October jobs report offers rosier numbers than expected
The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighted some gains for U.S. workers in October, surpassing most economists’ expectations.
by Summer Lane | November 6, 2026
New data from the October jobs report showed a surprising uptick in the U.S. economy last month, with employers adding 165,000 jobs while unemployment fell slightly to 4.1 percent.
Employment increased in professional and business services (70,000), healthcare (42,000), transportation, and warehousing (25,000 between the two), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Manufacturing trended upward in October, with 19,000 jobs added – a 101,000 increase from December 2025.
The number of people employed part-time for economic reasons jumped by 339,000 in October, up to 4.8 million. Individuals in these categories were working part-time because their hours have been cut back or they have been unable to find an adequate full-time job.
The change in total non-farm payroll employment for August and September was revised up to 84,000 jobs, higher than previously reported.
The jobs report surprised most economists’ expectations. It is also a glimmer of good news for the Trump administration amid an otherwise difficult week in the aftermath of Republicans’ widespread losses in the midterm elections.
“This is really one of the jobs weeks that I’ve ever seen,” said National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, during comments to Bloomberg Open Interest. “…We have a jobs report that was way more than double expectations, and the upward revisions were ginormous for the last couple of months, and so what we’ve got is a job market that’s hitting on all cylinders.”
The October economic news comes after a grueling September, in which gas and diesel prices climbed to record highs, straining transportation industries and the wallets of American commuters.
Gas and diesel have remained relatively high amid the U.S. conflict with Iran. The situation has sparked ongoing market apprehension as the world waits to see whether the war will reignite with the midterm elections in the rearview mirror.
Photo: Adobe Stock
