HAGÅTÑA — Guam’s total employed workforce grew by 750 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025, rising from 67,690 to 68,440 persons employed, according to December 2025 preliminary data released Thursday by the Guam Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The private sector drove the gains, with construction adding 440 jobs and hotels adding 180. The majority of construction job increases were attributed to H-2B workers. Rising tourism numbers contributed to the hotel sector growth, which also brought improvements in pay and hours worked. Average weekly hours in the hotel industry increased from 33.5 to 36.2, and the average hourly rate rose from $11.96 to $12.26, translating to approximately $43.63 more per week for hotel workers.
“Guam’s job market was showing some positive movement, but we know it’s still a tough environment for many businesses,” said GDOL Director David Dell’Isola. “We’re seeing more residents back at work, some modest wage increases, and job gains. While our tourism industry remains below pre-pandemic levels, it’s encouraging to see some growth in the hotel sector.”
Dell’Isola cautioned that global uncertainty and the war in Iran could create additional challenges for Guam’s economy and tourism sector going forward.
Chief Economist Gary Hiles said the private sector gains in 2025 were offset by declines in both federal and government of Guam employment. Federal agency downsizing, both voluntary and involuntary, resulted in a 4 percent reduction in federal employment on Guam, significantly below the 10.3 percent decline recorded across the U.S. federal workforce. Federal grant program cuts also contributed to a 1.9 percent decline in locally funded government jobs, which Hiles said came in lower than previous estimates.
