According to BLS job numbers released in December 2016, the US added 2.2 million jobs to the economy in 2016. This is down from a 2.7 million increase in 2015. Healthcare saw the most growth, averaging 35,000 new jobs per month, roughly on par with 2015 numbers.
Growth in food services and transportation, on the other hand, slowed in 2016. Positions in food and drink service increased by only 247,000 jobs, compared to 359,000 in 2015. Transportation and warehousing positions grew by only 62,000 positions, a more than 40% decrease compared to 2015 growth.
Overall unemployment rates remain steady at 4.7% in 2016, down from 5% at the end of 2015.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Employment Situation, December 2016.
