US jobless rate unchanged in July

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 215,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.3 percent, the U.S. Labor Department said Friday.

The job gains accurred in retail trade, health care, professional, technical services, and financial activities, the department said. Nonfarm payroll employment increase of 200,000 or plus is believed as a healthy sign of the job market.

The labor force participation rate, the share of the working-age population employed or looking for a job, was essentially unchanged at 62.6 percent.

The number of long-term unemployed, or those who stay jobless for 27 weeks or more, was little changed at 2.2 million, accounting for 26.9 percent of the unemployed. Average hourly earnings rose five cents to 24.99 U.S. dollars.

After revision, employment gains in May and June were 14,000 higher than previously reported.