Monthly job growth remained above its 12-month average in June, but softened enough to ease concerns that the Federal Reserve might increase interest rates, the Commerce Department’s latest employment report shows. Seasonally-adjusted total nonfarm payroll employment added 57,000 jobs, short of analysts’ expectations, but higher than the 36,000 average monthly job growth over the prior 12 months, according to the report. And, even with downward revisions to the numbers for April and May, the U.S. economy has added an average of 111,000 jobs over the last three months. Meanwhile, the nation’s unemployment rate dipped from 4.3% in May to 4.2% last month, defying analysts’ predictions that it would be unchanged. While the U.S. unemployment rate has remained in a narrow rate in recent months, June’s rate is still the lowest for any month since June of 2025. What’s more, the nation’s unemployment has been 4.5% or lower in every month since October of 2021 - the longest unbroken streak of monthly rates that low since the late 1960’s. In June, employment continued to trend up in professional and business services, social assistance, and health care. The number of jobs in leisure and hospitality fell over the month. By sector, notable changes in employment from May to June include: Professional and Business Services: +36,000 - 172,000 jobs added since a recent low in October 2025. Social Assistance: +25,000 – higher than its average growth of 16,000 over the prior 12 months. Health Care: +22,000. Leisure and Hospitality: -61,000 in June, reflecting weaker than usual seasonal hiring. Employment showed little or no change over the month in other major industries, including government. “U.S. Hiring Continues at a Steady but Slower Pace,” The New York Times reported in an article presenting analysis of Thursday’s jobs report by several of the publication’s economic, business and financial reporters. “Employment figures for June showed the American economy continues to stride past obstacles including the inflationary pressures of the war with Iran,” Economics Reporter Talmon Joseph Smith wrote, observing that “economic durability may be the emerging norm.” “The report is still basically consistent with the idea that the labor market has firmed after last year’s wobbles,” Chief Economics Correspondent Ben Casselman observed, noting that wage gains were “solid” in June. “Manufacturing continues to look like it’s stabilizing after shedding jobs in 2024 and 2025,” Business Reporter Sydney Ember wrote, citing the sector’s addition of 3,000 jobs in June.