Employment Rises, But So Does Unemployment Rate

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 287,000 in June and the unemployment rate rose to by .2%, to 4.9%, according to new data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job growth occurred in leisure and hospitality, healthcare and social assistance and financial activities.

After showing little change in May, the leisure and hospitality sector added 59,000 jobs in June. Employment in foodservice and drinking places was up 22,000 jobs, a number little changed from the prior month. Overall job gains in the sector have averaged 27,000 per month thus far this year, down from an average of 37,000 in 2015.