US October jobs preview: economists expect 59,000 new jobs, unemployment seen steady at 4.2%
Key points
- Dow Jones poll expects 59,000 October nonfarm jobs; unemployment steady at 4.2%
- Job growth averaged 35,000 a month from January 2025 to September 2026; participation fell to 61.8%
- Long-term unemployment up 495,000 since January 2025; average duration 24.8 weeks
Economists polled by Dow Jones expect US nonfarm payrolls to rise by 59,000 in October, up from 29,000 in September, with the unemployment rate steady at 4.2%. Job growth averaged 35,000 a month from January 2025 to September 2026, and the labor participation rate fell to 61.8%. Initial jobless claims dropped to 189,000 last week. Long-term unemployment (over 25 weeks) has risen by 495,000 since January 2025, and average unemployment duration is 24.8 weeks.
Original report: 汇通网 ↗Edited with AI assistance. Facts are based on official sources and original reports.