Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 130,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.7%, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment in federal government rose, largely reflecting the hiring of temporary workers for the 2020 Census. Notable job gains also occurred in health care and financial activities, while mining lost jobs.

Employment showed little change over the month in construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, and leisure and hospitality. Job growth in these industries has moderated thus far in 2019 compared with 2018.

Mining employment declined by 6,000 in August, with nearly all of the loss in support activities for mining (-5,000).  

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.