December 2025_________________________
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The BLS Establishment Job Report with data released December 16, 2025.
Commentary From This Month’s Establishment Jobs Press Report Data
NOT A TERRIBLE JOBS REPORT, BUT
POISED FOR MUCH WORSE
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its December 16, 2025 report for jobs in October and November. The last report was from September. The civilian population increased by an average of 204 thousand for October and November with a 162 thousand increase in the labor force each month. Only 48 thousand of the increase found employment, while the remaining 114 thousand did not find work, but added to the unemployed. The large increase in the unemployed and moderate increase in the employed combined to increase the unemployment rate .1% to 4.6%. The participation rate increased .1% to 62.5 percent.
Goods production increased by 19
thousand jobs. Natural resources dropped 4 thousand jobs and manufacturing dropped
another 5 thousand jobs. Construction made up for these job losses with 28
thousand new jobs. Construction of
buildings added 8.5 thousand jobs and nonresidential specialty trade
contractors added 18.7 thousand jobs partially offset job losses in residential
specialty trade contractors. Heavy and engineering construction had 5 thousand
new jobs to add to the total.
In Manufacturing durable goods employment
dropped a net of 4 thousand jobs with motor vehicle parts manufacturing down 4.9
thousand of the jobs; electrical equipment manufacturing was up 2.2 thousand
jobs but no durable goods manufacturing sub sectors did well. Non-durable goods
production was down 1 thousand jobs. Plastic and rubber product manufacturing added
2 thousand jobs as did beverage, tobacco and leather products manufacturing but
nearly all other nondurable goods manufacturing lost jobs.
Government service employment decreased
a net of 5 thousand jobs with the federal government employment down 6 thousand
jobs. State government jobs were up 3 thousand while local government dropped 2
thousand jobs. State and local government jobs excluding education decreased a
net 1.3 thousand; state public education was down 800 jobs, local government
education was up 2.8 thousand jobs. Private sector education added only 800
seasonally adjusted jobs, which brings the total of education to an increase of
2.8 thousand jobs.
Health care took first place again for
private service sector job gains with 64 thousand new jobs, a decent but still
modest increase. Notice the increase equals 100 percent of the total job
increase. All four of the health care subsectors had more jobs with ambulatory
care adding 24 thousand jobs; hospitals added 11.4 thousand jobs; nursing and
residential care had an increase of 10.9 thousand jobs. Social assistance
services added 17.7 thousand jobs with individual and family services adding 12.8
thousand of the new jobs. The growth rate for health care was up from last
month to 3.26 percent, above the average of 2.25 percent per month of the last
15 years.
Professional and business services added
a net 12 thousand jobs, an anemic increase but the first one in quite a while. The
professional and technical services subsector was up 11.5 thousand jobs in a so-so
month; management of companies had 2.9 thousand more jobs. The third sub
sector, administrative and support services including waste management, lost 2.6
thousand jobs in another poor month for support services.
Among professional and technical
services, architectural and engineering services added 5.4 thousand new jobs;
management, scientific and technical consulting added a modest 2.1 thousand
jobs. Otherwise, computer systems design and related services lost 3.2 thousand
jobs and no other professional services did well. Among administrative support
services, services to buildings and dwellings were up 2.9 thousand jobs but
offset by job losses in employment services with temporary help services, down 5
thousand jobs, a fifth month for these job losses. Business support services
were also down 2.7 thousand jobs.
Leisure and hospitality lost 11.8
thousand jobs, an unusual decline. Arts, entertainment and recreation lost a
net 14.2 thousand of jobs with amusements, gambling and recreation down 15.2
thousand jobs. Accommodations lost 3.2 thousand jobs while restaurants picked
up an anemic 5.6 thousand more jobs, much less than usual.
Trade, transportation and utilities had
a net loss of 12.7 thousand jobs where wholesale and retail trade had a net job
gain: wholesale down 2.2 thousand, retail up 6.2 thousand. Modal transportation
had a net job increase of a few hundred jobs, but jobs as couriers and
messengers were way down, off 17.9 thousand jobs. Utilities lost 200 jobs.
Information
services lost 4 thousand jobs. The publishing industry lost 4.5 thousand jobs offset
by 2 thousand new jobs in motion picture and sound recording industry but no
other information sub sectors did well. Financial activities including real
estate and rental and leasing services lost a net of 2 thousand jobs. Finance
and insurance were down 5.8 thousand jobs mostly because insurance company
employment was down 9.2 thousand jobs. The decrease was offset by securities
and investment counseling with 2.8 thousand new jobs. The real estate sub sector
added 3.2 thousand jobs with 600 more jobs in rental and leasing services. The
category, other, had a net gain of 3 thousand new jobs: repair and maintenance
services was down 3.2 thousand jobs while personal and laundry services was up 3.8
thousand jobs. The non-profit associations sub sector added 2.4 thousand jobs.
