U.S. Hiring Trends & Workforce Shifts: What the Numbers Reveal in July 2025

217,000

U.S. jobless claims fell by 4,000 to 217,000, the lowest in three months, while continuing claims rose to 1.955 million. Despite a stable labor market, sluggish hiring is leading to longer unemployment spells. Economists expect the Fed to keep interest rates steady at 4.25%–4.50% amid rising inflation pressures driven by tariffs.

58%

In July 2025, 78% of hiring managers felt positive about hiring for the rest of the year, down from 86% last fall, while 37% expressed a negative outlook; 58% plan to grow their workforce, but entry-level hiring has dropped to 50% from 68% earlier, showing employers are becoming more cautious and strategic.

57%

In July 2025, U.S. wage growth rose 2.9% year-over-year, slightly outpacing inflation at 2.7%, with about 57% of workers seeing real income gains. However, the increase was uneven, as most of the growth came from higher-paying sectors like legal, marketing, and engineering.

200,000

The hotel industry is tackling a labor shortage of approximately 200,000 workers by turning to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Research shows that hiring and supporting these employees with job coaches and tailored training not only fills critical roles but also reduces turnover and strengthens workplace inclusion.

73%

Most HR leaders (73%) and employees (60%) are confident in managing change, but only 23% of transformation projects succeed. Many past efforts failed due to poor communication and alignment, causing fatigue even among CEOs. Experts say inclusive strategies and dedicated change teams are essential for better success.