The unemployment rate measured 9.6 percent in August, little change from the past few months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Last month, nonfarm payroll employment lost 54,000 workers. Private sector payroll employment grew slightly by 67,000 workers.

The number of long-term unemployed people (those unemployed for at least 27 weeks) dropped by 323,000 in August to 6.2 million people. Forty-two percent of the unemployed were out of work for at least 27 weeks in August.

The number of people employed part time for economic reasons saw a jump of 331,000 to 8.9 million people. More than 1 million people were counted as discouraged workers, who are not currently seeking work because they believe no jobs are available for them.

Manufacturing employment dropped by 27,000 in August. Health care saw some of the highest employment gains, adding 28,000 employees last month. Ambulatory health care services created 17,000 positions, the most jobs created within health care.