The U.S. jobless rate edged up to 7.9 percent in October and the number of temp jobs rose by 13,600, or 0.5 percent, to approximately 2.54 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the number of temporary help services jobs in September was revised down by 7,100 from the initially reported number.

October’s increase represented little change in the number of temporary help services jobs, and the number of temp jobs has shown little change over the past three months, according to the BLS.

The number of temporary help services jobs increased by 13,600 in October from September for total employment in the industry of 2.54 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The temporary employment penetration rate in October inched up to 1.90 percent from 1.89 percent in September.

Year-over-year, the number of temp jobs rose by 182,400.

Total U.S. nonfarm employment rose by 171,000 in October for a total of 133.76 million jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers. In addition, the BLS revised the number of jobs in September upward by 84,000.

October’s unemployment rate rose to 7.9 percent from September’s 7.8 percent. However, the college-level unemployment rate fell to 3.8 percent in October from 4.1 percent in September. The college-level unemployment rate can serve as a proxy for professional employment.

Industries adding jobs in October included healthcare, up 31,000 jobs; retail trade, up 36,000 jobs; and leisure and hospitality, up 28,000 jobs.

Employment in the “employment services industry” rose by 15,800 jobs to approximately 3.20 million. The employment services industry is a broad category that includes temporary help services as well as jobs in employment placements agencies, executive search services and professional employer organizations.

Hurricane Sandy had no effect on employment data for October, according to the BLS.