The latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows the U.S. economy added 228,000 jobs in March, surpassing economists’ expectations of around 140,000 jobs.
However, the BLS also revised job gains for January and February downward, noting that employers added 48,000 fewer jobs than initially reported during those two months combined.
Healthcare industry sees another month of robust job growth
Employers in private education and health services once again led the way in job creation, expanding payrolls by 77,000 jobs. Employers in the leisure and hospitality industry also saw significant job gains last month, adding 43,000 jobs.
These industries saw notable job growth in March, as well:
Retail trade: 23,700 jobs added
Transportation and warehousing: 22,900 jobs added
Government: 19,000 jobs added
Construction: 13,000 jobs added
Financial activities: 9,000 jobs added
Professional and business services; 3,000 jobs added
Utilities: 3,000 jobs added
Unemployment rate increases to 4.2%
The national unemployment rate in March was 4.2%, up slightly from 4.1% in February.
The unemployment rate for college-degreed professionals who are 25 or older was 2.6% in March. In February, the rate was 2.5%. These workers are the most highly sought-after hires by employers.
Separate data from the BLS highlights how many in-demand roles have even lower unemployment rates. Examples include:
Financial and investment analysts: 1.9%
Office and administrative workers: 1.3%
Human resources managers: 0.6%
Paralegals and legal assistants: 0.4%
Network architects: 0.3%
Web developers: 0.3%
Employers hiring for critical roles and increasing the use of contract talent
In a complex environment shaped by economic uncertainty and evolving federal policies, some employers have had to make tough headcount decisions in recent months. However, layoffs are often being treated as a last resort. And while overall hiring activity has become more measured, many businesses continue to recruit for critical roles—especially those requiring highly specialized skill sets.
As some employers take a wait-and-see approach with hiring, they are increasing their reliance on contract talent. This staffing approach provides organizations with greater flexibility as they keep key initiatives moving forward. That said, some businesses are also approaching new projects with caution—in many cases, hitting the “pause” button instead of canceling them. This suggests companies are still planning for growth, just at a slower pace.
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