US May 2026 jobs report adds 172,000 jobs, beating forecasts

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 172,000 jobs were added in May 2026, more than double the 85,000 jobs economists had expected. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. The agency also revised earlier months upward, adding a combined 93,000 jobs to March and April figures.

Leisure and hospitality contributed the most with 70,000 jobs, followed by local government (55,000) and health care (35,000). Smaller gains came from manufacturing (7,000) and social assistance (12,000). Political leaders praised the result, with President Trump and members of his administration citing it as evidence of successful supply‑side policies.

Analysts noted that the stronger‑than‑expected labor market could keep the Federal Reserve from cutting rates and may even prompt a future rate increase, affecting financial markets and risk‑asset investors.