US Private Sector Adds 86,000 Jobs in October
Private-sector employment in the U.S. grew by 86,000 jobs in October. Pay growth for workers reached its highest level since March 2024.
U.S. private-sector employment increased by 86,000 jobs in October, according to the latest data from the ADP National Employment Report. The report, produced in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, tracks employment trends based on anonymized payroll data from more than 26 million employees.
The October data revealed a mixed performance across industries. While professional and business services recorded a third consecutive month of job losses, sectors such as construction and various service-providing industries saw gains. Employment growth was distributed across firms of all sizes, with small, medium, and large establishments all contributing to the hiring figures.
Wage pressure remains a notable factor in the current market. Base pay for private-sector workers rose by 3.2% year-over-year, while gross pay increased by 4.7%. ADP chief economist Nela Richardson noted that employers are increasingly using bonuses, overtime, and flexible hours to attract talent, particularly job-changers. This combination has pushed earnings growth to its fastest pace since early 2024.
The report continues to serve as a high-frequency indicator of the American labor market. The next report is scheduled for release on December 2, 2026.