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Temp Jobs Jump by 45,000 in February

March 09, 2012

The number of U.S. temporary help jobs rose by 45,200 in February to approximately 2.47 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, the number of jobs in the temporary employment category were up by 214,300 in February from February 2011.

The temporary help penetration rate rose to 1.86 percent in February, up from 1.83 percent in January.

The employment services category added 61,100 jobs in February for a total of approximately 3.15 million jobs. The employment services category includes temporary help services as well as employment placement agencies, executive search services and professional employer organizations.

Overall, the U.S. gained 227,000 jobs in February, according to seasonally adjusted numbers from the bureau. In addition, the U.S. unemployment rate was unchanged at 8.3 percent in February from January. The college-level unemployment rate, which can serve as a proxy for professional employment, was 4.2 percent in February, also unchanged from January’s reading.

The private sector gained 233,000 jobs in February. In the goods-producing sector, manufacturing added 31,000 jobs.

Construction was little changed, losing 13,000 jobs in February. Government employment was also little changed in February compared to January; it was down 6,000 jobs.

Leisure and hospitality added 44,000 jobs in January with much of the gain, 40,800, in food services and drinking places. Employment in the healthcare and social assistance category rose by 61,000 jobs.