Payrolls (jobs created) · United States
United States Non Farm Payrolls
The United States Non Farm Payrolls counts how many jobs employers in the United States added or cut in the month.
- Importance
- High
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- USD · US dollar
- Central bank
- The Federal Reserve
Latest figures
The latest release for SEP, published on 2 October 2026, came in at 29K, below the consensus of 90K, down from 133K the time before (revised).
A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the US dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from -105K to 178K, averaging 61K.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Oct 2026 | SEP | 29K | 90K | 133K ® |
| 4 Sep 2026 | AUG | 162K | 56K | 21K ® |
| 7 Aug 2026 | JUL | -23K | 80K | 20K ® |
| 2 Jul 2026 | JUN | 57K | 110K | 129K ® |
| 5 Jun 2026 | MAY | 172K | 85K | 179K ® |
| 8 May 2026 | APR | 115K | 62K | 185K ® |
| 3 Apr 2026 | MAR | 178K | 60K | -133K ® |
| 6 Mar 2026 | FEB | -92K | 59K | 126K ® |
| 11 Feb 2026 | JAN | 130K | 70K | 48K ® |
| 9 Jan 2026 | DEC | 50K | 60K | 56K ® |
| 16 Dec 2025 | NOV | 64K | 50K | -105K |
| 16 Dec 2025 | OCT | -105K | – | 108K ® |
Why it matters
The US non-farm payrolls report, released on the first Friday of most months, is often the single most market-moving economic release in the world. It moves the dollar, Treasury yields, gold and stock indices within seconds, because jobs drive spending and the Federal Reserve's decisions. ADP's private payrolls, two days earlier, are watched as a preview.
How it is calculated
The official figure comes from a survey of about 120,000 businesses and government agencies (the establishment survey) covering roughly 600,000 worksites. It counts jobs, not people, and excludes farm workers, private households and the self-employed. The two previous months are revised every time. ADP uses its own payroll-processing data.
Payrolls change = employees this month − employees last month (seasonally adjusted)What changes mean
- Compare with the consensus and look at the revisions to the two previous months: together they decide the reaction.
- Read it with the unemployment rate and average hourly earnings, released at the same time.
- Job gains of about 100,000–150,000 a month are roughly what the US needs to keep up with population growth (less as immigration slows).
Higher than expected: A stronger figure than expected points to a healthier economy: it usually supports the US dollar and local stocks, and can push bond yields up.
Lower than expected: A weaker figure than expected points to slowing activity: the US dollar tends to soften and markets price in lower rates.
A short history
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Current Employment Statistics survey has collected payroll data since 1939. Markets began to trade the release intensely in the 1980s and 1990s.
Questions
What is the United States Non Farm Payrolls?
The United States Non Farm Payrolls counts how many jobs employers in the United States added or cut in the month.
What was the latest United States Non Farm Payrolls?
29K for SEP, published on 2 October 2026 (consensus 90K, previous 133K).
When is the next United States Non Farm Payrolls?
On Friday 6 November 2026 at 13:30 UTC.
Why is it called non-farm payrolls?
Farm employment swings with the seasons and is hard to survey, so it is left out, along with private household workers and the self-employed.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.