WASHINGTON — Retail industry employment last month increased by 89,100, unadjusted for seasonal fluctuations, compared to the same month in 2017, the National Retail Federation (NRF) ­reported.

The August retail employment figure represents a seasonally adjusted decline of 9,700 jobs from the previous month, NRF said. Seasonal distortions are common in August.

NRF’s jobs figures exclude employment at automobile dealers, gasoline stations and ­restaurants.

Also today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm payrolls in the United States increased by 201,000 in August. Hourly wages rose 2.9%, the largest wage growth since mid-2009.

Wage growth was nonexistent in the early phases of the tepid recovery from the 2007-2009 recession. But the supply of workers has diminished as the recovery gained steam, giving individuals more bargaining power with ­employers.

NRF’s employment figures for August show an increase of 9,200 jobs in sporting goods stores; an increase of 3,500 at grocery stores and beverage stores; and a gain of 2,800 jobs in the non-store category, which includes online ­retailing.

Retail job losses were concentrated in clothing and clothing accessory stores (which lost 20,800 jobs), general merchandise (down 3,100 jobs), building supplies and materials (down 2,200 jobs), furniture and home furnishings stores (down 2,000 jobs) and electronics and appliance retailers (down 1,400 jobs).