Employment shows gains in August
U.S. employment showed modest gains, rising 130,000 jobs in August as the unemployment rate sat unchanged at 3.7% for the third month in a row, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
Job growth has averaged 158,000 per month this year, below the average monthly gain of 223,000 in 2018.
Employment in August received a boost from a 28,000 increase by the federal government; primarily from the hiring of 25,000 temporary workers to prepare the 2020 Census.
Retail trade employment fell by 11,000 jobs in August as general merchandise stores lost 15,000 jobs over the month and 80,000 jobs over the year. But building material and garden supply stores added 9,000 jobs over the month.
Employment showed little change over the month in construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and leisure and hospitality. Job growth in these industries has moderated in 2019 compared with 2018.
In August, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 11 cents to $28.11, following 9-cent gains in both June and July. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.2%. In August, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 11 cents to $23.59.
The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 34.4 hours in August. In manufacturing, the average workweek increased by 0.2 hour to 40.6 hours, and overtime declined by 0.1 hour to 3.2 hours. The average workweek of private- sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 0.1 hour to 33.6 hours.
The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for June was revised down by 15,000 from an increase of 193,000 to an increase of 178,000. July numbers were also revised down by 5,000 from a 164,000 increase to 159,000 increase.
Following the revisions, employment gains in June and July combined were 20,000 less than previously reported. After revisions, job gains have averaged 156,000 per month over the last 3 months.
Job growth has averaged 158,000 per month this year, below the average monthly gain of 223,000 in 2018.
Employment in August received a boost from a 28,000 increase by the federal government; primarily from the hiring of 25,000 temporary workers to prepare the 2020 Census.
Retail trade employment fell by 11,000 jobs in August as general merchandise stores lost 15,000 jobs over the month and 80,000 jobs over the year. But building material and garden supply stores added 9,000 jobs over the month.
Employment showed little change over the month in construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and leisure and hospitality. Job growth in these industries has moderated in 2019 compared with 2018.
In August, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 11 cents to $28.11, following 9-cent gains in both June and July. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.2%. In August, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 11 cents to $23.59.
The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 34.4 hours in August. In manufacturing, the average workweek increased by 0.2 hour to 40.6 hours, and overtime declined by 0.1 hour to 3.2 hours. The average workweek of private- sector production and nonsupervisory employees increased by 0.1 hour to 33.6 hours.
The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for June was revised down by 15,000 from an increase of 193,000 to an increase of 178,000. July numbers were also revised down by 5,000 from a 164,000 increase to 159,000 increase.
Following the revisions, employment gains in June and July combined were 20,000 less than previously reported. After revisions, job gains have averaged 156,000 per month over the last 3 months.