Office of the Chief Economist

The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December. With significant gains across industries, 2022 was a year of steady, worker-centered growth.

Labor force participation rose in August as more unemployed workers began seeking jobs.

The July jobs report marked two new milestones in the economic recovery: First, the number of Americans working exceeded the pre-pandemic number. Second, the unemployment rate is 3.5%, back to its pre-pandemic low.

Strong, steady job growth is an apt description of the second quarter of U.S. labor market. Over the last three months, the economy added an average of 375,000 jobs per month.  

In June, the economy added 372,000 jobs, with a three-month moving average of 375,000, exceeding market expectations.

Things are moving in the right direction, but there is still more to be done to ensure that workers of color have access to quality jobs and pathways to success.  

Chief Economist Janelle Jones highlights five numbers from the latest jobs report and what they mean for the U.S. economy.

On Jan. 30, 2022, the minimum wage for federal contract workers will rise to $15/hour.

Chief Economist Janelle Jones highlights five numbers from the November jobs report. 

Though apprenticeships have a proven track record of producing strong results for both employers and workers, we still have a long way to go toward advancing equity in apprenticeship participation.