U.S. Adds 115,000 Jobs in Month Marked by Iran Conflict Uncertainty, Unemployment Holds at 4.3%

Despite economic uncertainty tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran, U.S. employers added 115,000 jobs last month, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3%, according to the latest government data.

The job gains were concentrated in health care, retail, and transportation. However, manufacturing, information, and financial services sectors lost jobs during the same period. Currently, 7.2 million Americans are classified as unemployed.

Bankrate Senior Economist Mark Hamrick noted that while two consecutive months of job creation offer a “glimmer of light,” the overall labor market continues to show clear signs of strain.

“There are signs of stress in the job market,” Hamrick said. “It is just that for two straight months we’ve had positive jobs creation — not nearly at the remarkably robust levels of previous years, but enough to keep the unemployment rate steady.”

Hamrick also warned that there remain more job seekers than available positions, and that hiring activity is still far below the strong levels seen in prior years. The uncertainty over the United States war with Iran, he added, has many keeping a close eye on the job market’s trajectory.