Take a Look: A Snapshot of the U.S. Jobs Market

The U.S. jobs markets has gone through many twists and turns over the past 40 years. Here is a look at some key statistics and how they have changed.

Definitions

Labor force: Every person above 16 years old who is neither in an institution (such as a jail) or actively serving in the Armed Forces. People who have stopped looking for work after four weeks or who become unavailable for work drop out of the labor force.

Unemployed: An individual who is without work but has looked for a job in the past four weeks and is currently available to work.

Unemployment rate: The proportion of the labor force that is unemployed.

Labor force participation rate: The proportion of the labor force that is currently employed or unemployed.

Click here for more information from the Labor Department.

Charts

The following charts, created by FOX Business, are based on seasonally-adjusted estimates by the Labor Department.

*The earnings listed on the above chart are not adjusted for inflation.