America's job market increasingly appears to be splitting into two tracks, economists say, alongside a steady demand for skilled workers and a flagging interest in hiring more "knowledge-based" professionals.

Friday’s government report showed that last month’s hiring gain was down sharply from the blockbuster increase of 315,000 in March.

The booming labor market is expected to extend a remarkable milestone in April, matching the last longest period of low unemployment on record.

U.S. unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.9% in April, continuing a stretch of remaining under 4% for 27 months.

US job growth came in markedly below analyst expectations in April while unemployment crept up, government data showed Friday, signaling that the labor market is cooling.

Employers added 175,000 jobs in April, signaling slower but steady growth in the labor market, which continues to bolster the broader U.S. economy. The unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9 percent, the Labor Department reported Friday.