The number of unemployed fell 60 thousand from a month earlier to 1.62 million in May, and employment dropped by 80 thousand to 66.94 million. The labor force declined 90 thousand to 68.59 million and those detached from the labor force increased 60 thousand to 42.24 million.
Youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, edged down to 3.8 percent in May from 3.9 percent in April.
A year earlier, the unemployment rate was lower at 2.2 percent.