US: total nonfarm payroll employment edged up by 164,000 in April

“Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 164,000 in April, and the unemployment rate edged down to 3.9 percent.” the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this Friday.

Key highlights:

   •  Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 4 cents to $26.84. 
   •  Over the year, average hourly earnings have increased by 67 cents, or 2.6 percent.