Payrolls rose by 209,000 in June, less than expected, as jobs growth wobbles

Employment growth eased in June, taking some steam out of what had been a stunningly strong labor market.

Nonfarm payrolls increased 209,000 in June and the unemployment rate was 3.6%, the Labor Department reported Friday. That compared with the Dow Jones consensus estimates for growth of 240,000 and a jobless level of 3.6%.