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Total nonfarm payroll employment changed little in December 2025

January 16, 2026

Total nonfarm payroll employment changed little in December (+50,000). Employment continued to trend up in food services and drinking places, health care, and social assistance. Retail trade lost jobs. Payroll employment rose by 584,000 in 2025 (an average monthly gain of 49,000), less than the increase of 2.0 million in 2024 (an average monthly gain of 168,000).

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Chart Data

Employment levels by industry, seasonally adjusted
Month	Total nonfarm	Total private	Mining and logging	Construction	Manufacturing	Wholesale trade	Retail trade	Transportation and warehousing
Dec 2015	143,077,000	120,980,000	746,000	6,630,000	12,333,000	5,775,900	15,630,800	4,946,000
Jan 2016	143,210,000	121,096,000	732,000	6,631,000	12,354,000	5,779,700	15,664,800	4,914,500
Feb 2016	143,407,000	121,269,000	710,000	6,640,000	12,337,000	5,775,400	15,715,100	4,930,300
Mar 2016	143,662,000	121,484,000	691,000	6,678,000	12,313,000	5,779,900	15,769,300	4,948,900
Apr 2016	143,855,000	121,671,000	678,000	6,702,000	12,325,000	5,784,300	15,767,200	4,964,800
May 2016	143,900,000	121,701,000	667,000	6,689,000	12,303,000	5,781,900	15,772,900	4,979,900
Jun 2016	144,146,000	121,966,000	657,000	6,701,000	12,321,000	5,777,100	15,790,000	4,984,100
Jul 2016	144,520,000	122,231,000	652,000	6,735,000	12,342,000	5,781,500	15,805,200	5,009,200
Aug 2016	144,662,000	122,378,000	647,000	6,736,000	12,319,000	5,784,100	15,822,300	5,035,800
Sep 2016	144,967,000	122,644,000	645,000	6,768,000	12,317,000	5,794,500	15,829,400	5,030,800
Oct 2016	145,066,000	122,771,000	644,000	6,799,000	12,316,000	5,799,700	15,830,800	5,047,400
Nov 2016	145,183,000	122,906,000	647,000	6,823,000	12,311,000	5,801,100	15,785,800	5,064,800
Dec 2016	145,408,000	123,104,000	647,000	6,818,000	12,324,000	5,797,100	15,818,600	5,096,900
Jan 2017	145,628,000	123,312,000	647,000	6,840,000	12,334,000	5,802,500	15,872,600	5,081,900
Feb 2017	145,848,000	123,522,000	656,000	6,881,000	12,350,000	5,804,900	15,851,400	5,098,900
Mar 2017	145,969,000	123,640,000	660,000	6,902,000	12,361,000	5,807,600	15,822,100	5,112,900
Apr 2017	146,174,000	123,839,000	669,000	6,916,000	12,367,000	5,809,900	15,804,000	5,131,500
May 2017	146,380,000	124,033,000	674,000	6,931,000	12,377,000	5,805,600	15,785,700	5,161,600
Jun 2017	146,583,000	124,223,000	677,000	6,962,000	12,390,000	5,810,500	15,778,000	5,176,800
Jul 2017	146,772,000	124,398,000	680,000	6,968,000	12,390,000	5,815,000	15,769,300	5,186,300
Aug 2017	146,919,000	124,609,000	683,000	7,002,000	12,435,000	5,816,200	15,762,800	5,198,800
Sep 2017	147,007,000	124,674,000	685,000	7,013,000	12,443,000	5,814,200	15,755,600	5,229,800
Oct 2017	147,150,000	124,789,000	686,000	7,031,000	12,457,000	5,823,000	15,748,500	5,247,300
Nov 2017	147,373,000	124,994,000	691,000	7,068,000	12,472,000	5,822,000	15,781,500	5,257,700
Dec 2017	147,523,000	125,139,000	694,000	7,091,000	12,501,000	5,825,800	15,740,700	5,281,900
Jan 2018	147,660,000	125,286,000	698,000	7,093,000	12,527,000	5,820,800	15,705,100	5,290,300
Feb 2018	148,054,000	125,635,000	707,000	7,184,000	12,551,000	5,823,300	15,753,000	5,314,300
Mar 2018	148,280,000	125,853,000	714,000	7,194,000	12,576,000	5,838,600	15,771,100	5,353,100
Apr 2018	148,422,000	125,978,000	722,000	7,212,000	12,595,000	5,816,300	15,770,600	5,373,200
May 2018	148,740,000	126,291,000	726,000	7,274,000	12,623,000	5,819,200	15,786,100	5,404,200
Jun 2018	148,959,000	126,477,000	730,000	7,292,000	12,656,000	5,822,800	15,739,800	5,425,500
Jul 2018	149,020,000	126,584,000	730,000	7,318,000	12,676,000	5,837,400	15,723,200	5,433,400
Aug 2018	149,279,000	126,811,000	737,000	7,347,000	12,688,000	5,857,600	15,725,100	5,468,100
Sep 2018	149,358,000	126,884,000	738,000	7,375,000	12,710,000	5,852,800	15,684,500	5,488,600
Oct 2018	149,526,000	127,047,000	741,000	7,389,000	12,731,000	5,858,700	15,641,500	5,516,900
