Payroll employment increases by 178,000 in March; unemployment rate changes little at 4.3%

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 178,000 in March 2026, while the unemployment rate changed little at 4.3 percent, with 7.2 million people unemployed. Job gains occurred in health care (+76,000), construction (+26,000), and transportation and warehousing (+21,000), while federal government employment continued to decline (-18,000), down 355,000, or 11.8 percent, since its October 2024 peak. Average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 9 cents, or 0.2 percent, to $37.38, and have increased by 3.5 percent over the year. The BLS also revised January's nonfarm payroll change up by 34,000 to +160,000 and February's change down by 41,000 to -133,000, and stated that the Employment Situation for April is scheduled for release on Friday, May 8, 2026.

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