THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION - SEPTEMBER 2026
U.S. nonfarm payroll employment changed little in September, while the unemployment rate held at 4.2 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
TL;DR
- U.S. nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,000 in September, and the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised July and August payroll changes down by a combined 60,000.
- The report described employment across major industries as little changed, with health care adding 17,000 jobs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,000 in September and the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent. The agency said employment in all major industries changed little during the month. [1]
The agency revised July payroll growth from 21,000 to a decline of 10,000 and August growth from 162,000 to 133,000, leaving the two months a combined 60,000 lower than previously reported. Health care employment rose by 17,000, while the report described changes in other major sectors as limited. [1] [2] [3]
Why it matters
The report combines modest current payroll growth with sizable downward revisions to the prior two months, changing the recent employment baseline used in public and policy discussions. It is an official monthly labor-market release; the figures alone do not establish the direction of future rates or asset prices.
Editor's note
Headline follows the Bureau of Labor Statistics release. Figures and revisions are taken from the primary release; no market forecast or investment recommendation is included.