US Jobs Report December 2025 1-27-26

The latest BLS jobs report for December 2025 (released Jan 9, 2026) showed +50,000 payroll jobs, a drop in the unemployment rate to 4.4%, and significant cooling of 2025 growth (averaging 49k/month) due to factors like AI investment and policy uncertainty, with projections for 2026 suggesting slower, gradual hiring in healthcare, tech, and skilled trades amidst a "jobless boom" in AI. The BLS also released older projections from 2017 anticipating strong 2016-2026 growth in healthcare/social assistance and key tech/green energy roles.  

Key Takeaways from Recent Reports (Jan 2026):

December 2025 Data: 50,000 jobs added, unemployment fell to 4.4%.

2025 Trend: Slowest annual job growth since 2009 (avg. 49k/month), down from 168k/month in 2024.

Economic Context: Described as a "jobless boom" driven by AI investment, reducing demand for labor.

Future Outlook (2026): Expect gradual hiring, not a rapid rebound, with demand strong in Tech, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, and Logistics. 

BLS Projections (from 2017, for 2016-2026):

Overall Growth: Labor force projected to reach 169.7 million by 2026.

Fastest Growing Sectors: Health care & social assistance, tech (e.g., software developers, statisticians), and green energy (solar installers, wind technicians). 

Where to Find Future Reports:

The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website releases data on specific schedules, with the major Employment Situation report typically coming out the first Friday of each month for the prior month's data. 

As of January 22, 2026, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released the first major jobs data for the year, reflecting a "stall speed" labor market. 

Key Data from the January 9, 2026 Release

The report covering December 2025 highlights a cooling economy with minimal job growth: 

Nonfarm Payrolls: Added 50,000 jobs in December, missing economist expectations of 55,000.

Unemployment Rate: Edged down to 4.4% from a revised 4.5% in November.

Annual Growth: 2025 saw the weakest annual job growth since 2003 (excluding recession years), with only 584,000 total jobs added.

Wage Growth: Average hourly earnings rose by 0.3% in December and 3.8% over the past 12 months, remaining slightly ahead of inflation. 

Industry Trends

Job gains were highly concentrated in specific sectors, while others saw significant losses: 

Gainers: Healthcare (+21,100), food services and drinking places (+27,000), and social assistance (+17,000).

Losers: Retail trade and manufacturing experienced job losses, with retail shedding a notable number of positions.

Federal Impact: Government employment fell in late 2025, largely due to a federal deferred resignation program and a 43-day government shutdown that previously distorted data collection. 

Current and Upcoming 2026 Schedule

Weekly Jobless Claims: As of January 22, 2026, initial claims rose slightly to 200,000, indicating a "low-hiring, low-firing" environment.

https://www.google.com/search?q=us+jobs+report+bls+2026

Comments

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