US Private Sector Adds Most Jobs in Over a Year

Private businesses in the US added a net 109,000 jobs in April 2026, the largest increase since January 2025 and above market forecasts of 99,000. The stronger-than-expected data still reflects the Federal Reserve’s described "low-hire, low-fire" labor market, where employers avoid layoffs but have significantly reduced hiring amid slower labor force growth due to lower immigration. The service-providing sector led gains with 94,000 jobs, driven by education and health services (+61,000), trade, transportation and utilities (+25,000), and financial activities (+9,000). The goods-producing sector contributed 15,000 jobs, mainly from construction (+10,000). Small businesses were the top contributors, adding 65,000 jobs, followed by large companies (+42,000), while medium-sized firms added 2,000.

Private businesses in the US added a net 62,000 jobs in March of 2026, extending the upwardly revised 66,000 in February and above market expectations of a 40,000 increase. The result held signs of resilience in the labor market per the latest leading indicators, despite economic uncertainty and the pullback in the labor force growth amid lower immigration. Education and health services jobs rose by 58,000 to remain the main source of job growth. Other gains were seen in construction (30,000), natural resources and mining (11,000), information (16,000), leisure and hospitality (7,000), and financial activities (4,000). In turn, a net 58,000 jobs were lost in trade, transportation, and utilities, while 11,000 positions were lost in manufacturing. "Overall hiring is steady, but job growth continues to favor certain industries, including health care. In March, this solid performance was accompanied by a boost in pay gains for job-changers." - ADP Chief Economist Dr. Nela Richardson.

Private businesses in the US added 63K jobs in February 2026, the most since July, following a downwardly revised 11K rise in January and above forecasts of 50K. Education and health services added 58K, leading all sectors, followed by construction (19K), information (11K), financial activities (2K) and natural resources/mining (2K). On the other hand, professional/business services shed 30K jobs, manufacturing lost 5K and trade/transportation/utilities was down 1K. Small establishments created 60K jobs and large companies added 10K while medium ones shed 7K. Meanwhile, annual pay growth for job-stayers was unchanged at 4.5%. For job-changers, it slowed to 6.3%. "We've seen an increase in hiring and pay gains remain solid, especially for job-stayers. But with hiring concentrated in only a few sectors, our data shows no widespread pay benefit from changing jobs. In fact, the pay premium for switching employers hit a record low in February", Dr. Nela Richardson Chief Economist, ADP said.