ADP Report Shows private Sector Job Losses in September

The ADP National Employment Report, a key measure of private employment in the U.S., reported on Wednesday that private employers reduced payrolls by 32,000 jobs last month. This signals the labor market continues too face challenges in September.

The ADP data will likely receive increased attention this week. The government’s monthly jobs report, scheduled for release on Friday, October 3, may be delayed because of the government shutdown that began today, according to Oxford Economics.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics, responsible for the federal monthly jobs report, announced on Wednesday that it has paused data releases “due to the suspension of Federal government services.” They stated, “The last update to the site was Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. Updates to the site will start again when the federal government resumes operations.”

The ADP report, based on payroll data from over 26 million U.S. employees, arrives as the U.S. economy experienced stronger-than-expected growth in the second quarter. However, government jobs reports this summer have revealed disappointing job growth, as some businesses are delaying hiring due to economic factors like tariffs and artificial intelligence.

“This is the latest data point suggesting a cooling labor market,” said [name and Title – *add if available from source*]. “Businesses are becoming more cautious with their hiring plans amid ongoing economic uncertainty.”

Pay growth remained steady, with annual pay increasing 4.5% for those who remained employed. Job losses were concentrated in the leisure and hospitality sector, which shed 9,000 jobs. Professional and business services lost 8,000 positions.

The ADP report provides a snapshot of the private sector, and its findings often differ from the broader government employment report. Investors and economists will be closely watching for any updates regarding the release of the official jobs data, given the current government shutdown.