US nonfarm payrolls rise slightly more than expected

6th Jun 2025 12:22

(Sharecast News) - Hiring in the US picked up slightly more than expected in May, according to the Department of Labor, with non-farm payrolls rising by 139,000.

Last month's increase, the smallest in three months, follows a downwardly revised gain of 147,000 during April. Economists had forecast an increase of 130,000.

Employment continued to trend up in healthcare, leisure and hospitality, as well as in social assistance. The Federal government, on the other hand, continued to shed jobs.

Average hourly earnings rose by $0.15 or 0.4% month-on-month. On an annualised basis, average hourly earnings increased by 3.9%.

The rate of unemployment, derived from a separate survey, was steady at 4.2%.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com