In March 2026, about 178,000 jobs were gained. That's below the monthly average of 251,300 new jobs of the previous five years. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly Employment Situation Report, aka the “jobs report,” a closely watched economic indicator. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
+178K
month to month change in number of jobs (March 2026)
+251K
average monthly change in number of jobs during the previous five years (April 2021–March 2026)
The monthly jobs number grabs attention but doesn’t tell the whole story; job growth might be strong overall yet uneven across industries or regions. The real changes show up in the detail.
Which parts of the economy had the best job growth in March 2026?
The three supersectors with the highest job growth in March 2026 were mining and logging, professional and business services, and durable goods. Professional and business services gained 2,000 jobs, while durable goods added 15,000. The remaining supersectors either posted smaller gains or lost jobs during the month.
The three lowest-performing supersectors were financial activities, other services, and government. In March 2026, financial activities lost 15,000 jobs, other services lost 9,000 jobs, and government lost 8,000 jobs.
The private education and health services sector gained 91,000 jobs during March 2026.
Change in jobs since previous month with circle size representing number of industry jobs, March 2026. Seasonally adjusted
Which states had the best and worst job growth in January 2026?
California led all states, gaining 93,500 in January 2026. District of Columbia had 5,400 fewer jobs, the largest decline of any state.
Forty-five states experienced job growth in January 2026.
In January 2026, California had the most job growth. District of Columbia lost the most jobs.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, by state (December 2025.0 to January 2026)
Among 393 metro areas — urban groupings geographically and economically integrated with one another — the New York, NY area gained the most jobs in January 2026 with an increase of 40,900. The Washington, DC area had the largest job loss at 7,500.
How does job growth in March 2026 compare to recent months?
Job growth in March 2026 was above the average number of jobs gained in the previous 12 months. Between April 2025 and March 2026, average monthly job gains were 152,000.
During the latest five-year period (April 2021 to March 2026), the US gained jobs in 54 out of 60 months. The most gains came in July 2021 (+942,000) while job growth was weakest in October 2025 (-140,000).
In 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, monthly job changes ranged from 20.5 million lost in April to 4.6 million gained in June. Pre-pandemic, the single month of highest job growth was September 1983 (+1.1 million). The month with the worst loss was September 1945 (-2 million).
There were 178,000 more jobs in March 2026 in the US. That's below the nation's monthly average of the past 5 years.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, April 2021–March 2026, seasonally adjusted
How does job growth in the past year compare to previous years?
Between March 2025 and March 2026 the US has gained an average of 21,700 jobs every month. That's lower than the increase of 75,900 per month in the 12 months preceding (March 2024 to March 2025).
The monthly jobs report data goes back to 1939. The US usually added jobs each year, though the pace varies widely across economic cycles. Job growth slowed or turned negative during recessions (the early 1980s, the Great Recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic) then rebounded during the recoveries.
In 2025, the US gained an average of 9,700 jobs every month.
Average monthly change by year in nonfarm employment, 1939–2025, seasonally adjusted
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
