Here’s where job gains were across major sectors. Preston Mui, a senior economist at research and advocacy group Employ America, said he expects the labor market to gradually slow over the next couple of months rather than sharply collapse.

The US added 177,000 jobs in April, surpassing the forecast, and unemployment remained at 4.2%. Economists expected a gain of 138,000 jobs and for unemployment to hold steady. Unemployment has been at least 4% since May 2024.