ADP: Small Businesses Add 88,000 Jobs in September

Small business hiring picked up slightly in September, according to private payroll processor ADP.

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees added 88,000 jobs last month, up from 82,000 in August. Small businesses created 41% of all new jobs in the private sector in September, with 213,000 total jobs added.

"September’s jobs added number marks the sixth straight month of employment gains above 200,000,” said Carlos Rodriguez, president and chief executive officer of ADP. “It’s a positive sign for the economy to see the 200,000-plus trend continue.”

Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics, which helps prepare the ADP report, added that gains across all company sizes and industries is especially encouraging news for the economy.

According to the ADP report, the small business growth was led by businesses with fewer than 20 employees. These micro businesses added a total of 48,000 new employees in September, compared to 39,000 for businesses with between 20 and 49 employees.

In terms of sector, service businesses continued to lead the charge, a trend that has persisted throughout the recovery. Goods-producing companies created just 6,000 new positions in September, while service providers added 81,000 jobs.

The ADP National Employment Report, conducted each month, measures the change in payrolls in private businesses in the U.S. According to ADP, nearly 24 million U.S. workers are measured by the report.