The number of U.S. temporary help jobs in July was essentially unchanged from June, with a total of approximately 2.23 million jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers reported today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The temporary help penetration rate was also unchanged at 1.70 percent in July. Temporary help jobs had declined in each of the preceding three months.

The number of jobs in temporary employment was up 1.1 percent in July on a year-over-year basis, reflecting substantial gains earlier in the year and in the last half of 2010.

The employment services category, which includes temporary help services as well as employment placement agencies, executive search services and professional employer organizations, gained 3,300 jobs in July to a total of approximately 2.90 million jobs.

Overall, total nonfarm employment rose by 117,000 in July, to a total of 131.19 million, seasonally adjusted. June’s initially reported gains were revised upward to a gain of 46,000 from the initially reported 18,000 jobs gained.

The jobless rate edged down to 9.1 percent in July from 9.2 percent in June. The college-level unemployment rate, which can serve as a proxy for professional employment, was 4.3 percent (seasonally adjusted) in July, down 10 basis points from 4.4 percent in June.

The private sector gained 154,000 jobs in July, which was partially offset by losses in the government sector of 37,000.

The goods-producing sector gained 42,000 jobs, led by a gain of 24,000 in manufacturing. Mining and logging added 10,000, while construction added 8,000.

The service-producing sectors added 112,000 jobs. Education and health services added 38,000 jobs, while professional and business services, of which temporary help is a part, added 34,000 jobs in July. Retail trade added 25,900 jobs.