Gallup Job Creation Index Steady

U.S. workers' reports of hiring in their workplaces were steady in February. Gallup's Job Creation Index measured plus 29 last month for a second month, but down slightly from the record high of plus 32 recorded from May through October of last year.

The U.S. Job Creation Index score of plus 29 in February reflects 41 percent of workers saying their employers were hiring and expanding the size of their workforce, and 12 percent saying their employers were letting people go and reducing the size of their workforce. The remaining 42 percent of workers said the size of their workforce was not changing.

The percentage of workers who say their workplace is hiring is down slightly from where it was over the summer, but is similar to what was found in January. However, the percentage of workers who say their workplace is letting people go has been largely consistent for the past year.

Regionally, job creation remained highest in the West, at plus 32, and lowest in the East, at plus 26. Job creation among government workers was plus 25. Among nongovernment workers, who make up the bulk of the U.S. workforce, it was plus 30.