In April, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 38 states and the District of Columbia compared to the previous month, while 11 states saw a decrease. Alaska reported no change during this period. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nationwide total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 175,000 in April, following a gain of 315,000 jobs in March.
Monthly Employment Highlights
On a month-over-month basis, Florida led the nation with an addition of 45,300 jobs, followed by Texas with 42,600 jobs, and Missouri with 16,700 jobs. Conversely, 11 states reported a total loss of 22,900 jobs, with New Jersey experiencing the steepest decline, losing 10,900 jobs. In percentage terms, Missouri had the highest employment increase at 0.6%, while South Dakota saw the largest decrease at 0.6% between March and April.
Year-over-Year Employment Trends
Looking at the year-over-year data ending in April, the labor market added 2.8 million jobs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The range of job gains varied from 1,800 jobs in the District of Columbia to 306,000 jobs in Texas. In percentage terms, Nevada and South Carolina both experienced the highest job growth at 3.4%, while Maryland saw the smallest increase at 0.2%.
Construction Sector Employment
Across the nation, the construction sector—encompassing both residential and non-residential construction—showed that 28 states reported an increase in April compared to March, while 19 states and the District of Columbia saw a decline in construction jobs. Mississippi, Rhode Island, and South Carolina reported no change month-over-month. Michigan led with the highest increase, adding 4,200 construction jobs, while Ohio lost the most, with a decrease of 7,600 jobs. Overall, the construction industry added a net 9,000 jobs in April. In percentage terms, Michigan reported the highest increase at 2.1%, whereas Iowa experienced the largest decline at 3.5%.
Annual Construction Employment Changes
Year-over-year, the construction sector in the U.S. increased by 258,000 jobs, a 3.2% rise compared to April 2023. Texas saw the largest gain with 30,500 construction jobs added, while New York experienced the biggest loss, shedding 7,100 construction jobs. In percentage terms, Alaska had the highest annual growth rate in the construction sector at 18.0%, while Maryland reported the largest decline at 4.0%.
The April employment data reflects a mixed but generally positive trend in the U.S. labor market. While some states faced job losses, the majority saw gains, particularly in key states like Florida and Texas. The construction sector also displayed robust growth in several states, despite losses in others. As the economy continues to navigate through various challenges, monitoring these employment trends will be crucial for understanding the broader economic health of the country.
