US economy added 115,000 jobs in April as hiring exceeded expectations despite inflationary pressures

By emmitt barryWorthy News Washington DC Bureau Chief

(Qualified News) – The U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April, far exceeding economists’ expectations and a sign the labor market may be showing renewed strength, even as inflation and global instability continue to weigh on American families. The unemployment rate remained steady at 4.3%, according to new data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Economists had forecast about 55,000 to 62,000 new jobs this month, making the April report another surprise after March’s stronger-than-expected gains. Revised data showed the economy added 185,000 jobs in March.

The strongest hiring came from health care, transportation and warehousing, and retail. Health care and social assistance led overall gains with 54,000 new positions, while transportation and storage added 30,000 jobs and the retail sector added 22,000 jobs.

At the same time, federal government employment continued to decline, with another 9,000 jobs lost in April. Since peaking in October 2024, federal payrolls have declined by 348,000 positions, a decline of 11.5%.

Manufacturing – a sector that has been heavily emphasized by President Donald Trump’s economic agenda – declined slightly by 2,000 jobs, while the information sector declined by 13,000 positions amid continued weakness in motion picture production, data processing and Web hosting services.

While core employment numbers remained positive, some underlying indicators revealed growing tensions beneath the surface of the labor market.

The number of full-time workers fell by more than 400,000 in April, while part-time employment increased by 123,000. Labor force participation also declined for the fifth consecutive month to 61.8%, the lowest level since 2021.

Salary increase was also less than expected. Average hourly earnings rose just 0.2% for the month and 3.6% year-over-year, less than economists had forecast.

Analysts say inflation is rapidly eroding workers’ benefits as the ongoing conflict in Iran drives up energy prices and disrupts global shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

The national average gasoline price rose to $4.55 a gallon on Friday, according to AAA, while industries dependent on imported fertilizers and raw materials continue to warn about supply shocks and rising operating costs.

“Rising inflation pressures are now front and center,” said Ipek Ozkardeskaya, senior analyst at Swissquote Bank. “The market’s focus is shifting from labor weakness to inflation and higher long-term interest rates.”

Consumer inflation rose to 3.3% in March, while the Federal Reserve’s favorite inflation gauge, the personal consumption expenditure price index, rose 3.5% year-on-year. Early estimates suggest next week’s consumer price index report could rise by 3.6%.

Despite inflation concerns, White House officials praised the labor report as evidence that the economy remains resilient under President Trump’s policies.

“The April jobs report beat expectations due to strong private sector growth, another sign that the US economy remains on a solid trajectory under President Trump,” White House spokesman Kush Desai wrote on social media.

Still, economists warn that the Federal Reserve now faces a more difficult balancing act as inflationary pressures continue to rise while the labor market remains stable.

Markets are increasingly betting that the Fed will keep interest rates high for longer, with some traders now pricing in future rate hikes if inflation continues to rise.

The Federal Reserve’s next policy meeting is scheduled for June 16-17.

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