The US labor market added 147,000 jobs in May, according to federal data released Friday, showing continued hiring across the economy even as growth moderates. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%, signaling that the labor market is still broadly stable.

The latest report suggests employers are still expanding payrolls at a steady pace, though not as aggressively as in previous periods of stronger recovery. Economists typically watch the monthly jobs figure and unemployment rate as key indicators of consumer demand, business confidence, and the overall direction of the economy.

The data comes as policymakers continue to weigh inflation pressures, interest rates, and signs of cooling in parts of the job market. While the headline numbers point to resilience, analysts will be looking for whether hiring slows further in the months ahead or continues to support household spending.