Private-Sector Hiring Slows in August; Medium-Sized Businesses Drive New Payrolls The private sector added 176,000 new jobs in August, down from 198,000 in July and marking the lowest level since May, according to the ADP Employment Report.

By Ray Hennessey Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

marketwatch.com

Private-sector hiring slowed in August, with the ADP Employment Report showing companies added 176,000 new jobs.

The figure was down from the 198,000 payrolls report in July, and it marks the lowest level since May, ADP said.

Interestingly, the smallest of American businesses were not the biggest driver of new payrolls. Medium-sized businesses, defined by ADP as those with between 50 and 499 employees, added 74,000 jobs in August.

That was ahead of the 71,000 jobs added by companies with between one and 49 workers. Of that 71,000, 40,000 came from companies with fewer than 20 workers, ADP said. Traditionally, the small business category has added the most jobs.

One other change was that the service sector saw a drop in employment – to 165,000 jobs in August, down from 176,000 in July. The service sector has been adding most of the jobs.

Instead, goods-producing jobs rose by 11,000 in August. However, that was half the rate than in July.

Related: Why Everyone Will Have to Become an Entrepreneur (Infographic)

Ray Hennessey

Former Editorial Director at Entrepreneur Media

Ray Hennessey is the former editorial director of Entrepreneur.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

She Spent Her Honeymoon Working on a Side Hustle. It Raised $35 Million and Counts Celebrities Among Its Investors.

Blake Geffen, founder of luxury accessory rental company Vivrelle, "skipped the bellinis" in the Maldives — and got to work on her company instead.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.

Leadership

7 Telltale Signs of a Weak Leader

Whether a bully or a people pleaser who can't tell hard truths, poor leadership takes many forms.

Side Hustle

'Over $100,000 a Month': His Spicy Side Hustle Became a Full-Time Business and Hit 7-Figure Revenue — Here's How He Did It

Brock Giles, 36, started a business inspired by his childhood filled with "food, cooking and entertaining."