The U.S. added 57,000 jobs in June, the government said Thursday in a report showing slower hiring growth on the cusp of summer compared to red-hot reports earlier in 2026.
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics said the unemployment rate changed little, dropping from 4.3% to 4.2%, as more people left the workforce rather than hunting for jobs.
Hiring growth was lower than expected, however, with Wall Street forecasting more than 100,000 new jobs.
“In June, employment continued to trend up in professional and business services, social assistance, and health care,” BLS said in its report summary. “Employment in leisure and hospitality declined.”
Other industries, such as mining, construction and manufacturing, showed little or no change.
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Job gains were lackluster in 2025, as employers eased off a post-pandemic hiring frenzy and worried about factors such as new tariffs. The situation prompted the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates despite lingering inflation concerns.
There have been signs of a rebound in activity in 2026.
After a surprise downturn in February, the U.S. added an average of 155,000 jobs per month over the last three reports.
While job gains are generally a positive sign, the trend could complicate decision-making at the Fed, where President Trump is banking on handpicked Chair Kevin Warsh to slash interest rates.
Strong hiring allows the Fed to focus on corralling inflation, and central bankers will be reluctant to cut rates.
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