US Adds 115,000 Jobs in April; Unemployment Rises to 4.3%

Economists had projected roughly 55000 to 67000 new jobs, according to separate reports. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.3 percent. Private employers added 109000 jobs, the largest increase since January 2025. The White House said the April jobs report smashed expectations.

Gains were concentrated in healthcare, transportation and warehousing, retail, and social assistance, which together added 106000 positions. Job losses occurred in federal government employment, which has declined by 348000 since November 2024, and in the information sector.

Professional industries lost 8000 jobs. Revisions to prior months showed February had a larger contraction than initially reported.

The conflict with Iran that began at the end of February has strained global energy supplies. Brent crude oil traded at just over 100 dollars per barrel on Saturday, up from around 70 dollars before the outbreak. West Texas Intermediate stood at 95.40 dollars a barrel, also sharply higher.

The average price of standard gasoline reached 4.50 dollars per gallon, compared with 3.10 dollars a year earlier. From February to March the inflation rate rose 0.9 percent, driven mostly by energy costs. Officials have described the increases as temporary.

A day before the jobs data, the labor department reported 200000 people filed for weekly unemployment benefits, a slight increase from the prior week. These figures come as a series of policy shifts over the past year have affected the labor market.

Trump touted the job gains late Friday in a social media post marking Mother's Day weekend. The post included a graph comparing actual job growth against economists' forecasts. Trump noted that more than 90 percent of Bloomberg economists had underestimated the figures.

" — President Trump, May 2026 (The Hill) The president added that more Americans are working today than ever before. The results offer a political win ahead of the 2026 midterms despite rising national costs tied to the conflict.

Last month employers added 185000 jobs, exceeding expectations of about 70000. February saw a loss of 156000 jobs, revised from an initial report of 92000. Healthcare continued to fuel growth while construction, trade, transportation and utilities saw modest increases.

A payroll firm reported that both small and large employers are hiring but noted softness in the middle of the market. The central bank faces pressure to lower rates but operates under its dual mandate of maximizing employment and maintaining stable prices.

An outgoing Fed chair stated he would remain on the board as a governor even after a new nominee is sworn in, citing ongoing investigations into headquarters renovations.