The Labor Department released its monthly report on hiring and joblessness on Friday. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.3% in May. Analysts had expected an increase to 6.4%.

The U.S. economy added 217,000 in May, missing expectations for a 218,000 rise, after a 282,000 gain in April. April’s figure was revised down from a 288,000 increase.

Total U.S. payrolls reached 138.5 million in May, exceeding the previous peak level of employment in the U.S. set in January 2008.

These figures seem to be another sign that the U.S. economy gaining the kind of sustained momentum.