U.S. Economy Added 177,000 Jobs in April 2025
By Tom Burnett CFA
On May 2, 2025, the Bureau of Labor Statistics issued its Employment Report for April 2025. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 177,000 to 159.5 million from 157.6 million a year ago. The unemployment rate was 4.2%, unchanged from the prior month. The Rate has been between 4.0% and 4.2% since May 2024. The number of unemployed job seekers was little changed at 7.2 million.
Average hourly earnings for nonfarm payroll workers rose $0.06 to $36.06, 3.8% higher than one year ago.
Revisions to previous reports totaled a reduction of 58,000.
The next Employment Report will be issued on June 6, 2025.
Tom Burnett CFA is Director of Research