Robust Jobs Report Shows Bars & Restaurants are Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its September jobs report today, and with 336,000 job gains, it almost doubled what was forecast by economists.

The leisure and hospitality sector led the job gains market with 96,000 jobs added in September. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' report, "Employment in food services and drinking places rose by 61,000 over the month and has returned to its pre-pandemic February 2020 level."

This means bars and restaurants are back to pre-pandemic levels of employment.

While bars and restaurants have regained labor numbers, the accomodation division of the leisure and hospitality sector continued to trend up over the month (+16,000) but remains below its February 2020 level by 217,000, or 10.3 percent.

Average hourly earnings in September were also on the rise, with private nonfarm payrolls growing by 7 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $33.88. In the leisure and hospitality sector specifically, hourly wages are at a preliminary $21.27 for September, which is the same as August and four cents higher than July.

Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.2 percent.

 

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