Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)
Latest release · October 2
+29KSeptember 2026 · Change from prior month
- Prior (August 2026) +133K
- 2-yr high +237K (December 2024)
- 2-yr low -156K (February 2026)
Source: FRED · updated October 2
Next release date
November 6, 2026 (Fri)
8:30 AMET
Upcoming releases
- December 4, 2026 (Fri)8:30 AM
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Release dates and times are set by the issuing agency and can change. · Schedule source: FRED Economic Release Calendar
How markets moved at the last release
Released October 2, 8:30 AM (ET) · change from the price just before
| Market | After 15 min | After 1 hr | 15-min range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | +0.58% | +0.17% | 0.97% |
| Nasdaq 100 futures | +0.37% | +0.51% | 0.52% |
| EUR/USD | +0.08% | +0.17% | 0.26% |
Released at the same time:Average Hourly Earnings m/m, Non-Farm Employment Change, Unemployment Rate
Change from the close of the 1-minute bar just before the release. Other news and order flow at that moment are in these numbers too, so they can’t be pinned on this release alone. Based on the Merini demo feed (MT5 1-minute bars).
Read alongside: US Unemployment Rate →ADP Non-Farm Employment Change →
Recent history
Change from prior month| Period | Actual |
|---|---|
| Sep 2026 | +29K |
| Aug 2026 | +133K |
| Jul 2026 | -10K |
| Jun 2026 | +31K |
| May 2026 | +63K |
| Apr 2026 | +148K |
Latest revised values from FRED — they can differ from the figure first reported, and the most recent value may be preliminary. Source: FRED · PAYEMS · Sep 2026
Key facts
Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) measures the monthly change in the number of people employed in the U.S., excluding the farm sector — one of the most closely watched economic releases in the world. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes it on the first Friday of each month, alongside the unemployment rate and average hourly earnings.
- Released by
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- Frequency
- First Friday of each month
- Category
- Jobs
- Assets affected
- USD · Gold · Nasdaq/S&P · US Treasuries
Why the market watches it
Employment is a key signal for the U.S. economy and the Federal Reserve's policy path, so a result that differs from the consensus forecast moves the dollar, gold, equity indices and Treasury yields almost instantly. The minutes around the release are among the most volatile of the month.
How traders read it
The result relative to the consensus forecast matters more than the headline number itself. A stronger-than-expected print is often read as a hawkish/tightening signal — dollar up, gold down — and traders watch whether average hourly earnings (wages) rise alongside it.
Want to see the impact for yourself?
The Merini demo opens without an account: watch real-time charts of gold, oil, FX and more around the release (Nasdaq and S&P futures are delayed 10 minutes until you sign up). Sign up free ($10,000 in virtual funds) only when you want to practise trading. In your browser, no install — a paper simulation.
Open the live charts — no sign-upFrequently asked questions
When is the next Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) release?
The next Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP) release is scheduled for November 6, 2026 (Fri) at 8:30 AM US Eastern Time. Following dates: December 4.
When is Non-Farm Payrolls released?
Usually the first Friday of each month at 8:30 AM U.S. Eastern Time. The exact moment is shown in the "Next release" box above and at your broker.
Why does NFP matter so much?
U.S. employment feeds directly into the Fed's rate decisions, so when the result diverges sharply from expectations, short-term volatility in the dollar, gold and equity indices spikes.
Related indicators
This content is for information and education only and is not investment advice or solicitation. Trading conditions (hours, margin, fees, tick value, etc.) vary by exchange, broker, time, and daylight saving — always verify with your own broker before trading. Derivatives trading can result in losses exceeding your deposit.