Job growth in May once again exceeded expectations, with the U.S. economy adding 139,000 jobs, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Released Friday, the report showed continued gains in the private sector, while government employment declined. The national unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, unchanged from April.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt praised the news, stating it showcased President Donald Trump’s effective economic policies.

“President Trump’s America First Economic Agenda has created a BOOMING economy — jobs are up, unemployment is down, wages are increasing, and inflation is dead,” she said on social media.

“More than 139,000 good jobs were added to the private sector in May, all accounted for by American-born workers. Americans should continue to Trust in President Trump, who continues to beat expectations,” she added.

The 139,000 jobs added in May surpassed the Dow Jones estimate of 125,000. While job growth also beat expectations last month, the latest report revised that figure downward by 30,000 jobs.

On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote in all caps: “GREAT JOB NUMBERS, STOCK MARKET UP BIG! AT THE SAME TIME, BILLIONS POURING IN FROM TARIFFS!!!”

The strongest job gains in May were in health care (62,000), leisure and hospitality (48,000), and social assistance (16,000). In contrast, federal government employment fell by 22,000.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was little to no change in employment across several sectors, including mining, oil and gas extraction, construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, transportation and warehousing, and financial activities.

At the same time, average hourly pay increased 15 cents to $36.24 last month. 

“The small business economy is growing and the private economy is growing. This is exactly what Donald Trump wanted to do for reversing everything that Biden had done,” said Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz in response to the report. “It’s so good to see that we’re actually creating private economy jobs again.”