The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its August employment / unemployment report on September 4th, 2026.
Employment / Unemployment
- Seasonally Adjusted U-3 is 4.1% Unchanged
- Unadjusted U-3 is 4.3% down from 4.4%
- Unadjusted U-6 is 7.8% down from 8.3%
- Labor Force Participation is 61.6% up from 61.4%
- Unadjusted Employment rose from 158.726 million to 158.880 million
- Next Update: October 2nd, 2026
Summary:
The Adjusted U-3 was unchanged for the month, but UNADJUSTED Employment was Down slightly.
According to the BLS Commissioner’s 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 today. Employment increased in food services and drinking places and in local government education. The information industry lost jobs…
…education added 42,000 jobs in August, largely offsetting a decrease in the prior month… employment in manufacturing continued its upward trend (+16,000)… The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for June was revised up by 11,000, from +20,000 to +31,000, and the change for July was revised up by 44,000, from -23,000 to +21,000. With these revisions, employment in June and July combined is 55,000 higher than previously reported.“
As usual, they are talking about “Seasonally Adjusted Jobs”.
Looking at the Unadjusted Establishment Survey report, we see…
The BLS is currently reporting a rise from 158.726 million to 158.880 million, or 157,000. But last month they reported employment was 158.649 million, so it actually rose from 158.649 to 158.880 million, or 231,000.