Latest Employment Situation Overview

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its latest employment report, showing minimal change in total nonfarm payroll employment with an addition of just 22,000 jobs in August. The report highlights a job gain in health care, offset by losses in federal government and in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sectors.

Key Employment Indicators

The unemployment rate remained relatively stable at 4.3 percent. The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls held steady at 34.2 hours for the third consecutive month, while in manufacturing, the average workweek slightly decreased to 40.0 hours, with overtime remaining unchanged at 2.9 hours.

Historical Context and Revisions

Looking at the broader picture, the end of 2024 saw total nonfarm payroll employment rise by 256,000 in December. The year 2024 witnessed a total employment increase of 2.2 million jobs (averaging 186,000 per month), which was lower than the 2023 increase of 3.0 million (averaging 251,000 per month).

Current Data Collection and Analysis

The BLS collects these vital statistics monthly from payroll records of nonagricultural business establishments. Their comprehensive survey encompasses approximately 121,000 businesses and government agencies, representing about 631,000 individual worksites.

Looking Forward

The next Employment Situation report for September 2025 is scheduled for release on October 3, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time, while the Real Earnings report for August 2025 will be released on September 11, 2025.