US / ADP Report shows that the job market appears to have softened in recent months.

Private-sector employment gains picked up slightly in September, as businesses added 166,000 jobs, according to a hiring report that has taken on more importance as a timely measure of the labor market amid the likely delay of the government’s monthly statistics.

Economists surveyed by Dow Jones expected the monthly report from payroll processor Automatic Data Processing Inc. ADP -0.12% and forecasting firm Moody’s Analytics to show an increase of 178,000 jobs. The August ADP employment increase was revised to 159,000 from 176,000 reported a month ago.

“The job market appears to have softened in recent months. Fiscal austerity has begun to take a toll on job creation,” the report said.

The ADP estimate is typically released ahead of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ employment-situation report on the following Friday. But the federal government shutdown has likely delayed the release of the September payrolls report.

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via U.S. Businesses Add 166,000 Jobs, ADP Report Shows – WSJ.com.