WASHINGTON — Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 134,000 jobs in September 2018, compared with an average of 201,000 per month over the last 12 months, according to the latest figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Also in September, the national unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent from the previous 3.9, the BLS said in its monthly report issued Oct. 5.
Manufacturing continued to add jobs, with 18,000 new positions in September. The rise represents a gain in durable goods manufacturing, according to the report.
There were even greater job gains in professional and business services (up 54,000), health care (up 26,000), transportation and warehousing (up 24,000), and construction (up 21,000), according to the BLS.
Leisure and hospitality lost 17,000 jobs, most likely because of Hurricane Florence, the report said. Wholesale and retail trade saw little change in employment, and mining gained only 6,000 jobs, it said.
Payroll services firm ADP Inc. said U.S. private sector employment increased by 230,000 jobs in September.
The greatest gains were in medium-sized businesses (50 to 499 employees), with 99,000 new jobs, according to the ADP report issued Oct. 3. Large businesses (500 employees and up) grew by 75,000 jobs, while small businesses (one to 49 employees) gained 56,000, ADP said.