As the winter chill began to fade and February 2025 rolled in, the U.S. job market continued its steady, albeit moderate, pace of growth. The latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics painted a picture of resilience, with 151,000 new jobs added to the economy. Despite some fluctuations across industries, the unemployment rate held firm at 4.1%, a sign that the labor market was navigating economic shifts without major turbulence.
U.S. job market Civilian unemployment rate
However, not all sectors shared in this growth. The government workforce shrank, with federal employment taking a notable dip. The retail industry also saw setbacks, particularly in food and beverage stores, where strike activity played a role in job losses.
U.S. Job Market Establishment Survey Data
- Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 151,000, close to the 12-month average gain of 168,000.
- Health care sector led job gains with 52,000 new jobs, particularly in:
- Ambulatory health care services (+26,000)
- Hospitals (+15,000)
- Nursing and residential care facilities (+12,000)
- Financial activities added 21,000 jobs, exceeding its 12-month average of 5,000.
- Real estate and rental leasing: +10,000 jobs
- Insurance carriers: +5,000 jobs
- Commercial banking saw a decline of 5,000 jobs
- Transportation and warehousing continued its upward trend, gaining 18,000 jobs, including:
- Couriers and messengers: +24,000 jobs
- Air transportation: +4,000 jobs
- Social assistance employment grew by 11,000, though lower than its 12-month average of 21,000.
- Federal government employment declined by 10,000.
- Retail trade employment remained steady at -6,000 jobs, with:
- Food and beverage retailers losing 15,000 jobs due to strike activity
- Warehouse clubs and general merchandise retailers adding 10,000 jobs
- Other industries, including construction, manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality, showed little change.
Detailed Breakdown of U.S. Job Market Data
|
Month | Total | Men, 20 years and over | Women, 20 years and over | 16 to 19 years old | White | Black or African American | Asian | Hispanic or Latino |
| Mar-24 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.6 | 12.6 | 3.4 | 6.4 | 2.6 | 4.5 |
| Apr-24 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 11.8 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.9 | 4.8 |
| May-24 | 4 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 12.4 | 3.5 | 6.1 | 3.1 | 5 |
| Jun-24 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 12.3 | 3.5 | 6.3 | 4.1 | 4.9 |
| Jul-24 | 4.2 | 4 | 3.8 | 12.6 | 3.8 | 6.3 | 3.7 | 5.3 |
| Aug-24 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.7 | 14.2 | 3.8 | 6.1 | 4.1 | 5.4 |
| Sep-24 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 14.2 | 3.7 | 5.7 | 4.1 | 5.1 |
| Oct-24 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 13.7 | 3.8 | 5.7 | 3.9 | 5.1 |
| Nov-24 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 13.1 | 3.8 | 6.4 | 3.8 | 5.3 |
| Dec-24 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 12.4 | 3.6 | 6.1 | 3.5 | 5.1 |
| Jan-25 | 4 | 3.7 | 3.7 | 11.8 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 3.7 | 4.8 |
| Feb-25 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 12.9 | 3.8 | 6 | 3.2 | 5.2 |
Revisions to Previous Data
- December’s employment gain was revised up by 16,000 to 323,000.
- January’s employment gain was revised down by 18,000 to 125,000.
- The net revision for December and January resulted in a 2,000 job reduction from previous estimates.
The February 2025 jobs report indicates modest employment growth in key sectors like health care, transportation, and financial services, while government and retail employment faced declines. Wage growth continued steadily, though workforce participation remained largely unchanged. The data suggests a stable but slowing labor market, with the economy maintaining its resilience amid shifting economic conditions.
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