In the month of March, payroll employment rose by 228,000, while the rate of unemployment remained barely moved at 4.2 percent, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Health care, social assistance, transportation and warehousing all saw an increase in jobs. Federal government employment saw a decline.
The data comes from two monthly surveys, with one focusing on labor status and the other looking at nonfarm payroll employment. The surveys collectively provide valuable information about trends in the country.
Unemployment has seen relatively no change, with currently 7.1 million people being unemployed. The statistic of people that are not in the labor force but are seeking out a job, which is 5.9 million also remained unchanged.
Health care has continued to see an increase in the number of jobs, with 54,000 being added in March. Employment continued to trend upwards in ambulatory health care services, hospitals and nursing and residential care facilities.
In March, social assistance increased by 24,000, above the monthly average over the past 12 months. Other sectors, such as transportation and warehousing saw a significant gain last month, increasing by about 23,000. That is almost double the prior 12-month average, which saw an increase of 12,000. An increase in couriers and messengers and truck transportation offset a loss in warehousing and storage.
After a loss of 11,000 jobs last month, federal government employment decreased by 4,000. Employees on paid leave or receiving ongoing severance are counted as employed in the survey.