July job growth strong, but not in manufacturing

Nonfarm employment grew by 207,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.0 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Over the month, payroll employment rose in many service-providing industries. However, manufacturing employment was about unchanged. The motor vehicle and parts industry shed 11,000 jobs, reflecting larger-than-usual shutdowns for annual retooling.

Construction employment continued to trend up. Thus far this year, job gains in construction have averaged 21,000 per month, about in line with the average monthly increase for 2004.