Data · United States · Labor market
US unemployment rate: 4.2%
The US unemployment rate was 4.2% in September 2026 (seasonally adjusted). Nonfarm payroll employment changed by +29K jobs. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Situation.
Unemployment rate
4.2%
September 2026
Previous month
4.1%
August 2026
Payroll change
+29K
September 2026
Next release
November 6, 2026
8:30 ET
Unemployment rate over the last three years
Explained: Recession, explained in 60 seconds
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Frequently asked questions
What is the US unemployment rate?
In September 2026 the unemployment rate was 4.2% (BLS, seasonally adjusted).
When is the next US jobs report?
The BLS publishes the next Employment Situation report on November 6, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.
What are nonfarm payrolls?
The monthly change in the number of jobs outside agriculture. It comes from a survey of employers; the unemployment rate comes from a survey of households.
Source
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rate (LNS14000000) and total nonfarm employment (CES0000000001); monthly change calculated by DESK. Public domain. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov. www.bls.gov
More figures and explainers
US inflation rate · Fed funds rate · ECB interest rate · US crude oil inventories · EUR/USD exchange rate · US GDP growth · Germany inflation rate · Euro area inflation rate · 10-year Treasury yield · Gold price · FOMC meeting dates · ECB meeting dates
Inflation, explained · How the Fed sets interest rates, explained · Recession, explained · The euro, explained
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DESK is a research tool and not investment advice. Page generated: 2026-10-16.