Washington, DC, May 6--The labor market strengthened in April as the economy added 274,000 jobs, according to the Labor Department. The results beat economists' estimates of 194,000.
The unemployment rate in April remained at 5.2%, while average hourly wages rose by 5 cents to $16, or 0.3%. Hourly wages are up 2.7% in the past year.
The report showed job growth in most major categories of employment except manufacturing, which cut 6,000 jobs. The service-producing industry added 229,000, nearly twice as many as in March. Within that category, the leisure and hospitality industry added 58,000 jobs -- the biggest increase in more than a year.
The construction industry added 47,000 jobs, more than the 29,000 gain recorded in March. Government jobs increased by 18,000 after declining by 1,000 in March.
The average work week grew for the first time in seven months, climbing 12 minutes to 33.9 hours. In year-on-year terms, average hourly earnings were up 2.7% in April
