The US economy added 165K jobs in October 2026, following an upwardly revised gain of 60K in September and significantly exceeding market expectations of 65K. October’s increase also surpassed the average monthly job growth of 48K over the previous 12 months.
Employment rose notably in professional and business services (+70K), health care (+42K), and transportation and warehousing (+25K). Manufacturing employment continued its upward trend, adding 19K jobs in October and bringing total gains to 101K since its recent low in December 2025.
Employment was little changed over the month in other major sectors, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; wholesale and retail trade; information; financial activities; social assistance; leisure and hospitality; other services; and government.
In addition, previously reported figures for August and September were revised up by a combined 84K jobs.
