The Wall Street Journal

U.S. Lost 23,000 Jobs in July, While Unemployment Ticked Lower

Job losses in July and negative revisions reveal a weakening U.S. labor market

New York Post

US lost 23K jobs in July in disappointing report  though it could stall interest-rate hikes

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employment Situation Summary

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PeteButtigieg

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The New York Times

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Consumer Price Index Summary

The U.S. economy shed 23,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in July 2026, falling well short of the 83,000 gain economists had forecast. Revisions to May and June figures reduced those months' combined totals by 103,000 jobs.

Guardian

The U.S. economy shed 23,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in July 2026, falling well short of the 83,000 gain economists had forecast. Revisions to May and June figures reduced those months' combined totals by 103,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate edged down to 4.1% in July from 4.2% in June, as more Americans exited the labor force entirely. The labor force participation rate fell to 61.4%, its lowest level since February 2021.

The unemployment rate edged down to 4.1% in July from 4.2% in June, as more Americans exited the labor force entirely. The labor force participation rate fell to 61.4%, its lowest level since February 2021.

Job losses in July were concentrated in local government education, which shed 50,000 positions, and retail trade, which lost 19,000. The financial activities sector also declined by 14,000 jobs, bringing total losses in that sector to 121,000 since a peak in May 2025.

Job losses in July were concentrated in local government education, which shed 50,000 positions, and retail trade, which lost 19,000. The financial activities sector also declined by 14,000 jobs, bringing total losses in that sector to 121,000 since a peak in May 2025.

Health care added 22,000 jobs in July, continuing an upward trend, though the gain was slower than the average monthly increase of 36,000 over the prior 12 months. The private sector overall added 30,000 jobs during the month.

Health care added 22,000 jobs in July, continuing an upward trend, though the gain was slower than the average monthly increase of 36,000 over the prior 12 months. The private sector overall added 30,000 jobs during the month.

Average hourly earnings for private nonfarm payroll employees rose 3.2% over the year to $37.62, below the most recent inflation reading of 3.5%. The average workweek held steady at 34.3 hours in July.

Average hourly earnings for private nonfarm payroll employees rose 3.2% over the year to $37.62, below the most recent inflation reading of 3.5%. The average workweek held steady at 34.3 hours in July.

Following the July report, market odds of a Federal Reserve rate hike in September fell from above 50% to around 40%. "This is a developing story," noted one outlet, while strategists said inflation data due the following week could be the deciding factor for the Fed's next meeting.

Following the July report, market odds of a Federal Reserve rate hike in September fell from above 50% to around 40%. "This is a developing story," noted one outlet, while strategists said inflation data due the following week could be the deciding factor for the Fed's next meeting.

U.S. Lost 23,000 Jobs in July, While Unemployment Ticked Lower

U.S. Lost 23,000 Jobs in July, While Unemployment Ticked Lower

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