Blog

Economy Gains 236,000 Jobs in March; Unemployment Little Changed at 3.5%

Bureau of Labor Statistics

The U.S. economy gained 236,000 jobs in March, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 3.5%, according to figures released Friday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This strong jobs report shows there is still room to expand job opportunities for Americans. Wage growth continues at levels that are consistent with low levels of inflation.

In response to the March job numbers, AFL-CIO Chief Economist William Spriggs tweeted:

March's biggest job gains were in leisure and hospitality (+72,000), government (+47,000), professional and business services (+39,000), health care (+34,000), social assistance (+17,000), transportation and warehousing (+10,000). Retail trade declined in March (-15,000). Employment showed little change over the month in other major industries, including mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; information; financial activities; and other services. 

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for Hispanics (4.6%) decreased in March. The unemployment rates for teenagers (9.8%), Black Americans (5.0%), adult men (3.4%), White Americans (3.2%), adult women (3.1%), and Asian Americans (2.8%) showed little or no change over the month.

The number of long-term unemployed workers (those jobless for 27 weeks or longer) was little changed in March and accounted for 18.9% of the total people unemployed.