Leisure and hospitality payrolls rose by 28,000 in August, reaching 17.050 million, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. The gain follows smaller moves in June (−5,000) and July (+6,000) and in range of the 26,000 increase recorded in August 2024.
Within the sector, food services and drinking places added 11,000 jobs to stand at 12.378 million, while amusements, gambling and recreation climbed 12,700 to 1.895 million. Accommodation and food services overall increased by 13,200 to 14.328 million. The hiring signals confidence in consumer demand, with casino operators in particular staffing up for stronger floor traffic that tends to spill into bars, quick-service outlets and banquet activity.
On wages, average hourly earnings for nonsupervisory employees in the sector rose $0.09 to $20.31 in August, a 0.45% monthly increase and 3.5% above a year earlier.
