Uncle Sam Sheds More Jobs in April, But Rate of Loss Slows

The federal government overall lost 3,000 jobs in April, according to the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Federal jobs, excluding the Postal Service, decreased by 4,000 last month, while the Postal Service actually gained 800 jobs in April. In March, the federal government lost about 9,000 jobs.

The long-term data reveal a federal workforce that is slowly shrinking: The federal government has shed 87,000 jobs over the past 12 months, according to BLS.

The civilian workforce, excluding the Postal Service, has hovered around 2.1 million since 2012, with the most federal employees in California; Texas; Virginia; and Washington, D.C. Sequestration, an increasing number of federal retirements, more buyouts, and hiring freezes at many agencies have contributed to the reduction in federal jobs.

Government at all levels -- federal, state and local -- gained 15,000 jobs overall in April because of increased employment in state government, which added 1,000 jobs last month, and local government, which gained 17,000 jobs.

The U.S. economy overall (total nonfarm payroll employment) added 288,000 jobs in April, and unemployment was 6.3 percent, a decrease from 6.7 percent in March. Employment gains were “widespread,” BLS reported. The highest job growth was in professional and business services, retail trade, food services and drinking places, and construction.

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