Statement by U.S. Secretary of Labor Acosta on the September Jobs Report

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta today issued the following statement regarding the September 2018 Employment Situation report:

"In September, the unemployment rate fell to 3.7%, the lowest since 1969.

"Encouraging indicators were broad based. For the fifth month this year, the unemployment rate has been below 4.0%. The unemployment rate for women fell to 3.6%, the lowest in 65 years, and the unemployment rate for Hispanics matched a record low set in July 2018. The number of unemployed fell below six million for the first time since December 2000.

"This jobs report shows continued steady job creation, with 134,000 jobs added last month, and upward revisions of 87,000 jobs for July and August – bringing the total to 221,000 new jobs. Since President Trump's election, 4.2 million jobs have been created in the United States.

"The American economy continues to fire on all cylinders. During the past few months, we have seen GDP growth exceed 4%, consumer confidence rise to an 18-year high, and the stock market set new records. President Trump's new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada will open even more opportunity for Americans.

"As we recover from Hurricane Florence, the Department of Labor is working closely with states to help them assess workforce needs so that Americans can return to work or find a new job. Getting dislocated workers back on their feet is a top priority."