US hiring rose more than forecast in June, defying expectations for slowing growth in the face of President Donald Trump's shifting tariff and spending policies.

The US added 147,000 nonfarm jobs in June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Thursday, exceeding economists' expectations for about 110,000 jobs. Gains for the prior two months were revised up by a combined 16,000 jobs, with May at 144,000.

Job growth averaged 146,000 over the 12 months prior to June, BLS said.

Fed funds futures after the report showed a 6.7pc probability the Federal Reserve would cut its target rate at the next meeting at the end of July, down from 24pc on Wednesday. The Fed has signaled it will continue to monitor the impacts of the administration's tariff, fiscal and other policies before adjusting policy, even as Trump has publicly lambasted the Fed chief for holding rates steady this year following a full percentage point of cuts last year.

The US unemployment rate edged down to 4.1pc from 4.2pc in May and has remained in a range of 4-4.2pc since May 2024.

Federal government jobs declined by 7,000 and have dropped by 69,000 since January, reflecting the initial impacts of Trump's efforts to slash the federal workforce, moves that are facing court challenges. Employees receiving severance pay or on paid leave are reported as employed.

State government added 47,000 jobs, mostly in education. Health care added 39,000 jobs while social assistance added 16,000. Transportation and warehousing added 7,500 jobs. Manufacturing lost 7,000 jobs.

Jobs were little changed in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; wholesale trade; retail trade; information; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services.

Average hourly earnings were up on the year by 3.7pc in June, compared with 3.9pc in May.

By Bob Willis