May 2026_________________________
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The BLS Establishment Job Report with data released May 8, 2026.
Commentary From This Month’s Establishment Jobs Press Report
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its May report for jobs in April. The Household Survey for April shows the civilian population increased by only 97 thousand, the third month in a row under 100 thousand. The labor force declined by 92 thousand, which equals a decrease of the employed by 226 thousand and an increase of the unemployed by 134 thousand. Those not in the labor force increased by 189 thousand, or a combination of 92 thousand leaving the labor force and the 97 thousand population increase that did not enter the labor force. The decrease in the labor force was enough to offset the increase in the unemployed to keep the unemployment rate at 4.3 percent. The labor force participation rate declined .1 percent to 61.8 percent, a very low rate.
The seasonally adjusted total of establishment
employment was up 115 thousand for April. The increase was 113 thousand more
jobs in the private service sector combined with an increase of 10 thousand
jobs from goods production. The total of 123 thousand new jobs in the private
sector combined with a(n) decrease of 8 thousand government service jobs
accounts for the total change.
Goods production increased by a net 10 thousand jobs.
Natural resources increased 3 thousand jobs and construction added 9 thousand new
jobs, but less than last month. Non-residential building and non-residential specialty
trade contractors had most of the jobs; heavy and engineering construction had
a small increase. Manufacturing had a net loss of 2 thousand jobs with 2
thousand more durable goods jobs and a net 4 thousand decrease in non-durable
goods production. Primary metals and fabricated metal products had 3.4 thousand
new jobs, but no other durable goods did well with automobile manufacturing down
3 thousand jobs. Non-durable goods
production did poorly. Food processing and chemical manufacturing had a few new
jobs, but no non-durables manufacturing sub sectors did well.
Government service employment decreased 8 thousand
jobs, same as last month. The federal government lost 9 thousand jobs. State
government jobs were up 1 thousand but local government had no change in total jobs.
State and local government jobs excluding education increased 4.6 thousand. State
public education was up 1.3 thousand jobs; local government education went down
4.9 thousand jobs. Private sector education dropped 7.8 thousand jobs, which
brings the total for education to a decrease of 11.4 thousand seasonally
adjusted jobs.
Trade, transportation and utilities took first place
for private service sector job gains with 60 thousand more jobs with both wholesale
and retail trade adding jobs: wholesale up 6 thousand, retail up 21.8 thousand.
Transportation had 30.3 thousand new jobs, but 37.9 thousand new jobs came in
the couriers and messengers sub sector with a net loss of jobs in modal
transportation; transit transportation jobs were down 7.5 thousand. Utilities added
1.9 thousand jobs, after last month’s increase.
Health care had a net gain of 54 thousand jobs, well down
from last month. All four of the health care subsectors added some jobs with
ambulatory care adding 18.2 thousand jobs; hospitals were up 4.3 thousand jobs;
nursing and residential care added 14.8 thousand jobs. Social assistance
services added 16.6 thousand jobs including 24.0 thousand new jobs coming in
individual and family services offset by other social service job losses. The
growth rate for health care was down from last month to 2.72 percent, but still
above the average of 2.27 percent per month of the last 15 years.
Professional and business services were up a net of
only 7 thousand jobs, a little better than recent months. The professional and
technical service sub sector was up a net 11.9 thousand jobs; management of
companies was off another 3.5 thousand jobs. The third sub sector,
administrative and support services including waste management, lost 1.4 thousand
jobs.
Among professional and technical services, architecture
and engineering services had 3.9 thousand new jobs and legal services had an unusual
gain of 2.4 thousand new jobs. Computer systems and design services had a
thousand new jobs, but no other of the professional services did well. Among
administrative support services, temporary help services added 7.9 thousand
jobs. Otherwise investigation and security services had 4 thousand new jobs but
services to buildings were off 6.3 thousand jobs among other small changes.
Leisure and hospitality added 14 thousand jobs. The
arts, entertainment and recreation sub sector had 12.3 thousand new jobs with
performing arts and spectator sports adding 8.2 thousand of the jobs.
Accommodations jobs were down 15 thousand offset by 17.2 thousand more restaurants
jobs.
Information services declined 13 thousand jobs with
motion picture and sound recording down 6 thousand jobs; telecommunications were
down another 2.5 thousand jobs. Broadcasting added a thousand jobs but all other
information services lost jobs. Finance and real estate lost a net 11 thousand jobs,
a little less than last month. Finance and insurance lost 5.6 thousand of the
jobs where insurance carriers lost 9.1 thousand jobs offset with some modest
gains in securities and investments. Real estate lost 1.7 thousand jobs and
jobs in rental and leasing services were down 3.6 thousand jobs as well. The
other services category had 10.5 thousand more jobs where personal and laundry
services had 8.5 thousand of the jobs while repair and maintenance services dropped
1.3 thousand jobs; non-profit associations added 3.3 thousand jobs.
