U.S. employers added 57,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate held at 4.2%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday, even as leisure and hospitality lost 61,000 jobs.
That’s close to the past year’s pace — monthly gains have averaged 36,000, the bureau said. Hiring kept climbing in professional and business services, up 36,000, along with social assistance and health care.
Spring hiring was also weaker than first reported. The bureau revised April down by 31,000 to 148,000 and May down by 43,000 to 129,000 — a combined 74,000 fewer jobs.
Employment in April and May combined is 74,000 lower than previously reported. — Bureau of Labor Statistics
The bureau attributed the leisure and hospitality decline to weaker than usual seasonal hiring.
Average hourly earnings rose 13 cents to $37.64, up 3.5% over the year. Labor force participation slipped 0.3 percentage point to 61.5%.
About 7.1 million people were unemployed, little changed. The long-term jobless count held at 1.9 million — up 286,000 from a year ago, according to the report.
This is a developing story. Virginia Times will update as information becomes available.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
