Which is true?

As of May 2026, there were 162.77 million employed persons in the United States, following a record high of 163.99 million in December 2025. 

• Steady Growth: The workforce expanded from approximately 137 million in 2000 to over 160 million by the early 2020s, driven by shifts toward service and technology sectors. 
• Pandemic Impact: Employment dipped notably to 148 million in 2020 due to the pandemic, but recovered rapidly, reaching 161 million by 2023. 
• Recent Stability: Since 2023, the number of employed persons has remained consistently high, hovering between 161 million and 164 million, indicating a stable labor market despite fluctuations in quit rates and hiring activity.