Nov 2018	149,617,000	127,144,000	734,000	7,386,000	12,741,000	5,864,400	15,685,500	5,536,100
Dec 2018	149,809,000	127,298,000	743,000	7,396,000	12,761,000	5,871,400	15,635,300	5,521,600
Jan 2019	150,059,000	127,551,000	745,000	7,425,000	12,790,000	5,877,000	15,617,400	5,587,600
Feb 2019	150,065,000	127,540,000	743,000	7,395,000	12,782,000	5,882,600	15,586,700	5,571,900
Mar 2019	150,295,000	127,726,000	742,000	7,425,000	12,788,000	5,882,300	15,574,100	5,584,700
Apr 2019	150,593,000	127,974,000	739,000	7,468,000	12,785,000	5,889,200	15,571,600	5,617,200
May 2019	150,621,000	128,059,000	738,000	7,478,000	12,778,000	5,889,600	15,554,200	5,639,100
Jun 2019	150,839,000	128,235,000	734,000	7,502,000	12,787,000	5,885,800	15,533,200	5,675,200
Jul 2019	150,936,000	128,364,000	728,000	7,526,000	12,790,000	5,889,500	15,533,300	5,687,800
Aug 2019	151,171,000	128,546,000	719,000	7,530,000	12,789,000	5,889,700	15,516,700	5,695,800
Sep 2019	151,365,000	128,712,000	717,000	7,547,000	12,787,000	5,890,800	15,526,500	5,710,200
Oct 2019	151,460,000	128,790,000	717,000	7,553,000	12,733,000	5,896,000	15,527,200	5,717,500
Nov 2019	151,668,000	128,959,000	705,000	7,541,000	12,777,000	5,893,000	15,509,600	5,735,900
Dec 2019	151,795,000	129,069,000	693,000	7,527,000	12,760,000	5,898,400	15,550,100	5,760,300
Jan 2020	152,031,000	129,250,000	679,000	7,575,000	12,745,000	5,896,200	15,512,500	5,819,500
Feb 2020	152,292,000	129,435,000	684,000	7,610,000	12,743,000	5,893,400	15,519,200	5,777,500
Mar 2020	150,895,000	128,068,000	678,000	7,541,000	12,684,000	5,876,100	15,432,900	5,802,600
Apr 2020	130,424,000	108,515,000	619,000	6,522,000	11,382,000	5,485,600	13,246,900	5,288,700
May 2020	133,040,000	111,647,000	595,000	7,004,000	11,610,000	5,500,200	13,631,400	5,301,400
Jun 2020	137,671,000	116,259,000	579,000	7,159,000	11,950,000	5,541,200	14,452,300	5,430,000
Jul 2020	139,255,000	117,741,000	569,000	7,196,000	11,973,000	5,522,200	14,675,800	5,493,400
Aug 2020	140,819,000	118,819,000	561,000	7,226,000	11,999,000	5,539,300	14,942,700	5,590,200
Sep 2020	141,770,000	119,841,000	561,000	7,253,000	12,057,000	5,565,600	14,981,100	5,656,400
Oct 2020	142,461,000	120,656,000	556,000	7,301,000	12,086,000	5,577,200	15,090,300	5,737,800
Nov 2020	142,731,000	121,048,000	554,000	7,321,000	12,118,000	5,590,300	15,126,800	5,853,100
Dec 2020	142,548,000	120,870,000	557,000	7,357,000	12,153,000	5,599,100	15,144,200	5,872,900
Jan 2021	142,913,000	121,134,000	543,000	7,358,000	12,145,000	5,611,100	15,163,000	5,903,900
Feb 2021	143,422,000	121,658,000	539,000	7,293,000	12,179,000	5,623,100	15,202,900	5,932,300
Mar 2021	144,246,000	122,390,000	554,000	7,399,000	12,232,000	5,636,300	15,236,900	6,019,500
Apr 2021	144,611,000	122,702,000	555,000	7,401,000	12,191,000	5,652,700	15,189,900	6,009,000
May 2021	145,032,000	123,122,000	556,000	7,389,000	12,219,000	5,669,800	15,202,000	6,028,400
Jun 2021	145,828,000	123,824,000	560,000	7,392,000	12,249,000	5,697,200	15,268,600	6,080,900
Jul 2021	146,759,000	124,704,000	562,000	7,417,000	12,303,000	5,721,400	15,237,400	6,139,100
Aug 2021	147,246,000	125,147,000	565,000	7,431,000	12,349,000	5,740,400	15,224,200	6,189,000
Sep 2021	147,712,000	125,632,000	565,000	7,478,000	12,391,000	5,755,100	15,287,600	6,236,000
Oct 2021	148,569,000	126,526,000	569,000	7,520,000	12,454,000	5,773,900	15,338,900	6,308,300
Nov 2021	149,206,000	127,162,000	572,000	7,565,000	12,498,000	5,800,700	15,378,300	6,391,000
Dec 2021	149,781,000	127,707,000	576,000	7,601,000	12,532,000	5,829,600	15,394,200	6,448,800
Jan 2022	150,006,000	127,950,000	577,000	7,586,000	12,560,000	5,852,700	15,407,900	6,499,100
Feb 2022	150,875,000	128,834,000	581,000	7,667,000	12,608,000	5,880,200	15,552,200	6,572,300
Mar 2022	151,346,000	129,304,000	590,000	7,695,000	12,676,000	5,916,700	15,545,500	6,601,000
Apr 2022	151,651,000	129,572,000	598,000	7,699,000	12,725,000	5,947,000	15,487,100	6,619,300
May 2022	151,892,000	129,789,000	600,000	7,737,000	12,739,000	5,969,800	15,426,200	6,634,400
Jun 2022	152,353,000	130,229,000	609,000	7,760,000	12,768,000	5,983,500	15,486,300	6,642,100
