Feeling better.

Confidence in the employment market among Los Angeles workers rose 12 points to the 104.7 mark in April, the highest point total since monthly polling of local employees began last December, according to the Hudson Employment Index.

The sharp increase was attributed to greater optimism over personal finances, increased job satisfaction and lower anxiety about losing jobs.

L.A.'s ranking was far higher than the national figure, which rose only 1.2 points to a 102.4 mark. The national gain would have been stronger, but the results were pushed downward by 40 percent of workers polled who said their overall economic situation is getting worse.

In Los Angeles, "we're seeing some positive job growth in entertainment, tourism and residential development, particularly in the downtown L.A. area," said Todd Moster, director of recruiting in the legal division of Hudson Global Resources, a staffing firm. "There just seems to be more job openings now. (Workers) are feeling it's a more employee-friendly market right now."

Data was obtained through a national telephone survey last month of 9,371 working Americans.