Claudia Sahm: U.S. hires rate fell to lowest since April 2020

Claudia Sahm: U.S. hires rate fell to lowest since April 2020
U.S. hires rate hits pandemic low

The U.S. hires rate decreased to 3.1 percent in February 2026, reaching its lowest point since April 2020. Economist Claudia Sahm highlighted that employers brought on as many workers last month, as a percentage of payrolls, as they did during the depths of the pandemic.

This data underscores ongoing softness in labor market hiring activity, according to Sahm, referencing the latest JOLTS report.

Sahm previously flagged increased vulnerability in the U.S. labor market, citing concerns about the impact of potential cost shocks in a recent analysis. In separate interviews, she discussed risks facing the U.S. economy and shared perspectives on economic uncertainty, as reported in earlier coverage. These comments provide context for current trends in hiring.

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