September 2026 U.S. jobs data: 29,000 jobs added and unemployment at 4.2% were reported in the monthly payrolls release, showing the headline payroll and jobless-rate readings for the month. The 29,000 payroll increase came in well below the consensus forecast of 90,000, representing a notable shortfall relative to expectations. The report also recorded downward revisions to prior months, with August payrolls revised to 133,000 (from 162,000) and July revised to a loss of 10,000.
The nonfarm payrolls report for September recorded 29,000 jobs added, listing the headline monthly employment change as 29,000 in the release. This outcome was below the consensus forecast of 90,000 jobs for the month. The report included downward revisions to prior months, with August’s reported jobs gain revised down to 133,000 from an earlier reported 162,000. July payrolls were revised to a loss of 10,000 jobs, replacing the figure previously shown for that month in earlier publications. These numbers — the 29,000 September increase alongside the adjustments to August and July — are presented in the monthly payrolls release. The report presents those counts and revisions together, showing the updated monthly job totals as published in the release.
Average hourly earnings rose 0.1% month‑over‑month in September, compared with a forecast of 0.3%, as published in the monthly employment release. On a year‑over‑year basis, average hourly earnings increased 3.0% in September, compared with a forecast of 3.2%. The 3.0% year‑over‑year reading followed a 3.1% year‑over‑year figure in August. The payroll report presented these month‑to‑month and year‑over‑year wage measures together with other labor market indicators in the September dataset. The forecasted month‑over‑month change was 0.3%, while the forecasted year‑over‑year increase was 3.2%. August’s year‑over‑year earnings reading was 3.1% as reported.
Following the release of the September 2026 U.S. jobs data, several market movements were observed. Bitcoin was trading around $87,000, reflecting its position in the cryptocurrency markets post‑announcement. The Nasdaq experienced a rise of 1.2%, indicating positive shifts in technology and growth stocks. In the bond market, the 10-year Treasury yield fell by 7 basis points to 5.17%, while the 2-year Treasury yield similarly decreased to 4.71%. Additionally, gold prices rose by more than 1%, and the U.S. dollar weakened against major currencies, affecting foreign exchange markets. These immediate reactions showed noticeable shifts across different financial sectors.
The September employment report showed a notably smaller payroll increase than forecasts and an upward move in the unemployment rate. The release included downward revisions to prior months and showed slower wage growth than had been projected overall. Following the report, markets moved across asset classes, including shifts in cryptocurrency, equity indices, Treasury yields, precious metals and the U.S. dollar.
