U.S. Jobs Report for September 2026: What to Watch Before Friday’s Release

U.S. Jobs Report September 2026: What to Watch Before the October 2 Release

A major update on the U.S. labor market arrives Friday morning.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is scheduled to release the September 2026 Employment Situation report on Friday, October 2 at 8:30 a.m. ET.

The report will provide fresh information on job growth, unemployment, wages and which industries are adding or losing workers.

For people currently searching for work, these numbers can offer useful clues about how competitive the labor market is becoming and where hiring activity may be strongest.

September 2026 Jobs Report

📅 Release date: October 2, 2026

🕣 Time: 8:30 a.m. ET

🏛️ Publisher: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

What happened in the previous jobs report?

The latest official BLS Employment Situation report showed that the U.S. economy added 162,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August.

The national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%.

Employment increased notably in areas including food services and drinking places and local government education, while the information sector lost jobs.

Those figures suggested that employers were still adding workers, but the pace and distribution of hiring continued to vary significantly between industries.

There are still more than 7 million job openings in the U.S.

Another important measure of the labor market comes from the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) .

The latest data show approximately 7.1 million job openings in August 2026.

During the same month, employers made about 5.2 million hires, while approximately 3.1 million workers voluntarily quit their jobs.

These figures point to a labor market that still contains millions of opportunities, but where hiring can feel slower and more competitive than during periods of exceptionally strong job growth.

What should job seekers watch in Friday’s report?

The headline number gets most of the attention, but there are several parts of the report that matter to workers and people looking for a new job.

1. How many jobs were added?

The payroll number shows whether employers collectively added or eliminated jobs during September.

A stronger number can indicate that businesses remain willing to expand their workforces, while weaker growth may suggest employers are becoming more cautious.

2. The unemployment rate

The unemployment rate measures the share of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but have not found a job.

In August, it stood at 4.1%.

3. Wage growth

Average hourly earnings can help show whether worker pay continues to rise.

This matters because wage growth can influence both household purchasing power and how aggressively employers need to compete for workers.

4. Which industries are actually hiring?

The national headline can hide major differences between industries.

Healthcare, hospitality, construction, education, government, professional services, retail and technology can all move in different directions during the same month.

For job seekers, the industry breakdown can sometimes be more useful than the total national employment number.

5. Revisions to previous months

The BLS regularly revises earlier employment estimates as more employer data becomes available.

That means changes to July and August numbers can sometimes alter the overall picture of the labor market.

What a slower job market means for job seekers

A slowdown in job creation does not mean companies have stopped hiring. Millions of job openings remain available across the country.

However, when hiring becomes more selective, candidates may face more competition for individual positions.

That makes the job search process itself increasingly important.

Apply to recently posted opportunities when possible.
Adjust your resume to match the position.
Set alerts so you see new jobs quickly.
Follow industries that continue adding workers.
Use multiple sources rather than relying on one job site.

Candidates can browse current job opportunities on Empregara and apply directly to available positions.

Use your resume to improve your job search

In a more competitive labor market, a generic resume may make it harder to stand out.

Empregara users can also explore the Resume Upgrade tool, which is designed to identify areas where a resume can be clearer, better structured and easier for recruiters to review.

Candidates who want more ongoing assistance can learn about Job Scout , which is being designed to match users with opportunities based on their resume, experience and job preferences.

What about the New York job market?

Friday's Employment Situation report covers the entire United States, so national employment numbers should not be treated as a direct measure of New York City's labor market.

The BLS is scheduled to publish its September metropolitan employment data on October 28. That release will provide a more specific look at employment conditions across metropolitan areas, including the New York region.

In the meantime, New York job seekers can monitor local hiring events, public-sector opportunities and employer announcements.

See our current guide to NYC job fairs and hiring events for upcoming opportunities.

Some industries are creating new career pathways in NYC

National employment statistics are only part of the picture. Local investments can also create new workforce opportunities.

For example, the Bronx Green Jobs Center recently received $2.5 million in new funding to support training connected to clean energy careers, including solar, electric vehicle infrastructure and energy efficiency.

Developments like these can be useful for job seekers who are considering industries with growing demand for specialized workers.

How to prepare while hiring conditions change

Whether Friday's report shows faster or slower job growth, job seekers do not need to wait for national statistics before taking action.

A practical approach includes:

Keeping your resume updated.
Creating alerts for jobs that match your experience.
Applying early to relevant openings.
Tracking hiring events in your local area.
Continuing to build skills that employers are requesting.

Looking for your next opportunity? Browse current U.S. job openings, create your candidate profile and discover new opportunities on Empregara.

Explore jobs on Empregara →

When will the September 2026 jobs report be released?

According to the official BLS release calendar , the September 2026 Employment Situation report is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

Empregara will update this article after the official September employment figures are published.