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America’s employers added a surprisingly strong 254,000 jobs in September, the latest evidence that the U.S. labor market is still solid enough to support steady hiring and a growing economy.
Last month’s hiring gain was up sharply from the 159,000 jobs that were added in August, and the unemployment rate dropped from 4.2% to 4.1%, the Labor Department said Friday.
The latest figures suggest that many companies are still confident enough to fill jobs despite the continued pressure of high interest rates. Few employers are laying off workers, though many have grown more cautious about hiring.
In its report Friday, the Labor Department also revised up its estimate of job growth in July and August by a combined 72,000.
The September job gains were fairly broad-based, a healthy sign. Restaurants and bars added 69,000 jobs. Health care companies gained 45,000, government agencies 31,000, social assistance employers 27,000 and construction companies 25,000. A category that includes professional and business services added 17,000 after having lost jobs for three straight months.
