U.S. Economy Added 163,000 Jobs in July

The economy added 163,000 jobs in July as the unemployment rate rose slightly to 8.3%. The gain is well above the expectations of 100,000. July’s growth is the largest jobs gain since February, an improvement from the 64,000 jobs created in June and the second quarter average of 75,000 new jobs.

The private sector continues to drive job growth, adding 172,000 jobs in July, up from the 73,000 added in June. The public sector shed 9,000 jobs in July, the same amount shed in June but fewer than the 29,000 job drag in May.

July’s job creation was broad based across industries, with only construction and government contracting over the month.

The unemployment rate rose one tenth of one percentage point to 8.3% in July.

Read the BLS release.