By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER

AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Buoyed by strong consumer spending and steady home sales, U.S. businesses added jobs at a healthy pace in September, according to a private survey.

Payroll processor ADP said Thursday that employers added 200,000 jobs this month, up from 180,000 in the previous month. August’s job total was revised lower.

Americans are spending more freely and buying big-ticket items such as new cars and homes. That is countering weak economies overseas and the strong dollar, which are cutting into exports.

“The overall labor market continues to improve, with domestic strength offsetting foreign weakness,” Jim O’Sullivan, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, said in a note to clients.

The government will issue its official jobs report for September on Friday. Economists forecast that report will show that employers added 206,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate held at 5.1 percent for the second straight month.