Private employers added 140,000 jobs in February and January’s job openings didn’t budge — though they were down from mid-2023.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows that 2023 saw a pullback in labor cost growth. That may keep the downtrend in inflation going.

Fast food workers’ wages are up as much as 30% since 2020. That has had real costs for businesses, but real benefits for society.

Even if we’re back to statistical “norms,” remote employment, widespread freelancing and worker activism have changed the landscape.

They may find it attractive to earn money while others are playing.

The labor market is still pretty tight, even after the last year and a half of rate hikes loosened things a bit.

What that might mean for them and for the economy at large.

The growth was largely driven by working mothers. Flexible and remote jobs help, but the expiration of child care relief funds may hurt.

With the acceleration of baby boomer retirements, multiple sectors face long-term challenges finding enough workers to meet demand.

Federal data also shows fewer people quit last month, bringing rates back in line with pre-pandemic levels.