US Private Payrolls Rise in February, Highest Since July

ADP data shows strong job gains, especially in education and health care

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Private-sector employment rose more than expected in February, with companies adding 63,000 new jobs, the best monthly performance since July 2025. Education and health care services led the job creation, adding 58,000 new positions. However, professional and business services eliminated 30,000 jobs, and manufacturing shed 5,000 positions.

Why it matters

The strong job gains signal a potential hiring rebound that could thaw the frozen labor market. The data contrasts with other figures suggesting wage growth for job-switchers has been rising, raising questions about the overall health of the job market.

The details

According to the new data from payroll processor ADP, private-sector employment rose more than expected in February, with companies adding 63,000 new jobs. This was up from January's downwardly revised 11,000 jobs. Education and health care services led the job creation, adding 58,000 new positions, followed by construction (19,000) and information services (11,000). However, professional and business services eliminated 30,000 jobs, and manufacturing shed 5,000 positions.

  • The data was released on March 4, 2026.
  • February's increase was the best monthly performance since July 2025.

The players

Nela Richardson

Chief economist at ADP.

Torsten Slok

Chief economist at Apollo Wealth Management.

Jay Woods

Chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets.

Christopher Waller

Federal Reserve Governor.

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What they’re saying

“We've seen an increase in hiring and pay gains remain solid, especially for job-stayers.”

— Nela Richardson, Chief economist at ADP (The Epoch Times)

“With low immigration and strong tailwinds to growth from AI spending, the industrial renaissance and the One Big Beautiful Bill, it is not a surprise that wage growth is rising for job switchers.”

— Torsten Slok, Chief economist at Apollo Wealth Management (The Epoch Times)

“If we see a spike in the unemployment numbers, it may bode well for those in the rate-cutting camp, but cause a fear that there are bigger issues to deal with in the labor market. A number that is lower than expectations, coupled with rising inflation, gives the Fed less ammo to rationally cut rates.”

— Jay Woods, Chief market strategist at Freedom Capital Markets (The Epoch Times)

“If the good labor market news of January is revised away or evaporates in February, it would support my position at the FOMC's last meeting, that a 25 basis-point reduction in the policy rate was appropriate, and that such a cut should be made at the March meeting.”

— Christopher Waller, Federal Reserve Governor (The Epoch Times)

What’s next

The next batch of employment data will be released on March 5, including planned job cuts from U.S. businesses and weekly jobless claims. The February jobs report is scheduled to be released on March 6, which will be closely watched by investors and policymakers.

The takeaway

The strong job gains in February, particularly in education and health care, suggest the labor market may be warming up after a period of slowdown. However, the uneven nature of the recovery, with job losses in some sectors, highlights the complexity of the current economic environment and the challenges facing policymakers.