Jul 2022	153,049,000	130,767,000	614,000	7,789,000	12,800,000	5,999,100	15,501,200	6,645,800
Aug 2022	153,286,000	131,017,000	612,000	7,799,000	12,826,000	6,021,200	15,527,600	6,626,400
Sep 2022	153,513,000	131,233,000	614,000	7,827,000	12,848,000	6,027,500	15,501,500	6,606,600
Oct 2022	153,913,000	131,604,000	617,000	7,846,000	12,883,000	6,043,000	15,501,700	6,620,200
Nov 2022	154,210,000	131,836,000	624,000	7,864,000	12,896,000	6,049,300	15,500,800	6,609,400
Dec 2022	154,336,000	131,963,000	626,000	7,892,000	12,889,000	6,062,100	15,515,600	6,601,200
Jan 2023	154,780,000	132,288,000	634,000	7,922,000	12,897,000	6,074,800	15,538,900	6,630,000
Feb 2023	155,086,000	132,538,000	634,000	7,947,000	12,900,000	6,090,900	15,600,600	6,590,800
Mar 2023	155,171,000	132,586,000	635,000	7,931,000	12,890,000	6,097,700	15,575,300	6,586,900
Apr 2023	155,387,000	132,753,000	638,000	7,955,000	12,889,000	6,091,600	15,559,500	6,583,900
May 2023	155,614,000	132,919,000	642,000	7,965,000	12,874,000	6,098,600	15,558,800	6,601,700
Jun 2023	155,871,000	133,089,000	641,000	8,006,000	12,877,000	6,096,600	15,547,600	6,590,900
Jul 2023	156,019,000	133,199,000	642,000	8,014,000	12,863,000	6,108,800	15,545,100	6,582,500
Aug 2023	156,176,000	133,307,000	640,000	8,039,000	12,856,000	6,111,800	15,536,700	6,557,000
Sep 2023	156,334,000	133,396,000	640,000	8,049,000	12,869,000	6,121,900	15,531,800	6,567,800
Oct 2023	156,520,000	133,513,000	638,000	8,076,000	12,836,000	6,127,300	15,534,100	6,587,200
Nov 2023	156,661,000	133,610,000	636,000	8,085,000	12,858,000	6,131,400	15,478,100	6,582,700
Dec 2023	156,930,000	133,823,000	637,000	8,099,000	12,865,000	6,138,000	15,543,700	6,587,600
Jan 2024	157,049,000	133,896,000	632,000	8,113,000	12,866,000	6,128,600	15,520,800	6,583,800
Feb 2024	157,271,000	134,047,000	633,000	8,136,000	12,853,000	6,121,700	15,530,200	6,614,100
Mar 2024	157,517,000	134,216,000	637,000	8,170,000	12,838,000	6,130,200	15,545,300	6,626,100
Apr 2024	157,635,000	134,345,000	630,000	8,173,000	12,847,000	6,137,500	15,545,700	6,643,700
May 2024	157,828,000	134,505,000	624,000	8,188,000	12,849,000	6,132,100	15,558,500	6,653,300
Jun 2024	157,915,000	134,571,000	623,000	8,203,000	12,839,000	6,135,800	15,537,400	6,661,200
Jul 2024	158,003,000	134,611,000	623,000	8,214,000	12,840,000	6,143,600	15,522,800	6,661,300
Aug 2024	158,074,000	134,644,000	622,000	8,237,000	12,800,000	6,147,400	15,509,500	6,663,000
Sep 2024	158,314,000	134,852,000	624,000	8,267,000	12,800,000	6,154,500	15,523,200	6,670,100
Oct 2024	158,358,000	134,851,000	623,000	8,268,000	12,750,000	6,160,600	15,516,600	6,661,100
Nov 2024	158,619,000	135,095,000	625,000	8,274,000	12,770,000	6,165,700	15,503,100	6,688,800
Dec 2024	158,942,000	135,382,000	624,000	8,289,000	12,760,000	6,178,700	15,537,500	6,723,200
Jan 2025	159,053,000	135,461,000	621,000	8,286,000	12,755,000	6,174,400	15,573,200	6,744,500
Feb 2025	159,155,000	135,568,000	625,000	8,298,000	12,763,000	6,181,500	15,569,400	6,762,800
Mar 2025	159,275,000	135,682,000	624,000	8,303,000	12,764,000	6,176,700	15,585,800	6,742,100
Apr 2025	159,433,000	135,815,000	626,000	8,303,000	12,764,000	6,178,000	15,590,500	6,734,500
May 2025	159,452,000	135,884,000	622,000	8,305,000	12,753,000	6,179,600	15,575,700	6,734,000
Jun 2025	159,439,000	135,857,000	620,000	8,303,000	12,736,000	6,167,500	15,570,700	6,737,800
Jul 2025	159,511,000	135,913,000	616,000	8,300,000	12,727,000	6,163,100	15,576,400	6,732,700
Aug 2025	159,485,000	135,923,000	614,000	8,280,000	12,716,000	6,157,000	15,581,800	6,736,000
Sep 2025	159,593,000	136,027,000	611,000	8,305,000	12,711,000	6,165,900	15,605,200	6,702,600
Oct 2025	159,420,000	136,028,000	612,000	8,292,000	12,702,000	6,164,300	15,581,300	6,696,500
Nov 2025	159,476,000	136,078,000	610,000	8,314,000	12,700,000	6,163,100	15,564,400	6,671,300
Dec 2025	159,526,000	136,115,000	608,000	8,303,000	12,692,000	6,161,100	15,539,400	6,664,700

Employment levels by industry, seasonally adjusted (continued)
