WASHINGTON: Michigan added 6,000 new jobs in April and the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8% as the state’s workforce continued to expand. The state’s unemployment rate in April was two-tenths of a percentage point below the national rate of 5%. The U.S. jobless rate was also unchanged from March to April.
“Michigan’s labor market in early 2016 has continued to strengthen,” said Jason Palmer, director of the Michigan Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives. “Payroll jobs have recorded solid gains every month, while individuals continue to enter the workforce on a monthly basis.”
Month-to-month gains were notched in manufacturing, which gained 7,000 jobs in April, professional and business services (up 5,000), and education and health services (up 4,000). Somewhat offsetting the gains were job losses in several other categories including construction, leisure and hospitality services, government, and trade, transportation and utilities.
