Staffing Trends
April 2026 Jobs Report
🎥 Labor Market in a Minute – April 2026 Jobs Report
Click here to watch the video and learn more about what this month’s report means for employers.
Video Transcript
Hi, I'm Jeff Burnett, CEO of Labor Finders, and welcome to this month's Labor Market in a Minute for the month of March.
How many jobs were added to the economy?
Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 178,000 jobs for the month. That's an increase from the prior month in February. As always, the two prior months get revised, and in this instance for January and February, that resulted in a decrease of 7,000 jobs from what was originally reported. So this month's job data was far above expectations.
What is this month's unemployment rate?
The unemployment rate is at 4.3%. This is slightly down from the prior month of 4.4%
What is the status of job openings?
Job openings and new hires continue to be at very low levels. The number of job openings is at its lowest level since 2020. So we continue to be in a prolonged low higher, low fire environment.
What is happening with inflation?
The Fed Target rate for inflation is 2%. The trailing 12 months for inflation is at 2.4% for all goods and services, and this is the same as we reported in the prior month. The inflation rate for all of 2025 was 2.7%
What is happening with interest rates?
The Fed has six meetings remaining for this year and in the first two meetings that they had, they decided not to make any further interest rate cuts for this year. The Fed continues to balance inflation and interest rates with the labor market.
How are the tariffs and other administration policies affecting the job market?
As I mentioned previously, the Supreme Court recently said that the President exceeded his authority in imposing tariffs and invalidated the tariffs. This should help businesses remove uncertainty and making decisions.
What is the status of the GDP?
The GDP increased by 4.4% in the third quarter and increased by 1.4% in the fourth quarter of 2025. An increase in consumer spending and exports offset by a decrease in imports is driving this change. Now the effects of the Middle East conflict do not appear to have affected this month's job data, although higher energy prices seem to be affecting business confidence.
What industries are adding jobs this month?
So that's it for this month's Labor Market in a Minute. I look forward to see you next month. Thank you.