US loses 92,000 jobs in February as unemployment rises to 4.4%
Mar 6th 2026
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a surprise decline of 92,000 nonfarm payrolls in February versus expectations for a 55,000 gain, while unemployment ticked up to 4.4% and wages continued to rise.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a loss of 92,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in February.
- Economists had forecast a gain of about 55,000 jobs for the month.
- The unemployment rate increased to 4.4% from 4.3% in January.
- Average hourly earnings rose 0.4% month on month and 3.8% year on year, each about 0.1 percentage point above forecasts.
- January job gains were revised to +126,000, leaving net job growth of roughly 30,000 so far this year.