Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation News Release - 2022 M02 Results — 2022-03-04

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 678,000 in February, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.8 percent. Employment growth was widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, health care, and construction. Employment is down by 2.1 million, or 1.4 percent, from its level before the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in February 2020. In February, employment growth continued in leisure and hospitality (+179,000) with job gains in food services and drinking places (+124,000) and accommodation (+28,000). Employment in leisure and hospitality is down by 1.5 million, or 9.0 percent, from its February 2020 level. Employment rose by 95,000 in professional and business services in February. Over the month, job gains occurred in temporary help services (+36,000), management of companies and enterprises (+12,000), management and technical consulting services (+10,000), and scientific research and development services (+8,000).