Payrolls Grow By 248,000 in May

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mployers added 248,000 workers to payrolls in May, the Labor Department reported Friday, as manufacturing employment rose the most since August 1998 and hours worked at factories were the highest since October 2000.

The increase in payrolls followed a revised gain of 346,000 jobs in April and 353,000 in March that were a total of 74,000 larger than originally estimated.

However, because tens of thousands of jobless are renewing their search for work, unemployment rate held at 5.6%, Labor said.

The report said that manufacturers added 32,000 jobs last month, the most since a 143,000 jump in August 1998 and the fourth straight increase. The manufacturing workweek rose to 41.1 hours from 40.7 in April.

Construction employment increased 37,000 in May after a 19,000 increase, while employment in service-producing industries, which include retailers, banks and government agencies, increased 176,000 last month.