U.S. job growth unexpectedly accelerated in September, defying fears of a slowdown in hiring even as the labor market confronts the twin threats of sticky inflation and high interest rates.

Employers added 336,000 jobs in September, the Labor Department said in its monthly payroll report released Friday, nearly double the 170,000 jobs forecast by Refinitiv economists. It marked the best month for job creation since January.

The unemployment rate, meanwhile, held steady at 3.8%.

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