Snapshot of US job market: Solid hiring but still-tepid pay

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Labor Day weekend 2015, the U.S. job market has found an old sweet spot: 5.1 percent unemployment — many miles from the 10 percent joblessness America endured back in 2009.

It's the lowest rate in more than seven years, suggestive of healthy hiring levels that have traditionally fostered rising incomes, consumer spending and economic growth.

In August, the unemployment rate fell on the strength of a decent if less-than-stellar 173,000 added jobs. And most economists expect the government to eventually revise up that job gain because of seasonal trends that are notoriously difficult to calculate.

Friday's employment data reflected the durability of the U.S.