Employment grows by 330K jobs, showing ‘uneven progress,’ ADP says

The nation’s private-sector employment increased by 330,000 jobs in July, according to the latest report from Roseland-based ADP.

The human resources and payroll company said in its monthly ADP National Employment Report that total U.S. nonfarm private employment grew, led by midsized businesses of 50-499 employees, which added 132,000 jobs. Large businesses of more than 500 workers added 106,000 positions, while small businesses of less than 50 employees added 91,000 jobs.

“The labor market recovery continues to exhibit uneven progress, but progress nonetheless,” Nela Richardson, chief economist for ADP, said in a prepared statement. “July payroll data reports a marked slowdown from the second-quarter pace in jobs growth.”

The service-providing sector added 318,000 jobs, while the goods-producing sector added 12,000 for the month. Among industries, leisure/hospitality led the way, with the addition of 139,000 jobs. Education/health services added 64,000, while manufacturing led the goods-producing industries, adding 8,000 jobs for the month. The only down industry was information, which lost 1,000 positions in July.

“For the fifth straight month, the leisure and hospitality sector is the fastest-growing industry, though gains have softened,” Richardson said. “The slowdown in the recovery has also impacted companies of all sizes. Bottlenecks in hiring continue to hold back stronger gains, particularly in light of new COVID-19 concerns tied to viral variants.

“These barriers should ebb in coming months, with stronger monthly gains ahead as a result.”