Employers add surprising 165,000 jobs in October

WASHINGTON — The U.S. job market bounced back last month from a disappointing September. Layoffs are low, and most Americans enjoy unusual job security. But hiring has probably remained too modest to deliver much relief to those looking for work. And wage gains haven’t been keeping up with persistently high inflation. The Labor Department released new data on October job creation and unemployment Nov. 6 showing that employers added 165,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate remained low at 4.1%. The jobs report comes three days after voters handed a stunning defeat to President Donald Trump and his Republican Party in midterm elections. Frustrated with the state of the economy — and especially the high cost of living — Americans handed full control of the U.S. Congress to the Democrats. Yet the American economy and job market have proven resilient in the face of a series of shocks — Trump’s double-digit taxes on imports and the war with Iran, which has driven U.S. gasoline prices above $4 a gallon and pinched family budgets. Gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — advanced at a sprightly 3.4% annual pace from July through September, lifted by strong consumer spending and booming investment in artificial intelligence. Payroll employment rises by 165,000 in October; unemployment rate changes little at 4.1% https://t.co/ZwrVfLvQgj #JobsReport #BLSdata — BLS-Labor Statistics (@BLS_gov) November 6, 2026 The job market has been solid but unspectacular. So far this year, employers — companies, government agencies and nonprofits — have added an average of 68,000 jobs a month,…

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