244,000 jobs were added in the U.S, last month, but the nation’s jobless rate rose from its previous 8.8% to 9% due to the total labor force expanding. The number of private sector jobs filled — 268,000 — represented the biggest gains made in over five years.
The figures were compiled and relased Friday morning by the U.S. Department of Labor.
13,000 more jobs were added in April then in March, a positive sign no doubt. The retail and health care industries experienced decent growth, as did the professional and business services and leisure and hospitality sectors. Meanwhile, state and local government payrolls decreased.
Despite the stronger showing last month, 13.7 million Americans remained out of work, with 989,000 having given up looking for work completely. The country’s broader jobless rate, which includes these so-called “discouraged” workers as well as people who’ve settled for part-time work, rose to 15.9%.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) reacted to the latest report by urging the public to not get too excited.
“While any improvement is welcome news, job growth in America is still nowhere close to what it should be.
Economicst Peter Morici seemed to agree with Boehner’s assessment. “The economy is finally accomplishing momentum; however, rising gas prices and sluggish consumer demand clouds the outlook,” he said. “A surge in April first time jobless claims indicate growth is stuck at depressed, first-quarter levels, and some businesses are growing more reluctant to hire.”