The economy is adding jobs—but more Americans are stuck working part-time
Hiring in October blew past expectations, with U.S. employers adding 165,000 jobs and unemployment edging down to 4.1%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also revised its jobs estimates upward for the previous two months, concluding that the economy added 186,000 jobs in August, 53,000 more than it previously reported, and 60,000 in September, 31,000 more than it previously reported. However,…
In October, the U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs, exceeding expectations, while the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, the BLS also revealed that the number of Americans working part-time increased by 339,000 to about 4.8 million, primarily due to employers reducing workers' hours rather than laying them off completely.
This trend was largely driven by affordability concerns, a factor expected to persist, as average hourly earnings grew by a mere 3.1% over the past year, slightly lagging behind the 3.7% increase in the consumer price index. The BLS identified robust job growth in professional and business services, adding 70,000 jobs in October, as well as in health care (42,000 jobs) and transportation and warehousing (25,000 jobs).
Transportation and warehousing saw a notable 104,000 jobs added since February, largely due to increased employment among couriers and messengers. Manufacturing employment also continued its upward trajectory, adding 19,000 jobs in October and reaching a total increase of 101,000 since December 2025.
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