Healthcare gains 20K jobs in November; unemployment rate drops to 7.7 percent

The healthcare industry added 20,000 jobs to the nation's economy in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. The biggest gain was in the hospital sector, which added 8,300 jobs.

[See also: October employment numbers reflect slow, steady growth]

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 146,000 in November, and the unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent, according to the BLS report.

The healthcare industry also increased jobs in nursing and residential care facilities, up 7,000; ambulatory services, up 4,700; and physicians’ offices, up 1,700, since October.

Healthcare has consistently added positions throughout the year with an average gain of 26,000 jobs per month.

In addition to healthcare, retail trade and professional and business services also experienced growth, gaining 53,000 and 43,000 jobs respectively in November.