Government employment continued its upward trend, adding 33,000 jobs in December, bolstered by state government hiring (+10,000). However, the sector’s monthly average growth of 37,000 jobs in 2024 trailed the 59,000 average recorded in 2023.
Retail Trade Rebounds After November Decline
Retail trade employment rose by 43,000 in December, recovering from a 29,000-job loss in November. Gains were concentrated in clothing, accessory, and shoe retailers (+23,000), general merchandise retailers (+13,000), and health and personal care stores (+7,000). Despite this boost, retail employment remained flat for the year, reflecting slower consumer activity compared to prior periods.
Wages and Workweek Remain Steady
Average hourly earnings for private nonfarm payroll employees increased by 0.3% in December, reaching $35.69. This brought the annual wage growth to 3.9%, indicating…
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