Private payrolls rose by just 22,000 in January, far short of expectations, ADP says

Private companies added just 22,000 positions for January. The total was less than the downwardly revised 37,000 increase in December and below the consensus forecast for 45,000. The report starts 2026 off on basically the same note where 2025 ended: A lackluster job market in a low-hire, low-fire environment.

ADP Jobs Report Shows Weak January Hiring As Education And Health Care Carry The Economy

January’s ADP jobs report shows weak private hiring as gains in education and health care offset losses across key sectors, signaling a softer labor market.

Private-sector job growth cooled in January, ADP estimates

The sector added 22,000 jobs last month, the payrolls processor estimated, a signal of cooler job growth, as economists await delayed government data.

ADP: Employers Add Meager 22K Jobs in January

Employers added a paltry 22,000 jobs in January, as robust hiring in education and health care could not offset a sharp decline in business and professional services employment, private payroll firm ADP said on Wednesday.

ADP jobs, JOLTs openings, and oil inventories headline Wednesday data

• 8:15 AM ET - ADP Nonfarm Employment Change: Expected at 46K versus previous 41K. This private sector employment report serves as a precursor to the government’s non-farm payroll data, providing early signals about labor market conditions.