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 labor market may be rousing from its slumber.

The American job market has climbed out of a rut

May showed strong signs of growth with 172,000 jobs added to the economy. But economists say a growing long-term unemployment rate suggests a more complicated picture.

U.S. employers added jobs for the third month in a row in May, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%. But wage gains softened and likely failed to keep pace with rising…

Recent data pointed to a stable job market, even as total employment declined.

The labor market may be rousing from its slumber.

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

Is the jobs market back? U.S. employers added 172,000 jobs in May, beating expectations.

Leisure and hospitality led hiring, while financial activities shed jobs for the 12th consecutive month

The labor market is strengthening after months of lackluster jobs 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.

US nonfarm payrolls rose 172,000 in May, more than double the 85,000 forecast, as unemployment held at 4.3%, giving the Fed room to stay patient on rates.

Unemployment remained steady, with the labour market in the world’s largest economy sustaining recent gains.

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

Traders bet the Fed will have to raise rates by December

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…