Indicator · updated with every release
US unemployment rate today
The share of the US labor force that is out of work and looking for a job: the headline U-3 rate.
The full Unemployment rate chart is in Pro, with its whole history, ranges, overlays and alerts, next to 111 other charts.
What it is
The unemployment rate (FRED UNRATE) comes from the monthly jobs report, usually released on the first Friday of the month.
Why it matters for liquidity
The jobs market is half of the Fed’s mandate. A rising unemployment rate makes cuts and easier money more likely; a tight jobs market keeps policy tighter for longer.
Questions
What is the US unemployment rate now?
4.2% in September 2026, down 0.2 points on a year earlier.
Related
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Start free trialGeneral information only, not financial advice. Data can be delayed, revised or wrong. Sources and credits.