NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Small businesses continue to add jobs, but the pace of hiring seems to be flattening.

Five months ago, the sector started picking up, adding over 100,000 jobs in December and January, according to data, compiled by ADP, a payroll processor.

In April, however, the hiring growth started losing a bit of steam.

During that month, businesses with fewer than 50 employees added 84,000 jobs, down slightly from the 100,000 jobs added in March, according to ADP, which released its most recent report on Wednesday.

The positive hiring numbers suggest the sector is strengthening slowly after getting hard hit during the recession.I started a business in paradise!



Small businesses that are actually hiring!



5 most inventive states



America's smartest states

More Business News