The non-farm private sector added 263,000 jobs in March, according to the ADP National Employment Report. February’s figure was revised down to 245,000. Service-providing jobs accounted for most of the month’s growth, while goods-producing employment were strong as well.
Growth was widespread in March with businesses of all sizes seeing strong increases, with strong gains for small and medium-sized businesses. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees added 118,000 jobs, while medium-sized businesses with 50-499 employees added 100,000 jobs. Large businesses added 45,000 jobs.
“The U.S. labor market finished the first quarter on a strong note,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “Consumer dependent industries including healthcare, leisure and hospitality, and trade had strong growth during the month.”
Service-providing employment rose by 181,000 jobs, driven by the professional and business services sector which added 57,000 jobs. Leisure and hospitality jobs, along with health care and social assistance, also increased, adding 55,000 and 46,000 jobs, respectively. Goods-producing employment increased by 82,000 jobs. The construction industry led the gain, adding 49,000 jobs.
Read the ADP report.
