Revelio Public Labor Statistics January Release
On February 5, 2026, Revelio Labs published its latest edition of the Revelio Public Labor Statistics (RPLS), which presents a comprehensive overview of the U.S. labor market. The report revealed that the economy saw a loss of 13,000 jobs in January, reversing the previous month's gains and conforming to analysts' anticipations.
Job Loss and Sector Disparities
The data indicates alarming trends in various industries, particularly affecting Public Administration, Leisure and Hospitality, and Retail Trade. Reports show that sectors such as Education, Health, Financial Services, and Information experienced positive employment growth despite the overall decline in job numbers. Noteworthy job losses were attributed mainly to major retailers such as TJ Maxx and Burlington Stores, along with key players like Starbucks and Inspire Brands in the leisure and hospitality domain. Additionally, public sector employment faced declines from the U.S. Government and the City of New York, underscoring challenges within public administration.
Employment Dynamics
Chief Economist Lisa Simon commented on the sluggish start to the 2026 labor market, describing it as a cooling phase that remains uneven across sectors. The decrease in job openings across the board points to a cautious hiring landscape, where employers still opt to raise salaries for positions that are increasingly difficult to fill. In fact, wages for newly advertised positions rose by 2.5% compared to December 2025, suggesting that competition for talent in certain fields may be intensifying.
Breakdown of the Job Market
The RPLS data highlights the changes in total employment levels across diverse sectors. A detailed breakdown includes:
- - Total Nonfarm Employment: -13,000 jobs
- - Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting: -200 jobs
- - Construction: +100 jobs
- - Manufacturing: -5,100 jobs
- - Retail Trade: -12,800 jobs
- - Leisure and Hospitality: -14,400 jobs
- - Financial Activities: +8,800 jobs
These metrics illustrate the shift in labor demand across different sectors, with strong growth noted in Financial Services and Education, contrasting sharply with substantial declines in Retail and Hospitality.
Salary Observations
The January report also provides insights into salaries linked to new job advertisements. On average, salaries across the U.S. are reported as follows:
- - Total U.S. Average Salary: $77,788
- - Financial Activities: $85,835
- - Leisure and Hospitality: $43,328
- - Education and Health Services: $65,048
The salary figures reflect varied demands in different sectors and a potential shift towards better compensation in high-skill industries, even as job numbers dwindle.
Understanding the Data Sources
The Revelio Public Labor Statistics leverages a powerful dataset that encompasses over 100 million U.S. worker profiles, effectively mirroring the national workforce and covering approximately two-thirds of all employed individuals. This contrasts sharply with the more limited reach of traditional surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which only capture an estimated 27% of close population samples.
This comprehensive data collection approach aims to provide relevant and unbiased insights for policymakers, businesses, and the public at large, serving to bridge the information gap that exists in understanding workforce dynamics.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward into the year 2026, this report serves as a reminder of the fluctuating nature of the labor market. The variances in employment opportunities across various sectors emphasize the need for adaptive strategies in both hiring and workforce management. Insights derived from RPLS can arm stakeholders with the tools required to navigate these challenges effectively.
For more detailed data, consult the full report published by Revelio Labs at
Revelio Labs Public Labor Statistics.