OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) — The U.S. economy added 115,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in April, while the national unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, according to the latest Employment Situation report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job gains were led by health care, which added 37,000 jobs, followed by transportation and warehousing at 30,000 jobs and retail trade at 22,000 jobs. Social assistance also continued to trend upward, adding 17,000 jobs.
Federal government employment continued to decline, falling by 9,000 jobs in April. Since reaching a peak in October 2024, federal government employment is down by 348,000 jobs, or 11.5%.
The report also showed little change in several major sectors, including mining, oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, financial activities, professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and other services.
Average hourly earnings for private-sector workers rose by 6 cents, or 0.2%, to $37.41 in April. Over the past year, average hourly earnings increased 3.6%.
The labor force participation rate was little changed at 61.8%, while the employment-population ratio remained at 59.1%. The number of people employed part time for economic reasons increased by 445,000 to 4.9 million.
BLS also revised February payroll employment down by 23,000 and March payroll employment up by 7,000. Combined, February, and March employment was 16,000 lower than previously reported.
