August Labor Report: Employers Add 162,000 Jobs

Andy Riegler

Addison Group's August 2026 Labor Report

The U.S. economy added 162,000 jobs in August, far exceeding expectations and marking the strongest monthly gain since March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, unchanged from July.

Addison Group August Labor Report Breakdown Charts

Leisure and hospitality led job creation, with food services and drinking places adding 59,000 positions, well above the sector’s recent pace. Local government education added 42,000 jobs, largely offsetting a decline in the prior month, while manufacturing added 16,000, supported by gains in machinery and fabricated metal products.

Healthcare, which has been a steady engine of job growth throughout 2026, added 13,000 jobs — a slower pace than its 12-month average. Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including professional and business services.

The information sector was the month’s notable weak spot, shedding 23,000 jobs as losses spread across computing infrastructure, data processing, publishing, and broadcasting.

Wages continued to climb, with average hourly earnings rising 0.3% to $37.75, up 3.1% over the past year. Labor force participation edged up to 61.6%.

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