U.S. economy adds 528,000 jobs in July, returns to pre-pandemic levels

Employment increased by 528,000 jobs in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.5 percent. The stronger-than-expected showing also saw total employment return to its February 2020 level. In addition, job gains in May and June were revised to 386,000 and 398,000, respectively.

Since its pandemic low in April 2020, U.S. employment has increased by 22.0 million jobs. Compared with the pre-pandemic level in February 2020, private-sector employment is higher by 629,000 jobs while government employment remains 597,000 jobs lower.

By employment category, the strongest gains in July were in leisure and hospitality (96,000 jobs), professional and business services (89,000 jobs) and healthcare (70,000 jobs). Increases were also recorded in government (57,000 jobs), construction (32,000 jobs), manufactu