The latest 2025 US Jobs Report from Aspen Tech Labs is out, and it paints a picture of a resilient labor market finding its footing after a late-2024 cooling period. With 14.4 million unique active job listings tracked in the first quarter alone, the data reveals several critical shifts that every employer and job seeker should know.
Here are the four key takeaways from the report:
1. A Strong Q1 Rebound
After a slow end to 2024, the market came roaring back in early 2025. Job vacancies rose by 7.7% in the first quarter—adding roughly 459,000 new listings. While the market remains slightly tighter than it was a year ago (down 0.7% year-over-year), the steady average of 675,000 new vacancies per week signals sustained employer confidence.
2. The Salary Transparency Revolution
We are reaching a tipping point in how companies talk about pay. Nearly half of all U.S. job listings (47.5%) now include salary information, up significantly from 36.9% just a year ago. This shift is being driven by both new legislation and candidate expectations. In tandem with this transparency, median full-time salaries have seen a healthy 8.7% annual increase, reaching $60,320.
3. AI is No Longer “Niche”
The demand for AI-specific roles is skyrocketing. AI-related job postings surged by 25.2% year-over-year. These aren’t just technical roles; AI skills are becoming integrated across industries. For those in specialized AI positions, the rewards are high, with median annual salaries now reaching approximately $157,000.
4. Remote Work is Still Growing
Despite many “return to office” headlines, remote job vacancies actually increased by 11.5% over the quarter. Sectors like Insurance, IT, and Accounting continue to lead the way in flexible arrangements, proving that remote work has become a permanent, strategic fixture of the modern workforce.
The Bottom Line
While economic uncertainty persists, the data shows a market that is active and evolving. Growth is particularly concentrated in healthcare (with over 430,000 openings for Registered Nurses) and education, while states like West Virginia, South Carolina, and Colorado are emerging as regional hiring hotspots.
*** For the full data breakdown and industry-specific insights, you can view the complete report here.