US Payroll Employment Rises by 162,000, Unemployment Rate Holds at 4.1 Percent

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, while the unemployment rate remained at 4.1 percent.

Employment growth was driven by gains in food services and drinking places, which added 59,000 jobs, and local government education, which added 42,000 jobs.

The information industry lost 23,000 jobs in August, with job losses occurring in computing infrastructure providers, data processing, web hosting, and related services, publishing industries, and broadcasting and content providers.

Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 10 cents to $37.75 in August, while the average workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.4 hours.