By Dr. Tamara Patzer
New York’s private employers added 6,700 jobs in September, and the state jobless rate held at 4.3%, according to the New York State Department of Labor. Over the full year, though, private payrolls are down. For nurses weighing a side income, a free newsletter lists two registered nurse contract postings with advertised pay of $60 to $70 an hour. Here are the numbers, the dates and the questions to ask first.
Key Takeaways
- The State Labor Department said Oct. 15, 2026 that private sector jobs rose by 6,700, or 0.1%, in September to 8,434,000, seasonally adjusted. Total nonfarm jobs rose by 19,600.
- The statewide unemployment rate was 4.3%, unchanged from August. New York City’s rate was 4.8%, also unchanged.
- Over the year, private sector jobs (not seasonally adjusted) fell by 3,100 from September 2025. U.S. private sector jobs rose 0.5% over the same stretch, the department said.
- Private education and health services jobs rose 1.3% over the year.
- The Expert Opportunity Report listed two registered nurse postings on Nov. 11, 2026, each advertising $60 to $70 an hour. Listings were checked Oct. 31.
- The page does not state a work location, license requirement or payment terms. Advertised pay varies and changes, and a listing is not a promise of work.
What the State Labor Department Reported
In its Oct. 15, 2026 release, the New York State Department of Labor said private sector employment increased by 6,700 jobs in September, a gain of 0.1%, bringing the total to 8,434,000. Total nonfarm employment rose by 19,600 jobs. The department compared that with the nation, where private sector jobs rose by less than 0.1% in September.
The department’s area release on Oct. 20, 2026 gave New York City an unemployment rate of 4.8% for September. The department reported that the statewide rate of 4.3% was the same as in August.
The Year Looks Weaker Than the Month
A single gain does not erase a slow year. The department said private sector jobs, not seasonally adjusted, fell by 3,100 from September 2025. Nationally, private sector jobs rose 0.5% over the same period. The state also posted monthly losses in earlier months. It reported private sector declines of 23,400 jobs in August and 24,800 in July, and a 3,400 drop in June, according to the department’s releases.
One bright spot is in health care. The department said private education and health services jobs rose 1.3% over the year. It did not give monthly figures for individual industries in the text of the release.
Two Registered Nurse Postings Worth Reading
The Expert Opportunity Report, a free newsletter, published a page titled “Two listed opportunities for registered nurses” on Nov. 11, 2026, written by Tamara Patzer. Both postings are titled Registered Nurse. One was posted Oct. 27, 2026 and the other Oct. 8, 2026. Each advertises $60 to $70 an hour.
The page names these skills for both:
- Inpatient clinical expertise
- Clinical documentation review
- Annotation of medical records
- Nursing judgment
- Evaluation of AI-generated clinical outputs
- Attention to detail
In plain terms, the work as described reviews and checks clinical material rather than caring for patients. That is a different job from a hospital shift, and nurses should weigh it as extra work on top of, or apart from, a staff position. The page itself does not compare the pay with any staff nurse wage, so a reader who wants that comparison should look at current wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or the State Labor Department. Hourly contract pay also leaves out paid leave, employer health coverage and retirement contributions, which matter when judging any offer against a salaried role.
What the Page Leaves Out
- Location. The page says to check each full description for the permitted work location. The site calls its roles remote, but the listings themselves do not say so.
- License and experience. Neither is stated. A New York nurse should read the full posting before assuming a license in this state is enough, or required.
- Payment terms and availability. Not stated.
- Referral disclosure. The author says she may be paid if readers apply through the links and that she is not an employee or representative of the company posting the roles.
Questions to Ask Before You Apply
- Does your employer limit outside work, or require approval?
- Is the pay hourly, and is the work contract rather than employment? A contractor pays their own taxes.
- Does the posting still exist? Listings were checked Oct. 31 and may have closed.
- What does the work involve, and does it count toward any nursing license obligation? The page does not say.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many private sector jobs did New York add in September 2026?
The State Labor Department reported 6,700, bringing the total to 8,434,000.
What is New York’s unemployment rate?
The department reported 4.3% statewide and 4.8% in New York City for September.
Are the nurse roles in New York?
The page does not state a work location. Check the full posting.
Do the roles require a nursing license?
The page does not say. Read the posting’s requirements.
Where can I read the postings?
The Expert Opportunity Report article on two listed opportunities for registered nurses links to both, and the free Expert Opportunity Report publishes new roles as they appear. Check current sources for the latest state data.
Dr. Tamara Patzer is a publisher and former newspaper editor who writes about AI and business data.
You may reach her through: info@dailysuccessinstitute.com
Sources: New York State Department of Labor, “NYS Private Sector Employment Increases by 6,700 Jobs in September 2026,” Oct. 15, 2026; New York State Department of Labor, “State Labor Department Releases Preliminary September 2026 Area Unemployment Rates,” Oct. 20, 2026; New York State Department of Labor releases for August, July and June 2026; Expert Opportunity Report, “Two listed opportunities for registered nurses,” Tamara Patzer, Nov. 11, 2026 (listings checked Oct. 31, 2026).
Disclaimer: The author publishes the Expert Opportunity Report and is a referral partner of micro1. This article is information, not a promise of work or income, and not legal, tax or financial advice. Advertised pay ranges vary and change.
