April employment statistics show noteworthy job gain in durable goods manufacturing; most gains in fabricated metal products

The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported May 7 that nonfarm payroll employment increased by 288,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was about unchanged at 5.6 percent. The April increase in payroll employment follows a gain of 337,000 in March, and job growth again was widespread. In April, employment rose substantially in several service-providing industries, construction continued to add jobs, and there was a noteworthy job gain in durable goods manufacturing.

In April, employment growth in manufacturing was concentrated in durable goods, which added 20,000 jobs. Most of the gain in durable goods employment occurred in fabricated metal products (10,000) and machinery (4,000). Since January, manufacturing employment has edged up by 37,000 (as revised). Employment in this industry had declined each month from August 2000 through January 2004.