While the US Labor Department’s official report on April hiring and unemployment is due soon, a set of surveys and forecasts have indicated that the American job market still somehow sustained itself amid the ongoing Iran war, which has, in turn, severely disrupted global oil supplies.
All eyes are set on the forthcoming official job market data, as the US and Israel’s war on Iran have since prompted the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The waterway has typically allowed the passage of about a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas. However, its current disruption has led prices of energy and oil supplies to skyrocket unlike ever before.
Despite the blockade taking a hit on the global supply of such crucial resources, the fallout hasn’t necessarily completely depleted the US job market.
US jobs predictions ahead of official govt data release
According to a survey by the data firm FactSet, US companies, nonprofits and government agencies together showed that job growth in the country slowed in April 2026 with new 65,000 job additions. This marks a significant fall from a strong 178,000 in March.
The report further suggested that the jobless rate is expected to have remained at a low 4.3% in April.
Meanwhile, a Reuters survey of economists predicted that nonfarm payrolls possibly increased by 62,000 jobs last month.
On the other hand, payroll processor ADP suggested earlier this week that private US employers added 109,000 jobs in April.
Hiring in the US has so far largely been dominated by a singular industry: Healthcare. Companies associated with it have added 360,000 jobs this past year.
Nevertheless, these numbers also seem fragile and unlikely to sustain themselves at this point, especially since healthcare in the rural and underserved areas is prominently occupied by H-1B visa workers. But with US President Donald Trump’s overhaul of the work visa category and the imposition of a $100,000 fee on these visas, the sector is likely to be affected.