The American unemployment rate rose to 9.7 percent in August, the highest since June 1983, as employers lost a net total of 216,000 jobs.
Average weekly earnings in August rose by only 0.8 percent to $624.29 due to reductions in the average working week.
August 2009 weekly earnings by industry sector
| Industry | Average Weekly Earnings $ | 12 Month % change |
| Natural resources and mining | 1019 | -3.1 |
| Construction | 885 | 1.1 |
| Manufacturing/Durable Goods | 777 | 0.3 | Manufacturing/Nondurable Goods | 661 | 1.1 |
| Wholesale trade | 800 | 3.2 |
| Retail trade | 396 | 1.0 |
| Transportation and warehousing |
692 | 1.8 |
| Utilities | 1238 | 2.7 |
| Information | 939 | 2.3 |
| Financial activities | 762 | 8.4 |
| Professional and business services | 793 | 7.8 |
| Education and health services | 631 | 2.2 |
| Leisure and hospitality | 283 | 1.6 |
| Other services | 502 | 0.3 |