The non-farm private sector added 135,000 jobs in September, according to the ADP National Employment Report. August’s figure was revised down from 237,000 to 228,000. The September reading was the smallest increase since October 2016, largely due to Hurricane Harvey and Irma.
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees lost 7,000 jobs. Medium-sized businesses with 50-499 employees created 63,000, while large businesses added 79,000 jobs.
Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and cohead of the ADP Research Institute, said, “In September, small businesses experienced a dip in hiring. This is in part due to Hurricane’s Harvey and Irma which significantly impacted smaller retailers. In addition, the continued slow down we have seen in small business hiring could be due to a lack of competitive compensation to attract skilled talent.”
Service-providing employment rose by 88,000 jobs, driven by the professional and techincal services sector which added 40,000, but it was somewhat offset by the trade, transportation, and utilities index shedding 18,000. The health services sector had a robust report, adding 28,000 jobs. Goods-producing employment grew by 48,000 jobs. The manufacturing industry gained 18,000, while the construction sector led the way, adding 29,000 jobs.
Read the ADP report.
