US National Unemployment Rate sees little change at 4.3%
The US national unemployment rate had a slight increase to 4.3%. Total nonfarm payroll employment changed little in August (+22,000) and has shown little change since April. Over the month, a job gain in health care was partially offset by losses in federal government and in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. The total number of unemployed persons changed little in August at 7.4 million. In August, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27+ weeks) saw little change at 1.9 million but has increased by 385,000 over the year. In August, long-term unemployment accounts for 25.7% of all unemployed people. The labor force participation rate for August saw little change at 62.3%, and the employment-population ratio remains at 59.6%.
Job Growth Sectors:
The following industry sectors saw notable job change in August:
- Federal Government (-15K)
- Health care (+31K)
- Social Assistance (+16K)
- Individual and Family Services (+16K)
In August, health care added 31K jobs, below the average monthly gain of 42K in the past 12 months. Employment continued to trend up over the month in ambulatory health care services (+13K), nursing and residential care facilities (+9K), and hospitals (+9K).
Wage Growth:
Average hourly earnings increased by 10 cents, or 0.3% in August, contributing to the 3.7% increase in average hourly earnings over the past 12 months.
Educational Attainment:
- Unemployment for persons with less than a high school diploma rose notably to 6.7%. This sector remains the highest unemployment rate based on level of education.
- High school graduates with no college decreased slightly in August to 4.3%.
- Those with some college increased to 3.2%
- Bachelor’s degree and higher remained the lowest group with no change at 2.7%.
July Metro Unemployment
Major Markets
- Of the top 5 major US markets, DFW unemployment remained the lowest at 4%.
- 5 out of 5 US markets had a MoM increase.
- Of the top 5 major US markets, Houston saw the largest YoY decrease in unemployment of 50 bps.
Employment Changes in Key Metropolitan Areas
In July 2025, nonfarm payroll employment increased over the year in 34 metropolitan areas and was essentially unchanged in 353 areas.
The most significant employment gains occurred in:
- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ: Added 157,500 jobs.
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD: Increased by 65,300 jobs.
- Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX: Gained 62,600 jobs.