April jobs report breakdown: Which industries hired the most workers last month? [Video]

Job growth sputtered in April as many industries like manufacturing and leisure and hospitality pulled back on hiring. 

Employers added 175,000 jobs in April, the Labor Department said in its monthly payroll report released Friday, missing the 243,000 gain forecast by LSEG economists. It marked the worst month for job creation since October. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, inched higher to 3.9%.

“From a sector standpoint, health care and construction continue to be standout performers for job growth, while gains in the rest of private services (excluding supply chain services) have leveled off after some weakness to end 2023,” said Rick Rieder, BlackRock’s chief investment officer of global fixed income.

US ECONOMY ADDS 175K JOBS IN APRIL, MUCH WEAKER THAN EXPECTED

The health caresector accounted for the biggest payroll gains in April, adding 56,200 jobs last month. Employment continued to trend upward in doctors’ offices (5,600), home health care services (13,900), hospitals (13,500) and nursing and …