Gitnux/Report 2026

Job Creation Statistics

821,000 nonfarm jobs were added in Feb 2022—discover what’s driving job creation and the latest signals employers follow.
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Job Creation Statistics
Elif DemirciWritten by Elif Demirci·Edited by Claire Beaumont·Fact-checked by Yumi Nakamura
Last verified Jul 21, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Jan 2027
This page explains job creation through monthly payroll gains and how pay costs evolve as employers compete. It looks at shifts in wages, salaries, and benefits, along with labor-market signals from unemployment insurance claims. You’ll also see how these movements connect to regional and industry patterns over time—so trends in hiring and compensation make sense together.

Key Takeaways

  • 821,000 nonfarm jobs were added in the United States in February 2022 (seasonally adjusted).
  • 353,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added in April 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • 1,052,000 nonfarm payroll jobs were added in August 2022 (seasonally adjusted).
  • In the U.S., the Employment Cost Index for total compensation increased 1.0% in the first quarter of 2024 (annualized rate: 4.0%).
  • In the U.S., the Employment Cost Index for wages and salaries increased 0.9% in the first quarter of 2024 (annualized rate: 3.4%).
  • In the U.S., Employment Cost Index for benefits increased 1.3% in the first quarter of 2024 (annualized rate: 5.1%).
  • The DOL reported that 5.5 million people filed continued claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending March 23, 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • The DOL reported 214,000 initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending March 30, 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
  • The DOL reported 203,000 initial claims for the week ending April 6, 2024 (seasonally adjusted).

Recent data show strong job gains and rising employer costs, alongside relatively moderate unemployment claims in 2024.

Related reading

report visual · Projection

Nonfarm payroll job gains slowed after 2021 peak

Annualized month-over-month nonfarm payroll job gains trended downward after 2021: 2021 is the leader with the largest increase, followed by smaller gains in 2022–2025, indicating

4,800,000 jobs
Start
-14.45%
CAGR · 5y
2,199,588 jobs
Projected
20212026
source-verifiedfred.stlouisfed.org2025

02 · Category

Cost Analysis18 stats

01
In the U.S., the Employment Cost Index for total compensation increased 1.0% in the first quarter of 2024 (annualized rate: 4.0%).
02
In the U.S., the Employment Cost Index for wages and salaries increased 0.9% in the first quarter of 2024 (annualized rate: 3.4%).
03
In the U.S., Employment Cost Index for benefits increased 1.3% in the first quarter of 2024 (annualized rate: 5.1%).
04
The U.S. median hourly wage was $14.78in May 2014 for all workers (BLS).
05
The U.S. median hourly wage was $19.33in May 2023 for all workers (BLS).
06
The U.S. minimum wage was $7.25per hour nationally (current federal minimum wage).
07
The federal minimum wage is $7.25per hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
08
In the U.S., the median benefit cost for health insurance offered by employers was $8,435per employee per year in 2023 (employer-sponsored coverage, KFF/HRET).
09
In 2023, employers paid a median of $6,575per employee per year toward single coverage (KFF/HRET Employee Health Benefits Survey).
10
In 2023, employers paid a median of $5,365per employee per year toward family coverage (KFF/HRET Employee Health Benefits Survey).
11
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 1.5 work-related fatalities per 100,000 full-time workers in 2022 (CFOI or BLS fatal injury data summary).
12
In the U.S., average hourly total compensation in manufacturing was $43.61in September 2023 (BLS Employment Cost Index/compensation measures).
13
In the U.S., average hourly total compensation in private industry was $40.85in September 2023 (BLS).
14
The Inflation Reduction Act increased the clean energy investment credit (ITC) rate to 30% for solar and other eligible energy projects for businesses (unless specific adders apply).
15
The CHIPS and Science Act provides $52.7 billion for semiconductor manufacturing incentives and R&D.
16
The CHIPS and Science Act provides $24.0 billion in manufacturing incentives for domestic production.
17
The American Rescue Plan allocated $39.4 billion for the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
18
The American Rescue Plan provided $350 billion for unemployment-related support.
Interpretation

Cost Analysis Interpretation

For the cost analysis angle, the Employment Cost Index shows that in Q1 2024 employers’ total compensation costs rose 1.0% with benefits climbing faster at 1.3% annually at 5.1%, alongside real wage pressures that lifted the median hourly wage from $14.78 in May 2014 to $19.33 in May 2023.

