The U.S. job market of 2025 is a curious mix of high demand and intense competition: millions of openings exist, yet job-seekers face longer searches, shifting expectations, and new rules of engagement. In this dynamic landscape, understanding the latest job-search statistics isn’t just interesting; it’s an essential tool for job-seekers and hiring teams alike.
If you are applying for a new position or shaping a hiring plan, use current job search statistics to see how Americans land jobs and which methods work. These also show how long a search takes and what employers prize in 2025.
10 most interesting job search statistics in the US
- There were approximately 7.7 million job openings across the U.S. in January 2025.
- Around 23.5% of unemployed individuals were jobless for 27 weeks or longer in April 2025, marking a substantial portion of long-term unemployment.
- On average, a job search now spans about five months, emphasizing the need for strategic and sustained effort.
- In job-search channels: 71.3% of job seekers used referrals, 55% used professional networking sites, and 49.5% relied on company career pages.
- A striking generational difference: ~1 in 5 Gen Z applicants landed an interview via TikTok, whereas 44% of Baby Boomers relied on word-of-mouth or personal networks.
- 81% of U.S. hiring managers now rank AI-related skills among their top candidate priorities, and job postings mentioning AI or “green skills” have jumped about 170% year-over-year.
- Despite demand for flexibility, the share of U.S. job postings advertising remote or hybrid work has declined from 10.4% (Feb 2022) to ~7.8% (Oct 2024).
- 60% of remote-capable employees prefer a hybrid work model; 33% want fully remote; just 7% prefer fully on-site. Meanwhile globally, 91% of workers expressed a desire for at least some remote flexibility.
- A major candidate frustration: 44% of applicants say they never heard back after applying or interviewing.
- Employers are increasingly hiring based on skills: roughly 64.8% of organizations now use skills-based hiring practices. Top skills sought: Communication (~77%), Relationship-building (~72%), Adaptability (~63%).
The 2024–2025 U.S. job market statistics
A labor market of opportunity and mismatch
Although millions of roles remain unfilled, the labor market is no longer as red-hot as earlier post-pandemic years. As of early 2025, job openings still outnumber job seekers. Yet many employers report difficulty finding candidates with the right skills, particularly in healthcare, IT, and logistics. The labor-force participation rate (LFPR) in 2025 sits around 62.6%, still below its pre-pandemic level as older workers retire and fewer people re-enter the workforce.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Statistics on average job search duration
In April 2025, about 23.5% of unemployed individuals had been jobless for 27 weeks or longer, the highest share recorded in recent months. According to a report, “1.7 million people had been unemployed 27 weeks or more.”
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
While job opportunities may have become harder to secure, this persistence highlights the importance of strategic and targeted job-search efforts.
Wages and inflation statistics
Wage growth remains positive but is showing signs of moderation. Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by approximately 3.7% year over year in June 2025, reaching around $36.30. This indicates that while wages continue to rise, the pace of growth has slowed compared with the earlier stages of the economic recovery.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Stats on how Americans search for jobs
Search Methods and Platforms
Modern job hunts are increasingly multi-channel. According to a publicly available survey, job seekers often use a combination of professional networking sites (55%), company career pages (49.5%), and referrals (71.3%).
Source: iHire
Generational differences
Younger job seekers are adopting non-traditional methods. A primary survey in 2025 found that one in five Gen Z applicants landed an interview via TikTok.
Source: ResumeGenius
Meanwhile, 44% of Baby Boomers relied on word-of-mouth or personal networks.
This generational divide influences how job seekers should tailor their strategies.
Source: ResumeGenius
The rise of AI in applications
In a survey, 81% of U.S. hiring managers now rank AI-related skills among their top candidate priorities. Similarly, data from another survey shows that job postings mentioning AI or green skills have surged by 170% year-over-year, underscoring the accelerating demand for digital fluency.
Source: ResumeGenius, HiringLab by Indeed
Stats on remote and hybrid job searches
Fewer remote openings, stronger worker demand
Reports show that the share of U.S. job postings advertising remote or hybrid work peaked at 10.4% in February 2022, before declining to around 7.8% by October 2024. This indicates that employers have begun scaling back remote-friendly positions, even as candidate demand for flexible work arrangements remains strong.
Source: Indeed
Job preferences by workers
Reports show that 60% of remote-capable employees prefer a hybrid work model, while 33% favor fully remote work and only 7% prefer to be entirely on-site. Globally, 91% of workers express a desire for at least some degree of remote flexibility, underscoring the continuing shift toward flexible work arrangements.
Industry patterns
Tech and professional services continue to offer the highest number of remote or hybrid jobs. In contrast, sectors like manufacturing, retail, and hospitality are largely back on-site, influencing job-seekers’ decisions and expectations.
Source: Flex Index
Job searching experience and mental health
Stress and burnout
Job searches are emotionally taxing. In a 2025 survey, 72% of U.S. job seekers reported that the job-hunting process negatively affected their mental health. Factors such as prolonged application timelines, frequent rejections, and limited employer feedback contribute to growing levels of anxiety, discouragement, and frustration among candidates.
Source: ResumeGenius
Lack of feedback
“Ghosting” by employers remains a major complaint: 44% of applicants cite never hearing back after applying or interviewing as their top frustration. Another study in 2024 states that 52% of workers believe finding their ideal job today would be difficult, highlighting growing pessimism in the job market despite ongoing hiring activity.
Source: ResumeGenius, Pew Research Center
What employers value most in 2025
Skills over degrees
Employers are increasingly prioritizing skills over credentials. Nearly two-thirds of organizations now use skills-based hiring practices, and that is around 64.8%.
Source: NACE
In a 2024 report, they analyzed the most sought-after skills for recruiters over the next five years:
- Communication (77%)
- Relationship-building (72%)
- Adaptability (63%)
Source: LinkedIn
AI Readiness
Technical skills remain in high demand. A report shows that mentions of AI and automation-related skills in U.S. job postings have surged significantly. This signals that employers increasingly expect candidates to work with AI tools, analyze data, and adapt to new technologies.
Source: Indeed Hiring Lab
6. The U.S. job search statistics compared globally
| Country | Unemployment Rate (2025) | Source |
| United States | 4.2% | U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (April 2025) |
| Canada | 7.0% | Statistics Canada (May 2025) |
| Euro Area | 6.3% | EuroStat (June 2025) |
| Japan | 2.6% | OECD 2025 |
| China | 5.2% | National Bureau of Statistics 2025 |
Globally, the U.S. continues to outperform most major economies in unemployment rates while experiencing similar patterns of skill gaps and evolving job-search behavior.
Conclusion
As 2025 unfolds, the U.S. job market rewards adaptability, ongoing learning, and technological fluency. The intersection of strong labor demand and rapidly shifting employer expectations means job seekers who keep their skills current. Especially in AI, data analysis, and communication, individuals are best positioned to succeed.
For employers, clarity, flexibility, and investment in talent development are competitive advantages. Providing timely feedback, offering hybrid work options, and supporting ongoing upskilling will help attract and retain top professionals in a workforce shaped by digital transformation.
