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ADP National Employment Report: Job Growth in September 2026

In a recent release from ADP, a leading provider of human resource management software, the National Employment Report signaled a positive shift in the labor market as it reported an increase of 90,000 jobs in the private sector for September 2026. This report, compiled with insights from the Stanford Digital Economy Lab, paints a focused picture of employment trends across multiple industries.

Key Highlights

The report highlights that the recent upswing in job creation is a notable rebound after a three-month period of stagnation. Economists and analysts have interpreted this as a sign of recovering strength in the U.S. job market.

Base Pay Growth: In addition to job increases, base pay for private-sector employees rose 3.2% this year, with overall gross pay seeing a more substantial increase of 4.7%. Such figures showcase the rising demand for labor and the competitive landscape for attracting talent in a tightening labor market.

Sector Shifts: The growth in September was primarily driven by the education and health care sectors, which added 55,000 jobs, along with leisure and hospitality contributing 22,000 new roles. Conversely, the report also noted weaknesses in financial activities and professional/business services, where employment numbers dipped.

Regional Analysis

Delving deeper into the regional aspects, the Northeast showed impressive growth with an addition of 56,000 jobs, largely concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region. Meanwhile, some areas such as the East North Central and the South Atlantic faced slight declines in job numbers, indicating mixed results across the nation.

Different Establishment Sizes

The report presented a distinction among establishment sizes, with medium-sized firms (50-249 employees) exhibiting the most robust job growth, contributing 54,000 new positions. Small establishments also played a role, adding 23,000 jobs, while larger companies showed more subdued growth with only 14,000 jobs added in total.

Pay Insights

An analysis from ADP Pay Insights indicated a consistent trend in pay growth among job-stayers, which rose by 3.0% compared to last year, while job-changers experienced a more promising increase of 4.8%. This divergence illustrates how job mobility can significantly impact earnings and underscores the value of flexibility in the current job market.

Conclusion

This September employment report underscores the dynamic nature of the U.S. labor market, with an upward trajectory in job creation and pay growth. Dr. Nela Richardson, ADP's chief economist, characterized the report as "strong," signaling optimism about potential sustained economic growth.

As businesses across various sectors navigate these developments, attention to workforce needs, compensation strategies, and maintaining employee satisfaction will undoubtedly shape the future landscape of employment in the U.S. For those interested in exploring this report in detail, it is available on the ADP National Employment Report website.

Stay tuned for further updates as the next report is slated for release on November 4, 2026.