U.S. Economy Adds 244,000 Jobs in April; Unemployment Rate Rises

The United States gained 244,000 jobs in April, the largest increase in nearly a year, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the large gains, the unemployment rate increased to 9 percent in April from 8.8 percent in March.

The job gains were larger than expected. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch predicted a net gain of 175,000 jobs in April.

Despite the jobs gains, the unemployment rate moved up to 9 percent because the total labor force decline by 190,000 people in the month.

The biggest increase in jobs occurred in the retail sector as retailers hired 57,000 workers in April. Professional and business services created 51,000 jobs, while manufacturers increased employment by 29,000.

The biggest decline took place in government, continuing a recent trend. Public-sector jobs fell by 24,000.