US Adds 162,000 Jobs in August; Unemployment Steady at 4.1%
The U.S. labour market added 162,000 jobs in August 2026, with unchanged unemployment at 4.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Food services, government education, and health care led job gains.
August Employment Report
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000 in August, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Employment increased in almost every industry sector, with the largest gain in Leisure and hospitality adding 62,000 jobs; followed by Government, which added 35,000 jobs; and Health and social assistance, which added 28,400 jobs.
Prior months saw upward revisions: June employment was revised up by 11,000 (from +20,000 to +31,000), and July was revised up by 44,000 (from −23,000 to +21,000), with employment in June and July combined 55,000 higher than previously reported. Average hourly earnings increased 0.3% to $37.75 and were 3.1% higher than a year earlier.
What This Means for You
If you are an expat, student, or foreign worker on an employment visa, this data reflects steady (though moderate) job creation across the service and healthcare sectors—industries that frequently employ visa holders. Foreign-born workers have driven much of recent labour force growth, with a +344,000 change in the foreign-born labour force and +395,000 change in the foreign-born population in August. Stable unemployment and modest wage gains suggest continued demand for skilled workers, though international candidates should monitor sector-specific trends, visa regulations, and employer sponsorship appetite, which have become more stringent in 2026.
Sources
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