Non-farm payroll employment edged up by 88,000 in April to 137.7 million (seasonally adjusted), the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
Thus far in 2007, monthly payroll employment gains have averaged 129,000 compared with average increases of 189,000 per month in 2006.
In April, job gains in health care, food services and a few other industries were partially offset by employment declines in manufacturing and retail trade.
This data is from the BLS Current Employment Statistics program, and is seasonally adjusted. Data for the most recent two months is preliminary. More information can be found in "The Employment Situation: April 2007," news release USDL 07-0638.
