172,000 jobs created in the United States in May, more than expected
The US economy generated 172,000 jobs in May. The figure far exceeded expectations and the unemployment rate remained at 4.3%
The United States economy once again exceeded labor market expectations. During May 2026, 172,000 new jobs were created, a figure higher than expected by analysts and which confirms the strength of hiring despite concerns about inflation and economic growth.
As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job creation in May was above the estimates of economists consulted by FactSet, who anticipated around 105,000 new jobs.
Additionally, the unemployment rate remained stable at 4.3%, unchanged from the previous month.
“This is a spectacular jobs report,” Olu Sonola, chief U.S. economist at Fitch Ratings, told CBS News. “Hiring remains subdued, but overall strength is enough for the Fed to keep its focus on inflation.”
The data shows that the labor market continues to grow at a moderate pace. The number of unemployed people stood at 7.3 million, while the labor participation rate remained at 61.8%.
The sectors that led the hiring
The leisure and hospitality sector was the main driver of employment during May, adding 70,000 jobs. Within this category, restaurants and drinking establishments stood out, adding 48,000 jobs.
The local government also reported strong expansion with 55,000 new positions, mainly in areas other than education.
For its part, the health sector added 35,000 jobs. Ambulatory care services led the growth with 26,000 hires, while hospitals added another 6,000 workers.
Social assistance maintained its positive trend with 12,000 new positions, especially in individual and family services.
Industries that recorded job losses
Not all sectors had favorable results. Financial activities lost 22,000 jobs during May and have accumulated a reduction of 107,000 positions since May 2025. The largest falls occurred in insurance companies and related activities, as well as in commercial banking.
In contrast, industries such as construction, manufacturing, retail trade and professional services showed little change during the month.
Wages are advancing, but inflation remains a challenge
The BLS also reported that the average hourly wage in the private sector increased 12 cents during May, to settle at $37.53. Compared to the same period last year, wage growth was 3.4%.
However, this progress remains below recent inflation levels, a factor that continues to affect the purchasing power of many families.
Another relevant piece of information was the upward revision of previous reports. Job creation in March was adjusted from 185,000 to 214,000 positions, while that in April went from 115,000 to 179,000. Together, both months added 93,000 more jobs than initially reported.
“With inflation already accelerating, the biggest risk is increased inflationary pressure, not a sustained weakening of labor demand,” Sonola added.
The May results reflect that employment continues to be one of the main supports of the US economy, despite the effects of the war with Iran. The evolution of inflation and the upcoming decisions of the Federal Reserve will be decisive in evaluating whether this strength can be maintained during the coming months.