New York's unemployment rate fell in April from 8.4% to 8.2% as the economy added 28,100 jobs in the private sector, the Department of Labor on Thursday announced.

The state's jobless picture improved slightly last month despite the overall unemployment rate worsening across the country on average. Still, even as unemployment ticked upward to 6.1% nationally, New York's unemployment rate still remains worse.

Job growth overall has remained sluggish as the economy digs itself out of the COVID-19 pandemic. New York last year shed 2 million jobs as public gathering spaces and businesses closed to prevent the spread of the virus.

Businesses in some instances have sought to boost interest in applications by offering better pay and benefits as federal pandemic aid for unemployed people has continued this year.

Joblessness in New York City remains higher than the rest of the state at 11.4%, but still declined from 11.7% in March.