75% of the jobs the U.S. economy added last year were in just three sectors: government, healthcare and hotels and restaurants

75% of the jobs the U.S. economy added last year were in just three sectors: government, healthcare and hotels and restaurants, per MW.


While the January employment data initially indicated a broadening of sectors intensifying their hiring efforts, February saw a return to the norm, with healthcare and government leading the way in hiring once again.

By the end of last year, three sectors—healthcare, government, and leisure and hospitality—were primarily responsible for driving the majority of job growth. This trend reappeared in February's employment figures.

The healthcare sector added 67,000 jobs in February, according to the Labor Department, surpassing the average gain of 58,000 per month recorded over the past year.

Government employment increased by 52,000 in February, with local governments accounting for most of the gains. This is consistent with the monthly average gains seen over the past year.

Leisure and hospitality added 58,000 jobs last month, with employment in food services and at bars rising by 42,000. This increase was notable as there had been little change in food-service employment in recent months.