Workers filled thousands of jobs in the Tri-Cities between March and April as the region’s labor force engagement continues its seasonal climb. 

Out of a workforce of 145,430 people, 139,128 were employed in April, according to data from the state Employment Security Department. Both those numbers are up from March’s 143,301-member workforce with 136,255 employed. 

The number of unemployed persons also dropped from 7,046 in March to 6,302 in April. That sent the unemployment rate down from 4.9% to 4.3%. 

Those numbers are counter to what the state is seeing. The state’s unemployment rate remained at 4.4% between March and April. However, the state reported an estimated 5,800 fewer jobs in April, the third consecutive monthly decline. 

At the state-level, April employment data showed nonfarm employment decreased by 5,200 and government employment decreased by 700. The largest one-month sector level gains in private industry were in education and health services (up 3,900), professional and business services (up 2,200), and wholesale trade (up 700). 

“Payroll estimates remain above the tally for last April, but only by 1,200 jobs or 0.03%,” said Anneliese Vance-Sherman, ESD’s chief labor economist.