Jobs added in June, but not in manufacturing

Nonfarm employment increased by 146,000 in June, and the unemployment rate continued to trend down, reaching 5.0 percent—down from 5.1 percent in May and the lowest since September 2001—the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported July 13.

Over the month, payroll employment continued to grow in several industries, notably professional and business services and health care. However, manufacturing cut 24,000 jobs in June, the fourth consecutive month of manufacturing job loss.

Motor vehicles and parts lost 18,000 jobs over the month. Job losses in nondurable goods manufacturing were small but widespread, totaling 12,000. These declines were offset partially by a gain of 7,000 in computer and electronic products. Elsewhere in the goods-producing sector, both mining and construction employment continued to trend up over the month.