WASHINGTON, D.C. — Total nonfarm employment in the United States increased by 165,000 jobs in October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The figure shows an unexpected increase from the upwardly revised +60,000 in September, and far above the 59,000 figure projected by Dow Jones economists, according to CNBC. The unemployment rate nudged down to 4.1 percent, compared to the forecasted 4.2 percent.
In addition, August’s number increased by 53,000, raising the total to 186,000, while September revisions increased by 31,000. With these revisions, employment in August and September combined is 84,000 percent higher than previously reported.
October job gains mostly occurred in professional and business services (+70,000), well above the average monthly gain of 15,000 over the prior 12 months. The sector has also added 269,000 jobs since a recent low in October 2025. Employment continued to trend up in professional, scientific and technical services (+33,000), administrative and support and waste management and remediation services (+28,000) and in management of companies and enterprises (+9,000).
Healthcare added 42,000 jobs in October, which is higher than the average monthly gain of 31,000 over the prior 12 months. Employment gains occurred in hospitals (+16,000), home healthcare services (+11,000) and outpatient care centers (+5,000).
Transportation and warehousing added 25,000 jobs, reflecting growth in couriers and messengers (+17,000) and air transportation (+4,000). Transportation and warehousing has added 104,000 jobs since a recent employment low in February, with couriers and messengers (+71,000) contributing most of the gain.
The manufacturing sector continued to trend up in October (+19,000) and has increased by 101,000 since a low in December 2025. Job gains occurred in computer and electronic product manufacturing (+7,000), machinery manufacturing (+4,000) and primary metal manufacturing (+4,000).
Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries including mining, quarrying, and oil-and-gas extraction, construction, wholesale trade, retail trade, information, financial activities, social assistance, leisure and hospitality and government.