Month	Utilities	Information	Financial activities	Professional and business services	Private education and health services	Health care	Social assistance	Leisure and hospitality	Other services
Dec 2015	556,000	2,761,000	8,189,000	20,035,000	22,318,000	15,207,200	3,588,400	15,406,000	5,653,000
Jan 2016	555,900	2,762,000	8,207,000	20,046,000	22,348,000	15,245,000	3,593,100	15,454,000	5,647,000
Feb 2016	557,100	2,775,000	8,210,000	20,058,000	22,401,000	15,270,900	3,609,300	15,494,000	5,666,000
Mar 2016	555,400	2,785,000	8,226,000	20,082,000	22,447,000	15,296,600	3,615,300	15,535,000	5,673,000
Apr 2016	555,600	2,789,000	8,249,000	20,113,000	22,503,000	15,334,000	3,617,000	15,562,000	5,678,000
May 2016	554,400	2,751,000	8,265,000	20,120,000	22,564,000	15,372,100	3,625,600	15,583,000	5,670,000
Jun 2016	556,000	2,801,000	8,281,000	20,162,000	22,615,000	15,403,200	3,642,900	15,639,000	5,682,000
Jul 2016	556,700	2,799,000	8,304,000	20,208,000	22,669,000	15,443,200	3,657,100	15,679,000	5,690,000
Aug 2016	556,700	2,803,000	8,320,000	20,212,000	22,715,000	15,462,700	3,682,500	15,725,000	5,702,000
Sep 2016	556,700	2,817,000	8,327,000	20,281,000	22,779,000	15,496,700	3,693,200	15,785,000	5,714,000
Oct 2016	556,800	2,814,000	8,333,000	20,303,000	22,827,000	15,519,500	3,700,100	15,780,000	5,720,000
Nov 2016	557,100	2,812,000	8,344,000	20,340,000	22,865,000	15,543,200	3,711,100	15,826,000	5,729,000
Dec 2016	557,600	2,817,000	8,370,000	20,374,000	22,928,000	15,582,700	3,727,200	15,845,000	5,711,000
Jan 2017	556,700	2,821,000	8,397,000	20,415,000	22,941,000	15,590,300	3,739,900	15,874,000	5,729,000
Feb 2017	556,000	2,815,000	8,400,000	20,433,000	23,018,000	15,618,900	3,752,300	15,917,000	5,741,000
Mar 2017	555,800	2,813,000	8,407,000	20,463,000	23,047,000	15,627,200	3,763,400	15,941,000	5,748,000
Apr 2017	555,300	2,804,000	8,424,000	20,494,000	23,105,000	15,656,600	3,786,700	16,006,000	5,753,000
May 2017	554,400	2,801,000	8,436,000	20,556,000	23,140,000	15,673,200	3,797,300	16,046,000	5,765,000
Jun 2017	555,200	2,811,000	8,452,000	20,589,000	23,165,000	15,705,300	3,815,800	16,087,000	5,769,000
Jul 2017	554,800	2,809,000	8,465,000	20,632,000	23,232,000	15,745,200	3,823,900	16,122,000	5,775,000
Aug 2017	555,100	2,813,000	8,476,000	20,671,000	23,269,000	15,761,900	3,827,100	16,150,000	5,777,000
Sep 2017	555,500	2,816,000	8,479,000	20,668,000	23,295,000	15,781,300	3,822,100	16,140,000	5,780,000
Oct 2017	555,400	2,811,000	8,482,000	20,709,000	23,313,000	15,795,800	3,827,500	16,133,000	5,793,000
Nov 2017	555,000	2,815,000	8,490,000	20,725,000	23,354,000	15,812,500	3,843,300	16,160,000	5,803,000
Dec 2017	555,200	2,818,000	8,496,000	20,764,000	23,383,000	15,834,300	3,848,300	16,183,000	5,805,000
Jan 2018	553,700	2,817,000	8,503,000	20,822,000	23,438,000	15,854,800	3,877,100	16,209,000	5,809,000
Feb 2018	556,100	2,819,000	8,527,000	20,861,000	23,494,000	15,887,100	3,898,100	16,231,000	5,814,000
Mar 2018	555,700	2,826,000	8,538,000	20,908,000	23,523,000	15,901,300	3,914,400	16,239,000	5,816,000
Apr 2018	557,300	2,838,000	8,546,000	20,952,000	23,546,000	15,918,600	3,920,600	16,226,000	5,824,000
May 2018	555,200	2,841,000	8,572,000	21,011,000	23,583,000	15,943,400	3,931,700	16,261,000	5,835,000
Jun 2018	554,200	2,838,000	8,590,000	21,060,000	23,615,000	15,952,200	3,939,500	16,310,000	5,844,000
Jul 2018	550,800	2,841,000	8,600,000	21,073,000	23,643,000	15,961,500	3,954,700	16,329,000	5,829,000
Aug 2018	551,400	2,840,000	8,612,000	21,112,000	23,701,000	15,988,000	3,974,300	16,343,000	5,829,000
Sep 2018	551,400	2,838,000	8,629,000	21,145,000	23,709,000	15,997,800	3,992,700	16,325,000	5,838,000
Oct 2018	552,200	2,850,000	8,643,000	21,171,000	23,756,000	16,028,500	4,010,700	16,356,000	5,841,000
Nov 2018	552,000	2,850,000	8,651,000	21,176,000	23,768,000	16,042,200	4,022,900	16,361,000	5,839,000
Dec 2018	551,200	2,851,000	8,661,000	21,196,000	23,852,000	16,087,100	4,045,500	16,412,000	5,846,000
Jan 2019	551,300	2,842,000	8,671,000	21,201,000	23,902,000	16,112,400	4,052,300	16,488,000	5,854,000
Feb 2019	549,900	2,843,000	8,683,000	21,230,000	23,923,000	16,135,800	4,064,900	16,494,000	5,856,000
