U.S. jobs and labor market data

Unemployment rate

+0.1 pt Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

The unemployment rate is the share of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are available and actively looking for one. It comes from a monthly survey of about 60,000 households.

U-6 underemployment

-0.1 pt Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

U-6 is the broadest official measure of labor underuse. On top of the unemployed, it counts people who want a job but have stopped looking and part-time workers who want full-time hours.

Nonfarm payrolls

+29K Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

Nonfarm payrolls count the number of paid jobs at U.S. businesses and government agencies, based on a survey of employers. The monthly change is the headline "jobs added" number in the jobs report.

Weekly jobless claims

-6,000 Oct 17, 2026 vs. Oct 10, 2026

Initial claims count the people filing for state unemployment insurance for the first time each week. Because it comes out every Thursday, it is one of the quickest signs of layoffs picking up or slowing down.

Continuing jobless claims

+25,000 Oct 10, 2026 vs. Oct 3, 2026

Continued claims count the people still receiving regular state unemployment benefits. A rising number suggests that people who lose their jobs are taking longer to find new ones.

Labor force participation

+0.2 pt Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

The participation rate is the share of the civilian population age 16 and over that is either working or looking for work. Retirements, school enrollment and caregiving all pull it down.

Job openings (JOLTS)

-256K Aug 2026 vs. Jul 2026

Job openings come from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). They show how many positions employers are actively trying to fill on the last business day of the month.

Employment-population ratio

+0.1 pt Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

The employment-population ratio is the share of the civilian population age 16 and over that has a job. Unlike the unemployment rate, it is not affected by whether people out of work are looking for a job.

Prime-age labor force participation (25-54)

+0.3 pt Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

This is the share of people age 25 to 54 who are working or looking for work. Focusing on prime working age removes much of the effect of retirements and school enrollment.

Prime-age employment rate (25-54)

+0.3 pt Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

This is the share of people age 25 to 54 who have a job. Many economists treat it as one of the cleanest single measures of labor market health.

Civilian labor force

+485K Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

The labor force counts everyone 16 and over who is working or actively looking for work. It grows with population and changes when people enter or leave the job market.

Number of unemployed people

+78K Sep 2026 vs. Aug 2026

This is the number of people without a job who are available and actively looking for one, from the monthly household survey. Divided by the labor force, it gives the unemployment rate.

Hires (JOLTS)

+46K Aug 2026 vs. Jul 2026

Hires count all additions to payrolls during the month, from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. Comparing hires with job openings shows how quickly openings are being filled.

Quits (JOLTS)

-23K Aug 2026 vs. Jul 2026

Quits count workers who left their jobs voluntarily, other than to retire. People quit more when they are confident they can find another job, so quits tend to rise in a strong labor market.

Layoffs and discharges (JOLTS)

-61K Aug 2026 vs. Jul 2026

Layoffs and discharges count separations initiated by employers. A sustained rise is an early sign of a weakening job market.

Job openings rate (JOLTS)

-0.1 pt Aug 2026 vs. Jul 2026

The job openings rate is the number of openings as a share of total employment plus openings. It makes openings comparable over time as the workforce grows.

Quits rate (JOLTS)

0.0 pt Aug 2026 vs. Jul 2026

The quits rate is the number of voluntary quits during the month as a share of total employment. It peaked in 2021 and 2022 during what was called the "Great Resignation."