U.S. adds 164,000 jobs in April, unemployment falls to 3.9%.

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - The U.S. created 164,000 new jobs in April and the unemployment rate fell to 3.9% from 4.1%, the first time the jobless rate has dropped below 4% since the end of 2000. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a gain of 188,000 nonfarm jobs. The average hourly wage paid to American workers rose 4 cents, or 0.1%, to $26.84. The yearly rate of pay increases was unchanged at 2.6% for the third month in a row. Employment gains for March and April were revised up by a combined 30,000, the Labor Department said Friday. The government said 135,000 new jobs were created in March instead of 103,000. February's increase was trimmed to 324,000 from 326,000.