how many jobs were lost in february 2026
The U.S. economy lost about 92,000 jobs in February 2026 , according to the official employment report and multiple major news outlets.
Quick Scoop: February 2026 Job Losses
- Total nonfarm payrolls fell by 92,000 in February 2026, instead of the modest gain most economists expected.
- The unemployment rate edged up to 4.4% , signaling a cooling labor market.
- Analysts had forecast job gains (around 50,000–60,000), so this negative print surprised markets and policymakers.
What drove the losses?
Several sectors pulled overall employment into negative territory.
- Health care: Hit hard by strikes and disruptions, shedding tens of thousands of jobs, including a large strike at a major provider.
- Construction: Lost around 11,000 jobs, partly linked to harsh winter weather and broader weakness in goods-producing industries.
- Manufacturing and goods-producing sectors: Together saw sizable declines, reflecting ongoing softness in demand.
- Federal government: Employment fell by about 10,000, continuing a trend of deliberate cuts to the federal payroll.
- Information, transportation, warehousing, and leisure & hospitality: Each saw additional losses, from AI-related cuts in information to reduced demand in travel and services.
A few areas, like social assistance and some parts of trade and financial activities, managed to add jobs, but not nearly enough to offset the broad- based declines.
Key February 2026 Labor Numbers
| Indicator | February 2026 figure | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Total nonfarm payroll change | −92,000 jobs | [7][8][9][5][1]Largest monthly drop in several months, contrary to expectations of gains. | [9][5][7]
| Unemployment rate | 4.4% | [8][3][7]Up slightly from January, signaling a softer labor market. | [3][7][8]
| Health care sector | About −28,000 jobs | [5][3]Driven largely by strike activity and temporary disruptions. | [7][3][5]
| Construction | Roughly −11,000 jobs | [1][3][5]Affected by winter weather and underlying sector weakness. | [3][5][1]
| Manufacturing | About −12,000 jobs | [1][3]Part of broader goods-producing job losses. | [3][1]
| Federal government | About −10,000 jobs in February | [1][3]Continues a broader effort to reduce federal employment. | [1]
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
