Summary
Job growth in key parts of the U.S. economy is weak despite overall economic expansion. Health care and government jobs are driving most of the growth, while other sectors like manufacturing and temporary help have seen declines. Companies may be hesitating to hire due to upcoming AI developments.
Key Facts
- Overall job growth was 0.8% in the year ending in September 2025.
- Health care and government jobs are significant contributors to job growth.
- Manufacturing jobs decreased by 0.7% over the last year.
- Temporary help jobs, a marker of economic trends, fell by 3%.
- Transportation and warehousing and wholesale trade are growing slower than overall job growth.
- Health care and hospitality industries generated over 100% of net job gains in 2025.
- Excluding health care and hospitality, jobs dropped by 6,000 in the first nine months of the year.
- AI and robotics could potentially automate 57% of U.S. work hours according to a McKinsey report.
