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U.S. employment rises with 143,000 job additions in January 2025
By News Desk - Feb 06, 2025, 11:30 PM ET
Last Updated - Feb 07, 2025, 09:19 AM EST
Unemployment rate dips to 4.0% as health care and retail trade significantly contribute to job growth
In a positive turn for the U.S. labor market, January 2025 saw a notable increase in nonfarm payroll employment, with 143,000 jobs added according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This rise, accompanied by a slight decrease in the unemployment rate to 4.0%, highlights significant job growth in key sectors amid a stable economic environment.
The January 2025 employment situation report indicates that health care, retail trade, and social assistance sectors were at the forefront of this job growth. Health care alone contributed 44,000 new positions, particularly in hospitals, nursing, residential care facilities, and home health care services. Meanwhile, retail trade saw an increase of 34,000 jobs, largely within general merchandise retailers and furniture and home furnishings stores, despite a notable decline in electronics and appliance retailers.
Another key contributor was the social assistance sector, adding 22,000 jobs, fueled predominantly by individual and family services. Additionally, government employment continued its upward trend, adding 32,000 positions. However, the report also noted losses in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction, with the industry shedding 8,000 jobs.
The labor force participation rate remained steady at 62.6%, with the employment-population ratio holding at 60.1%. Among major worker groups, unemployment rates changed little, maintaining stability across demographics such as adult men, women, and ethnic minorities. The data suggested minor adjustments in other sectors, confirming an overall stabilization in labor market dynamics.
The average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 17 cents, or 0.5%, reaching $35.87, marking a year-over-year growth of 4.1%. Production and nonsupervisory employees saw an increase to $30.84. These earnings trends reflect continued momentum in wage growth, albeit with a subtle decrease in average weekly hours, now at 34.1.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised upwards the employment numbers for November and December 2024 by a combined total of 100,000 jobs. This annual benchmarking adjusted the employment landscape, ensuring accuracy in the measured impacts of seasonal and economic variations. As the U.S. economy progresses, the employment outlook for the coming months remains cautiously optimistic.
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