US Unemployment Rate
The US unemployment rate was 4.1% in October 2026, down 0.1 percentage points from 4.2% in September 2026. The Sahm rule recession indicator, computed from the latest published data, is -0.00 percentage points; readings of 0.50 or more have historically signaled the start of a recession.
Unemployment Rate: chart
Percent of the labor force (U-3), seasonally adjusted.
Latest readings
Monthly data| Month | Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2026 | 4.1% | -0.1 |
| Sep 2026 | 4.2% | +0.1 |
| Aug 2026 | 4.1% | 0.0 |
| Jul 2026 | 4.1% | -0.1 |
| Jun 2026 | 4.2% | -0.1 |
| May 2026 | 4.3% | 0.0 |
| Apr 2026 | 4.3% | 0.0 |
| Mar 2026 | 4.3% | -0.1 |
| Feb 2026 | 4.4% | +0.1 |
| Jan 2026 | 4.3% | -0.1 |
| Dec 2025 | 4.4% | -0.1 |
| Nov 2025 | 4.5% | — |
| Oct 2025 | — | — |
| Sep 2025 | 4.4% | +0.1 |
| Aug 2025 | 4.3% | 0.0 |
| Jul 2025 | 4.3% | +0.2 |
| Jun 2025 | 4.1% | -0.2 |
| May 2025 | 4.3% | +0.1 |
| Apr 2025 | 4.2% | 0.0 |
| Mar 2025 | 4.2% | 0.0 |
| Feb 2025 | 4.2% | +0.2 |
| Jan 2025 | 4.0% | -0.1 |
| Dec 2024 | 4.1% | -0.1 |
| Nov 2024 | 4.2% | +0.1 |
— means no value was published for that period.
pp = percentage points.
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All US economy indicators →Frequently asked questions
What is the US unemployment rate right now?
The US unemployment rate was 4.1% in October 2026, down 0.1 percentage points from 4.2% in September 2026. The Sahm rule recession indicator, computed from the latest published data, is -0.00 percentage points; readings of 0.50 or more have historically signaled the start of a recession.
What is the Sahm rule?
Named after economist Claudia Sahm, it flags the start of a recession when the three-month average unemployment rate rises 0.5 percentage points or more above its lowest three-month average of the previous 12 months. The value on this page is computed from the latest published data, which can be revised.
What is the difference between U-3 and U-6 unemployment?
U-3, the headline rate, counts people without a job who are actively looking. U-6 is broader: it adds discouraged and other marginally attached workers, plus people working part time who want full-time work, so it is always higher.
Why can unemployment fall while the economy adds few jobs?
The rate depends on the size of the labor force as well as on hiring. If fewer people look for work — because of retirements, lower immigration or discouragement — unemployment can fall even when job growth is weak.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, via FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (series UNRATE). Data checked Nov 6, 5:40 PM ET. Not investment advice.