The number of U.S. temporary help services jobs rose by 10,100 jobs in June for a total of almost 2.9 million jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The temp penetration rate — the number of temp jobs as a percent of total employment —reached a new high of 2.0677 percent.

The U.S. added 215,900 temp jobs year-over-year; year-over-year growth has been easing since March.

The U.S. unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in June, down from 6.3 percent in May. The college-level unemployment rate edged up to 3.3 percent in June from 3.2 percent in May. College-level unemployment can serve as a proxy for professional employment.

Total nonfarm employment rose by 288,000 jobs in June to a total of approximately 138.78 million. Employment increased in professional and business services, retail trade, food services and drinking places, and health care.

“The labor market remains surprisingly and resiliently strong, as evidenced by the gain of 288,000 new jobs created in June,” according to The Conference Board. “This is not just catch up after a bad winter. It also reflects some gathering strength in the economy. More consumer demand could drive more investment in capital (to give workers the tools to get the job done) and more investment in human capital. One big question is whether there will be enough upside to continue to drive up wage gains. Business, faced with a lack of pricing power and weak productivity growth, are in a difficult bind.”

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