Employment up by 390,000 jobs in May

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 390,000 jobs in May, and the unemployment rate remained at 3.6%. Of note, large job gains occurred in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and transportation and warehousing. Nearly every job category increased, including construction, state government education, health care, mining, manufacturing, and wholesaling, while retail jobs declined. Employment in retail trade declined by 61,000 in May but is still 159,000 jobs above its February 2020 level.