The U.S. economy added 211,000 jobs in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the unemployment rate was 4.4 percent. The strong showing in April follows a weaker-than-expected March, with figures revised down to 79,000 job gains.

Some of the strongest employment categories were hospitality and leisure, which added 55,000 jobs; professional and business services, which added 39,000 jobs; healthcare and social assistance, which added 37,000 jobs; and financial activities, which added 19,000 jobs.

Wages also ticked upward, with average hourly earnings for private, nonfarm payrolls increasing $0.07 to $26.19. Wages have risen 2.5 percent over the past 12 months, reports the BLS.

The latest employment report points to a strengthening U.S. economy. The number of discouraged workers — those who have stopped looking for work because they believe no jobs are available — has dropped in the past year, as has the overall number of people marginally atta