The transportation sector gained 9,900 jobs in January, rising from 4.55 million jobs in December to 4.56 million jobs in January, according to statistics released Friday by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
In comparison, overall employment in the U.S. increased by 113,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate fell to 6.6 percent.
The couriers and messengers sector of transportation experienced the highest number of gains, rising from 562,800 jobs in December to 572,900 in January — an increase of 10,100 jobs.
Warehousing and storage saw the highest number of losses in the industry, falling from 723,500 jobs in December to 718,300 jobs in January — a decline of 5,200 jobs.
Water transportation was, again, the only transportation sector to hold steady in January, maintaining 66,100 jobs for the third consecutive month.
See monthly changes in transportation jobs below:
Sector |
December 2013 (number of jobs) |
January 2013 (number of jobs) |
Change (month over month) |
Transportation and warehousing |
4,552,700 |
4,562,600 |
+9,900 |
Air transportation |
453,900 |
453,700 |
-200 |
Rail transportation |
233,000 |
232,100 |
-900 |
Water transportation |
66,100 |
66,100 |
0 |
Truck transportation |
1,387,900 |
1,391,100 |
+3,200 |
Transit and ground passenger transportation |
453,600 |
450,800 |
-2,800 |
Pipeline transportation |
44,700 |
45,000 |
+300 |
Scenic and sightseeing transportation |
29,300 |
29,900 |
+600 |
Support activities for transportation |
597,900 |
602,700 |
+4,800 |
Couriers and messengers |
562,800 |
572,900 |
+10,100 |
Warehousing and storage |
723,500 |
718,300 |
-5,200 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics