Manufacturing employment trends up again in August
In August, employment in manufacturing continued its upward trend (+16,000) and is up by
58,000 since a recent low in December 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Employment in machinery manufacturing (+6,000) and in fabricated metal product manufacturing (+6,000) continued trending up in August.
Construction employment changed little in August (+22,000). Employment in nonresidential
specialty trade contractors continued to trend up (+8,000), similar to the average monthly
gain over the prior 12 months (+6,000).
Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining,
quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; wholesale trade; retail trade; transportation and
warehousing; financial activities; professional and business services; social assistance; and
other services.
In August, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 10
cents, or 0.3%, to $37.75. Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.1%. In August, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory
employees rose by 11 cents, or 0.3%, to $32.53.
The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.4 hours in August. In manufacturing, the average workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 40.5 hours, and overtime was unchanged at 3.1 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained at 33.8 hours.
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1%.
The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for June was revised up by 11,000, from +20,000 to +31,000, and the change for July was revised up by 44,000, from -23,000 to +21,000.
With these revisions, employment in June and July combined is 55,000 higher than previously reported.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The September/October issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Rotator Products. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