The economy added 115
thousand jobs for April. Establishment employment in April was reported as 158.736
million with an annual growth rate of .87, half a decent growth rate. Health
care and transportation had 91.9 thousand jobs of the 115 thousand total
increase. The transportation increase came in the couriers and messengers sub
sector where just under half the jobs are driving trucks for long distance and
local delivery.
Otherwise the jobs report returned to the typical monthly changes from 2025 where professional and technical services, education, information, finance and real estate, leisure and hospitality and trade, transportation and utilities have April 2025 over April 2026 job declines. New jobs this month went for health care and truck driving and very little else. This month’s job total is only 251 thousand above April a year ago and 1.206 million jobs above April two years ago. The 251 thousand number remains extremely low for a year of new jobs.
April Details
Jobs
Total Non-Farm Establishment Jobs up 115,000 to 158,736,000
Total Private Jobs up 123,000 to 135,428,000
Total Government Employment down 8,000 to 23,308,000 Note
Civilian Non-Institutional Population up 97 thousand to 274,955,000
Civilian Labor Force down 92 thousand to 169,995,000
Employed
down 226 thousand to 162,622,000
Employed Men down 104 thousand to 85,007,000
Employed Women down 122 thousand to 77,615,000
Unemployed up 134 thousand to 7,373,000
Not in the Labor Force up 188 thousand to 104,959,000
Unemployment Rate stayed the same at 4.3% 7,373/169,995
Labor Force Participation Rate went down .1% to 61.8%, or 169,995/274,955
Summaries by Industry
Non Farm
Total +115
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported Non-Farm employment for establishments increased from March by 115 thousand jobs for a(n) April total of 158.736 million. (Note 1 below) An increase of 115 thousand each month for the next 12 months represents an annual growth rate of +.87% The annual growth rate from a year ago beginning April 2025 was +.16%; the average annual growth rate from 5 years ago beginning April 2021 was +1.87%; from 15 years ago beginning April 2011 it was +1.26%. The higher five year growth rate derives from the low Pandemic employment. America needs growth around 1.5 percent a year to keep itself employed.
Sector breakdown for 12 Sectors in 000’s of jobs
1. Natural
Resources +3
Natural Resources jobs including logging and mining increased 3 thousand from March with 606 thousand jobs in April. An increase of 3 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +5.97 percent. Natural resource jobs were down 16 thousand from a year ago. Jobs in 2000 averaged around 603 thousand with little prospect for growth. This is the smallest of 12 major sectors of the economy with .4 percent of establishment jobs.
2.
Construction +9
Construction jobs were up 9 thousand from March with 8.321 million jobs in April. An increase of 9 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +1.30 percent. Construction jobs are up 50 thousand for the 12 months just ended. The growth rate for the last 15 years is 2.82%. Construction jobs rank 9th among the 12 sectors with 5.3 percent of non-farm employment.
3.
Manufacturing -2
Manufacturing jobs were down 2 thousand from March with 12.596 million jobs in April. A decrease of 2 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -.19 percent. Manufacturing jobs were down for the last 12 months by 66 thousand. The growth rate for the last 15 years is +.50%. Manufacturing ranks 6th among 12 major sectors in the economy with 7.9 percent of establishment jobs.
4. Trade,
Transportation & Utility +60
Trade, both wholesale and retail, transportation and utility employment were up 60 thousand jobs from March with 28.724 million jobs in April. An increase of 60 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +2.51 percent. Jobs are down by 59 thousand for last 12 months. Growth rates for the last 15 years are +.96 percent. Jobs in these sectors rank first as the biggest sectors with combined employment of 18.1 percent of total establishment employment.
5.
Information Services -13
Information Services employment was down by 13 thousand jobs from March with 2.773 million jobs in April. (Note 2 below) A decrease of 13 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of –5.60 percent. Jobs are down by 92 thousand for the last 12 months. Information jobs reached 3.7 million at the end of 2000, but started dropping, reaching 3 million by 2004 but has stayed close to 3.0 million in the last decade. Information Services is a small sector ranking 11th of 12 with 1.8 percent of establishment jobs.
6. Financial
Activities -11
Financial Activities jobs were down by 11 thousand jobs from March to 9.134 million in April. A decrease of 11 thousand jobs for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -1.45 percent. Jobs are down by 86 thousand for the last 12 months. (Note 3 below) This sector also includes real estate as well as real estate lending. The 15 year growth rate is +1.15 percent. Financial activities rank 8th of 12 with 5.8 percent of establishment jobs.
7. Business
and Professional Services +7
Business and Professional Service jobs went up 7 thousand from March to 22.445 million in April. An increase of 7 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +.37 percent. Jobs are down 165 thousand for the last 12 months. Note 4 The annual growth rate for the last 15 years was +1.77 percent. It ranks as 2nd among the 12 sectors now. It was 2nd in 1993, when manufacturing was bigger and third rank now with 14.1 percent of establishment employment.
