Black Workers Hit Hardest, Yet Again, In Trump’s Economy
Written by b87fm on 12/17/2025
A delayed jobs report released this week by the Bureau of Labor Statistics paints a troubling picture of a cooling U.S. labor market — with Black workers bearing a disproportionate share of the pain.
According to NBC News, unemployment among Black workers has risen faster and higher than the national average in recent months. In November, the unemployment rate for Black workers climbed to 8.3%, a staggering 3.7 percentage points higher than the overall U.S. rate.
The broader labor market is also showing signs of strain.
The economy added just 64,000 jobs in November, a modest rebound after losing 105,000 jobs in October. It marked the third month of job losses or weak growth in the past six months. Overall unemployment has now increased from 4% at the start of the year to 4.6%, its highest level since 2021.
While the job market is not collapsing, economists say it is clearly losing momentum.
Healthcare Carries the Load
Healthcare accounted for the vast majority of November’s gains, adding roughly 46,000 jobs, more than 70% of the month’s net growth. Construction and social assistance also posted modest increases.
Outside of those sectors, hiring has largely stalled.
“The U.S. economy is in a jobs recession,” said Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. “The nation has added a mere 100,000 jobs in the past six months. The bulk of those jobs were in healthcare — an industry that is almost always hiring due to America’s aging population. Almost all other sectors are flatlining or laying workers off.”
CNN reports that uncertainty among employers has slowed hiring across most industries, making it harder for younger workers, recent graduates, and career changers to find openings — particularly in visible, frontline roles.
Wage Growth Slows as Costs Stay High
Annual wage growth cooled to 3.5%, its lowest level in more than four years. While slower wage growth helps ease inflation, it also makes it harder for workers to keep pace with rising housing costs, food prices, and student loan payments — especially in high-cost cities.
Economists caution that the labor market is not in free fall, but the trend lines are concerning. With job growth weak, unemployment rising, and disparities widening, the latest data suggests a more fragile economy heading into the new year — one where job security can no longer be assumed, and Black workers are once again feeling the impact first and hardest.
