Canada's economy added 67,000 jobs in September, blowing away expectations of a small uptick for the month.

Statistics Canada reported Friday that despite the job surge, the unemployment rate stayed steady at seven per cent as more people were looking for work, too.

"Simply put, around as many people entered labour markets looking for work as those who got it," Scotiabank economist Derek Holt said of the numbers.

By sector, services led with 56,000 new jobs, but manufacturing and construction each added 6,000 jobs. Education saw a large surge, but that's likely seasonal as school started during the month.

"Education employment jumped by 17,000 in the month, reversing three straight monthly declines through the summer — this sector is often plagued by seasonal wonkiness," Bank of Montreal economist Doug Porter noted.

Most of the new jobs were part time, the data agency said. There were 44,100 part-time jobs while full-time jobs were up 23,000. Self-employment surged by 50,100.

New jobs didn't come evenly across the country, with most from Quebec, Alberta and New Brunswick. There was little change in the other provinces.

Overall, the uneven showing is in keeping with a recent trend. "Up and down, down and up. Canada's monthly job growth has been especially noisy over the past several months, echoing the volatility in the overall economy," TD Bank economist James Marple said. "Looking through the monthly din, the trend is consistent with a moderate pace of growth, but one that appears to be turning the corner from its moribund state early in the year."