The
economy added just 64 thousand jobs for November, it could have been worse
given the battering from tariffs. Establishment employment in November was 159.552
million with an annual growth rate of just .48 percent, much too low to sustain
full employment. While the November increase of 64 thousand jobs was positive the
October numbers were not reported until this month; they show a decrease of 105
thousand jobs. Therefore, the current increase falls well below last month’s decline.
As already mentioned, health care this month equaled the total increase in establishment employment while majority of other sub sectors losing jobs just offset a minority of other sub sectors gaining jobs. The economy will fall into a much steeper decline if health care budget cuts actually go through. Professional jobs outside of health care had a small increase but not enough to end worries for professional employment. It is certain to conclude that the United States has no hope of maintaining adequate employment without supporting health care with government subsidies. This month’s job total is 610 thousand above November a year ago and 2.248 million jobs above November two years ago. The 610 thousand is a number that should ring alarm bells.
December
Details
Jobs
Total Non-Farm Establishment Jobs up 64,000 to 159,552,000
Total Private Jobs up 69,000 to 136,148,000
Total Government Employment down 5,000 to 23,404,000 Note
Civilian Non-Institutional
Population up 204 thousand to 274,633,000
Civilian Labor Force up 162 thousand to 171,571,000
Employed up 48 thousand to 163,741,000
Employed Men down 27 thousand to 86,597,000
Employed Women up 75 thousand to 77,144,000
Unemployed up 114 thousand to 7,831,000
Not in the Labor Force up 42 thousand to 103,061,000
Unemployment Rate went up .1% to 4.6% 7,831/171,571
Labor Force Participation Rate went up .1% to 62.5%, or 171,571/274,633
Summaries by Industry
Non Farm Total +64
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Non-Farm employment for establishments increased from October by 64 thousand jobs for a(n) November total of 159.552 million. (Note 1 below) An increase of 64 thousand each month for the next 12 months represents an annual growth rate of +.48% The annual growth rate from a year ago beginning November 2024 was +.59%; the average annual growth rate from 5 years ago beginning November 2020 was +2.24%; from 15 years ago beginning November 2010 it was +1.34%. The high five year growth rate derives from the low Pandemic employment. America needs growth around 1.5 percent a year to keep itself employed.
Sector breakdown for 12 Sectors in 000’s of jobs
1. Natural Resources -4
Natural Resources jobs including logging and mining decreased 4 thousand from October with 608 thousand jobs in November. A decrease of 4 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -7.84 percent. Natural resource jobs were down 17 thousand from a year ago. Jobs in 2000 averaged around 600 thousand with little prospect for growth. This is the smallest of 12 major sectors of the economy with .4 percent of establishment jobs.
2. Construction +28
Construction jobs were up 28 thousand from October with 8.332 million jobs in November. An increase of 28 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +4.05 percent. Construction jobs are up 58 thousand for the 12 months just ended. The growth rate for the last 15 years is 2.80%. Construction jobs rank 9th among the 12 sectors with 5.2 percent of non-farm employment.
3. Manufacturing -5
Manufacturing jobs were down 5 thousand from October with 12.697 million jobs in November. A decrease of 5 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -.47 percent. Manufacturing jobs were down for the last 12 months by 73 thousand. The growth rate for the last 15 years is +.61%. Manufacturing ranks 6th among 12 major sectors in the economy with 8.0 percent of establishment jobs.
4. Trade, Transportation &
Utility -12
Trade, both wholesale and retail, transportation and utility employment were down 12 thousand jobs from October with 29.059 million jobs in November. A decrease of 12 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -.50 percent. Jobs are up by 107 thousand for last 12 months. Growth rates for the last 15 years are +1.08 percent. Jobs in these sectors rank first as the biggest sectors with combined employment of 18.2 percent of total establishment employment.
5. Information Services -4
Information Services jobs stayed the same from October with 2.915 million jobs in November. (Note 2 below) A decrease of 4 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -1.64 percent. Jobs are down by 4 thousand for the last 12 months. Information jobs reached 3.7 million at the end of 2000, but started dropping, reaching 3 million by 2004 but has stayed close to 3.0 million in the last decade. Information Services is a small sector ranking 11th of 12 with 1.8 percent of establishment jobs.
6. Financial Activities -2
Financial Activities jobs were down by 2 thousand jobs from October to 9.231 million in November. A decrease of 2 thousand jobs for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -.26 percent. Jobs are up 37 thousand for the last 12 months. (Note 3 below) This sector also includes real estate as well as real estate lending. The 15 year growth rate is +1.23 percent. Financial activities rank 8th of 12 with 5.8 percent of establishment jobs.
