The number of U.S. temporary help jobs rose by 21,100 in April to approximately 2.49 million after falling by 9,400 in March, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The loss of temp jobs in March was revised up from the initially reported loss of 7,500 jobs.

In addition to the monthly increase, temp jobs were up by 199,800 in April compared to the same month a year ago.

In addition, the temporary help penetration rate rose to 1.88 percent in April from 1.86 percent in March.

The employment services category was up 27,800 jobs in April for a total of approximately 3.16 million jobs. The employment services category includes temporary help services as well as employment placement agencies, executive search services and professional employer organizations.

Total nonfarm jobs in the U.S. rose by 115,000 in April to almost 133.0 million, according to seasonally adjusted numbers from the bureau. The U.S. unemployment rate fell to 8.1 percent in April from 8.2 percent March. The college-level unemployment rate, which can serve as a proxy for professional employment, fell to 4.0 percent in April from 4.2 percent in March.

The private sector gained 130,000 jobs in April. The goods-producing sector added 14,000 jobs while the service-providing sector added 116,000.

Construction was little changed, losing 2,000 jobs in April. Government employment fell 15,000 jobs in April with most of the losses in local government.

Employment in the healthcare and social assistance industries rose by 18,400 jobs.