U.S. economy adds 29,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in September, significantly missing forecasts

The U.S. economy added 29,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in September 2026, falling well short of analyst expectations and below the prior 12-month average. The jobless rate rose to 4.2%, with 7.1 million people unemployed. July and August payroll figures were also revised downwards, reducing the previously reported employment count by 60,000 jobs.