The Jobs Report Beat Expectations. Will The Fed Care?
Sep 4, 2026 · 13m
Summary
Justin Wolfers analyzes the strong August jobs report, which added 162,000 positions, significantly beating expectations. He explains that recent volatility was largely due to a seasonal adjustment glitch involving teacher hiring, while noting that 93% of new jobs went to women, particularly in healthcare. Wolfers discusses falling nominal wage growth and argues that despite the robust labor market, the Fed may still raise rates due to persistent inflation pressures.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: MaintainX and RingCentral AI Receptionist
August Jobs Report Overview: 162k Jobs Added
Context: Beating Expectations and Revisions
Seasonal Adjustment Glitch: Teacher Hiring Data
Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 4.1%
Payroll vs. Household Survey Discrepancies
Gender Gap: 93% of Job Growth Went to Women
Wage Growth: Nominal Wages Falling Behind Prices
Fed Implications: Rate Hikes vs. Inflation Outlook
Conclusion: Data Integrity and Final Thoughts
Listen ad-free on Castria