From December 2024 to March 2025, private-sector establishments in Kentucky recorded 88,175 gross job gains from openings and expansions, while gross job losses from closures and contractions reached 81,258. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that this resulted in a net employment gain of 6,917 jobs for the state’s private sector during the first quarter of 2025.
Victoria G. Lee, Regional Commissioner for the BLS, stated that “the difference between the number of gross job gains and the number of gross job losses yielded a net employment gain of 6,917 jobs in the private sector during the first quarter of 2025.” In comparison, during the previous quarter, gross job losses had surpassed gains by 3,285.
Business Employment Dynamics (BED) statistics monitor changes in employment at private businesses each quarter. These figures reflect both increases and decreases in employment across all sectors. The BED data series is part of a federal-state cooperative program called Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), with data compiled by the BLS from QCEW records.
Gross job gains accounted for 5.2 percent of Kentucky’s private-sector employment in early 2025; nationally, this figure was slightly higher at 5.6 percent. Gains came from expansions at existing establishments (72,762 jobs) and new openings (15,413 jobs). Expansions saw an increase compared to the prior quarter, while openings contributed fewer jobs than previously.
Gross job losses represented 4.8 percent of Kentucky’s private-sector employment during this period; nationally it was higher at 5.4 percent. Contracting establishments lost a total of 68,021 jobs—a decrease from last quarter—while closing establishments accounted for another 13,237 lost positions.
Eight out of eleven major industry sectors in Kentucky experienced more job gains than losses over the quarter. Professional and business services led with a net increase of 4,127 jobs due to significant gross job gains relative to losses within that sector. Retail trade posted a net gain of 1,733 jobs and education and health services added another net gain of 1,622 jobs. The leisure and hospitality sector faced a net loss totaling 1,400 jobs—the largest among all sectors analyzed.
Detailed breakdowns by industry subsector as well as information by employer size class are available through tables provided with this release and online resources such as the Business Employment Dynamics homepage and Business Employment Dynamics Summary.
The next BED report covering second quarter results is scheduled for release on February 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Individuals seeking further details on definitions or methodology can consult the Business Employment Dynamics Technical Note or contact BLS directly via phone or Telecommunications Relay Service.
