The Latino unemployment rate ticked downward during the month of July, falling from 5.8 percent to 5.4 percent.

According to the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the number of Latinos employed last month increased to 25.3 million from 25.1 million. In addition, the number of Latinos reported to be available for work but not working declined by roughly 100,000.

Jobs far Exceed Expectations

In all, more than 255,000 jobs were added to the economy during the month of July, more than 25 percent above the total experts had predicted for the month.

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Labor reported the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.9 percent.

Overall, labor force participation among Latinos also ticked upward from 65.6 percent to 65.8 percent. That figure is derived from all people 16 and older who are considered able to work.

Sparking much of the recent improvement for Latino workers was the addition of some 45,000 hospitality jobs that came about over the month of July.

The overall boom in new jobs marked the second straight month job growth exceeded expectations, seemingly suggesting employer confidence has significantly swelled over the last several months.

Though jobs have been plentiful over the last several years, average hourly wages had grown stagnant and many discouraged workers had walked away from the job market entirely.

Wages on the Rise

Finally, indications are that trend may be changing, with average pay up nearly 3 percent compared to a year ago and the overall economy matching its best yearlong gains since the Great Recession technically ended in 2009.

Issues related to the economy have fueled much of the debate this election season, as presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have sharply differed on how to best make the economy work for more citizens.

Currently, only 54 percent of Americans with just a high school diploma have jobs, compared with 72 percent of those with a college degree or better.

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