In Your Industry

As economic progress continued, many industries recorded employment increases in December


As 2011 concluded and millions of Americans celebrated the holiday season, many employers prepared for 2012 by hiring new employees.

According to the BLS’s “The Employment Situation – December 2011” report, such hiring increases were noticed in the following industries –

  • Healthcare: For yet another month, hiring rose within the healthcare industry in December, as 23,000 jobs were added to the national economy. Hospitals created approximately half of these new positions.
  • Leisure and hospitality: As entertainment purchases increased during the holiday season, so did hiring, especially within the leisure and hospitality industry. Roughly 21,000 new positions were added to the industry in December.
  • Manufacturing: Of all the nation’s major industries, perhaps the manufacturing industry noticed the most substantial hiring increases throughout the month. After five successive months of stagnant growth, employment increased by 23,000 within the industry in December.
  • Mining: The industry added 7,000 new positions in December, which was near the year’s monthly average, as 89,000 professionals were hired in 2011.
  • Professional and business services: Monthly employment figures rose by 12,000 within the industry in December. On average, nearly 42,000 jobs were added each month in 2011.
  • Retail trade: In anticipation of last minute holiday shoppers, the industry created 28,000 new positions from the beginning of December until Christmas week. Employment increased by 240,000 throughout 2011.