The U.S. economy added 225,000 jobs in January and the unemployment rate ticked up to 3.6.
Economists had expected the economy to add 160,000 jobs. December’s figure was revised up from 145,000 to 147,000.
The unemployment rate edged up because the labor force participation rate increased, meaning the strong labor market drew more people into the workforce. The participation rate rose to 63.4 percent in January, the best rate since the last recession.
The employment to population ratio for prime age workers rose to 80.6 percent, the highest since 2001.
‘Unlucky’ Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle
Elon Musk warns ‘people will die’ over Mamdani’s FDNY commissioner pick, Lillian Bonsignore
FBI ramps up counter-drone efforts as Patel warns of growing threats from criminals, terrorists
DHS official rips Kilmar Abrego Garcia for ‘making TikToks’ while agency faces gag order
Walz slammed in wake of viral video that raises daycare funding questions: ‘Needs to be held accountable’
Florida bell ringer allegedly tries to ‘impale’ store manager with donation tripod while drunk
Year in focus: Images that defined America in 2025
Affordability: The issue that boosted Trump and Republicans in 2024 deflated them in 2025
We’re Headed for a ‘Build, Baby, Build’ Energy Revolution in 2026
Murder in small-town America: The crimes that tore quiet communities apart in 2025
Texas father rescues kidnapped daughter by tracing her phone’s location, sheriff’s office says
Texas 19-year-old Camila Mendoza Olmos vanishes outside her home on Christmas Eve
2025 shockers: The biggest moments that rocked the campaign trail
They Got Her: FBI Caught Hillary Clinton Talking Donations with Foreign Felon on Tape
The True Story of St. Nicholas Is Much Better Than the Myths About Reindeer and the North Pole
The Department of Labor said that notable job gains occurred in construction, in health care, and in transportation and warehousing. Construction employment was up by 44,000, which likely reflected the unusually warm weather in much of the country during the month.
Manufacturing remained in slump territory, losing 12,000 positions for the month and remaining essentially unchanged year over year.
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 7 cents to $28.44. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.1 percent.
Story cited here.
