US economy added 29,000 jobs in September, monthly jobless rate increased to 4.2%: Labor Department

Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected job growth of 84,000.

Published: October 2, 2026 8:45am

Updated: October 2, 2026 8:55am

The U.S. economy added 29,000 jobs in September and the monthly unemployment rate increased to 4.2%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.

The agency, in its monthly report, says the payroll number and the unemployment rate "changed little in September."

However, economists surveyed by Dow Jones had been looking for job growth of 84,000 and an unemployment rate of 4.1%, according to CNBC News.

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