U.S. added 29,000 jobs in September, below 12-month average

U.S. employers added 29,000 nonfarm jobs in September 2026, below the 45,000 average monthly gain over the prior 12 months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Oct. 2. Unemployment held at 4.2%. I read this as cooling without collapse, which could ease upward pressure on wages and prices.