The employment landscape is constantly changing. Keep up on the most recent trends with our Monthly Job Market Summary. All data is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the America Staffing Association.
Monthly Job Market Summary
TalentRise’s monthly overview of the employment landscape, staffing updates, and industry trends in both the US and Canada
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June 2025
Unemployment changed a little at 4.1%
The unemployment rate changed a little at 4.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment continued to trend up in health care and government. Federal government continued to lose jobs.
Long-term unemployed increased month-to-month
In June, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) increased by 190,000 to 1.6 million. The long-term unemployed accounted for 23.3 percent of all unemployed people.
Labor force participation changed little
In June, the labor force participation rate changed little by by 0.1 percentage point to 62.3 percent.
Average hourly earnings rose by $0.8
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 8 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $36.30 in June. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.7 percent. In June, average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees rose by 9 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $31.24
Number of people working part time for economic reasons changed a little from 4.5M
The number of people employed part time for economic reasons, at 4.5 million, changed little in June. These individuals would have preferred full-time employment but were working part time because their hours had been reduced, or they were unable to find full-time jobs.
People not in the labor force who currently want a job was essentially unchanged from last month
In June, the number of people not in the labor force who currently want a job was little changed at 6.0 million. These individuals were not counted as unemployed because they were not actively looking for work during the 4 weeks preceding the survey or were unavailable to take a job.
Temp penetration rate decreased
Temporary help employment decreased to 1.59 of total nonfarm employment in June.
Temp help jobs increased
Temporary help jobs in June increased to 3.2%, seasonally adjusted, from last month.
Nonfarm payroll employment increased
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 147,000 in June, similar to the average monthly gain of 146,000 over the prior 12 months.
In June, employment continued to trend up in:
-healthcare (39k)
-government (73k)
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Industry Trends
Engineering and IT Recruitment
The recruitment industry faces unprecedented challenges despite continued job growth.
Traditional staffing revenues have declined as employers increasingly bypass conventional recruitment channels, turning to internal teams, RPOs, and digital platforms instead.
70% of employers now prioritizing verified capabilities over degrees
Key market changes reshaping the landscape include a shift toward skills-based hiring, with over 70% of employers now prioritizing verified capabilities over degrees. AI integration is accelerating placements but requires strategic implementation to maintain human insight for cultural fit assessment.
Persistent skills shortages across IT and engineering create sustained demand, with over 75% of employers reporting hiring difficulties.
However, clients increasingly demand lower fees, longer guarantees, and clearer ROI demonstrations, pressuring traditional business models.
Success requires moving beyond transactional relationships to genuine partnership. This means adopting candidate-centric approaches that prioritize cultural fit and career alignment, emphasizing quality over quantity in candidate presentation, and streamlining processes while providing strategic market insights.
For companies seeking engineering and IT talent, the key is partnering with recruitment firms that understand both technical requirements and human elements driving successful placements. Choose partners who combine technological efficiency with specialized expertise and deliver genuine value through strategic partnership rather than transactional service.