BLS: Economy Adds 165,000 Jobs in October, Triple the Yearly Pace

The U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in October, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday, more than triple the 48,000-a-month average of the prior 12 months.

"Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 165,000 in October, and the unemployment rate changed little at 4.1 percent," the agency said. The rate has held between 4.1 and 4.3 percent since March.

Professional and business services led with 70,000 new jobs, against a 12-month average of 15,000. Health care added 42,000, and transportation and warehousing gained 25,000, led by couriers and messengers (+17,000).

Manufacturing added 19,000 jobs and, in BLS's words, "continued to trend up." Mining, construction, retail, information, financial activities and government showed little change.

The numbers arrive as Republicans digest midterm losses driven, by Fox News's account, by voter anger over costs and the Iran war. A hiring pace this far above trend gives the White House something concrete to point to as it argues over the economy with the incoming Democratic majorities. One month does not make a trend, and 4.1 percent unemployment is flat, not falling. But the direction is the right one.