Payrolls rose by 209,000 in June, less than expected, as jobs growth wobbles

Nonfarm payrolls increased 209,000 in June and the unemployment rate was 3.6%, the Labor Department reported Friday. Employment growth eased in June, taking some steam out of what had been a stunningly strong labor market. A more encompassing unemployment rate that includes discouraged workers and those holding part-time jobs for economic reasons rose to 6.9%, the highest since August 2022. "This is a strong labor market where demand for higher paying jobs is clearly the trend," said Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM. The June report "suggests labor market conditions are finally beginning to ease more markedly," wrote Andrew Hunter, deputy chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics.