by John Zappe
For the sixth consecutive month, the U.S. added more than 200,000 new jobs, a streak not seen since 1997.
Data from the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics said 209,000 new jobs were created in July across a broad swath of industries.The agency also adjusted upward by 15,000 its initial numbers for May and June.
Healthcare, one of the consistently strong growth areas throughout the last several years, added 21,500 workers, though hospitals and nursing homes and care facilities cut a combined 14,300. Temp employment was up, but by 8,500 workers, the smallest increase since October.
Manufacturing, construction, retail, financial services, leisure and hospitality, all saw significant increases., a sign that despite some bumps, employers are confident enough to add jobs.
Although the BLS said unemployment nosed up slightly to 6.2%, that was caused by a trickle of additional workers, perhaps buoyed by the improving economy, reentering the labor market.
