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Total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment was little changed (+29,000) in September 2026, following an average monthly gain of 45,000 over the prior 12 months. Employment in the private service-providing and goods-producing industries were both little changed (+28,000 and +18,000, respectively). Total government employment—local, state, and federal combined—was also little changed (−17,000).

On average, 36.9 percent of wage and salary workers could work at home in 2024–25, compared with 28.8 percent in 2017–18. Among those who worked at home, 32.7 percent did so because of job requirements, 31.3 percent because of a personal preference, and 11.8 percent to coordinate their work schedule with personal or family needs.

In January 2026, 30.1 percent of wage and salary workers age 25 and over had 10 or more years of tenure with their current employer, little changed from 30.2 percent in January 2024. Among wage and salary workers age 25 and over, men (31.1 percent) were more likely than women (29.0 percent) to have been with their current employer for a decade or more.

In August 2026, the District of Columbia had the highest unemployment rate, 5.7 percent. South Dakota had the lowest jobless rate in August, 2.0 percent, followed by North Dakota, 2.2 percent. The rate in Ohio (3.3 percent) set a new series low.