US Jobs Report: 165,000 Jobs Added in October 2026
US hiring 2026: employers added 165,000 jobs in October, well above forecasts, and unemployment fell to 4.1%. See which sectors hired most.
USAIn brief
- The US economy added 165,000 jobs in October 2026, against forecasts of roughly 60,000–65,000.
- The unemployment rate dipped to 4.1% from 4.2%.
- Professional and business services added 70,000 jobs and health care 55,000.
- Wages rose 3.1% from a year earlier, still behind expected inflation of about 3.7%.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Organization | US Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| Official source | ABC15 – US adds 165,000 jobs in October ✓ abc15.com |
The latest US jobs report is good news for job seekers. American employers added 165,000 jobs in October 2026, more than double what forecasters expected, and the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1% from 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics report published on 6 November.
What were the key numbers?
| Measure | October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Jobs added | 165,000 |
| Forecast | About 60,000–65,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% (from 4.2%) |
| Annual wage growth | 3.1% |
| Three-month average gain | About 137,000 a month |
Rice University economist John Diamond told ABC13 that the three-month average shows a healthy labour market.
Which sectors are hiring?
| Sector | October change |
|---|---|
| Professional and business services | +70,000 |
| Health care | +55,000 |
| Transport and warehousing | Gains |
| Manufacturing | Gains |
| Government | Gains |
| Information, construction, leisure and hospitality | Losses |
Professional services alone made up almost half of the month's new jobs.
Who benefited most?
Unemployment fell fastest for teenagers and Black workers, according to ABC15's report on the Labor Department figures. Economists watch Black unemployment closely as an early recession signal, so the drop was welcomed.
Are wages keeping up?
Not yet. Pay rose 3.1% over the year, while inflation is expected to run near 3.7%. That means price rises have wiped out pay gains for seven months in a row.
How can job seekers use this?
- Target growing sectors: business services, health care, logistics and manufacturing.
- Check public-sector openings on USAJOBS and state job boards.
- Negotiate pay with inflation in mind.
What it means for job seekers
- Hiring is picking up, giving more bargaining power.
- Health care stays a reliable hirer month after month.
- Hospitality is weaker, so widen your search if you work in that field.
- Related: NASA is hiring astronauts until 3 December.
More openings: all USA jobs
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs did the US add in October 2026?
165,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, far more than economists expected.
What is the US unemployment rate in October 2026?
4.1%, down from 4.2% the month before.
Which US sectors are hiring most?
Professional and business services (70,000 jobs) and health care (55,000) led October's gains, followed by transport, warehousing, manufacturing and government.
Which sectors lost jobs in October 2026?
Information, construction, and leisure and hospitality, which had the biggest losses.
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