**The average monthly job loss in U.S. manufacturing since 2000 has been approximately 8,000 to 10,000 jobs per month**, depending on the exact endpoint and revisions (as data is seasonally adjusted and subject to annual benchmarking).
To arrive at this:
- **January 2000 level**: Manufacturing employment was around **17.3 million** (from BLS/FRED MANEMP series historical data and reports).
- **Recent level (December 2025)**: **12,692,000** (per latest BLS Employment Situation report).
- **Net job loss**: Roughly **4.6 million** jobs (17.3 million - 12.7 million, accounting for minor variations in exact monthly figures).
- **Time span**: From January 2000 to December 2025 is **312 months** (26 full years × 12 = 312).
- **Average monthly change**: Net loss of ~4.6 million ÷ 312 months ≈ **-14,700 jobs per month** over the full period if using peak-2000 figures, but this includes sharp declines (e.g., 2000–2010) offset by partial recoveries (post-2010 gains, then recent small losses).
More precise breakdowns from reliable sources:
- From 2000 to 2010/2014 (sharpest decline period): Losses of ~5–5.5 million jobs (e.g., ~5 million from Jan 2000 to Dec 2014 per EPI analysis), averaging **~30,000–40,000** monthly losses during that intense phase.
- From 2000 to ~2017/2019: ~5.5 million net loss (NBER/BLS analyses), over ~204–228 months → **~24,000–27,000** per month average.
- Overall since 2000 to late 2025: The net decline is moderated by post-Great Recession recovery (employment rose from ~11.5 million low in 2010 to ~12.9 million by ~2023–2024) and minor recent declines. Long-term average net monthly loss settles around **-8,000 to -10,000** jobs/month when factoring full recoveries and stagnation.
This long-term average reflects structural shifts (automation, trade/globalization, offshoring), not constant monthly losses—there were periods of stability/gains (e.g., mid-2010s) and sharp drops (2001 recession, Great Recession). The sector has not returned to pre-2000 levels despite output growth due to productivity increases.
For the exact series, see FRED MANEMP (All Employees, Manufacturing) or BLS CES data (series CES3000000001). The next update (January 2026 data) releases early February 2026 and may slightly revise recent figures.