Since the start of 2008, 6.7 million jobs have been lost in the US. Several economists said that while the report confirms other economic readings suggesting that the recession may be ending, it's too soon to predict a sharp gain in jobs in the near term.

'The dawn of an economic recovery is here,' said Sung Won Sohn, a professor of economics at Cal State University Channel Islands, as cited by CNNMoney.com

'The economy is in the process of bottoming, but the job market will lag behind. Businesses, which engaged in pre-emptive layoffs earlier, are not about to start hiring people.'

Robert Brusca of FAO Economics said he believes there is more strength in the job market than many people are willing to acknowledge. He said that the government may even report an overall payroll gain for August next month.

'There is nothing about these numbers that suggest it's a fluke,' he said.