WASHINGTON (Sept. 6, 2016) — U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 151,000 jobs in August, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Food services and drinking places had the biggest gains of any employment sectors, adding 34,000 jobs during the month, the BLS said in the report issued Sept. 2. Social assistance was second, with 22,000 jobs, and professional and technical services were third with 20,000 jobs, the agency said.
Many other sectors — including manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and construction — were either flat or down for the month.
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) was quick to note that U.S. manufacturing lost 14,000 jobs in August.
“This month brings more manufacturing jobs losses, including in the automotive sector, where sales are declining,” said AAM President Scott Paul. “That's been a recent bright spot for U.S. manufacturing, and its slump really highlights the global headwinds America is facing.”
The BLS figures compare with the 177,000 jobs recorded by payroll services firm ADP Inc., which released its monthly figures Aug. 31.
Large businesses added the most jobs in August, with a total of 70,000, according to ADP. These included 25,000 jobs in firms with 500 to 999 employees and 45,000 in firms with 1,000 employees or more.
Small businesses grew by 63,000 jobs in August, including 24,000 in businesses with one to 19 employees and 38,000 in businesses with 20 to 49 employees, according to ADP. (Because of rounding, ADP employment figures don't always add up.) Medium-sized businesses with 50 to 499 employees added 44,000 jobs during the month, it said.
Franchise businesses gained 19,200 jobs in August, including 3,800 among auto parts and dealers, ADP said.
The private sector has added 15.1 million jobs since February 2010, said Labor Secretary Thomas Perez in a statement accompanying the BLS report. Also, initial unemployment claims remain near historic lows, he said.
“So many families are better off this Labor Day than they were seven years ago,” Mr. Perez said.