Employment continues to expand in 2023, though at a slower pace than in the previous 2 years

Total nonfarm employment in the United States continued to expand in 2023, with most industry sectors showing slower growth than in the prior 2 years. Over-the-year job gains were led by government and by private education and health services, while job losses occurred in information and in transportation and warehousing. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey, nonfarm payroll employment expanded by 3 million in 2023.1 (See chart 1.) Average monthly job gains of 251,000 in 2023 were down from those in 2022 (+377,000) and 2021 (+604,000). In percentage terms, employment rose by 2.0 percent in 2023, lower than in each of the prior 2 years but higher than each of the 5 years prior to the pandemic.