The labor market continues its steady expansion, adding 143,000 new jobs in January, in line with the monthly average of 166,000 in 2024. Job growth remains consistent in sectors like health care, retail, and social assistance, with businesses actively hiring to meet ongoing demand. Wages continue to rise, reflecting a competitive labor market where employers are looking for full-time, part-time, and flexible workers to fill key roles.

Health Care Expands Opportunities for Full-Time and Part-Time Professionals

The health care industry led job creation in January, adding 44,000 new positions. Hospitals saw an increase of 14,000 jobs, while nursing and residential care facilities added 13,000, and home health care services grew by 11,000. Many of these roles rely on a mix of full-time staff and flexible, part-time professionals to cover shifts and meet growing patient needs.

Retail Hiring Increases as Businesses Adapt Staffing Models

Retail employment grew by 34,000 jobs in January, with general merchandise retailers adding 31,000 positions and furniture and home furnishings stores contributing 5,000. While retail employment remained relatively stable throughout 2024, businesses are adjusting their staffing strategies by leveraging both permanent and flexible workers to align with evolving consumer demand. The ability to scale workforces up or down with part-time and on-demand professionals has become essential for retailers managing seasonal and market-driven fluctuations.

Social Assistance and Government Hiring Maintain Upward Trend

The social assistance sector added 22,000 jobs, with the largest gains in individual and family services, which grew by 20,000 positions. Many of these roles provide part-time and flexible opportunities for workers in caregiving and community support services. Government employment also continued to rise, adding 32,000 jobs in January. The increase in public-sector employment reflects ongoing investment in services that support communities nationwide, often with a blend of full-time and temporary positions.

Wages Continue to Rise, Reflecting a Strong Demand for Skilled Workers

Average hourly earnings increased by 0.5% in January, reaching $35.87. Over the past year, wages have grown by 4.1%, reinforcing strong demand for workers across industries. Production and nonsupervisory employees saw their wages rise to $30.84, highlighting a competitive labor market where businesses are offering higher pay and flexible work arrangements to attract and retain talent.

Flexible and Part-Time Work Remains an Essential Workforce Strategy

With steady job growth and increasing wages, businesses are adopting more dynamic workforce strategies to ensure they can meet demand. Part-time, temporary, and flexible work opportunities are playing a critical role in helping industries maintain coverage, reduce labor shortages, and adapt to changing market conditions. These roles are not only important for employers, they also offer significant value to workers who are seeking flexible schedules, additional income, or opportunities to enter new industries without long-term commitments.

Across sectors like health care, retail, logistics, and social assistance, flexibility is becoming a competitive advantage. Employers that can provide adaptable roles and predictable scheduling are better positioned to attract and retain workers, especially in a tight labor market. Flexible work models also allow companies to scale their teams quickly in response to demand shifts without the time or cost associated with traditional hiring.

In addition, more businesses are investing in workforce platforms and technology solutions that support real-time scheduling, on-demand staffing, and mobile-first communication with workers. These innovations are helping companies build reliable talent pipelines and reduce administrative burdens.

The January labor report underscores a stable and growing job market, with businesses continuing

January Labor Market Strengthens, Demand for Part-Time and Flexible Talent Grows was originally published in WorkWhile on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.