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 U.S. labor market grew at a faster rate than expected in September with notable gains in the food and beverage sector as well as health care, although manufacturing shed jobs.

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.