US economy added 130K jobs in January, delayed report shows

Job Growth Overview - The U.S. economy added 130,000 jobs in January, surpassing economists' expectations of 70,000 jobs [2] - The unemployment rate decreased to 4.3%, slightly better than the anticipated 4.4% [2] Revisions to Previous Reports - Revisions indicated that November's job gains were adjusted down by 15,000 from 56,000 to 41,000, and December's gains were revised down by 2,000 from 50,000 to 48,000, totaling 17,000 fewer jobs than previously reported for November and December [3] Sector Performance - Private payrolls increased by 172,000 jobs in January, significantly exceeding the LSEG estimate of 70,000 [4] - The manufacturing sector added 5,000 jobs, contrary to expectations of a loss of 5,000 jobs [6] - The healthcare sector saw a substantial increase of 82,000 jobs, with notable gains in ambulatory healthcare services (+50,000), hospitals (+18,000), and nursing and residential care facilities (+13,000), surpassing its monthly average of 33,000 jobs added in 2025 [6] - Construction firms added 33,000 jobs, primarily in nonresidential specialty trade contractors (+25,000), after a flat performance in 2025 [7] - The financial sector experienced a decline of 22,000 jobs, with a total loss of 49,000 jobs since its peak in May 2025, including a loss of 11,000 jobs in insurance carriers and related activities [7] Government Employment Changes - Government payrolls decreased by 42,000 jobs in January, with federal job cuts accounting for 34,000 and state job cuts for 18,000, partially offset by a gain of 10,000 jobs in local governments [5] - The federal workforce has decreased by 327,000 jobs since its peak in October 2024, representing a decline of 10.9% [5]