Only seven states had fewer job cuts than Iowa in April, according to a report released today by Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. Iowa had 75 planned job cuts announced during the month.

Nationally, U.S.based-based employers announced a total of 40,559 planned job cuts in April, a 7.1 percent increase from March, and up 11.2 percent from a year earlier. Michigan employers announced the most cuts in the month, with 5,094.

Year to date, employers have announced 183,653 job cuts nationally, 9.8 percent more than this point a year ago. The monthly average is 45,913, below the 12-month average of 50,507 in 2011.