Where Americans found jobs: Business services, manufacturing

WASHINGTON – Professional and business services led the way in job gains in August as employers hired administrative and support staff, computer systems designers and engineers.

The sector added 40,000 jobs, a slight slowdown from 50,000 added in July. Over the past 12 months, the category has added more than 600,000 jobs — the most, by a wide margin, of any sector.

Manufacturing posted a third straight month of jobs gains, with factories expanding at a brisk pace. The sector added 36,000 jobs, fueled by motor vehicle and auto part production. Companies that make fabricated metal products, food and computer equipment also added positions.

Construction added a solid 28,000 jobs, driven mainly by special trade contractors.

By contrast, governments lost 9,000 jobs last month. And the information sector — which includes publishers, broadcasters and telecommunications firms — contracted for an 11th straight month, shedding 8,000 jobs.

Overall, employers added 156,000 jobs in August. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4 percent from 4.3 percent in July.