Temp Jobs Rise 18,600 in October

Temporary employment rebounded in October as total US payrolls grew by 165,000 jobs, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Employment

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US temporary employment rose by 18,600 jobs in October, rebounding from a September decline, while total nonfarm payrolls grew by 165,000 jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics released the data on Nov. 6.

Why it matters

Temporary hiring is often viewed as an early signal of broader staffing demand, and the October gains came alongside an unemployment rate that slipped to 4.1% from 4.2%. Upward revisions to August and September data also suggest the labor market may be firmer than earlier estimates indicated.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 18,600 temporary jobs added in October, a 3% year-over-year increase, and total nonfarm payrolls grew by 165,000, well above the roughly 70,000 economists had expected. Whether the temp rebound will continue into subsequent months remains unclear from the released figures.

The players

Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal federal agency responsible for measuring labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the US economy.

The details

Temporary employment totaled approximately 2.5 million jobs in October, still below its March 2022 peak of 3.2 million. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also revised September temp employment to a decline of 5,600 jobs from an earlier estimate of 10,900, while the unemployment rate slipped to 4.1% and hourly earnings rose 3.1%.

August 2026: Temp jobs revised upward to a gain of 15,500 from 200.
September 2026: Temp jobs revised to a decline of 5,600 from 10,900.
October 2026: Temp jobs rose 18,600 and total payrolls grew 165,000.
Nov. 6, 2026: Bureau of Labor Statistics released the October jobs data.

Market Landscape

Temporary employment reached a peak of 3.2 million jobs in March 2022, and October's roughly 2.5 million total still sits well below that level. The October gain therefore represents a partial recovery from a lower base rather than a return to peak staffing levels.

Stronger temp hiring and rising hourly earnings of 3.1% may improve job prospects for workers seeking short-term or contract roles. Wage growth that is outpacing inflation could help households regain some purchasing power in 2026.

The takeaway

Workers considering temporary or contract assignments may find more opportunities as staffing demand firms, but the October gains should be weighed against revisions that showed weaker earlier months. Monitoring subsequent monthly reports will help clarify whether the rebound is sustained.