US employers added 57,000 workers to payrolls in June, the government said Friday, stretching a run of monthly gains to four. But the pace is slowing, and nearly 2 million Americans remain stuck in long-term unemployment.
A fourth month of gains, but weaker
The June increase in nonfarm payrolls follows gains of 68,000 in May, 72,000 in April and 55,000 in March. That four-month streak is the longest stretch of job creation since late last year, but the average monthly gain over the period — about 63,000 — is well below the pace seen in the first half of 2025.
Economists had expected a slightly larger number for June, though forecasts varied widely. The report shows the labor market is still adding jobs, but the engine is losing steam.
Long-term unemployment stays stubborn
Despite the steady hiring, roughly 1.9 million Americans have been out of work for 27 weeks or more. That figure has barely budged in recent months, even as the headline unemployment rate held near 4.1%.
Long-term joblessness tends to be harder to shake. Workers who have been idle for months often see their skills erode and face stigma from employers. The data suggests the recovery is leaving a significant slice of the workforce behind.
Job gains have been concentrated in a few sectors — health care, leisure and hospitality, and state and local government. Manufacturing and retail have been flat or declining.
What the next report will show
The July jobs report, due out in early August, will be the next big test. If the trend holds, the economy will have added jobs for five straight months — but at a pace that does little to dent the long-term unemployed pool.
Federal Reserve officials are watching the data closely as they decide whether to hold interest rates steady or cut them. Slower job growth could push them toward a cut later this year, but persistent long-term unemployment complicates the picture.
For now, the June numbers offer a mixed signal: hiring continues, but not fast enough to pull everyone back in.
