Washington, Oct. 2 -- US job growth slowed sharply in September, with nonfarm payroll employment rising by just 29,000, while the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2 per cent, according to data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) on Friday.

The number of unemployed people also changed little, at 7.1 million in September. The unemployment rate has remained in a narrow range of 4.1 per cent to 4.3 per cent since March, the Bureau said.

The US BLS stated, "Both nonfarm payroll employment (+29,000) and the unemployment rate (4.2 per cent) changed little in September."

The latest payroll increase was below the average monthly gain of 45,000 recorded over the prior 12 months. Employment in all major industries changed...