WASHINGTON — U.S. employers added 172,000 jobs in May, exceeding economists’ expectations, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on June 5, 2026.
The Labor Department’s employment situation report showed nonfarm payroll employment rose by 172,000 last month. Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, health care and local government, according to the BLS.
The figure surpassed forecasts. Economists polled by various outlets had anticipated an increase of about 80,000 to 85,000 jobs. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3 percent.
Prior months’ data received upward revisions. March job gains were revised to 214,000 from an earlier estimate of 185,000, and April was revised to 179,000 from 115,000, the BLS said. The combined revisions added 93,000 jobs to the previous two months.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.3 percent in May and were up 3.4 percent from a year earlier, in line with expectations, the report showed.
The May report comes amid a labor market that has shown resilience despite broader economic pressures, including inflation concerns. The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.3 percent to 4.5 percent since July 2025, the BLS noted.
Financial activities employment declined by 22,000 in May and is down by 107,000 since a peak in May 2025, according to the establishment survey data.
"The labor market appears to have found its footing," one economist said following the release, though specific attribution for broader market reactions remains varied across reports.
Stock market futures reacted negatively after the stronger-than-expected data, with some investors citing reduced expectations for near-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. Treasury yields moved higher, according to market reports. Details of broader market movements continue to develop.
The U.S. labor force participation rate and other household survey measures were essentially unchanged, the BLS said. The number of unemployed people stood at about 7.3 million.
The International Space Station continues normal operations with a full crew complement. No injuries or major disruptions were reported. Officials from the BLS and other agencies continue to monitor labor market indicators closely. The economy has added jobs for three consecutive months, with the latest report reinforcing a pattern of moderate growth.
Further details on sector performance and longer-term trends will be available in subsequent reports.
