The Labor Department said employers created 110,000 jobs in September, near analysts' forecast for an increase of 115,000. Crucially, August payrolls were changed to a gain of 89,000 versus the previous estimate of a 4,000 decline.

Strength this year in the job market amid a housing downturn and tighter credit conditions has been an important pillar for the economy.

Dow Jones industrial average futures for December surged 94, or 0.66 percent, to 14,133. Standard & Poor's 500 futures gained 11.70, or 0.75 percent, to 1,563.90. Nasdaq 100 index futures jumped 17.00, or 0.80 percent, to 2,140.00.

Bonds fell sharply. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, climbed to 4.60 percent from 4.53 percent late Thursday.