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US job growth slows in December, unemployment rate eases to 4.4%

Left 46% Center coverage: 13 sources Right
Washington, DC, United States
January 09, 2026 (Updated: January 21, 2026) 1 Left Neutral I'm focusing on career/side hustles
US job growth slows in December, unemployment rate eases to 4.4%

TheWkly Analysis

U.S. job growth slowed in December, with employers adding fewer jobs than expected, while the unemployment rate dipped to 4.4%. The data points to a cooling labor market after strong gains earlier in 2025. Wage growth remained steady, suggesting inflation pressures may continue easing. Economists say the Federal Reserve is likely to hold interest rates steady in the near term as it watches labor and inflation trends.

Multiple perspectives analyzed from 13 sources
What this means for you:
Job seekers may face a slower hiring environment, so networking and skill updates could matter more in the next few months.
Slower payroll growth can influence interest-rate expectations, which may affect borrowing and investment decisions.
Watch how unemployment and wage trends move together, since the mix shapes household spending power.

Key Entities

  • U.S. employers - Companies adding fewer jobs in December.
  • Unemployment rate - A measure that dipped to 4.4% in the report.
  • Federal Reserve - The central bank likely to watch labor data for rate decisions.
  • Wage growth - A key indicator tied to inflation pressures.

Bias Distribution

13 sources
Left: 54% (7 sources)
Center: 46% (6 sources)
Right: 0% (0 sources)

Multi-Perspective Analysis

Left-Leaning View

(No qualifying left coverage found)

Centrist View

Center coverage leads with payroll and unemployment data, presenting slower job growth as a mixed signal for the economy and interest rates.

Right-Leaning View

(No qualifying right coverage found)

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