US | unemployment Unemployment Rises to 9%, but Hiring Is Up As more rejoin the job search, unemployment rate goes up By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted May 6, 2011 7:51 AM CDT Copied In this March 1, 2011 photo, Mariam Bario, recently relocated to Seattle from Kenya, fills out an application with others at a job fair, in SeaTac, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) Employers added more than 200,000 jobs in April for the third straight month, the biggest hiring spree in five years. But the unemployment rate rose to 9% in part because some people resumed looking for work. The Labor Department says the economy added 244,000 jobs last month. Private employers shrugged off high gas prices and created 268,000 jobs—the most since February 2006. The gains were widespread. Retailers, factories, financial companies, education, health care, and even construction companies all added jobs. Federal, state, and local governments cut jobs. The data suggests businesses are confident in the economy despite weak growth earlier this year. Still, unemployment increased slightly from March's 8.8%, the first increase since November. Read These Next Delta pilot arrested moments after landing plane. Murdered couple died "protecting their little girls." Gunman kills police officer at Manhattan skyscraper. A family hike took a tragic turn in Arkansas on Saturday. Get breaking news in your inbox. What you need to know, as soon as we know it. Sign up Report an error