September 10, 2002 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

Payroll employment in August

Total nonfarm payroll employment was little changed (+39,000) in August at 130.8 million. Since its recent low in April, payroll employment has edged up by 162,000.

[Chart data—TXT]

Job gains in services, construction, and government were largely offset by losses in manufacturing and retail trade. The services industry added 100,000 jobs in August and employment in construction increased by 34,000 in August. 

Government employment rose by 41,000 over the month. The federal government added 20,000 jobs, mostly reflecting an increase in the number of federal security personnel at airports. Employment in local government grew by 34,000 in August, due largely to a gain in local education.

Manufacturing employment declined by 68,000 in August; this compares with losses in the prior 4 months that averaged 18,000. Retail trade, which had shown little change on balance since February, lost 55,000 jobs in August.

Payroll employment data are from the Current Employment Statistics program. The above data are seasonally adjusted. Data for July and August 2002 are preliminary and subject to revision. For more information, see "The Employment Situation: August 2002," (PDF) (TXT) news release USDL. 02-509.  

Related TED article: 

• Unemployment rates in August