The US gained 27,200 temporary jobs in September from August for total temp jobs of nearly 3.2 million, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Total nonfarm employment rose in September with the US gaining 263,000 jobs, bringing the number of jobs to more than 153.0 million. Still, September’s gain was the smallest increase in total jobs since April 2021.

The temp penetration rate — temp jobs as a percentage of total employment — rose to 2.09% in September from 2.07% in August.

“The slightly slower growth in overall employment in September is a sign that the Federal Reserve’s attempts to slow the economy are beginning to take hold,” said Barry Asin, president of Staffing Industry Analysts. “Meanwhile, with ongoing solid growth in temporary employment and the number of job openings continuing to significantly exceed the number of unemployed people, we believe that the environment remains positive for the staffing industry and others in the business of helping employers connect with the talent they need.”

Also reported: The US unemployment rate fell to 3.5% in September, the same level it had been in July before popping up to 3.7% in August. The college-level unemployment rate also declined — edging downward to 1.8% in September from 1.9% the previous month.

Notable job gains happened in leisure and hospitality, which added 83,000 jobs, and healthcare, which added 60,000. Employment in healthcare has returned to its February 2020 pre-pandemic level; however, leisure and hospitality remains below its pre-Covid level.

The labor force participation rate was little changed at 62.3% in September.

The BLS also reported the percentage of employed persons who teleworked because of the Covid pandemic fell to 5.2% in September from 6.5% in August. That compares to May 2020 — the first month this data was collected — when 35.4% of employed persons teleworked because of the pandemic.

Hurricane Ian did not have a discernible effect on employment data for September.

For more coverage of the job report, download an analysis by Staffing Industry Analysts.