U.S. Added 172,000 Jobs in May, Beating Forecasts; Jobless Rate Steady at 4.3%

The U.S. economy created 172,000 jobs in May, exceeding expectations and underscoring a robust labor market, the Labor Department said June 5, 2026. The unemployment rate held at 4.3%, near historic lows. The stronger-than-anticipated payroll gain could support the Federal Reserve’s cautious stance on interest-rate cuts, reducing immediate market expectations for easing. The data suggests sustained hiring momentum, though wage pressures and sector-specific details were not immediately available.