Einar H. Dyvik
Research expert covering Nordics and global data for society, economy, and politics
Employment in the U.S. - statistics & facts
The U.S. labor market has shifted dramatically since the pandemic. A mass exodus of聽workers voluntarily separating from their employers defined the early 2020s, as people cited low pay, disrespect, and lack of advancement as their top reasons for seeking employment elsewhere. That era, widely known as the Great Resignation, is now over, replaced by what analysts call the Great Stay.
From record quits to staying put
High quit rates usually reflect high confidence among the workforce in their ability to find a new and higher-paying job, indicating high economic stability and generally low unemployment. However, the quit rate has contracted by nearly one-third since its 2022 peak, hovering below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2025 and into early 2026. Workers now lack confidence in finding better opportunities, so they are staying put. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate edged up to around 4.3 percent as of early 2026, reflecting a broader cooling in hiring activity rather than mass layoffs, a dynamic often described as a low-hire, low-fire labor market.
The importance of migrant workers
The United States also has a long history of welcoming immigrants and benefiting from the economic value they bring. In fact, foreign-born workers in the country have higher rates of labor force participation compared to native-born workers. Foreign-born workers are particularly important to industries such as construction and extraction, as well as building and grounds cleaning and maintenance occupations. Populous states such as California, Texas, Florida, and New York have the highest number of employed persons, while more rural states such as Wyoming, Vermont, and Alaska have the least. Across industries, the education and health services industry employs the most people across the country.
Toward a more uncertain labor market
Looking to the future, participation rates are expected to decrease across all age brackets between 16 and 44, as many among the younger generations move into higher education, and increase for those over the age of 45, as older workers stay in the workforce for longer. Over the next decade, the highest salary increase is projected within services for elderly care and persons with diabetes, while elementary and secondary schools are expected to see the largest salary declines. Additionally, new technological developments, particularly the emergence of Generative AI, will make the labor market of the future radically different from today's, with different skills required.
