US private sector adds 63,000 jobs in February

4th Mar 2026 13:19

(Sharecast News) - US private‑sector employment rose 63,000 in February, according to data processing firm ADP, the strongest monthly gain since July 2025, after January's increase was revised down to 11,000.

Education and health services led the gains with 58,000 new roles, while construction added 19,000. Offsetting this, professional and business services shed 30,000 jobs, manufacturing lost 5,000, and trade, transportation and utilities slipped by 1,000.

"We've seen an increase in hiring and pay gains remain solid, especially for job-stayers. But with hiring concentrated in only a few sectors, our data shows no widespread pay benefit from changing jobs. In fact, the pay premium for switching employers hit a record low in February", said ADP chief economist Dr Nela Richardson.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com