Delayed September report shows US added 119,000 jobs; unemployment rate at 4.4%

The U.S. economy added 119,000 jobs in September, significantly exceeding expectations of 50,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.4%, the highest since October 2021. Average hourly earnings increased by 0.2% this month and 3.8% year-over-year.

Sector contributions included health care (+43,000), bars and restaurants (+37,000), and social assistance (+14,000). However, transportation and warehousing lost 25,000 jobs.

4,000 jobs were lost in August following a downward revision, July total also revised down to 72,000, a decrease of 7,000.

This report ends a data drought caused by a government shutdown that prevented agencies from collecting and releasing data for 44 days. The labor market remains steady amid economic volatility.