Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange surged Friday to the highest level since last September amid slower-than-expected jobs growth.

The most active gold contract for December delivery went up 8.20 dollars, or 0.62 percent, to settle at 1,330.40 dollars per ounce.

The U.S. Department of Labor reported on Friday that total non-farm payroll employment increased by 156,000 in August.

The jobs growth fell short of the 170,000 estimate and led to debate whether the Federal Reserve could raise again its key interest rate later this year.

The worry prompted the plunge of the U.S. dollar index, which reached to 92.18 as of 1135 GMT.

The index is a measure of the dollar against a basket of other major currencies. When the dollar goes down, gold futures will rise.

When investors determined that the data could hardly change the outlook for dollar's interest rate rises, the index rebounded to 92.81 as of 1820 GMT and gold futures spared some gains.

As for other precious metals, silver for December delivery rose 24.1 cents, or 1.37 percent, to close at 17.816 dollars per ounce. Platinum for October went up 10.50 dollars, or 1.05 percent, to settle at 1009.00 dollars per ounce.