Private payrolls rose 41,000 in December, slightly below expectations, ADP says

In January 2026, the job market showed growth primarily in services, with education and health adding 39,000 jobs, and leisure and hospitality contributing 24,000. However, losses occurred in professional services (29,000) and information services (12,000). Smaller companies with under 500 workers accounted for most job gains.

Aecendt Global Marketplace

January 16, 2026

1–2 minutes

economic growth, entrepreneurs, Hiring, payroll, small businesses

Published Wed, Jan 7 20268:15 AM EST by Jeff Cox

Payroll growth came entirely in services industries as education and health-related fields added 39,000 jobs and leisure and hospitality contributed 24,000. Trade, transportation and utilities gained 11,000 while financial services rose by 6,000.

Offsetting those gains were losses of 29,000 in professional and business services and 12,000 in information services.

Goods-producing industries lost 3,000, due primarily to a drop of 5,000 in manufacturing.

Nearly all the job gains came in companies employing fewer than 500 workers. Larger firms added just 2,000.

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