US Adds 177,000 Jobs in April, Exceeding Expectations

The U.S. economy added 177,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in April, surpassing economists’ expectations and marking the second consecutive month of better-than-anticipated job growth. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, with notable employment gains in sectors such as health care, transportation, and warehousing, while federal government jobs declined by 9,000, attributed in part to ongoing workforce cuts by the Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency. Analysts and White House officials characterized the report as evidence of a robust labor market, highlighting rising wages and increased labor force participation. Additionally, the data reflected a continuing trend of native-born workers driving the majority of job growth, contrasting with patterns seen under the previous administration. The jobs report, along with recent corrections to earlier months’ figures, was well received by financial markets, which rebounded on the news. Experts noted that future job growth risks hinge on factors such as trade negotiations and the long-term impact of federal workforce reductions.