Mar 2019	550,600	2,849,000	8,705,000	21,258,000	23,988,000	16,175,800	4,087,400	16,504,000	5,875,000
Apr 2019	548,000	2,846,000	8,723,000	21,315,000	24,054,000	16,200,700	4,119,500	16,527,000	5,891,000
May 2019	549,100	2,858,000	8,736,000	21,356,000	24,090,000	16,222,700	4,129,800	16,507,000	5,886,000
Jun 2019	550,900	2,875,000	8,749,000	21,402,000	24,135,000	16,253,000	4,139,700	16,512,000	5,894,000
Jul 2019	550,200	2,866,000	8,770,000	21,421,000	24,181,000	16,276,800	4,151,300	16,522,000	5,899,000
Aug 2019	549,600	2,865,000	8,787,000	21,455,000	24,246,000	16,311,900	4,178,000	16,602,000	5,901,000
Sep 2019	548,300	2,871,000	8,785,000	21,465,000	24,288,000	16,344,200	4,188,200	16,673,000	5,903,000
Oct 2019	546,900	2,874,000	8,801,000	21,476,000	24,328,000	16,365,400	4,212,900	16,722,000	5,898,000
Nov 2019	548,100	2,885,000	8,814,000	21,487,000	24,391,000	16,404,500	4,235,100	16,761,000	5,911,000
Dec 2019	548,800	2,891,000	8,823,000	21,467,000	24,428,000	16,421,600	4,253,900	16,805,000	5,917,000
Jan 2020	547,000	2,901,000	8,833,000	21,476,000	24,510,000	16,451,900	4,272,800	16,823,000	5,933,000
Feb 2020	547,400	2,910,000	8,871,000	21,483,000	24,573,000	16,475,000	4,296,000	16,889,000	5,934,000
Mar 2020	547,400	2,902,000	8,855,000	21,388,000	24,356,000	16,395,700	4,260,000	16,158,000	5,847,000
Apr 2020	542,600	2,643,000	8,590,000	19,223,000	21,742,000	14,879,600	3,605,400	8,719,000	4,511,000
May 2020	542,100	2,609,000	8,607,000	19,410,000	22,150,000	15,205,900	3,658,400	9,947,000	4,740,000
Jun 2020	539,900	2,622,000	8,622,000	19,768,000	22,727,000	15,577,800	3,766,700	11,777,000	5,092,000
Jul 2020	539,100	2,622,000	8,623,000	19,953,000	22,923,000	15,703,300	3,822,100	12,415,000	5,236,000
Aug 2020	541,000	2,640,000	8,647,000	20,147,000	23,124,000	15,785,800	3,867,400	12,573,000	5,289,000
Sep 2020	542,700	2,695,000	8,674,000	20,267,000	23,189,000	15,849,300	3,917,000	13,065,000	5,334,000
Oct 2020	541,600	2,684,000	8,692,000	20,455,000	23,278,000	15,909,500	3,943,800	13,303,000	5,354,000
Nov 2020	541,600	2,696,000	8,704,000	20,602,000	23,337,000	15,941,600	3,967,600	13,260,000	5,344,000
Dec 2020	541,500	2,712,000	8,718,000	20,770,000	23,334,000	15,996,500	3,970,300	12,798,000	5,313,000
Jan 2021	542,200	2,750,000	8,729,000	20,912,000	23,354,000	15,928,000	3,969,900	12,804,000	5,319,000
Feb 2021	542,500	2,767,000	8,727,000	20,988,000	23,411,000	15,948,700	3,989,900	13,134,000	5,319,000
Mar 2021	543,300	2,774,000	8,738,000	21,100,000	23,530,000	16,000,200	4,019,700	13,289,000	5,338,000
Apr 2021	543,900	2,796,000	8,755,000	21,110,000	23,574,000	16,005,100	4,051,100	13,556,000	5,368,000
May 2021	544,100	2,818,000	8,762,000	21,168,000	23,617,000	16,014,400	4,060,300	13,774,000	5,375,000
Jun 2021	545,200	2,837,000	8,769,000	21,258,000	23,643,000	16,004,900	4,065,000	14,081,000	5,443,000
Jul 2021	545,400	2,872,000	8,803,000	21,419,000	23,693,000	16,010,600	4,076,000	14,504,000	5,488,000
Aug 2021	544,800	2,900,000	8,821,000	21,530,000	23,723,000	16,005,900	4,080,400	14,610,000	5,520,000
Sep 2021	545,900	2,916,000	8,847,000	21,630,000	23,700,000	15,974,700	4,108,800	14,743,000	5,537,000
Oct 2021	546,200	2,933,000	8,877,000	21,879,000	23,800,000	16,001,800	4,120,800	14,955,000	5,572,000
Nov 2021	547,200	2,949,000	8,908,000	22,026,000	23,849,000	16,018,600	4,134,300	15,083,000	5,595,000
Dec 2021	547,800	2,961,000	8,934,000	22,139,000	23,888,000	16,029,400	4,152,100	15,239,000	5,617,000
Jan 2022	550,200	2,984,000	8,935,000	22,198,000	23,870,000	16,037,500	4,128,500	15,328,000	5,602,000
Feb 2022	551,200	2,994,000	8,985,000	22,363,000	23,983,000	16,090,400	4,163,400	15,454,000	5,643,000
Mar 2022	551,800	3,024,000	9,004,000	22,480,000	24,050,000	16,118,900	4,194,000	15,515,000	5,655,000
Apr 2022	553,300	3,036,000	9,043,000	22,479,000	24,108,000	16,163,600	4,207,300	15,611,000	5,666,000
May 2022	555,300	3,059,000	9,051,000	22,496,000	24,178,000	16,204,300	4,229,400	15,674,000	5,669,000
Jun 2022	557,100	3,081,000	9,059,000	22,559,000	24,269,000	16,259,200	4,253,800	15,778,000	5,677,000