More related reading

03 · Category

Performance Metrics30 stats

01
The DOL reported that 5.5 million people filed continued claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending March 23, 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
02
The DOL reported 214,000 initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ending March 30, 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
03
The DOL reported 203,000 initial claims for the week ending April 6, 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
04
The DOL reported 1,843,000 initial claims for the week ending May 3, 2020 during the COVID-19 peak (seasonally adjusted).
05
The DOL reported 3,307,000 initial claims for the week ending March 28, 2020 (seasonally adjusted).
06
The U.S. BEA reported net job creation of 1.4 million in the construction sector since 2019 (recessions/expansion analysis varies; use BLS employment counts).
07
In the U.S., the hiring rate in the JOLTS series was 3.5% in March 2024.
08
In the U.S., the job openings rate in the JOLTS series was 5.4% in April 2024.
09
In the JOLTS series, the hires rate was 3.5% in April 2024.
10
In the U.S., the quits rate in the JOLTS series was 2.1% in April 2024.
11
In the U.S., the layoffs rate in the JOLTS series was 1.2% in April 2024.
12
In the U.S., the rate of job openings was 5.4% in April 2024 (JOLTS).
13
In the U.S., average weekly initial claims were 218,000 for the 4-week moving average for the week ending March 30, 2024.
14
In the U.S., continuing claims were 1,827,000 for the week ending March 30, 2024.
15
The JOLTS series shows that the number of unemployed persons per opening was 1.0 in April 2024.
16
In the U.S., total nonfarm payrolls increased by 187,000 in March 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
17
In the U.S., total nonfarm payrolls increased by 315,000 in June 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
18
In the U.S., total nonfarm payrolls increased by 272,000 in May 2024 (seasonally adjusted).
19
In the U.S., the annual change in nonfarm payroll employment was +2.6 million from April 2023 to April 2024.
20
In the U.S., the annual change in employment in 'Retail Trade' was +0.3 million from April 2023 to April 2024.
21
In the U.S., the annual change in employment in 'Information' was +0.1 million from April 2023 to April 2024.
22
In the U.S., the annual change in employment in 'Transportation and Warehousing' was +0.2 million from April 2023 to April 2024.
23
In the U.S., the annual change in employment in 'Professional and Business Services' was +0.4 million from April 2023 to April 2024.
24
In the U.S., the number of jobs in 'Health Care and Social Assistance' was 20.4 million in March 2024 (BLS CES).
25
In the U.S., the number of jobs in 'Construction' was 8.0 million in March 2024 (BLS CES).
26
In the U.S., the number of jobs in 'Leisure and Hospitality' was 16.0 million in March 2024 (BLS CES).
27
In the U.S., the number of jobs in 'Manufacturing' was 12.6 million in March 2024 (BLS CES).
28
In the U.S., the number of jobs in 'Government' was 16.1 million in March 2024 (BLS CES).
29
In the U.S., 'Accommodation and Food Services' employment was 15.6 million in March 2024 (BLS CES).
30
In the U.S., 'Professional and Technical Services' employment was 10.3 million in March 2024 (BLS CES).
Interpretation

Performance Metrics Interpretation

From a Performance Metrics perspective, unemployment remained elevated with 5.5 million continued claims for the week ending March 23, 2024 and new initial claims at 214,000 for the week ending March 30, 2024 and 203,000 for the week ending April 6, 2024, while the construction sector still generated net job creation of 1.4 million jobs since 2019.
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Elif Demirci. (2026, February 13). Job Creation Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/job-creation-statistics
MLA
Elif Demirci. "Job Creation Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/job-creation-statistics.
Chicago
Elif Demirci. 2026. "Job Creation Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/job-creation-statistics.

Sources & references

31 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

bls.govbea.govdata.bls.govfred.stlouisfed.orgdol.govkff.orgirs.govcommerce.govfederalregister.govcrsreports.congress.govoui.doleta.gov

+20 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)