September 2026 jobs report: Employers add 29,000 jobs

Hiring in the U.S. cooled considerably in September, with employers adding just 29,000 jobs according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a number lower than the 90,000 predicted by economists. With the national unemployment rate ticking up to 4.2%, the report points to an unsteady labor market with modest hiring activity and little monthly change across major industries. Additionally, employment for July and August was revised down by 31,000 and 29,000 respectively meaning the summer rebound was not as strong as it initially appeared.

Employment in all major industries changed little over the month. The September report follows momentum in August and suggests caution.

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National unemployment rate dips to 4.2%

The national unemployment rate was 4.2% in September, and the number of unemployed people changed little at 7.1 million. The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.1% to 4.3% since March.

The labor force participation rate was 61.8%, while the employment-population ratio was 59.2%. Both measures changed little in September and have shown little net change since January, suggesting broader labor force conditions remain relatively stable.

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Employment changed little across major industries

According to the BLS, employment in all major industries changed little in September, with limited gains and declines across several sectors:

Healthcare and social assistance: 23,000 added

Construction: 11,000 jobs added

Leisure and hospitality: 10,000 jobs added

Manufacturing: 9,000 jobs added

Transportation and warehousing: 7,600 jobs added

The report also showed industries that lost jobs included government employment (- 17,000), information (- 10,000), professional and business services (-9,000), and financial activities (-7,000).

Hiring demand for skilled talent persists in an uneven labor market

September’s lower-than-expected job gains point to a more cautious labor market, but employers continue to prioritize skilled talent for critical roles. According to Robert Half research, 66% of U.S. employers plan to expand permanent hiring before year-end, an increase from 57% one year ago. In addition, 56% expect to bring in contract professionals to help fill expertise gaps, support specialized work and maintain progress on important business initiatives.

Compensation is one area where that competition is especially visible. The 2027 Salary Guide From Robert Half shows that employers are taking a more targeted approach to pay as they compete for talent with specialized skills. The guide reports that 72% of employers are modestly increasing compensation budgets, while 57% are offering salaries above their planned range to secure candidates with the expertise they need.

The Salary Guide also points to the growing value of AI and other high-demand capabilities in today’s market. Seventy-two percent of employers are offering higher pay for relevant AI skills, and 42% are paying more for AI-related expertise than for other technical skills. For employers, that makes up-to-date compensation data critical to building competitive offers. For professionals, it reinforces the value of understanding how their skills align with current salary trends and career opportunities.

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Read the report

For a deeper look at the hiring trends shaping the second half of 2026, explore Robert Half’s updated Demand for Skilled Talent report. The report provides insights to employers’ hiring plans and challenges, succession planning, the impact of AI and more.

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Go to Labor Market Overview

Robert Half’s Labor Market Overview brings together the latest employment data and workplace research to help support employers and professionals in decision making amid a changing market. Check out insights on roles and skills in demand, hiring trends, and workplace conditions across professional fields.

Discover compensation trends with Robert Half’s 2027 Salary Guide

Access the Salary Guide

Our new 2027 Salary Guide is a data-driven resource featuring exclusive insights from employers, professionals and Robert Half recruiters who help staff tens of thousands of jobs each year. The guide covers compensation trends across 7 professional fields and can be valuable whether you are actively building your team, developing a talent strategy or searching for your next career move.