The non-farm private sector added 271,000 jobs in December, according to the ADP National Employment Report. This followed a 179,000 job increase in November.
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees gained 89,000 jobs. Medium-sized businesses with 50-499 employees created 129,000, while large businesses added 54,000 jobs.
“We wrapped up 2018 with another month of significant growth in the labor market,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “Although there were increases in most sectors, the busy holiday season greatly impacted both trade and leisure and hospitality. Small businesses also experienced their strongest month of job growth all year.”
Service-providing employment rose by 224,000 jobs, driven by the Professional/business services and Education/health services, which added 66,000 and 61,000 respectively. The leisure and hospitality sector had another robust report, adding 39,000 jobs. Goods-producing employment grew by 47,000 jobs. Both the manufacturing and construction industries gained 12,000 and 32,000 jobs respectively. Natural Resources/mining decreased by 2,000 jobs.
Read the ADP report.
