Employment Increases In July, Unemployment Edges Down 3.9 Percent

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 157,000 in July, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Employment increased in professional and business services, in manufacturing, and in health care and social assistance.  

Household Survey Data 

In July, the unemployment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage point to 3.9 percent, following an  
increase in June. The number of unemployed persons declined by 284,000 to 6.3 million in July. 

Establishment Survey Data 

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 157,000 in July, compared with an average monthly  
gain of 203,000 over the prior 12 months. 

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