U.S. temporary help payrolls rose by 26,200 jobs in April while total nonfarm payrolls increased by 290,000 jobs, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. unemployment rate edged up to 9.9% in April from 9.7% in March as the labor force rose by 805,000.

U.S. temporary help payrolls totaled 2.05 million in April with the gain of 26,200, according to the BLS. However, March's gain was revised down to 32,400 from the initial report of 40,100.

On a year-over-year basis, the number of temporary help services jobs was up by 248,700 over its April 2009 number of 1.81 million. It is up by 330,000 over its September 2009 reading.

The temporary penetration rate rose to 1.58% in April from 1.56% in March.

During April, the employment services category overall added 29,900 jobs for total employment of 2.73 million. The employment services category includes employment placement agencies, temporary help services, executive search services and professional employer organizations.

Total U.S. nonfarm employment reached more than 130.16 million in April, up 290,000 from March. Nonfarm payrolls have expanded by 573,000 since December.

Forbes.com reported that Wall Street had forecast a gain of only 180,000 jobs. Wanted Technologies Inc. earlier this week forecast the U.S. would add only 220,000 jobs.

The manufacturing industry added 44,000 jobs in April, according to the BLS. Construction gained 14,000 jobs. However, transportation and warehousing lost 20,000 jobs in April reflecting declines in courier and messenger services.

Healthcare added 20,000 jobs in April bringing its total increase over the past year to 244,000.

Federal government employment rose in April boosted by the hiring of 66,000 temporary workers for the 2010 Census. (Not included in the temporary help category.)

Wholesale trade, retail trade, information and financial activities were little changed.