Transportation loses 600 jobs in December

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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.