Payroll employment changed little, with no statistically significant changes in most states in September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October 20 report.
New Jersey added an estimated 14,900 jobs, while South Carolina gained 12,500. Wisconsin lost 13,700. Employment was essentially unchanged in the other 47 states and the District of Columbia. The figures are preliminary and seasonally adjusted.
“Little changed” does not mean no hiring
The report measures changes in employment levels, rather than counting every hire.
Businesses can recruit replacements while other workers leave. Expansion at some employers can also offset reductions elsewhere. A stable total therefore does not establish that businesses stopped hiring or that every industry experienced the same conditions.
Statistical significance matters, too. BLS classifications account for uncertainty in the estimates; a numerical movement alone does not necessarily establish a meaningful change.
The annual picture differs
Compared with September 2025, seven states recorded statistically significant payroll gains. Texas had the largest numerical increase, followed by California and North Carolina. South Carolina recorded the largest percentage gain, at 2.3%.
The District of Columbia recorded a statistically significant annual decline.
For a company considering expansion, monthly and annual comparisons answer different questions. A single month offers a recent snapshot. The annual comparison provides a longer view, although neither establishes conditions for a particular occupation or work site.
Jobs and unemployment measure different things
Payroll employment counts jobs by workplace location. Unemployment statistics concern people by where they live.
The national unemployment rate was 4.2% in September. Five states recorded statistically significant monthly decreases in unemployment rates; the remaining states and the District were stable.
These measures should not be treated as interchangeable evidence about recruiting difficulty. Employers need information about relevant skills, wages, and available candidates before drawing conclusions about their own hiring prospects.
The September report provides context for those decisions. It does not establish whether a particular business will find workers easily, face rising labor costs, or experience stronger customer demand.
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Source
Bureau of Labor Statistics: State Employment and Unemployment—September 2026, released October 20