Transmission of material in this news release is embargoed until
USDL-22-0787
8:30 a.m. (ET) Friday, May 6, 2022
Technical information:
Household data:
(202) 691-6378 • cpsinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/cps
Establishment data:
(202) 691-6555 • cesinfo@bls.gov • www.bls.gov/ces
Media contact:
(202) 691-5902 • PressOffice@bls.gov
THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION — APRIL 2022
Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 428,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was
unchanged at 3.6 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job growth was
widespread, led by gains in leisure and hospitality, in manufacturing, and in transportation and
warehousing.
This news release presents statistics from two monthly surveys. The household survey measures labor
force status, including unemployment, by demographic characteristics. The establishment survey
measures nonfarm employment, hours, and earnings by industry. For more information about the
concepts and statistical methodology used in these two surveys, see the Technical Note.
Household Survey Data
The unemployment rate remained at 3.6 percent in April, and the number of unemployed persons was
essentially unchanged at 5.9 million. These measures are little different from their values in February
2020 (3.5 percent and 5.7 million, respectively), prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (See
table A-1.)
Chart 1. Unemployment rate, seasonally adjusted,
April 2019 – April 2022
Percent
125,000
130,000
135,000
140,000
145,000
150,000
155,000
160,000
Apr-19
Oct-19
Apr-20
Oct-20
Apr-21
Oct-21
Apr-22
Thousands
Chart 2. Nonfarm payroll employment, seasonally adjusted,
April 2019 – April 2022
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
Apr-19
Oct-19
Apr-20
Oct-20
Apr-21
Oct-21
Apr-22
-2-
Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (3.5 percent), adult women
(3.2 percent), teenagers (10.2 percent), Whites (3.2 percent), Blacks (5.9 percent), Asians (3.1 percent),
and Hispanics (