Jul 2022	560,300	3,095,000	9,072,000	22,652,000	24,407,000	16,330,600	4,290,100	15,925,000	5,707,000
Aug 2022	562,900	3,092,000	9,088,000	22,689,000	24,488,000	16,384,000	4,314,300	15,977,000	5,708,000
Sep 2022	564,100	3,094,000	9,093,000	22,733,000	24,547,000	16,433,900	4,331,700	16,047,000	5,730,000
Oct 2022	566,500	3,095,000	9,119,000	22,784,000	24,642,000	16,498,900	4,357,600	16,144,000	5,743,000
Nov 2022	567,200	3,105,000	9,132,000	22,797,000	24,732,000	16,546,300	4,386,100	16,200,000	5,759,000
Dec 2022	568,400	3,087,000	9,141,000	22,791,000	24,777,000	16,600,800	4,415,700	16,241,000	5,772,000
Jan 2023	567,700	3,062,000	9,144,000	22,798,000	24,882,000	16,662,400	4,446,200	16,354,000	5,784,000
Feb 2023	568,200	3,052,000	9,156,000	22,838,000	24,953,000	16,703,400	4,466,900	16,424,000	5,783,000
Mar 2023	571,400	3,056,000	9,152,000	22,834,000	25,024,000	16,743,300	4,493,900	16,441,000	5,792,000
Apr 2023	573,700	3,050,000	9,182,000	22,845,000	25,105,000	16,780,300	4,520,000	16,478,000	5,802,000
May 2023	574,500	3,035,000	9,179,000	22,846,000	25,223,000	16,834,700	4,546,300	16,505,000	5,816,000
Jun 2023	575,500	3,024,000	9,183,000	22,820,000	25,313,000	16,896,600	4,566,500	16,581,000	5,833,000
Jul 2023	574,200	3,001,000	9,192,000	22,772,000	25,448,000	16,972,900	4,609,900	16,610,000	5,846,000
Aug 2023	577,100	2,975,000	9,190,000	22,756,000	25,568,000	17,045,800	4,648,000	16,635,000	5,865,000
Sep 2023	579,400	2,973,000	9,182,000	22,724,000	25,638,000	17,096,700	4,665,000	16,636,000	5,884,000
Oct 2023	581,300	2,947,000	9,174,000	22,706,000	25,732,000	17,148,900	4,689,500	16,685,000	5,889,000
Nov 2023	582,400	2,952,000	9,171,000	22,659,000	25,847,000	17,226,300	4,716,000	16,724,000	5,903,000
Dec 2023	584,700	2,962,000	9,176,000	22,664,000	25,932,000	17,275,600	4,745,100	16,728,000	5,906,000
Jan 2024	586,200	2,966,000	9,165,000	22,667,000	26,031,000	17,338,000	4,762,600	16,720,000	5,917,000
Feb 2024	589,800	2,963,000	9,155,000	22,661,000	26,127,000	17,401,900	4,787,600	16,735,000	5,928,000
Mar 2024	589,000	2,959,000	9,152,000	22,637,000	26,214,000	17,471,900	4,800,000	16,772,000	5,946,000
Apr 2024	588,800	2,952,000	9,152,000	22,645,000	26,308,000	17,531,500	4,823,900	16,768,000	5,954,000
May 2024	590,800	2,953,000	9,159,000	22,656,000	26,387,000	17,590,300	4,844,400	16,791,000	5,963,000
Jun 2024	591,900	2,953,000	9,167,000	22,639,000	26,464,000	17,637,200	4,869,800	16,783,000	5,974,000
Jul 2024	591,600	2,936,000	9,164,000	22,623,000	26,525,000	17,683,300	4,885,200	16,792,000	5,975,000
Aug 2024	592,400	2,929,000	9,170,000	22,591,000	26,590,000	17,721,200	4,900,900	16,818,000	5,975,000
Sep 2024	595,000	2,929,000	9,175,000	22,575,000	26,688,000	17,774,800	4,926,000	16,869,000	5,982,000
Oct 2024	594,200	2,922,000	9,178,000	22,541,000	26,775,000	17,836,800	4,947,900	16,878,000	5,983,000
Nov 2024	593,900	2,927,000	9,194,000	22,578,000	26,848,000	17,900,800	4,962,800	16,932,000	5,995,000
Dec 2024	593,100	2,944,000	9,206,000	22,614,000	26,931,000	17,949,600	4,989,500	16,979,000	6,002,000
Jan 2025	594,500	2,940,000	9,220,000	22,579,000	26,993,000	17,988,300	5,012,900	16,965,000	6,015,000
Feb 2025	595,300	2,940,000	9,235,000	22,594,000	27,058,000	18,035,700	5,022,900	16,931,000	6,015,000
Mar 2025	596,800	2,938,000	9,238,000	22,583,000	27,123,000	18,079,800	5,046,000	16,976,000	6,032,000
Apr 2025	595,600	2,939,000	9,243,000	22,610,000	27,208,000	18,047,800	5,156,700	16,994,000	6,029,000
May 2025	598,200	2,941,000	9,250,000	22,587,000	27,278,000	18,105,600	5,170,900	17,021,000	6,039,000
Jun 2025	598,500	2,938,000	9,244,000	22,563,000	27,329,000	18,138,000	5,197,300	17,016,000	6,033,000
Jul 2025	598,900	2,932,000	9,245,000	22,550,000	27,409,000	18,192,600	5,213,800	17,025,000	6,038,000
Aug 2025	598,000	2,927,000	9,230,000	22,537,000	27,443,000	18,218,100	5,228,300	17,048,000	6,055,000
Sep 2025	597,800	2,924,000	9,236,000	22,529,000	27,499,000	18,258,800	5,246,700	17,090,000	6,050,000
Oct 2025	598,900	2,917,000	9,237,000	22,513,000	27,540,000	18,289,400	5,265,700	17,123,000	6,051,000
Nov 2025	600,300	2,914,000	9,237,000	22,526,000	27,599,000	18,333,100	5,280,100	17,120,000	6,059,000
