The labor force participation rate among women ages 25 to 54, their prime working years, dipped to 78.1% September, from 78.4% in August. But that number is still hovering at record levels, and it’s been climbing steadily to new heights through 2024.

The September jobs report was stronger than expected and is likely to assuage recession fears, driving up hopes for soft landing or no landing economic scenarios.

Here is what you need to know ahead of this morning's monthly payrolls report: Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal expect 150,000 new jobs were created last month, up from 142,000 in August.