U.S. Job Growth Stays In Line With Expectations At 139,000 In May Even Amid Federal Workforce Cuts
U.S. job growth slowed in May to 139,000, amid cuts in the federal workforce, and despite an on-again, off-again tariff policy.
The unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Health care, leisure and hospitality and social assistance continued to see job gains.
The bureau also revised downward job figures from April and March, shaving off 95,000 jobs from previous estimates.
Federal government employment fell by 22,000, and has dropped by 59,000 since January, as the Trump administration has slashed the size of the workforce. But the figures do not include those on paid leave or who are receiving severance.
Employment in movies and music production remained largely unchanged, falling by 200 jobs to 409,600 from April. Jobs in broadcasting and among content providers grew by 900 to 336,000.
