revised downward slightly to 151,000. Service-providing jobs accounted for most of the month’s growth, while goods-producing employment rose as well.
Growth was widespread in December with businesses of all sizes seeing strong increases. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees added 62,000 jobs, while medium-sized businesses with 50-499 employees added 102,000 jobs. Large businesses added 83,000 jobs.
“The U.S. labor market is hitting on all cylinders and we saw small and midsized businesses perform exceptionally well,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “Further analysis shows that services gains have rebounded from their tepid December pace, adding 201,000 jobs. The goods producers added 46,000 jobs, which is the strongest job growth that sector has seen in the last two years.”
Service-providing employment rose by 201,000 jobs, driven by the professional and business services sector which added 71,000 jobs. Health care and social assistance jobs also increased, adding 49,000 jobs. Goods-producing employment increased by 46,000 jobs. The construction industry led the gain, adding 25,000 jobs.
Read the ADP report.