In April 2026, about 115,000 jobs were gained. That's below the monthly average of 239,800 new jobs of the previous five years. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' monthly Employment Situation Report, aka the “jobs report,” a closely watched economic indicator. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
+115K
month to month change in number of jobs (April 2026)
+240K
average monthly change in number of jobs during the previous five years (May 2021–April 2026)
The monthly jobs number grabs attention but doesn’t tell the whole story; job growth might be strong overall yet uneven across industries or regions. The real changes show up in the detail.
Which parts of the economy had the best job growth in April 2026?
The three supersectors with the highest job growth in April 2026 were professional and business services, mining and logging, and durable goods. Professional and business services gained 7,000 jobs, while mining and logging added 3,000. The remaining supersectors either posted smaller gains or lost jobs during the month.
The three lowest-performing supersectors were information, financial activities, and government. In April 2026, information lost 13,000 jobs, financial activities lost 11,000 jobs, and government lost 8,000 jobs.
The trade, transportation, and utilities sector gained 60,000 jobs during April 2026.
Change in jobs since previous month with circle size representing number of industry jobs, April 2026. Seasonally adjusted
Ask the data
Beta
We use AI to summarize the data, charts, and analysis we have on USAFacts
Which states had the best and worst job growth in March 2026?
Texas led all states, gaining 46,800 in March 2026. Oregon had 4,800 fewer jobs, the largest decline of any state.
Thirty-five states and Washington, DC experienced job growth in March 2026.
Get weekly insights
Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.
In March 2026, Texas had the most job growth. Oregon lost the most jobs.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, by state (February 2026 to March 2026)
Among 393 metro areas — urban groupings geographically and economically integrated with one another — the Dallas, TX area gained the most jobs in March 2026 with an increase of 22,500. The San Francisco, CA area had the largest job loss at 5,200.
How does job growth in April 2026 compare to recent months?
Job growth in April 2026 was below the average number of jobs gained in the last 5 years. Between May 2021 and April 2026, average monthly job gains were 239,800.
During the latest five-year period (May 2021 to April 2026), the US gained jobs in 54 out of 60 months. The most gains came in July 2021 (+942,000) while job growth was weakest in February 2026 (-156,000).
In 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, monthly job changes ranged from 20.5 million lost in April to 4.6 million gained in June. Pre-pandemic, the single month of highest job growth was September 1983 (+1.1 million). The month with the worst loss was September 1945 (-2 million).
There were 115,000 more jobs in April 2026 in the US. That's below the nation's monthly average of the past 5 years.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, May 2021–April 2026, seasonally adjusted
How does job growth in the past year compare to previous years?
Between April 2025 and April 2026 the US has gained an average of 20,900 jobs every month. That's lower than the increase of 79,600 per month in the 12 months preceding (April 2024 to April 2025).
The monthly jobs report data goes back to 1939. The US usually added jobs each year, though the pace varies widely across economic cycles. Job growth slowed or turned negative during recessions (the early 1980s, the Great Recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic) then rebounded during the recoveries.
In 2025, the US gained an average of 9,700 jobs every month.
Average monthly change by year in nonfarm employment, 1939–2025, seasonally adjusted
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
