BLS Publication

In September 2026, the unemployment rate was little changed at 4.2 percent. The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.1 percent to 4.3 percent since March. The number of unemployed people, at 7.1 million, changed little over the month. Chart Image Chart Data Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for people who are Black (7.0 percent) increased in September.

Total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment was little changed (+29,000) in September 2026, following an average monthly gain of 45,000 over the prior 12 months. Employment in the private service-providing and goods-producing industries were both little changed (+28,000 and +18,000, respectively). Total government employment—local, state, and federal combined—was also little changed (−17,000).

On average, 36.9 percent of wage and salary workers could work at home in 2024–25, compared with 28.8 percent in 2017–18. Among those who worked at home, 32.7 percent did so because of job requirements, 31.3 percent because of a personal preference, and 11.8 percent to coordinate their work schedule with personal or family needs.

In January 2026, 30.1 percent of wage and salary workers age 25 and over had 10 or more years of tenure with their current employer, little changed from 30.2 percent in January 2024. Among wage and salary workers age 25 and over, men (31.1 percent) were more likely than women (29.0 percent) to have been with their current employer for a decade or more. The gap between men and women with 10 or more years of tenure has narrowed considerably compared with what it was a few decades ago.

In August 2026, the District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate, 5.7 percent. South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in August, 2.0 percent, followed by North Dakota, 2.2 percent. The rate in Ohio (3.3 percent) set a new series low. (All state series begin in 1976.) In total, 19 states had unemployment rates lower than the U.S. figure of 4.1 percent, 6 states and the District had higher rates, and 25 states had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.

Import prices rose 0.7 percent in August following consecutive declines of 0.3 percent in July and June. Over the year, prices for U.S. imports increased 7.0 percent from August 2025 to August 2026, the largest increase since prices rose 7.7 percent for the 12-month period ended August 2022. Nonfuel import prices increased 5.5 percent from August 2025 to August 2026, the largest increase since prices rose 5.9 percent for the 12-month period ended May 2022.

Americans born from 1957 to 1964 and those born from 1980 and 1984 were both employed for 76 percent of the weeks during the time they were between age 18 and 38. Men were employed more weeks from ages 18 to 38 than women. White, non-Hispanic individuals were employed more weeks at these ages than both Black, non-Hispanic and Hispanic or Latino individuals.

In 2025, at least 90.0 percent of workers in 26 detailed occupations did not require any prior work experience. Among these occupations were fast food and counter workers and cashiers, with 98.1 percent and 96.5 percent, respectively. By comparison, 56.6 percent of all workers were in jobs that required no prior work experience.

With schools back in session, let’s check out the driving forces behind employment trends in the school and employee bus transportation industry. Each June and July, as the school year comes to an end, employees in school and employee bus transportation fall off payrolls. Employment trends in August can vary from year to year, but a large employment buildup often follows in September, as school resumes.

Of the 15 largest areas, San Jose-San Francisco-Oakland, California, had among the highest average compensation costs for private industry workers in March 2026 at $75.12 per hour worked. Miami-Port St. Lucie-Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had among the lowest average compensation costs at $37.84 per hour.