Marketplace What's next for the job market in 2026
6 snips
Dec 31, 2025 
Join reporters David Wagner, Mia Sato, and Maria Hollenhorst as they explore the future of the job market and economic trends. Wagner discusses LA’s new rent control regulations and the impact on tenants and landlords. Sato reveals how influencer culture drives consumer behavior through 'shopaganda' and the rise of de-influencing. Hollenhorst highlights the booming tribute band scene as an affordable live entertainment option. Together, they dissect how these dynamics shape the economy moving towards 2026.
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Cooling Job Market Signals Uneven Recovery
- The jobs market cooled in 2025 with claims up about 5% and unemployment rising to a four-year high.
- Growth concentrated in AI and construction may not translate into broad-based job gains in 2026.
Small Employers Keep Hiring Tight
- Small employers are hiring cautiously and raising pay at under 3% annually, creating a low-fire, low-hire environment.
- Employers are first increasing hours for current staff, which could precede slower, targeted hiring.
Plan For Policy Headwinds In 2026
- Consider policy and hiring plans that account for headwinds like federal health cuts, immigration changes, and tariff uncertainty.
- Prioritize policies that support broad-based job creation beyond high-end AI sectors.