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- calendar_today November 12, 2026
The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics sheds light on employment growth and wage trends across the United States. Recent releases offer a picture of job gains, wage stability, and industry-specific developments as of late 2026, as well as a wide array of historical and regional breakdowns.
According to the October 2026 Employment Situation Summary, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 165,000, a rise above recent monthly averages. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.1%, showing little change compared to previous months. Industries such as professional and business services (+70,000), health care (+42,000), and transportation and warehousing (+25,000) were key contributors to job growth. Manufacturing jobs also continued to rise, with a gain of 19,000 in October.
Wage trends were positive, with average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increasing by 14 cents (0.4%) to $38.00 in October 2026. Over the preceding 12 months, average hourly earnings grew by 3.1%. Production and nonsupervisory employees also saw gains, with hourly earnings rising to $32.75. The average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls remained steady at 34.4 hours, while the manufacturing sector's average workweek was unchanged at 40.5 hours.
These national-level results are complemented by detailed occupational, state, and regional data available through the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. This program provides a long series of wage and employment data by occupation, region, industry, and state, allowing for in-depth analysis of local labor market conditions and trends.
Overall, the official data signals continued employment growth, particularly in several key sectors, along with steady wage improvements and moderate unemployment—a nuanced outlook for U.S. labor market conditions near the end of 2026.
