
U.S. Private Payrolls Add 38,000 Jobs in August as Hiring Slows to Lowest Pace Since January
U.S. private-sector employers added 38,000 jobs in August, the slowest monthly pace of hiring since January 2026, according to the ADP National Employment Report released on September 2. The figure fell short of both the Dow Jones consensus estimate of 47,000 and the Reuters forecast of 48,000. July’s gain was revised upward to 46,000 from an initially reported 44,000. The report, produced in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, arrives two days ahead of the Bureau of Labor Statistics nonfarm payrolls report for August, which economists project will show a gain of 55,000 jobs after July’s contraction of 23,000. Key Takeaways Private-sector employment increased by 38,000 in August, missing the 47,000 Dow Jones consensus and the 48,000 Reuters forecast; July was revised upward to 46,000 from 44,000 Education and health services led all sectors with 45,000 jobs added; manufacturing shed 17,000 jobs and professional and business services lost 16,000 Large businesses with 500 or more employees added 34,000 positions; small businesses with 1 to 19 employees added 20,000; mid-size small businesses with 20 to 49 employees lost 17,000 ADP Pay Insights reported median base pay up 3.2% year-over-year for all private-sector workers; gross pay, which includes bonuses, commissions, and













































