Total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 172,000 in May while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
Job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, which added 70,000 positions, local government, which rose by 55,000, and health care, which added 35,000. Employment in financial activities declined by 22,000 and is down 107,000 since a peak in May 2025.
The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.3 to 4.5 percent since July 2025. Average hourly earnings for all private employees rose 12 cents to $37.53, a 0.3 percent increase for the month and 3.4 percent over the year.
March payroll growth was revised up by 29,000 to 214,000, and April was revised up by 64,000 to 179,000, leaving combined employment for those months 93,000 higher than previously reported.
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Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm