For the four weeks ending September 5, 2026, U.S. private employers added an average of 20,000 jobs per week, according to the NER Pulse, a weekly update of the monthly ADP National Employment Report. The figures, released by Automatic Data Processing, Inc., show that hiring accelerated for the third reported week within that window, marking a shift from the slower monthly momentum recorded earlier in the summer.
Weekly Hiring Trajectory and Pulse Metrics
The NER Pulse tracks high-frequency, seasonally adjusted data with a two-week lag to capture real-time labor market shifts. According to data published by Automatic Data Processing, Inc., the four-week moving average climbed steadily through August and early September. For the week ending August 1, the average stood at 9,500 jobs added per week before rising through the month.
By August 15, the four-week moving average reached 10,000, ticked up to 12,250 by August 22, and hit 16,750 for the week ending August 29. The upward trend culminated in the September 5 reading of 20,000 jobs per week. These preliminary numbers remain subject to revision as incoming payroll data is processed by ADP Research in collaboration with the Stanford Digital Economy Lab.
Broader Labor Market Context
The weekly pulse figures arrive against a backdrop of more moderate monthly job creation. According to the broader August 2026 ADP National Employment Report, private employers added 38,000 jobs for the entire month of August, representing the slowest pace of private sector job creation since January. Chief Economist Dr. Nela Richardson noted that pay growth has been complicated by demographic shifts, persistent inflation, and the ongoing integration of artificial intelligence into workplace operations.
Sector-specific data from the monthly report highlights uneven underlying conditions. Industries such as education and health services added 45,000 jobs in August, while construction added 12,000 and leisure and hospitality brought in 16,000. Conversely, manufacturing shed 17,000 jobs, professional and business services lost 16,000, and the information sector cut 4,000 positions.
Future Release Schedule
The NER Pulse publishes every Tuesday at 8:15 a.m. ET via the ADP Media Center and Main Street Macro, excluding weeks when the comprehensive monthly National Employment Report is issued. The next weekly NER Pulse update is scheduled for release on October 6, 2026.
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