Private sector job growth slows in June to just 150,000, worse than expected

Hiring by U.S. companies slowed more than expected in June, pointing to a labor market that is continuing to cool in the face of higher interest rates, according to the ADP National Employment Report released Wednesday morning.

Companies added 150,000 jobs last month, missing the 160,000 gain that economists surveyed by Refinitiv predicted and down from the revised 157,000 figure in May.

At the same time, the report showed that wage growth — a key driver of inflation — dropped slightly to 4.9%, the slowest pace of growth since August 2021. For workers who changed jobs, wages climbed 7.7%, down from the 7.8% increase recorded in May.

Job growth was almost entirely concentrated in the services sector, with goods producers contributing just 14,000 jobs to the total.

Hospitality and leisure accounted for the bulk of the gains, adding 63,000 new jobs. Job growth beyond that sector was mostly anemic. The construction industry added 27,000 workers in June, followed by professional and business services with a gain of 25,000.

There were also sectors that saw notable declines last month. Natural resources and mining shed 8,000 jobs, while manufacturing lost 5,000.

“Job growth has been solid, but not broad-based,” said Nela Richardson, ADP chief economist. “Had it not been for a rebound in hiring in leisure and hospitality, June would have been a downbeat month.”