Statement by US Secretary of Labor Walsh on September Jobs Report

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh issued the following statement on the September 2022 Employment Situation Report:

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 263,000 jobs in the month of September, and the unemployment rate edged back down to a more than 50-year low of 3.5 percent. With 10 million jobs added since President Biden took office and an average of more than 370,000 per month over the last three months, this economy continues to produce strong and steady job growth that benefits workers and their families.

“September’s job gains were widespread, with strong growth in healthcare professions, food and drinking establishments, and professional and business services, as well as steady, continuing gains in manufacturing and construction. With this report, healthcare jobs have now fully recovered from pandemic lows. The unemployment rate fell across demographics, and notably the Hispanic unemployment rate dropped to 3.8 percent, the lowest rate ever recorded.

“This strong labor market has empowered workers to claim better opportunities and the administration’s investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy continue to create good jobs. Through the Good Jobs Initiative, we are working across the government and the economy to improve job quality and equity for all working people. We are committed to building on this worker-centered economic recovery to strengthen our nation’s workforce today and over the long term.”