April saw the nation’s employment level rise as the private sector added 247,000 jobs, according to a Wednesday release of the April ADP National Employment Report.
Post-pandemic, hiring remains robust, but labor supply shortages caused job gains to soften for both goods producers and services providers.
“In April, the labor market recovery showed signs of slowing as the economy approaches full employment,” said Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP. “As the labor market tightens, small companies, with fewer than 50 employees, struggle with competition for wages amid increased costs.”
In terms of company size, small businesses fared the worst, losing 120,000 jobs. Medium-sized firms of 50-499 employees added 46,000 jobs, while large businesses gained a whopping 321,000 positions.
Looking at where these positions were added, the service-providing sector led the way with 202,000 positions filled; leisure and hospitality saw a 77,000-slot increase, while education and health services saw 48,000 jobs added.
In the goods-producing sector, manufacturing added 25,000 jobs, while construction increased by 16,000.
