Payrolls in the U.S. climbed more than forecast in July, boosted by a pickup in employment at automakers even as the jobless rate unexpectedly rose to a five-month high.

Payrolls increased 163,000 following a revised 64,000 rise in June that was less than initially reported, Labor Department figures showed today in Washington. The median estimate of 89 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News called for a gain of 100,000. Unemployment rose to 8.3 percent.

Uneven hiring may hold back consumer spending, the biggest part of the economy, as a global slowdown and impending U.S. tax changes weigh on businesses. Job cuts at companies from Morgan Stanley to Cisco Systems Inc. mean unemployment may remain elevated, one reason the Federal Reserve this week said it is prepared to take new steps if needed to boost growth.