U.S. Economy Adds 151,000 Jobs in October; Unemployment Remains at 9.6% (Nov. 5): The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in October. The number was more than expected, and a welcome change from four straight months of losses, but the gains did not make a dent in rate of unemployment, which remains at 9.6%. Currently there are 15 million people registered as unemployed in the United States.