US hourly hiring falls 5% in October ahead of holiday season, Deputy says
SPY•US hourly work rose 2.3% in October 2026 as businesses relied on existing staff, while new hires fell 5%.
1. Hiring and hours
US hourly work rose 2.3% in October 2026, while new hires fell 5%. Retail hours increased 3.4%, the largest sector gain, but retail hiring dropped 12.2% and worker exits rose 5.7%; hourly pay declined 0.9% to $17.82.
2. Sector pay and hiring
Healthcare hourly pay climbed 2.5% to $23.20 as hiring fell 34%. Hospitality was the only sector with hiring growth, at 8.1%, and workers received the shortest advance schedule notice, at 6.8 days.