8. Education
including public and private -11
Education jobs were down 11 thousand jobs from March at 14.860 million in April. A decrease of 11 thousand jobs each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of -.62 percent. These include public and private education. Jobs are down 53 thousand for the last 12 months. (note 5) The 15 year growth rate equals +.62 percent. Education ranks 5th among 12 sectors with 9.4 percent of establishment jobs.
9. Health
Care +54
Health care jobs were up 54 thousand from March to 23.809 million in April. An increase of 54 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +2.72 percent. Jobs are up 657 thousand for the last 12 months. (note 6) The health care long term 15-year growth rate has been +2.27 percent lately compared to +2.72 percent for this month’s jobs. Health care ranks 2nd of 12 with 15.0 percent of establishment jobs.
10. Leisure
and hospitality +14
Leisure and hospitality jobs were up 14 thousand from March to 16.978 million in April. (note 7) An increase of 14 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +.99 percent. Jobs are down 4 thousand for the last 12 months. More than 80 percent of leisure and hospitality are accommodations and restaurants assuring that most of the new jobs are in restaurants. Leisure and hospitality ranks 4th of 12 with 10.7 percent of establishment jobs. It moved up to 7th from 4th in the pandemic decline.
11. Other +10
Other Service jobs, which include repair, maintenance, personal services and non-profit organizations were up 10 thousand from March to 6.032 million in April. An increase of 10 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of +1.99 percent. Jobs are up 45 thousand for the last 12 months. (Note 8) Other services had +.81 percent growth for the last 15 years. These sectors rank 10th of 12 with 3.8 percent of total non-farm establishment jobs.
12.
Government, excluding education -4
Government service employment went down 4 thousand from March at 12.472 million jobs in April. A decrease of 4 thousand each month for the next 12 months would be an annual growth rate of –.42 percent. Jobs are down 246 thousand for the last 12 months. (note 9) Government jobs excluding education tend to increase slowly with a 15 year growth rate of +.33 percent. Government, excluding education, ranks 7th of 12 with 7.9 percent of total non-farm establishment jobs.
Prices and inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all Urban Consumers was up by a monthly average of 2.9 percent for 2025.
The CPI April report for the 12 months ending with March shows the
CPI for All
Items was up 3.3%
CPI for Food
and Beverages was up 2.6%
CPI for Housing
was up 3.4%
CPI for
Apparel was up 3.4%
CPI for
Transportation including gasoline was up 5.0%
CPI for
Medical Care was up 3.1%
CPI for
Recreation was up 2.2%
CPI for
Education was up 2.8%
CPI for Communication was down 2.2%
Sector Notes__________________________
(1) The total cited above is non-farm establishment employment that counts jobs and not people. If one person has two jobs then two jobs are counted. It excludes agricultural employment and the self employed. Out of a total of people employed agricultural employment typically has about 1.5 percent, the self employed about 6.8 percent, the rest make up wage and salary employment. Jobs and people employed are close to the same, but not identical numbers because jobs are not the same as people employed: some hold two jobs. Remember all these totals are jobs. back
(2) Information Services is part of the new North American Industry Classification System(NAICS). It includes firms or establishments in publishing, motion picture & sound recording, broadcasting, Internet publishing and broadcasting, telecommunications, ISPs, web search portals, data processing, libraries, archives and a few others.back
(3) Financial Activities includes deposit and non-deposit credit firms, most of which are still known as banks, savings and loan and credit unions, but also real estate firms and general and commercial rental and leasing.back
(4) Business and Professional services includes the professional areas such as legal services, architecture, engineering, computing, advertising and supporting services including office services, facilities support, services to buildings, security services, employment agencies and so on.back
(5) Education includes private and public education. Therefore education job totals include public schools and colleges as well as private schools and colleges. back
(6) Health care includes ambulatory care, private hospitals, nursing and residential care, and social services including child care. back
(7) Leisure and hospitality has establishment with arts, entertainment and recreation which has performing arts, spectator sports, gambling, fitness centers and others, which are the leisure part. The hospitality part has accommodations, motels, hotels, RV parks, and full service and fast food restaurants. back
(8) Other is a smorgasbord of repair and maintenance services, especially car repair, personal services and non-profit services of organizations like foundations, social advocacy and civic groups, and business, professional, labor unions, political groups and political parties. back
(9) Government job totals include federal, state, and local government administrative work but without education jobs. back
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Notes
Jobs are not the same as employment because jobs are counted once but one person could have two jobs adding one to employment but two to jobs. Also the employment numbers include agricultural workers, the self employed, unpaid family workers, household workers and those on unpaid leave. Jobs are establishment jobs and non-other. back
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