US employers add 151K jobs in August

During August, U.S. employers increased payroll ranks by 151,000 positions, according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The nation’s 4.9 percent unemployment rate was flat from July, according to a news release.

The bureau cited gains in food services and drinking places, social assistance, professional and technical services, financial activities and health care.

Employers in the food services and drinking places industry added 34,000 jobs last month, bringing the total over the last 12 months to 312,000, according to the release.

Social assistance payroll ranks rose by 22,000 jobs in August, largely due to 17,000 positions in individual and family services.

In professional and technical services, employment increased by 20,000, near its average monthly gain of 24,000 during the last 12 months, according to the release.

Financial activities moved up by 15,000 jobs, with 6,000 coming from gains in securities, commodity contracts and investments.

Health care employers added 14,000 jobs. However, the pace was slower than the 12-month average of 39,000, according to the BLS.

Mining employment declined by 4,000 last month, and eight industries, including construction, manufacturing and wholesale trade, were flat.