The U.S. economy added 162,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August, more than three times the 53,000 economists had forecast. Combined revisions added 55,000 jobs to June and July, while the unemployment rate held at 4.1% even as more Americans entered the workforce.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 162,000 nonfarm payroll jobs added in August. That was more than three times the 53,000 jobs economists had expected. CNBC's Rick Santelli said: "We're cooking in grease on this report." He added that the reading was the best level since March, when payrolls rose 214,000.
Prior months revised sharply higher
The government also lifted its estimates for the two preceding months. June's gain was revised from 20,000 to 31,000 jobs. July's initially reported loss was also revised: the 23,000-job decline turned into a gain of 21,000. Together, the revisions added 55,000 jobs to those two months beyond what was first reported. The economy had averaged just 31,000 new jobs a month over the preceding twelve months, making the August jump an outlier against recent trend.
Manufacturing posts its best month since 2023
Manufacturing employment added 16,000 jobs in August, its strongest showing since late 2023. Manufacturing payrolls have now risen by 58,000 jobs since December 2025.
Unemployment steady as more workers join the labor force
The unemployment rate held at 4.1%. Meanwhile, the labor force participation rate rose to 61.6%, a two-tenths increase from the prior reading. An influx of new job seekers can ordinarily push the unemployment rate higher, but that did not happen in August. The average private-sector workweek also edged up, from 34.3 to 34.4 hours.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CNBC
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