WASHINGTON (July 8, 2016) — In a stunning reversal from the dismal figures from May, U.S. nonfarm payroll employment grew by 287,000 jobs in June 2016, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
However, the unemployment rate grew by 0.2 percentage points to 4.9 percent, reflecting an increase in the number of people searching for jobs.
In May, the BLS reported only 38,000 new jobs, making many observers wonder whether the U.S. economic recovery had stalled. The return to work by some 35,000 striking communications workers added to the improved numbers in June, the agency said.
The biggest job gains in June occurred in leisure and hospitality (up 59,000 jobs) and health care and social assistance (up 58,000 jobs), the BLS said. Other sectors that saw strong job growth included information (up 44,000 jobs), professional and business services (up 58,000 jobs) and retail trade (up 30,000 jobs), it said.
Sectors that saw little or no change included manufacturing, wholesale trade, transportation and warehousing, mining and construction, the BLS said.
Once again, government employment figures differed strongly from those reported by payroll services firm ADP Inc.
In May, ADP said nonfarm payroll employment grew by 173,000 jobs. In its June report, ADP said total job growth was almost identical to May, at 172,000 jobs.
Small business jobs grew by 95,000 in June, including 52,000 jobs in companies with 1-19 employees and 43,000 in businesses with 20-49 employees, ADP said.