Healthcare was once again a leader among the number of jobs added to the economy in July, according to the most recent jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Total nonfarm payroll employment rose 157,000 in July, edging the unemployment rate down to 3.9 percent.
The healthcare sector recently surpassed all other sectors as the largest employer in the nation in December 2017.
In July, healthcare and social assistance employment rose 34,000. Over the year, healthcare employment has grown by 286,000. Hospitals added 7,000 jobs during the month, while social assistance, individual and family services added 16,000 jobs in July and 77,000 jobs over the year, according to the BLS.
Other leaders in job creation included professional and business services (51,000 jobs in July) and manufacturing (37,000 jobs in July).
The 157,000 jobs reported came in below the average monthly gain of 203,000 jobs over the prior 12 months.
Amy joined TriMed Media as a Senior Writer for HealthExec after covering home care for three years. When not writing about all things healthcare, she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a pirate by sailing in regattas and enjoying rum. Fun fact: she sailed 333 miles across Lake Michigan in the Chicago Yacht Club "Race to Mackinac."