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US Jobs Growth Plummets in September, Missing Expectations Sharply
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Firstpost•02-10-2026, 18:06
US Jobs Growth Plummets in September, Missing Expectations Sharply
- •The US economy added only 29,000 jobs in September, significantly below the anticipated 89,000, marking the third-weakest monthly jobs report of 2026.
- •The unemployment rate rose to 4.2 percent, exceeding expectations of 4.1 percent, and August's payroll gain was revised down by 29,000 jobs.
- •This data indicates a sharp loss of momentum in the US labor market, with employment growth slowing across most major industries.
- •Healthcare remained the strongest sector for job creation, adding 17,000 positions, though its hiring pace slowed considerably.
- •Financial activities and employment saw a decrease of 7,000 jobs in September, contributing to a total loss of 129,000 jobs since May 2025.
Key Questions Answered
The US economy added just 29,000 jobs in September, sharply missing market expectations of 89,000 and marking the third-weakest monthly jobs report of the year.
The unemployment rate stood at 4.2 per cent in September, coming in above market expectations of 4.1 per cent.
Healthcare remained the strongest source of job creation by adding 17,000 positions in September, although hiring slowed down considerably compared to previous months.
