US employers added 96,000 jobs in August, and the unemployment rate edged down to 8.1 percent, according to the monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics Report released Friday.
Economists had predicted 126,000 jobs would be added, and the unemployment rate to remain unchanged at 8.3 percent. While the unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percent, this still marks the 43rd straight month with joblessness above 8 percent, a blow to President Obama as he seeks reelection in November.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows employment, however, did rise in restaurant services, professional and technical services and health care. These are the same areas that have seen gains over the past three months.
Employment in food services and drinking places increased by 28,000 in August and by 298,000 over the past 12 months. And health care employment rose by 17,000 last month, with ambulatory health care services and hospitals adding 14,000 and 6,000 jobs, respectively. From June through August, job growth in health care averaged 15,000 per month, compared with an average monthly gain of 28,000 last year.
Manufacturing employment edged down in August by 15,000 jobs. Auto manufacturers laid off fewer workers for factory retooling than usual in July, and fewer workers than usual were recalled in August.
Employment in other major industries, including mining and logging, construction and retail trade, showed little change over the month.
For the full report: Bureau of Labor Statistics Website
