Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The U.S. labor market added 115,000 jobs in April, surpassing economists' forecasts and marking the second straight month of strong gains. In 2026, the economy has averaged 76,000 new jobs per month—a notable increase from the 10,000 average monthly gains in 2025. Bloomberg economists underestimated these developments, with 94% missing the April growth figure.
Manufacturing showed renewed strength, adding 12,600 factory construction jobs in April. This was driven by investments in advanced manufacturing and data centers. The first quarter of 2026 saw the first increase in manufacturing employment since 2023, signaling a rebound after previous declines.
The federal workforce has shrunk by 345,000 under President Trump, reducing it to the smallest size since May 1966 and the lowest proportion of total employment historically.
Labor force participation among prime-age workers remains strong, with female participation near record highs and male participation at its highest since 2009, reflecting more workers returning to the market.
Observers note broad strength across sectors such as retail, transportation, warehousing, and healthcare, highlighting the labor market’s resilience. Economists point to freight sector gains as evidence of industrial recovery.