The US unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in September 2026, up from 4.1% in August and slightly above market expectations of 4.1%. The number of unemployed increased by 78,000 to 7.11 million, while total employment surged by 406,000 to 163.15 million. The labor force expanded by 485,000 to 170.26 million, pushing the labor force participation rate up to 61.8% from 61.6%. The employment-to-population ratio also edged higher to 59.2%. Meanwhile, the broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes unemployed, underemployed and marginally attached workers, eased to 7.6% from 7.7%. source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 4.20 percent in September from 4.10 percent in August of 2026. Unemployment Rate in the United States averaged 5.65 percent from 1948 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 14.80 percent in April of 2020 and a record low of 2.50 percent in May of 1953. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on October of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in the United States increased to 4.20 percent in September from 4.10 percent in August of 2026. Unemployment Rate in the United States is expected to be 4.30 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 4.30 percent in 2027 and 4.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-09-04 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Aug 4.1% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1%
2026-10-02 12:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Sep 4.2% 4.1% 4.1% 4.1%
2026-11-06 01:30 PM
Unemployment Rate
Oct 4.2%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Long Term Unemployment Rate 1.14 1.14 percent Sep 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 9.90 9.10 percent Sep 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Average Hourly Earnings MoM 0.10 0.30 percent Sep 2026
Average Hourly Earnings YoY 3.00 3.10 percent Sep 2026
Average Weekly Hours 34.40 34.40 Hours Sep 2026
Employment Rate 59.20 59.10 percent Sep 2026
Government Payrolls -17.00 44.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Participation Rate 61.80 61.60 percent Sep 2026
Manufacturing Payrolls 9.00 15.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Non Farm Payrolls 29.00 133.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Nonfarm Payrolls Private 46.00 89.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Unemployed Persons 7109.00 7031.00 Thousand Sep 2026
Mean Unemployment Rate Expectations 44.40 42.80 percent Aug 2026
Unemployment Rate 4.20 4.10 percent Sep 2026


United States Unemployment Rate
In the United States, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.20 4.10 14.80 2.50 1948 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
US Unemployment Rate Rises to 4.2% in September
The US unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in September 2026, up from 4.1% in August and slightly above market expectations of 4.1%. The number of unemployed increased by 78,000 to 7.11 million, while total employment surged by 406,000 to 163.15 million. The labor force expanded by 485,000 to 170.26 million, pushing the labor force participation rate up to 61.8% from 61.6%. The employment-to-population ratio also edged higher to 59.2%. Meanwhile, the broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes unemployed, underemployed and marginally attached workers, eased to 7.6% from 7.7%.
2026-10-02
US Unemployment Rate Holds at 4.1%
The US unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1% in August 2026, in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed increased by 115,000 to 7.03 million, while total employment surged by 569,000 to 162.75 million. The labor force expanded by 683,000 to 169.78 million, lifting the labor force participation rate to 61.6% from a five-year low of 61.4% in July. The employment-to-population ratio also edged higher to 59.1%. Meanwhile, the broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged and underemployed workers, eased to 7.7% from 7.9%, pointing to a modest improvement in broader labor-market conditions.
2026-09-04
US Jobless Rate Falls to 4.1% in July
The US unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% in July 2026, down from 4.2% in June and below expectations, as many people left the workforce. The number of unemployed fell by 178,000 to 6.916 million, while total employment declined by 87,000 to 162.177 million. The labor force contracted by 264,000 to 169.094 million, with the participation rate falling to 61.4%, its lowest since early 2021. The employment rate also dipped to 58.9%, the lowest since September 2021. The broader U-6 unemployment rate, which includes discouraged and underemployed workers, was unchanged at 7.9%.
2026-08-07