US employers axed 533,000 jobs in November, the biggest monthly cut since 1974, the US Labor Department said.
In a dramatic indication of the worsening economic situation, the US jobless rate rose to a 15-year high of 6.7% from 6.5% in October.
Since these latest numbers were compiled, further jobs losses have been announced, including big cuts at AT&T.
Recent figures have fuelled fears that the world's biggest economy is set for a deep, long downturn.