US labour market adds 177,000 jobs in April, unemployment rate holds steady at 4.2%

US nonfarm payroll employment increased by 177,000 in April, while the unemployment rate remained steady at 4.2 percent. Notable job growth occurred in health care, transportation, warehousing, financial activities, and social assistance. However, federal government employment experienced a decline, and the number of long-term unemployed individuals saw an increase during the month.