U.S. Job Growth Beats Expectations in September, But Inflation and Labor Unrest Signal Challenges Ahead

Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, surpassing expectations. Unemployment remained at 3.8%.

Nearly 120,000 more jobs were created in July and August than originally reported.

Job growth was broad-based across industries like manufacturing, education, and hospitality.

But inflation, high interest rates, and labor strikes signal a two-faced economy.

Economists see reasons for optimism despite consumer pessimism about the economy.