U.S. employers expanded payrolls by 139,000 jobs in May, according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That figure is in line with economists’ estimates of about 130,000 jobs.
The agency also shared revised numbers for March and April, noting that those two months combined saw 95,000 fewer positions added than previously reported.
Employers in private education and health services added 87,000 jobs in May
The private education and health services industry saw robust job growth last month, with employers adding 87,000 jobs. These industries also saw notable gains, according to the BLS:
Leisure and hospitality: 48,000 jobs added
Financial activities: 13,000 jobs added
Transportation and warehousing: 5,800 jobs added
Construction: 4,000 jobs added
Wholesale trade: 2,500 jobs added
Utilities: 2,200 jobs added
Information: 2,000 jobs added
Several industries experienced payroll contraction in May, including professional and business services (-18,000 jobs), manufacturing (-8,000 jobs), and retail trade (-6,500 jobs).
Unemployment rate holds at 4.2% for third consecutive month
The national unemployment rate in May was 4.2%, unchanged from April and March.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate for college-degreed workers who are 25 or older ticked up slightly. The rate was 2.6% in May, up from 2.5% in April. These professionals are the most highly sought-after hires by employers.
Job openings rise, while employers continue to hire strategically
Separate data from the BLS reflects a steady—yet cautious—labor market. According to the agency’s latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), job openings increased by 191,000 to 7.4 million in April, remaining above historical averages.
Hiring activity also picked up modestly, with 5.6 million hires and a hiring rate that edged up to 3.5%. Total separations increased slightly to 5.3 million, while the quits rate declined to 2.0%. This data suggests some workers may be holding onto jobs a bit more tightly amid economic uncertainty.
Hiring is still a priority for many businesses, particularly for critical roles and professionals with highly specialized skills. And while wage growth has moderated in recent months, many employers remain willing to offer salary premiums to secure top talent, especially in high-demand fields such as finance and accounting, technology, human resources, and legal.
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