Healthcare hiring accelerated in April despite ongoing staffing challenges, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data published Friday.

Employers in the sector added an estimated 34,300 jobs last month, up from 23,300 in March, preliminary data show. The healthcare industry contributed to 428,000 hires made across the economy in April.

The jobless rate held steady at 3.6%, with 5.9 million people unemployed in April. The unemployment rate has been below 4% for three consecutive months, illustrating the rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. In February 2020, the month before the pandemic began, 3.5% of workers were unemployed.

An estimated 1.7 million people reported being unable to work last month due to closures or lost business linked to the pandemic, down from 2.5 million in March.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics revised its February and March data. Healthcare companies made 15,000 more hires in March than previously reported, according to the agency. Overall, the economy added 39,000 fewer jobs in February and March than the BLS originally estimated.