Voters Are Focused on the Job Market-and the Picture Is Mixed -- WSJ

By Konrad Putzier

Aside from inflation, one of the top economic concerns for voters is the state of the job market. And here the picture is mixed. Job growth has slowed considerably since President Trump took office in early 2025. But at the same time, immigration is also down, which means fewer people are looking for jobs and less hiring is needed to keep unemployment stable. At 4.2%, the unemployment rate is virtually unchanged since November 2024 and still very low by historical standards.

That adds up to a slow but steady job market with few layoffs and little hiring. If you have a job, you probably have little reason to worry about losing it. If you don't (and if you don't happen to be an electrician or a plumber), finding one can be far from easy.

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November 02, 2026 09:57 ET (14:57 GMT)