7. Business and Professional
Services +12
Business and Professional Service jobs went up 12 thousand from October to 22.534 million in November. An increase of 12 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +.64 percent. Jobs are down 44 thousand for the last 12 months. Note 4 The annual growth rate for the last 15 years was +1.92 percent. It ranks as 2nd among the 12 sectors now. It was 2nd in 1993, when manufacturing was bigger and third rank now with 14.2 percent of establishment employment.
8. Education including public and
private +3
Education jobs were up 3 thousand jobs from October at 14.838 million in November. An increase of 3 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +.23 percent. These include public and private education. Jobs are up 55 thousand for the last 12 months. (note 5) The 15 year growth rate equals +.61 percent. Education ranks 5th among 12 sectors with 9.3 percent of establishment jobs.
9. Health Care +64
Health care jobs were up 64 thousand from October to 23.634 million in November. An increase of 64 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +3.26 percent. Jobs are up 770 thousand for the last 12 months. (note 6) The health care long term 15-year growth rate has been +2.25 percent lately compared to +3.26 percent for this month’s jobs. Health care ranks 2nd of 12 with 14.5 percent of establishment jobs.
10. Leisure and hospitality -12
Leisure and hospitality jobs were down 12 thousand from October to 17.094 million in November. (note 7) A decrease of 12 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -.84 percent. Jobs are up 162 thousand for the last 12 months. More than 80 percent of leisure and hospitality are accommodations and restaurants assuring that most of the new jobs are in restaurants. Leisure and hospitality ranks 4th of 12 with 10.7 percent of establishment jobs. It moved up to 7th from 4th in the pandemic decline.
11. Other +3
Other Service jobs, which include repair, maintenance, personal services and non-profit organizations were up 3 thousand from October to 6.055 million in November. An increase of 3 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +.59 percent. Jobs are up 60 thousand for the last 12 months. (Note 8) Other services had +.83 percent growth for the last 15 years. These sectors rank 10th of 12 with 3.8 percent of total non-farm establishment jobs.
12. Government, excluding education -7
Government service employment went down 7 thousand from October at 12.555 million jobs in November. A decrease of 7 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -.70 percent. Jobs are down 171 thousand for the last 12 months. (note 9) Government jobs excluding education tend to increase slowly with a 15 year growth rate of +.34 percent. Government, excluding education, ranks 7th of 12 with 8.0 percent of total non-farm establishment jobs.
Prices and inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all Urban Consumers was up by a monthly average of 2.9 percent for 2024.
The CPI October report for the 12 months ending with November shows the
CPI for All Items was up 3.0%
CPI for Food and Beverages was up 3.0%
CPI for Housing was up 3.9%
CPI for Apparel was down .1%
CPI for Transportation including
gasoline was up 1.7%
CPI for Medical Care was up 3.3%
CPI for Recreation was up 3.0%
CPI for Education was up 3.1%
CPI for Communication was down 1.7%
Sector Notes__________________________
(1) The total cited above is non-farm establishment employment that counts jobs and not people. If one person has two jobs then two jobs are counted. It excludes agricultural employment and the self employed. Out of a total of people employed agricultural employment typically has about 1.5 percent, the self employed about 6.8 percent, the rest make up wage and salary employment. Jobs and people employed are close to the same, but not identical numbers because jobs are not the same as people employed: some hold two jobs. Remember all these totals are jobs. back
(2) Information Services is part of the new North American Industry Classification System(NAICS). It includes firms or establishments in publishing, motion picture & sound recording, broadcasting, Internet publishing and broadcasting, telecommunications, ISPs, web search portals, data processing, libraries, archives and a few others.back
(3) Financial Activities includes deposit and non-deposit credit firms, most of which are still known as banks, savings and loan and credit unions, but also real estate firms and general and commercial rental and leasing.back
(4) Business and Professional services includes the professional areas such as legal services, architecture, engineering, computing, advertising and supporting services including office services, facilities support, services to buildings, security services, employment agencies and so on.back
(5) Education includes private and public education. Therefore education job totals include public schools and colleges as well as private schools and colleges. back
(6) Health care includes ambulatory care, private hospitals, nursing and residential care, and social services including child care. back
(7) Leisure and hospitality has establishment with arts, entertainment and recreation which has performing arts, spectator sports, gambling, fitness centers and others, which are the leisure part. The hospitality part has accommodations, motels, hotels, RV parks, and full service and fast food restaurants. back
(8) Other is a smorgasbord of repair and maintenance services, especially car repair, personal services and non-profit services of organizations like foundations, social advocacy and civic groups, and business, professional, labor unions, political groups and political parties. back
(9) Government job totals include federal, state, and local government administrative work but without education jobs. back
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Notes
Jobs are not the same as employment because jobs are counted once but one person could have two jobs adding one to employment but two to jobs. Also the employment numbers include agricultural workers, the self employed, unpaid family workers, household workers and those on unpaid leave. Jobs are establishment jobs and non-other. back
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