April Jobs Report: U.S. Adds 115,000 Jobs

In April 2026, the U.S. economy added 115,000 nonfarm payroll jobs, reflecting a slower pace of growth compared to March.

Revisions to prior months were negative overall. February’s total was revised down further to -156,000, while March was revised up to +185,000, bringing combined employment 16,000 lower than previously reported.

The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.3%, with 7.4 million Americans unemployed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is the U.S. Job Market Growing?

April’s job gains point to a labor market that is still expanding, but at a more moderate and uneven pace.

Growth continued in healthcare and transportation, with an added boost from retail trade. However, persistent declines in federal government employment and losses in the information sector highlight ongoing structural adjustments.

While unemployment remains low by historical standards, hiring momentum appears to be cooling slightly compared to earlier in the year.

U.S. Unemployment Rates by Group – April 2026

• Adult women: 3.9%
• Adult men: 4.0%
• Teenagers: 14.4%
• Whites: 3.7%
• Blacks: 7.3%
• Asians: 3.3%
• Hispanics: 5.0%

Unemployment rates across major demographic groups showed little change in April. Teen unemployment ticked up, while the rate for Asian workers declined slightly.

Key Employment Statistics for April 2026

• Long-term unemployed (27 weeks or more): 1.8 million, representing 25.3% of all unemployed, little changed over the month.
• Short-term unemployed (less than 5 weeks): Increased by 358,000 to 2.5 million.
• Average hourly earnings: Rose by 6 cents to $37.41, up 3.6% over the past year. Production and nonsupervisory employees earned $32.23, up 11 cents.
• Average workweek: Increased slightly to 34.3 hours. Manufacturing hours edged up to 40.4 hours, while production and nonsupervisory employees remained at 33.8 hours.
• Labor force participation rate: 61.8%
• Employment-population ratio: 59.1%

The number of workers employed part time for economic reasons rose to 4.9 million, signaling a modest increase in underemployment.

Sectors with Notable Job Trends in April

Healthcare

Healthcare added 37,000 jobs in April, consistent with its steady growth trend.

Gains were strongest in nursing and residential care facilities (+15,000) and home health care services (+11,000). The sector continues to be a reliable driver of job growth.

Transportation and Warehousing

Employment increased by 30,000 jobs, fueled by a surge in couriers and messengers (+38,000).

Despite recent gains, the sector remains below its February 2025 peak, underscoring longer-term softness.

Retail Trade

Retail added 22,000 jobs in April, with growth concentrated in general merchandise stores and building supply retailers.

However, declines in department stores and electronics retailers offset some of these gains, reflecting ongoing shifts in consumer behavior.

April Jobs Report Summary

The April 2026 jobs report shows continued job growth, though at a slower pace, with payroll employment rising by 115,000.

Healthcare, transportation, and retail led gains, while federal government and information sectors continued to lose jobs.

Unemployment held steady at 4.3%, wage growth remained moderate at 3.6% year over year, and average hours worked edged slightly higher.

Overall, the labor market remains stable but shows signs of cooling, with steady gains in key industries balanced by ongoing declines in others.

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