U.S. Private Sector Employment Sees Minor Increase in Late December 2025
On January 20, 2026, ADP, Inc. released the preliminary estimate of its National Employment Report (NER) for the four-week period ending December 27, 2025. According to the NER Pulse, an average of 8,000 jobs per week were added by private employers in the United States. This marks a noticeable decrease in hiring trends, especially considering that the average for the previous week was significantly higher at 11,250 jobs.
The numbers provided in the report come from a four-week moving average, adjusted for seasonality to create more accurate representations of employment trends. For the final week of December 2025, the hiring figures showed a slight downturn compared to earlier weeks in the month, which had recorded job additions of 10,250, 8,750, and even higher at 13,250 earlier in November. This inconsistency in hiring may be indicative of various factors influencing the economy as the year drew to a close.
As outlined in the report, the NER Pulse operates with a two-week lag to ensure the figures are as precise as possible, incorporating high-frequency data that captures subtle shifts in the employment landscape. The upcoming release of the NER Pulse on January 27, 2026, will provide additional insights into these trends and how they may evolve as the new year kicks off. ADP’s collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab informs this process, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the labor market’s dynamics.
The preliminary estimates suggest a reflection of the current economic atmosphere, and while an average of 8,000 new jobs suggests growth, it also raises concerns about the sustainability of this trend. Maintaining a cautious perspective on the economic recovery trajectory is prudent, especially considering the fluctuations evidenced in the preceding weeks.
ADP Research is dedicated to enhancing workplace productivity through data insights, providing businesses, employees, and policymakers with essential tools for making informed decisions. Their commitment to continuous improvement in the work environment has led to significant innovations over 75 years, helping 1.1 million clients navigate a diverse array of HR and payroll challenges.
With the new month, businesses and individuals alike will be eager to track these developments as they impact the labor markets. For insight into upcoming NER releases and further updates about employment and pay data, updates can be found at ADP Research’s dedicated platform.
ADP’s reporting and data handling approach have positioned it as a leading name in workforce solutions, affirming its role in shaping employment trends. As the workforce adapts to new realities, ongoing assessments and periodic data releases remain critical for understanding job market fluctuations and preparing for potential shifts in hiring practices in 2026 and beyond.
The numbers provided in the report come from a four-week moving average, adjusted for seasonality to create more accurate representations of employment trends. For the final week of December 2025, the hiring figures showed a slight downturn compared to earlier weeks in the month, which had recorded job additions of 10,250, 8,750, and even higher at 13,250 earlier in November. This inconsistency in hiring may be indicative of various factors influencing the economy as the year drew to a close.
As outlined in the report, the NER Pulse operates with a two-week lag to ensure the figures are as precise as possible, incorporating high-frequency data that captures subtle shifts in the employment landscape. The upcoming release of the NER Pulse on January 27, 2026, will provide additional insights into these trends and how they may evolve as the new year kicks off. ADP’s collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab informs this process, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the labor market’s dynamics.
The preliminary estimates suggest a reflection of the current economic atmosphere, and while an average of 8,000 new jobs suggests growth, it also raises concerns about the sustainability of this trend. Maintaining a cautious perspective on the economic recovery trajectory is prudent, especially considering the fluctuations evidenced in the preceding weeks.
ADP Research is dedicated to enhancing workplace productivity through data insights, providing businesses, employees, and policymakers with essential tools for making informed decisions. Their commitment to continuous improvement in the work environment has led to significant innovations over 75 years, helping 1.1 million clients navigate a diverse array of HR and payroll challenges.
With the new month, businesses and individuals alike will be eager to track these developments as they impact the labor markets. For insight into upcoming NER releases and further updates about employment and pay data, updates can be found at ADP Research’s dedicated platform.
ADP’s reporting and data handling approach have positioned it as a leading name in workforce solutions, affirming its role in shaping employment trends. As the workforce adapts to new realities, ongoing assessments and periodic data releases remain critical for understanding job market fluctuations and preparing for potential shifts in hiring practices in 2026 and beyond.
Topics General Business）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.