The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that U.S. nonfarm payrolls increased by 178,000 in March, surpassing expectations. The largest job gains were seen in healthcare. The unemployment rate was 4.3%, down slightly from 4.4% in February.
The number of unemployed people changed little in March, at 7.2 million from 7.1 million the month prior. The labor force participation rate also changed little over the month, at 61.9%.
The unemployment rate for individuals with some college or an associate degree rose slightly to 3.6%; while the rate dropped a little to 2.8% for those with a Bachelor’s degree and higher.
Employment showed gains in the following sectors:
- Healthcare (+76,000)
- Construction (+26,000)
- Transportation and warehousing (+21,000)
- Social assistance (+14,000)
Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 9 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $37.38. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 3.5%.
In today’s complex and often unpredictable job market, agility is essential. Roth Staffing and its specialized business lines deliver flexible, forward‑thinking workforce solutions so that you can stay competitive, manage costs strategically, and maintain access to top-tier talent.
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