The October 2026 jobs report, released November 6, showed 165,000 jobs added and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. That is well above the 48,000 monthly average of the past year. August and September were also revised up by a combined 84,000 jobs. Average hourly pay rose 0.4% in the month and 3.1% over the past 12 months.
Key takeaways
- Employers added 165,000 jobs in October, compared with an average of 48,000 a month over the prior 12 months.
- The unemployment rate was 4.1% (7.1 million people). It has stayed between 4.1% and 4.3% since March.
- August rose to +186,000 and September to +60,000 after revisions, a combined 84,000 more jobs than first reported.
- Average hourly pay was $38.00, up 3.1% from a year earlier. September inflation was 3.7%, and October inflation comes out November 10.
- The next jobs report is Friday, December 4. The Fed meets December 8–9.
On Friday, November 6, the government released the October jobs report, and it was a stronger one than the last few. Employers added 165,000 jobs, and earlier months were revised up. The unemployment rate stayed low at 4.1%.
Here is what the numbers say, where the jobs are, and what it all means for your pay.
How many jobs were added in October?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that payroll employment rose by 165,000 in October. Over the 12 months before, the average gain was 48,000 a month. So October was more than three times the usual pace.
| Measure | October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Jobs added | +165,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% (7.1 million people) |
| Labor force participation rate | 61.9% |
| Employment-population ratio | 59.3% |
| Average hourly pay | $38.00 (up 14 cents, or 0.4%, for the month) |
| Average hourly pay, 12-month change | +3.1% |
| Average workweek | 34.4 hours |
| Long-term unemployed (27 weeks or more) | 2.0 million, or 27.6% of the unemployed |
The BLS said the unemployment rate “changed little.” It has stayed between 4.1% and 4.3% since March.
Were earlier months revised?
Yes, and up this time. August went from +133,000 to +186,000. September went from +29,000 to +60,000. Together, that is 84,000 more jobs than first reported.
The BLS says revisions come from additional business and government reports and updated seasonal factors. This is normal. A first estimate is a snapshot, so the trend over several months tells you more than one number.
Which industries are hiring?
| Industry | Jobs added in October |
|---|---|
| Professional and business services | +70,000 |
| Health care | +42,000 |
| Transportation and warehousing | +25,000 |
| Manufacturing | +19,000 |
Within health care, hospitals added 16,000 jobs and home health care added 11,000. The BLS said retail, construction, financial activities, leisure and hospitality, and government showed little change.
Is your pay keeping up with prices?
Average hourly pay for private employees was $38.00 in October, up 3.1% from a year earlier. The latest inflation number is for September: the consumer price index was up 3.7% over 12 months. October’s inflation report is scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, so the full October comparison has to wait.
Here is what a gap like that looks like. This is an illustration, not a prediction for any person.
- Suppose you earned $1,000 a week a year ago.
- A 3.1% raise brings you to $1,000 × 1.031 = $1,031.
- To keep the same buying power at 3.7% inflation, you would need $1,000 × 1.037 = $1,037.
- The gap is $6 a week. Over 52 weeks, that is $6 × 52 = $312 a year.
Averages cover everyone. Your own raise could be higher or lower. Check it with our inflation calculator and see what a raise does to take-home pay with the paycheck calculator.
Does this change interest rates?
Not on its own. The Federal Reserve meets December 8–9, and officials look at job and price data when they decide. Both the November 10 inflation report and the December 4 jobs report come before that meeting. Nobody can promise what the Fed will do.
What do the “little changed” numbers mean?
The BLS calls a change “little” when it is not statistically meaningful. Participation (61.9%) and the employment-population ratio (59.3%) both showed little net change since January. In plain terms, more jobs were added in October, but the share of adults working has not moved much this year.
What to do now
- Mark the next dates. Inflation is Tuesday, November 10, and the next jobs report is Friday, December 4, both at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
- Compare your raise with 3.7%. Use the pay raise calculator to see whether your last raise beat the latest inflation number.
- Look at hiring in your field. If you work in health care, business services, transportation or manufacturing, openings were growing in October. Other sectors were flat.
- Keep a cushion anyway. About 27.6% of unemployed people had been out of work for 27 weeks or more. A few months of expenses saved helps in any job market.
- Do not react to one report. October can still be revised in the next two reports. Wait for the trend before changing a big money plan.
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs were added in October 2026?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 165,000 in October 2026. That compares with an average monthly gain of 48,000 over the prior 12 months. The BLS also revised August up to 186,000 and September up to 60,000, so the recent months look stronger than first reported.
What is the unemployment rate now?
The unemployment rate was 4.1% in October, about 7.1 million people. The BLS said it changed little. The rate has stayed between 4.1% and 4.3% since March. The labor force participation rate, the share of adults working or looking for work, was 61.9%.
Which industries added the most jobs?
Professional and business services added 70,000 jobs. Health care added 42,000, including 16,000 in hospitals and 11,000 in home health care. Transportation and warehousing added 25,000 and manufacturing added 19,000. The BLS said retail, construction, government and several other sectors showed little change.
Are wages rising faster than prices?
Not clearly yet. Average hourly earnings for private employees rose 3.1% over 12 months to $38.00. The latest inflation figure, for September, was 3.7%. October's inflation report is due November 10, so the real comparison for October is not available until then.
Will this report change interest rates?
Not by itself. The Federal Reserve meets December 8–9 and officials look at job and price data, among other things. One report does not set your mortgage or savings rate, and nobody can promise what the Fed will do. The inflation report on November 10 and the December 4 jobs report also come first.
Can this jobs report be revised?
Yes. The BLS revises the business survey's job count in the two months after the first release, and the October number can change in the December and January reports. The August and September revisions in this report added 84,000 jobs. The unemployment rate comes from a separate household survey.