Employment up 156,000 in August, averaging 176,000 per month so far this year

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 156,000 in August 2017. Employment growth has averaged 176,000 per month so far in 2017, about in line with the average monthly gain of 187,000 in 2016.

In August 2017, job gains occurred in manufacturing, construction, professional and technical services, health care, and mining.

Manufacturing employment rose by 36,000 in August. Job gains occurred in motor vehicles and parts, fabricated metal products, and computer and electronic products. Manufacturing has added 155,000 jobs since a recent employment low in November 2016.

In August, construction employment rose by 28,000, after showing little change over the prior 5 months. Employment among residential specialty trade contractors edged up over the month.

Employment in professional and technical services continued to trend up in August and has grown by 262,000 since August 2016. In August 2017, job gains occurred in computer systems design and related services.

Health care employment continued on its upward trend in August and has risen by 328,000 over the past 12 months. Employment in hospitals edged up over the month.

Mining continued to add jobs in August, with all of the growth in support activities for mining. Since a recent low in October 2016, employment in mining has risen by 62,000, or 10 percent.

Employment in food services and drinking places changed little in August. Employment in other major industries, including wholesale trade, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, information, financial activities, and government, also showed little change over the month.

These data are from the Current Employment Statistics program. Data for the most recent 2 months are preliminary. To learn more, see "The Employment Situation — August 2017" (HTML) (PDF). See additional charts in Graphics for Economic News Releases: The Employment Situation.