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Many jobs still have demographically skewed workforces, new data shows

Feb 14, 2024
The WSJā€™s Lauren Weber talks about "how we sort ourselves into different occupations and how in some ways we are sorted."
About 97% of preschool teachers are women, according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics report on the U.S. workforce.
Chris Hondros/Getty Images

What does "overqualified" really mean in hiring?

Jan 18, 2024
With the share of older people in the workforce growing, maybe it's time to rethink the label.
"The reality is that 'overqualified' is often a code word for too old," says Dana Siomkos, founder and CEO ofĀ recruiting firm You and Them. As more young people move into managerial roles, older job searchers are having trouble getting hired.
skynesher/Getty Images

Why labor force participation is so different state to state

Nov 17, 2023
Different religious beliefs and education levels mean many more Utahans participate in the labor force than Mississippians.
One reason that Utah is the state with the highest labor force participation is the prominence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which encourages family formation, leading to higher birthrates, says economist Peter Philips.
George Frey/Getty Images

The latest push for a national retirement savings system

A new bill follows up on recent bipartisan legislation to expand access to retirement savings.
A new bill in Congress, the Retirement Savings for Americans Act, would boost retirement security for low- and moderate-income workers.
Mark Makela/Getty Images

Share of women in labor force continued to grow in August, but is it sustainable?

Sep 4, 2023
Flexible and remote jobs help. Expiring childcare relief funds don't.
The gap between women and men in the workforce was the narrowest its ever been in August.
Getty Images

Immigrant workforce reaches near record level

Jul 6, 2023
Foreign-born workers are continuing to play a crucial role in a tight job market.
Tisheeka Wallace is assistant manager of Pacci's Trattoria, where immigrants make up one-fifth of the workforce.
Nancy Marshall Genzer/Marketplace

The Class of 2023 enters the workforce

May 30, 2023
As the job market starts to cool, young grads are learning the ropes.
Zoe Bennett graduated from the University of Alabama in May, and will be starting a new job as an environmental engineer in June.
Courtesy of Zoe Bennett

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4 of 5 ā€œprime ageā€ people are in workforce, highest since 2001

May 29, 2023
The ratio covers people 25 to 54 years old. The strong participation means employers looking to hire may have a hard time finding workers.
With the labor market still hot, industries like hospitality and retail may struggle to attract workers unless they boost wages.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Layoffs are up, first-time jobless claims are down. What gives?

Jan 23, 2023
The job market is still tight, so many who've lost jobs rejoin the workforce fast. Others aren't eager to deal with the unemployment insurance system.
Layoffs have so far been concentrated in the tech sector, but the overall unemployment trend has remained near decade-lows.
Eblis/Getty Images

Has the drop in immigration contributed to inflation?

Jan 20, 2023
Immigrants have accounted for a major share of labor force growth for years, increasing production, which keeps inflation lower, experts say.
Immigration to the U.S. dropped dramatically during the pandemic. Above, new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Massachusetts on Jan. 5.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images