Unemployment remained little changed last month at 4.1 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 254,000 in September, higher than the average monthly gain of 203,000 over the past year. The number of unemployed, at 6.8 million, was little changed in September. Both the unemployment rate and total unemployment are higher than in September 2023, when unemployment was 3.8 percent and there were 6.3 million unemployed people.
Employment in drinking establishments and food services businesses increased 69,000, well higher than the average gain of 14,000 over the previous 12 months. The health care sector gained 45,000 jobs last month, under the average monthly increase of 57,000 over the previous 12 months. Employment in the government sector continued to increase, up 31,000 jobs in September.
Average hourly earnings for private nonfarm payrolls increased 13 cents or less than a half-percent to $35.36. Average hourly earnings have increased 4 percent over the past 12 months.
The labor force participation rate remained at 62.7 percent for the third straight month. The number of workers employed part-time for economic reasons increased to 4.6 million, up from 4.1 million in September 2023.
The unemployment report was released after the Federal Open Market Committee reduced interest rates a half percentage point to 4.75 to 5.00 percent following its Sept. 17-18 meeting and continued to reduce its securities holdings.