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U.S. adds 156,000 jobs in August
- October 1, 2017: Vol. 29, Number 9

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U.S. adds 156,000 jobs in August

by Loretta Clodfelter

Employment in the United States increased by 156,000 jobs in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.4 percent.

The total was a bit lower than the previous month’s employment growth, though the totals for June and July were revised downward, from 231,000 to 210,000 and from 209,000 to 189,000, respectively. The employment survey was conducted prior to Hurricane Harvey, so the impact of the storm is not reflected in these totals.

Job growth is currently increasing faster than the labor force. The current tight labor market could get even tighter, according to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. He suggests the unemployment rate could be below 4.0 percent by this time next year.

Indicators generally seem to suggest a growing economy. Wages grew in August, though at a slower pace than in July. Average hourly earnings increased $0.03 in August to $26.39 for all employees on private nonf

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