US lost 92,000 jobs in February as unemployment climbs to 4.4%
Mar 6th 2026
Payrolls dropped by 92,000 in February and the unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, with broad losses and downward revisions weakening 2025 job growth; the data cover February and do not reflect later Middle East developments.
- Nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 in February versus economists' forecast of a 60,000 gain.
- The unemployment rate rose to 4.4% from 4.3% in January.
- December and January job figures were revised down, leaving 2025 with just 181,000 jobs added year to date.
- Job losses were broad based, with healthcare swinging from +77,000 in January to -28,000 in February largely due to physician office strikes.
- Federal employment is down about 11% from its October 2024 peak, a decline of roughly 330,000 workers.
- The February report does not capture economic effects from the later escalation involving the US, Israel and Iran.