The Economics Daily Home page

Americans born from 1957 to 1964 and those born from 1980 and 1984 were both employed for 76 percent of the weeks during the time they were between age 18 and 38. Men were employed more weeks from ages 18 to 38 than women. White, non-Hispanic individuals were employed more weeks at these ages than both Black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic or Latino individuals.

In 2025, at least 90.0 percent of workers in 26 detailed occupations did not require any prior work experience. Among these occupations were fast food and counter workers and cashiers, with 98.1 percent and 96.5 percent, respectively. By comparison, 56.6 percent of all workers were in jobs that required no prior work experience.

With schools back in session, let’s check out the driving forces behind employment trends in the school and employee bus transportation industry. Each June and July, as the school year comes to an end, employees in school and employee bus transportation fall off payrolls. Employment trends in August can vary from year to year, but a large employment buildup often follows in September, as school resumes. For instance, before seasonal adjustment, 23,000 and 52,000 workers fell off payrolls in June 2025 and July 2025, respectively. In September 2025, school and employee bus transportation employment increased by 70,000, largely offsetting the earlier layoffs. In 2026, 29,000 employees fell off payrolls in June, followed by another 52,000 in July.

Of the 15 largest areas, San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California, had among the highest average compensation costs for private industry workers in March 2026 at $75.12 per hour worked. Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had among the lowest average compensation costs at $37.84 per hour.