American Unemployment Over 10%

 
 
November 3rd, 2009 • Related • Filed Under

America’s unemployment rate rose above the 10 per cent mark in October to reach a 26-year high after jobless figures rose by 190,000 last month. The largest job losses in October were in construction, manufacturing, and retail trade. The unemployment rate rose from 9.8 in September to 10.2 percent.

Health care employment continued to increase in October with an extra 29,000 jobs. Since the start of the recession, health care has added 597,000 positions. Temporary help services also added 34,000 jobs in October.

Average weekly earnings rose by only 0.9 percent to $619.63 (£372.82) due to a fall in the average working week.

October 2009 weekly earnings by industry sector

Industry Average Weekly Earnings $ (£) 12 Month % change
Natural resources and mining 1009 (£607) -2.9
Construction 857 (£516) -1.1
Manufacturing/Durable Goods 739 (£445) 2.8
Manufacturing/Nondurable Goods 666 (£401) 1.0
Wholesale trade 787 (£473) 2.0
Retail trade 389 (£234) 1.4
Transportation and
warehousing		 685 (£412) 2.0
Utilities 1249 (£751) 0.8
Information 937 (£564) 1.3
Financial activities 748 (£450) 2.7
Professional and business services 775 (£466) 3.3
Education and health services 630 (£379) 2.1
Leisure and hospitality 272 (£163) -0.5
Other services 501 (£301) 0.9

exchange rate £1 =$1.662

 

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