The U.S. job market improved in October, with the economy adding 165,000 jobs, more than forecasters had expected, according to a Labor Department report issued Friday, NPR reported. NPR said the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1%, and it described the market as having "improved last month."
In a separate account, The Hill reported that the economy added 165,000 jobs in October, beating expectations, according to new data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The Hill said the unemployment rate decreased slightly to 4.1 percent. It also reported that unemployment has been below 5 percent for more than five years, after soaring to nearly 15 percent in the early stages of COVID-19.
The two outlets attributed the figures to different agencies. The Hill credited the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while NPR credited the Labor Department. Both reported the same 165,000 job gain and the same 4.1 percent unemployment rate, and both described the hiring as stronger than expected.
Neither NPR nor The Hill, in the summaries available for this story, reported wage, inflation or revision figures, so this account is limited to the job count and the unemployment rate.
Sources: The Hill: US economy added 165,000 jobs in October, beating expectations; NPR: Hiring jumps: The economy added 165,000 jobs last month.