A plurality of Americans put the U.S. unemployment rate between 3.7% and 5.3%
Core finding
A plurality of Americans (37%) put the U.S. unemployment rate between 3.68% and 5.33%, according to a June 2026 Verasight survey.
About one-in-five (20%) put it between 5.34% and 7.00% and 15% between 2.01% and 3.67%. Smaller shares spread across the higher ranges, 10% between 7.01% and 8.67%, 6% between 8.68% and 10.33%, and 9% between 10.34% and 12.00%, while just 3% guess below 2.00%.
Topline distribution
A plurality of Americans put the U.S. unemployment rate between 3.7% and 5.3%.
The unemployment rate is the percent of people actively searching for work, but who are not presently employed. Since World War II, the national unemployment rate has ranged from a low of 2 percent to a high of 12 percent. What is your best guess about today’s US unemployment rate? Even if you are uncertain, please provide us with your best estimate of the percent of people actively searching for work but who are not presently employed.
n = 1,000 · Jun 21, 2026 · MoE ±3.2%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Jun 21, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.2% |
| Module | 2 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/mpsa26
Even if you are uncertain, please provide us with your best estimate of the percent of people actively searching for work but who are not presently employed.
Cite this question
Verasight MPSA Omnibus Survey #2026-050, fielded June 21-21, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.