In advance of the government’s jobs report, CNNMoney tells MHProNews paycheck processing firm ADP says private employers added 201,000 jobs in Aug., an increase from 173,000 in July. Adding more than 150,000 jobs in a month decreases the unemployment rate. ADP says the service sector added 185,000 new jobs, while manufacturing added 16,000. Construction employment rose 10,000, the third consecutive monthly increase, and the largest rise since March. Meanwhile, the Labor Dept. says unemployment claims dropped 12,000 from the previous week, and outplacement firm Challenger, Gray, & Christmas report planned job cuts hit a 20-month decline.

(Image credit: Karen Roach)