In a surprise, the job market grew strongly in April despite high interest rates

A customer walks by a "now hiring" sign posted in front of a store in Novato, Calif., on April 7, 2023. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Hiring unexpectedly accelerated last month despite the weight of rising interest rates and the recent stress in the banking system.

U.S. employers added 253,000 jobs in April, according to a report from the Labor Department Friday, a significant uptick from the month before.