The American economy added jobs across the architecture and construction industries in September, according to today's jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Overall, the economy added 248,000 nonfarm jobs in September, which is 68,000 more than in August. (The BLS initially reported that the economy added 142,000 jobs in August, but the bureau frequently updates the numbers in subsequent releases.) The overall job growth reported by the BLS is 35,000 more than the growth that payroll company ADP and Moody's Analytics reported on Wednesday. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.9 percent, which is the lowest rate since July of 2008.
Architectural and engineering services added 6,000 jobs, up from 2,600 jobs added in August, which makes September one of the industry's strongest months in 2014. Construction job growth remained about the same, adding 16,000 jobs in both August and September. Manufacturing was brought back to July's employment number by adding 4,000 jobs after a 4,000 job loss in August.
Residential construction added 11,800 jobs, and nonresidential construction added 3,200 jobs. Despite a small loss of 300 jobs in August, heavy and civil engineering construction added 500 jobs in September. Specialty trade contractors added 8,800 jobs overall, down from 11,300 jobs added in August.
Charts: Maggie Goldstone; Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
