The May decline in temporary help payrolls, of 6,500 jobs, was the smallest since December 2007, continuing a trend of diminishing temp losses. It's also noteworthy that the temporary share of total employment losses has been moderating — in the first half of 2008, temporary job losses accounted for about a quarter of all jobs lost, but that share has been declining and in the last three months averaged just 8%. May's temporary payrolls nonetheless represented a decline of 26.9% versus the year earlier.

Total staffing employment is declining in virtually every major metro market in the U.S., but less so in some than others. The high-ground is currently in three areas: 1) California, which has three of the top five best-performing markets, 2) Virginia and DC, and 3) Texas as well as just north of the state and to a lesser degree around the gulf generally.

Total nonfarm job losses were also much less severe, at 345,000 jobs cut versus the roughly 650,000 level experienced in the four preceding months. Big sector losers included manufacturing — down 156,000 jobs, construction — off 59,000, professional services (apart from temporary staffing) — 45,000, and retail and wholesale trade together — off 40,000 jobs. Losses for the month moderated versus 12-month trend in nine of 13 major employment categories, most notably in professional services, retail trade and leisure/hospitality.

The only industry to see significant job growth was education and health, which added 44,000 jobs, above its 12-month average of 35,000.