Nick Timiraos: In September, the average three-month hiring rate was 51,000, and private sector employment increased by 54,000

Wall Street Journal senior reporter Nick Timiraos: The initial 3-month average hiring rate reported for August was 71,000, now revised down to 51,000. The 3-month average hiring rate for September is also 51,000. Private sector employment shows a similar trend—in September, employment increased by 54,000, higher than August's revised figure of 48,000.