US adds 172,000 jobs in May as World Cup hospitality hiring surges

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that non‑farm payrolls rose by 172,000 in May 2026, keeping the unemployment rate steady at 4.3%. The largest gains came in leisure and hospitality, which added 70,000 jobs—48,000 of them in food and drink establishments—as cities prepare for the FIFA World Cup jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Local government employment grew by 55,000, mainly in public‑safety and administrative roles, while the health‑care sector added 35,000 jobs. Revisions to March and April figures raised total hiring by a further 93,000, far exceeding economists’ forecasts of 80,000‑105,000 jobs.

Businesses such as bars and restaurants reported hiring extra staff to handle the expected influx of fans, while some hotels and short‑term rentals see lower bookings due to high ticket and travel costs. The strong labour market is also feeding speculation that the Federal Reserve may consider an interest‑rate increase later in the year, even as rising energy prices linked to the US‑Israel‑Iran conflict press household finances.

Overall, the job surge underscores the economic boost tied to the World Cup while highlighting inflationary pressures and mixed consumer sentiment ahead of the tournament.