Despite stronger growth in 2013, net monthly job creation, at about 193,000, was only slightly above its 2012 level (186,000) and still below its pre-recession average of 200,000. Employment at the end of 2013 was still 1.1 million short of its pre-recession peak; regaining this peak requires 7.7 million more jobs, in addition to absorbing subsequent monthly entrants to the labor force.
尽管如此，美国工人所面临的前景更加暗淡，也更不确定。尽管2013年增长有所走强，但月度就业岗位创造量（约193,000个）只是比2012年的水平（186,000）略有增加，并仍低于危机前的平均水平（200,000个）。2013年年底，就业人数仍比危机前峰值低110万；要恢复峰值水平需要新增770万个岗位，以吸收后续增加的劳动力市场新军。