ADP Finds Private Sector Added 179,000 Jobs in May

Employers added 179,000 jobs in the private sector in May, according to payroll giant ADP, although the pace of job growth slowed somewhat from April.

Small businesses with between one and 19 employees added 48,000 jobs, while those with between 20 and 49 employees gained 34,000. Midsize businesses with between 50 and 499 employees added 61,000 jobs.

Large businesses with between 500 and 999 employees lost 3,000 jobs in May, according to ADP, but those with 1,000 employees or more added 40,000.

The goods-producing sector added 29,000 jobs, up from 21,000 in April, while the service-providing sector gained 150,000 in May, down from 194,000 in April.

Professional and business services—which include accounting, tax and other services—led the way with 46,000 jobs added in May. The combined trade, transportation and utilities sector added 35,000 jobs total in May, about the same amount as in April.

“Job growth moderated in May,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, in a statement Wednesday.  “The slowing in growth was concentrated in professional/business services and companies with 50-999 employees. The job market has yet to break out from the pace of growth that has prevailed over the last three years.”

The construction industry gained 14,000 jobs last month, down slightly from 16,000 in April. The manufacturing industry added 10,000, up from 2,000 in April. Financial activities jobs increased by 6,000 in May, down from 8,000 in April.

“After a strong post-winter rebound in April, job growth in May slowed somewhat,” said ADP president and CEO Carlos Rodriguez. “The 179,000 jobs added figure is higher than May of last year and in line with the average over the past 12 months.”

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