April 2026 jobs report: Employers add 115,000 jobs

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The U.S. economy saw payrolls expand in April, with employers adding 115,000 jobs, according to the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That figure is well above economists’ projections of between 55,000 and 65,000 jobs.

The BLS also shared revised numbers for February and March, showing that those 2 months combined saw 16,000 fewer jobs added than previously reported.

Private education and health services a key contributor to job growth in April

Employers in the private education and health services industry expanded payrolls by 46,000 jobs last month. The transportation and warehousing sector also saw robust gains, with employers adding 30,300 jobs.

The BLS reports these industries saw notable job growth in April as well:

Retail trade: 21,800 jobs added

Leisure and hospitality: 14,000 jobs added

Construction: 9,000 jobs added

Professional and business services: 7,000 jobs added, including 7,900 jobs in temporary help services

Wholesale trade: 6,000 jobs added

Utilities: 1,900 jobs added

Industries that experienced payroll contraction last month include financial activities (-13,000 jobs), information (-11,000 jobs), government (-8,000 jobs) and manufacturing (-2,000 jobs).

Dig deeper into recent labor market trends.

National unemployment rate unchanged at 4.3%

The national unemployment rate in April was 4.3%, unchanged from March.

The rate for college-degreed professionals also held steady at 2.8%, continuing to trend well below the national figure. These professionals are the most highly sought-after hires for many employers.

Searching for a job? See these tips for finding work quickly.

Selective hiring continues as skills gaps keep pressure on lean teams

Recent labor market data points to a cautious hiring environment overall, even as many employers move forward with hiring plans for critical roles and specialized skills.

The latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary (JOLTS) from the BLS showed little change in job openings in March, which remained at 6.9 million. Hires increased to 5.6 million, including a gain in professional and business services, a broad category that includes many skilled roles. Total separations ticked up to 5.4 million, and the quits rate rose slightly to 2.0%.

Meanwhile, many employers continue to operate with lean teams and persistent skill gaps. In a recent Robert Half survey, only 6% of hiring managers report that their organizations have the talent needed to complete high-priority projects this year. In response to this challenge, 60% of managers say they plan to add new permanent employees and 55% expect to bring on contract talent by midyear.

The pressure to find skilled talent is especially clear among small businesses, according to Robert Half research. While 76% of small business leaders say they’re confident in their business outlook for 2026, only 12% report they have the talent needed to complete high-priority projects. Nearly half also say finding qualified talent is more difficult than it was one year ago.

See Robert Half’s data on small business recruitment trends.

Explore Robert Half’s data and analysis on skills in demand

Read the report

Robert Half’s 2026 Demand for Skilled Talent report provides insight into key trends in the U.S. hiring market. Learn about employers’ priorities, hiring plans and challenges for the first half of 2026, succession strategies, the impact of AI on career paths and skills needs, and more.

Understand the latest compensation trends with Robert Half’s 2026 Salary Guide

View the Salary Guide

Our annual Salary Guide features exclusive data and input from employers and workers, and from our recruiters who staff tens of thousands of jobs each year. It covers compensation trends across 7 professional fields and can be a valuable resource for employers and jobs seekers alike.

Keep track of the latest labor market trends—with help from Robert Half

Go to Labor Market Overview

Robert Half’s Labor Market Overview page provides a wealth of employment data to help you make informed decisions about hiring or your job search. See our latest research on roles and skills in demand, hiring trends by experience level, and hybrid and remote work trends by professional field.

Understand AI’s impact on hiring and the workforce

Learn about AI in recruiting

Hiring talent is becoming more complex in the AI era. AI adoption is driving the need for new skills and roles and pushing companies to rethink their workforce plans. See Robert Half’s latest research on how employers are responding to the rise of AI and how generative AI is complicating the hiring process.

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