United States: jobs and pay

How many jobs were added in the latest US jobs report?

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 29,000 in September 2026, and the unemployment rate was 4.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation released on 2 October 2026. BLS described both as little changed.

The payroll figure comes from a survey of employers and counts jobs, not people. It is revised in each of the next two monthly releases and again each year against tax records, so first estimates can move by tens of thousands. The unemployment rate comes from a separate household survey. BLS lists the October 2026 report for 6 November 2026.

Official sources: BLS: The Employment Situation

What are average hourly earnings in the US?

Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls were $37.81 in September 2026, up 5 cents (0.1%) on August and up 3.0% over 12 months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

This is a mean for private-sector jobs and excludes farm workers, the self-employed and government staff. Shifts in the mix of jobs move it: if low-paid jobs are lost, the average can rise without anyone getting a pay rise. To see whether pay is keeping up with prices, compare the 12-month change with the Consumer Price Index; BLS also publishes real earnings. For annual pay by occupation, see BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Official sources: BLS: The Employment Situation

How many job openings are there in the US?

There were 7.1 million job openings on the last business day of August 2026, a rate of 4.3%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), released on 29 September 2026. Hires were 5.2 million and total separations 5.1 million, including 3.1 million quits and 1.6 million layoffs and discharges.

The openings rate is openings as a share of total employment plus openings. Quits are often read as a sign of how confident workers are about finding another job. JOLTS runs a month behind the jobs report. BLS gives 3 November 2026 for the next release.

Official sources: BLS: Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary

What is the labor force participation rate in the US?

The US labor force participation rate was 61.8% in September 2026, and the employment-population ratio was 59.2%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics household survey.

The participation rate is the share of the civilian population aged 16 and over that is working or looking for work. It is pulled down by an ageing population, as more people retire, so BLS also publishes rates by age; the rate for people aged 25 to 54, known as prime age, is often used to compare over time. Each January the figures are adjusted to new population controls, which can cause a break in the series.

Official sources: BLS: The Employment Situation

What percentage of US workers are in a union?

10.0% of US wage and salary workers were union members in 2025, about the same as the year before, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, published on 18 February 2026. There were 14.7 million union members. The rate for public-sector workers was 32.9%, more than five times the private-sector rate of 5.9%.

The figures come from the Current Population Survey, a household survey. BLS also counts workers who are covered by a union contract but are not members, which gives a slightly higher share. State rates vary widely and are in the same release. The 2026 figures are due in early 2027.

Official sources: BLS: Union Members Summary

What is the United States' minimum wage?

$1,257 a month: that is the statutory minimum wage in the United States for 2026, according to the ILO. It has not changed since 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in the United States?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is $6,273 a month. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Of 57 countries with 2025 data, 7th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in the United States?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 4.2%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.6% (2023) to 9.6% (2010). Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 107th highest.

How many young people in the United States are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 9.3%. The peak was 18.4% in 2010 and the low 8.0% in 2023. World rank, highest first: 114th of 174.

What share of people in the United States are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in the United States at 61.7% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 61.5% (2021) to 65.2% (2006). World rank, highest first: 89th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in the United States?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in the United States was 56.3%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 58.3%; its low point was 2021, at 55.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 72nd highest.

What is the employment rate in the United States?

59.1%: that is the employment to population ratio in the United States for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 62.2% in 2006 and the low 56.6% in 2020. World rank, highest first: 79th of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in the United States?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in the United States at 3.8% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 4.4%; its low point was 2023, at 3.8%. Worldwide: 169th of 174.

How many people in the United States are employees?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in the United States was 93.9%, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 8th highest.