Dec 2025	601,100	2,914,000	9,244,000	22,517,000	27,640,000	18,354,200	5,297,500	17,167,000	6,064,000

Employment levels by industry, seasonally adjusted (continued)
Month	Government	Federal government	State government	Local government
Dec 2015	22,097,000	2,776,000	5,088,000	14,233,000
Jan 2016	22,114,000	2,771,000	5,090,000	14,253,000
Feb 2016	22,138,000	2,778,000	5,085,000	14,275,000
Mar 2016	22,178,000	2,783,000	5,092,000	14,303,000
Apr 2016	22,184,000	2,785,000	5,097,000	14,302,000
May 2016	22,199,000	2,792,000	5,092,000	14,315,000
Jun 2016	22,180,000	2,797,000	5,107,000	14,276,000
Jul 2016	22,289,000	2,800,000	5,115,000	14,374,000
Aug 2016	22,284,000	2,803,000	5,115,000	14,366,000
Sep 2016	22,323,000	2,806,000	5,150,000	14,367,000
Oct 2016	22,295,000	2,804,000	5,132,000	14,359,000
Nov 2016	22,277,000	2,798,000	5,135,000	14,344,000
Dec 2016	22,304,000	2,815,000	5,139,000	14,350,000
Jan 2017	22,316,000	2,813,000	5,156,000	14,347,000
Feb 2017	22,326,000	2,812,000	5,160,000	14,354,000
Mar 2017	22,329,000	2,810,000	5,163,000	14,356,000
Apr 2017	22,335,000	2,798,000	5,169,000	14,368,000
May 2017	22,347,000	2,808,000	5,181,000	14,358,000
Jun 2017	22,360,000	2,805,000	5,174,000	14,381,000
Jul 2017	22,374,000	2,806,000	5,178,000	14,390,000
Aug 2017	22,310,000	2,802,000	5,169,000	14,339,000
Sep 2017	22,333,000	2,799,000	5,144,000	14,390,000
Oct 2017	22,361,000	2,802,000	5,152,000	14,407,000
Nov 2017	22,379,000	2,791,000	5,161,000	14,427,000
Dec 2017	22,384,000	2,794,000	5,159,000	14,431,000
Jan 2018	22,374,000	2,794,000	5,152,000	14,428,000
Feb 2018	22,419,000	2,790,000	5,156,000	14,473,000
Mar 2018	22,427,000	2,792,000	5,164,000	14,471,000
Apr 2018	22,444,000	2,800,000	5,177,000	14,467,000
May 2018	22,449,000	2,793,000	5,174,000	14,482,000
Jun 2018	22,482,000	2,798,000	5,179,000	14,505,000
Jul 2018	22,436,000	2,799,000	5,175,000	14,462,000
Aug 2018	22,468,000	2,801,000	5,174,000	14,493,000
Sep 2018	22,474,000	2,805,000	5,183,000	14,486,000
Oct 2018	22,479,000	2,805,000	5,183,000	14,491,000
Nov 2018	22,473,000	2,809,000	5,165,000	14,499,000
Dec 2018	22,511,000	2,808,000	5,176,000	14,527,000
Jan 2019	22,508,000	2,808,000	5,173,000	14,527,000
Feb 2019	22,525,000	2,810,000	5,182,000	14,533,000
Mar 2019	22,569,000	2,811,000	5,191,000	14,567,000
Apr 2019	22,619,000	2,827,000	5,192,000	14,600,000
May 2019	22,562,000	2,829,000	5,150,000	14,583,000
Jun 2019	22,604,000	2,833,000	5,170,000	14,601,000
Jul 2019	22,572,000	2,829,000	5,191,000	14,552,000
Aug 2019	22,625,000	2,854,000	5,213,000	14,558,000
Sep 2019	22,653,000	2,852,000	5,219,000	14,582,000
Oct 2019	22,670,000	2,837,000	5,239,000	14,594,000
Nov 2019	22,709,000	2,842,000	5,248,000	14,619,000
Dec 2019	22,726,000	2,837,000	5,251,000	14,638,000
Jan 2020	22,781,000	2,855,000	5,262,000	14,664,000
Feb 2020	22,857,000	2,857,000	5,308,000	14,692,000
Mar 2020	22,827,000	2,876,000	5,263,000	14,688,000
Apr 2020	21,909,000	2,875,000	5,113,000	13,921,000
May 2020	21,393,000	2,876,000	5,059,000	13,458,000
Jun 2020	21,412,000	2,883,000	5,069,000	13,460,000
Jul 2020	21,514,000	2,908,000	5,080,000	13,526,000
Aug 2020	22,000,000	3,156,000	5,120,000	13,724,000
Sep 2020	21,929,000	3,123,000	5,091,000	13,715,000
Oct 2020	21,805,000	2,981,000	5,074,000	13,750,000
Nov 2020	21,683,000	2,892,000	5,074,000	13,717,000
Dec 2020	21,678,000	2,897,000	5,083,000	13,698,000
Jan 2021	21,779,000	2,886,000	5,150,000	13,743,000
Feb 2021	21,764,000	2,882,000	5,154,000	13,728,000
Mar 2021	21,856,000	2,885,000	5,192,000	13,779,000
Apr 2021	21,909,000	2,895,000	5,187,000	13,827,000
May 2021	21,910,000	2,887,000	5,174,000	13,849,000
Jun 2021	22,004,000	2,888,000	5,199,000	13,917,000
Jul 2021	22,055,000	2,888,000	5,177,000	13,990,000
Aug 2021	22,099,000	2,887,000	5,155,000	14,057,000
Sep 2021	22,080,000	2,886,000	5,139,000	14,055,000
Oct 2021	22,043,000	2,876,000	5,132,000	14,035,000
Nov 2021	22,044,000	2,888,000	5,121,000	14,035,000
Dec 2021	22,074,000	2,881,000	5,122,000	14,071,000
Jan 2022	22,056,000	2,878,000	5,087,000	14,091,000
