By Tom Burnett CFA
On August 1, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its Employment Report for July. The nonfarm payroll figure rose by 73,000 from the prior month. The unemployment rate was little changed at 4.2%–the rate has been in a tight 4.0-4.2% range since May 2024. The number of job seekers remained at 7.2 million, less than the latest Job Openings of 7.7 million (JOLTS REPORT July 29, 2025). Federal employment has declined by 84,000 net since January 2025.
Average hourly earnings for nonfarm payrolls rose $0.12 to $36.49, up by 3.9% from a year ago.
Revisions from the previous May and June reports showed a total reduction of 258,000.
The next Employment Report will be issued on September 5, 2025.
Tom Burnett CFA is Director of Research