Boston transportation jobs climb

Posted on December 6, 2018

The number of Boston transportation jobs has grown, according to recent labor statistics.

Payroll employment increased by 250,000 in October, following an average monthly gain of 211,000 over the prior 12 months. In October, job growth occurred in health care, in manufacturing, in construction, and in transportation and warehousing.

Health care added 36,000 jobs in October. Within the industry, employment growth occurred in hospitals (+13,000) and in nursing and residential care facilities (+8,000).

Employment in ambulatory health care services continued to trend up (+14,000). Over the past 12 months, health care employment grew by 323,000. In October, employment in manufacturing increased by 32,000. Most of the increase occurred in durable goods manufacturing, with a gain in transportation equipment (+10,000).

Manufacturing has added 296,000 jobs over the year, largely in durable goods industries. Construction employment rose by 30,000 in October, with nearly half of the gain occurring among residential specialty trade contractors (+14,000). Over the year, construction has added 330,000 jobs.

Transportation and warehousing added 25,000 jobs in October. Within the industry, employment growth occurred in couriers and messengers (+8,000) and in warehousing and storage (+8,000). Over the year, employment in transportation and warehousing has increased by 184,000.

Employment in leisure and hospitality edged up in October (+42,000). Employment was unchanged in September, likely reflecting the impact of Hurricane Florence. The average gain for the 2 months combined (+21,000) was the same as the average monthly gain in the industry for the 12-month period prior to September. In October, employment in professional and business services continued to trend up (+35,000).

Over the year, the industry has added 516,000 jobs. Employment in mining also continued to trend up over the month (+5,000). The industry has added 65,000 jobs over the year, with most of the gain in support activities for mining. Employment in other major industries–including wholesale trade, retail trade, information, financial activities, and government–showed little change over the month.