U.S. Loses 92,000 Jobs in February, Unemployment Ticks Up

Latest jobs report shows losses, contrasting with January's gains, as administration cites weather and labor strife

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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The United States lost 92,000 jobs in February, according to the latest employment figures released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report showed losses among nonfarm jobs for the third time in the last five months, with decreases in the information sector, federal government employment, and health care jobs. Unemployment ticked up to 4.4% from 4.3% in January, with higher rates for women, teenagers, and non-white workers. Administration officials blamed the job losses on winter weather and labor strife, while Democrats faulted President Trump's policies, including military action in Iran and reimposing tariffs.

Why it matters

The unexpected job losses in February, combined with uncertainty over the war with Iran, have rattled U.S. markets and raised concerns about the direction of the economy. The report complicates the Federal Reserve's efforts to keep both unemployment and inflation low, and makes it difficult for the administration to argue that its policies are leading to growth and improved living standards.

The details

The report showed a decrease of 92,000 nonfarm jobs in February, marking the third time in the last five months that the U.S. has seen job losses. The information sector and federal government employment saw declines, while the health care industry also lost jobs, which the report attributed to "reflecting strike activity." Unemployment ticked up to 4.4% from 4.3% in January, with higher rates for women, teenagers, and non-white workers.

  • The report was released on Friday, March 8, 2026.
  • The job losses occurred in February 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States at the time of the job losses.

Chuck Schumer

The U.S. Senate Minority Leader, who criticized the Trump administration's policies and their impact on the economy.

Lorie Chavez DeReemer

The U.S. Labor Secretary, who attributed the job losses to strikes and bad weather, and touted the administration's tax and spending cuts as positive for the economy.

Kevin Hassett

The director of the White House National Economic Council, who suggested that the job numbers should be viewed over a few months rather than a single month.

Daniel Hornung

A fellow at the Stanford Institute of Economic Policy Research and former deputy director of the National Economic Council under President Joe Biden, who expressed concerns about the report's implications for the Fed's efforts and the administration's economic messaging.

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What they’re saying

“Now we've seen job losses in two of the last three months and an economy teetering on the edge of recession. Tariffs are increasing costs, gas prices are spiking, and jobs are evaporating: The Trump Republican agenda is failing the American people and without immediately changing course the economy may go over the cliff.”

— Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senate Minority Leader (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“While record-breaking strikes and bad winter weather dragged down February nonfarm employment, the unemployment rate held steady, and there are several positive signs for our economy that continue to show American workers are recovering from the mess left behind by Biden.”

— Lorie Chavez DeReemer, U.S. Labor Secretary (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

“I think what we need to start doing with these jobs numbers, at least on the payroll side, is take the average over a few months. And if you take the average over a few months, we had a surprisingly positive one last month and a surprisingly negative one this one. But on average, it's about what we expect to be seeing.”

— Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council (CNBC)

What’s next

The Federal Reserve will likely closely monitor the economic data and consider adjustments to its monetary policy in response to the job losses and other economic indicators.

The takeaway

The latest jobs report highlights the fragility of the economic recovery and the political tensions surrounding the administration's economic policies. With job losses, rising inflation, and geopolitical uncertainty, the economic outlook remains uncertain, posing challenges for policymakers and the administration heading into the midterm elections.