The U.S. unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.7 percent in March as nonfarm payroll employment increased by 162,000, indicating a positive sign of economic recovery, the Labor Department reported Friday.
The newly added jobs in March were the most in three years, but below analysts' expectations of 190,000. Private employers added 123,000 jobs, the most since May 2007.
The Labor Department said that job growth continued in temporary help services and in health care. Federal government employment increased due to the hiring of temporary workers for the 2010 Census. Job losses continued in financial activities and in information.
The number of unemployed Americans in March was little changed at 15.0 million. Still, about 8.4 million jobs have been lost since the start of the recession in December 2007.
Manufacturing continued to increase in March, adding 17,000 jobs. The sector has added 25,000 jobs in the first three months of 2010. Employment in construction held steady in March. The industry had lost an average of 72,000 jobs per month in the prior 12 months, reflecting a bursting of the housing bubble.
The financial sector shed 21,000 jobs last month. The largest losses - 9,000 jobs - occurred in insurance and related activities. Employment in the information industry decreased by 12,000./.