Fed NY and LinkedIn Track Job Market Trends Amid AI Hiring Shifts

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York and LinkedIn are monitoring current job market trends and unemployment rates. According to reports published in, the unemployment rate for college graduates in the 22- to 27-year-old age bracket stood at 5.7% as of June 2026. This rate was noted as being significantly above the national average and one full percentage point higher than it was two years prior for that cohort. The unemployment rate for all young workers was recorded at 7.2% as of June.

The trends suggest that artificial intelligence is influencing the hiring process, making it more competitive for young job seekers. The underemployment rate for recent college graduates reached 42%, defined as working in roles that do not require a bachelor's degree.