Nonfarm payroll employment was essentially unchanged (-4,000) in August, the U.S. Department of Labor reported. The unemployment rate remained at 4.6 percent.
Over the last 3 months, total payroll employment changes have averaged 44,000 per month and private sector employment changes have averaged 72,000 per month (as revised). In August, employment in manufacturing, construction, and local government education declined, while job growth continued in health care and food services.
The number of unemployed and the unemployment rate held at 7.1 million and 4.6 percent, respectively, in August. The unemployment level and rate were little changed from a year earlier.