The transportation sector lost 600 jobs in December, dipping from 4.5366 million jobs in November to 4.536 million jobs in December, 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 74,000 jobs in December, while the unemployment rate decreased 0.3 percent.
The couriers and messengers sector of transportation experienced the highest number of losses, dropping from 554,400 jobs in November to 548,000 in December — a decrease of 6,400 jobs.
Air transportation saw the highest number of gains in the industry, rising from 449,600 jobs in November to 451,600 jobs in December — an improvement of 2,000 jobs.
Water transportation was the only transportation sector to hold steady in December, maintaining 63,400 jobs from November to December.
See monthly changes in transportation jobs below:
Sector |
November 2013 (number of jobs) |
December 2013 (number of jobs) |
Change (month over month) |
Transportation and warehousing |
4,536,600 |
4,536,000 |
-600 |
Air transportation |
449,600 |
451,600 |
+2,000 |
Rail transportation |
229,900 |
230,400 |
+500 |
Water transportation |
63,400 |
63,400 |
0 |
Truck transportation |
1,395,500 |
1,395,600 |
+100 |
Transit and ground passenger transportation |
477,000 |
478,300 |
+1,300 |
Pipeline transportation |
45,600 |
45,400 |
-200 |
Scenic and sightseeing transportation |
25,100 |
25,700 |
+600 |
Support activities for transportation |
591,600 |
592,400 |
+800 |
Couriers and messengers |
544,400 |
548,000 |
-6,400 |
Warehousing and storage |
704,500 |
705,200 |
+700 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
For more information about U.S. employment in December, view the full report here.