WASHINGTON (AP) — American employers added 177,000 jobs in April, according to a new federal government report.

Hiring fell slightly from a revised 185,000 in March, but it is above economist projections of 135,000 jobs.

The unemployment rate remained at 4.2 percent, the Labor Department reported last week.

Transportation and warehousing companies added 29,000 jobs last month.

Economists say some companies have built up inventory before imported goods are hit with new tariffs implemented earlier this year by President Donald Trump.

Health-care companies added nearly 51,000 jobs and bars, restaurants almost 17,000 and construction firms 11,000. Factories lost 1,000 jobs.

Labor Department revisions shaved 58,000 jobs from February and March payrolls.

Average hourly earnings increased 0.2 percent from March and 3.8 percent from a year ago, nearing the 3.5 percent that economists view as consistent with the 2 percent inflation the Federal Reserve wants to see.

Trump’s taxes on imports to the United States may result in higher costs for Americans and American businesses that depend on supplies from overseas.

Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank, called the jobs report “reassuringly normal. The fears of a softer labor market due to tariff uncertainty went unrealized last month … There are signs that businesses are reining in plans for hiring and capital spending and that consumers are turning more cautious toward discretionary spending.’’

Economists say that despite some uncertainty about fallout from Trump’s policies, many employers don’t want to risk letting employees go — not after struggling to bring people back from the massive but short-lived layoffs from the pandemic.

“For now, the unemployment rate and the number of people filing claims for jobless benefits every week remain low by historical standards,” Boston College economist Brian Bethune said.

The federal government’s workforce fell by 9,000 on top of 17,000 job losses in February and March.

Bethune noted job cuts by Trump’s DOGE unit are still being challenged in court. Also, some of those leaving federal agencies retired and therefore don’t count as unemployed.

After the jobs numbers were released, Trump repeated his call for the Federal Reserve to lower its benchmark short-term interest rate, which it raised to combat inflation.

Trump said on social media platform Truth Social that there is “NO INFLATION” and “employment strong.”

As long as the job market remains healthy, economists expect the Fed to stay on the sidelines as it takes time to evaluate the impact of tariffs.

Fed chair Jerome Powell has underscored that the duties are likely to push up prices in the coming months, making the central bank wary of the potential for higher inflation.

The Fed typically fights inflation with higher interest rates, so it is not expected to cut its key short-term rate anytime soon.

Some American companies stand to benefit from Trump’s policies.

Allen Jacoby, executive vice president of textile division at Milliken & Co., said that cheap Chinese imports have hurt business at the Spartanburg, S.C., manufacturer. His division makes Polartec fabric for brands such as North Face and Patagonia and has closed six plants and reduced its payrolls 12 percent since 2019.

Trump’s tariffs, he said, could improve Milliken’s sales and hiring. “It’s too early to tell, but there’s more optimism than pessimism,” he said.

Most Americans still enjoy job security, yet many who have lost jobs say that it’s now harder to find work.

Jason Schunkewitz, 33, was laid off by a startup that uses virtual reality to train caregivers. Single and debt free, the Denver resident took some time off before beginning the job search in earnest.

He has a background in jobs training and economic development — a field heavily reliant on government grants. Trump spending cuts have eliminated some grants and generated uncertainty about others. Schunkewitz now says many nonprofits have postponed hiring.

“It’s just been silent in some cases,’’ he said. “It’s very tricky to navigate.’’ He’s now focusing his job search on private companies, which might be more secure.

Schunkewitz is also developing a business making charcuterie-to-go packs — cured salami, aged cheese, dried fruit — for skiers, hikers and other adventurers. The business is in the early stages, but he said: “I hope it becomes a full-time job.’’