More Jobs Created Than Expected in September

Washington, DC, Oct. 7, 2011 -- The U.S. added 103,000 jobs in September, well ahead of forecasts by economists, although unemployment remained at 9.1%.

The Labor Department also revised job figures higher for July and August.

The report included some signs that business activity is increasing. The temporary employment industry added almost 20,000 jobs, and the length of the average workweek increased slightly.

The private sector added 137,000 jobs, up from August but below July's revised total. The economy lost 34,000 government jobs. Economists were looking for a total increase of about 60,000 jobs.

Industries that added jobs in September included construction and retail, while manufacturing lost jobs for a second straight month.