Job Growth

Job growth was tepid in December. The nation still has 3.5 million fewer jobs than in Feb 2020.

Total jobs by month, U.S.

Jan 2000 - Dec 2021

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Note: Seasonally adjusted. Data for Nov 2021 and Dec 2021 are preliminary.

Change in jobs by state

November 2021 compared to February 2020

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Note: Seasonally adjusted. Data for Nov 2021 are preliminary.

The nation gained 199,000 jobs in December — the weakest employment gain all year — as the labor market tightened (Quits Rates, by industry). The vast majority of states have not recovered their pre-pandemic level of jobs. States with large tourism sectors have experienced the worst job loss, led by Hawaii (-12.8%), New York (-8%), and Louisiana (-6.4%).