Labor stats show surprising uptick in job openings

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday that employment in the private and government sectors rose by nearly 180,000 jobs last month. The April report roughly aligned with the average monthly gains seen year to date, but still exceeded the previously projected number, according to the Department of Labor. Private nonfarm employees continued to work an average 34.3-hour work week for about $36 per hour, with the report noting a 3.8% rise in wages, year to date.

Employment in healthcare, finance, and social assistance jobs trended up, along with warehousing and transportation, while federal government jobs declined. Healthcare added 51,000 jobs last month, the most across the trending categories, specifically in hospitals and ambulatory services. Federal jobs declined by about 9,000 in April, a number not including employees on temporary paid leave or severance pay. Government jobs saw a total decline of 26,000 jobs since January, the report noted.

What about unemployment? The overall unemployment rate remained the same at 4.2%, totaling about 7.2 million people with a 0.2% rise, year to date. Long-term unemployment, which includes those unemployed for about six months or more, increased by nearly 180,000. About 1.7 million people in the United States are considered long-term unemployed, making up nearly 24% of the unemployment pool, the report noted.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report on President Donald Trump owning the recent rise in prices.