Private Sector Jobs Rise to Record, Governments Shed Thousands

The US labor market added 29,000 jobs in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is part of a six-month average gain of 66,000 jobs, which is down from August's high of 93,000.

Private sector employers created 46,000 new positions, while governments shed 17,000 jobs. The record number of nonfarm payrolls reached 159.04 million in September.

The sectors with notable job losses include financial activities (-7,000), information (-10,000), and professional and business services (-9,000). On the other hand, healthcare added 23,000 jobs, construction gained 11,000, and leisure and hospitality rose by 10,000.