October Jobs Report: U.S. Adds 165,000 Jobs as Unemployment Dips to 4.1%
The October jobs report came in stronger than many expected. U.S. employers added 165,000 jobs last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, the unemployment rate stood at 4.1%. The report was released on Friday, November 6, 2026.
The October jobs report by the numbers
Here are the headline figures from the BLS:
| Measure | October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Jobs added | 165,000 |
| Unemployment rate | 4.1% |
| Unemployed people | About 7.1 million |
| Labor force participation | 61.9% |
| Average hourly earnings | $38.00 |
| Wage growth, past 12 months | 3.1% |
For context, the economy had added an average of just 48,000 jobs a month over the prior year. So October’s gain was more than three times that pace.
Earlier months were revised up too
The good news did not stop with October. The BLS also revised its estimates for the two months before:
- August was revised up by 53,000, to 186,000 jobs.
- September was revised up by 31,000, to 60,000 jobs.
Together, that adds 84,000 jobs that had not been counted before. In short, the labor market has been a bit stronger than earlier reports suggested.
Which industries are hiring
Four sectors led the gains in October:
- Professional and business services: +70,000
- Health care: +42,000
- Transportation and warehousing: +25,000
- Manufacturing: +19,000
Health care has been one of the steadiest sources of new jobs. Meanwhile, the jump in business services and manufacturing points to broader hiring than in recent months.
What about paychecks?
Average hourly pay rose 14 cents in October, or 0.4%, to $38.00. Over the past year, wages are up 3.1%.
However, that raise may not feel like much at the store. Consumer prices rose 3.7% in the 12 months through September, according to the BLS. In other words, the typical paycheck has been growing more slowly than prices lately. That gap is one reason many households still feel stretched even with steady job numbers.
What the October jobs report means for you
A stronger job market can help in several ways. For example, job seekers may find more openings, and workers may have more room to ask for raises. On the other hand, solid hiring can also keep pressure on interest rates, which affects credit cards, car loans and mortgages.
For a broader look at where the economy stood heading into the fall, read our U.S. economy update. If you are worried about borrowing costs, our guide to the credit utilization ratio explains one of the quickest ways to strengthen your credit.
When is the next jobs report?
The BLS plans to release the November jobs report on Friday, December 4, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.
The bottom line
The October jobs report showed 165,000 new jobs, upward revisions to earlier months and unemployment at 4.1%. Hiring was strongest in business services, health care, transportation and manufacturing. Still, with wage growth trailing inflation, many families will judge the economy by what they pay at the pump and the grocery store.
Figures come from the BLS Employment Situation release for October 2026. This article is for general information only.
