November Boosts Trucking Employment After October Decline

Overview of Trucking Industry Indicators

The CCJ’s Indicators provide a summary of the latest findings regarding trucking business metrics such as rates, freight, equipment, and economic trends.

Job Growth in For-Hire Trucking

In November, the for-hire trucking sector saw an increase of 4,500 jobs based on initial data from the U.S. Labor Department. However, the department revised October’s figures negatively, reporting a loss of 200 jobs instead of the previously indicated gains.

Continued Employment Strength

The job increases in November mark the continuation of a robust 15-month period in the trucking industry, during which 40,500 jobs have been created since September of the previous year, as reported by the Labor Department. Employment in the sector has only declined twice during this period—in April and October 2018.

Current Employment Figures

As of November, the total number of jobs in the for-hire trucking industry reached 1.493 million, signifying an increase of 36,300 jobs compared to the same month last year.

Overall Economic Trends

On a broader scale, the U.S. economy added 155,000 jobs in November while maintaining an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent.

Growth in Other Sectors

In key freight-producing industries, the construction sector experienced a rise of 5,000 jobs in November, while the manufacturing industry saw an increase of 27,000 jobs.

Transportation and Warehousing Job Gains

The transportation and warehousing sector, which encompasses for-hire trucking, added a total of 25,400 jobs in November.