(Feb. 12, 2026) — U.S. job growth moderated in January, with total nonfarm payroll employment rising by 130,000 and the unemployment rate little changed at 4.3%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job gains were concentrated in health care (+82,000), social assistance (+42,000), and construction (+33,000). Offsetting those increases, federal government employment declined by 34,000, and financial activities fell by 22,000.
Wage growth remained steady. Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 15 cents (+0.4%) to $37.17, up 3.7% over the past 12 months. The average workweek edged up by 0.1 hour to 34.3 hours.
The release also incorporated annual benchmark revisions to establishment survey data. The seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment level for March 2025 was revised downward by 898,000. In addition, the change in total nonfarm employment for 2025 was revised from +584,000 to +181,000 (seasonally adjusted).
BLS noted that major winter storms and severe cold weather affected large parts of the country in January 2026, primarily after the reference periods for the surveys, and had no discernible effect on national payroll employment, hours, earnings, or the unemployment rate. The severe weather did reduce the household survey response rate.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Situation Summary (January 2026). https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm