Nonfarm payroll employment increased 173,000 in August 2015. Subsequently, the unemployment rate edged down to 5.1%

Nonfarm payroll employment for June was revised upward from 231,000 to 245,000 and the change for July was revised upwards from 215,000 to 245,000.

Health care and social assistance added 56,000 jobs in August. Financial activities employment increased by 19,000. Professional and business services added 33,000 jobs.

However, employment in manufacturing decreased by 17,000. Employment in mining fell 9,000. Since December 2014, mining employment has declined by 90,000

In August, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 8 cents to $25.09. Over the year, hourly earnings have risen by 2.2%.