There's no doubt that 172,000 payrolls added in May blew past expectations. But you have to look closely at where they were added.

Unlike prior months, where job growth was concentrated in healthcare and a few other sectors, gains were more broad-based.

"The data doesn't back it up," says Employ America's Skanda Amarnath, who sees backfilling behind a labor market that's stabilizing.

The US labor market appears to have found its footing: The economy added 172,000 jobs in May, shattering expectations, new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Friday.

The US labor market appears to have found its footing: The economy added 172,000 jobs in May, shattering expectations, new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Friday.

Nonfarm payrolls were expected to increase by 80,000 in May while the unemployment rate held at 4.3%.

The report beat expectations, in good news for Trump. Forecasters had expected payroll job growth to slow to 85,000 in the month.

The labor market continues to show strength despite rising inflation and concerns about slowing economic growth.

With Wall Street expecting a strong - not great - number, and a modest decline from April's 115K, instead the the BLS reported a shocker: in May the US added 172K jobs.

The labor market has been growing at a stable but slower pace in 2026, but job gains in May were far stronger than expected.

The labor market delivered 172,000 jobs in May, past the expectation for 88,000.

US job growth surged past expectations in May with the unemployment rate remaining steady, as the labor market in the world's largest economy showed signs of firming after months…

There's no doubt that 172,000 payrolls added in May blew past expectations. But you have to look closely at where they were added.

The May 2026 BLS jobs report added 172,000 positions, roughly double the consensus forecast. Here's what the strong labor data means for crypto investors.

Friday's jobs report confirms the U.S. jobs market is healing from its dismal hiring stretch.