Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Trucking Adds Jobs As Unemployment Rate Drops

The unemployment rate in the U.S. fell again in October, dropping to its lowest level since July 2008, according to the U.S. Labor Department. In the same period, for-hire trucking added 3,900 jobs.

Evan Lockridge
Evan LockridgeFormer Business Contributing Editor
Read Evan's Posts
November 7, 2014
Trucking Adds Jobs As Unemployment Rate Drops

 

2 min to read


Unemployment in the U.S. fell again in October, pushing the unemployment rate to its lowest level since July 2008, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

The economy created 214,000 jobs during the month, pushing the unemployment rate a tenth of a percent lower to 5.8%.

Ad Loading...

The for-hire trucking industry added 3,900 jobs during October, 2.5% higher than a year ago, while the wider transportation and warehousing industry added 13,300.

Upwardly revised figures show 256,000 jobs were added in September and 203,000 in August. This compares to previously released figures showing gains of 248,000 and 180,000, respectively.

October marks the ninth consecutive month of employers adding at least 200,000 jobs, the longest streak since 1995.

The job gains were broad-based. However, the report also showed the labor participation rate remains flat since April, while average hourly pay barely advanced from September to October. The average pay rate is only 2% higher than a year, compared to an inflation rate of 1.7%.

While the headline rise keeps the average growth rate firmly above 200,000 per month, Sterne Agee Chief Economist Lindsey Piegza says the quality of job creation isn’t enough to translate into wage pressures, “nor has a clearly sufficient decline in labor market slack forced a meaningful increase in the workweek.”

Ad Loading...

“While this morning's report does indeed mark the ninth consecutive month above 200,000, when we adjust for population, and first-time entrants including college graduates, keep in mind the market needs around 200k as a minimum just to cover demographic change,” she said. “So, while a vast improvement from days past when the economy was shedding 700,000 to 800,000 jobs on a monthly basis, relativity can only be applauded for so long. At some point the economy will need outright strength in hiring, such as 300,000 per month, to justify weaning off of extreme Federal Reserve accommodation.”

More Fleet Management

2026 Mack Anthem rolls off the assembly line
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

Mack Financial Services Launches Physical Damage Insurance For All Makes

Mack Financial Services has introduced the Rolling Asset Program, offering physical damage insurance for all makes and models within a customer's fleet.

Read More →
Illustration of phishing email with trucks in background
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 3, 2026

New Phishing Scheme Targets Motor Carriers, FMCSA Warns

Beware of a new phishing scheme targeting motor carriers. Scammers are sending emails posing as FMCSA or DOT officials to steal data.

Read More →
Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →