US December Jobs Report 1-9-26

The December 2025 BLS Jobs Report (released in January 2026) showed a slow, modest job market recovery, with economists expecting around 73,000 jobs added and the unemployment rate to slightly decrease to 4.5% from November's 4.6%, but signs pointed to a genuinely weaker underlying trend, with healthcare dominating growth and other sectors struggling, while ADP reported private payrolls rose by 41,000. The report reflects ongoing labor market softness, impacted by factors like tariffs and AI, with increased part-time work and higher numbers of multiple-job holders indicating worker caution despite some positive headline numbers.  

Key Figures & Trends (Expected/Reported):

Nonfarm Payroll: Expected around 73,000 new jobs (modest increase over November's 64,000), though some forecasts were lower.

Unemployment Rate: Expected to tick down to 4.5% from 4.6% in November.

Healthcare Sector: Continued to be the primary driver of job creation, according to Indeed Hiring Lab and SHRM.

Weakening Momentum: Despite headline figures, overall job growth was soft, with weaker momentum than past years. 

Underlying Economic Factors:

Tariffs & AI: These factors were cited as headwinds slowing broader job growth, particularly in manufacturing, notes SHRM.

Seasonal Adjustments: Holiday hiring might have skewed some figures, potentially masking weaker underlying trends, says KOMU 8.

Worker Behavior: An increase in people taking multiple jobs (5.8%) signals caution among workers, notes SHRM. 

ADP Private Payroll Data (Released Jan 7, 2026): 

Private sector added 41,000 jobs, a reversal from November's decline, but below expectations.

Growth was concentrated in services (education, health, hospitality). 

Where to Find the Official Report:

The official report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is the definitive source for these figures. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) jobs report for December 2025 is scheduled to be released on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET. As of Thursday, January 8, 2026, the official data has not yet been released, but economists have made several predictions.

Economists predict a slight slowdown in hiring compared to November 2025, but estimates vary: 

Nonfarm Payrolls: The consensus forecast from FactSet is for 55,000 jobs to have been added in December 2025, a decrease from the 64,000 jobs added in November. Other estimates range from 73,000 to over 105,000.

Unemployment Rate: The rate is generally expected to slightly tick down to 4.5% in December from 4.6% in November, which was a four-year high.

Average Hourly Earnings: Projections suggest a modest monthly increase of 0.1%, matching the rise seen in November. 

The BLS's official news release schedule is available online, including the Schedule of Releases for the Employment Situation. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=jobs+report+december+2025+bls

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader