US Adds 130K Jobs in January 2026 After Weak 2025

Published: February 13, 2026 By Click USA News Team – Delivering the real story on U.S. jobs, economy, and what it means for hardworking Americans.

Listen up, America: The latest jobs numbers are out, and they’re better than the experts predicted. In January 2026, U.S. employers added 130,000 nonfarm payroll jobs—beating Wall Street’s lowball guesses of 55,000 to 70,000. The unemployment rate dipped to 4.3%, and private-sector hiring clocked in at a strong +172,000. That’s the kind of grit we Americans are known for—taking a punch in 2025 and coming back swinging in the new year.

Sure, the report (delayed a week by that short government shutdown) came with some tough revisions: 2025 job growth got slashed to just +181,000 total for the year (about 15,000 a month on average). That’s a far cry from the stronger numbers first reported. But January’s pickup shows the U.S. labor market has backbone. From factory floors in the Rust Belt to hospitals coast to coast, folks are still building, healing, and pushing forward.

The Headline Numbers Straight from BLS

• Total nonfarm payroll jobs added: +130,000 (seasonally adjusted)
• Unemployment rate: 4.3% (down slightly; 7.4 million unemployed)
• Private payrolls: +172,000
• Government jobs: -42,000 (mostly federal cuts continuing)
• Average hourly earnings: $37.17 (+0.4% from December; +3.7% year-over-year)
• Average workweek: 34.3 hours (up a tick)

All data pulled directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation report (USDL-26-0169, released February 11, 2026). No spin—just the facts from the source.

Where the Jobs Came From – And Where They Didn’t

Health care led the charge again—proving that taking care of Americans never goes out of style.

• Health care: +82,000 (ambulatory services +50,000; hospitals +18,000; nursing homes +13,000)
• Social assistance: +42,000 (mostly family and individual services)
• Construction: +33,000 (nonresidential trades +25,000—think infrastructure and rebuilding)

On the downside:

• Federal government: -34,000 (ongoing reductions)
• Financial activities: -22,000

Manufacturing, retail, and tech held steady—no big swings, but no mass layoffs either. That’s stability in uncertain times.

Wages, Hours, and the American Work Ethic

Paychecks edged up: Production and nonsupervisory workers hit $31.95 an hour (+12 cents). The workweek stretched a bit, meaning bosses are getting more from the team before adding headcount. That’s classic American hustle—putting in the extra to keep things rolling.

Broader picture from the household survey:

• Labor force participation: 62.5% (holding firm)
• Long-term unemployed: 1.8 million (up over the year)
• Part-time for economic reasons: Down to 4.9 million
• U-6 underemployment: 8.0% (improved)

Teen unemployment dropped to 13.6%—good news for young folks starting out.

The Big Picture: Resilience After a Rough Patch

2025 was no picnic—revisions showed slower hiring amid trade shifts, immigration changes, federal workforce trims, and business caution. But January 2026 proves we’re not sitting still. This gives the Fed some breathing room on rates and opens doors in health care, construction, and support services for job hunters.

America’s workforce has seen tough times before and come out stronger. This report? It’s a reminder that when we roll up our sleeves, we get results.

Stay locked on clickusanews.com for the latest on U.S. jobs, economy updates, career tips, and breaking headlines that matter to you.

Data sourced from official BLS reports for accuracy and trust. What do these numbers mean for your job or industry? Drop a comment below—we’re reading every one.

For more USA news check:

https://clickusanews.com/news/
Latest USA breaking news, national headlines, global affairs, and trending stories.

https://clickusanews.com/sports/
USA sports news, live scores, match highlights, athlete updates, and major sporting events.

https://clickusanews.com/technology/
Technology news covering AI, gadgets, innovation, cybersecurity, and digital trends in the USA.

https://clickusanews.com/entertainment-movies-ott/
Entertainment updates including movies, OTT releases, celebrity news, and pop culture stories.

https://clickusanews.com/business/
Business and finance news with USA market updates, corporate stories, crypto, and economic insights