The US Labor Department lowered employment estimates by 79,000 jobs through March 2026. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced the revision on August 28 after comparing payroll estimates with broader employment records. 

The adjustment shows slower hiring across the US economy than earlier data indicated. Private sector jobs faced a larger downward revision of 178,000 through March 2026.

The BLS used annual benchmark data from unemployment insurance records to check its monthly employment estimates. The agency said, “The preliminary benchmark revision for total private employment was -178,000 (-0.1%).” The revision lowered average private sector job growth to about 24,000 monthly from 38,000 previously.

Retail trade recorded the biggest decline among major sectors, losing 154,600 jobs from earlier estimates. Private education and health services followed with a 96,000-job downward revision. Manufacturing also faced a 67,000-job reduction in the updated figures. 

Several sectors posted higher employment estimates after the review. Transportation and warehousing gained a 135,100-job upward revision. Government employment also received a 99,000-job upward adjustment.

The latest revision remains modest compared with the previous year's major employment correction. BLS data shows the latest change equals only 0.1% of total nonfarm employment. The ten-year average absolute benchmark revision stands at 0.2%. 

The preliminary adjustment does not change current official employment estimates at this stage. BLS plans to publish the final benchmark revision in February 2027. The update will accompany the January 2027 Employment Situation report. 

The revision adds another sign of a cooling US labor market during 2026. However, the adjustment remains far smaller than the previous year's major downward revision.

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