The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revised its estimate of July 2026 nonfarm payroll employment from a gain of 21,000 jobs to a loss of 10,000. The 31,000-job downward revision appeared in the Employment Situation released October 2, 2026. It is the latest estimate reported here, not a final count.
What was the revised July jobs number?
The October 2 BLS release put July nonfarm payroll employment 10,000 lower than in June, reversing the 21,000 gain reported in the prior estimate. The change between estimates was a downward revision of 31,000 jobs. These figures describe changes in payroll employment, not the total number of people employed or unemployed. BLS, October 2, 2026
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How did the July estimate change?
BLS estimates are updated as later releases incorporate additional information. The successive July figures were:
| Release date | July estimate in that release | Status |
|---|---|---|
| August 7, 2026 | Down 23,000 | Initial estimate |
| September 4, 2026 | Up 21,000 | Revised upward by 44,000 from the August estimate |
| October 2, 2026 | Down 10,000 | Revised downward by 31,000 from the September estimate; latest reported estimate here |
The August release also revised May and June: May fell from a 129,000 gain to 63,000, and June from a 57,000 gain to 20,000. Together, May and June were 103,000 lower than previously reported in that release. BLS, August 7, 2026
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In September, BLS revised June from a 20,000 gain to 31,000 and July from a 23,000 loss to a 21,000 gain. The July adjustment was 44,000 upward; June and July together were 55,000 higher than previously reported. BLS, September 4, 2026
In October, July moved from the September estimate of a 21,000 gain to a 10,000 loss. The October figure therefore supersedes the earlier July estimates for readers using the latest release available as of October 2, 2026.
Why did July job growth turn into a loss?
BLS says monthly revisions reflect additional reports from businesses and government agencies received since the previous estimate, as well as recalculated seasonal factors. In its August 2026 Employment Situation, published September 4, the agency wrote: “Monthly revisions result from additional reports received from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates and from the recalculation of seasonal factors.” BLS, September 4, 2026
That explanation describes the revision process generally. The cited releases do not identify a particular report or seasonal-factor change as the specific cause of July’s 31,000-job downward adjustment.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the 10,000-job loss final?
No. It is the latest July estimate reported in the October 2, 2026 release, and it may be revised again. BLS cautions that archived Employment Situation releases can contain figures that have since been revised and directs readers to program databases for current estimates. BLS Employment Situation archive
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