WASHINGTON — A closely watched government jobs report set for release Thursday could reveal whether the U.S. labor market has truly turned a corner after a rough stretch of sluggish employment growth.
The Labor Department’s June hiring figures are expected to show approximately 100,000 new jobs added last month, based on a survey of economists conducted by data provider FactSet. If that holds true, it would represent the fourth month in a row of meaningful job creation — a notable turnaround after a difficult stretch from late last year through February, when employers were actually cutting positions. The unemployment rate is expected to have held steady at a low 4.3% in June.
Some economists, however, believe the actual number could come in even higher. Businesses have spent recent months adjusting to a range of pressures — including higher tariffs, the Iran war, and widespread investment in artificial intelligence — and many now feel more confident that economic growth will continue. From March through May, employers added an average of 188,000 jobs per month, a sharp improvement compared to the average loss of 4,000 jobs per month seen between December and February.
