Americans are increasingly worried about their jobs. The perceived probability among US consumers that the unemployment rate will be higher in 1-year increased +1.6 percentage points in August, to 44.4%, its highest since April 2020. Excluding the 2020 pandemic, this marks the highest reading since the New York Fed Survey of Consumer Expectations began in 2013. By comparison, this indicator peaked at 44.1% in April 2025, following uncertainty around tariffs. By income, the perceived probability of a rise in unemployment was the highest among those earning over $100,000, at 50.3%, the 2nd-highest reading on record. By comparison, expectations stood at 43.5% among those earning $50,000-$100,000, the 2nd-highest reading since March 2025, and 38.0% among those earning under $50,000, the highest since May. Fear of unemployment is rising.