U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rises by 228,000 in March 2025
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports steady job growth despite stable unemployment rates
The U.S. economy has demonstrated robust job growth in March, with nonfarm payroll employment increasing by 228,000, a report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has said. the unemployment rate remained relatively unchanged at 4.2%. The job market remained resilience, propelled by gains in various sectors, reflecting a continuation of positive trends in employment seen over the past months.
Health care saw a significant increase, adding 54,000 jobs during the month, driven by gains in ambulatory services, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities. This sector continues to be a key contributor to job growth, maintaining an average monthly increase of 52,000 jobs over the past year, the report said.
Demand for support services
Social assistance reported an increase of 24,000 jobs, surpassing its average monthly gain of 19,000 and highlighting the continual demand for support services. Notably, individual and family services accounted for a significant portion of this growth, adding 22,000 positions.
Retail trade also experienced a positive turnaround, gaining 24,000 jobs in March. This increase partially reflects the return of workers from a strike, particularly boosting employment in food and beverage retailing by 21,000 jobs, though general merchandise retailers faced a slight decline with a loss of 5,000 positions.
The transportation and warehousing sectors expanded by 23,000 jobs, nearly doubling the prior month's average gain of 12,000. Notable increases came from couriers and messengers alongside truck transportation, though these were somewhat offset by losses in warehousing and storage facilities.
Racial groups unemployment stable
Across the demographics, unemployment rates showed little movement. Adult men, women, teenagers, and various racial groups had stable or unchanged unemployment rates. Both the labor force participation rate and employment-population ratio held steady, indicating a consistent labor market engagement.
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In term of earnings, average hourly rates for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 9 cents to $36.00 in March, marking a 3.8 percent rise over the year. The average weekly work hours remained consistent at 34.2 hours, with the manufacturing sector maintaining steady overtime hours.
The federal government saw a reduction in employment, with 4,000 jobs lost in March following a similar downward trend in February. Revisions in previous months' employment figures were also noted, with January and February numbers adjusted downward by a combined total of 48,000 jobs. Despite these adjustments, March continues to reflect a positive trajectory for U.S. employment.
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