Job Cuts Total 95,000 in September

Washington, DC, Oct. 8, 2010--Employers cut more jobs than expected in September, as state and local governments shed workers during the month.

The Labor Department said Friday that total nonfarm payrolls shrank by 95,000 in September, higher than the 8,000 loss expected by Wall Street economists.

Private-sector nonfarm employment expanded by 65,000 in September, lower than the 85,000 gain expected.

The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.6%, lower than economists' forecasts of 9.7%.

Average hourly earnings were flat at $22.67, below the 0.2% rise economists anticipated.