Initial Unemployment Claims

April 10, 2025 Initial unemployment claims rose 4 thousand in the week ending April 5 to 223 thousand after declining 6 thousand in the previous week.    There is no evidence that the labor market has been affected by layoffs thus far.  However, we know that some...

Payroll Employment

April 7, 2025 Payroll employment climbed by 228 thousand in March after gaining 117 thousand in February and 111 thousand in January.  The job gain far exceeded market expectations which were for an increase of 135 thousand. In addition to hiring workers employers can...

Private Employment

April 7, 2025 Payroll employment climbed by 209 thousand in March after gaining 116 thousand in February and 79 thousand in January.  The job gain far exceeded market expectations which were for an increase of 127 thousand. In addition to hiring workers employers can...

Unemployment Rate

April 7, 2025 The unemployment rate rose 0.1% in March to 4.2% (4.152%) after rising 0.1% in February to 4.1% and declining 0.1% in January.  The labor force rose by 232 thousand in March while employment rose by 201 thousand.  As a result, the number of unemployed...

Nonfarm Workweek

April 7, 2025 In any given month employers can boost output by either additional hiring workers or by lengthening the number of  hours that their employees work.  Payroll employment climbed by 228 thousand in March  In the past three months the average increase has...

Average Hourly Earnings

April 7, 2025 Average  hourly earnings rose 0.3% in March to $36.00 after rising 0.2% in February and 0.4% in January.  Earnings growth  in the past year has been 3.8%. While nominal earnings have risen 3.8% in the past year, inflation has risen fairly quickly and...