Gallup Job Creation Index Unchanged

U.S. workers' reports of hiring activity at their place of work remained positive in January, though they have fallen from the high point in Gallup's eight-year trend measured last year. The job creation index measured plus 29 in January, essentially unchanged from plus 30 in December, but down from the record high of plus 32 registered each month from May through October 2015.

Workers in the eastern part of the country continue to report a slightly worse hiring situation than do workers in the other regions of the country. And nongovernment workers' perceptions of hiring at their workplace continue to be more positive than those of government employees.

Workers' assessments of hiring activity in their workplaces remain upbeat, but not quite as positive as last year. Although hiring activity generally declines in the winter months compared with the summer months, there haven't been obvious seasonal differences in Gallup's Job Creation Index to date.

Job creation varied significantly by state last year. Minnesota had the highest job creation index of the 50 U.S. states in 2015 as a whole, while Alaska had the lowest. Low gas prices appear to have hurt employment in many energy-producing states, like Alaska. However, these same low gas prices are good for consumers and can boost spending, which could lead some stores and retailers to hire more workers.