It was a second day of gains following big falls earlier in the week linked to worries about the Chinese economy. Chinese markets were closed due to a public holiday.
The Dow Jones rose 23 points, or 0.1%, to close at 16,375, while the S&P 500 rose 0.1% to 1,951.
The Nasdaq fell slightly, closing down 16 points, or 0.4%, at 4,734
Non-farm payrolls figures for August are due out on Friday. They are expected to show a similar rise to the 215,000 jobs that were added in July.
US shares had made bigger gains earlier in the day after European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi hinted there might be more stimulus measures to come for the eurozone.
The chipmaker Intel was the biggest gainer, rising 1.7% the day after it unveiled its new range of processors at a technology show in Berlin.
Construction equipment maker Caterpillar, down 2.2%, was the biggest faller on the Dow Jones.
"I think the market is trying to calm down a little bit with the fear factor reducing somewhat and the data points to a growing US economy," said Peter Cardillo at Rockwell Global Capital in New York.

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The Reds said goodbye to captain Gerrard with a 6-1 thrashing at Stoke to finish sixth in the Premier League.
"I've always said if the owners want me to go, then I go," said Rodgers, who has won two of his last nine games.
"For everybody connected with Liverpool, we are all embarrassed by that result."
It was the first time in 52 years the Reds had let in six goals in the league but Rodgers, 42, insisted he still has "a lot to offer the club", despite winning no silverware during his three years in charge.
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Liverpool must also now go through two qualifying rounds if they are to compete in the group stage of next season's Europa League.
"A lot has happened this year which has made the job difficult," added Rodgers, who guided the Reds to second place last season.
"Last season, when things were working well, we had the support of everyone but performances like today do not help that and I fully understand that.
"The fans deserve an apology. They were angry at half-time - and rightly so - because that was awful, absolutely awful.
"They have every right to be angry and frustrated and of course I take full responsibility for that as the manager."
Rodgers faces a big rebuilding job in the summer and, as well as Gerrard joining LA Galaxy, there is speculation about the future of young forward Raheem Sterling.
Rodgers dropped Sterling, 20, to the bench at the Britannia Stadium and Liverpool found themselves trailing 5-0 at the interval after a terrible display.
All five goals came in the space of 23 minutes from Mame Biram Diouf, twice, Jonathan Walters, former Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi.
Gerrard marked his farewell with a consolation goal but there was still time for ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch to head a sixth for Stoke five minutes after coming on as a substitute.
Asked about his rebuilding plans, Rodgers added: "There's an awful lot of work to do and the job is to now go and fix that, and make sure we come back with a motivation greater than ever to push on next season.
"We've finished the season in sixth, which is where we deserve to finish.
"We have to now start, today, on the climb to get back up again."
(Close): Wall Street shares closed slightly higher on Thursday ahead of Friday's jobs report.
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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers accepted his future at the club is in doubt after Steven Gerrard's final match ended in a humiliating defeat.