US job market powers ahead with better-than-expected gains despite recession fears

• Average hourly earnings rose 5.1% from a year ago, slightly faster than estimates

• Education and health services led to maximum job creation, followed by professional and business services and leisure and hospitality

Job growth in the US accelerated at a much faster pace than expected in June, indicating that the central pillar of the economy remains strong despite the darkening economic outlook.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday reported that nonfarm payrolls increased 372,000 in the month, outperforming Dow Jones’s estimate of 250,000 jobs and continuing what has been a strong year for job growth.