Feb 2022	22,041,000	2,874,000	5,070,000	14,097,000
Mar 2022	22,042,000	2,869,000	5,057,000	14,116,000
Apr 2022	22,079,000	2,867,000	5,075,000	14,137,000
May 2022	22,103,000	2,863,000	5,095,000	14,145,000
Jun 2022	22,124,000	2,852,000	5,104,000	14,168,000
Jul 2022	22,282,000	2,862,000	5,140,000	14,280,000
Aug 2022	22,269,000	2,859,000	5,146,000	14,264,000
Sep 2022	22,280,000	2,863,000	5,148,000	14,269,000
Oct 2022	22,309,000	2,869,000	5,139,000	14,301,000
Nov 2022	22,374,000	2,875,000	5,162,000	14,337,000
Dec 2022	22,373,000	2,873,000	5,136,000	14,364,000
Jan 2023	22,492,000	2,882,000	5,199,000	14,411,000
Feb 2023	22,548,000	2,890,000	5,219,000	14,439,000
Mar 2023	22,585,000	2,897,000	5,235,000	14,453,000
Apr 2023	22,634,000	2,905,000	5,251,000	14,478,000
May 2023	22,695,000	2,914,000	5,272,000	14,509,000
Jun 2023	22,782,000	2,923,000	5,294,000	14,565,000
Jul 2023	22,820,000	2,928,000	5,303,000	14,589,000
Aug 2023	22,869,000	2,942,000	5,324,000	14,603,000
Sep 2023	22,938,000	2,948,000	5,337,000	14,653,000
Oct 2023	23,007,000	2,955,000	5,359,000	14,693,000
Nov 2023	23,051,000	2,957,000	5,366,000	14,728,000
Dec 2023	23,107,000	2,966,000	5,378,000	14,763,000
Jan 2024	23,153,000	2,977,000	5,390,000	14,786,000
Feb 2024	23,224,000	2,985,000	5,404,000	14,835,000
Mar 2024	23,301,000	2,997,000	5,414,000	14,890,000
Apr 2024	23,290,000	2,995,000	5,418,000	14,877,000
May 2024	23,323,000	2,998,000	5,420,000	14,905,000
Jun 2024	23,344,000	3,000,000	5,429,000	14,915,000
Jul 2024	23,392,000	3,002,000	5,444,000	14,946,000
Aug 2024	23,430,000	3,004,000	5,453,000	14,973,000
Sep 2024	23,462,000	3,008,000	5,468,000	14,986,000
Oct 2024	23,507,000	3,011,000	5,484,000	15,012,000
Nov 2024	23,524,000	3,009,000	5,493,000	15,022,000
Dec 2024	23,560,000	3,012,000	5,512,000	15,036,000
Jan 2025	23,592,000	3,015,000	5,524,000	15,053,000
Feb 2025	23,587,000	3,002,000	5,514,000	15,071,000
Mar 2025	23,593,000	2,991,000	5,515,000	15,087,000
Apr 2025	23,618,000	2,978,000	5,526,000	15,114,000
May 2025	23,568,000	2,952,000	5,515,000	15,101,000
Jun 2025	23,582,000	2,943,000	5,511,000	15,128,000
Jul 2025	23,598,000	2,935,000	5,505,000	15,158,000
Aug 2025	23,562,000	2,916,000	5,478,000	15,168,000
Sep 2025	23,566,000	2,912,000	5,486,000	15,168,000
Oct 2025	23,392,000	2,733,000	5,473,000	15,186,000
Nov 2025	23,398,000	2,736,000	5,474,000	15,188,000
Dec 2025	23,411,000	2,738,000	5,467,000	15,206,000

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Employment in food services and drinking places continued to trend up in December (+27,000). Food services and drinking places added an average of 12,000 jobs per month in 2025, similar to the average increase of 11,000 jobs per month in 2024.

Health care employment continued its upward trend in December (+21,000), with a gain of 16,000 jobs in hospitals. Health care employment rose by an average of 34,000 per month in 2025, less than the average monthly gain of 56,000 in 2024. Employment in social assistance also continued to trend up (+17,000), mostly in individual and family services (+13,000).

Retail trade lost 25,000 jobs in December and showed little net change in both 2024 and 2025.

Federal government employment was little changed in December (+2,000). Since its recent peak in January, federal government employment is down by 277,000, or 9.2 percent. (Employees on paid leave or receiving ongoing severance pay are counted as employed in the establishment survey.)

These data are from the Current Employment Statistics program and are seasonally adjusted. The most recent two months are preliminary. To learn more, see "The Employment Situation — December 2025." Also see more charts of national employment, hours, and earnings data.

SUGGESTED CITATION

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, Total nonfarm payroll employment changed little in December 2025 at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2026/total-nonfarm-payroll-employment-changed-little-in-december-2025.htm (visited January 18, 2026).

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