Stronger January Hiring: US Adds 1,30,000 Jobs; 2024–25 Payrolls Revised Down Heavily

The Bureau of Labour Statistics released the January employment report on February 11, 2026, showing a gain of 1,30,000 jobs and a decline in the unemployment rate to 4.3%. 

January Payroll Increase and Sector Breakdown 

The January payroll increase of 1,30,000 exceeded the consensus estimate of 55,000 and improved on December’s revised gain of 48,000. Healthcare contributed 82,000 jobs, accounting for more than 60% of the total.  

Manufacturing added 5,000 jobs, ending a 13‑month streak of losses. The federal government recorded a loss of 34,000 positions. Average hourly wages rose 0.4% from December to January. 

Unemployment Rate Movement 

The unemployment rate dropped from 4.4% in December to 4.3% in January, reflecting a modest reduction in labour market slack as the number of employed individuals increased. 

Revised Payroll Figures for 2024‑25 

When the BLS benchmarks the monthly data against the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, the revised total for the 12 months ending March 2025 falls to 1,81,000 jobs, down from the previously reported 5,84,000.  

This revision represents a reduction of approximately 9,00,000 jobs, aligning with the BLS’s preliminary estimate. 

Job Openings and Hiring Environment 

Employers reported 6,50,00,000 job openings in December, the lowest level in over five years, indicating a restrained hiring environment amid high interest rates and policy uncertainty. 

Read More: India-US Trade Deal Update: Pulses Removed, Wider Agricultural Goods Listed! 

Conclusion 

The January report shows a solid monthly job increase and a slight fall in the unemployment rate, while the revised annual payroll data points to a slower overall hiring pace for 2024‑25. 

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