The Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its April 2025 Report, so let’s take a look at how employment fared over the last month.
The great news is:
- 177,000 jobs were added in April—stronger than the monthly average of the past year (152,000).
- Key hiring sectors continue growing, especially health care (+51,000), transportation and warehousing (+29,000), and financial activities (+14,000), showing ongoing demand for talent.
- Wages are up, with average hourly earnings rising 3.8% year-over-year. Production and nonsupervisory employees saw a 0.3% increase in April alone.
The good news is:
- Unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, remaining within a stable range since May 2024.
- Labor force participation (62.6%) and employment-population ratio (60.0%) remained steady—indicating stability in the broader workforce.
- Employment in social assistance and warehousing shows continued upward trends.
The bad news is:
- Long-term unemployment rose by 179,000 to 1.7 million, now making up 23.5% of all unemployed.
- Federal government jobs declined by 9,000 in April and are down 26,000 since January.
- Downward revisions to February and March payroll data mean 58,000 fewer jobs were added than previously reported.
- The number of people wanting full-time work but stuck in part-time roles remains high at 4.7 million.
Final Takeaway
April’s job report reflects steady job growth, especially in key industries, and consistent wage gains—offering encouraging signs for hiring managers looking to fill roles in healthcare, logistics, and finance. While the unemployment rate remains stable, the rise in long-term unemployment and downward revisions to past months remind us that challenges still linger beneath the surface of a generally resilient labor market.