Statement by US Secretary of Labor Su on September jobs report

WASHINGTON – Acting Secretary of Labor Julie A. Su issued the following statement on the September 2023 Employment Situation report:

“Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the American economy added 336,000 jobs in September, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.8 percent, continuing the longest stretch under 4 percent unemployment since the 1960s. Wage growth has remained steady – up 4.3 percent over the past year. With 13.9 million jobs added since President Biden took office, our economy is strong and stable under the responsible leadership of the Biden-Harris administration. 

“The job market continues to bring workers off the sidelines, and today’s data show that our hospitality industry is experiencing a strong recovery with restaurants and bars adding 61,000 jobs in September – erasing all the job losses during the pandemic for the first time. Overall, 96,000 jobs were added in in leisure and hospitality. Of note on National Manufacturing Day, the manufacturing sector added 17,000 jobs in September, and 815,000 manufacturing jobs have been added since January 2021. 

“I’m also excited to announce today that the prime age women’s employment rate remains at 75.3 percent, a record high for the sixth month in a row. Women have powered our post-pandemic recovery and continue to strengthen our labor force. In order to continue this growth, we must remain committed to addressing structural barriers that keep some women out of the workforce. One of the largest barriers for women and working families is a lack of affordable childcare. That is why the President remains committed to fighting for childcare policies that support both working families and childcare workers. This administration strongly supports congressional efforts to secure additional childcare funding for hardworking families. 

“This month’s jobs report was more good news for workers showing job and wage increases as well as broad growth across industries This is a strong and stable jobs report showing a robust labor market that continues to provide employment opportunities for workers all over the country.”