US adds 147,000 jobs in June, relieving some concerns of a workforce slowdown

In June, the U.S. added 147,000 jobs, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%. Job gains were led by state government education and construction, though long-term unemployment rose by 190,000 to 1.6 million. April and May were revised up by a combined 16,000.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell described economic conditions as “solid,” pointing to healthy labor participation and wage growth. However, President Trump criticized Powell and called for lower interest rates.

Concerns persist as a recent ADP report noted a job decline, reflecting hiring hesitancy amid uncertainty from tariff policies. Analysts caution that while hiring announcements increased, the labor market remains cautious and historically low.