The number - a whopping 336,000 jobs - marks the biggest increase in hiring since January... and points to a still-strong labor market, which could leave the door open for the Federal Reserve to hike rates again before the end of the year.
The surprise surge rattled markets, with stocks plunging and bond yields rising.
The labor market's resilience, 18 months after the Fed started raising rates to cool demand and tame decades-high inflation, suggests that monetary policy could remain tight for some time.
Monthly wage growth remained moderate, with average hourly earnings ticking up 0.2% after a similar gain in August.
On an annual basis, wages increased 4.2% through September - that's still faster than the 3.5% pace that economists say is consistent with the Fed's 2% inflation target.
The unemployment rate last month was unchanged at 3.8% - still near historically low levels.
Labor market strength is helping to sustain the economy, with GDP estimates for the third quarter as high as 4.9% - more than double second quarter GDP.
But dark clouds are gathering over the economy. Millions of Americans resume student loan repayments this month, which economists say will weigh on consumer spending, impacting purchases of long-lasting manufactured goods, houses, as well as travel and entertainment, with ripple effects on employment.
