U.S. Economy Adds 119,000 Jobs in September Amid Private Sector Strength and Wage Gains

7
August 2025 - BLS, Alaska

The U.S. labor market demonstrated steady progress in September 2025, adding 119,000 nonfarm payroll jobs while the unemployment rate held firm at 4.4%, according to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This modest growth, though below earlier expectations, highlights a resilient private sector contributing nearly all the gains, with 97,000 new positions created there. Wages continued their upward trajectory, rising 3.8% over the year, reversing trends from previous administrations and putting American workers on track for significant income boosts.

Key sectors drove the expansion, with leisure and hospitality leading the way by adding 47,000 jobs, representing a 0.28% monthly growth– the highest percentage increase among major industries. Health care followed closely, gaining 43,000 positions, while construction added 19,000. Food services and drinking places within leisure and hospitality surged by 37,000, underscoring a rebound in consumer-facing services. The White House attributed these increases to President Trump’s pro-growth, America First policies, which have prioritized domestic hiring and economic revitalization. Main drivers behind the job gains include increased consumer spending, rising investments, and a focus on American-born workers, as labor force participation ticked up and long-term unemployment declined sharply.

“The September jobs report more than doubled market expectations— adding 119,000 new jobs to the American economy. In stark contrast to the disastrous Biden economy, almost all of these new jobs were in the private sector and went to American-born workers instead of illegal aliens,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Regionally, Alaska saw 800 jobs added in August 2025 (according to the latest available state data), bringing total nonfarm employment to 339,000. Construction and manufacturing saw the highest 12-month gains in August.

Economists like Steve Moore praised the national figures, noting robust investment and consumer trends. However, challenges persist, with losses in transportation and federal government roles. Overall, the report signals a stabilizing economy, though analysts warn of potential headwinds from inflation and global uncertainties. As 2025 progresses, sustained wage growth could further empower families, aligning with ongoing policy efforts to bolster U.S. competitiveness.

7 COMMENTS

  1. September 2024 saw an unemployment rate of 4.1% and greater job growth. Relatively speaking 119,000 jobs added is slow growth, and down again since Trump took office. Tell me how Trump has done anything improve this economy. White House talking points without any relative background information provide a very skewed picture.

  2. Creepy Karoline is spewing nonsense again, by any measure Biden left the economy in good condition. BTW, DOL has no idea if the jobs reported are illegals or legals, they just compile data reported by employers.

    • “…by any measure Biden left the economy in good condition.”
      What standards are those, Frank? Please identify them.
      .
      “DOL has no idea if the jobs reported are illegals or legals, they just compile data reported by employers.”
      So, no different than under the previous administration. Got it.
      .
      And, quick question for you, Frank. How many jobs reports under the previous administration were quietly revised down, significantly? Big media hype about how many hundreds of thousands of jobs added when the report comes out, but when the revision comes out reducing the number to the actual levels, crickets. But, the data is out there.

  3. Start looking at ADP reports and you might not see such a rosy picture. DOL under any administration has always been a joke All their nmber are “adjusted” and meaningless.

  4. Don’t celebrate yet! If past practice is any indicator of future reality, these numbers will almost certainly be quietly adjusted downward. The DOL has a habit of doing this. Biden was notorious for doing this, but Trump is also guilty of massaging the numbers lately!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.