Commissioner's Statement on the Employment Situation News Release - 2022 M04 Results — 2022-05-06

Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 428,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 3.6 percent. Job growth was widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, in manufacturing, and in transportation and warehousing. Nonfarm employment is down by 1.2 million, or 0.8 percent, from its February 2020 level before the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In April, employment growth continued in leisure and hospitality (+78,000), with gains in food services and drinking places (+44,000) and accommodation (+22,000). Employment in leisure and hospitality is down by 1.4 million, or 8.5 percent, from its February 2020 level. Manufacturing employment increased by 55,000 in April. Employment rose by 31,000 in durable goods, with gains in transportation equipment (+14,000) and machinery (+7,000). Nondurable goods added 24,000 jobs, including gains in food manufacturing (+8,000) and plastics and rubber products (+6,000).