- U.S. economy adds 379,000 jobs in February, led by a gain of 355,000 positions in the leisure and hospitality sector
- Several sectors show robust gains, but jobs totals remain well below pre-pandemic levels
- Unemployment rate holds at 6.2 percent
The United States economy added 379,000 jobs in February, led by gains in the leisure and hospitality sector as states began easing their COVID-19 restrictions.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported strong gains in temporary help, health care and social assistance, retail trade, manufacturing. Jobs were down in state and local government education, construction, and mining.
A total of 355,000 positions were added in leisure and hospitality, including 286,000 jobs added at restaurants and bars. Accommodations jobs were up 36,000, while there were 33,000 positions added in amusements, gambling, and recreation.
Leisure and hospitality establishments were among the hardest hit businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector is still down 20.4 percent in job tallies, or 3.5 million positions, compared to February 2020.
Retail jobs were up 41,000, with the sector seeing gains across numerous categories but losses in clothing and accessories stores. Retail lost about 2.4 million jobs in March and April of 2020, but has regained about 2 million of those positions.
Other increases included 53,000 jobs added in temporary help, 46,000 in health care and social assistance, and 21,000 in manufacturing. Losses included a drop of 61,000 jobs in construction (partially credited to severe winter weather in much of the country), 37,000 jobs in local education jobs, 32,000 jobs in state education, and 8,000 jobs in mining.
Despite the gains, the labor market was still suffering fallout from the pandemic as millions of jobs lost at the outset of this crisis have not yet been recovered. The economy is down 9.5 million positions, or 6.2 percent, compared to February 2020.
The unemployment rate remained at 6.2 percent with about 10 million people out of work. In February 2020, 5.7 million people were unemployed and the unemployment rate stood at 3.5 percent.
Average hourly earnings in February rose seven cents to $30.01. The average worker was on the clock for 34.6 hours out of the week.
BLS also noted significant revisions to the jobs reports for December and January. Losses were steeper in December, with a loss of 306,000 jobs compared to the 227,000 reported. January had a stronger increase in jobs than originally reported, up 166,000 positions rather than 49,000.
