L.A. employers plan to slow their pace of hiring during the fourth quarter, according to a survey released Tuesday from Manpower Inc.

The Milwaukee staffing giant’s quarterly survey of employers in Los Angeles and Orange counties found that 15 percent plan to increase staff, 6 percent plan layoffs and 77 percent plan to keep staffing levels constant.

These figures are down markedly from three months ago, when 23 percent of employers planned to hire in the third quarter and only 4 percent planned layoffs. But they are generally in line with the same period a year ago.

The Los Angeles area hiring levels also trail the national trend, where the Manpower survey found that 19 percent of employers plan to hire additional workers.

“According to employers, job prospects are expected to decline considerably compared to the third quarter,” said Manpower spokeswoman Carol Schenk.

For the fourth quarter, local job prospects appear best for nondurable goods manufacturing, transportation/utilities, retail and education/health services. Employers in construction and professional/business services plan to reduce staffing levels.