The unemployment rate rose to 4.2 per cent in September from 4.1 per cent in August. It stood at 4 per cent when President Donald Trump returned to office and reached 4.5 per cent in November. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, file) US employers added just 29,000 jobs in September, well below expectations, as the labour market showed signs of slowing ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The September Employment Situation report, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Friday, showed nonfarm payrolls increased by 29,000. Economists had expected an increase of about 90,000 jobs, although estimates ranged from 35,000 to 180,000. The figure was also significantly lower than the 133,000 jobs added in August. August's total was revised down from the previously reported 162,000. July's employment figure was revised from a gain of 21,000 jobs to a decline of 10,000. Taken together, employment growth across July and August was 60,000 weaker than previously reported. The unemployment rate rose to 4.2 per cent in September from 4.1 per cent in August. It stood at 4 per cent when President Donald Trump returned to office and reached 4.5 per cent in November. The employment figures are being closely watched as the midterm elections approach. September's report is the final monthly jobs report before voters head to the polls, giving both parties an important measure of the state of the US labour market. The White House had highlighted August's stronger-than-expected employment figures as evidence of economic progress under Trump. After the previous report, Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Great jobs number just announced, breaking all estimates (except mine!) by double and triple — And you haven’t seen anything yet!” The latest figures provide a more mixed picture, with job creation slowing substantially and earlier estimates being revised lower. Nonfarm payrolls have increased by an average of 68,000 a month so far this year. That compares with an average monthly gain of about 25,000 during the first nine months of 2025 and around 117,000 during the same period a year earlier. Healthcare employment increased by 17,000 in September, although the pace was slower than its average monthly gain of 33,000 over the previous year. Construction added 11,000 jobs and manufacturing employment rose by 9,000. Financial activities employment fell by 7,000, with insurance carriers and related activities accounting for most of the sector's losses since its recent employment peak. Average hourly earnings increased 3 per cent over the 12 months to September, according to the BLS. Economists said the report pointed to a labour market that remains relatively resilient but is no longer accelerating.