WASHINGTON – The U.S. economy added 143,000 jobs in January, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.0%, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Employment gains were reported in health care, retail trade, and social assistance, contributing to the overall increase in payrolls. However, the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector saw job declines.
The data comes from two key monthly surveys. The household survey tracks labor force participation and unemployment based on demographic factors, while the establishment survey provides insight into nonfarm employment, hours worked, and earnings by industry.
