U.S. September job growth slows to 29,000, unemployment rises to 4.2%

U.S. September job growth slows to 29,000, unemployment rises to 4.2%

Business Politics

On September 19, the U. S. Labor Department reported that September non-farm payrolls increased by just 29,000 jobs, far short of expectations, and that the unemployment rate rose to 4. 2%, with average hourly earnings gaining only 0.

1% year-over-year. Earlier forecasts had varied, with analysts at CNBC and CNN projecting additions of 84,000 to 94,000 jobs and a steady 4. 1% unemployment rate, while Reuters noted that weekly initial jobless claims fell to their lowest level since 1969 and that new single-family home sales rose after price cuts. The weaker-than-expected payroll data prompted markets to anticipate a pause in Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Actors

U.S. Department of Labor Federal Reserve U.S. Commerce Department Citigroup Barclays National Association of Home Builders

Locations

United States Washington, D.C.

Fact Check

How these metrics work
Verdict: Partial Confidence: 55% Claims: 2
At a glance

The claim that weekly initial unemployment claims fell to levels not seen since 1969 on September 24, 2026, was partially confirmed. The claim that new single-family home sales increased after builders lowered prices and offered incentives on September 24, 2026, had insufficient evidence.

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This section contains an automated verification of claims against external sources and may contain inaccuracies.

Articles

October 02, 2026
6 total
U.S. average hourly earnings barely rise in September as inflation stays above 3%
U.S. average hourly earnings barely rise in September as inflation stays above 3%

Yahoo Finance • 02 Oct 18:07

Average hourly earnings increased 0.1% in September, leaving a 3% year-over-year gain that lags behind the 3.4% inflation rate, while job growth slowed to 29,000.

Credibility 72% Manip. 30% Center
September jobs report shows modest hiring and rising unemployment ahead of midterms
September jobs report shows modest hiring and rising unemployment ahead of midterms

Yahoo Finance • 02 Oct 15:36

U.S. payrolls added 29,000 jobs in September and the unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, figures that could influence the upcoming midterm elections.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
September job growth slows, unemployment rises to 4.2%
September job growth slows, unemployment rises to 4.2%

The Daily Beast • 02 Oct 14:36

The Labor Department reported 29,000 jobs added in September, well below the 90,000 forecast, and the unemployment rate increased to 4.2% from 4.1% in August.

Credibility 68% Manip. 46% Left
September U.S. job growth slows to 29,000 as unemployment rises to 4.2%
September U.S. job growth slows to 29,000 as unemployment rises to 4.2%

nbcnews.com • 02 Oct 12:51

The Labor Department reported that the U.S. added 29,000 jobs in September, below expectations, while the unemployment rate increased to 4.2% and wage growth remained modest.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Left
U.S. September job growth falls short of expectations, unemployment ticks up
U.S. September job growth falls short of expectations, unemployment ticks up

cnbc.com • 02 Oct 12:31

September nonfarm payrolls increased by 29,000, well below forecasts, while the unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, prompting markets to anticipate a pause in Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Credibility 78% Manip. 12% Center
US September jobs report expected to show modest hiring and slowing wage growth
US September jobs report expected to show modest hiring and slowing wage growth

CNN • 02 Oct 09:00

Economists anticipate the Labor Department will report about 94,000 new jobs and a steady 4.1% unemployment rate, while wage growth is projected to lag behind inflation.

Credibility 72% Manip. 30% Center
October 01, 2026
1 total
U.S. September payrolls expected at 84,000 with unemployment steady at 4.1%
U.S. September payrolls expected at 84,000 with unemployment steady at 4.1%

CNBC • 01 Oct 18:55

Analysts anticipate the Labor Department will report 84,000 jobs added in September and a 4.1% unemployment rate, while Federal Reserve officials assess the data amid ongoing inflation concerns.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
September 24, 2026
1 total
US jobless claims near 57-year low as labor market steadies, new home sales rise on price cuts
US jobless claims near 57-year low as labor market steadies, new home sales rise on price cuts

Reuters • 24 Sep 17:01

Weekly initial unemployment claims fell to levels not seen since 1969, while new single-family home sales increased after builders lowered prices and offered incentives.

Credibility 73% Manip. 10% Center

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